Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we're going to leave that item open for absent members. Thank you.
• Okay, we have the votes, but we'll leave it open for absent members. Thank you.
• Okay, we have the votes, but we'll leave it open for absent members. Thank you.
• This legislation is not about replacing one system with another.
• Okay, that bill has the votes, but we'll leave it open for absent members.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because a quorum was initially absent, and it heard several bills focused on nonprofit support, alcohol regulation, immigration-related funding restrictions, outdoor advertising, and green building standards. SB 1240 by Senator McNerney would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement, grants, and reimbursement processes; supporters, including the Child Care Resource Center and the Little Hoover Commission, said nonprofits provide essential services but face delayed payments and burdensome bureaucracy. Committee members raised accountability concerns, but the author emphasized the bill does not dispense grants and would cost about $1.7 million in the first year. The bill was later approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 917 by Senator Laird, which would remove the estate-grown grape requirement for wineries selling at farmers markets, allowing more family wineries to participate; winery and grape grower representatives said the change would help direct-to-consumer sales and local growers. SB 1171 by Senator Caballero would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants; supporters from immigrant-rights groups described ICE detention and raids as harmful and inhumane, while some members spoke in favor of using state funds to avoid indirectly supporting ICE-related activity. Both bills advanced on party-line or near-party-line votes and were sent to Appropriations or Local Government as noted in the roll calls. Senator Rubio presented SB 1195, which would expand tied-house exemptions for certain entertainment, convention, and sports venues in specified counties, and SB 1228, which would allow a small number of existing outdoor advertising displays to continue operating despite a statutory sunset. Supporters said SB 1195 would create economic opportunity and clarify current law, while SB 1228 was described as a narrow fix to preserve legally permitted signs and local revenue; both bills passed the committee and were sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1398, which would recognize Green Globes as an alternative green building certification for state projects alongside LEED; supporters argued it would add flexibility and competition, while the U.S. Green Building Council opposed bypassing the Department of General Services’ equivalency review. The bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent calendar and adjourned at 2:55 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• On this question, 30 ayes, three nays, one absent, not voting.
• On this question, 33 ayes, zero nays, one absent, not voting.
• On this question, 33 ayes, zero nays, one absent, not voting.
• On this question, 31 ayes, two nays, one absent, not voting.
• On this question, 31 ayes, two nays, one absent, not voting.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first considered confirmations from Senate Executive Message No. 4. On a 33-0 vote, it confirmed all nominees except number 54, then separately confirmed nominee 54 on a 30-3 vote. The special order of business was then closed. The chamber then took up a series of House-amended bills and generally concurred in the amendments before passing each bill. These included SB 723 on law enforcement cooperation with bordering states; SB 947 on birth certificate copies for homeless minors; SB 392 on personal income tax reduction; SB 54 on criminal penalties for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults; SB 228 on technology in child abuse and neglect investigations, including a three-county caseworker aid pilot; SB 231 on value-based payment requirements; SB 402, the Workforce Readiness Opportunity Act, with House removal of tax credits and other provisions while retaining micro-credential programs; SB 553 on transfer of contractor licenses to qualifying immediate family members; SB 575 on refusal review hearings; SB 686, the Coal Tenancy Modernization and Miners' Protection Act; SB 906 on lawful prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin under FDA recommendations; and SB 1226 on penalties for disturbing religious worship. Most final passage votes were unanimous or near-unanimous, and several bills were made effective from passage or given a specific effective date. Later, the Senate concurred in House amendments to SB 63, the Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics and Rural Schools Act, after discussion noting the House removed county charter school language and changed the effective date. The bill passed 32-2 and was made effective from passage. The Senate also concurred in amendments to SB 502, the Women's Collegiate Sports Protection Act, and SB 153, creating the Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund; SB 502 was set to take effect July 1, 2026, and SB 153 was also made effective July 1, 2026. Finally, the Senate reconsidered and again passed SB 392 by a 32-2 vote. The session ended with several introductions, announcements, and a recess until 5:30.

