Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the first report we have today with findings is the Department of Human Services FY24 report, and
• The state's forgery claim was honored by the bank, and the funds were deposited into the Treasury State's
• change fund is unique because it has both a cash portion and a balance that's held in a commercial bank
• Safety and service. That's right. Representative Unger. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• And the second finding: the ability of the Department of Corrections to provide essential services to

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the first report we have today with findings is the Department of Human Services FY24 report, and
• The state's forgery claim was honored by the bank, and the funds were deposited into the Treasury State's
• change fund is unique because it has both a cash portion and a balance that's held in a commercial bank
• Safety and service. That's right. Representative Unger. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• And the second finding: the ability of the Department of Corrections to provide essential services to

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and approved the January minutes, then heard a series of audit reports with findings. The Department of Human Services report described theft and fraud involving false benefit claims, including about $8,000 in Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, about $5,800 in Medicaid benefits, and an altered state warrant for nearly $610,000 that was cashed by an auto body shop in California; it also noted asset-control problems and an error in sales tax paid on exempt vehicle purchases. Members asked whether the fraudulent business had been flagged or notified to other agencies, and DHS said the matter had been referred to law enforcement but no broader notification to California officials was known. The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism report cited missing museum receipts of nearly $3,500 and issues with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium, including a missing $100 drawer fund and an $80 overage; officials said they were considering cashless operations at War Memorial Stadium and provided an update that the museum theft investigation was still ongoing, with misdemeanor time limits expired but felony investigation still possible. The Department of Corrections report found unauthorized fuel-card purchases totaling about $4,500 and a delayed disaster-recovery test for offender management software; Corrections said staffing had been increased for fuel-card oversight and that a full production disaster-recovery test was now scheduled after DIS upgrades were completed. The Department of Veterans Affairs report found four Fayetteville Veterans Home employees were paid for hours not worked, with additional unapproved overtime totaling more than $6,600, a duplicate vendor payment of nearly $1,000 that was refunded, and many overtime instances lacking proper approval; the department said it had tightened overtime approval policies statewide. The committee also received a special report on law enforcement agencies’ compliance with Arkansas’s racial profiling policy requirement. Legislative Audit said it had received responses from 203 of 383 agencies and forwarded updated policies to the Attorney General, while identifying 180 agencies that had not responded and were deemed out of compliance. Members asked what happens if agencies still fail to respond and requested a list of nonresponding agencies; staff said their role is limited to collecting and forwarding policies, and the committee agreed to receive the list. All reports were filed or reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after announcing the next meeting date and a possible room change due to building work.

Bills: HR286 , HR287 , HR288 , HR289 , HR290 , HR291 , HR292 , HR293 , HR294 , HCR114 , HR275 , HR276 , HR277 , HR278 , HR279 , HR280 , HR282 , HR283 , HR284 , HR285 , HCR112 , HCR113 , SCR62 , SCR64 , SB132 , SB135 , SB405 , HR179 , HR216 , HR223 , HR225 , HR274 , HCR89 , SB39 , SB99 , SB111 , SB112 , SB124 , SB134 , SB174 , SB189 , SB190 , SB201 , SB233 , SB236 , SB258 , SB270 , SB273 , SB288 , SB307 , SB313 , SB320 , SB321 , SB325 , SB326 , SB331 , SB339 , SB341 , SB345 , SB346 , SB347 , SB353 , SB357 , SB359 , SB387 , SB393 , SB401 , SB415 , SB419 , SB422 , SB426 , SB435 , SB437 , SB440 , SB451 , SB464 , SB470 , SB487 , SB488 , SB495 , SB504 , SB505 , SB518 , SB523 , SB228 , SB408 , HR168 , HR174 , HR194 , HCR54 , HCR74 , HCR79 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR95 , HCR97 , HCR98 , HCR102 , HCR104 , SCR23 , SCR38 , HCR26 , HB250 , HB265 , HB339 , HB427 , HB445 , HB463 , HB468 , HB606 , HB639 , HB649 , HB665 , HB746 , HB781 , HB853 , HB861 , HB872 , HB886 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1054 , HB1068 , HB1117 , HB1237 , HB75 , HB705 , SB34 , SB164 , SB172 , SB198 , SB208 , SB232 , SB281 , SB286 , SB317 , SB322 , SB334 , SB380 , SB385 , SB409 , SB417 , SB421 , SB430 , SB439 , SB447 , SB458 , SB510 , SB54 , SB56 , SB72 , SB79 , SB97 , SB105 , SB123 , SB125 , SB129 , SB163 , SB171 , SB252 , SB287 , SB375 , SB386 , SB461 , SB466 , HR84 , SCR3 , HB582 , HB625 , HB646 , HB998 , HB1191 , HB1255 , SB81 , SB100 , SB109 , SB197 , SB374 , SB479 , SB78 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441

Keywords: HR286, House Resolution 286, LED, Louisiana Economic Development, rural development, energy efficiency, renewable energy, public-private partnership, tax credits, economic development, workforce training, school energy costs, community colleges, technical colleges, local government, building modernization, on-site energy generation, public facilities, rural parishes, distressed communities

Transcript Highlights:

• You start thinking about some of these banks that have hundreds of thousands of customers, credit cards
• Last year, whenever we were talking for the security breach, a bank came to me and said that they...
• Last year, whenever we were talking for the security breach, a bank came to me and said that they have
• The Internal Revenue Service uses a private provider known as ID.me.
• And she talked about the investigation that she did with one of these online services.

Bills: SB1670 , SB1716 , SB1521

Committee: Senate Technology and Telecommunications

Summary: The Senate Technology and Telecommunications Committee considered three Senate bills. SB 1670, by Senator Reinhart, would require the State Regents to update Oklahoma university technology transfer guidance, create a tiered ownership framework, and revisit the guidance every seven years. Members questioned the seven-year review period, the scope of terms like aerospace and autonomous technologies, and how broadly the new tiered system would apply. The bill was presented as a way to modernize an outdated 1989 framework and help turn university research into companies, jobs, and economic impact. It passed 8-0. SB 1716, by Senator Howard, amended the Security Breach Notification Act to replace references to a “cybersecurity event” with “breach of the security of a system” and to clarify that there is no private right of action for ordinary negligence when a business reports breaches to the Attorney General. Howard explained that the Attorney General would retain exclusive enforcement authority for reasonable-standards violations, while private lawsuits would remain available only for more egregious conduct such as willful, wanton conduct or gross negligence. Members asked about the negligence standard, HIPAA-related breaches, and staffing needs for the Attorney General’s office. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 8-0. SB 1521, by Senator Hamilton, would prohibit minors from accessing artificial intelligence companions and set age-verification and re-verification requirements, including use of government-issued identification and periodic re-verification. Hamilton said the bill was aimed at protecting children from harmful interactions with AI companions and was narrowly drafted to avoid sweeping in other AI tools like customer-service bots. Members raised concerns about the reasonableness and consistency of age verification, account creation requirements, and how the bill would interact with existing statutes on sexually explicit conduct. The chair spoke in support of the measure, and the bill passed 8-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the new shared service plan in place, Minot State will be keeping the DCB bank recs reconciled going
• Of the seven bank accounts DCB has, there's only one remaining without of the seven bank accounts DCB
• within NDUS data and Job Service data.
• , recording and registration services, educational services, and any other governmental services or functions
• That'd be my motion. ...recording and registration services, educational services, and any other governmental

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are all land banks nonprofits?
• Coordinated land banking is different because authorized land banks offer comprehensive support.
• Land banking is different because authorized land banks offer comprehensive support to those who want
• This bill will allow land banks to acquire, assemble, hold, This bill will allow land banks to acquire
• Right now, land banks do not have these.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee held public hearings on three bills. SB 6237 would require landlords to disclose flooding history and flood risk to new tenants, along with notices that renters’ insurance and flood insurance may be needed and that county or local government sources have hazard information. The sponsor said the bill was a simple disclosure modeled on other states’ laws after recent flooding in Washington. Testimony was generally supportive, with an environmental nonprofit urging a broader jurisdiction-based disclosure instead of only county government, and housing industry groups saying they were neutral or concerned about added lease disclosures and asking for clearer language about what flooding information must be disclosed. No vote was taken on the bill. The committee then heard SB 6214, which would authorize public corporations, housing authorities, and certain nonprofits to operate as land bank authorities for affordable housing, with requirements for affordability covenants, annual reports, priority access to tax-foreclosed properties, and tax exemptions for qualifying land bank property and transfers. Supporters from Spokane, counties, housing authorities, affordable housing groups, and developers said land banking would help lower land costs, speed development, and expand affordable housing production. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing it could remove land from the market and affect rural land supply. Department of Revenue staff flagged a technical issue, saying the bill needs a clearer definition of a qualifying land bank authority so the exemption can be administered, and confirmed the proposal would shift property off the tax rolls. The committee also asked whether the bill would allow non-housing uses such as parks or green space; staff said the bill requires affordable housing use, though the other half of land bank activity is not specified. The committee also heard SB 6139, which would require landlords to keep accepting previously used payment methods and continue to accept partial rent payments during an unlawful detainer process, while making clear that partial payments do not reinstate a lease or stop an eviction unless the parties agree in writing. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address cases where tenants can make partial payments but landlords shut off payment portals and refuse them, forcing judges to issue case-by-case standstill orders. Tenant advocates opposed the bill, arguing it would encourage evictions, remove judicial discretion, and could trap tenants by inviting partial payments that do not protect their housing. Landlord and property management groups were concerned about requiring continued access to payment portals and about ambiguity over whether accepting partial payments would waive eviction rights, though they said the bill was a good starting point and suggested clearer receipts and statutory protections. The public hearing was closed without action on SB 6139. In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for SB 6091, which limits broker marketing restrictions without requiring open access to homes and removes a Washington Law Against Discrimination provision, then voted the bill do pass to Rules. The committee also voted to recommend confirmation of gubernatorial appointments 9278, Pedro Espinoza, and 9279, Diana H. Perez, to the Housing Finance Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's other laws that create required areas of service, approved areas of service, but you wouldn't
• Prohibiting the denial of banking and insurance services based on any factor that is quantified and risk-based
• ><c> on</c><04:17:59.119><c> any</c> banking Insurance Services based on any banking Insurance Services
• that would bank them.
• It's federally chartered banks.

Summary: The subcommittee first dealt with a brew pub license bill and corrected some sponsor/subcommittee roster confusion before voting to pass it without discussion. The main item of debate was a bill allowing patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restrooms. The bill sponsor argued the current ban is outdated, rarely enforced, and can leave patrons vulnerable if they set drinks down and leave them unattended; he said establishments could still post their own rules if they wished. Liquor enforcement officials said they were neutral overall, noting both the risk of drinks being left unattended and the practical concerns of underage drinking, over-service, and restroom monitoring. Testimony split between those who saw the law as a non-issue and those who viewed it as a safety measure. One member said he had never seen anyone take alcohol into a restroom and opposed changing the law, while others cited drink-spiking concerns and suggested alternatives such as safe zones behind bars, drink covers, and alert apps. Industry representatives said many operators would prefer to keep the law as-is because it helps with policing drinking in their establishments, though they acknowledged the motivation behind the bill. Several members also raised drafting concerns, saying the wording was confusing about whether the rule applied to patrons or establishments. The committee ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend the bill ought to pass. Afterward, members discussed amending the language to clarify that establishments could still prohibit the practice, but one member suggested a simpler fix would be to strike the word “restroom” from the prohibition entirely. The committee then unanimously voted to reconsider its action so the language could be revised later, and the amendment discussion was left for a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chairman Banks. Banks. Banks. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:47:11.040><c> you</c><00:47:11.200><c> Mr.
• Vice Chairman Banks.
• </c> services in Wyoming. services in Wyoming.
• </c> department of family services. department of family services.
• </c> Services and Nutritional Services. Services and Nutritional Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:54.319><c> have</c> Hampshire Community Banks each have Hampshire Community Banks each have
• </c><00:57:53.440><c> account</c> trying to comply with the bank account trying to comply with the bank
• </c> is a service provided by Blockstream. is a service provided by Blockstream.
• :38.480><c> AM</c><01:14:39.040><c> asset</c> built a service called AM asset built a service called
• </c> this model in my 14 years of the banking this model in my 14 years of the banking department.<01

Summary: The meeting began with roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, which passed unanimously. Members then introduced the day’s presentations, including one on the Canton network and another on tokenizing real-world assets, with a focus on how blockchain systems can support regulated financial institutions and asset tokenization. Julie, the director of policy and government affairs at Digital Asset, presented on the Canton network, describing it as a privacy-enabled public blockchain designed for regulated finance. She said tokenization should preserve the same legal and economic rights as the underlying asset, and argued that blockchain-based books and records can shorten settlement times, improve 24/7 trading, and reduce friction in capital markets. She identified three main barriers to institutional adoption of public blockchains: lack of privacy, limited throughput/scalability, and lack of control for compliance purposes such as freezing assets, pausing transactions, and meeting AML/sanctions obligations. She explained Canton’s structure as a public, permissionless network with application-level privacy controls, a global synchronizer, and super validators chosen by vote. She also highlighted current ecosystem participants and use cases, including Broadridge, Circle, and the DTCC’s planned tokenization of U.S. Treasuries on the network. Members and online participants asked about the relationship between tokenized assets and the Clarity Act, tokenized deposits, safeguards for faster settlement, and whether the platform could be used for municipal or property records. Julie said Digital Asset was not taking a position on rewards, but supported clearer statutory definitions because tokenized securities should carry the same rights as the underlying assets and investors need to know whether a token is a true tokenized security or a synthetic/reference token. She said the company is agnostic on whether the cash leg is stablecoins or tokenized deposits, though it expects both to develop. In response to concerns about rapid settlement, she pointed to institution-level permissions and SEC disclosure expectations as safeguards. She also said the technology could be used for other records, including potentially property-related records, if those assets can be tokenized.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chief Hudak, thank you for your service and welcome to the Florida House. Thank you.
• Seeing no further debate, Representative Banks, you're recognized in debate.
• called it the West Bank this past week.
• They just said the West Bank, because it's west of the Jordan River.
• For health care services for inmates in Lake County. Are there any amendments?

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4888, establishing a sick leave bank for Marnie Jean Goldstein, an employee of the Department
• House Bill 4888, establishing a sick leave bank for Marnie Jean Goldstein, an employee of the Department
• of Children and Families; and House Bill 4908, establishing a sick leave bank for William Blaylock,
• An act establishing a sick leave bank for Marnie Jean Goldstein, an employee of the Department of Children
• An act establishing a sick leave bank for William Blaylock, an employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff's

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Wellesley High School girls’ swim team, which was formally recognized for winning its sixth Division Two State Swim and Diving Championship. The chamber also received a resignation letter from Representative Natalie M. Blay of the First Franklin District, effective January 19, 2026, and placed it on file. The House then acted on several committee reports and scheduling orders, including extensions of reporting deadlines for the Education and Public Service committees, all adopted by voice vote after suspension of the rules. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee recommended three local matters for consideration: H.4349, waiving the maximum age requirement for a Boston police officer candidate; H.4888, establishing a sick leave bank for a Department of Children and Families employee; and H.4908, establishing a sick leave bank for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee. These bills were read, ordered to a third reading, and later advanced. The House passed to be enacted H.4175, amending the Provincetown charter, and H.4379, amending the Greenfield charter. It also concurred in a Senate amendment to H.4363, authorizing a land conveyance in Wellesley, and engrossed H.4721, relating to the Dalton Fire District Board of Water Commissioners, and H.4813, authorizing Milton to grant on-premises all-alcohol licenses. H.4717, concerning Orange’s annual town meeting, was amended on the floor and then passed to be engrossed as amended. Finally, H.1110, a consumer protection bill concerning subprime loans, was amended to discharge the bill from further consideration and then referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House adopted a special adjournment in memory of former Representative Salvatore Semino and adjourned to meet the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's pressure being put on banks.
• </c> representative Sullivan said One Bank representative Sullivan said One Bank might<00:36:33.480><
• bank statement from<00:44:43.160><c> Chase</c><00:44:43.440><c> Bank</c><00:44:43.680><c> that</c><00
• ><c> that</c><00:44:46.400><c> that</c> up a bank account um utilizing that that up a bank account um
• </c><00:45:39.040><c> account</c> again wanting to create a bank account again wanting to create a bank

Summary: The subcommittee first took up several bills and repeatedly chose to retain or table them rather than advance them. House 167, dealing with past wax, was voted ought to pass; House 312 was retained because members said NCAA-related advertising and uniform policy issues were still unresolved; House 434, requiring insurers to provide rental cars for at least seven days, was voted inexpedient to legislate; and House 454, on biodegradable packaging claims, was also voted inexpedient to legislate after members said the proposal lacked a workable enforcement mechanism and would likely be only a symbolic state-by-state measure. House 721, making gold legal tender, was retained, with members saying the bill needed more work and that the issue was less compelling in New Hampshire because the state has no sales tax. The committee then discussed House 310, which was amended to create a study commission on blockchain and related regulatory issues. The amendment expanded the commission’s charge to include legal, regulatory, financial, technological, and environmental considerations, added review of federal developments, included blockchain-based trust and stable token issues, broadened membership, and extended the repeal and report dates by a year. Members said the commission would help New Hampshire develop expertise and a report for future legislation, while also noting that federal action could affect the state’s role. The amendment was adopted 8-1, and the bill itself was then retained. Finally, the subcommittee heard a revised amendment to House 406 on business filings and registered agents. The Secretary of State’s office explained that the amendment, drafted with input from the Business and Industry Association, narrows the bill to address fraudulent or unauthorized entity filings after a written complaint and sworn statement, sets minimum requirements for registered agents, bars use of commercial mail-drop addresses as registered offices, and allows removal or cancellation of fraudulent filings with penalties for false filings. Members asked about which entities must maintain registered offices and how the rules would affect home-based businesses; the sponsor said most New Hampshire business entities must have a registered office, with some exceptions such as domestic nonprofits and trade names. The discussion emphasized concerns about synthetic entities, identity misuse, and the need for a physical in-state registered agent address.

Transcript Highlights:

• staff in front of you on a substitute House Bill 2452, an act relating to modifying requirements for service
• House Bill 2664 is an act related to modifying requirements for service on unlawful detainer notices
• In the similar way as other service of process or notices, either they're supposed to be left with a
• The property tax exemption to make the land bank tool usable. All right.
• , ...partner with social housing PDAs through things like land, infrastructure, services.

Bills: HB2304 , HB2664

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction, HB 2664, unlawful detainer, eviction notice, landlord-tenant, tenant rights, service of process, certified mail, notice by mail, notice posting, possession action, vacate notice, Washington RCW 59.12, housing law, rental housing, forcible entry and detainer

Transcript Highlights:

• This would allow counties to use their local banks as their P-card provider.
• The current provider through OMS is Bank of America.
• Banks oftentimes will give rebates to utilizers.
• or other services... ...language that specifies certain professional services or other services that
• It’s currently the Bank of America.

Bills: SB2130 , SB2135

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Summary: The Senate Local and County Government Committee heard two bills. Senate Bill 2135, as amended, would let county purchasing agents obtain purchase cards through a local bank instead of only through the current state program, while keeping existing competitive-bidding and other guardrails. Senator Reinhart said the amendment was developed with the State Auditor’s Office to add protections, and committee questions focused on sealed bids, public award of contracts, spending limits, and how the bill aligns with current state P-card rules. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill then advanced on a 10-0 roll call vote. The committee also considered Senate Bill 2130, a constituent-request bill aimed at helping very small towns qualify for grants by easing pre-grant audit requirements. Senator Murdoch explained that towns of 500 people or fewer with $50,000 or less in total funds would be exempt from having to obtain an audit before applying for a grant, though customary audits would still apply otherwise. Members discussed whether the bill could weaken fiscal oversight, whether other audit requirements would still apply, and whether agreed-upon procedures engagements might be a cheaper alternative. The chair and several members supported the measure as a way to help struggling rural communities, and the bill advanced on a 9-1 roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Health and Human Services is called to order.
• Chairman Warner and members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, I'm Kayla Black.
• . ...you heard this morning, speaking of the burden that it's creating on our local food banks.
• SB 1162 establishes the Department of Health Services as the agency responsible...
• and capabilities, non-medical care and support services, and the needs of the patients.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met and first recognized Physical Therapy Day at the Capitol, welcoming Arizona physical therapy leaders and students. The committee then took up several bills related to SNAP, health care regulation, child welfare, dementia services, and safe haven newborn surrender. SB 1334 would bar DES from seeking or renewing SNAP work-requirement waivers for able-bodied adults without dependents unless required by federal or state law; supporters said it would curb administrative expansion and opponents argued it would reduce flexibility during high unemployment and harm food-insecure Arizonans. The bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 4-1 vote. SB 1333 would require DES to reduce the SNAP payment error rate to 3% by 2030, with annual reporting, corrective action plans, Auditor General oversight, and possible funding penalties if targets are missed. After adopting a committee amendment changing reporting to quarterly updates and replacing a forensic audit with a special audit, the committee approved the bill as amended on a 4-1 vote. SB 1331 would require able-bodied adults under 60 receiving SNAP to participate in mandatory employment and training unless exempt; proponents said it would strengthen work expectations, while opponents and DES raised concerns about administrative burden and food bank impacts. The bill passed 4-2, with members explaining no votes due to child care, rural access, and food insecurity concerns. The committee also advanced SB 1162, which clarifies DHS’s role in licensing and monitoring health care institutions and, as amended, requires DHS and AHCCCS/Access to coordinate to reduce duplicative oversight and report periodically to the legislature; it passed 6-0. SB 1017, requiring additional signatures and witness verification on emergency informed consent forms for surgical procedures, passed 4-2. SB 1149, which adds reporting and procedural requirements for DCS periodic review hearings, passed as amended 5-1. SB 1249, designating DHS as the lead agency on Alzheimer’s and dementia and creating a state plan and services program funded through lottery monies rather than the general fund after amendment, passed 6-0. Finally, SB 1253 clarified that a parent may surrender a newborn at the hospital of birth without leaving and returning, and requires updated safe-haven reporting; it passed 5-0, after testimony from hospital and safe-haven advocates in support. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Frost for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Candy J.
• Pike, an employee of the Department of Developmental Services, to the Committee on Public Service.
• Frost for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Candy J.
• Pike, an employee of the Department of Developmental Services, to the Committee on Public Service.
• Pike, an employee of the Department of Developmental Services, to the Committee on Public Service.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Rules Committee reports and scheduling orders. Members adopted a resolution commending the PKD Foundation for recognizing September 2025 as Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month. The House also adopted multiple orders extending committee reporting deadlines, including for the Labor and Workforce Development, Public Health, State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy committees. The chamber concurred in Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including proposals related to insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of port wine stains and scalp cooling systems. The House then suspended Joint Rule 12 for several House petitions, including measures on charter school funding, Port Authority Parks governance, a senior fishing license, and a sick leave bank for a Department of Developmental Services employee. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee also reported several bills for consideration, including student mental health, a disability pension for Michael Rodericks, PCOS Awareness Month, roadway safety, and Hopkinton local bills. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave second readings and ordered several bills to a third reading, including the student mental health bill, the Michael Rodericks disability pension bill, the PCOS Awareness Month bill, the roadway safety bill, and Hopkinton charter and economic development measures. The House adopted an emergency preamble for House No. 4323, establishing a sick leave bank for Alexander Schwartz of the State Police, then passed that bill to be enacted. The House also passed to be engrossed House No. 2250, dissolving the Watley Water District, and adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• In human services, the governor prioritized projects that protect Washingtonians.
• The Green Bank is a private-public partnership that will help fund low- to moderate-income households
• Welcome back, and it's good to appreciate your service. Signed in pro on this budget.
• Green banks across the country have proven this model works.
• , and the Connecticut Green Bank turned $463 million into $3.1 billion.

