Transcript Highlights:

• It's an honor to be here with you today in support of House Bill 2495, filed by Representative McKenna
• Honorable members, my name is Keith Levan, and I am before you today in support of S. 1573.
• Graduating at 22 honors their journey.
• I'm advocating in honor of my son, Pernell, who passed away from Niemann-Pick type A in December 2019
• Good afternoon, Chairwoman Decker, honorable members of the committee.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on children’s health, tobacco control, newborn screening, pediatric cancer, palliative care, and professional licensure. Early testimony highlighted Senate bills to expand newborn screening for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency, lysosomal storage disorders, and congenital CMV, with families and clinicians describing severe diagnostic delays, missed treatment windows, and the benefits of early detection. Speakers also supported a bill to improve pediatric cancer research through a dedicated trust fund, and a bill to extend pediatric palliative care services to age 22, with parents and providers emphasizing continuity of care for seriously ill young people. Several witnesses gave personal accounts in support of the newborn screening measures. Families described children who endured years of misdiagnosis before receiving diagnoses such as Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, Pompe disease, Niemann-Pick disease, and CMV, often after irreversible damage had already occurred. Medical and advocacy witnesses said Massachusetts already collects some of the relevant screening data and argued that results should be reported to families, while others urged the committee to add conditions to the state panel because effective treatments already exist. The committee also heard support for a bill to establish a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder program and training for providers. On tobacco and youth health, testimony supported bills to ban internet tobacco sales, strengthen youth protections, and reduce lung cancer deaths through point-of-sale information and quit-line access. A student testified about easily purchasing flavored nicotine products online without meaningful age verification, and public health advocates backed measures to keep tobacco out of children’s environments. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to ensure parents have access to their children’s medical records through age 16, with exceptions for sensitive services already protected by law. The committee additionally took testimony on an optometry licensure bill, where ophthalmologists opposed language they said could broaden scope of practice and allow optometrists to use the title “optometric physician,” while optometry educators and students supported the bill as a modernization measure with no scope expansion. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly reminded speakers of time limits and noted that written testimony could be submitted for additional comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> my</c><00:16:22.040><c> duties</c><00:16:22.760><c> and</c><00:16:22.880><c> I</c> faithfully discharge
• my duties and I faithfully discharge my duties and I will<00:16:23.120><c> faithfully</c><00:16:23.880
• ><c> discharge</c><00:16:24.400><c> my</c><00:16:24.520><c> duties</c><00:16:25.000><c> as</c><00:16:
• 25.160><c> a</c> will faithfully discharge my duties as a will faithfully discharge my duties as a member
• And while we continue to honor those who lost their lives, and many of these people I was raised with

Transcript Highlights:

• We honor and support the work that your officers do and your staff does.
• </c><00:41:24.040><c> or</c> it cannot simply be to honor or it cannot simply be to honor or commemorate
• Senator Putnam will have the next bill, Senate Bill 1308. honor and dignity that they obviously honor
• </c><01:42:41.119><c> however</c><01:42:41.400><c> without</c> have them be discharged however without
• have them be discharged however without sufficient<01:42:42.199><c> funding</c><01:42:42.719><c> we<

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• that create backups, and discharge that create backups, and inflation<00:58:28.880><c> that</c><00:58
• strained health systems are due to this issue is finding safe post-discharge placement settings that
• And when patients cannot discharge from our hospital, our hospital beds quickly reach their capacity.
• </c><01:10:29.320><c> from</c><01:10:29.440><c> our</c> when patients cannot discharge from our when
• patients cannot discharge from our hospital,<01:10:30.000><c> our</c><01:10:30.120><c> hospital</c><01

Bills: HF4343

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• talking with inmates and having visited some of the facilities, you know, they would talk about discharge
• Is there any kind of document that prison systems use for discharge re-entry programming like that, or
• Is there any kind of document that prison systems use for discharge re-entry programming like that, or
• planning and so for me about discharge planning and so for me that<01:02:23.839><c> triggers</c><01:
• re-entry programming like that discharge re-entry programming like that &gt;&gt; like<01:02:35.280><

