Transcript Highlights:

• the House, or the other body's, amendment, and we ask for the Senate's support. covered in title 28 ESA
• 204, and I covered in title 28 ESA 204, and I believe<00:17:30.920> the<00:17:31.000> rules

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Which exempted the Tellico Dam from the ESA protections and a giant project which was going to make so
• Which exempted the Tellico Dam from the ESA protections and a giant project which was going to make so
• So starting about '73 or soon after the ESA was put in place, it was listed in 1975 as endangered
• Which exempted the Tellico Dam from the ESA protections and a giant project which was going to make so
• a just relased study revealed that Esa a just relased study revealed that the<00:56:27.760> snail

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcement agency, to require professionals who provide documentation confirming someone's disability for an ESA
• enforcement agency, to require professionals who provide documentation confirming someone's disability for an ESA
• confirming a someone's disability<00:27:29.000> for<00:27:29.200> an<00:27:29.360> Esa
• <00:27:30.039> or<00:27:31.000> or<00:27:31.240> service disability for an Esa
• or or service disability for an Esa or or service animal<00:27:32.279> to<00:27:32.559> also

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees. In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees. Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tom Horn has not complied with an audit of the ESA program that dates back prior to the Universal program
• individual income tax credit education, allows for a parent of a child that may be eligible for an ESA
• but did not apply for an ESA to receive a refund for money spent on private education in the previous

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with staff giving brief descriptions and members flagging which items were on consent, had unanimous committee votes, or should be pulled for further discussion. Topics included education, health care, public safety, labor, water, taxation, housing, and elections. Several measures were noted as party-line or mixed votes, while many others were reported as unanimous and placed on third-read or consent calendars. Among the more discussed items were bills on school and labor policy, including a proposal to prohibit teacher strikes, a measure restricting school district bond actions, a bill requiring school safety protocols and assigning felony penalties for noncompliance, and a resolution limiting public money for labor organization activities. Members also raised concerns or requested further review on bills involving pharmacist testing authority, expired opioid antagonists, a county sheriff-related measure, a housing affordability district proposal, and a tobacco/vape regulation bill. Some measures were explicitly pulled from consent, including a Medicaid audit resolution, a budget-related pay-withholding resolution, and several education and public safety bills. The caucus also heard multiple health and human services measures, such as genetic counselor licensing, nursing board and pharmacy board continuations, foster care rights, psychiatry access funding, and free school meals. In addition, there were water and energy bills on Colorado River management, groundwater, transmission-line review, and renewable energy valuation, plus election and campaign-related proposals. The meeting ended with announcements, including an upcoming Colorado River breakfast briefing and an internal award recognizing Representative Brian Garcia, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the education, whether it's being done through an ESA in a private school or a district school, those
• And that is true whether you're getting an ESA, that is true in going to a private school, that is true

