Transcript Highlights:

• We have two district types, regular districts and charter districts.
• district or charter district.
• Between a regular district and a charter district, we will say regular district or charter district.
• Districts spent almost $1,000 more per student than charter districts.
• districts as well, with less than $12,000 per student in charters.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the way, charter schools are political divisions too.
• And charter schools are not political subdivisions of the state.
• Charter schools operate pursuant to a charter that they have with the state to operate a school.
• Would you be open to an amendment adding charter schools and ESAs?
• We've looked at transparency in charter.

Bills: HB2008 , HB2075 , HB2203 , HB2395 , HB2409

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: school libraries, public school libraries, library funding, professional associations, library associations, librarians, information services, dues, membership fees, public monies, school governing body, county free library district, municipal library, library contracts, library services, books and programs, Arizona education, Title 15, Library Freedom Act, school district transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• It became part of the city charter.
• Criminal immunity through a charter amendment.
• And the result was the charter amendment passed by how much? 4555, 45.
• It's to enforce the charter and ordinance or state law, right?
• I don't have time to go to another charter member. I'm running on red.

Bills: SB 250 , SB 375 , SB 536 , SB 845 , SB 1633 , SB 1944 , SB 1957 , SB 2081 , SB 2137 , SB 2262 , SB 2299 , SB 2419 , SB 2452 , SB 2522 , SB 2549 , SB 2594 , SB 2605 , SB 2631 , SB 2639 , SB 2675 , SB 3029 , SJR 60 , HB 22 , HB 1392 , HB 2525

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: municipal annexation, railroad, adjacent areas, local government, property rights, healthcare provider, Harris County Hospital District, hospital funding, healthcare services, public health program, home loans, nurses, veterans, public servants, Texas Heroes program, low-interest loans, social workers, housing assistance, SB 1633, Texas Tax Code

Transcript Highlights:

• it<00:08:15.039><c> fishing</c><00:08:15.440><c> game.
• On um on it fishing game. I'm sorry.
• years, with towns paying for a certain amount of fish so they could stock the ponds.
• </c> seeing a fish brought out by the child. seeing a fish brought out by the child.
• That's how they acquire the fish that they start with.

Committee: Senate Capital Budget

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hunting and fishing license fees, federal dollars, and lottery in-lieu dollars.
• </c><00:09:16.519><c> and</c> and Dingle Johnson funds for fish and and Dingle Johnson funds for fish
• </c> in the game and fish in the game and fish fund<00:09:45.399><c> our</c><00:09:45.640><c> ecological
• </c><01:30:05.080><c> assistant</c> Adrian fish assistant Adrian fish assistant director<01:30:08.159
• As Director Jasi said, my name is Andrea Fish.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there are instances, and maybe particularly more related to the charter situation, where we
• So I am wondering, back to the language here, is this prohibiting that flexibility that charters rely
• What we're hearing from charter schools is actually asking for more.
• So as far as mid-year budget goes, you know, charter school...
• So as far as mid-year budget goes, you know, charter schools are business.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 10 and 11, 2026. It then heard House Bill 634 from Representative Kyle Harris, which would require funds appropriated for specific education purposes to be used only for those purposes, with any misused money to be repaid or offset. Harris argued the bill was about legislative control and accountability over taxpayer dollars, while several members questioned whether it would limit local flexibility, especially for charter schools and districts facing changing needs. Testifiers from the Idaho Association of School Administrators and the Idaho Charter School Network opposed the bill, saying it would reduce local discretion, complicate budgeting, and undermine charter school flexibility and accountability structures already in place. Some members supported the bill as a way to prevent money from being shifted away from intended uses, while others argued existing audits and local school boards already provide oversight. After debate, the committee first voted on a substitute motion to send HB 634 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; that motion failed. The committee then voted to hold HB 634 in committee, and that motion passed 10-3. Representative Harris and Representative Monica Church then presented a related RS, which Church said would improve transparency by tightening how instructional and administrative staff are defined so teacher salary increases are not diverted to non-classroom roles. After brief discussion, Representative Pickett moved to introduce RS 33152C1, and the committee approved the motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the Department of Defense, Department of the Attorney General, and Department of Education, charter