Bills: SB6003

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm President James Murphy, the House Chair from the Committee on Financial Services.
• I'm Chief of Financial Services in the House office. Welcome.
• Chris Richards, Chief Banking Officer for Mutual Bank Corp, with a mutual holding company for Cape Cod
• 5 Cent Savings Bank based in Hyannis and Fidelity Cooperative Bank based in Leominster.
• We have 500 bills between insurance, banking, crypto, health care.

Summary: The House and Senate chairs opened the first organizational meeting of the special initiative commission created by Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024 to study the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card and the impacts on small businesses. They explained that no testimony would be taken at this meeting; instead, the commission would begin its work, introduce members, and prepare for future hearings and a final report with recommendations on credit cards and other payment methods. The chairs outlined the commission’s charge: to examine payment trends, cashless transactions, credit card fees, mobile payments, buy now, pay later financing, and the effects of section 28A of chapter 140D on small businesses. They said the commission would likely organize hearings around business and consumer impacts, the legal and regulatory landscape, and policy options such as transparency measures, reporting requirements, and possible limits. Members discussed the importance of hearing from retailers, restaurants, banks, small businesses, and possibly experts, and suggested considering cryptocurrency and whether hearings should be held outside the State House or include regional access. Several commissioners and stakeholders introduced themselves, including representatives from the Attorney General’s office, the House, the Executive Office of Economic Development, the Commissioner of Banks, retail and restaurant associations, a banking representative, and two small business owners. The chairs said interested parties could sign up to testify or receive notices, written testimony would be accepted, and the first hearing was tentatively set for April 8 in Gardner Auditorium. The meeting ended with a motion to close, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• In attending anti-service, I found myself going home not just physically.
• AB 1065, Ortega, from the Banking and Finance Committee to the Judiciary Committee, then back to the
• Banking and Finance Committee.
• AB 866, Ortega, from the Banking and Finance Committee to the Judiciary Committee, then back to the Banking
• the Banking and Finance Committee.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine procedural business, including dispensing with the reading of the prior journal, re-referring several bills, and approving committee scheduling requests. There was also a point of order from Assemblymember DeMaio asking about a possible Governor’s message regarding Medi-Cal, but the chair said no formal message had been received at the desk. The main floor debate centered on AB 321 by Assemblymember Schultz, the Better Informed Decisions Act, which would allow courts to consider reducing certain “wobbler” offenses from felonies to misdemeanors later in the criminal process if new evidence emerges. Supporters argued it would improve fairness, transparency, and efficiency by letting judges make better-informed decisions; opponents said it would weaken felony accountability and conflict with voter intent on public safety. The bill passed on a 46-5 vote. The Assembly also adopted ACR 47 by Assemblymember Chen, declaring March 16–22 as National Surveyors Week, with 63 co-authors added and the resolution adopted by voice vote. AB 387 by Assemblymember Alanis, which expands jury duty exemptions to include probation officers, passed 64-0. On the consent calendar, ACR 46, HR 9, HR 22, and SCR 17 were adopted with unanimous votes, and the Assembly adjourned until Monday, March 17 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here as someone who spent 45 years in banking, and I've seen the results.
• A friend and I decided we were going to start a bank at the height of that.
• A friend and I decided we were going to start a bank at the height of that.
• There's been a lot of lip service about a balanced budget and reducing the deficit.
• And they give you all the lip service they want.

Committee: House State Affairs