Bills: HB1769

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1769, which would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally reduce the number of people incarcerated in private out-of-state correctional institutions. The DCR director opposed the bill, saying the department does not control overall prison population levels because courts determine admissions, and arguing that Hawaiʻi’s in-state facilities are already over capacity, especially Halawa, which he said is 165% over design capacity. He said only a small portion of the population is under departmental control through furlough programs and argued that bringing people home would require building a new medium-security prison. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Public Defender’s office, and several individuals, argued the bill creates a phased, accountable path to reduce reliance on mainland prisons and bring people home. Supporters emphasized the harms of separating incarcerated people from ʻohana and culture, the disproportionate impact on Native Hawaiians, and the need for diversion, treatment, re-entry support, and fair sentencing. Several testifiers also said the department has more control than it claimed, pointing to underused furlough options, reclassification, and empty beds at some in-state facilities, while others urged clearer statutory language and guardrails. Members questioned the director about whether people could be reclassified or moved to available beds at facilities such as Kulani and Waiawa, and about whether the department could do more through staffing and contract changes. The director said some proposals had been sent to the Department of Human Resource Development, but that major facility changes would be costly and that minimum-security facilities would need substantial upgrades to house medium-security inmates. After discussion, the chair said the committee would defer HB 1769 to Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for decision-making and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• we come together to honor the life oh<00:19:53.880><c> sorry</c><00:19:54.600><c> honor</c><00:19:54.880
• </c> we hope to pass today is in his honor we hope to pass today is in his honor and<00:20:37.039><c>
• </c> today thank you for allowing us to honor today thank you for allowing us to honor Jesse<00:21:01.880
• </c><00:22:33.120><c> of</c> pass on February 11th 2025 in honor of pass on February 11th 2025 in honor
• Someone who served and was discharged under honorable conditions should be able to show their love of

Transcript Highlights:

• If they discharge a faculty member, as we've got that defined in there, how much they will have to pay
• in that discharge or how much they could be expected to pay, so that it's not just open-ended.
• And then the second part of that is just giving some more certainty as to being able to discharge.
• So you've got that financial part of it, as well as us giving... ...to being able to discharge.
• Members, Senate Bill 2026 expands who may legally access a veteran's military discharge forms that are

Bills: SB65 , SB248 , SB330 , SB378 , SB844 , SB1330 , SB1410 , SB1475 , SB1476 , SB1565 , SB1618 , SB1623 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SB2084 , SB1655 , SB1679 , SB2174 , SB1775 , SB1873 , SB1204 , SB1884 , SB1916 , SB1937 , SB1447 , SB1500 , SB2007 , SB2074 , SB1944 , SB2018 , SB1984 , SB2026 , SB2045 , SB2049 , SB2062 , SB2112 , SB2118 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB2135 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1195

Summary: The Senate first considered Senate Bill 1623, a measure updating the state charter for state-regulated credit unions to make them more competitive with federal credit unions. Two amendments were adopted: one changing certain board authority language from “shall” to “may,” and another restoring the title. Supporters said the bill was the product of years of negotiation with bankers and credit unions and would not affect national banks; after questions about membership expansion and census-tract service areas, the bill passed 44-0. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would send to voters a constitutional amendment lowering annual caps on assessed-value growth for homestead and agricultural property from 3% to 1%, and for other property from 5% to 3%. Proponents argued it would slow property-tax growth, help seniors and fixed-income homeowners stay in their homes, and not reduce government revenue but only slow future growth; opponents warned it would reduce local revenue growth for schools, counties, infrastructure, and bonding capacity, and would disproportionately benefit higher-value property owners. The resolution passed 38-8, and the special-election referral also passed 38-8. Senate Joint Resolution 47, which would place current voter ID requirements into the Constitution, also advanced and passed 39-8, with the special-election provision passing by the same margin. Supporters said it simply constitutionalized existing law requiring proof of identity and would preserve election security; critics said Oklahoma already has voter ID rules, the measure was unnecessary, and the language could create uncertainty for absentee voters and future changes. Debate also touched on provisional ballots, military and overseas voting, and whether the measure would make future adjustments harder. Later, Senate Bill 2084 passed 35-7 and as an emergency measure. The bill limits wrongful-termination settlements for faculty members at higher education institutions to two times annual salary, including pay and accrued benefits. Supporters said it would provide certainty for universities and regents; questions focused on tenure, free-speech claims, and how the cap would interact with existing tort limits. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1655 unanimously to allow Oklahoma Complete Health’s Children’s Specialty Program to contact adoptive parents and offer continued voluntary services for post-adoption children, and Senate Bill 1679 was introduced as the “Preserving Oklahoma Values Act,” aimed at codifying adherence to the U.S. and Oklahoma Constitutions and rejecting foreign law, with debate beginning over its enforcement and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since our founding in 1945, more than 65 years in Hawaii, Kaiser Permanente has been honored to care
• care</c><01:08:52.640><c> for</c><01:08:52.759><c> Hawaii's</c><01:08:53.080><c> people</c> been honored
• to care for Hawaii's people been honored to care for Hawaii's people as<01:08:53.640><c> a</c><01:08
• Just if you take what happens on a daily basis with one patient: one patient gets discharged from the
• from the hospital, they get discharged from the hospital, they get have<01:36:02.600><c> a</c><01:36