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does say charter schools, so are we segregating charter schools from publicly chartered charter schools
• Charter schools. I appreciate that.
• However, we do have distinct clarifications between district schools, public chartered charter schools
• , and then regular charter schools, so can you clarify that for me?
• Yes, Madam Chair, all of our charter schools are public schools.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• now, I think, chartered by the PEC.
• So I want to distinguish that between virtual charter schools whose charters and contracts are approved
• Whose charters and contracts are approved by their chartering authority, either a local district or the
• by a chartering authority.
• There's a charter that's in a small district that they...

Transcript Highlights:

• This was just authorization only for the game and fish to approve the use of game and fish funds for
• only for the This was just authorization only for the game<00:04:45.520><c> and</c><00:04:45.640><c> fish
• to approve the use of game game and fish to approve the use of game and<00:04:48.120><c> fish</c><00
• funds for predator management and fish funds for predator management in<00:04:50.200><c> the</c><00:
• side, this provides for the relief of previously appropriated funds of $2.5 million from Game and Fish

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first addressed an unintended consequence in the Joint Conference Committee report involving dual and concurrent enrollment funding. Staff explained that a dollar-for-dollar reduction tied to Senate File 81 would have fully funded public school dual/concurrent enrollment while leaving no funds for non-public school students. Senator Salazar moved to strike that provision, the motion was seconded, and it carried. Budget and Fiscal Administrator Don Richards then walked through the conference committee report and the major adopted amendments. He reviewed Senate and House amendments affecting items such as sign language interpreters, rural veterinary education, predator management authorization, petroglyphs and pictographs, senior services, community college funding, school district entitlement payments, the School Foundation Program reserve transfer, a tourism-related rodeo museum change, archaeological work on human remains, a jet airplane reduction, abortion-related language, livestock ear tags, provider rates for developmental disabilities, student-athlete endorsement restrictions, a forensic audit for the Wyoming Business Council, and the Yellowstone tree inscription. He also described several deleted sections and policy changes, including removal of spending-policy provisions, flex authority language, and other budget sections. Richards further summarized new or revised appropriations and conditions, including funding for local cybersecurity, stormwater fees, the Wyoming Natural Resource Trust Fund, lab services, IT modernization, Wyoming Public Television, matching funds, cloud services, and restored governor FTE requests. He noted a compromise on the outdoor trails matching program, a conditional $10 million University of Wyoming operational review appropriation tied to future cost savings, and a stablecoin appropriation. He also explained that the report retained the base-bill reversion language, discussed the remaining general fund balance and statutory reserve, and said the committee would circulate the amendment and signatures for floor action later that day. The meeting then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So maybe the issue here isn't Arizona's favorite places to hunt, hike, fish, and take their kids outside
• So maybe the issue here isn't Arizona's favorite places go hunt, hike, fish, and take their kids outside
• Most of those are hunting, sporting, and fishing organizations.
• of the things we work really hard on is protecting access to Arizona's great outdoors for hunting, fishing
• bill is, and I again stand with the comments that we just heard from anyone who recreates, hunts, fishes

