Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, you know, it was raised that there's some confusion by our colleagues across the aisle as to the
• President, are you using official State Senate resources to pay for a campaign publicity stunt, and if
• We are essentially paying right now; the taxpayers of Arizona are paying for a publicity stunt for a
• She raised legitimate concerns about federal immigration tactics that are happening every day in our
• , for the people and the water we drink, for the people and the prices we pay in our grocery stores.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I think in general insurances pay?
• We<00:46:28.560><c> pay</c> We pay We pay your<00:46:30.480><c> roof</c><00:46:30.760><c> and</c><00:
• </c><00:48:44.840><c> So,</c> regulate what we pay out. So, regulate what we pay out.
• </c><00:57:57.920><c> her</c> away in March 2020 and I am raising her away in March 2020 and I am raising
• So, they cash to pay their deductible.

Committee: House Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• And that instability is actually what raises the cost of electricity.
• Yes, we have a model where we essentially pay rent to the store location.
• We pay a portion of their rent to help offset their costs.
• I can't pay my energy bill.
• Please pass this bill and... help us to pay our utility bills. Mr.

Bills: SB383 , SB1012 , SB1181 , SB1705 , SB2075 , SB2221 , SB2586 , SB2864 , SB2994

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• They're mandated to pay 23%.
• That's 23%. ...pay 23%.
• You pay for it. Hands off the city of St. Louis. We are already paying our fair share.
• When you already are not even paying our teachers, you're already not even paying for education.
• The first is the prosecutor's pay.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, I was told today the offender would have to pay $800 one time. Follow-up.
• Someone would have to go and pay the Department of Corrections to be able to get it set up.
• Yes, I was told today the offender would have to pay $800 one time.
• Follow up. the offender would have to pay $800 one time. Follow up.
• someone would have to go and pay the out until they have GPS set up.

Bills: SB1450 , SB1458 , SB1232 , SB1238 , SB1325 , SB1209 , SB1362 , SB2072 , SB1451 , SB1540 , SB1581 , SB1535 , SB1266 , SB1927 , SB1460 , SB2084 , SB2182

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and considered a long series of bills, mostly on criminal justice, elections, civil procedure, and higher education liability. Early measures included SB 1450, allowing judges to waive certain fines and fees for people who have completed probation or incarceration, with an amendment requiring a request and a judicial order; SB 1458, repealing a statute that allowed disclosure of grand jury witnesses; SB 1232, increasing penalties for tower vandalism and copper theft; SB 1238, making domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor a felony on the first offense; and SB 1325, requiring GPS monitoring and victim-alert protections for certain domestic abuse defendants before release. All of those bills advanced, most on strong or unanimous votes, though SB 1458 and SB 1232 each had one nay. The committee also advanced SB 1209, which adjusted eviction-related civil procedure timelines by replacing “weekends” with Sundays and holidays in the filing-to-summons period, and SB 1362, which standardized early voting hours across the state’s consolidated election schedule, with Thursdays through Saturdays set at 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays retained for general elections. Members asked about the effect on landlords, voters, rural counties, and staffing, and the authors said the changes were intended to improve consistency and give more time for payment or mediation. SB 2072, dealing with deed fraud and title theft, was amended to clarify that fee waivers apply to orders restoring title after a fraudulent conveyance, and then advanced unanimously. Later, the committee considered SB 1451, which adds a checkbox for prior voter registration, codifies cancellation of prior registrations, and requires an annual statistical report on registration notices; it advanced on a 6-2 vote after questions about whether the bill could burden voters. SB 1540 created a new felony offense for “grooming” a minor, prompting debate over whether existing indecent-proposal statutes already cover similar conduct; it advanced 7-1. SB 1581 extended the time for county grand jury initiative petitions from 45 to 90 days and added a protest period, and SB 1535 would adjust charity-enforcement procedures for the Attorney General; both advanced. The committee also advanced SB 1266, increasing penalties for violations of the anti-notario law, SB 1927, elevating unauthorized boarding or refusal to leave a school bus to a felony, SB 1460, strengthening penalties for repeat peeping Tom and clandestine recording offenses, and SB 2182, creating civil remedies for nonconsensual sharing of intimate images. SB 1618 was laid over, and the meeting adjourned with notice of another meeting the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, and I have spoken with Prosecutor Todd Murray about this briefly, and now it's in their hands, and
• Oh, and does your team make recommendations to prosecutors, or is that only through Legislative Audit
• We, if it depends, sometimes on the case, we may involve the prosecutor early.
• So sometimes it is already to the prosecutor before it gets to Legislative Audit.
• There was $2,500 that we had to pay back because some students got through and got federal financial

