Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. >> Baker votes I. >> Carol I. >>
• Carol votes I. >> Fogleman votes no. >> Frederick votes I. >> Gilman votes I.
• >> Kisha votes no. >> KCA votes no. >> Kisha votes no. >> Lee F.? >> Lee F. votes aye. >> Leebling?
• >> Lily votes aye. >> Lily votes aye. >> McDonald? >> McDonald votes no. >> P.C.?
• >> P.C. votes aye. >> Quam votes no. >> Rarick? >> Rarick votes aye. >> Rarick votes aye. >> Rymer?

Transcript Highlights:

• This meeting, including the audio and video of remote participants, is being streamed live on YouTube
• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator Coin? >> Aye. Senator Elefante?

Summary: The committee opened with the 10:54 agenda and took up SB 2656, a short-form bill relating to taxation. The chair explained the intent was to insert the provisions of proposed SD1, then recommit the bill to the Committee on Ways and Means so the process could start over and a full hearing could be held later. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB 2656 proposed SD1 with amendments and recommit it, with aye votes from the chair, vice chair, and several senators, and reservations from Senators Elefante, Wai, and Favlla; Senators Kidani and McKim were excused. For the remaining three agendas on that meeting block, no oral testimony was taken. The chair said there was a large volume of written testimony, so the committee would review it and defer decision-making to a later date on all three measures. The meeting then moved through the 10:55, 10:56, and 10:57 agendas. On the 10:55 agenda, the committee said it would defer decision-making to Monday, March 2, except for SB 334, which would be deferred and then reposted as proposed SD2 for a full hearing, with testimony to be submitted on the proposed SD2 rather than the current version. On the 10:56 and 10:57 agendas, the committee deferred decision-making to Tuesday, March 3, at 10:15 a.m. in conference room 211, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is great to see folks here in person, and we know that there's others that are watching remotely.
• our committee members to remind us that we do conduct our meetings in person, but we do allow for remote
• With that, we'll start with our remote panel.
• I think she's remote. That's correct.
• remote: David Simmons, Carl Keller, and Michael Rainey.

Bills: SB6014 , SB5972 , SB5869 , SB5874

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: pregnancy accommodations, pregnant workers, workplace accommodations, reasonable accommodation, undue hardship, lactation, breastfeeding, express milk, maternity leave, childbirth, pregnancy discrimination, employment law, labor and industries, L&I, confidential records, public records exemption, health care certification, workplace standards, employee rights, employer obligations

Transcript Highlights:

• And the ones they claimed they did, they said they did it remotely.
• And the ones they claimed they did, they said they did it remotely.
• And the ones they claimed they did, they said they did it remotely.
• And the ones they claimed they did, they said they did it remotely.
• And the ones they claimed they did, they said they did it remotely.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call up remotely Dara Bruling. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Linda McCoy is not on remote, so go ahead, Heather. Okay, great.
• Oh, I have some on remote, but it looks like you're here in person. Great. Well, sorry.
• Oh, I have some on remote, but it looks like you're here in person. Great. Well, sorry.
• So I'm going to go to Jessica Franken on remote. Jessica, can you hear me? Yeah. Excellent.