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Summary: The Federalism Committee considered only Senate Bill 1281, which would require legislative and gubernatorial approval before private Arizona real property could be acquired by the federal government, and would impose notice, reporting, and penalty provisions tied to such transactions. The bill also required state employees to notify the Legislature about certain federal land-trust notices involving Indian tribe settlements, while stating that tribal rights to Indian lands and reservation lands are not limited. The sponsor explained a seven-page amendment that added exemptions for certain federal purchases, congressionally approved land exchanges, and reclamation-related acquisitions, and expanded State Land Department cataloging and notice duties for covered federal designations. Public testimony was uniformly opposed. Speakers from the hunting/outdoors community, Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon chapter, and the Arizona Wildlife Federation argued the bill would hinder conservation projects, public access, and land exchanges that protect habitat or open recreation access, while also creating unnecessary bureaucracy and raising constitutional and private-property concerns. They cited examples of past federal land purchases that expanded access to large areas at relatively low property-tax cost, and said the bill would make it harder to protect sensitive lands and resources. Committee members questioned whether the governor was meaningfully involved, how the amendment affected land exchanges and federal law enforcement-related property purchases, and whether tribal acquisitions would be affected. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and then approved SB 1281 as amended on a 4-3 vote, sending it out with a do pass recommendation. Some members explained their no votes by citing public lands access, conservation concerns, and constitutional objections, while supporters argued the bill was needed to preserve state authority over land transfers.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work with the Leone Group Charter Schools that operate the largest group of alternative charter schools
• I'm the president of the American Charter Schools Foundation.
• We work with the Leone Group Charter Schools that operate the largest group of alternative charter schools
• I'm the president of the American Charter Schools Foundation.
• We work with the Leone Group Charter Schools that operate the largest group of alternative charter schools

Bills: SB1026 , SB1126 , SB1143 , SB1166

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: alternative education, school funding, student accountability, education reform, school district governance, educational records, student privacy, FERPA, family educational rights and privacy act, Department of Child Safety, DCS caseworker, child welfare, abuse or neglect, juvenile justice, juvenile court, juvenile corrections, school records, discipline records, attendance records, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• We also are in the midst of developing tilapia for the schools to do fish sticks.
• So we can produce the lettuce and fish simultaneously.
• </c><00:07:25.360><c> food</c> developing fish food developing fish food um<00:07:28.479><c> with</c>
• </c> produce the lettuce and um fish produce the lettuce and um fish simultaneously.<00:07:55.120><c>
• [laughter] pounds of fish produced. Um, [laughter] pounds of fish produced.

Bills: SB2350 , SB2349 , SB2407 , SB3320

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• so no funds are being requested from Fish and Game.
• We talked with DOT, Fish and Game, and the Bureau of Economic Affairs.
• My name is Michael Eastman, captain with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
• Hampshire fishing game department I'm Hampshire fishing game department I'm actually<01:43:08.000><c>
• </c><01:43:19.440><c> game</c> is my 23rd year with the fishing game is my 23rd year with the fishing

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:51:36.720><c> game</c> having been a chairman on fishing game having been a chairman on fishing
• game but they're licensed by fishing game but they're licensed by fishing<03:54:13.319><c> game</c><
• 03:54:13.560><c> as</c><03:54:13.760><c> rehabilitation</c> fishing game as rehabilitation fishing game
• </c><03:59:25.159><c> game</c> rehabilitate them whenever fishing game rehabilitate them whenever fishing
• </c> squirrel is rehabilitated by fishing squirrel is rehabilitated by fishing game<04:01:52.920><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a work session on HB 505, which would allow the sale of freeze-dried foods produced in homestead food operations. Members raised concerns about the bill’s broad language, especially the provision stating freeze-dried food would not be considered potentially hazardous. Several suggested narrowing the bill to specific products such as processed foods, berries, fruit, dairy products, ice cream, or vegetables, and requiring use of commercial freeze-drying equipment rather than dehydrators. There was also discussion of oxygen absorbers, moisture control, sanitation, and whether the issue should be handled in statute or rules. By the end of the discussion, members generally agreed the topic should be treated in a separate section of law rather than folded into the existing homestead food license, and the chair said the matter would be sent to the food safety subcommittee, with the possibility of a study committee if more time was needed. The committee then moved to HB 277, a technical correction to the animal cruelty statutes. Representative Bixby explained that current law refers to a “colt,” which applies only to male baby horses, leaving fillies unaddressed; the bill would replace “colt” with “foal” and make related wording changes so the restriction applies to any horse under 90 days old not being nursed by its dam. The New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the change was requested to clarify and modernize the statute and that the issue had been identified during work on related animal cruelty legislation. No votes were taken in the portion provided. The chair recessed the work session until 11:00 a.m. and announced that Representative Ktoa would take over the hearing on HB 277.

Transcript Highlights:

• not being met through other school options in their area, whether that be other private schools, charter
• About 87 of the state's 210 school food authorities, especially charter schools, as Dr.
• Is simply, um, when you look at charter schools, I think APS has like 29 charters and then there's charter
• Chair, Representative, charter schools, depending on their CEP percentage, they will receive.
• And so over $5 million from the $20 million was set aside specifically for charters.

Transcript Highlights:

• This... ...they're chartered, and their charter is a virtual delivery method.
• First of all, there's no impact on charter schools or...
• They are chartered. They were chartered to do virtual education. They're fine.
• Charter school should not [be required], the same.
• Chairman, and Representative, a charter school is chartered under the Public Education Commission.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 253, a committee substitute dealing with virtual and distance learning programs and school funding. Sponsors and staff explained that the substitute removed several earlier restrictions on virtual education, including residency requirements, the 10% enrollment cap, the ban on K-5 distance programs, and the moratorium on new enrollments. It also changed the State Cyber Academy Act to the Distance Learning Act, added reporting and evaluation requirements for districts and charter schools, and allowed the Public Education Department to withhold funding if programs are out of compliance. Members discussed concerns about impacts on rural districts, charter schools, and programs like Mosquero and the New Mexico Communications Academy, as well as the temporary funding fix for Gallup Public Schools, which was amended to average prior-year and current-year enrollment rather than use current-year membership alone. Public testimony on HB 253 was largely supportive, with school leaders and education organizations backing the amendment and the broader substitute while noting that more work may be needed on oversight and funding formulas. Committee members then debated the bill’s temporary provisions, the study requirement, and whether the changes would adequately address the Gallup funding issue and broader virtual-learning accountability. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for HB 253 a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 153, a voluntary industrial decarbonization package that combines an Environmental Product Declaration grant program, a rebate or incentive program for lower-carbon building materials, and production tax credits and capital grants for eligible industrial products. Members asked detailed questions about environmental product declarations, hydrogen, anti-donation concerns, funding sources, and whether the bill would support sawmills, engineered wood, biofuels, and forest-thinning-related industries. Supporters from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and Clean Air Task Force testified that the bill would encourage innovation, attract private investment, and reduce emissions without imposing mandates. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted do pass on the bill, with Representative Brown noted in opposition. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 255, which consolidates public safety workforce funding into a single competitive fund for recruitment, retention, and professional development in law enforcement, firefighting, corrections, and public attorney offices. Testimony from counties, the chamber, AFSCME, and State Police supported the measure as a targeted response to staffing shortages and public safety vacancies. The committee took no extended debate and approved HB 255 with a do pass recommendation. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• NP, non-fish, perennial. It means they flow year-round, but they have no fish habitat.
• a part of the cost of having to leave additional timber under the Forest and Fish rules.
• This new rule was not necessary under Forest and Fish.
• The Forest and Fish rules were scrutinized by all of our state agencies, all of the federal agencies,
• and deemed to be adequate to protect fish.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2574 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2297 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2495 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2636 , HB2192 , HB2251 , HB2262 , HB2266 , HB2298 , HB2320 , HB2323 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2405 , HB2442 , HB2523 , HB2593 , HB2632 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2095 , HB2157 , HB2225 , HB2274 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2333 , HB2476 , HB2508 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1634 , HB1707 , HB1906 , HB1909 , HB2196 , HB2244 , HB2339 , HB2361 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2410 , HB2468 , HB2475 , HB2521 , HB2548 , HB2619 , HB2637 , HB2720

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House received a Senate message announcing passage of engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5156, then moved to second reading and final passage on several House bills. Substitute House Bill 2244, which adopts recommendations from the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee/Sunshine Committee to clean up public records exemption statutes, was advanced and passed 70-26 after Representative Mena urged support and Representative Walsh expressed mixed concerns about exemptions from the Public Records Act and voted no. The House then considered Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2196, a bill expanding coverage for treatment related to PANS/PANDAS. Members described the bill as helping families access expensive care such as IVIG, while opponents raised concerns about premium costs and the scope of coverage. Amendment 1883 narrowed the bill to large-group coverage and was adopted 54-36; Amendment 1943, which would have included PEBB and SEBB state insurance plans, failed. The bill then passed 83-13. The House also passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251, which reorganizes Climate Commitment Act account uses and related allocations, after rejecting a proposal to direct more money to transportation and forest landowner compensation; the bill passed 56-41. Additional measures passed with broad support. Substitute House Bill 2339, a technical update to nursing regulation and Board of Nursing rulemaking authority, passed 94-3. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2274, modifying the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act to address misleading email solicitations while limiting penalties for good-faith actors, passed 86-11 after a striker amendment was adopted. Engrossed House Bill 2179, narrowed by amendment to a single port district, passed 96-1 to address retirement contribution issues for port workers. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2637, updating protections for personal information entrusted to agencies, passed 52-45 after an amendment clarifying disclosure language was adopted; supporters said it improves data protection, while opponents warned of added bureaucracy and reduced local control.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Department<00:10:24.880><c> of</c><00:10:25.040><c> Fish</c><00:10:25.200><c> and</c><00:10:
• 25.440><c> Wildlife</c> &gt;&gt; Department of Fish and Wildlife &gt;&gt; Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Fish and Wildlife Code. So, 16 U.S.
• Um, we even had waterfowl language in a fishing reciprocal agreement.
• waters and you get stopped and checked, then your fishing agreement would work in Ohio.

Keywords: :54 – Board of Pharmacy 2:00 – Board of Social Work 3:44 – Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy 4:43 – Board of Registration for Professional Geologists 7:27 – Board of Imaging and Radiation Therapy 8:33 – Board of Emergency Medical Services 10:38 – Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources 17:37 – Transportation Cabinet 18:37 – Department of Education 25:00 – Department of Workplace Standards 27:06 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services, 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a series of agency regulations, most of which had staff-suggested amendments. The Board of Pharmacy regulation on remote prescription processing was amended to make grammatical and KRS Chapter 13A compliance corrections, and the Board of Social Work regulation on continuing education, telehealth training, waivers, and related fees was deferred at the agency’s request. The Occupational Therapy Compact rule update and the Professional Geologists fee increase regulation both received staff amendments and were approved, with the geologists’ board explaining the increases were driven by rising oversight costs and declining revenue. The committee also reviewed emergency regulations from the Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, the Board of Emergency Medical Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and the Department of Workplace Standards. The EMS package covered licensing classifications, compliance audits, ambulance service rules, and electronic forms; the Transportation Cabinet’s emergency rule established procedures for street-legal special purpose vehicles; and Workplace Standards’ emergency rules updated Kentucky requirements to align with federal standards and House Bill 398, including shortening the discrimination complaint filing deadline from 120 days to 30 days and adjusting appeal procedures. Staff amendments were approved where offered, and members asked several clarifying questions about the rationale and effect of the workplace and EMS changes. The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources explained rules on aircraft and drone use in taking wildlife and on reciprocal hunting and fishing agreements with neighboring states. The agency said the drone restriction was intended to align with federal law and address hunter complaints, while the reciprocal agreement rule was a cleanup of older agreements that had lapsed or been overlooked; the committee deferred the wildlife regulation 301 KAR 2:031 at the agency’s request. The Department of Education also presented multiple KHSAA-related and standards updates, including academic eligibility, sports timing, health and physical education standards, and career studies/financial literacy standards; staff amendments were approved, and members questioned the athletic forms and the designation of KHSAA as the state’s athletic agent. Finally, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented emergency regulations to support a pediatric teaching hospital expansion and related certificate-of-need changes, which the agency said were aimed at improving pediatric and neonatal access to care; staff amendments were approved, and the committee concluded by setting its next meeting for October 13 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I learned about Native American struggles in the Northwest United States, including the fishing rights
• That was my introduction to Native American struggles, particularly fishing rights.
• The attorney general at the time tried to outlaw fishing rights with nets, leading to a struggle over
• whether they could fish traditionally.

Committee: Senate Senate Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs