Transcript Highlights:

• But to keep from passing legislation like this that will let the voters decide on this issue, I think
• And they did that to plan for their disabled son, so that when they pass, he will have a house to live
• They are also able to refuse students based on disability or learning needs, and they can also refuse
• Are there those wish and voter change their votes? Wishing the voter changed their vote?
• Wishing the voter changed vote. Prayer and closed roll. Senator Gillespie, Senator Brooks.

Bills: SJR50 , SJR51 , SJR52 , SJR53 , SJR54 , SJR39 , SB1290 , HB4028 , HB4029 , HB4073 , HB4074 , HB4075 , HB4076 , HB4077 , HB4078 , HB1250 , HB2951 , HB2961 , HB3151 , HB3581 , HB3705 , HB3970 , HB3972 , HB3980 , HB3981

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledges, and several floor recognitions, including the Doctor of the Day, Psychologist of the Day, and Nurse of the Day. Members also honored the OSBI Cold Case Team for its work on unsolved cases, recognized the 75th anniversary of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and welcomed guests for the Prague-Kolache Festival. The chamber then moved into floor action on multiple measures and conference motions. The most significant item was Senate Joint Resolution 39, a property tax constitutional amendment. After extensive debate over the impact on homeowners, seniors, farmers, schools, local governments, and future revenue, the Senate adopted House amendments by a 27-19 roll call and then passed the resolution 40-8. However, the motion to order a special election failed 26-20, so the measure did not advance to a special election call. Senators also rejected House amendments to Senate Bill 2 and Senate Bill 215 and requested conference on both. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1290 unanimously as an emergency measure, and advanced or passed several House bills dealing with ARPA and funding reallocations: HB 4028, HB 4029, HB 4073, HB 4074, HB 4075, HB 4076, HB 4077, and HB 4078. Other approved measures included HB 1250 creating a Public Safety Technology Revolving Fund for local law enforcement grants, HB 2951 renaming Red Rock Prison as the Chief James Smith Correctional Center, HB 2961 creating a Gold Star Survivor tuition benefit, HB 3151 extending the school year to 173 days, and HB 3581 increasing penalties for riot-related offenses. The Senate also took up HB 3705, which would raise the Parental Choice tax credit cap from $250 million to $275 million, but the transcript cuts off during questioning on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislature signifies the start of election season, and while you may question the power of a single vote or voter
• of a<00:01:08.040><c> single</c><00:01:08.400><c> vote</c><00:01:08.720><c> or</c><00:01:09.000><c> voter
• ,</c><00:01:09.880><c> senators</c><00:01:10.520><c> know</c> a single vote or voter, senators know a
• single vote or voter, senators know all<00:01:11.120><c> too</c><00:01:11.400><c> well</c><00:01:11.760
• , um causing them to lose disabilities, um causing them to lose their<00:15:52.160><c> services</c><00

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program reviewed the end of Minnesota’s 94th Legislature and featured interviews with Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Minority Leader Mark Johnson about the session’s major outcomes. Murphy said Senate Democrats used their one-seat advantage to advance priorities including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, stabilization of HCMC, gun violence prevention, and a $1.2 billion infrastructure/bonding bill. She also highlighted a one-year reduction in vehicle tab fees, some property tax and business tax relief, and the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General, while saying more should have been done on lead pipe replacement and that some work was delayed by House inaction and federal policy changes. Murphy argued the session was shaped by a divided legislature and by negotiations that often happened late and behind closed doors, which she said made the process frustrating and left some Senate proposals without House counterparts. She said the Senate also worked on protecting Medicaid and SNAP from federal cuts and on stabilizing hospitals, especially HCMC and rural facilities. She described the gun violence and immigration debates as examples where bipartisan demands did not match what she saw as the needs of Minnesotans, and said the state should return to more public conference committee negotiations next session. Johnson said Senate Republicans focused on fraud prevention, affordability, and education. He pointed to the Inspector General bill and the “Take It Back Act” as major bipartisan wins, and said Republicans used their leverage to secure the tab fee reduction and other tax relief. He also said the caucus wanted stronger protections against fraud without harming legitimate service providers, and criticized DFL priorities on government growth and education outcomes. Both leaders said relationships across the aisle improved over the session, though they differed sharply on how much was accomplished and what should be prioritized next year.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> money was raised to enhance disability money was raised to enhance disability access<01:45:31.280
• </c> gives a mechanism for um the disability gives a mechanism for um the disability community<01:45:
• </c> be used for the purposes of disability be used for the purposes of disability community.
• Correct. we're leaving up to the disability we're leaving up to the disability community<01:52:23.199
• </c> access to state parks for the disabled. access to state parks for the disabled. Right?