Transcript Highlights:

• really further vote on any legislation really further vote on any legislation one<00:09:36.320><
• Representative Sudter is absent. Representative Foot. Yes. Representative Cludier. Yes.
• <00:13:26.000> The >> Representative Kazinski is absent.
• The >> Representative Kazinski is absent.
• >> Representative Sudter is absent. >> Representative Sudter is absent.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Public Works and Highways Committee met in work session on HB 100 and HB 561, with brief housekeeping remarks at the start noting a new committee member, Representative Charlie Foot, and the departure of committee assistant Karen Davis. The chair also referenced upcoming discussion of the 10-year transportation plan and warned that the gas hearings and related funding changes would affect communities. HB 100 would prohibit the Department of Transportation from using state funds for planning, construction, operation, or management of new passenger rail projects. Members raised concerns that the bill needed more work and might have unintended effects on private and tourist rail operations, including the Cog Railway and other tourism railways. Several speakers said the issue should be studied further rather than acted on immediately. HB 561 concerns the transfer of state-owned real property, specifically requiring approval from municipal legislative bodies before transferring state-owned class one or two highways. Multiple members supported an interim study, saying the bill is tied to broader questions about the 10-year plan, road funding, municipal partnership, and the possibility that the state may eventually need to turn highways over to towns. Concerns were also raised about specific road situations such as Continental Boulevard and the need to understand current practices before making changes. In executive session, the committee voted 16-0, with two members absent, to send both HB 100 and HB 561 to interim study and place them on the consent calendar. The chair then explained that the bills would be revisited next fall and could later be debated on the House floor. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I know it's in process. really to have that legislation bring a really to have that legislation bring
• <00:57:39.440> from a student who has been absent from a student who has been absent from
• going to um, ask for some legislative going to um, ask for some legislative recommendations.<01:
• all day long you're not absent until that point and then you're a full day absent.
• <01:39:37.520> If half day absent in the afternoon. If half day absent in the afternoon.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jim Lindbergh, Friends Committee on Legislation of California, in support.
• We'll leave the roll open for absent members to add on.
• We'll leave the roll open for absent members to add on.
• So that bill's on call, and we'll leave the roll open for absent members.
• That bill is out and we'll leave the roll open for absent members.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• On this question, 33 yeas, one absent, not voting.
• Zero absent, not voting.
• On this question, 34 yeas, zero nays, zero absent, not voting.
• On this question, 34 yeas, zero nays, zero absent, not voting.
• On this question, 30 yeas, three nays, one absent, not voting.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of House amendments to enrolled bills and, in each case, accepted the amendments and passed the bills, often with effective dates set by separate motions. Measures approved included pay increases for the judiciary (SB 29), regulation of homemade food sales (SB 44), protections against financial exploitation of eligible adults (SB 617), involuntary hospitalization changes (SB 742), transfer of the court security fund (SB 952), asbestos and silica statute-of-limitations changes (SB 1008), cooperation with bordering states by law enforcement agencies (SB 723), birth certificate access for homeless minors (SB 947), personal income tax reduction (SB 392), criminal penalties for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults (SB 54), child abuse investigation technology and a caseworker aid pilot program (SB 228), value-based payment requirements (SB 231), workforce readiness and micro-credential provisions (SB 402), contractor license transfer rules for immediate family members (SB 553), refusal review hearings (SB 575), coal code modernization and minors protection (SB 686), lawful prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin under FDA recommendations (SB 906), penalties for disturbing religious worship (SB 1026), the Sustaining Opportunities for Academics and Rural Schools Act (SB 63), women’s collegiate sports protections (SB 502), and modernization funding for Workforce West Virginia (SB 153). Most of these bills passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 392 passed 31-2 on the first vote and was later reconsidered and passed again 32-2. Several bills were made effective from passage or on July 1, 2026. The Senate also considered Senate Executive Message No. 4 from the Committee on Confirmations. The chamber confirmed all nominees except number 54 in one vote, then separately confirmed nominee 54 by a 30-3 vote. After the confirmation business, the Senate briefly recessed and later returned to additional floor business. During the session, the majority leader also delivered remarks on affordability, citing prior tax reductions, a personal property tax rebate, elimination of state income tax on Social Security for seniors, and efforts to increase homestead exemptions. He urged the governor to explore ways to address rising gasoline prices. The remarks were entered into the journal by unanimous consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll leave it open for absent authors.
