Video & Transcript Research : 'work authorization'

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MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/06/25

Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:
  • exterior work.
  • exterior work.
  • exterior work.
  • exterior work.
  • exterior work.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard presentations focused on public housing and related funding needs, with testimony from Minnesota NAHRO and several local housing authorities. Melissa Taphorn described the role of housing authorities statewide, including public housing, vouchers, CDBG/HOME funds, Bridges, and HEAT, and emphasized that public housing serves over 36,000 low-income Minnesotans, many of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, or children. She said federal operating and capital funds are insufficient, creating deferred maintenance backlogs, and noted that Minnesota’s public housing capital needs over a five-year period were about $500 million, with nearly $200 million unmet. She also discussed federal uncertainty, including a recent HUD funding freeze notice, possible changes to fair housing requirements, RAD repositioning options, and Build America, Buy America costs. Committee members asked about tenant rent calculations and the populations served. Testimony clarified that public housing residents generally pay 30% of monthly income, with utility allowances factored in, and that the average tenant rent in Minnesota is about $399. Members also heard that about 65% of public housing households are seniors or people with disabilities, while about 35% are families. The committee then heard examples of how state POP grants have been used to preserve public housing stock. Kurt Kina of the Red Wing HRA described multiple POP-funded projects that replaced windows, upgraded heating and cooling, and modernized electrical systems in a 100-resident high-rise, saying the work was essential to keep the building viable. Louise Siba of the St. Paul PHA testified that St. Paul’s authority serves nearly 22,000 people through more than 4,200 public housing units and over 5,200 vouchers, with most townhomes and high-rises serving elderly or disabled residents. She said St. Paul PHA has received nearly $16 million in POP funding since 2012, including about $8.5 million last year, and that those funds enabled major life-safety and modernization projects such as the Denan Terrace renovation and boiler, plumbing, and interior upgrades in high-rises. Jill Keers of the Duluth HRA described a broader set of housing programs, including vouchers, rehab loans, emergency repair funds, construction training, and development. She said Duluth HRA is adding 128 housing units between 2023 and 2025, including mixed-income rentals, senior housing, and family townhomes, and stressed that state investment through POP and other programs is necessary to keep housing affordable and safe.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 1st, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I want to thank my joint authors for their hard work on this bill.
  • Because actual working Texans aren't making $10 million transactions.
  • The amendment is not acceptable to the author. A record vote has been requested.
  • And it's not wealth building for working families.
  • While the working poor continue to be poor, it tells working Texans, "You are not our priority, and sorry
Bills: HJR4, HJR6, HB195, HB 13, HB143, HB135
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 27th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Since then, the author, the Speaker staff, and the committee staff have only continued to work with the
  • Since then, the author, the speaker staff, and the committee staff have only continued to work with the
  • Moving forward, I know the author is committed to working with our friends in the labor movement.
  • Since then, the author, the Speaker staff, and the committee staff have only continued to work with the
  • So I do appreciate that the author has committed to continuing to work on this bill as it heads toward
Summary: The Assembly met on June 4, 2025, first establishing a quorum and then moving through a long budget and concurrence session. After procedural motions, the house took up several budget trailer bills and related measures presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 103, a technical budget cleanup bill addressing the Public School System Stabilization Account, a CDCR shortfall, and Middle Class Scholarship funding, passed 52-16. SB 120 on child care and preschool funding passed 65-1; SB 124 on natural resources and wildfire response passed 69-1; SB 127 on climate change and zero-emission transportation passed 53-17; SB 128 on transportation and DMV/LA Olympics implementation passed 53-17; SB 132 on taxation, veterans, wildfire settlements, film tax credits, and housing passed 64-1; SB 141 on cannabis enforcement and illicit market suppression passed 71-1; and SB 142 extending the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program passed 68-1 on both urgency and the measure. The Assembly also approved a motion to re-refer several bills to committees and later suspended rules to take up Senate-amended bills without reference to file. The chamber then considered AB 102, the main budget bill reflecting the final three-party agreement with the Governor. Supporters said it balanced compassion and fiscal responsibility while preserving housing, health care, child care, education, wildfire resilience, and public safety funding. Opponents criticized it for unsustainable spending, insufficient Prop. 36 funding, and other omissions. After extended debate, the Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments by a 55-16 vote and sent the bill to the Governor. The Assembly then concurred in Senate amendments to AB 116 on health care, AB 118 on human services, AB 121 on TK-12 education, AB 123 on higher education, AB 134 on public safety, AB 136 on courts, AB 137 on general government, and AB 143 on developmental services, with each bill passing on largely party-line or broad bipartisan votes. Debate on AB 116 focused on Medi-Cal, HIV program backfills, pharmacy benefit managers, and health care cuts; opponents objected to funding for undocumented immigrants and to hospice prior authorization. AB 118 drew support for child welfare, CalFresh disaster readiness, and CalWORKs simplification. AB 121 emphasized record K-12 funding and a $1.7 billion block grant. AB 123 extended the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and supported higher education and fire-impacted career technical education. AB 134 updated CDCR and tribal policing provisions, AB 136 streamlined court reporting and funded courthouse facilities, AB 137 made technical budget adjustments and fee changes, and AB 143 made developmental services reforms while preserving the state’s entitlement commitment. The final item shown was AB 470 on telecommunications, which was presented and discussed as a transition away from copper landlines toward fiber and modern networks, with supporters emphasizing public benefits and labor concerns, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education Apr 8th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Local IDD authorities are desperately underfunded In fact, the state has not invested in local IDD authority
  • Members, any questions for the bill author?