Bills: SB1638

Keywords: taxation, income tax, internal revenue code, deductions, tax benefits, retroactive, standard deduction, 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee took up SB 1638, a tax conformity bill that would update Arizona’s tax code to the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and incorporate federal changes from 2025. The bill also included individual income tax subtractions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, along with changes to the standard deduction and charitable contribution deduction. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether Arizona should conform broadly to federal changes or limit the bill to more targeted, temporary provisions. Two amendments were considered. The chair’s amendment was described as clarifying only, addressing retroactivity and foreign dividend language, and it was adopted. Senator Epstein’s amendment would have removed the broader conformity provisions and the modified charitable deduction, limited the standard deduction change to tax year 2025, and kept the individual subtractions; she argued the business-related conformity items mainly benefited corporations and should be negotiated in the budget. Opponents said the amendment would create unnecessary recalculations and uncertainty for taxpayers and businesses, while supporters of the underlying bill said conformity was needed quickly to match Department of Revenue forms and avoid filing-season confusion. Epstein’s amendment failed. Public testimony split along similar lines. Business and tax group representatives supported prompt conformity, saying taxpayers and small businesses needed certainty and that the department’s forms should be codified. Opponents argued the bill would reduce state revenue substantially and mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations, while diverting money from education, child care, and health care. After debate, the committee voted to move SB 1638 as amended with a do-pass recommendation, passing it by about 4-3, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• fan of transparency and accountability, which I want to see in all kinds of programs, including the ESA
• fan of transparency and accountability, which I want to see in all kinds of programs, including the ESA
• So if they're receiving—what about private schools that are receiving the ESA vouchers?
• Whether you call them ESA vouchers or empowerment scholarships, it's all the same.
• Whether you call them ESA vouchers or empowerment scholarships, it's all the same.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee began with brief announcements and thanks to staff and members as this was described as the last regular House Education Committee meeting of the 57th Legislature. Chad Heinrich of the University of Phoenix invited members to an upcoming lunch-and-learn on artificial intelligence and education. The chair and ranking member both offered closing remarks recognizing staff, pages, and public testimony over the session. The committee then heard SB 1497, which requires school districts with at least 300 employees and a self-insurance program to seek quotes for health coverage and related services at least every four years, with some exceptions for certain self-insurance arrangements. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to increase competition, transparency, and better benefits for school employees. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. Members next considered SB 1711, which directs the State Board of Education to compile age-appropriate resources on preventing and recognizing inappropriate contact, including sexual conduct, and requires schools to make those resources available to students and parents. Supporters said it would provide vetted, voluntary resources without mandating curriculum; opponents argued it was too limited and should include more robust, trauma-informed, age-appropriate sex education and accessibility requirements. The bill passed 7-3. SB 1798, creating a FAFSA awareness program and school designation for schools that promote FAFSA completion, also passed after testimony from a college student and the Arizona Board of Regents in support; the vote was 8-2. The committee also heard SB 1143, which requires schools to submit federal civil rights data collection information to ADE and directs ADE to publish an annual school safety report. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure for parents and policymakers, while opponents said it was duplicative, could be misused, and should apply to private schools as well. It passed 7-3. Finally, SB 1684, as amended, creates a private right of action against public schools for serious physical injury caused by bullying after a prior report and a negligent failure to respond; an amendment narrowed the bill to on-campus or school-sponsored events and removed verbal reports from the definition of prior report. Trial lawyers and the ACLU opposed it, warning about litigation and zero-tolerance discipline, while supporters said it would hold schools accountable for serious bullying. The amended bill passed 6-3.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would just say that I think the whole topic of ESAs, pending the court decision, will probably become
• I didn't put in any topics on the ESA just because I didn't want to do anything until that was over with
• pending the court whole topic of ESAs pending the court decision<01:18:42.120> will<01:18:42.360
• <01:18:51.760> just didn't put in any topics on the ESA just didn't put in any topics on the
• ESA just because<01:18:52.240> I<01:18:52.320> didn't<01:18:52.640> want<01:18:

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee heard from Superintendent Megan Degenfelder on several interim topics centered on student-centered learning. She highlighted work-based learning and dual/concurrent enrollment, saying the state is updating accountability measures and should examine whether these programs are helping students progress, avoid duplicative costs, and reduce the need for remedial college coursework. She also discussed broader life-skills education, including financial literacy and soft skills, and said districts vary widely in what they offer. On gifted and talented programs, she noted that districts are statutorily required to provide them but the state does not have a clear picture of how consistently they are implemented, and she suggested the committee may want to study that area further. Members asked follow-up questions about whether dual enrollment should be evaluated only by time-to-degree, and Degenfelder said the analysis should also consider additional credentials and remedial coursework. Senator Schuler and others raised the idea of making financial literacy or other life-skills content more common, though Degenfelder said she did not favor a statewide mandate and instead preferred incentives and district-level implementation. The committee also discussed artificial intelligence in schools as an information-sharing topic, with Degenfelder saying the department is beginning a landscape analysis with districts and teachers. She then reviewed NAEP results, noting Wyoming performs strongly in fourth grade but drops sharply by eighth grade, and said the state wants to understand where students are falling off. Members also raised concerns about international comparisons and the need to improve literacy and math outcomes. The committee then moved to member-submitted topics. Representative Strock proposed reviewing the governance structure of state education, arguing that the current split among the Department of Education, State Board of Education, and other boards creates inefficiency and confusion, especially for licensure and programs like CTE. Senator Scott noted that turnover in the superintendent’s office could be a practical issue in any restructuring, and Strock responded that administrative staff could handle day-to-day operations. Representative Williams then introduced a discussion of common core standards and literacy, arguing that standards may be too broad and not specific enough, especially in early grades, and that Wyoming should emphasize phonics, basic reading, math, and civics more directly. Representative Guggenmos agreed that narrowing early-grade focus to math and literacy could improve outcomes. Finally, Representative Williams raised virtual education, saying it is growing quickly and the committee should study funding, accountability, and student support more closely; the chair opened that topic for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do feel like it has been amplified by ESA expansions. We have experienced lower birth rates.
• amplified that is a choice that a lot of our families are making we do feel like it has been amplified by ESA
• Additionally, the school choice expansion and ESA vouchers have accelerated enrollment loss in small
• This $240,000 is actually the number of students that we have lost to the ESA vouchers.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee first heard the January 2026 follow-up to the special audit of the Arizona State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The auditor’s contractor reported that the board had implemented or was in the process of implementing most of the 28 recommendations from the 2024 audit, but three remained unimplemented: resolving complaints within 180 days and two open meeting law recommendations. The follow-up also identified new concerns about outdated or incomplete public disciplinary records and the lack of a complete public records request log and response procedures. Committee members pressed the board on open meeting compliance, complaint delays, transparency, and lobbying activities, while the executive director said the board had adopted new policies, added staff and investigators, created an intake committee, improved complaint prioritization, and was transitioning to a new licensing platform. She also said the board had ended broad subpoenas, improved conflict-of-interest tracking, and was working to formalize its practices in rule. The committee did not take a vote or other formal action in the transcript provided. The committee then received the Arizona school district financial risk analysis for January 2026. The Auditor General’s office reported that the number of highest-risk districts increased from two to nine, and districts approaching the highest-risk category increased from seven to nine. The presentation explained the financial risk measures used, common risk patterns among the highest-risk districts, and the district action plans posted on the report website. Tucson Unified School District was used as an example of a highest-risk district, and Scottsdale Unified as an approaching-highest-risk district. Members asked about declining enrollment, reserve balances, negative fund balances, and the use of capital monies for operations. Sierra Vista Unified School District then presented its response to being identified as financially at risk. The superintendent said she had recently taken over and was implementing a turnaround plan that included a school closure, staffing reductions through attrition, spending freezes, tighter purchase controls, a three-year sustainable spending plan, and efforts to stabilize enrollment through outreach, customer-service changes, and alternative program offerings. She also said the district was redirecting some capital assistance to operations, renegotiating contracts, and improving communication with families and staff. Committee members questioned the district about declining enrollment, instructional spending, school safety, academic performance, and whether the action plan adequately addressed those issues. No formal vote or action was taken on the school district item in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• we vote yes for one of these, we're taking money away from children in school, whether they have an ESA
• we vote yes for one of these, we're taking money away from children in school, whether they have an ESA