• Chair, for the opportunity to present this important legislation.
• We'll leave it open for absent authors. Thank you. Thank you.
• We don't have absent authors, but we don't have absent authors, Absent authors or absent members.
• Absent members: Alanis. Not voting. Alanis, not voting. Appropriations absent members: Alanis.

Summary: The committee heard several climate, environmental, and housing bills. AB 1425, dealing with pit dewatering near the San Joaquin River Parkway, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued the bill was needed to protect the river, groundwater, floodplain conditions, tribal and cultural resources, and public access from a proposed mining project near the river. Opponents, including Cemex, labor representatives, and industry groups, said the bill would bypass the CEQA process before it was complete, threaten jobs, and create uncertainty for an existing operation. Members questioned both sides about hydrology, blasting, dewatering, and the adequacy of the ongoing environmental review. The bill was moved, but several members expressed concern about preempting CEQA and some did not vote or voted no. AB 881, which would allow California to move forward with carbon capture and sequestration pipelines, was presented as a way to advance state climate goals and capture federal funding. Supporters, including SMUD, labor, and industry groups, said the bill would help deploy carbon capture safely and preserve jobs. Environmental justice opponents supported stronger safety direction and warned that CO2 pipelines pose serious risks and that the state should not move ahead without clearer standards. The bill received a due-pass recommendation to Appropriations. AB 1207, on the cap-and-trade allowance price ceiling and the social cost of carbon, was presented as a science-based update to California’s climate policy. The author and EDF said the bill would keep the program aligned with current economic and climate data and protect it from federal political interference. It received broad support and a due-pass recommendation. AB 1106, creating a coordinated network of air quality incident response centers, was also approved after testimony about wildfire smoke, toxic emissions, and the need for better real-time monitoring during disasters. AB 28, the Landfill Fire Safety Act, focused on the Chiquita Canyon landfill fire and related health impacts in Castaic and Val Verde; residents described serious illnesses and contamination concerns, while landfill and county representatives warned about costs and asked for more study. The committee nonetheless advanced the bill with a due-pass recommendation. The committee also heard AB 357, which would speed Coastal Commission review of student and faculty housing projects, with supporters citing student homelessness and opponents urging caution but acknowledging the need for more housing; the bill was presented and discussed, with the committee emphasizing the need to balance housing production and coastal oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sergeant, if you could please alert the absent members.
• Sergeant, if you could please alert the absent members, as well as the authors.
• Moving to file item number three. ...absent members to add on.
• We'll leave that open for absent members to add on. Let's reopen the roll.
• That bills out, and we'll leave the roll open for absent members to add on.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, then later established quorum and heard several measures. The main policy bills discussed were SB 24, which would restrict investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds for political advertising, lobbying, and efforts against municipal utilities, and SB 283, the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025, which would strengthen safety standards for battery energy storage facilities after the Moss Landing fire. The consent calendar also included SB 80, SB 491, SB 593, SB 804, and SCR 25, which were taken up without debate. SB 24 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates, who argued that ratepayer money should not be used for political or promotional activity and that current rules lack meaningful consequences. Opponents from the utilities and business community said the bill was too broad, could interfere with shareholder-funded advocacy and legal work, and might unintentionally affect public service communications and expert consulting. Several committee members shared support for the bill’s goal but raised concerns about its breadth, especially around legal fees and communications; the author said he was willing to work on amendments, including on consultant fees, and accepted committee amendments. SB 283 received broad support from firefighters, local governments, utilities, labor, and business groups. Supporters said the bill would improve fire safety, require fire authority consultation and inspections, and prevent battery storage from being sited in unsafe indoor combustible facilities. The author described the Moss Landing fire and said the bill would add standards based on NFPA guidance while preserving local governments’ ability to adopt stricter rules. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee voted SB 283 out 16-0, and SB 24 was also approved after a roll was held open and later closed, ultimately passing 11-1. The consent calendar passed 16-0, and the meeting adjourned after the final roll calls were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• With a vote of 32 eyes, zero no, zero absent, three excused, L-16 to 1038 is adopted.
