Transcript Highlights:

• You know, it's still like half you credit the VA, but we still have guardrails around it.
• They audit us, they check it. The regulations and the safeguards are there.
• They audit us, they check it. The regulations and the safeguards are there.
• They audit us, they check it. The regulations and the safeguards are there.
• They audit us, they check it. The regulations and the safeguards are there.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard seven measures, including four bills and three proposed committee substitutes. HB 6033, repealing the Labor Pool Act, was presented as a cleanup measure to remove duplicative regulation; supporters argued workers would still be covered by OSHA, wage laws, workers’ compensation, and liability insurance, while opponents raised concerns about losing specific protections for day laborers. The bill was reported favorably on a 4-? vote, with several members voting no over concerns about worker protections. HB 453, dealing with pool and spa contractors, was described as a technical update to Chapter 489 that would better align licensing scopes with current industry practice and allow contractors to perform related work without stopping for additional licensed trades. An amendment making only drafting changes was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. CS/HB 277 on veteran benefits assistance was also reported favorably unanimously after testimony focused on protecting veterans from predatory claims-assistance practices while preserving choice and requiring disclosures, fee limits, and data-security safeguards. The committee then approved PCS for HB 291, which would require personal mobility device batteries sold in Florida to meet an IPX-7 certification standard, after the sponsor cited fire risks from lithium-ion batteries; the measure passed unanimously. PCS for HB 709, allowing valid pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities to nearby high-li permit holders, was amended to require a minimum of 59 live performances and then passed unanimously. CS/HB 4011, expanding who may serve as a building official on Palm Beach County’s Building Code Advisory Board, passed unanimously as a good-government fix to fill vacancies. Finally, PCS for HB 499, allowing small craft breweries under 31,000 gallons to self-distribute, drew extensive testimony from brewers and distributors about small-business growth versus the three-tier alcohol system; despite concerns about weakening distribution safeguards, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-2 vote. The meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• On audits, aside from the insufficiency of the AI audit market, we're concerned over the lack of protection
• Yet a 2020 state audit reported that there was widespread noncompliance.
• SB 1013 addresses this by requiring audits by the California Department of Justice. ...by existing audits
• I want to also appreciate the author's work through the audit process.
• Naomi Padron, on behalf of California's credit unions, respectfully opposed.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• This creates a retroactivity problem that may be impossible to audit or remediate.
• AB 2285 would give state-chartered banks and credit unions the tools to offer digital asset services
• As digital assets move into traditional finance, our state banks and credit unions need updated tools
• We absolutely support online safety audits for chatbots.
• Very quickly, we absolutely support online safety audits for chatbots.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on privacy, accessibility, labor, and public safety. AB 1798 by Assemblymember Wilson would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information, including direct-to-consumer test results, in underwriting. Supporters argued the bill would protect privacy and encourage genetic testing, while insurers opposed it as unnecessary and said genetic data should be treated like other predictive health information. The bill passed the committee on a 7-0 vote and was held open for absent members. AB 2190 by Assemblymember Wallace would create website accessibility standards based on WCAG guidelines and add affirmative defenses intended to reduce serial litigation while improving access for people with disabilities. Disability advocates supported the measure as a needed civil-rights update, while business groups warned it could increase liability and create unclear compliance obligations. The bill passed 9-0 and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2721 by Assemblymember Carrillo would require hotels to post notice when they know or should know that U.S. Customs and Border Protection or ICE are using the premises, with supporters saying workers and guests deserve transparency and safety. Hotel and business groups opposed it, citing privacy, liability, and concerns about interfering with federal operations. The committee voted 6-2 to pass the bill to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2027 by Assemblymember Ward would restrict employers from using worker data to train AI systems that replace workers and limit sharing of worker data for automation; labor groups supported it and business and public-sector groups opposed it as too broad. The bill passed 7-2 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The committee also heard AB 1837 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, which would extend and tighten privacy rules for transit agencies’ use of forward-facing cameras to enforce bus-lane violations; supporters said the cameras improve transit flow and safety, and the bill was presented with amendments, though no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just wondering, on page three of the bill, refundable credit is in not bold, so that's already
• of the just wondering on page three of the bill,<00:10:03.520><c> refundable</c><00:10:04.320><c> credit
• </c><00:10:04.920><c> is</c><00:10:05.360><c> in</c> bill, refundable credit is in bill, refundable credit
• Um, yes, so right now Senate Bill 1 funded this incentive program that was a refundable tax credit, which
• is the most competitive credit in the market for production.