Bills: SB6271 , SB6174

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: mattress stewardship, producer responsibility, extended producer responsibility, EPR, mattress recycling, solid waste, landfill diversion, illegal dumping, recycling program, Department of Ecology, producer responsibility organization, PRO, renovator, retailer obligations, collection sites, bulk pickup, drop-off locations, waste management, environmental compliance, circular economy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call up remotely Dara Bruling and Linda McCoy, and Heather Trim, you'd be on deck.
• Linda McCoy is not on remote, so go ahead, Heather. Okay, great.
• Oh, I have some on remote, but it looks like you're here in person. Great. Well, sorry.
• So I'm going to go to Jessica Franken on remote. Jessica, can you hear me? Yeah. Excellent.
• So I'm going to go to Jessica Franken on remote. Jessica, can you hear me? Yeah. Excellent.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held public hearings on two producer-responsibility bills and then a work session on consumer electrical equipment. On SB 6271, which would create an extended producer responsibility program for mattresses, staff explained the bill’s requirements for a producer responsibility organization, collection and recycling targets, reporting, and enforcement. Senator Hunt said the measure would reduce landfill burden and illegal dumping while creating recycling jobs. Local governments, a recycler, and environmental advocates testified in support, citing landfill capacity concerns, high disposal costs, and the potential to recover most mattress materials. Retail and industry groups said they support the goal but opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it differs from existing state models and could create unnecessary cost and administrative burden. The hearing closed with 459 signed in support and 172 opposed. The committee then heard SB 6174, a proposed substitute on textile producer responsibility that would first require a needs assessment and the creation of a coordinating organization. Supporters, including the sponsor, environmental advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and a student testifier, described textiles as a fast-growing waste stream with major landfill, pollution, and global labor impacts, and said the needs assessment is an important first step. Opponents from retail, business, apparel, and hospitality groups said they support continued stakeholder work and the needs assessment concept, but raised concerns that the bill still presumes a future EPR program, could impose fees and penalties, and may sweep in retailers and company uniforms in ways that create burdens for small businesses. The hearing closed with 1,253 signed in support and 364 opposed. In the work session, Jeremiah Miller of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory briefed the committee on codes and standards for grid-connected and portable solar equipment. He explained how the National Electrical Code, UL certification standards, and IEEE interconnection standards work together, and described newer supplemental standards such as UL 3141 for power control systems and UL 3700 for portable or plug-in solar. Members asked about safety, certification timing, and how Washington could allow these products while ensuring proper installation and consumer protection. Miller said UL 3700 is very new and not yet widely certified in the market, but that the current code framework can accommodate certified products while standards continue to evolve. The committee took no votes and adjourned after the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• He described states as federal agents to count votes. And his advisor, right? to count votes.
• And that's where our early voting and Election Day voting occurred.
• normally if we're voting on our shift, we're given two hours to conduct our voting activity.
• But they shouldn't be voting anyway. And they'd walk off. But they shouldn't be voting anyway.
• So on a tie vote, yes. So on a tie vote, this bill does not continue on, and I believe...

Bills: SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264 , HB195 , HB279 , SB30 , HB234 , HB292 , SB100 , SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• Last week, he called for Republicans to nationalize elections and take voting oversight, take over voting
• He described states as federal agents to count votes. And his advisor, right? to count votes.
• normally, if we're voting on our shift, we're given two hours to conduct our voting activity.
• So on a tie vote, yes. So on a tie vote, this bill does not continue on, and I believe...
• A tie vote.

Bills: HB195 , HB279 , SB30 , HB234 , HB292 , SB100 , SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first heard SB 264, which would create state criminal and civil penalties for election interference, including stationing armed personnel at polling places or drop boxes, changing voter qualifications or election procedures contrary to state law, and obstructing or intimidating voters, poll workers, or election administrators. The sponsor and Secretary of State staff said the bill was a response to concerns about possible federal interference in New Mexico elections and was modeled largely on existing federal law, while also adding emergency-related provisions for counties affected by disasters. Support came from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and the Center for Public Policy; there was no opposition testimony. After questions about enforcement, federal conflict, and the role of local law enforcement, the committee passed SB 264 on a due-pass motion. The committee then took up SB 261, a related bill revising firearm restrictions at polling places. The sponsor said the bill would remove most exemptions that had allowed firearms in or around polling locations, while preserving limited exceptions for election administrators to request law enforcement assistance and for certain rural or co-located law enforcement offices. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and the Center for Public Policy, argued that firearms at polls can intimidate voters and poll workers and that the bill would create clearer, safer rules. Opponents, including representatives of a rifle and pistol club, a county sheriff’s office, and the New Mexico Business Coalition, argued that concealed carry holders and officers should not be treated as threats, that the bill could create confusion or criminalize lawful conduct, and that law enforcement needs to remain armed to respond to emergencies and protect polling sites. Committee members debated constitutional tailoring, rural enforcement issues, and how the bill would interact with the earlier election-interference bill. The committee ultimately passed the Judiciary Committee substitute for SB 261 on a due-pass vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 221, which would add a new crime and racketeering predicate for theft and misappropriation of petroleum products and oil and gas equipment. The sponsor, the Attorney General’s office, and industry and law enforcement witnesses said oilfield theft has become more organized and dangerous, causing environmental damage, safety hazards, lost production, and revenue losses, and that existing laws are not sufficient to address the conduct. An opponent questioned whether the conduct was already illegal and argued that the bill singled out one industry and could overcriminalize conduct already covered by other laws and regulations. After discussion about proportionality and whether the bill was necessary, the committee voted on the Judiciary Committee substitute and the motion failed on a tie vote, so SB 221 did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's have— we'll go with people who signed up in person, and then we'll move to remote testimony.
• We will go to remote testimony. Let's see. Manny Cavilling. Good afternoon.
• We will go to remote testimony. Let's see. Manny Cavilling. Good afternoon.
• Please vote no on Senate Bill 6129. Thank you. Washington jobs and consumer choice.
• Please vote no on Senate Bill 6129. Thank you. Thank you. Sean De Silva.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on several tax and retirement bills, beginning with Senate Bill 6073, which would move eligible Department of Natural Resources wildland and aviation firefighters from PERS into LEOFF 2 prospectively. Committee staff described the higher retirement age and benefit differences between the systems and noted a small implementation cost and a modest actuarial rate increase. DNR, the Washington Public Employees Association, and a committee member all raised support or questions, with DNR acknowledging additional review with the LEOFF board was still needed. The hearing then turned to Senate Bill 6113, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, including clarifications tied to last session’s ESSB 5814 service-tax changes, a six-month transition period for reclassified businesses, and a section affecting advertising-related exclusions. DOR said the bill was revenue neutral and intended to codify guidance and improve certainty, while school districts, arts groups, broadcasters, newspapers, and business groups testified both in support of the technical fixes and in opposition to provisions they said would continue or worsen unintended consequences from last year’s tax law. Senators also questioned how some definitions would apply, especially to school and higher-education-related services. Senate Bill 6116 would restore the vapor-products tax structure by moving nicotine-containing vapor products back under the per-milliliter vapor tax instead of the 95% other tobacco products tax, and would restore distributions to the Andy Hill Cancer Research account and Foundational Public Health Services account. Public health agencies, cancer research representatives, and some retailers supported the bill as a fix to funding disruptions, while tobacco-control groups opposed lowering the tax and argued it would weaken public health policy. The committee also heard that the current law creates a double-tax issue on pre-existing inventory because products held when the definition changed became subject to a new tax classification. Finally, Senate Bill 6129 proposed a broader nicotine-tax overhaul, including a 90% tax on nicotine products, a 10% tax on flavored nicotine products, higher cigarette taxes, and new revenue distributions and tribal compact provisions. Supporters, including public health organizations, pediatricians, and civil rights advocates, said higher taxes would reduce youth use and restore funding for cancer research and public health; opponents, including retailers, tobacco and vapor businesses, broadcasters, and some harm-reduction advocates, argued the bill was regressive, would fuel illicit markets, and would harm small businesses and adult consumers using lower-risk products. The committee then began a briefing on Senate Bill 6162, a property tax reform bill that would expand senior and disability property tax relief, adjust state property tax rates, and change property tax billing statements, but the hearing on that bill was not completed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• How in the world is that even remotely possible? It's money that'll be saved.
• I now move the House Committee substitute for House Bill 2589 and 1995 be voted do pass.
• By your vote of 11 ayes and 5 noes and 1 present, you have voted House Committee substitute for House
• I move that SSS-S-S-B-977 and 10-11 be voted do pass. Any discussion? Please call the roll.
• By your vote of 11 yeas and 6 noes, we have voted SSS-S-S-S-B-977 and 10-11 due pass.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Please come forward and then we'll go online for remote testimony. Start whenever you're ready.
• You want to come up, you signed up remote, but you're here. Go ahead.
• I think everyone for this bill is remote.
• So after doing this program now since 2022, we come before you all and ask you for your favorable vote
• So after doing this program now since 2022, we come before you all and ask you for your favorable vote

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on a series of housing, education, workforce, and court-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5884, staff described changes to a sales and use tax deferral for redeveloping vacant or underused land into affordable housing, including broader eligible property definitions and lower affordability thresholds in designated areas. Testimony was mixed: builders opposed language they feared could encourage project labor agreements, while Spokane and Kent representatives supported the bill but asked for flexibility on affordability mix requirements. On Senate Bill 6256, which expands a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income rental housing to include certain co-located community uses during construction and extends the pre-construction exemption period, testimony was strongly supportive from housing nonprofits and local housing partners, with questions focused on clawback provisions. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6027, which expands allowable uses of local housing and supportive housing sales tax revenue, adjusts a REET exemption timeline, broadens emergency housing definitions, and changes use of the Affordable Housing for All account. County, housing, and nonprofit witnesses said the bill would help preserve housing and services amid federal funding uncertainty, though Snohomish County asked for an amendment to allow rental assistance. Substitute Senate Bill 6018 would revise the Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including direct lending and bond counsel terms; commission staff said it would modernize outdated restrictions and improve financing flexibility. Substitute Senate Bill 6028 would create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income homeownership projects; supporters said it would help smaller infill projects pencil, while staff noted the loans would be subordinate and carry some risk. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6275 on the community reinvestment program, which would require periodic plan updates, reporting, and a WSIPP study, while also expressing legislative intent to continue at least $100 million annually in the account. Advocates, workforce groups, legal aid providers, and small business owners testified that the program supports communities harmed by past disinvestment and should be made permanent and more accountable. Substitute Senate Bill 5961 would move the Imagination Library program from DCYF to OSPI; early literacy advocates and local partners supported the transfer as better aligned with school readiness. Substitute Senate Bill 5969 would integrate IEP transition plans with high school and beyond plans, and a prior critic said amendments addressed her concerns. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 would shift PFML premium rate-setting to the annual actuarial report and raise the reserve target; labor and industry witnesses supported the change, while a policy group opposed the program’s costs. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Judges and county officials testified that caseloads, population growth, and backlogs justify the additions, and county leaders said they had already budgeted for their share. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5827 would allow service members to use pre-discharge certification to claim veterans’ civil service preference; the sponsor said it would solve a timing problem for transitioning service members. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, as the meeting consisted of bill briefings and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not voting. Elanese? Not voting. Berner? Aye. Elawari? Aye. Garcia? Aye.
• Not voting. Lackie, not voting. Elanese, not voting. Berner? Aye. Berner, aye. Elawari? Aye.
• That bill is out with five votes. Garcia. I. That bill is out with five votes. Thank you.
• Lackey, not voting. Alanis, not voting. Bonta, aye. Alvarado-Gil, aye. Garcia, aye.
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Okay. Let's call for the vote.

Summary: The committee heard several labor and employment measures. AB 465 would require local public employers, at a union’s request, to negotiate minimum disciplinary and grievance procedures in MOUs, including progressive discipline, just-cause protections, grievance appeal rights, and paid release time for representatives. Supporters, including AFSCME and SEIU, said it would create fairer and more consistent due process protections for local government workers; opponents from county and city groups argued it would impose binding arbitration and rigid discipline rules that could undermine local flexibility and accountability. The bill passed on a 5-0 vote and was re-referred to Appropriations. AB 792 would allow court interpreter bargaining to be consolidated when multiple regions are negotiating at the same time. The author and the California Federation of Interpreters said the change would reduce repeated bargaining, improve efficiency, and help address interpreter recruitment and retention. There was no opposition, but some members questioned whether the proposal would really solve wage and staffing problems; the bill passed 5-0 and was placed on hold. AB 1309, which would improve Cal Fire firefighter compensation by tying salaries more closely to comparable local fire departments, drew strong support from firefighters and no opposition. Members praised Cal Fire’s work and the bill passed 7-0 and was held for add-ons. The committee also approved AJR 8, a resolution urging protection of Social Security and opposing federal cuts or office closures. Supporters said Social Security is essential to seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and children, and warned that reductions would increase poverty and homelessness. One member objected to naming political figures in the resolution, but the measure still passed 7-0 and was held. AB 1247, which would require contracted-out school classified workers to meet the same training and qualification standards as direct hires and address related retirement contributions, passed 5-2 despite opposition from county superintendents and school administrators who said it would add costs and limit contracting flexibility. Finally, AB 288, which would authorize PERB to act when the NLRB fails to remedy labor claims by a deadline, passed 6-0 with strong union support and no opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I move the House Bill 2397 be voted due pass. Any discussion?
• By your vote of 19 ayes and one no, you have voted House Bill 2397 as due pass.
• I now move that House Bill 2000 be voted due... 2397 is due pass.
• By your vote of 19 ayes and 1 no, you have voted House Bill 2000 and it's due pass.
• Your vote of 19 ayes and 1 no, you have voted House Bill 2000 as due pass.

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Utilities Committee first met in executive session and voted House Bill 2397 and House Bill 2000 do pass, each by 19 ayes and 1 no. HB 2397 would let water district boards lower the threshold to dissolve a district from two-thirds to four-sevenths if they choose, while HB 2000 would allow certain notices to be sent by first-class mail instead of certified or registered mail. The committee then moved into public hearing on four related bills on robocalls and caller ID spoofing: HB 2147, 2472, 2546, and 2658. Sponsors said the robocall bills would expand Missouri’s no-call protections to business lines, close loopholes for appointment setters and donation solicitations, require use of the reassigned numbers database, and create anti-spoofing rules using STIR/SHAKEN authentication. They also described civil remedies for caller ID spoofing, with one bill adding criminal penalties for fraudulent spoofing. Committee members asked about enforcement, whether the bills could affect prank calls or political/fundraising texts, and how the rules would interact with federal law and phone carriers. Witnesses from T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T said they support the goal of stopping illegal calls but warned against conflicting state laws and urged coordination with federal rules. Bank and business groups supported the bills, citing fraud, wasted staff time, and consumer harm, while committee members and sponsors discussed possible substitute language. The committee then heard HB 2383, which would add wireline communication facilities to Missouri’s critical infrastructure protections and strengthen penalties for copper theft and related damage. The sponsor and utility witnesses said copper theft and related vandalism are causing major service disruptions, public safety risks, and high costs, especially for telecommunications, broadband, electric cooperatives, water utilities, and municipalities. They said the bill would give prosecutors more tools, better define unauthorized possession of copper and related materials, and deter theft that can interrupt 911 service and other essential systems. Members asked about the penalty thresholds, liability for possession, and how the bill would apply to abandoned wiring or people cleaning up debris, but the bill received broad support from industry and municipal witnesses and no opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please vote yes on this bill so that Please vote yes on this bill so that when<00:08:53.360><c> I</c>
• </c> on the committee to vote yes. on the committee to vote yes.
• Senator Coopek," has voted to extend human right has voted to extend human right protections<00:20:09.600
• :25:27.760><c> provides</c> remote supervision authority, provides remote supervision authority, provides
• to vote on Senator Westerm's<00:46:17.839><c> amendment.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of nine ayes and one absent, you have voted House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2819
• And I know you say that the people have voted on it, but an 18-year-old driver has probably never voted
• Voters never voted on personal property tax. Never voted on personal property tax.
• Voters never voted on personal property tax. Never voted on personal property tax.
• The voters never voted on that.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Vice Chair votes aye.
• Vice Chair, call for the vote. >> Members voting on SB 2533. >> Members voting on SB 2533.
• voting on SB 2533.
• </c> chair for the vote. chair for the vote.
• </c> have two um DM votes at 9:30. It's 9:30. have two um DM votes at 9:30.

Bills: SB2841 , SB2533

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The joint Judiciary, Labor, and Technology Committee heard two bills in the morning session and later took up two Judiciary decision-making items. SB 2841 would require human trafficking awareness training for transient accommodation workers. Testimony was generally supportive from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Department of Law Enforcement, and the Hawaii Hotel Alliance/American Hotel and Lodging Association, which also proposed amendments to preserve existing industry training programs and broaden coverage. Members clarified that the administration wanted DLE to be the lead agency instead of DLIR, while the Attorney General would still handle approval of training programs. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including coverage for third-party contractors and implementation dates, and the measure was adopted with no recorded opposition. SB 2533 would adjust the salaries of the Campaign Spending Commission’s executive director and associate director to better align with comparable enforcement/compliance positions. The commission supported the bill, saying its salaries lag behind similar offices by about $30,000 and that recruitment and workload have become more difficult, while one testifier opposed the proposal. Members questioned why the bill used the Department of Health as the salary comparator and whether Ethics would be a better benchmark; the committee agreed to revise the bill to peg the salaries to the Ethics Commission instead, blank out the dollar amounts for further review, and note the requested appropriation in the report. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted. In the Judiciary decision-making agenda, SB 2203, concerning the use of masks or personal disguises by law enforcement officers, was amended to allow exceptions for officers who are unmasked nearby or who are supporting undercover operations, to change the term to “facial covering,” and to add definitions covering federal, state, and county law enforcement. The committee also set a far-future effective date and passed the bill with amendments. SB 2442, relating to judiciary purchase-of-service contracts with community-based organizations, was also passed with amendments; the committee added a far-future effective date, clarified the consumer price index reference, and noted a recommended appropriation amount of $4.26 million in the committee report. All measures were adopted without recorded no votes or reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, you have the more availability of remote work today.
• Also, you have the more availability of remote work today.
• Also, you have the more availability of remote work today.
• Also, you have the more availability of remote work today.
• </c> more availability of remote work today. more availability of remote work today.

Committee: Joint State Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not voting yes on any more vendor bills until there's an RFP requirement in all of them.
• The third function we tested was remote access to schools' live security cameras.
• of those, only four of the tests we conducted were successful in demonstrating law enforcement's remote
• law enforcement agencies carry out the statute more effectively so I definitely agree that before we vote
• It's very remote.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Summary: The committee began with opening remarks about moving to a monthly, two-hour schedule for more timely and focused oversight of Auditor General findings. Members also recognized Melanie Chesney for 32 years of service to the Office of the Auditor General, with several speakers praising her work and her role in strengthening the relationship between the Auditor General’s office and J-LAC. The main agenda item was the Auditor General’s December 2025 special audit on the school safety interoperability fund and interoperable communication systems. Staff reported that about $26 million had been allocated to 14 law enforcement agencies for systems intended to improve real-time communication between schools and first responders. The audit found that all 14 agencies used the money for interoperable systems, but four agencies allowed private or tribal schools to participate contrary to statute, and several agencies failed to submit required annual expenditure reports. It also found that none of the three systems reviewed met every statutory requirement as written, in part because some requirements were vague or interpreted differently by vendors and agencies. The audit recommended that agencies recover and report any improper benefit to non-public schools, avoid using fund money for ongoing costs tied to non-public school participation, submit missing reports, and improve cost planning and contract monitoring; it also recommended that the legislature clarify eligibility for private and tribal schools and revisit unclear system requirements. The audit further found procurement and contracting problems at nine of 14 agencies, including weak or missing sole-source justifications, contracts that lacked accountability and termination provisions, and poor documentation of pricing and deliverables. Several agencies had not planned for ongoing annual costs, which the audit estimated could range from about $16,000 to $382,000 per rural county depending on the system. In the discussion, members expressed frustration with sole-source contracting and lack of documentation, and some said they would oppose future vendor bills without competitive bidding and stronger payment controls. The auditor also described mixed system performance: some agencies reported useful features such as panic alerts, camera access, and map sharing, but other systems were not fully functional or had never been implemented. The committee then heard from the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association, whose president said sheriffs support the goal of improving school safety, described county implementation challenges, and defended the use of local staff to manage the projects, while acknowledging that smaller counties face staffing and connectivity limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is Thursday, January 8th, 2026, and we are having a remote meeting via Zoom today.
• There's a lot going on in the Capitol this week, and so we're having this meeting remotely.
• Could I request a motion from a member for voting on the minutes?
• Could I request a motion from a member for voting on the minutes?
• Hearing none, please turn on your camera so we can vote on the minutes, and it's a voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The vice chair votes aye. Senator Hashimoto votes aye. Senator K. I. Senator Dord votes aye.
• Any member voting no? Any member voting with reservations?
• Any member voting no? Any member voting with reservations?
• Any member voting no? Any member voting with reservations? Hearing none, five members voting aye.
• </c> voting no anyone voting with voting no anyone voting with reservations<01:30:19.600><c> hearing<

Committee: Senate Education