• With a vote of 20 eyes, 12 no, zero absent. Oh.
• With a vote of 21 eyes, 11 no, zero absent, three excused, House Bill 1038.
• , a vote of 20 eyes, 12 no, zero absent, a vote of 20 eyes, 12 no, zero absent, three<00:35:27.040
• SR005 absent or excused, SR005 is<00:47:03.440> adopted.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports and appointment recommendations. Committee actions included favorable referrals or amendments for bills such as HB 1144, HB 1099, HB 1071, HB 1034, HB 1205, SB 48, and SB 113, along with consent-calendar recommendations for appointments to the Colorado Child Abuse Prevention Trust Fund and the State Board of Land Commissioners. The Senate also confirmed two Colorado Banking Board appointments later in the day. On third reading, HB 1185, concerning continuation of the Cold Case Task Force, passed on the consent calendar by a 32-0 vote. HB 1038, concerning county commissioner redistricting, was debated at length; Senator Snyder explained and secured approval for a third-reading amendment intended to clarify that nonpartisan county staff are not drawn into political litigation, and the bill then passed 21-11. SB 66 was laid over until March 23, and HB 1136, creating the Pathways to Public Service Program in the Department of Personnel, also passed 20-12. The Senate adopted SR005, recognizing Single Parent Day, by a 32-0 vote after remarks from Senators Rich and Snyder and recognition of Janice Mugglin, a long-time advocate for the observance. The chamber also granted leave for the Joint Budget Committee to meet while the Senate was in session, and later approved HB 1191 on second reading from the consent calendar, sending it to third reading and final passage. The Senate then laid over general orders until March 23, honored retiring Ralston House executive director Don Mosley with a tribute, welcomed UCCS Mosaic students, and recessed until 12:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will leave that open for absent members to add on.
• We will leave that open for absent members to add on.
• We'll leave that absent open for absent members to add on.
• We'll leave that open for absent members to add on.
• They noted that a legislative letter was signed by a number of legislators about a mobile high-volume

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You may proceed. inexpedient uh litigate or legislate inexpedient uh litigate or legislate this<00:38
• Representative Jeffrey Smith is absent. Representative Opal is absent. Representative Spahr, yes.
• legislate legislate and<01:18:05.840> I<01:18:06.000> vote Yes<01:18:15.040> isn't<
• representative om is absent representative om is absent representative<01:18:27.719> sodi
• representative Jeffrey Smith is absent representative Jeffrey Smith is absent representative<01:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first met in a revenue estimate work session to approve an LSR codifying the committee’s revenue estimates. Members reviewed the process for turning the LSR into a House Resolution and discussed how the adopted estimates would be used to amend House Bill 1. After a brief question-and-answer about current revenue splits and the governor’s proposed video lottery and tax-split changes, the committee voted 19-0 to approve the revenue estimates. The committee then moved into executive session on HB 669, which would require all revenue from the statewide education property tax to be deposited into the education trust fund and set an equalized statewide tax rate. Supporters argued the bill would better direct education funding, while opponents said it was unnecessary or duplicative. The committee voted 12-7 to retain the bill (ITL), and a minority report was noted. Next, the committee considered HB 290, which would raise cigarette and electronic cigarette taxes and create a study committee on tobacco and nicotine taxes. Testimony focused on revenue needs, inflation, public health, and concerns that a higher tax could reduce sales or drive purchases across state lines. The committee voted 11-8 to ITL the bill, with a minority report. The committee also ITL’d HB 402, dealing with whether Education Freedom Account payments are taxable income, after debate over unintended consequences and whether the bill’s language was misleading; that vote was 11-8 with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened HB 483, and Representative Tierney moved ITL, arguing the bill’s requirement that the scholarship organization be incorporated in New Hampshire would likely violate the Commerce Clause; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• well as other legislation that impacts insurance.