Transcript Highlights:

• that person is showing success to stay in that program and to complete the program and earn that discharge
• </c><03:07:37.760><c> on</c><03:07:37.920><c> the</c><03:07:38.080><c> criminal</c> getting discharged
• on the criminal getting discharged on the criminal proceedings<03:07:39.200><c> but</c><03:07:39.439
• , they're discharged.
• , they're discharged.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs recessed briefly for a joint hearing, then reconvened and took up House Bill 2494, which would limit warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations, require officers to document arrest justification, expand citation-in-lieu-of-arrest use, and direct the Judiciary to create a standardized citation form. The chair also outlined hearing procedures and testimony time limits. Committee members later received an overview from the Policing Project about national trends in expanding citation use. Testimony was divided. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the Policing Project, argued the bill would reduce unnecessary arrests and pretrial detention, lessen jail overcrowding, save law enforcement time, and reduce harms such as job loss, housing instability, family disruption, and recidivism. They also said the bill preserves officer discretion through public-safety and flight-risk exceptions, and several supporters urged the committee to adopt a standardized citation form despite the Judiciary’s request for a delayed implementation date. Opposition came from the Department of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, county prosecutors, Honolulu Police Department, and other individuals. They argued the bill would unduly restrict law enforcement discretion, create administrative and data-processing problems, and make it harder to identify repeat or habitual offenders because of changes to citation information and fingerprinting. The Judiciary requested implementation no earlier than January 1, 2028 and said the citation form would need major changes. Opponents also warned the bill could increase litigation, suppress evidence, and not meaningfully reduce overcrowding because most jail populations are held on felony matters. The chair reported 14 testimonies in support, 21 in opposition, and one with comments; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr.
• discharged from.
• I'm honored to be here.
• I'm honored to be here.
• I'm honored to be here.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not able to discharge their patients for non-payment.
• </c><00:46:31.520><c> not</c><00:46:31.839><c> able</c><00:46:32.160><c> to</c><00:46:32.480><c> discharge
• </c><00:46:33.200><c> their</c> out. they're not able to discharge their out. they're not able to discharge

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• youth, based on the history and the circumstances, the court might say, we're going to directly discharge
• A direct discharge means that there's no longer any authority or oversight by the department for that
• We have, you know, on any given week, maybe 60 admissions and discharges, so people are always moving
• On any given week, maybe 60 admissions and discharges, so people are always moving.

Summary: The Justice Budget Committee heard detailed presentations from the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Corrections on staffing, services, and budget needs. DJJ Secretary Hall emphasized that the agency’s main public safety strategy is education, along with prevention and recidivism reduction. He described major staffing improvements after pay increases for probation, detention, residential care, and prevention workers, and outlined DJJ’s mental health, aftercare, and education continuum, including the Florida Scholars Academy and Florida Youth College. He said the new statewide education model is showing early gains in progress monitoring, high school graduation, and postsecondary enrollment, while also noting ongoing operational issues such as IT connectivity, rural staffing gaps, and the need for geographic pay adjustments for teachers. He also discussed detention center replacement plans in Hillsborough, Broward, and Palm Beach, and said DJJ would transition the Broward JAC to a security contractor after the sheriff’s office pulls sworn officers from the site. Members asked about campus performance differences, teacher pay, detention education quality, and concerns about the rollout and leadership of the Scholars Academy. Hall said some campuses face rural access and infrastructure problems, but the blended learning model provides continuity when internet or staffing issues arise. He defended the superintendent’s qualifications and said early problems with inappropriate online content were addressed. Representative Porras raised concerns about educational quality and the superintendent’s past disciplinary history, while Representative Barrera urged more mentorship and fatherhood-focused programming in juvenile facilities. DOC Secretary Dixon said the prison system is under pressure from rising inmate populations, staffing shortages, and overtime costs. He argued that the system needs funded posts for every functioning housing unit, noting that the department has added housing units without enough staff and now relies heavily on overtime, mobile officer deployments, and shift conversions to keep facilities operating safely. He highlighted that many officers are new, that outside-hospital transports have risen sharply, and that mental health units require additional staffing. DOC’s mental health chief described a large and growing treatment system with outpatient, inpatient, intensive outpatient, and court-ordered services, saying about a quarter of the prison population has a diagnosed mental illness. Community corrections staff described treatment programs, employment specialists, mobile probation and reentry units, and a new mental health first aid training initiative. Reentry staff reported expanded substance abuse, education, CTE, chaplaincy, and digital learning programs, including Edovo and a forthcoming Work Bay platform. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am excited and honored to have been a part of this work. Thank you.
• I am excited and honored to have been a part of this work. I would like to take all the credit.
• If I show up in Sacramento, there's no place where you can just say, 'I have an honorable discharge.

Summary: The committee held an outcome review hearing on AB 519, focused on streamlining California’s affordable housing finance system. State housing officials described the work group process and the resulting report, which calls for a consolidated application and coordinated review process across HCD, CalHFA, TCAC, and CDLAC, while preserving a separate direct path for projects that do not need state subsidy. They said the goal is to reduce duplication, align timelines, and get projects to construction faster, with implementation now being carried forward through the new Housing Development Finance Committee (HDFC) and related reorganization changes. Officials from HCD, CalHFA, and HDFC said the new committee launched July 1 and is developing regulations, a unified application workbook, and review procedures, with public comment and hearings planned before final adoption. They emphasized a two-track system: one for projects needing state subsidy and one for tax credits/bonds only. Members also discussed the transition period in 2027, the need to clear existing pipeline projects first, and the possibility of construction financing tools. Committee members raised concerns about transparency, stakeholder feedback, and whether additional statutory changes would be needed; staff said current authority appears sufficient. Affordable housing developers and advocates generally supported the reforms but said the work must go beyond a single application. They urged fully funding projects, simplifying post-award functions, modernizing asset management, preserving a direct path for locally funded and rehab projects, and improving geographic equity, especially for rural and farmworker housing. Several witnesses stressed that the system also needs stable funding, including general fund support and the proposed housing bond, and that the state should continue engaging stakeholders as the new process rolls out. Public comment echoed those themes and included a veteran describing the difficulty of navigating housing and VA-related systems, reinforcing the hearing’s focus on simplifying access to housing resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're very honored right now that the chairman of that coalition is from Texas.
• experiencing problems with the government, identifying problems, they report those to me and I've got the honor
• serving the public from prohibiting community. officers, juvenile probation and coprovision officers. honorably
• weapon that the officer is otherwise authorized to use regardless of whether they are engaged in the discharge

Bills: HB214 , HB626 , HB647 , HB658 , HB668 , HB674 , HB908 , HB214

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: firearm acquisition, gun smuggling, criminal offenses, ammunition, terrorism, public safety, Texas criminal procedure, federal law enforcement, state arrest authority, search and seizure, felony offenses, federal air marshal, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Defense police, military police, Homeland Security, Public Safety, veterans affairs, federal officers, joint law enforcement authority

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know of any reason personal or otherwise that would in any way prevent you from fully and honorably
• discharging the responsibilities of the office to which you've been nominated?
• In President Trump's first term, I had the honor of serving in that very building as the Assistant Secretary
• supporting your confirmation on the floor, and again, congratulations to you and your family for the honor

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: nomination, Deputy Secretary of Treasury, economic policy, inflation, tariffs, tribal nations, government relations

Summary: The meeting convened to consider the nomination of Mike Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. During the session, multiple members voiced concerns regarding current economic policies under the Trump administration, particularly around inflation, tariffs, and the impact on small businesses. Discussions frequently centered on the administration's approach to tariffs and taxation, and how these factors contribute to the rising cost of living and potential job losses. Additionally, the importance of bolstering government-to-government relationships with tribal nations was emphasized, highlighting the need for specialized offices focused on tribal affairs within the Treasury Department.

Transcript Highlights:

• In repeated calls, HMSA representatives have told us they have a standing policy not to honor provider
• That means 10 to $30,000 checks can hit people weeks after discharge, creating serious relapse risk.
• </c><00:36:48.800><c> provider</c> standing policy not to honor provider standing policy not to honor
• :36:54.560><c> people</c><00:36:54.800><c> weeks</c><00:36:55.119><c> after</c><00:36:55.440><c> discharge
• ,</c> can hit people weeks after discharge, can hit people weeks after discharge, creating<00:36:56.800

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> you to join me in thanking and honoring you to join me in thanking and honoring those<00:13:28.160
• We honor you.
• May we honor them.
• May we honor them. May we remember them. May we honor them.
• H.R. 1041 honors that commitment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I ask all my colleagues to bow their heads to take just a moment to remember, to honor, and to pray
• We have a responsibility to honor that promise.
• Will they stand up to their leadership and say, discharge these bills, stand out of the way?

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recognized several guests in the gallery, and then took up a series of committee reports, referrals, and floor actions. Early business included concurrence in committee reports on bills and resolutions from Game and Fisheries, Professional Licensure, Health, and Children and Youth, along with referral of Senate Bill 1377 to Transportation. The chamber also signed House Bill 1344 after the Senate returned it without amendment. Later, members announced caucus and committee meetings, including Rules, Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations, Insurance, and Appropriations, before recessing and then reconvening for floor votes. The House adopted several resolutions, including House Resolution 537 designating Rail Safety Week, House Resolution 449 recognizing the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and House Resolution 568 designating Javei Syndrome Awareness Day. The chamber also considered House Bill 2037 on cryptocurrency corruption, where Amendment A03882 narrowing the bill to public officials and immediate family members was adopted, while two later amendments were tabled or failed. House Bill 2198, repealing the sales and use tax exemption for computer data center equipment, was amended to take effect immediately and to bar KOZ use for data centers, then agreed to. House Bill 2559, concerning a university conveyance and other conveyances, was agreed to after out-of-order amendments were ruled on. A major portion of the session focused on data center policy. House Bill 2496, creating a 180-day pause on data center proposals to give municipalities time to update zoning and planning, drew extensive support from members emphasizing local control, environmental concerns, and the need for time to assess impacts; it passed final passage 201-1. House Bill 2650, creating the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development certification for data centers, also generated lengthy debate over energy use, water, community benefits, and tax treatment; it passed 134-68. The House also passed House Bill 2162 on temporary licensing for drug manufacturers before FDA approval, House Bill 2388 on rounding cash payments when pennies are unavailable, House Bill 2437 on county and municipal bridge repair funds, House Bill 2555 on equine dealer recordkeeping, and House Bill 2621 directing a Department of Health survey on maternal and infant outcomes. Other actions included final passage of House Bill 1006 on milk tester and wearer sampler certification periods, House Bill 2014 on opportunities for minors and emergency service organizations, House Bill 2512 prohibiting ride-share pricing based on device condition, House Bill 2644 authorizing itemized capital bridge projects, and Senate Bill 1058 updating the E85 flex-fuel reference. The House also adopted House Bill 2162, House Bill 2388, House Bill 2437, and House Bill 2555 by recorded votes, and several committee reports were agreed to throughout the day. The session ended with additional committee referrals, a motion to recommit several bills to Appropriations, and adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• state of Idaho, that these developments are required to have centralized sewer treatment systems and discharge
• in their neighborhoods can now provide the appropriate space, both for parking and voting, while honoring
• in their neighborhoods can now provide the appropriate space, both for parking and voting, while honoring

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• been so busy prosecuting other elected officials or threatening them with criminal charges for discharging
• I serve my constituency with humility, and I am truly honored that I come With humility, and I am truly
• honored that I come into this building day after day.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions, including Arizona agricultural producers and suppliers and sixth graders from James W. Rice Elementary School. The chamber then moved through a lengthy calendar of first- and second-reading bill references and committee reports, with no substantive debate on those items recorded in the transcript. The main floor action centered on Senate Resolution 1036, which was converted from a concurrent resolution to a Senate resolution and brought forward under a suspension of rules. The resolution condemned Attorney General Chris Mays for public comments about the use of force and law enforcement, and called on her to retract, clarify, and resign. Senators debated whether the resolution was a necessary public safety response or a politically motivated stunt, with supporters arguing Mays’ remarks endangered officers and opponents saying the resolution misquoted her and was being rushed without committee review or public input. A floor amendment was adopted, and after extended debate the Senate passed SR 1036 on a 17-13 vote. After the resolution vote, the Senate briefly returned to personal privileges, including an introduction of visitors connected to civics education, and then recessed and adjourned until Monday, February 2, 2026. The transcript does not show any other bill final actions beyond the SR 1036 vote and the routine referral and reporting of other measures.