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the 4-H pledge led by Yuma County 4-H Ambassadors, followed by guest introductions and several recognitions. The chamber observed World Hearing Day with a proclamation honoring hearing health awareness and access to care, and also recognized the 100th anniversary of Sandy Corps VFW Post 1433 in Glendale. The Doctor of the Day was introduced, and additional guests included mobile food vendors who were present in connection with a discussion about food truck licensing remaining a city matter. The Senate then took up a series of third-reading bills, most of them transportation appropriations. SB 1062, 1063, 1064, 1154, 1204, 1207, 1245, 1250, 1455, and 1457 all passed, with members debating whether transportation funding should come from the general fund or the HURF fund, and several senators speaking in support of specific road projects in their districts or for tribal communities. SB 1461 also passed with broad support; it would fund an AHCCCS allied health care workforce pipeline, and supporters described it as a practical response to health care worker shortages. SB 1798 passed with bipartisan support to increase FAFSA awareness and support for students and families. The Senate also passed SB 1065, creating funding for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for military veterans, despite concerns from opponents about unproven claims for other conditions. SB 1088, 1156, and 1157 passed after extended debate over immigration enforcement, border security, and whether the appropriations were requested or necessary; supporters framed them as reimbursements or security measures, while opponents argued they targeted immigrant communities and duplicated federal responsibilities. SB 1019, which would have amended bottled water system law related to fluoridation, failed on a 14-11 vote after a lengthy debate over public health, informed consent, and fluoride safety. The Senate also announced committee meetings for the following Monday, withdrew HB 2110 from one committee and referred it to another, and then adjourned until Monday, March 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• paychecks instead of addressing oversight in programs where taxpayer dollars are being used, as the ESA
• Yeah, so I know there is a ballot initiative that is out to rein in ESAs. Do you think this...
• Yeah, so I know there is a ballot initiative that is out to rein in ESAs.
• It's also that the bill was introduced before the ESA proposal was introduced, so it could not be post
• Why do you think ESAs were necessary?

Bills: HB2015, HB2060, HB2062, HB2100, HB2118, HB2165, HB2258, HB2327, HB2397, HB2445, HB2460, HB2641, HB2745, HB2876, HB2917, HB4011, HB4049, HB4056, HB4087, HCR2013, HCR2016, HCR2040, HCR2044, HCR2048, HCR2056

Keywords: budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, Buffalo Soldiers, monument, commemoration, Arizona, public funding, Wesley Bolin Plaza, military history, historical memorial, small land subdivision, land use

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the prior meetings and then took up several measures, beginning with HCR 2013, which would proclaim June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month in Arizona. The resolution drew emotional testimony in support from Crystal Cooper and Bella Stockton, both of whom shared personal stories about living with spina bifida and argued for celebrating life and supporting people with disabilities. Senator Kennedy voted no, saying the resolution was symbolic and did not address practical supports such as paid family leave, health care, housing, and school meals. The committee ultimately gave HCR 2013 a due pass recommendation on a 4-1 vote, with two members not voting. The committee then advanced HB 2327, as amended, clarifying protections for eligible persons’ identifying information in county recorder records and explicitly excluding voter registration records from the confidentiality provisions. Representative Hendricks said the bill was intended to fix problems created by earlier language protecting elected officials and first responders. The committee also passed HB 2258, which adds La Paz County to the Tourism Advisory Council’s geographic area, with no opposition testimony. A longer debate followed on HB 2397, which expands HOA/condominium disclosure requirements for prospective buyers, including bylaws, declarations, plats, meeting minutes, and information about assessments and known defects. Representative Biasucci said the bill was about transparency for buyers, while the Arizona Association of Community Managers raised concerns about cost and the scope of the disclosure requirements; the Arizona Homeowners Coalition supported the bill but opposed an amendment that would require managers to be on site for capital projects. The committee adopted two Hoffman amendments and then gave HB 2397 a due pass as amended recommendation. The committee also passed HB 2015, which imposes penalties on state agencies that miss federal audit reporting deadlines, and HB 4049, which changes how the Attorney General represents DCS in cases alleging misconduct; both drew opposition over concerns about punitive penalties and existing conflict procedures. Later, the committee approved HB 4087, authorizing a memorial plaque for former legislator Barbara Love, and HB 2100, which allows counties to authorize certain small land subdivisions, despite objections that it could weaken water-supply protections. The committee then passed HB 2460, as amended, preempting local ordinances that penalize businesses for abandoned or stolen movable property such as shopping carts; supporters argued cities were charging victims of theft, while cities and towns said the bill would undercut local nuisance enforcement and shift costs to taxpayers. Finally, the committee began hearing HCR 2056, a proposed constitutional referral recognizing a right to refuse medical mandates, with Representative Cooper and supporters framing it as bodily autonomy and opponents warning it would weaken public health protections, especially in schools and during outbreaks.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ESA, the savings account, and then it's drawn from that savings account.
• <00:18:26.120> The<00:18:26.320> ESA,<00:18:26.760> the savings account, right
• The ESA, the savings account, right?
• The ESA, the savings<00:18:27.160> account,<00:18:27.920> and<00:18:28.160> then