Keywords: 9:30am HB 557 11am HB 71, 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference first discussed House Bill 557, which concerns information on the school budget ballot. The main issue was how to define and calculate the “average cost per pupil.” House members favored a simple calculation dividing the operating budget by enrollment, arguing that it is clearer to the public and matches how taxpayers think about school costs. Senate members preferred the existing RSA-based definition for consistency across statutes and noted that the current definition was about to take effect. Members also debated whether the ballot language should specify the figure as being for the “preceding year,” and some House members ultimately agreed to that clarification while one member did not. After discussion, the Senate declined to move off its position on the calculation method, but agreed to a compromise amendment adding “for the preceding year” to the Senate language so it would align with the rest of the ballot information. The committee then agreed to draft the report with that amendment. The committee then turned to House Bill 71, dealing with restrictions on using public school and higher education facilities to shelter certain migrants, along with a Senate-added provision requiring DHHS contracts to comply with the patient bill of rights. Members generally said they supported the base policy of the bill, but Representative Noble raised a drafting concern about a repeal section that appeared to undo the new contract requirement; the group discussed removing that repeal language and adjusting effective dates. The committee also reviewed Senate-added language creating a donation fund for a proposed accessible pier at Hampton Beach. Supporters said the project would be privately funded through donations, with the state park division managing the fund and any remaining balance eventually transferring to an existing state park donations account if the pier is not built. Members questioned maintenance costs, fundraising responsibility, and whether the account was necessary, but the Senate explained the fund was intended to provide a mechanism for private fundraising and future maintenance support.

Transcript Highlights:

• It protects the voter registration database. It doesn't make it inaccessible.
• It protects the voter registration database. It doesn't make it inaccessible.
• But the voter data still is accessible as far as their voting history.
• Voter data still is accessible as far as the voting history, et cetera, from the auditor's office.
• the careful preserving of artifacts and materials, records from individuals with developmental disabilities

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It protects the voter registration database. It doesn't make it inaccessible.
• It protects the voter registration database. It doesn't make it inaccessible.
• But the voter data still is accessible as far as their voting history.
• The voter data still is accessible as far as the voting history, et cetera, from the auditor's office
• the careful preserving of artifacts and materials, records from individuals with developmental disabilities

Summary: The Committee on Rules considered a gubernatorial package poll, a consent calendar package poll, and a series of individual polls. The gubernatorial nominations on the lavender sheet were advanced to the confirmation calendar, and the measures on the pink consent calendar package were advanced to the consent calendar, with Senator Peterson noting the consent package was a bipartisan set of bills expected to be unanimous. The committee then advanced numerous bills from the white sheet, including SB 6002 on limits for automated license plate readers and privacy protections; SB 6178 on restrictions related to assignment of post-loss property insurance benefits; SB 5892 on protecting voter registration data and sensitive personal information; SSB 5490 on search policies for transgender and intersex individuals in local jails; SB 5177 on professional development that considers historically marginalized and underrepresented groups; SB 6039 on electronic communications for L&I; SB 5874 on waiving penalties for minor unemployment insurance reporting errors; SB 5863 on preserving Lakeland Village records and artifacts until 2030; SB 5972 on binding arbitration for certain correctional officers; SB 5941 on energy code flexibility for small school districts; SB 5203 on wildlife habitat connectivity and related reporting/funding; SB 6014 on confidentiality for pregnancy accommodation complaints; SB 5993 on limiting interest on new and unpaid medical debt to 1%; SB 5831 on the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act; SB 5928 on wildfire risk model disclosure and insurer consideration of mitigation efforts; SB 5912 on reinstating the indigent defense task force; and SB 5825 on technical cleanup of the Washington Leadership Board statute and private fundraising authority. Most motions passed by voice vote with little or no opposition. Senator Short spoke against SB 5892, arguing voter data access had traditionally been handled through auditor or county elections offices and that the bill moved in the wrong direction; supporters responded that it protected sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and birthdates while preserving access to voting history. The meeting concluded after the chair asked for further business and, hearing none, adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are people that many times are disabled, living in our Section 8, and now to say you're either
• They did it because they are more afraid of Donald Trump than of the voters in their districts.
• My name is Conrad Crump and I'm here on behalf of Disability Rights California and we appreciate the
• , let people with disabilities live full lives in their communities, and they also save the state money
• Now we're actually going to the ballot this November just a few days asking our voters to help with that