• Final tally on House Bill 1216 reveals 29 yeas, 18 nays, zero absent, not voting.
• The tally reveals 33 yeas, 14 nays, zero absent. The motion prevails.
• The tally reveals 33 eyes, 14, nays, zero absent. The motion prevails.
• Senator Klein: Well, Madam President, I'd move the absent member to be excused.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened and handled several House messages and conference committee appointments before taking up a series of bills. It appointed conference committees on Senate Bill 2265 and House Bills 1454, 1448, and 1524. The chamber also adopted a Senate amendment to House Bill 1216, delaying its effective date for the copay accumulator prescription drug bill to January 1, 2026, with later renewal timing for non-PERS plans. House Bill 1216 then came up for final passage. Senators debated whether allowing copay accumulator programs to count manufacturer coupons toward deductibles would help patients with expensive drugs or unfairly shift costs to insurers and other policyholders. Supporters said it would help people afford life-saving medications and that the coupon payments go to pharmacies, not insurers; opponents argued it could raise premiums and create perverse incentives for drug pricing. The bill passed 29-18. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2160, which changes health insurance benefits under the Uniform Group Insurance Program to move from a grandfathered to a non-grandfathered plan, with supporters emphasizing added benefits and flexibility and opponents warning of higher costs and irreversible changes. That bill passed concurrence 33-14 and final passage 39-8. The Senate next concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2339, the wildfire mitigation bill, which requires utility mitigation plans to be updated every two years, incorporate national electric standards, and creates a rebuttable presumption of reasonable care if the plan is followed. The bill then passed final passage 46-1. The chamber also adopted conference committee reports and passed House Bill 1460 on adult foster care and monitoring devices, House Bill 1440 on cigar lounge tobacco use, and Senate Bill 2374 on insurance-related provisions including property insurance arbitration, managed repair programs, and surplus lines issues; SB 2374 also added a study on towing and recovery coverage. The session ended with announcements of upcoming conference committee meetings and adjournment until April 22, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Sturgeon changed from absent to present and voting yes.
• Six, yes, 14, no, and one absent.
• And so, I’m happy to support the legislation. Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Poore: Absent. Senator Richardson: Yes. Senator Pinckney: Yes. Senator Poore: Absent.
• The legislation also updates the code to include these terms.

Summary: The Senate received House communications listing numerous House-passed bills, substitutes, amendments, and concurrent resolutions, and then took up committee reports and a consent calendar. Consent Calendar 65 passed unanimously with 20 yes votes and included Senate Resolution 26 recognizing Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, House Concurrent Resolution 131 on apprenticeship programs for school-based mental health professionals, House Concurrent Resolution 137 on mathematics instruction review, and House Concurrent Resolution 148 on a statewide menopause education strategy. Later, Consent Agenda N also passed with the required two-thirds vote and included a large group of bills on evidence and witnesses, Family Court jurisdiction, theft by impersonation, realty transfer tax, auto insurance practices, child services and educational services, STD prevention, agricultural and forestry matters, menstrual disorder materials, a Smyrna charter change, massage/body work, dry needling, and lead poisoning screening. Several substantive bills were debated and passed. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 314, modernizing Delaware’s rape shield law and clarifying how courts handle evidence of prior false sexual assault allegations, passed 21-0. Senate Bill 347, a cleanup bill to the Medical Debt Protection Act that expands prohibited collection actions and requires disclosure when a collector is a large health care facility, also passed 21-0. House Bill 300, creating a statewide Title IX coordinator in the Department of Education to support compliance and data collection for interscholastic athletics, passed after debate; Senate Amendment 1 to the bill, which would have required athletes to compete according to biological sex, was defeated 6-14 with one absent, and the underlying bill then passed 20-0 with one absent. The Senate also passed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 84, which limits mandatory employee attendance at meetings where employers convey political or religious views, after questions about employer, union, and exemption coverage; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 301, which clarifies criminal penalties for violence, threats, and intimidation at polling places and election-related sites, passed after discussion of what conduct it would cover; House Bill 63, addressing fireworks disclosures and related regulation, passed 19-2 after senators discussed enforcement and impacts on veterans, children, and pets; and House Bill 348, updating the electric vehicle rebate program to give DENREC more flexibility and expand eligibility, passed 16-5. The chamber then recessed until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roll call shows 93 present, one absent; a quorum is present.