Committee: House Economic Development & Workforce Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, Senate Bill 1635 aims to provide a credit against... required recapture payments.
• If a school district's premiums are more than their recapture payment, they would only receive credit
• So what my bill is doing is basically just saying, look, if you're in those... get credit on those higher
• By allowing a credit against recapture, these bills would help. keep more funds local, reinvesting in
• They simply allow qualifying coastal Chapter 49 districts to receive credit for an unavoidable cost tied

Bills: SB2920 , SB2929 , SB2398 , SB865 , SB401 , SB2619 , SB2927 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB1635 , SB1581 , SB2008

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• Jones for taking a look and helping me out with some finer technicalities, should there be any energy audit
• Should there be any energy audit findings, up to 10% of that rebate awarded could be used to help address
• Jones for taking a look and helping me out with some finer technicalities, should there be any energy audit
• Should there be any energy audit findings, up to 10% of that rebate awarded could be used to help address
• Should there be any energy audit findings, up to 10% of that rebate awarded could be used to help address

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• non-credit programs.
• non-credit programs.
• At our college, we offer credit and non-credit programs, and Dr.
• This question is for the non-credit courses you mentioned.
• The benefits, I'm sure there's less cost, but do they audit the course?

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard a panel discussion focused on how Florida schools and colleges are exposing students to in-demand careers in manufacturing, semiconductors, transportation, and related fields, and how they are building pathways from middle school through postsecondary training. Panelists from Seminole County Public Schools, Lake Technical College/Lake County Schools, and St. Petersburg College described their career academies, dual enrollment options, industry certifications, and partnerships with employers, local governments, and state colleges. They emphasized early career awareness, counseling, and parent outreach as key to helping students understand technical education as a viable and prestigious path. Seminole County highlighted 51 career and professional education academies and new offerings in agricultural biotechnology, global finance, firefighting, and planned aerospace engineering. Lake County described Lake Technical College’s programs, strong completion and placement outcomes, and three partnerships: a flexible-day high school/workforce model at Lincoln Park Education Center, the Lake Works pathway collaboration with Lake Sumter State College, and a Transportation Innovation Hub with the City of Tavares that trains students on municipal vehicles and serves multiple local governments. St. Petersburg College discussed its manufacturing and engineering technology programs, including semiconductor processing, mechatronics, soldering, and clean-room training, along with new grant-funded expansion at its Midtown campus. Members asked about wages, the semiconductor workforce, how to change perceptions of technical education, how parents are engaged, and how Bright Futures CAPE and Gold Seal scholarships are communicated. Witnesses said school counselors, CTE teachers, parent nights, and district communications are used to promote these options, and that many students can earn strong wages through short-term certifications or two-year degrees. Lake Technical College also raised concerns about workforce funding not keeping pace with teacher pay increases and inflation, noting that funding covers only about 80% of what it earns and tuition has remained unchanged for 18 years. The meeting ended with members praising the programs, and the subcommittee adjourned without any vote or formal action beyond rising and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• provides that administrative costs do not exceed 30% of the total budget, and requires an annual outside audit
• as well as an LSO audit every three years.
• .double-dipping, virtual school participation, driver's ed, K-5 LaunchPad, but it does allow dual credit

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1694, charter schools meeting reporting audits. Education.
• SB 1702, qualified schools audits reporting requirements. Education.
• SB 1805, credit deeds notaries recorder. Government.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and several guest introductions recognizing Arizona Dental Hygienists Association visitors, deaf and hard of hearing advocacy groups, Arizona Society of Anesthesiologists members, the Doctor of the Day, tribal voting advocates, and other guests. Members also observed a moment of silence for two DPS officers killed earlier that morning. The chamber then received a long list of bills and resolutions for first reading and committee referral, covering elections, education, public safety, health, tribal affairs, housing, agriculture, and other topics. The main floor action was in Committee of the Whole on SB 1425, an elections bill dealing with the July primary and related election procedures. The bill was amended in committee, then further amended on the floor, and the Committee of the Whole recommended it do pass as amended. During third reading, members spoke in support of the measure as a bipartisan election fix that would move the primary up two weeks, improve ballot timing, and require observers in every county. Senator Hatathlie highlighted persistent tribal voting barriers such as mail ballot issues, dual-addressing problems, ID access, funding shortages, misinformation, and polling-place disruptions, while Senator Gonzalez voted no because of the emergency clause. The bill passed 27-1 with two not voting and was transmitted to the House. The Senate also adopted two proclamations: one naming September 4, 2026, as Taekwondo Day in Arizona and another declaring February 2026 as American Heart Month, encouraging CPR and AED awareness. After a recess, the Senate returned briefly to introduce additional bills, refer SB 1315 to Public Safety and SB 1090 to Finance, announce upcoming committee meetings, and then adjourn until Monday, February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• This just has to do with the filing, the reporting of it in lieu of an audit of any kind, just to report
• Like I say, there's been a lot going on back and forth all day, but in lieu of any form of audit, this
• Um, replace lines 212 through 213 on page 8 with the... 213 on page 8 with the following: Credited to

Bills: HB441

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• This just has to do with the reporting of it in lieu of an audit of any kind, just to report the number
• Like I say, there's been a lot going on back and forth all day, but in lieu of any form of audit, this
• Um, replace lines 212 through 213 on page 8 with the... 213 on page 8 with the following: Credited to

Bills: HB445 , HB477 , SB274 , HB441

Committee: House Health

Keywords: hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, THC, delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, consumable hemp products, psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, ABC Board, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, retail hemp sales, wholesale hemp distribution, hemp tax, excise tax, age verification, underage sales, product testing, certificate of analysis

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just not doing an audit of it. it. It's just not doing an audit of it.
• </c><02:52:38.399><c> government</c> rather non- audited government rather non- audited government organizations
• Caring for Denver has audit spending.
• A Denver nonprofit tied to audited.
• </c> Denver homeless shelter programs audit Denver homeless shelter programs audit failures.<03:01:57.120

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> controls across uh past audit uh issues. controls across uh past audit uh issues.
• demand is 182 credits. between 100 and 140 acres of wetlands, between 100 and 140 acres of wetlands,
• </c> be less than 1 year of credit supply. be less than 1 year of credit supply.
• </c> activities to know the amount of credits activities to know the amount of credits they<01:30:53.640
• </c> where there is a tighter credit balance. where there is a tighter credit balance.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Virginia did an audit in 2019 to evaluate our incentives.
• cost of this credit specifically for the largest data centers.
• </c> look at the value of this tax credit look at the value of this tax credit Minnesota<00:41:46.240
• </c> expenditures the data center tax credit expenditures the data center tax credit is<01:15:11.600>
• </c> profits even higher these tax credits profits even higher these tax credits notably<01:15:46.320

Bills: HF1277 , HF1006

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Other core functions include career technical assistance, advanced placement classes, dual credit, credit
• They still have to make sure that they have all their math credits.
• They still have to make sure that they have all their math credits.
• school credits.
• I didn't find a single bad audit.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1387, long-term storage accounts, credits percentage. Natural Resources.
• Long-term storage accounts, credits percentage. Natural Resources.
• SB 1422, credit enhancement eligibility. Board communications. SB 1423, WIC continuation.
• training; SB 1332, light rail extension participation prohibition; SB 1333, SNAP error rate forensic audit