  • Each agency works alone in support.
  • I think what the author is suggesting is that...
  • But I know that we are committed to working with the bill authors You know our desire is not to defeat
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Higher Education Committee Jun 23rd, 2026

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • This program has worked for K-12 schools. It's worked for our UCs. It's worked for our CSUs.
  • This program has worked for K-12 schools. It's worked for our UCs. It's worked for our CSUs.
  • The CSU will continue to work with the author and this committee to reach an agreement that ensures all
  • The CSU will continue to work with the author and this committee to reach an agreement.
  • Step, the CSU will continue to work with the author and this committee to reach an agreement that ensures
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Apr 9th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Sunset Commission works to improve efficiency as well as improve operations for all agencies. authorities
  • Works to improve efficiency as well as improve operations for all agencies and authorities. in Texas
  • Authority sunset review date 12 years to the year 2037.
  • That's the only thing that we have authority relative.
  • I want to note that this is an optional authority.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Environment Committee Meeting - 2025-03-27

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our work quicker.
  • We want to incentivize and recognize the work of consultants who consistently produce quality work and
  • timely work.
  • And I guess that's for the bill's author. the bill's author. Representative Faulkner.
  • the authority to ensure compliance with national air quality standards—that authority is often challenged
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 2nd, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Continue up the good work. You're doing great. Continue up the good work.
  • We’re going to continue to work with stakeholders to make sure it works for both developers and local
  • However, while the author has stated, well, while the original author had, on many occasions, stated
  • I've been working with all stakeholders, and with recent authors' amendments, we have removed product
  • It still has work to do.
Summary: The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, established a quorum after a roll call, and proceeded through a long House of Origin floor session with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine parliamentary actions. Early in the day, a motion by Assembly Member Gallagher to suspend the rules and take up AB 12 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. The chamber then moved through the daily file, with many measures passing by wide margins, often with bipartisan support and little or no opposition. Among the notable bills discussed were measures on law enforcement oversight and records access (AB 847), CalFresh data-sharing exemptions (AB 593), campus-area housing for students and staff (AB 893), insurance and wildfire hardening updates (AB 1), missing middle housing code changes (AB 6), tribal peace officer status in a pilot program (AB 31), utility bill analysis before new mandates (AB 61), fairgrounds funding (AB 258), Diwali as a state holiday (AB 268), labor and worker organizing rights (AB 288), algorithmic price-fixing and antitrust enforcement (AB 325), elections and jail voter information (AB 331), protections for judges and court personnel (AB 343 and AB 352), school construction procurement (AB 361), school-zone speed limits (AB 382), transit worker protections (AB 394), blue carbon coastal mitigation (AB 399), K-9 standards for law enforcement (AB 400), livestock carcass composting (AB 411), translation of housing materials (AB 413), immigrant educational rights notices (AB 419), gun violence restraining order implementation (AB 451), special education and child care measures (AB 560 and AB 563), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), and disability access protections for businesses (AB 649). Several bills addressed housing, energy, public health, and public safety, and many authors emphasized affordability, transparency, and administrative efficiency. The session also included several ceremonial or recognition items, including ACR 73 declaring Italian American Heritage Month, which was adopted by voice vote after 65 coauthors were added. Most measures were approved overwhelmingly, though a few drew some dissent, including AB 421? no—AB 399 passed 42-30, AB 450 passed 49-6, AB 461 passed 49-8, and AB 621 passed 58-0. The transcript ends partway through AB 772, which was introduced as an educational equity bill addressing cyberbullying after school hours, but the remainder of that item is not included in the provided text.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • of work. of work.