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Summary: The House and Senate Legislative Audit committee met to approve prior minutes and review four higher education audit reports. Staff first presented the University of Arkansas System report, which included three findings that had been certified and referred to the Governmental Bonding Board, the attorney general, and the appropriate prosecuting attorney: unauthorized purchases at UAPB totaling about $37,000, a fraud scheme involving falsified FAFSA/transcript records at East Arkansas Community College with about $66,000 in losses, and unallowable charges in the Veterans Upward Bound program at UA Fayetteville totaling $8,500, of which $6,700 was recovered. Committee members praised the institutions’ internal audit and management teams for identifying the issues and asked detailed questions about how the fraud was detected, especially the online student identity-theft scheme at EACC and the safeguards now being used to verify student identity and prevent similar cases. EACC officials explained that the fraudulent admissions involved online applicants using falsified transcripts and identity-theft tactics, that 39 suspicious students were identified, and that seven slipped through far enough to receive federal aid, resulting in a $2,500 reimbursement obligation to the university. They said the college now uses a cross-departmental student validity team, extensive red-flag protocols, direct outreach to high schools, ID verification, and other checks, and that the issue has been shared across the UA system and with other campuses. UA Fayetteville also clarified that no veterans were harmed by the Veterans Upward Bound finding; the program was closed and students were redirected to other veteran support programs in the state. The committee then deferred the Northwest Arkansas Community College report. Staff next summarized two additional reports, from Southeast Arkansas College and Southern Arkansas University Tech, which contained only financial statement misstatements corrected during audit fieldwork; SAU Tech also had a finding involving unauthorized withdrawals that the college discovered and recovered. With no further questions, the committee voted without objection to file the reviewed reports and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be a prosecutor who has the entire discretion. “Determination.
• It would be a prosecutor who has the entire discretion to apply the law how they see fit, leaving the
• So in more than 90% of cases, the prosecutor is the final decision maker who has that full discretion
• This power that the police and prosecutors have consistently targets Black and brown communities, and
• However, the reason that my colleagues are raising concerns is because there are undefined terms here

Summary: The Senate met in floor session, began with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, received communications, and handled a return of Senate Bill 1456 from the House for reconsideration. Members then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars, considering and amending bills on court fees, information technology, environmental quality, agricultural property inspections, property tax notices, veterans services, zoning and electric generation siting, fuel and gas resilience, and disturbing religious services. Several amendments were adopted, including changes to HB 2265 on criminal court fees, HB 2311 on conversational AI disclosures and privacy limits, HB 2986 on environmental quality/fuel resilience, HB 2104 and HB 2105 on agricultural property inspection rules, HB 2406 on veterans services, HB 2494 on electric generation siting and environmental compatibility, HB 2696 on fuel and gas prices, and HB 4117 on interference with religious services. Most of these bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, though members raised concerns on HB 2311 and HB 4117 about privacy, free speech, and prosecutorial discretion. The chamber then took up a long series of third readings and final votes. Bills passed included HB 2015 on single-audit compliance, HB 2041 on child neglect and poverty factors, HB 2048 on AHCCCS prescription drug coverage, HB 2417 on excessive speed, HB 2611 on child welfare, HB 2793 on annexation, HB 2950 on special districts, HB 2995 on family law, HB 4018 on county officers, HB 2404 on mental health services, HB 2279 on limitations of actions, HB 2502 on the state retirement system, HB 2733 and HB 2953 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2979 on credit unions, HB 4042 on parent-child relationship determinations, HB 4010 on health professional regulatory boards, HB 4043 on public schools, HB 4049 on the Attorney General, HB 2265 on court fees, HB 2311 on information technology, and HB 2986 on environmental quality. HB 2601 on state highways and routes failed. Several members explained votes on bills involving fiscal impacts, child welfare, road safety, annexation, and criminal justice concerns. The Senate also adopted a group concurrence motion on several conference committee reports, including HB 2003, HB 2010, HB 2133, and HB 2874, and then voted on those measures. HB 2003 on driver’s license instruction permits, HB 2010 on advertising, HB 2133 on disclosure of sexual material and synthetic depictions, and HB 2874 on campaign committees and termination statements were all advanced after conference committee action, with debate on HB 2133 focusing on First Amendment and content-moderation concerns. The session ended with introduction of a large package of transportation-related appropriations bills and a motion to suspend certain committee notice rules for Appropriations to hear legislation and strike-everything amendments on short notice.

Transcript Highlights:

• He couldn't pay—I don't care if it was like a $500 bond. He couldn't pay it.
• He couldn't pay it.
• That's why we just keep raising criminal penalties.
• And then they pay them back a little bit of interest.
• They have a prosecutor there.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> taxpayers are either going to be paying taxpayers are either going to be paying the<01:57:08.400
• So going to be paying the 91A lawsuit.
• :17:20.319><c> with</c><02:17:20.559><c> the</c> prosecutor does not comply with the prosecutor does
• He didn't have to pay the was the media.
• Fortunately, the prosecutor behind me, prosecutor Slaughter, contacted me and said, "Hey, I kind of know

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• > who've</c> experience with prosecutors who've experience with prosecutors who've struggled<00:19:19.919
• Chair Daryl Abbas: You can raise the same arguments, and I'm just curious what would be raised in a—
• these issues like there's no could raise these issues like there's no problem<01:03:25.039><c> raising
• Um people problem raising those now.
• and not get pay some pay child support and not get the<02:14:25.679><c> benefit</c><02:14:26.079><c>

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• So does one pay to install the device so they can get to work and therefore fail to pay a utility bill
• The vendors will pay up to 90% of the cost.
• These are men who are affluent and have the means to pay that.
• Every probation meeting means a parent is missing work, often without pay.
• I was born and raised in South Hayward, California.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, beginning with housekeeping items and the adoption of a four-bill consent calendar. Bills on the consent calendar included AB 476 on metal theft, AB 619 on California Conservation Corps training for formerly incarcerated people, AB 1192 on child abuse or neglect reporting, and AB 1239 on human trafficking data. Several bills were pulled by the authors before hearing, and the committee also announced that AB 379 would be heard with a file notice waiver and AB 63 would be for testimony only. The most extensive discussion was on AB 366, which would require ignition interlock devices for anyone convicted of DUI. The author, Senator Archuleta, and a MADD representative gave emotional testimony about family members killed by drunk drivers and argued the bill would save lives. Support came from law enforcement, fire, medical, auto club, and safety groups. Opposition from public defenders and criminal justice advocates focused on loss of judicial discretion, costs for low-income drivers, and concerns about vendor oversight and effectiveness. The committee voted to pass AB 366 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1380, which would create a permanent pathway into firefighting careers for formerly incarcerated people who served on Cal Fire hand crews. The author and supporters said the bill would recognize service, improve reentry, and reduce recidivism; a fire labor group withdrew its opposition after amendments were discussed. The measure passed to Appropriations, though it remained on call pending one additional vote. AB 461, which would remove criminal penalties for parents of truant K-8 students and replace them with supportive responses, drew broad support from education and justice advocates but no opposition testimony; it was also passed to Appropriations and left on call pending one more vote. ACR 60, recognizing the Downey Police Department’s special-needs communication program for interactions with people with disabilities or sensory challenges, was adopted unanimously. The committee then heard AB 746 on creating an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve for incarcerated workers. Supporters said it would build job skills, dignity, and reentry success; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed to Appropriations and was left on call pending votes. Finally, AB 379 on human trafficking drew strong support from survivor advocates, law enforcement, and local officials for creating a survivor services fund and targeting buyers, but also strong opposition from survivors and civil liberties groups who warned it would criminalize vulnerable people and revive harmful loitering enforcement. The committee discussion continued with members weighing survivor support, public safety tools, and concerns about the bill’s amendments and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> nothing law enforcement or prosecutors nothing law enforcement or prosecutors could<00:26:22.640
• what was asked, If the teen did not pay what was asked, the<00:27:10.559><c> girl</c><00:27:10.799><
• </c><00:28:53.200><c> Um</c><00:28:53.760><c> so</c> concern that I want to raise.
• Um so concern that I want to raise.
• </c> actions that are raised in other parts. actions that are raised in other parts.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have 30 days for the pay-or-vacate compliance period.
• So 30 days for the... ...pay-or-vacate, about 90 days to get through court.
• And obviously, if you are a tenant and you can't pay rent, then you're not going to ever pay that back
• The fiber comment has already been raised. If they cut fiber, leave it on the ground.
• The yards are paying for on-site inspections with State Patrol, which is fantastic.

Summary: The committee held a work session in Mill Creek focused first on the eviction process. Judge Michael Scott of King County Superior Court described historic highs in unlawful detainer filings across Washington, especially in urban counties, and said King County has reduced its backlog and average time to resolution to about 60 days by adding two dedicated eviction judges and using more judges when needed. He also described how King County and other counties are implementing the right to counsel for indigent tenants, and noted that additional housing commissioners may help. Office of Civil Legal Aid representatives Philippe Knapp and Jane Paxe said the statewide appointed counsel program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, referred clients to social services, and helped many remain housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without representation. A landlord-side panel argued that eviction timelines remain too long and fragmented, creating unpaid rent, safety issues, and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants; they urged more uniform procedures, streamlined rental assistance, and procedural changes to reduce refiling and delays. The second work session addressed theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff reviewed existing criminal and regulatory laws covering malicious mischief, theft, scrap metal businesses, and metal property deception. Comcast, Mason Public Utility District, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft of aerial cable and copper has become a crisis affecting power, internet, 911 service, schools, hospitals, and line-worker safety. Utility representatives described outages, hazards, and rising costs, and asked for stronger audits of scrapyards, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, and tighter rules on payment and identification. Recyclers said they oppose the thefts and already operate under heavy regulation, but acknowledged enforcement gaps and the need for better coordination; committee members discussed possible bill concepts and asked for written recommendations. The final work session covered standards for law enforcement personnel. Criminal Justice Training Commission Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained current certification and decertification rules, including background checks, training requirements, mandatory and discretionary grounds for decertification, and the hearing process. They said elected sheriffs are not currently required to undergo the same pre-election background check as other applicants, though they can still be decertified if already certified, and they reported a backlog of more than 1,000 cases with about 70 to 80 new cases coming in each month. Retired Judge Ann Levinson then outlined ways the legislature could strengthen and align standards for chiefs, sheriffs, and marshals, including requiring certification within a set time, setting a minimum age, requiring recent state background checks, and making loss of certification a vacancy in office. Committee members asked questions about accountability for elected sheriffs, background-check administration, and decertification outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if the lobby is paying anybody, but I oppose it, and it won't stop crime.
• I don't know if the lobby is paying anybody, but I oppose it, and it won't stop crime.
• in Kuwaii with the hopes of and raised in Kuwaii with the hopes of going<00:18:21.919><c> back</c><00
• Even if this law were to pass in some form, prosecutors still have the discretion to not charge it.
• still have a the discretion prosecutors still have a the discretion to<01:09:31.600><c> not</c><01:09

Summary: The committee first took up SB 547 on water conservation, a deferred agenda item that had already been considered by the other joint committees and received no public testimony. The chair recommended adopting Department of Taxation and Department of Health amendments, passing the bill, and adding a defective date of July 1, 2050. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation; the vice chair voted yes, two senators were excused, and the recommendation was adopted. The main hearing focused on SB 1030, which would define election fraud intimidation to include carrying any firearm or weapon at or near a voter service center, place of deposit, or polling place. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill duplicated existing sensitive-places law, raised Second Amendment concerns, and could create confusion for lawful concealed carry holders using ballot drop boxes. A smaller number of supporters, including gun violence prevention advocates and labor representatives, argued the measure would improve voter safety. The committee heard more than 1,560 total testimonies for the hearing overall, and for SB 1030 staff noted over 10 in support and over 80 in opposition; no vote on SB 1030 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then heard SB 38, which would extend Hawaii’s ban on high-capacity magazines from pistols to any firearm with a detachable magazine over 10 rounds. Supporters, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Moms Demand Action, Everytown, Brady, and other gun violence prevention advocates, said the bill would close a loophole, improve consistency in the law, and reduce the harm caused by mass shootings. Opponents, including gun owners, veterans, and Second Amendment advocates, argued the bill would criminalize lawful owners, be difficult to enforce, and would not reduce crime. The committee reported receiving over 40 testimonies in support and over 400 in opposition. Finally, the committee began SB 401, which would add rifles capable of firing .50 caliber or higher ammunition to the list of prohibited weapons, excluding antiques and muzzle loaders. HPD and Everytown testified in support, describing the weapons as military-grade and dangerous, while Jerry Yuan and others opposed the bill, saying it was overbroad and would sweep in firearms and ammunition types that are not used in crime. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 401, before any committee action or vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> purpose they're raising money for. purpose they're raising money for.
• </c> raising money for them. raising money for them.
• </c><00:59:00.040><c> We</c> prosecutor and every jurisdiction.
• We prosecutor and every jurisdiction.
• The total amount that's raised before taking out any kind of expenses.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Gaming

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and presenting their credit cards to pay and presenting their credit cards to pay for<01:08:07.200
• </c> and goes to leave without paying for it. and goes to leave without paying for it.
• </c> couple of things that were raised today. couple of things that were raised today.
• </c> this goes to a a concern that was raised this goes to a a concern that was raised about<04:12:10.000
• And the concerns that have been raised.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the county prosecutor...
• , and the county prosecutor...
• It has to go to the local county prosecutor, and the county prosecutors sometimes are overwhelmed with
• And we did increase the pay for foster parents.
• So then they were paying for two appointments through Medicare. So it cost the state more money.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• After property is seized, the typical process is that the prosecutor files a forfeiture action, and the
• Proceeds from forfeited assets often go to law enforcement agencies involved in the seizure, prosecutors
• I’m a practicing attorney and prosecutor in a number of jurisdictions across the state.
• Chairman, and Senator Adams raised the issue just thinking about where things have been.
• And you might remember previous attempts this year where I suggested raising the licensure fees to augment

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• That makes no sense, and yet the insurance companies get to pay for it.
• So we need to pay attention. I personally pay attention.
• </c> change process you need to be paying change process you need to be paying very<00:46:30.400><c>
• </c> need to pay attention I personally pay need to pay attention I personally pay attention<00:46:47.280
• </c><01:02:53.039><c> in</c> legislature working as a prosecutor in legislature working as a prosecutor

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• filed suit against the owner of bikini barista stands who sexually harassed his employees and failed to pay
• As a former prosecutor, I understand all too well the need for appropriate oversight of all state actors
• Even though I was born and raised in this country, I have no reason to feel any safer from Immigration
• I have been working with prosecutors on that.
• I'm a senior prosecutor with the King County Prosecutor's Office.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on four bills. SB 5925 would expand the Attorney General’s civil investigative demand authority to investigate possible violations of the U.S. and Washington constitutions, certain labor and civil rights laws, law enforcement use-of-force issues, and jail-related statutes. Supporters, including the Attorney General’s office, Teamsters 117, and Working Washington, said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases. Opponents, including police, sheriffs, cities, counties, and retail and business groups, argued it would give the AG broad investigative power without enough threshold showing, could burden local governments and employers, and raised constitutional concerns about speech and search protections. No vote was taken. SB 5906 would codify and expand protections for non-public spaces in schools, child care facilities, health care facilities, higher education institutions, and county auditor election areas by limiting immigration enforcement access without a judicial warrant or court order and restricting collection of immigration-related information about students and families. Supporters said the bill would reduce fear, protect privacy, and make existing Keep Washington Working policies clearer and more durable, with testimony from immigrant rights groups, faith organizations, students, PTA, and health advocates. Some organizations, including health care and child care stakeholders, supported the goal but asked for amendments to clarify definitions, create model policies, add training and enforcement provisions, and adjust warrant/subpoena language. The committee also heard strong opposition concerns about federal immigration enforcement, but no action was taken. SB 6070 would expand missing-person tools by allowing certain digital investigative tools to be used in missing endangered person cases, creating new Abney and Purple Alerts for missing Black people and people with disabilities, and broadening the definition of missing endangered person. Supporters included prosecutors, law enforcement, tribal and disability advocates, families of missing persons, and students who argued that faster alerts and better digital tools save lives and address racial and disability disparities in missing-person responses. Testimony described delays in prior cases and the need for more urgent, targeted alerts. The committee then heard SB 6002, which would regulate automated license plate reader systems, set registration, use, retention, audit, and disclosure rules, and prohibit certain uses such as immigration enforcement and surveillance near protected locations. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create statewide guardrails for a technology already in use, and testimony was expected to continue after the excerpt ended; no vote or final action was recorded in the portion provided.