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and recorded attendance. Members observed a moment of silence for former Representative Noel Campbell, and several guest groups were recognized in the gallery, including Greater Phoenix school district leaders, GCU Government and History Club students, Arizona Food Bank Network representatives, and local and tribal officials visiting for appropriations and transportation-related discussions. The chamber also adopted a proclamation recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Senators and guests offered remarks about the Holocaust, rising antisemitism, and the importance of education and remembrance, followed by a moment of silence. Later, the Senate received and unanimously adopted House Concurrent Resolution 2045 honoring the life and public service of former Congressman Raul Grijalva, with members of the Grijalva family present on the floor and several senators sharing personal tributes. The Senate then processed a long list of governor’s nominations, first readings, and second-reading bill referrals, including measures on natural resources, education, health, public safety, elections, taxation, utilities, and appropriations. Senator Bolick also read a proclamation for National School Choice Week. The body recessed briefly, returned to consider SCR 1036 on Attorney General public statements, and then received committee announcements before adjourning until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires the Department of Justice to conduct annual randomized audits of public agency operators
• How about the lack of the Governor and his administration properly auditing the expenditures of his bureaucracies
• What you do is max out a credit card, and when that maxed-out credit card happens, you ask for more.
• You max out the credit card of California, we have a structural deficit.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a floor introduction welcoming Berkeley Mayor Adina Ishi. The body then moved through a series of third-reading bills, with most measures presented as responses to current policy concerns and several placed on call before roll votes were completed. Early measures included SB 1312 on abandoned cemeteries, SB 1112 increasing penalties for towing industry notice violations, SB 877 requiring insurers to disclose claim materials and revisions, SB 1046 directing Cal/OSHA to develop protections for workers exposed to transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, and SB 1091 creating a community anti-displacement and preservation housing program. These bills generally drew support and passed, with SB 1091 ultimately passing 34-2 after a call vote. The floor also considered SB 951 on AI-related layoffs and worker notice, SB 1030 repealing the “man in the house” rule in CalWORKs, SB 1218 tying vehicle registration renewal to payment of illegal dumping fines, SB 1013 tightening privacy and oversight rules for automated license plate readers, SB 1116 making technical changes to the Starter Home Revitalization Act, SB 1201 protecting veterans from food-assistance cuts, and SB 1164 strengthening state voting-rights protections. Debate on SB 1013 featured sharp disagreement over whether the bill’s 30-day retention limit and audit requirements were necessary guardrails or would hinder law enforcement investigations. SB 1164 also drew opposition over concerns about litigation and expanded Attorney General oversight, but supporters argued California should codify voting-rights protections amid federal uncertainty. Most of these measures passed, with SB 1013 and SB 1164 receiving notable no votes. A major portion of the session focused on AB 1768, an urgency measure authorizing Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties to place local sales-tax measures before voters to help offset federal funding cuts to health care and safety-net services. Supporters framed it as a local-control measure needed to backfill losses from federal disinvestment and protect Medi-Cal, CalFresh, hospitals, clinics, and county services; opponents argued it would worsen affordability, expand regressive taxation, and bypass normal committee review. After extensive debate, the urgency measure received the required votes and passed. The Senate also adopted SCR 171 designating May 20 as California Nonprofits Day by unanimous roll call. The session ended with committee announcements, including budget subcommittee meetings, and a notice that the Senate would recess and reconvene later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires the Department of Justice to conduct annual randomized audits of public agency operators
• How about the lack of the governor and his administration in properly auditing the expenditures of his
• What you do is max out a credit card, and when that max credit card happens, you ask for more.
• You max out the credit card of California, we have a structural deficit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, this seems like a dropped ball that no one wants to take credit for, but we need to figure it out
• Both programs are funded through utility tax credits.
• launched in the 2023-25 biennium, one for clean buildings performance grants and one that funded energy audits
• Of the 299 publicly owned buildings audited through this program, 218 were public schools, which was
• We could also consider degree of financial leverage, such as federal tax credits.