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, Chloe Shea with the California Environmental Voters in support. All right.
• Hello, Chloe Shea with the California Environmental Voters, in support. Hi, good afternoon.
• And Prop 1 barely passed, with 50.2% of voters approving it.
• Now we're asking the voters of California to approve a much larger bond to be able to help create, I
• But I specifically want to say the vulnerable communities, those that are disabled, those that are on

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's never going away once it's in there, um, because voters would be unlikely to vote for it.
• What's really frustrating about that particular instance is the fact that voters had actually turned
• It approached voters for the 3rd time in 2 years with the same or substantially similar proposition.
• And voters again said no, but there's no reason that voters should be put in that position where after
• If, uh, the local taxing unit can actually exceed that level of revenue if they go and ask for voter

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 10 relating to the calculation of the voter approval tax rate for certain taxing units.
• It took 38 years to get the first reduction in the rollback rate to now a voter approved rate.
• Of 3.5% and this bill will lower the voter approved rate to 2.5% on cities and counties above 75,000
• The rights of those voters have to be protected. Their voice has to be heard.
• which they have the greatest knowledge and the closest contact to the voters.

Bills: SB 10 , SB 8 , SB 15 , SB 12 , SB 6 , SB 13 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, criminal prosecution, jurisdiction, hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe disability can be sterilized.
• able even though they may not be mentally disabled.
• <c> although</c><00:55:36.000><c> we</c> somehow mentally disabled, although we somehow mentally disabled
• </c> though they may not be mentally disable. though they may not be mentally disable. they're<00:55:
• </c> intellectual disabilities. intellectual disabilities. by<01:03:56.000><c> repealing</c><01:03:56.480

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Disabilities, temporary appointment. Disabilities, temporary appointment.
• Who pays the legal costs voters' rights.
• So, are we looking for leading to voter dilution or are we looking for actual voter dilution?
• </c> versus the the outcome is voter versus the the outcome is voter dilution.<01:36:01.840><c> So,</
• dilution or are we looking for to voter dilution or are we looking for actual<01:36:07.040><c> voter