• HB 1300 relates to legislative term limits and the calculation of years of service.
• HB 1300 relates to legislative term limits and the calculation of years of service.
• put in there by Legislative Management.
• I move the absent member be excused.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements. The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Legislative District 4.
• We understand the intent of this legislation.
• Karen Warner representing legislative District 4.
• And I will be absent on Thursday for a lumpectomy.
• And I will be absent on Thursday for a lumpectomy.

Bills: SB1113, SB1115, SB1122, SB1123, SB1125, SB1165, SB1188, SB1193, SB1243, SB1318, SB1477

Keywords: mental health, involuntary evaluation, service of process, court-ordered treatment, evaluation agencies, AHCCCS, remote work, state agency, employment, public health, healthcare, behavioral health, prior authorization, American Indian health program, medicaid, medical examiner, death investigation, body disposal, autopsy, veteran burial

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of health and human services bills, with most receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. SB 1113 would allow screening or evaluation agency employees, under contract with a county, to personally serve court documents in involuntary mental health proceedings instead of requiring police officers; supporters said it would reduce burdens on law enforcement and be less disruptive for patients. An amendment clarifying county contracts and reimbursement was adopted, and the bill passed 12-0. SB 1122 would limit AHCCCS from imposing over-100% prepayment review on certain behavioral health providers serving American Indian Health Program members unless a corrective action plan is in place; AHCCCS was neutral and said it could implement the bill with additional staffing, and it passed 12-0. SB 1123 would remove a board-certification requirement so trained, licensed forensic pathologists can supervise pathology trainees during the period before board exam results are available; Maricopa County supported it as a workforce and efficiency measure, and it passed 12-0. SB 1125 would require DCS to make annual efforts to enter MOUs with Arizona tribes and improve communication on tribal children in state care; DCS said it was already working on several pending MOUs, and the bill passed 12-0. The committee also approved several bills related to cancer screening and mental health. SB 1165 would prohibit cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast cancer screening services in the commercial market; the sponsor and advocates said it would remove financial barriers that delay diagnosis, and it passed 12-0 amid personal testimony from members and the chair. SB 1243 would require notice to a patient’s guardian before discharge from court-ordered treatment and allow guardians to seek continuation of treatment; supporters said it closes dangerous gaps when treatment orders expire, and it passed 10-0 with two absent. SB 1318 would repeal a state breast-density notice requirement that now overlaps with a federal FDA standard; ADHS said the change would reduce confusion and duplicate notices, and it passed 11-0 with one absent. SB 1188 would align Arizona controlled-substance schedules with federal FDA/DEA scheduling changes; supporters said it would speed access to new treatments, while one member voted no over concerns about relying on federal review, and it passed 8-2. Additional bills addressed privacy and assisted-living referrals. SB 1193 would bar DHS from selling or disclosing EMT personal identifying information for commercial purposes without consent, while still allowing de-identified data; the sponsor’s representative said the bill arose after DHS said vendor access to licensee data was not prohibited, and members discussed whether broader privacy protections should apply to other workers as well. It passed 10-0 with two absent. SB 1477 would require referral agencies serving assisted living facilities or homes to verify background-screening practices, maintain insurance, and provide documentation regarding APS registry status; the bill’s supporters said it raises standards for senior placement services, a technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 10-0 with two absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• On this question, 34 yeas, zero nays, zero absent, not voting.
• On this question, 34 yeas, zero nays, zero absent, not voting.
• On this question, 34 yeas, zero nays, zero absent, not voting.
• On this question, 34 yeas, zero nays, zero absent, not voting.
• On this question, 34 yeas, zero nays, zero absent, not voting.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous introductions of pages, guests, and visitors, including a large McDowell County Day delegation. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 66, designating March 14, 2026, as McDowell County Day at the Legislature, with remarks highlighting the county’s history, resilience, and economic importance. On legislation, the Senate rejected House amendments to Senate Bill 493 on open captioning for motion pictures and asked the House to recede. It then took up and passed Senate Bill 587, adjusting the salary schedule for elected county officials, after adopting an amendment restoring county control over future pay increases; the bill was made effective July 1, 2026. The Senate also received a gubernatorial executive message containing 76 nominations and set consideration of those nominations as a special order for 4 p.m. The Senate quickly advanced and passed several supplemental appropriation bills, all by unanimous 34-0 votes and made effective from passage: House Bill 527 for the Department of Health Facilities and three hospitals; House Bill 528 for the Department of Agriculture’s spay-neuter assistance fund; House Bill 5307 for the Department of Tourism, Division of Culture and History; Committee Substitute for House Bill 5317 for the Division of Natural Resources; and House Bill 5694 for the Department of Education, which removed unnecessary budget language. The chamber then recessed for 30 minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• 35 present, zero absent, zero excused. 35 present, zero absent, zero excused.
• 35 eyes, 0 no, 0 absent, 0 excused. 35 eyes, 0 no, 0 absent, 0 excused.
• 35 eyes, 0 no, 0 absent, 0 excused. 35 eyes, 0 no, 0 absent, 0 excused.
• ,<00:52:23.760> zero 29 eyes, six no, zero absent, zero 29 eyes, six no, zero absent, zero
• <01:44:29.840> and particular piece of legislation and particular piece of legislation and

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports moving bills forward, including measures from Transportation and Energy and Corporations. The chamber also heard a House message transmitting House Bill 1281. Later, senators used moments of personal privilege to recognize Día del Niño guests and welcome children and community representatives to the chamber; those remarks were ordered spread upon the journal. On the consent calendar and third reading calendar, the Senate passed a number of bills, including Senate Bill 171 on pre-production plastic disposal, Senate Bill 173 on teacher training in certain fitness disciplines, House Bill 1290 on assault sentencing, House Bill 1052 on Victim Rights Act changes, House Bill 1214 on continuation of the controlled substances licensing act, House Bill 1260 on child care assistance, Senate Bill 17 on out-of-network health care dispute resolution, House Bill 1313 on Statewide Affordable Housing Fund requirements, House Bill 1283 on confiscation of identification documents, Senate Bill 174 on lead generation marketing for legal services, House Bill 1193 on vision tests for pre-kindergarten students, Senate Bill 170 creating a task force on public school access, House Bill 1242 on interlock restricted licenses, House Bill 1258, and Senate Bill 165 on species conservation funding. Several of these passed with recorded no votes, especially House Bill 1214 and House Bill 1283. The most substantive debate centered on Senate Bill 138, which was described as reducing administrative burden in the health care system by repealing or modifying certain requirements on health facilities and insurance carriers. The Senate adopted committee report amendments, including provisions on opioid training for veterinarians and dentists, before passing the bill. Another extended discussion involved Senate Bill 172 on the Front Range Passenger Rail District; supporters said it would shrink and better tailor the district to the planned rail corridor, while a senator from Adams County argued the district should not ask communities to pay for rail service they may not use. The Senate also reconsidered and repassed Senate Bill 170 after a procedural mix-up, then proceeded to special orders and adopted the Committee of the Whole report on Senate Bill 165, which was placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Call the absent members. No further members were recognized.