  • provider authorize my authorized specialist.
  • . authorization. authorization.
  • authorization to have my authorized authorization to have my authorized provider<00:50:16.000>
  • > authorize<00:50:16.640> my<00:50:16.880> authorized provider authorize my authorized
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee approved the November 7 minutes with three abstentions and then received status updates on several ongoing audits. Audit staff reported that the special education oversight audit was in report-writing, with 34 of 71 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter and a final report in the summer. The education freedom accounts audit had 22 of 41 observations completed, with a draft also expected in the second quarter and a final report in the summer. The Doorway program audit had 5 of 13 observations completed, with a draft expected by the end of February and a final report by April or May. The committee then discussed possible new oversight topics, prompted by concerns about fraud in other states and the need to ensure New Hampshire programs are not vulnerable. Members suggested hearing from DHS officials, contract administrators, and possibly the Department of Justice Medicaid fraud unit about SNAP and other programs, as well as reviewing staffing levels in HHS contract management. There was also discussion of whether to revisit the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, though members noted that prior work on that area had been suspended because of litigation. A representative from HHS, Teresa Narrow, briefed the committee on the Bureau of Developmental Services. She said the state had been in compliance with CMS since July 1, 2023 after resolving issues tied to a system redesign and billing changes, and that provider-side billing problems had also been fixed. She also described three existing bodies involved in developmental disability housing oversight, including the Council on Housing Stability, the ABLE Housing Task Force, and a legislative study committee created by HB 168 in 2024. Committee members asked for her notes to be shared. The committee spent substantial time debating whether to pursue a new special education audit at the school-district level. Members discussed the need to examine why some districts have much higher special education rates and costs than others, and whether a statistically selected sample of schools could be used. Audit staff said no new audits could begin until about May or June and that only a couple of auditors would then be available. Members also noted that a legislative study committee is already working on special education and may issue a report later this year, and the committee appeared to leave the school-level audit idea as a potential future item rather than taking immediate action.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Stansbury, for her work.
  • Stansbury, for her work.
  • In short, this bill helps the system work the way Congress intended it to work.
  • This legislation would extend the Bureau of Reclamation's authority to carry out work on the project
  • ><04:21:28.640> on<04:21:28.880> the authority to carry out work on the authority to carry
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee May 14th, 2025

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • And CSB is committed to working with the authors as the bill moves forward. Thank you very much.
  • We have serious concerns as well but really look forward to working with the authors on this wanting
  • So I want to appreciate, send appreciation to the authors for working with all of our ethnic caucuses
  • it go through at this time with a commitment from the authors that they will continue to work on it
  • So while I can identify with the fear that you have, I invite you to work with the authors on ways that
Keywords: 988, house, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, January 13, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • publicly uh representative ho for work publicly uh representative ho for work on<04:59:04.120>
  • Authority in 1990 which means the SEC Authority in 1990 which means the SEC does<05:04:09.000> not
  • ><05:04:25.240> wasted their own authority the SEC has wasted their own authority the SEC has
  • The Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act continues years of work to make the TVA more transparent
  • work working at the and a half years of work working at the local<07:17:32.520> McDonald's<07
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) May 8th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'd like questions of the author. I'd like to work. Senator Burwell, you're recognized.
  • We've worked with even...
  • That worked initially. Is that your impression? It did work well, yes.
  • That worked initially. Is that your impression? It did work well, yes.
  • I believe the amendment is acceptable to the author, and I want to thank Senator Middleton for working
Summary: The Senate took up and passed Senate Bill 945, which concerns political shareholder proposals by insurers and insurance holding companies. Senator Hughes argued the bill would protect Texas-based insurers from activist shareholder pressure, especially proposals aimed at limiting insurance coverage for oil and gas companies for ESG or political reasons. The motion to suspend the regular order was adopted over objection, and SB 945 passed to engrossment on a 20-10 vote with one present not voting. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1117, allowing any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin in oral or maxillofacial regions for aesthetic purposes, and House Joint Resolution 98, renewing Texas’s application for an Article 5 Convention of States to propose amendments on fiscal restraints, federal power limits, and term limits. Both measures advanced after debate and roll-call votes; SB 1117 passed unanimously after suspension of the three-day rule, and H.J.R. 98 was adopted on a 17-14 vote. Members then approved several other measures, including the committee substitute for House Bill 142 on HHSC’s Office of Inspector General and Medicaid overpayment recovery, Senate Bill 2373 on AI-enabled financial fraud and deepfake/phishing schemes, Senate Bill 2221 on fraudulent UCC financing statements, and Senate Bill 2681 on the basis for third-party voter-registration challenges. The Senate also adopted a resolution authorizing a Texas Life Monument replica at the Capitol complex, and passed S.J.R. 59 creating funds for Texas State Technical College capital needs. The body debated and passed Senate Bill 946, which would bar credit discrimination against organizations based on social, political, religious, or similar value-based considerations and require credit decisions to rest on creditworthiness. Senators raised concerns that the bill could create a special protected class for non-human entities or conflict with existing state policies, but the bill advanced to engrossment on a 20-11 vote. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2477 to ease office-to-residential conversions in large cities after adopting an amendment negotiated with municipal stakeholders, and began consideration of Senate Bill 715 on ERCOT reliability requirements for generators, including existing generation, with extensive debate over impacts on renewables, power purchase agreements, and grid reliability.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • To that end, we will be making a motion to authorize a subpoena. to Massachusetts Port Authority today
  • It's important to note we're not voting today to authorize a subpoena to Massport. authorized subpoenas
  • I urge my colleagues to do the same as we continue to work together and find ways to work together in
  • I would like to reiterate on the motion to authorize a subpoena to the Massachusetts Board of Authority
  • The subpoena authorization is breathtakingly broad.
Summary: The meeting was convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where robust discussions were held regarding the need for improved oversight within the Senate. The chairman emphasized the historical decline in oversight activities and proposed motions to authorize subpoenas related to an ongoing investigation involving the Massachusetts Port Authority and allegations of illegal immigrant sheltering at airports. This prompted a detailed examination of the current practices and measures needed to address such issues effectively, particularly in light of recent reports from O'Hare Airport. The committee engaged in deliberations that highlighted the importance of maintaining legislative oversight to safeguard national interests.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • here today without their very hard work here today without their very hard work but<00:05:01.840
  • this issue is that prior authorization this issue is that prior authorization was<00:05:21.039><
  • exemption from prior authorization exemption from prior authorization requirements<00:07:15.759>
  • exemption programs and authorization exemption programs and prior<00:08:15.639> authorizations
  • do so at a later date um how this works do so at a later date um how this works in<00:19:56.200>
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 423, a prior authorization reform measure sponsored by Representative Kim Moser. A committee substitute was adopted to clarify that the bill’s prior authorization exemption program does not apply to Medicaid. Supporters, including the Kentucky Medical Association, said the bill would reduce red tape, improve transparency, and let providers spend more time on patient care. The bill would create a framework for insurers to establish a gold carding or waiver program for certain health services, exclude prescription drugs, prohibit retrospective reviews based solely on an exemption, and require annual reporting by the Department of Insurance and the Department for Medicaid Services. After questions about how exemptions would work and whether the bill addressed repeat prior authorizations, the committee voted to pass HB 423 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 415, sponsored by Representative Pollock and supported by AFLAC representatives. The bill was described as clarifying that health insurance coverage mandates are generally intended to apply only to primary major medical policies. With no substantive opposition or questions, the committee voted to pass HB 415 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 390 from Chair Meredith, presented with support from multiple insurance industry representatives and the Department of Insurance. The bill would move motor vehicle insurance verification data from the old system to the CAVIS database and shorten the reporting turnaround from 30 days to a ceiling of seven days, with the possibility of a shorter period by regulation. After brief discussion and no objections, the committee voted to pass HB 390 with favorable expression. The committee also heard House Bill 3 for discussion only, sponsored by Representative Neighbors and supported by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association. The bill would require Kentucky Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for covered clinical services they already provide, aligning Medicaid with existing commercial insurance policy. Supporters argued it would improve access, especially in underserved areas, and could reduce emergency room use and improve outcomes; the bill was not voted on during this meeting.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Jun 24th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • But I'm hopeful that we've struck the right balance through the work of the committee and the author
  • So we respectfully ask to work with the author to ensure that commercial leases aren't included.
  • So we respectfully ask to work with the author to ensure that commercial leases aren't included.
  • I work in real estate.
  • So I hope we can work out.
Summary: The committee heard several bills from Senator Umberg and Senator Allen, with testimony from supporters and opponents before roll-call votes were taken once quorum was established. SB 253, the annual State Bar fee bill, would keep fees unchanged while requiring two-year notice for substantial changes to the bar exam, including vendor changes, and returning to an older delivery method for the upcoming exam; it was presented as a response to recent State Bar problems and the February bar exam failure. SB 25, the Pre-Merger Notification Act, would require certain merger parties to provide California’s attorney general the same Hart-Scott-Rodino materials filed federally, so state antitrust review can occur in parallel with federal review; supporters said this would reduce delay and uncertainty, while members questioned whether it would add another layer of review. SB 36 would strengthen price-gouging enforcement after the January 2025 Southern California firestorms by requiring rental-listing platforms to report suspected gouging, expanding consumer and prosecutor remedies, and allowing warrants in housing-related cases; supporters said it would close loopholes, while opponents from business groups raised concerns. All three bills were later approved on roll call, with SB 36 and SB 413 placed on call before final passage and SB 253 and SB 25 moving forward on committee votes. The committee also heard SB 413, which would streamline access to juvenile case files in certain civil cases brought by or on behalf of the youth who is the subject of the file, allowing attorneys to use heavily redacted records without first petitioning the juvenile court. Supporters, including Los Angeles County counsel and county associations, said the current petition process is costly, slow, and routinely granted, creating delays in civil litigation and court congestion. Opponents, including the Youth Law Center, argued the bill would weaken longstanding juvenile confidentiality protections by bypassing judicial review and could expose sensitive information unnecessarily. After discussion about redactions, sealing, and the scope of access, the bill was passed on a do-pass-as-amended vote. Finally, Senator Wahab presented SB 436, which would extend the notice period for nonpayment of rent from three days to 14 days. Supporters, including tenant advocates, legal aid groups, and several local governments, argued the change would reduce unnecessary evictions, give renters more time to obtain assistance or a paycheck, and help prevent homelessness. Opponents, including apartment associations, property owners, and the California Association of Realtors, said the bill would burden landlords, especially small owners, and could unintentionally affect commercial leases; members also raised concerns about repeated late payment and the lack of stronger guardrails. The author said she would work on clarifying commercial coverage and safeguards, and the bill remained under discussion as the hearing continued.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, if we are willing to do the hard work. The hard work of hope.
  • Speaker, if we are willing to do the hard work. The hard work of hope.
  • I yield back. hard-working families. hard-working families.
  • doesn't work the other way around. H.R. doesn't work the other way around.
  • Secret Service to be working and not get paid. They got to work.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Health Committee Apr 8th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • open to accepting co-authors.
  • If you are accepting co-authors, I would love to be considered and added as a co-author on this bill.
  • If you are accepting co-authors, I would love to be considered and added as a co-author on this bill.
  • Yeah, I mean, obviously that is the work of this committee and it's the work that we do day in and day
  • Thanks to the author for bringing this bill forward and for all her work on it.
Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 8 and heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 54 on medication abortion access. The author and supporters, including the Attorney General’s office and reproductive justice advocates, said the bill would protect California’s medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and manufacturers from civil, criminal, and professional liability. Opponents from the California Family Council argued the bill removes safeguards and increases risks. The bill was moved forward on a committee motion. The committee then heard several reproductive and public health measures, including AB 551 to create a pilot program supporting emergency departments in providing reproductive health services, AB 260 to protect medication abortion access and telehealth, AB 309 to remove sunset dates on laws allowing pharmacy syringe sales and lawful possession of sterile syringes, AB 536 to preserve colorectal cancer screening coverage if federal guidelines are challenged, AB 804 to make housing support services a Medi-Cal benefit, AB 594 to address student health insurance billing and transparency, AB 836 to study and expand the midwifery workforce, AB 1418 to collect data on health coverage for eligible employees, and AB 1500 to maintain and expand the abortion.ca.gov information site. Supporters emphasized access, preventive care, workforce shortages, and public health benefits, while opponents raised concerns about abortion, syringe distribution, and the focus of state resources. Most measures were advanced by committee vote, with roll calls showing broad support and a few no votes from members on some bills. The final bill discussed in the transcript was AB 1037, which would update substance use disorder laws to reflect evidence-based, harm-reduction approaches and remove barriers to treatment. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate response to overdose and treatment access problems, while law enforcement opposition argued it would encourage drug use and endanger communities. The transcript cuts off during testimony on AB 1037, so no final committee action on that bill is shown in the provided text.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 11th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, this is for co-authors. All members vote who desire to vote. This is for co-authors.
  • will continue our work in cultural exchanges, and continue our work in innovation.
  • will continue our work in cultural exchanges, and continue our work in innovation.
  • will continue our work in cultural exchanges, and continue our work in innovation.
  • There are 68 co-authors added.
Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of several bills and permission for committee notice changes. Members also made guest introductions, including anesthesia residents, family members, and a legislative intern. The body then took up House Resolution 118 by Assembly Member Garcia, welcoming the 2026 FIFA World Cup to California and highlighting the state’s host cities, economic benefits, and international goodwill. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing local hosting roles, cultural connections, and anticipated tourism and revenue. The resolution received 64 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. On the daily file, the Assembly passed and retained or continued a number of items, then considered Assembly Concurrent Resolution 193 by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry proclaiming 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Supporters described the role of women in California agriculture and the barriers they face; the resolution received 69 co-authors and was adopted. The Assembly also adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 210 by Assembly Member Jackson, establishing a sister-state relationship with Gauteng province in South Africa, with members speaking to economic, educational, and cultural ties; it received 65 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. The second-day consent calendar was then taken up. House Resolution 113 by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez, on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, was added to by 68 co-authors and the consent calendar passed 73-0. The remaining consent items were listed, and the Assembly proceeded to adjournment in memory statements for Norman L. Ford, Jr. and James McCain, Sr., followed by a moment of silence for each. The desk was ordered to remain open for budget-related business, and the House adjourned until Monday, June 15, upon the call of the Speaker.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • with JPs and works with judges to try to make them successful all... ...works with JPs and works with
  • They delegate authority. They provide a statutory means of execution... They delegate authority.
  • Thank him for working on this bill. Thank you, Mr. Devis.
  • We had a lot of meetings this summer working on this bill together.
  • Debus for working with us.
Summary: The committee first took up HB 2663, which updates military leave protections for state and non-state employees by aligning statutory language with how service members’ orders are described. Representative Pena said the change was intended to remove confusion without affecting benefits, and members noted it would help protect employees called to training, deployment, or state active duty. The bill passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard HB 2976, a bill addressing administrative control of justice courts and due process for elected justices of the peace when state or county entities take action affecting their statutory authority. Supporters, including two Pima County justices of the peace, described administrative orders that transferred control of their courts without notice, findings, or a meaningful chance to respond, and argued the bill would require notice, a hearing, written findings, and review before such changes. The Arizona Supreme Court’s government affairs director opposed the bill as unconstitutional, arguing the state constitution gives the Chief Justice administrative supervision over all courts and that the legislature cannot impose those procedures by statute. After a lengthy and at times contentious exchange over constitutional authority and the role of elected JPs, the committee voted 6-1 to give HB 2976 a due pass recommendation. After a recess, the committee considered HB 2406, which requires the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services to study how aware veterans are of available state, local, and federal benefits and to report recommendations for improving awareness. Testimony in support emphasized that many veterans do not know the full range of benefits available to them and suggested surveys, outreach, and other low-cost methods to gather information. Some members questioned whether a study was necessary or how it would be conducted, but several said they would support it for now; the bill received a due pass recommendation by a 5-1-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2226, which requires courts at initial appearance hearings to ask whether a defendant is a veteran and, if so, to consider referral to veterans’ treatment or diversion programs. Supporters said the bill would help identify eligible veterans early in the process and connect them to services, while one member raised Fifth Amendment concerns about asking the question before counsel is present. The sponsor and testifier agreed to work on an amendment clarifying that the answer could not be used against the defendant in later proceedings. The committee moved the bill forward with a due pass recommendation, with members indicating support pending that amendment.