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• People with developmental disabilities frequently have co-occurring psychiatric disabilities, trauma
• The Secretary of State must submit this proposition to the voters at the next general election.
• My bill simply says that if this were passed by the voters, not by us, we give it to the voters to have
• My bill simply says that if this were passed by the voters, not by us.
• We give it to the voters to have their say.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to also offer them to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare because of ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections. Supporters, including patient advocates and an ALS patient, said the bill would improve access to needed coverage and transplant-related care and could have only a small premium impact. Opponents, including Blue Cross Blue Shield/AHIP, argued it would shift significant costs onto older seniors and shrink the Medigap risk pool. The bill was ultimately given a do-pass recommendation on a 12-0 vote. House Bill 2593 would appropriate $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps providers quickly treat pregnant and postpartum patients with depression, psychosis, OCD, and suicide risk, and also supports pediatric mental health care. Supporters said it improves outcomes and reduces emergency and referral costs. The committee approved the bill with a do-pass recommendation by a 10-1 vote, with one member present. The committee also passed House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, after emotional testimony from a woman born with spina bifida and another supporter. Several members objected that the state should focus on concrete supports such as health care and family leave, but the resolution still received a 7-5 do-pass recommendation. House Bill 4010, creating a licensing and regulatory board for genetic counselors, also advanced 11-1 after testimony from genetic counselors and a cancer survivor who said licensure would protect patients and improve access. House Bill 2196, addressing pharmacy benefit manager reimbursement and dispensing fees, passed 11-1 despite opposition from PBMs and employers who warned of higher costs; independent pharmacies argued the bill would help them cover costs and stay open. The committee then adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, which would publish aggregated information and hold a later stakeholder review. Supporters said Arizona needs state-specific transparency data, while opponents called it redundant to federal CMS reporting; the amended bill passed 12-0. House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, also passed unanimously after the board said it was already working on curriculum and implementation. The committee held House Bill 2813 and 2725, and began discussion of House Bill 2404, as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• My disability, as well as having... I appreciate that, Mr. Chair.
• disabled, and piece work.
• less than those without disabilities.
• I'm here today because disability is not a discount.
• People with disabilities are not less than other people.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1630, which would direct AHCCCS to seek federal approval for a home- and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with quarterly implementation updates, a stakeholder work group, and a cap on enrollment. The sponsor and advocates from Arizona Mad Moms argued the bill would create a Medicaid-funded long-term care option for the most disabled SMI patients, reduce costly hospital and state-only care, and improve continuity of care. A committee amendment narrowed eligibility to individuals needing a long-term SMI level of care, changed reporting to semiannual, reduced the initial cap to 250 members with possible growth tied to savings, and required AHCCCS to keep pursuing approval if CMS denies it. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1630 as amended passed 10-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1131, which originally required every school district and charter school to adopt a cardiac emergency response plan and appropriated $1 million for implementation. A Warner amendment replaced the mandate with a reporting requirement on AED counts, CPR/AED-trained staff, and whether a plan exists, while shifting the appropriation toward AED grants and limiting school spending to purchasing and maintaining AEDs. The American Heart Association supported the amendment as a way to gather baseline data and target resources, while some members questioned the funding split and the rural-school priority. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1131 as amended passed 9-1. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 1582, dealing with the school safety interoperability fund. The amendment changed the appropriation from ADE to ADOA and allocated funds to specific county sheriff’s offices to continue existing interoperable communication systems linking schools and first responders; supporters said the systems had been used in drills and some real incidents, and were important for school safety. One member raised concerns about the auditor general’s report and whether the program should continue, but sheriffs and school officials described it as a useful communication tool. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1582 as amended passed 6-4. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1504, which would change retirement rules for Tier 2 and Tier 3 public safety personnel and reduce the waiting period for cost-of-living adjustments. The sponsor, police and fire representatives, and pension consultants argued the bill would improve recruitment and retention and align benefits more closely with what employees were promised, while cities, counties, and taxpayer groups warned it would add substantial unfunded liabilities and undermine the 2016 pension reforms. The committee spent extensive time on actuarial costs, funding status, and the effect of the amendment exempting the bill from statutory pre-funding requirements; the transcript ends during that discussion before a final vote on SB 1504 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's been one of the increasing complaints we hear from Democrat voters, Republican voters, and everyone
• It fails to fully honor the will of the voters who demand Proposition 36 to be fully funded.
• That should not be balanced on the disabled that we have here in this state.
• This proposal tells seniors and people with disabilities... California's most vulnerable.
• As a father of a son with severe disabilities, I know these programs are lifelines.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Judiciary and has referred the matter to the Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities
• and concur with the House's referral to the Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities
• in the headlines about Proposition 2 1/2, or in your own community where local leaders are asking voters
• That means our municipalities are going to their voters, like my community of Bolton, and saying, please
• , Municipalities are going to their voters, like my community of Bolton, and saying, please, can we raise

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate met on the FY27 budget and began with several ceremonial introductions and brief amendment withdrawals. Senator Collins withdrew amendments related to restoring DCF social worker funding and educator pay. The chamber then ruled a package of tax-related amendments offered by Senator Tarr out of order on constitutional grounds, finding they would create money-bill provisions that must originate in the House; the Senate upheld that ruling by a vote of 35-4. Senator Tarr later offered amendments on a gas tax suspension and related tax relief themes, but those were not adopted. The Senate considered and rejected several other amendments, including proposals on commemorating Commonwealth history, naming a bridge, repeat offenders, and no-cost calls. One amendment by Senator Fattman to extend domestic violence leave protections to contract employees was adopted unanimously, with 39 votes in favor and none opposed. The chamber also adopted an amendment creating a special commission to study the adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid (UGA), after extended debate about inequities in municipal aid and local budget pressures. Members from across the chamber supported the commission, while some emphasized that adequacy of funding, not just redistribution, remains a concern. The Senate then took up Chapter 90, passing the municipal roads and bridges bill to be engrossed. It also adopted a community programming amendment and a Senate Ways and Means amendment, then adopted the Ways and Means budget amendment as amended and ordered the underlying FY27 appropriations bill to a third reading. After lengthy closing remarks from the Ways and Means chair, minority leader, and the Senate President praising the budget process and highlighting investments in local aid, education, public safety, and other priorities, the Senate voted 40-0 to pass the FY27 budget bill to be engrossed. The chamber then adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Trooper Kevin Thomas Traynor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services Medicaid line item is the primary line item which funds DDD services, or developmental disability
• And last year, we did have a big bill on disability, 2945, in my name, that went up.
• as another point of background context, the ATPC is used to house residents with developmental disabilities
• This does not include our voter registration or the machines at the county, but these are internally
• getting tons of money from the federal government for assistance in whether it's cybersecurity or voter

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Budget Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Article 48 of the amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth authorizes voters to propose an
• Article 48 of the amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth authorizes voters to propose an
• There's no doubt that voters support increased state investment in nature, and they're ready to act.
• In a statewide poll of Massachusetts voters conducted in July 2025, seven out of ten voters support the
• Our disability community want to go out and enjoy with their families and friends.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition No. 25-15, H.5505, “An Act to Protect Water and Nature.” Committee co-chairs outlined the Article 48 initiative process and explained that the hearing was divided into expert, proponent, opponent, and public-comment sections. The first witness, Undersecretary Stephanie Cooper of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, described current state and federal funding sources for land conservation and outdoor recreation, said existing programs are oversubscribed, and noted that the proposal aligns with the Commonwealth’s 30% land conservation goal by 2030 and 40% by 2050. She also flagged possible governance clarifications in the petition, including board structure and administrative authority, while saying the administration has the expertise to manage such a fund. Proponents from Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, Mount Grace Land Trust, the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, the Authentic Caribbean Foundation, and Bemis Associates argued that Massachusetts needs a dedicated, sustained revenue stream for conservation, clean water, climate resilience, and public access to nature. They said current funding is inconsistent and insufficient, cited estimates that the state may need roughly $300 million or more annually to meet conservation targets, and emphasized benefits to public health, mental health, biodiversity, flood protection, and the outdoor recreation economy. Several speakers said the measure would dedicate a portion of existing sales tax revenue tied to sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and golf courses, and that it would support both urban and rural communities, including underserved communities. Committee members pressed witnesses on the bill’s fiscal and constitutional implications, including how much sales tax revenue would be redirected, whether the measure is constitutional, how funds would be allocated among communities, and why the proposal includes certain revenue sources but not others such as ticket sales. Proponents said the measure would likely direct up to about $100 million annually when fully phased in, that it was designed as a “subject to appropriation” mechanism, and that legal review had found it constitutional. They also acknowledged that the proposal would reduce general fund flexibility but argued it would create a long-term investment in natural resources. The hearing concluded after public testimony, and the committee announced it would accept written testimony until March 27 at 5 p.m.; no vote was taken on the petition at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill centralizes the disclosure of the statewide voter registration database with the Secretary of
• The bill centralizes the disclosure of the statewide voter registration database with the Secretary of
• they know are not, are currently prohibited non-citizens or other people that are not registered voters
• Registered voters, and they're purposely gathering those signatures for the intent of trying to get this
• Every voter has a legitimate stake in ensuring that measures reaching the ballot reflect lawful signature

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on January 23, 2026, first taking executive action on several bills. The committee held SB 6035 and SB 5842 for another week, then worked through SB 5973 on initiative and referendum signature gathering rules. Members debated 12 amendments to a proposed substitute and the underlying bill, but none were adopted. The substitute would prohibit pay-per-signature and require 1,000 pre-filing signatures for initiatives; opponents argued it would burden the initiative process, while supporters said it would curb fraud and improve accountability. The committee then advanced SB 5892, SB 6081, SB 5877, SB 5968, and SB 6034, each on a due pass recommendation, with SB 6081 referred to the Transportation Committee and the others sent to Rules or Ways and Means as noted in the motions. During public hearing, the committee heard SB 5888, which would remove Senate confirmation for members of the Washington State Women's Commission. Senator Wellman said the change would align the commission with similar bodies and correct an inconsistency, and commission staff testified in support, saying the appointment process is already thorough and that the governor would retain appointment authority. The committee also heard SB 6123, expanding a public-records exemption for voluntarily supplied demographic information to local government employees; a Pierce County HR director supported the bill, saying it would help build trust while preserving aggregate reporting. The hearing on SB 5853, sponsored by Senator Wilson, drew strong support and no opposition; it would create a statewide emergency notification system for public officials to alert them to targeted threats, with the Secretary of State and Military Department involved in administration. Secretary of State staff said they supported the concept but wanted to work with the sponsor on implementation details, and the sponsor said he was willing to amend the bill to address those concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona voters have decisively rejected these attacks on reproductive freedom, and as such, I vote no
• And I believe that the voters were very clear in the recent proposition that was passed, and I don't
• So with that, I will be voting no, and I will continue to remind us all that the voters were very clear
• We'll continue to remind us all that the voters were very clear here in Arizona and making sure that
• I don't believe... ...discussing an issue that's already been decided by the voters.

Bills: HB2043 , HB2045 , HB2046 , HB2048 , HB2064 , HB2074 , HB2126 , HB2133 , HB2144

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: felony murder, unborn child, homicide, Arizona Revised Statutes, life imprisonment, death penalty, drive-by shooting, gun violence, firearms, felony, vehicle forfeiture, driver license revocation, drive by shooting, public safety, criminal penalties, education, funding, school districts, state aid, education reform

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1208, Addis, developmental disability services: do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 1116, Berman, online voter registration: do pass out on a B roll call.
• AB 919, Lowenthal, confidential voter information: holding committee.
• AB 919, Lowenthal, confidential voter information: holding committee.
• AB 1164, Ransom, Voter Bill of Rights: do pass out on an A roll call.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 23, 2025 suspense hearing and opened by emphasizing the difficult budget environment, rising costs for constituents, and the need to make tough choices. The chair said many bills would be held, amended to reduce costs, or made two-year bills because the state could not afford broad program expansions this year. The committee also noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later that day. The committee then acted on a large suspense file, taking up hundreds of Assembly bills across topics including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, climate, water, transportation, elections, and technology. Many bills were held in committee, while many others were approved with cost-saving, clarifying, or author’s amendments. Examples included measures on CalABLE, Covered California enrollment, wildfire and insurance issues, reproductive health, school and college programs, prison and juvenile justice matters, AI and data privacy, and local government and utility regulation. Several bills were converted to two-year bills to continue discussion. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly voted on bills by A roll call or B roll call, often with Republicans not voting on amended measures. Some bills were advanced with notable amendments, such as narrowing scope, removing appropriations, delaying implementation, or striking costly provisions. The committee also approved a number of committee bills and omnibus measures, including emergency management, judiciary, insurance, and water-related bills. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved 435 bills to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass as amended, and adjourned the meeting.