Bills: HB2330 , HB2338

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: energy systems, capital funding, state campus, school infrastructure, sustainability, weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, this seems like a dropped ball that no one wants to take credit for, but we need to figure it out
• Both programs are funded through utility tax credits.
• out an incentive which went to whitworth university just this last ...and one that funded energy audits
• Of the 299 publicly owned buildings audited through this program, 218 were public schools, which was
• We could also consider degree of financial leverage, such as federal tax credits.

Summary: The committee first received a Commerce overview of capital budget grant programs, including behavioral health facilities, Building for the Arts, Building Communities Fund, early learning facilities, library capital improvements, and youth recreational facilities. Commerce described program eligibility, match requirements, funding cycles, and project examples such as an early learning center in Spokane, a rural library in Stevens County, and a youth clubhouse in Prosser. Members asked about behavioral health capital projects, including how many facilities have been opened and how capital planning aligns with operating funding; Commerce said it could provide more data later and noted it focuses on capital while HCA, DSHS, and DOH handle operating requests. Members also raised concerns about nonprofit financial stability, project licensure, siting, and the burden of non-state match, while Commerce emphasized shovel-ready projects, community match, and efforts to reduce application burden. The committee then heard an update on the Clean Buildings Performance Standard from Commerce. Staff reviewed Washington’s building emissions laws, compliance tiers, exemptions, incentives, and district energy system decarbonization planning under House Bills 1543, 1976, and 1390. Commerce reported nearly 5,000 inquiries in 2025, a fellowship program that has helped more than 250 buildings in 16 counties, and review of nearly 30 district energy plans. The presentation highlighted that over half of Tier 1 buildings are already meeting targets, that Tier 2 incentive applications suggest the 30-cent-per-square-foot incentive often covers compliance costs, and that district decarbonization plans face common challenges such as aging infrastructure, grid readiness, workforce, and inconsistent cost reporting. Members asked what additional legislative action might help, and Commerce said it was still learning from the new rulemaking and implementation changes. Western Washington University and Corex then presented on WWU’s campus heating conversion project and a possible off-campus thermal energy partnership with the Port of Bellingham. WWU described its aging steam system, high emissions, maintenance costs, and the $51 million in Climate Commitment Account funding it has received to transition toward an electric hot-water system using technologies such as geo-exchange, heat recovery chillers, and air-source heat pumps. Corex explained its existing district energy system at the Port of Bellingham, which uses industrial waste heat and is operating at very high efficiency, and said it is exploring a heat transmission line to WWU and possibly sewer-heat recovery. Testimony from WSU and UW supported the broader decarbonization effort but raised concerns about the scale of costs, deferred maintenance, and the need for predictable state funding. A contractor witness urged the state to think bigger about public-private partnerships and other financing tools rather than forcing campuses to compete for limited funds. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2330, which would create a prioritization process for capital funding for state campus district energy system decarbonization projects. Staff said the bill would establish a Commerce committee to score and rank projects, issue a preliminary framework report by December 30 of this year, and provide biennial recommended project lists beginning in 2028, while also studying barriers to energy-as-a-service contracts and public-private partnerships. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to create a thoughtful, predictable process for deciding which projects to fund, emphasizing energy savings, emissions reductions, operating cost reductions, shovel-readiness, and the value of public-private partnerships. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive: WSU and UW backed the bill as a way to advance compliance and predictability, though WSU warned that compliance costs could be very large and that the university would likely seek state help if fines were imposed. A contractor witness supported the concept but argued the bill should help build a larger funding “pie” through partnerships and financing tools rather than simply dividing scarce resources. The committee then opened and heard testimony on House Bill 2338, which would authorize community-scaled weatherization projects. Commerce staff said the bill would allow weatherization funds and matching funds to be used for neighborhood-scale projects affecting multiple dwelling units, while still prioritizing low-income households; the fiscal note estimated about $273,000 in FY 2027 and about $237,000 per biennium ongoing for administration. Supporters from community action agencies and Spark Northwest said the bill would improve health, safety, affordability, and contractor participation by allowing weatherization to be done at a community scale, especially in mobile home parks and low-income neighborhoods. No votes were taken in the transcript.