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee received an update from the LBA on three audits related to education programs. Christine Young reported that the special education audit is in report-writing, with 44 of 81 observations completed, and that a draft is expected early in the third quarter with a final report later in the summer. She also said the doorway program audit has a draft report with 12 observations, auditee responses were received May 14, an exit conference was held May 18, and the report is now expected to be presented at the June fiscal committee meeting. The bulk of the discussion focused on the education freedom accounts audit and a proposed expansion of scope. Beulah Skids explained that the original audit, required by the 2022 law creating the EFA program, would be expanded to examine whether students were New Hampshire residents at enrollment and throughout participation, and whether records of educational attainment satisfied program requirements. She described the current work, the draft cooperation agreement being developed with the Department of Education and the Children’s Scholarship Fund, and the department’s concerns about the audit period and the term "educational progress," which the LBA said it would revise. The committee discussed that the expanded work would depend on a written agreement giving the LBA access to needed records, policies, and staff, with the Department of Education potentially serving as an intermediary for data access. Members raised concerns about the scope period and data access. Senator Lang asked that the residency review be limited to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, rather than the broader 2022-25 period, because those years captured the major program expansions; the committee appeared to agree, with clarification that the reference was to school years, not fiscal years. Members also discussed reconciliation of EFA funds, noting that the department has agreed to reopen rulemaking to make reconciliation more frequent so unused funds can be returned to the state sooner. Several members expressed frustration that access to data had been delayed, while LBA staff said the cooperation agreement is intended to prevent further roadblocks and that the AG’s office could review it if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that Arizona is already irresponsibly diverting $1 billion to ESA vouchers, funneling money our
• conforming the federal tax cuts, which will only continue to worsen Arizona's budget crisis caused by ESA
• of things if we had more revenue, you know, not subtracting $450 million, not subtracting money for ESA
• recouped from various assets, such as the thousands of dollars hoarded in accounts by people who have ESAs

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The joint House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees met to hear identical conformity bills, HB 2153 and SB 1106, which would align Arizona tax law with the federal Internal Revenue Code as of Jan. 1, 2026, including some retroactive provisions for tax year 2025. Staff explained that the bills would exclude three federal provisions: the higher federal SALT deduction, the new senior deduction as written in H.R. 1, and the deduction for interest on new car loans. They would instead include a $6,000 retirement-income deduction for taxpayers age 60 and older, a $6,000 Roth IRA contribution deduction, a higher dependent tax credit, and a deduction for child and dependent care expenses above the federal credit. JLBC estimated the package would reduce general fund income tax revenue by about $441.3 million in FY 2026. Members also discussed that the Department of Revenue’s forms had been issued assuming full conformity, and staff and supporters argued the bills were needed quickly to avoid confusion and amended returns during filing season. Committee members and sponsors largely framed the bills as tax relief and a way to provide certainty for taxpayers and preparers. Supporters said the package would help families, seniors, and workers, and noted that the Arizona version was negotiated to keep the overall tax relief roughly comparable to full conformity while shifting benefits away from the SALT deduction and toward child credits, retirement income, and child care. The sponsors also criticized the governor’s executive action and urged prompt passage so taxpayers would know how to file. Opponents argued the bills would reduce state revenue, worsen the budget outlook, and disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations. Several witnesses and members also raised concerns about the child care deduction, the retirement-income deduction, and the business expensing provisions, while supporters responded that the bill was designed to help working families and encourage saving and investment. Public testimony was mixed. The Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club supported the bills, emphasizing early conformity, filing certainty, and reduced confusion for taxpayers and software providers. Opponents included Save Our Schools Arizona, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, Opportunity Arizona, and several individuals, who argued the package would deepen budget problems and favor the wealthy. One witness objected to a federal school-choice-related provision she said was being tied to the bill, though committee members said the measure before them was a tax conformity bill and not a school finance bill. The hearing included extended debate over the fiscal impact, the governor’s prior requests for some of the same tax changes, and whether taxpayers would need to file amended returns if the legislature later changed course. The transcript ends during testimony from NFIB, with no final committee vote or action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their ClassWallet system, some of the things that are going into management of the ESA program, haven't
• Their class wallet system, some of the things that are going into management of the ESA program, wallet
• system, some of the things that are going into management of the ESA program haven't been invested in

Bills: SB1001, SB1035, SB1056, SB1065, SB1138, SB1161, SB1204, SB1207, SB1248, SB1274, SB1284, SCM1002, SCM1006, SCR1020

Keywords: appropriation, economic security, blind individuals, older adults, state funding, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC, corrections, prison, jail, correctional officers, prison guards, staffing, retention, salary increase, pay raise, wage increase, general fund, state budget, private prisons

Summary: The committee approved the January 27, 2026 minutes and held SB 1138 for further changes. It then heard SB 1035, which appropriates about $34 million from the General Fund for a 5% pay increase for Arizona Department of Corrections sworn officers and civilian employees, with an amendment extending the raise to private prison employees under contract. Supporters said DOC pay is not competitive and vacancies are high; opponents questioned paying private prison staff and raised concerns about private prison incentives. The committee adopted the amendment and gave SB 1035 a do pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote. The committee also approved two memorials to rename highways: SCM 1002 for L.F. Quinn Memorial Highway and SCM 1006 for PFC Michael Nolan Memorial Highway. Both measures drew emotional testimony about the honorees’ public service and military sacrifice, and both received do pass recommendations, with SCM 1002 passing 9-1 and SCM 1006 passing 9-1 after members discussed tribal jurisdiction and agreed to follow up with a letter to the tribe. SB 1065, which would appropriate $3.64 million for the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Military Veterans Fund, was supported by the sponsor and researchers who said the treatment can help veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, pain, and related conditions. Some members objected that the FDA has not approved HBOT for many of the claimed uses and questioned prior unspent funding, but the bill still received a do pass recommendation on a 6-4 vote. SB 1248, which clarifies funding and attendance-count rules for county jail and juvenile detention education programs, also passed unanimously. Later, the committee approved SB 1204, a $5.5 million General Fund appropriation to design and analyze improvements to the U.S. 60/Loop 303 interchange, after testimony from local officials and residents about severe congestion, crashes, and public safety delays; it passed 8-1. SB 1207, a $150,000 study on financing mechanisms for development-related infrastructure along the same corridor, also passed 7-1. Finally, SB 1001, which restores $1 million for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program, passed 9-0 after testimony from blind seniors and advocates about long waitlists and the program’s role in preserving independence. The committee then began SB 1274, a police foundation specialty license plate bill, with sponsor and foundation testimony describing wellness, remembrance, and youth programs funded by plate revenues, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• correct me if I'm wrong, I think a, um, um, certified online school currently private, if we pass ESAs
• , the participants could use the ESA to pay that tuition.

Bills: HB117

Keywords: county regulation, impervious cover, land use, unincorporated areas, environmental management

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Schoolcraft, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think a certified online school, currently private, ESAs
• , the participants could use the ESA to pay that tuition.

Bills: HB 117, HB2196, HB2689, HCR64, HB117

Keywords: early childhood education, task force, governance, Texas Education Agency, child care, education policy, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance, education technology, remote learning, education legislation, workforce development, adult education, high school diploma, industry certification, pilot program, gifted education, education support

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the voucher bill, uh, ESAs as the House calls them, and we've also passed a teacher pay raise, I

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 2, with the chair noting that most of the bill had already been handled in prior action, including charter school provisions, the voucher/ESA bill, and a standalone teacher pay raise. The chair said the remaining bill was before the committee for its disposition and invited questions, but none were raised. Senator Wiggins then moved a title-sufficient do-pass motion on HB 2. The committee voted, and the motion failed, with the noes prevailing. As a result, the bill died in committee, and the meeting concluded with a rise and report.

Bills: HB4248, HB3194, HB3849, HB4095, HB4302, HB3342, HB3344, HB3287, HB3645, HB3647, HB3930, HB3931, HB1818, HB4454, HB4336

Keywords: HB4248, hemp beverage, hemp drinks, THC beverage, cannabis beverage, intoxicating hemp, age restriction, under 21, minor possession, youth access, public health and safety, Title 63, Oklahoma Statutes, retail sales, alcohol-style regulation, controlled substances, beverage regulation, pregnancy centers, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs

Transcript Highlights:

• And let's see, the Comptroller's Office is going to have to implement ESAs, is that correct?
• They have obvious concerns, you know, obvious priority and a completely new ESA system that they have
• I mean, given the fact that the Comptroller has the ESA to put together the capsule, has the regular

Bills: SB801, SB867, SB2717, SB2919, HJR7, HB4, HB14, HB27, HB42, HB46, HB100, HB111, HB112, HB121, HB126, HB146, HB186, HB223, HB229, HB322, HB367, HB500, HB521, HB640, HB705, HB783, HB1052, HB1056, HB1105, HB1106, HB1178, HB1211, HB1234, HB1306, HB1403, HB1449, HB1506, HB1661, HB1690, HB1871, HB1960, HB2017, HB2078, HB2128, HB2240, HB2243, HB2348, HB2407, HB2512, HB2820, HB2844, HB2853, HB2854, HB2885, HB3000, HB3005, HB3053, HB3057, HB3181, HB3333, HB3372, HB3425, HB3441, HB3516, HB3749, HB3783, HB3812, HB3848, HB3923, HB3963, HB4070, HB4134, HB4157, HB4158, HB4211, HB4449, HB4623, HB4638, HB4687, HB4690, HB4748, HB4749, HB4795, HB4848, HB5093, HB5115, HB5129, HB5138, HB5294, HB5616, HB5629, HB5646, HB5661, HB5672, HB5674, HB5699, HCR40, SJR5, SJR27, SJR59, SB4, SB6, SB8, SB9, SB10, SB12, SB22, SB23, SB25, SB27, SB34, SB36, SB37, SB38, SB40, SB57, SB140, SB261, SB293, SB441, SB447, SB467, SB512, SB650, SB777, SB785, SB924, SB1188, SB1281, SB1318, SB1333, SB1398, SB1448, SB1566, SB1579, SB1621, SB1723, SB1838, SB1862, SB2167, SB2405, SB2406, SB2407, SB2878, SB3059, SB3070, SB1, SB17, SB21, SB260, SB379, SB509, SB1198, SB1405, SB1506, SB1637, SB1833, SB2155, SB2308, SB2601, SB2778, HB300, HB2011, HB2525, HB5246, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HJR7, HB5115, HB3053, HB1403, HB223, HB748, HB5652, HB3395, HB180, HB1306, HB322, HB126, HB5650, HB4894, HB1629, HB5698, HB3171, HB2694, HB5664, HB4690, HB4464, HB3623, HB2520, HB2213, HB252, HB146, HB5596, HB3619, HB5320, HB5651, HB5670, HB5665, HB5437, HB5679, HB5699, HB5661, HB5662, HB5654, HB5672, HB5656, HB3812, HB3057, HB2035, HB721, HB346, HB2512, HB5695, HB5694, HB5674, HB3185, HB2348, HB1871, HB1135, HB101, HB5666, HB5677, HB5682, HB5658, HB4144, HB3642, HB3815, HB2686, HB2012, HB1960, HB227, HB654, HB1690, HB2128, HB4158, HB4630, HB1523, HB2078, HB1973, HB3333, HB3697, HB3546, HB3225, HB3181, HB2820, HB1506, HB1234, HB640, HB521, HB229, HB186, HB119, HB4795, HB4466, HB3749, HB1106, HB4, HB4170, HB3909, HB4081, HB4145, HB4157, HB4285, HB4463, HB4995, HB5138, HB5624, HB1449, HB2598, HB3629, HB4361, HB824, HB1868, HB4848, HB2243, HB40, HB117, HB3686, HB500, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB1056, HB42, HB3000, HB100, HB2240, HB718, HB27, HB4904, HB4202, HB2853, HB5129, HB5093, HB4765, HB4748, HB4559, HB4350, HB4214, HB3388, HB3112, HB5196, HB4211, HB3516, HB3092, HB4233, HB4687, HB705, HB1094, HB2037, HB3005, HB3848, HB1105, HB121, HB3372, HB367, HB783, HB3336, HB3441, HB4449, HB5616, HB2407, HB2854, HB3425, HB5294, HB1178, HB4623, HB14, HB3963, HB1211, HB5646, HB5629, HB3783, HB4236, HB46, HB4638, HB1052, HB4070, HB5509, HB5435, HB4134, HB3923, HB3520, HB3320, HB2517, HB2488, HB5663, HB2731, HB3073, HB2655, HB2399, HB541, HB4099, HB111, HB1532, HB3483, HB2963, HB4580, HB3748, HB713, HB632, HB426, HB4730, HB127, HB5690, HB5689, HB5655, HB3385, HB2757, HB4359, HB5381, HB20, HB123, HB549, HB5606, HB2217, HB2594, HB796, HB150, HB1057, HCR141, HCR40, HCR59, HCR76, HCR81, HCR46, HCR111, HCR83, HCR84, HJR7, HB4, HB14, HB27, HB42, HB46, HB100, HB126, HB150, HB322, HB367, HB500, HB640, HB705, HB783, HB1105, HB1178, HB1211, HB1234, HB1506, HB1690, HB1871, HB2078, HB2128, HB2240, HB2243, HB2407, HB2512, HB2853, HB2854, HB3000, HB3057, HB3181, HB3372, HB3425, HB3441, HB3749, HB3783, HB3812, HB3923, HB3963, HB4070, HB4134, HB4157, HB4211, HB4449, HB4623, HB4638, HB4687, HB4748, HB4795, HB5093, HB5129, HB5616, HB5629, HB5699, HB229, HB521, HB1056, HB1106, HB5138, SR583, SCR52, HB223, HB229, HB521, HB1056, HB1106, HB1403, HB3053, HB5115, HB5138

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• So I move or ESAs to call the speaker. Representative Niska moves a recess to the call the speaker.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first considered a motion to take House File 2133 from the table, described as the tax vehicle bill. Representative Law opposed the motion, saying it was last year’s tax vehicle and not the agreed-upon bill for this year. The motion was nondebatable, a roll call was taken, and it failed on a 67-67 tie. The chamber then received a Senate message returning House File 4492, a veterans-related bill, with Senate amendments. Representative Bliss moved concurrence, and Representative Mueller explained that the amended bill included REACH Act and literacy-related provisions, including technical changes, expanded disability access language for the deaf and hard of hearing community, revisions involving the dyslexia community, and transparency around literacy material review. Representative Clardy described the bill’s teacher-preparation and early literacy components, and Representative Jordan noted it also provides high school diplomas to veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars who were unable to complete them because of service. The House concurred in the Senate amendments, then took up third reading and final passage of House File 4492 as amended. The bill passed unanimously, 134-0, and its title was agreed to. Afterward, Representative Niska moved a recess to the call of the Speaker, and the House recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• this will reconcile with Senate Bill 2 with regard to the requirements of homeschoolers who receive ESAs
• You know, obviously, if a homeschooler opts into the SB 2 ESA program, I mean, they're opting into some

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515, HB126, HB121

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures