Transcript Highlights:

• The current vote is 2-1. Senator Choi? Ashby? Laird? Laird, aye. 3-1. On call. The bill is on call.
• Four-oh, I'm sorry, that was 4-1. On call. The bill is on call. Okay. The bill's on call. Okay.
• The bill is out, 5-2. File item number 1, AB 1945.
• The current vote is 4-1. Senator Ashby, aye. 5-1. The bill is out. File item number 3, AB 2058.
• The current vote is 5-1 with the chair voting aye. Senator Ashby, aye. 6-1. The bill is out, 6-1.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard several bills focused on housing, utility billing, permitting, oversight, disaster recovery, and traffic safety. AB 2058, by Assemblymember Harropetian, would streamline inspections and fees for factory-built housing by reducing duplicative local review and allowing third-party inspections; supporters said it would cut costs and delays, while the author noted local land-use authority would remain intact. AB 1945, by Assemblymember Hodgwick, would let Lassen Municipal Utility District offer voluntary prepaid electricity accounts without deposits or start-service fees, with consumer protections and electronic notices; municipal utility and power agency representatives supported it. AB 2418, by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, would set timelines for commercial plan review and allow third-party plan checkers for delayed tenant improvement projects; business and property groups supported it, and the bill was narrowed by amendments. AB 2433, by Assemblymember Alvarez, would expand density bonus incentives for for-sale affordable housing; supporters said it could help produce more homeownership opportunities, while labor and local government concerns led to amendments removing ministerial/by-right provisions. AB 2760, by Assemblymember Sharpe Collins, would allow counties with an Office of Inspector General to extend oversight to probation and animal control in San Diego County; the author and county supervisors supported it, but probation officials opposed it as duplicative. AB 2385, by Assemblymember Petrie-Norris, would clarify local authority to plan for disaster recovery and create local reconstruction agencies; cities and other supporters said it would improve post-disaster rebuilding. AB 1976, by Assemblymember Hitt, would limit late-stage public process for pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic calming projects and exempt pedestrian malls from CEQA; supporters framed it as a safety streamlining measure, while local government groups raised concerns about reduced community engagement. The committee also adopted the consent calendar for AB 2118 and AB 2728. Final votes were taken after quorum was established: AB 1945 passed 6-0 to the Senate floor; AB 1976 passed 5-1 to the Committee on Transportation; AB 2058 passed 7-0 to Appropriations; AB 2385 passed 6-1 to Emergency Management; AB 2418 passed 7-0 to Judiciary; AB 2433 passed 7-0 to Housing; AB 2760 passed 5-2 to the Senate floor; and the consent calendar was adopted 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to Section 41 from House File 4969, this is from the Governor's bill.
• Sections 1 through 49 are all from the Governor's budget bill.
• Uh, sections 1, 5, 8 through 11, and 13 are all from Representative Norris's bill, House File 2354, which
• Norris's bill House File Representative Norris's bill House File 2354, 2354, 2354, which<00:20:28.720
• So, with that, I renew my motion that House File 4207 be laid over. The bill is laid over.

Bills: HF4207 , HF4338

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

Transcript Highlights:

• But what we see actually in House Bill 1 is only $5 million the first year.
• pass vers of you could get the House pass vers of House<00:12:59.839><c> Bill</c> House Bill House Bill
• So we're going to have House Bill 1 and House Bill 2 public hearing on Wednesday.
• 511</c> me get the bill here House Bill 511 me get the bill here House Bill 511 cooperation<04:04:48.359
• He would be here for both House Bill 66 and House Bill... Bill, five minutes.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 retirement provisions, focusing on Group Two/Tier B changes in pages 25-39. Jan Goodwin of the New Hampshire Retirement System and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions, but it restores certain pre-2011 benefit rules for Tier B members, including changes to average final compensation and earnable compensation, and it also addresses the annuity multiplier for years of service. Members discussed the tier structure, with Tier A referring to vested members, Tier B to those hired before 11/1/12 who were not vested, and Tier C to later hires. Several members expressed concern that the bill’s purpose was to restore Tier B benefits, not to change Tier A rules or create broader changes affecting newer hires. The retirement system flagged two likely drafting problems. First, it said a provision appears to omit a special-duty/earnable-compensation limitation in the Group Two section, which they believed was a scrivener’s error caused by moving language out of the Group One definition without adding it back for Group Two. Second, they noted the bill’s multiplier language overlaps with changes already enacted in HB 1647, which increased the multiplier for service beyond 15 years for Group Two and carried an estimated $26 million cost. The committee discussed that HB 1647 was originally broader in the House, but the Senate narrowed it to Tier B only. The actuary’s comparison of the 2023 and 2025 HB 2 versions showed the bills are close, but the 2025 version differs in funding and timing. Staff said the 2025 bill appropriates $2.5 million more per year for 10 years, and that, together with updated actuarial assumptions and a larger share of the affected tier having already retired or otherwise left service, results in a larger reduction in unfunded liability than the 2023 bill: about $98.2 million versus $68.5 million. Employer contribution impacts were described as small overall, though the 2025 bill was said to be somewhat more favorable than the 2023 version. Members also questioned why House Bill 1 only funds $5 million in the first year, and staff said that was tied to the governor’s revenue estimate and that the full funding does not begin immediately. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly received testimony, asked clarifying questions, and noted that some issues would be addressed in the fiscal note worksheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill to wit: House Bill 559.
• The House then took up House Bill 540.
• House Bill 540.
• The vote was 69 ayes, 1 absent, and the majority having voted in favor of House Bill 540, the bill passed
• Majority having voted in favor of House Bill 541, House Bill 541 has passed the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendation is to pass out of House Draft 1.
• House Bill 1831. Chair's recommendation. House Bill 1831.
• Next up, we have House Bill measure.
• </c><01:28:45.600><c> Bill</c><01:28:45.920><c> 2139</c> Recommendation is to pass out House Draft 1.
• Next, we have House Bill 2017 relating Next, we have House Bill 2017 relating to<01:34:09.679><c> agriculture

Bills: HB1621 , HB1880 , HB1831

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Summary: The joint committees on Agriculture and Food Systems and Energy and Environmental Protection heard three bills. HB 1621 would create a conservation, agriculture, and soil health incentive program under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, with annual reporting and funding. Testimony was broadly supportive from the Climate Commission, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Farmers Union, White Alliance for Progressive Action, and the Farm Bureau, and the bill was described as a way to advance soil health and support producers. HB 1880 would prohibit, beginning in 2027, the use of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene (such as Telone). The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered written comments, Hawaii Farmers Union supported the ban citing drift and health concerns, and the Farm Bureau opposed it, arguing growers need such tools; the bill also drew discussion about crop rotation and other pest-management practices. HB 1831 would authorize funding to address survey deficiencies and wastewater compliance issues on certain non-agricultural parklands; the Attorney General’s Office warned the bill as written may violate the U.S. Constitution’s contract clause and suggested revisions, while the department and Farm Bureau supported the measure’s intent. The committees later took up decision-making and voted to pass all three measures with amendments, with the effective dates changed to July 1, 3000 and HB 1831 amended to reflect the Attorney General’s suggested changes. The Agriculture and Food Systems committee then heard HB 1572, which would establish a four-year restorative aquaculture development program to streamline permitting, expand infrastructure and workforce capacity, create pilot sites, and convene an advisory council. The Attorney General noted a technical issue about whether council members would be compensated, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union all expressed support for streamlining aquaculture and promoting restorative aquaculture. Members asked about the bill’s focus on restorative aquaculture, and the department said the program would give the area dedicated resources and a framework. The committee also heard HB 219, which would temporarily reestablish the coffee berry borer pesticide subsidy program and manager position; the department, Waimea Coffee Association, Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union supported it. HB 2139 would fund University of Hawaiʻi research on treatment methods for the Queensland longhorn beetle. Testimony from DLNR, the invasive species council, university researchers, farmers, and the Farm Bureau emphasized the beetle’s spread and damage to trees and crops, and described nematode biocontrol as promising but labor-intensive and in need of more research and scaling. Members asked whether the funding was for research rather than a position, whether the current nematode approach is sufficient for large orchards, and whether other controls are being explored; the response was that the bill funds testing and that more work is needed, including local production of nematodes if the method proves effective.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wiener: aye. 8-1. We'll leave the bill on call. File Item 5. File Item 5, Erdado, SB 1287. Move it.
• Wiener: aye. 7-1. The bill's on call. In the previous bill, I'm not sure I announced the total.
• Senators Menjivar, Seyarto, Valderis. 9-1, the bill is out. File item 2. 9-1, the bill's out.
• Senators Menjivar, Seyarto, Valadares. 9-1, the bill is out.
• Senators Daly, Menjivar, Seyarto, Valadares. 8-1, the bill is out.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard a series of bills focused on transportation planning, emissions, freight, and vehicle regulation. SB 1087 by Senator Cabaldon would modernize SB 375 regional climate and transportation planning by moving regional plan updates from every four years to every eight years, clarifying roles for CARB and the California Transportation Commission, and better aligning funding and guidelines. Supporters, including SCAG, MTC/ABAG, MPOs, local governments, and some environmental groups, said the bill would reduce duplicative planning costs and improve implementation. Opponents, including Coalition for Clean Air and the California Building Industry Association, warned it could weaken climate accountability, expand VMT-related burdens, and create housing and CEQA concerns. The bill passed 9-1 and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1315, which would require manufacturers to report software updates for semi-autonomous vehicle features to the Insurance Commissioner so the state can build data for future policy. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed 12-0. SB 1275 by Senator McNerney would replace the general fund portion of the state sales tax on motor vehicles with a one-time vehicle license fee so buyers could potentially claim a federal tax deduction; the LAO testified as a technical witness, and the bill passed 9-1. SB 1287 by Senator Hurtado would create a tax credit to spur private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure; supporters said it would improve safety, freight efficiency, and emissions, and it passed 12-0. The committee also approved SB 1423 by Senator Stern, which would streamline review for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive environmental review; it passed 8-1. SB 1064 by Senator Daly would reduce the frequency of clean truck checks for very low-mileage heavy-duty and off-road vehicles, and passed 12-0 after supporters said it would reduce unnecessary trips and costs while opponents awaited CARB analysis. SB 1375 by Senator Cortese would similarly reduce duplicative environmental review for qualifying major transit and rail projects, and passed 12-0. SB 1392, also by Senator Cortese, would expand the smog-check exemption for certain historic collector vehicles used mainly for shows, parades, and charitable events; classic car and lowrider advocates supported it, while air quality groups opposed it as increasing emissions. It passed 10-2. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, including SB 1213, by a 12-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That said, the Commission both prior to Proposition 1 and after Proposition 1 had a role in providing
• Yes with behavioral health bridge housing and so can you So that's with the bridge housing.
• Housing and transitional housing and short-term rental support.
• , such as housing transition and navigation and housing tenancy supports.
• get people housed.

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the chair and members about recent federal cuts to public health, mental health, family planning, and Title X funding, with strong concern about the impact on California programs and providers. The committee then turned to the Department of State Hospitals, which presented its 2025-26 budget proposal of $3.4 billion, including new positions, capital improvements, and funding tied to increased patient costs and incompetent-to-stand-trial services. DSH reported major progress in reducing the IST waitlist and wait times, said it had met the court’s 28-day treatment benchmark for those without extenuating circumstances, and described workforce recruitment and retention efforts such as residency programs, fellowships, outreach, and hiring streamlining. Members asked about future IST referral trends, SB 1323’s effect on diversion and community treatment, and workforce lessons in high-cost regions; public comment urged reconsideration of county IST growth cap methodology in light of new criminal justice initiatives. The committee next received an informational overview of Proposition 1 and its changes to behavioral health funding and governance. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that Prop. 1 restructured county MHSA funding buckets, expanded the Commission for Behavioral Health, shifted prevention and early intervention responsibilities, and authorized a $6.4 billion bond, including $4.4 billion for behavioral health facilities through BHCIP. DHCS said it had released guidance for county integrated plans and was receiving extensive public comment. Members focused on BHCIP application requirements, especially letters of support and tribal projects, and raised concerns about whether DHCS’s implementation matched statutory intent. DHCS said it had authority to set application requirements and that tribal entities were treated differently because of sovereignty and funding structure. DHCS then updated the committee on BHCIP, the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program, and related bond implementation. The department said BHCIP had awarded about $1.7 billion across five rounds, with more than 130 projects and 223 distinct facilities funded, and that it was preparing to award the new bond funds after receiving nearly $8 billion in applications. The LAO’s assessment found that more than half of awards served at least 80% Medi-Cal enrollees, but also raised concerns that the regional allocation model could reinforce inequities, that the program had not sufficiently addressed the highest-need regions such as the southern San Joaquin Valley, and that smaller counties and less launch-ready applicants faced barriers. For bridge housing, DHCS said more than $1.1 billion had been awarded, serving over 5,000 people and supporting more than 2,000 operational beds, but the Governor’s budget proposes to eliminate Round 4 funding as the administration weighs other statewide investments and Proposition 1 implementation workload. Public commenters and members urged more accountability, better regional equity, stronger labor and community involvement, and caution about funding for for-profit psychiatric facilities. Finally, the committee heard on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. CalHHS and DHCS described CYBHI as a broad prevention- and equity-focused effort with more than 1,300 organizations funded, over $2.1 billion awarded, and multiple work streams spanning schools, community programs, workforce, and digital supports. DHCS highlighted school-based services, the fee schedule rollout, and digital platforms BrightLife Kids and Soluna, which it said are reaching users statewide and providing low-barrier access to coaching and support. Members and public commenters raised concerns about delays in school fee schedule implementation, the large share of funding going to digital tools, the need for more in-person services, and whether the initiative is sufficiently tracking outcomes and equity impacts. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, the next order of business will be first reading of House Bills and House Joint Resolutions.
• The clerk will now read the House Bills and Joint Resolutions.
• House Bill No. 69, introduced by Simmons, an act relating to school districts.
• gentleman from Jasper for a motion on House Complaint No. 1.
• Discussion on House Complaint No. 1. I will remove my motion. Discussion on House Complaint No. 1.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for January 21, 2026 by roll call vote, 138 ayes with 6 present. Members then introduced several special guests and interns, including the Tipton High School football team, which was recognized for winning its first Class 1 state championship, along with multiple student interns and a birthday acknowledgment for a member. The clerk read first readings of House Bill 69, House Bill 3070, and House Bill 3071. The main substantive business was House Complaint No. 1, the Ethics Committee report concerning Representative Jeremy Dean. The committee chair explained that the nonpartisan Ethics Committee had unanimously recommended reprimand and sanctions, including removal from committee assignments for the rest of the General Assembly, mandatory sexual harassment training, no contact and physical separation from the complainant, and reassignment of seating and parking. A member from Jefferson County gave an extended statement describing the impact of the conduct on her personally and on her family, saying the messages were harmful, retraumatizing, and not adequately addressed by the apology offered. She said she would vote yes but believed expulsion would have been the appropriate penalty and urged stronger rules for future accountability. The House invoked the previous question by a vote of 138 to 8, then adopted House Complaint No. 1 by a vote of 138 to 10, making the Ethics Committee sanctions immediately effective. The House then moved to announcements and adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> House Bills 870 through 899. House Bills 870 through 899.
• House Bill 1.
• The clerk will read the bill. >> House Bill 1, Investor-owned electric gas and electric companies cost
• So the question before the House is to special order House Bill 1.
• So the question before the House is to special order House Bill 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill relative to the maximum age requirement for firefighters for the town of Bedford, House
• The House bill designating Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties in the Commonwealth, House No. 3427.
• The House bill relative to obstructed views while driving, House No. 3765.
• And the House bill relative to a cemetery in the town of Norton, House No. 4348.
• The bill is passed to be enacted. The House will be in order.

Summary: The House first adopted a series of resolutions, including memorial square dedications in Stoneham, congratulations to IBEW Local 103 on its 125th anniversary, and a commendation recognizing Massachusetts School Administrators Association in honor of National Principals Month. It also adopted orders extending committee reporting deadlines for several Public Health and Public Safety and Homeland Security matters, and concurred in a joint rule suspension to allow consideration of a sick leave bank petition for a Chief Medical Examiner’s Office employee. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then placed several bills on the calendar, and the House suspended Rule 7A to take them up. Those bills included measures on firefighter employment and retirement in Quincy, Bedford, and Lancaster; designation of Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties; a bill on obstructed views while driving; a disability pension for Lieutenant Deputy Sheriff Brian McPherson; and a cemetery matter in Norton. All were advanced to third reading. The House also considered and adopted amendments to charter bills for Cambridge and Medford, and later concurred in a Senate amendment to the Somerville charter bill. On final action, the House passed to be enacted the Cambridge, Medford, and Somerville charter bills. It also enacted sick leave bank legislation for Gregory Baker of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and Akita Jandara Patel of the Department of Corrections. Additional third-reading bills, including the Acton Memorial Library bill, an Air Library bill, and the John C. Murphy sick leave bank bill, were passed to be engrossed. The session included a moment of silence for the September 11 attacks and a special adjournment in memory of former Representative Robert F. Donovan before adjourning to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• There already is some trailer bill on H.R. 1, so there already will be some statutory changes that are
• Californians to know that H.R. 1 was primarily a tax bill.
• Let me repeat, the Trump administration pushed H.R. 1 as a tax bill to reinforce 2017... ...pushed H.R
• . 1 as a tax bill to reinforce 2017 tax cuts, and it added new tax reductions that equaled nearly $4.5
• to 1.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s safety net, focusing on Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The chair and vice chair framed the discussion around major federal changes to work requirements, eligibility redeterminations, immigrant eligibility, and financing rules, while noting the state’s own structural budget deficit and the need for a second hearing later in March on county and safety-net impacts. The first panel included the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and the Food Research and Action Center. LAO and Finance described H.R. 1 as driving major enrollment losses and cost shifts. LAO estimated that Medi-Cal work requirements and six-month redeterminations could affect 3.5 million people, with 1 to 2 million potentially disenrolled, while CalFresh changes could subject more than 800,000 people to work requirements and cause over 600,000 to lose food assistance. They also highlighted new ineligibility for certain non-citizens, reduced federal matching for emergency Medi-Cal services, tighter provider tax rules, and higher state and county administrative costs for CalFresh. Finance said the governor’s budget reflects about $1.4 billion in new General Fund costs in 2026-27 and a $2.4 billion reduction in federal funds, with larger out-year impacts and up to 2 million Medi-Cal disenrollments by 2029-30. The UC Berkeley Labor Center projected up to 3 million Californians could lose full-scope Medi-Cal by 2028 when H.R. 1 is combined with state budget changes, though it said the state could limit losses by choosing not to apply some new requirements to state-funded populations and by keeping some immigrants in full-scope state-funded coverage. The Food Research and Action Center argued that CalFresh cuts and time limits would increase hunger, homelessness risk, and health costs, while also hurting local economies and increasing administrative burden. Committee members from both parties questioned the fiscal sustainability of Medi-Cal growth, the 11% CalFresh error rate and possible $2 billion penalty, county indigent care costs, and the effect of work requirements; several Democratic members argued the federal changes and state cuts would disproportionately harm low-income Californians, immigrants, and communities of color, while Republican members emphasized program growth, work incentives, and the need for budget restraint. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• had 45 House bills assigned, we.
• So for House Bill committee substitute, 2 committee substitutes of House Bill 444, the Transfer Athletic
• Those are House Bill 548, which is an oil and gas equalization tax, as well as House Bill 14, which is
• However, NOGA must oppose the committee's substitute for House Bill House Bill 14.
• To a motion to reconsider House Bill 20. Seeing no opposition. We are back on House Bill 2.

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1 is the natural disaster omnibus bill.
• , which is now House Bill.
• 1 and Senate Bill 2.
• So that bill passed as House Bill; Senate Bill.
• Senator Bettencourt, this is very similar, as you said, to Senate Bill... House Bill 3. Was it 3?

Bills: SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3 , SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3

Transcript Highlights:

• We had to do so much in here because H.R. 1, the big ugly bill, cut so much in health care that pushed
• Point of order: H.R. 1 is not a part of this bill. Okay, give me one moment. Yes, it is.
• One of the things that has made it worse is H.R. 1, the big, horrible bill, which, among many other things
• One of the things that has made it worse is H.R. 1, the big, horrible bill, which, among many other things
• And when you When you look at H.R. 1, the federal bill, and let me talk about it in terms of the state

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move that the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3496 be voted due pass.
• Is there anyone here in opposition to House Bill 3028?
• Is there anyone here in opposition to House Bill 3028?
• Anyone else here in opposition of House Bill 2431?
• Anyone else here in opposition to House Bill 2732?

Committees: House Local Government , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> draft 1. I vote yes. draft 1. I vote yes.
• Um, so looking at the bill, are you supporting the bill in terms of the procedures that are in this bill
• Um, so looking at the bill, are you supporting the bill in terms of the procedures that are in this bill
• . housing. housing.
• Housing is a great incentive. Housing is a great incentive.

Bills: SB2064 , SB2662 , SB2862 , SB2343 , SB2075 , SB2781 , SB2927 , SB3068 , SB3015 , SB2929 , SB2938 , SB3230 , SB3249 , SB3332 , SB3216

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The committee met on February 12, 2026, to take decision-making on measures previously heard earlier in the month. Several bills were deferred indefinitely or set for later discussion, including SB 2064 on the Office of the State Architect, SB 3068 on procurement, and SB 3216 after its contents were moved into another measure. SB 2862 on gubernatorial appointments, SB 2781, and SB 315 were all deferred to Tuesday, February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225 for further work. The committee also noted that if technical problems interrupted the meeting, it would reconvene later for outstanding decision-making. The committee passed SB 2343 on the Legislature with amendments incorporating language from SB 3216, technical changes, and a defective date of 2525. SB 2075 was advanced as a Senate draft 1 after amendments responding to constitutional concerns raised by the attorney general and SPO. SB 2927 on procurement was also passed with amendments clarifying debriefing requirements and adding technical changes, and SB 2938 on search and rescue was amended to place the position in Hima rather than the Governor’s office before being adopted. SB 3249 on procurement protests was amended to remove the term "frivolous," reduce the forfeiture to half the bond amount, and note unresolved issues, then adopted. The committee also took up SB 3332 on state-funded travel, amending it to remove certain lines, report travel by position number to protect confidentiality, remove subsection G, and add a defective date of 2525; it was adopted. SB 2929 on public notice was amended into a pilot project for counties with populations between 100,000 and 175,000, with a year-end report to the Legislature, and was adopted. Later, the committee returned to SB 2094 on environmental action levels, heard testimony from the Department of Health in support of its current scientific process and from an environmental caucus witness in strong support of the bill’s transparency and petition provisions, and then deferred decision-making to February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225. In the joint hearing portion, SB 3233 on agricultural workforce housing drew generally supportive testimony from ADC, the Farm Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the State Procurement Office, with concerns focused on clarity, flexibility for smaller farms, and avoiding concentration of benefits in one large operation. The committee ultimately recommended passing SB 3233 with the State Procurement Office’s clarifying amendments and the Hawaii Farmers Union’s amendment to ensure workforce housing incentives benefit multiple farmers, and the measure was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here this morning, we are focused on the 2025 House tax bill.
• Next, we will have House Research give a brief overview of the provisions in the bill, and then House
• So on page 1 of the summary and also some further sections of the bill, sections 1, 2, and 8 of Article
• Members, any questions on Article 1 of the bill for nonpartisan staff?
• In the 2025 House Taxes bill that was just re-referred to Ways, any discussion on the bill?

Bills: HF2730 , HF2257 , HF2768 , HF1932 , HF2437

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, House Bill 2189, may be the simplest bill we hear this year. This bill does two things.
• The ayes have it; House Amendment 1 is adopted. Further discussion on House Bill 2189 as amended.
• for House Bill 2178.
• , House Bill 1644, House Bill 2423, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2641, House Bill 2498,
• House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2641. House Bill 2498.

Summary: The House established a quorum and then took up several bills for perfection and printing. House Bill 2189, sponsored by the Jasper member, would allow five-year vehicle registrations, eliminate the old even/odd model-year registration rule, and limit the five-year option to vehicles six years old or newer. Members discussed how the bill would interact with emissions, safety inspections, insurance verification, and county tax collection systems. House Amendment 1, which set the five-year fee at $45, was adopted, and the bill was then perfected and printed. The chamber next considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1790, a ballot-language measure sponsored by the St. Louis County member. The bill requires clearer ballot wording for local tax levies, including stating levy amounts in dollar terms, alphabetic labeling of propositions, disclosure when a measure would nullify a prior sunset, and a rollback rule tied to reassessment years and voter-approved levies. Members generally supported the transparency goals, and a drafting correction amendment adding a comma was adopted before the committee substitute was perfected and printed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2178, sponsored by the Pike member, drew the most extended debate. The bill would limit commercial property assessment increases to 15% per reassessment cycle, require a physical inspection if increases exceed that threshold, and require Board of Equalization decisions by the end of September or revert to the prior year’s assessment. Amendments were adopted to add short-term rental protections so assessors cannot reclassify residential short-term rentals as commercial property, to incorporate ballot-language provisions from other bills, and to add taxpayer protections requiring clearer assessment notices, faster refunds, and litigation-cost recovery in some successful appeals. The body adopted House Amendment 1 by roll call, 92-43 with 5 present, and later adopted House Amendments 2 and 3; House Amendment 4 was then taken up for further discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House stands in recess until the hour of 1 p.m. The House will be in order. Mr.
• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 3417 has been released by the Committee on Bills in the Third
• Third reading of the bill: An Act designating Domestic Workers' Rights Day, House Bill 3417.
• The bill is passed to be engrossed. The House will be at a brief recess.
• The bill has passed to be engrossed. House will be in order.

Summary: The House convened for a floor session that began with routine actions, including suspension of the rules and adoption of several committee-reported resolutions and orders. Members adopted a congratulatory resolution for Yolanda Kruger’s 100th birthday and approved orders extending the Public Health Committee’s reporting deadlines on House documents 4984 and 4988. The chamber also moved through a number of local bills, including measures authorizing additional alcohol licenses for Hudson and Cohasset and a charter amendment for Plymouth, all of which were passed to be engrossed. The House then took up several major bills on third reading. House 3417, designating Domestic Workers’ Rights Day, was debated at length by Representative Sousa, who described domestic workers as essential but often invisible workers and argued the designation would raise awareness of existing protections and help prevent exploitation. The bill passed to be engrossed on a roll call vote of 156-0. The House also passed House 4992, authorizing Barnstable County and the town of Bourne to convey land, and House 4994, the “Paths Act,” which would require a phased-in apprenticeship participation standard on large public construction projects and establish a commission to study apprenticeship issues. Supporters emphasized workforce development, union apprenticeship pathways, and long-term economic opportunity. Another major measure, House 4993, the Preston Settles Every Minute Counts Act, would require automated external defibrillators and trained personnel at sporting facilities and events. Representative Decker described the bill as a response to the death of a young athlete from sudden cardiac arrest and said it would close a safety gap outside schools. Representative Frost offered amendments to create a state fund to help communities pay for AEDs and to allow exemptions for remote locations without permanent power, but both amendments were rejected on roll call votes. The bill itself later passed to be engrossed by roll call, and the House also enacted a Hingham land-use bill allowing municipal property to be used for a center for active living. The session included several recesses, introductions of visitors and constituents, and ended with the House adjourning to meet the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that House Bill 222, which was first read, be substituted for Senate Bill 1425, which are identical
• I move that House Bill 222, which was first read, be substituted for Senate Bill 1425, which are identical
• House Bill 2020, an act amending Section 16-13-201, 16-201, 16-20...
• You've heard the third reading of House Bill 2022.
• You've passed House Bill 2022 with the emergency clause. House Bill 2022 with the emergency clause.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and several guest introductions recognizing Arizona Dental Hygienists Association visitors, deaf and hard of hearing advocacy groups, Arizona Society of Anesthesiologists members, the Doctor of the Day, tribal voting advocates, and other guests. Members also observed a moment of silence for two DPS officers killed earlier that morning. The chamber then received a long list of bills and resolutions for first reading and committee referral, covering elections, education, public safety, health, tribal affairs, housing, agriculture, and other topics. The main floor action was in Committee of the Whole on SB 1425, an elections bill dealing with the July primary and related election procedures. The bill was amended in committee, then further amended on the floor, and the Committee of the Whole recommended it do pass as amended. During third reading, members spoke in support of the measure as a bipartisan election fix that would move the primary up two weeks, improve ballot timing, and require observers in every county. Senator Hatathlie highlighted persistent tribal voting barriers such as mail ballot issues, dual-addressing problems, ID access, funding shortages, misinformation, and polling-place disruptions, while Senator Gonzalez voted no because of the emergency clause. The bill passed 27-1 with two not voting and was transmitted to the House. The Senate also adopted two proclamations: one naming September 4, 2026, as Taekwondo Day in Arizona and another declaring February 2026 as American Heart Month, encouraging CPR and AED awareness. After a recess, the Senate returned briefly to introduce additional bills, refer SB 1315 to Public Safety and SB 1090 to Finance, announce upcoming committee meetings, and then adjourn until Monday, February 9, 2026.