• Call the absent members. I brought a guilt. Call the absent members.
• Call the absent members. Call the absent members. Allen. Alvarado-Gil. Choi. Daly. Grayson. Grove.
• Call the absent members. Aye. Wiener, aye.
• Secretary, please call the absent members.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have five ayes and two nays and how many absents? Two. And two absent?
• We have six ayes, two nays, and one absent.
• You have six ayes, two nays, and one absent.
• We have six ayes, two nays, one absent.
• Six yes and two no and one absent.

Bills: SB1039, SB1061, SB1068, SB1069, SB1099, SB1127, SB1148, SB1271, SB1426, SB1448

Keywords: attorney discipline, legal costs, reputation damage, state bar, court costs, fentanyl, drug offenses, narcotic drugs, criminal penalties, Arizona Revised Statutes, educational institutions, public order, disruption, concealed weapons, safety regulations, firearms, muffling devices, weapon regulations, Arizona law, public safety

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills dealing with attorney discipline, bar licensure, drug sentencing, campus firearms, suppressors, defamation, emergency-service calls by businesses, mandatory child-abuse reporting, eviction procedure, and protections for utility workers. SB 1039 would allow attorneys who prevail in disciplinary matters to recover lost earnings and seek compensation for reputational harm from the State Bar; SB 1148 would require the Arizona Supreme Court to directly license attorneys rather than delegate that function. Both bills were supported by the sponsor as restoring accountability and limiting delegation, and both received due-pass recommendations despite some opposition votes. Members also heard SB 1061, which lowers the fentanyl trafficking threshold from 200 grams to 9 grams; opponents from the ACLU and defense bar argued the threshold would sweep in personal-use cases and increase incarceration, while supporters said it targets traffickers. The bill was recommended do pass. SB 1068, barring public colleges and universities from prohibiting lawful concealed carry by permit holders, drew strong opposition from gun-safety advocates and campus representatives who cited suicide and campus safety concerns, and support from gun-rights groups who argued campuses are not exempt from constitutional rights; it also received a due-pass recommendation. SB 1069, removing suppressors from Arizona’s prohibited-weapons definition, was opposed by Moms Demand Action and supported by gun-rights advocates as aligning state law with federal law and protecting hearing; it likewise passed out of committee. The committee also advanced SB 1099, which would codify statutory defamation elements and add an internet-related limitation period; the ACLU warned it could chill speech and conflict with evolving First Amendment law, while the sponsor said it would clarify existing case law and address online defamation. SB 1271, prohibiting cities from penalizing businesses for legitimate emergency-service calls, passed unanimously after testimony that some municipalities had discouraged 911 calls for theft and other incidents. HB 1127, requiring mandatory reporters with direct knowledge of child abuse or neglect to report immediately and personally, passed after Phoenix Children’s Hospital and DCS said they supported the intent but wanted implementation language clarified for medical emergencies. SB 1426, changing forcible-detainer procedures by removing the written-demand requirement, passed despite concerns from the multi-housing industry that the current language could disrupt holdover-tenant evictions. Finally, SB 1448, as amended, expanded aggravated-assault protections to utility, telecom, video-service, and related workers; supporters cited threats and assaults against field crews, while opponents argued existing assault laws already cover the conduct and the bill is overly broad. The amendment and the bill as amended were adopted, and the committee gave SB 1448 a due-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Foot is absent. Representative Foot is absent.
• Suiter is absent. >> Representative Foote is absent.
• Representative Louis is absent. Representative Suiter is absent. Representative Foote is absent.
• Representative Sudter is absent. Representative Sudter is absent.
• the proposed legislation. the proposed legislation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all