Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank our executive budget office staff.
• The Legislative Service Agency generates revenue estimates, as does the executive budget office.
• The executive branch of government closes every account to zero and reopens the books on a new fiscal
• At that point, the executive budget office and my office begin to assemble... and analyze that data.
• The executive budget office will provide information, data, context, and thoughts as needed.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll take up tab one in update of the state of the Citrus industry by Shannon Ship, executive director
• of Department of Citrus and Met Joyner Executive vice president and CEO Florida.
• Joyner currently serves as executive vice president and CEO Florida Citrus Mutual after a previous previously
• have a Shannon ship who has worked with the Department of Citrus for almost 12 years serving as executive
• My name is Shannon Chap and I'm the executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• presented to the Department's executive presented to the Department's executive leadership<00:18
• safety we we have in the executive safety we we have in the executive budget<01:38:50.599> request
• Next, we have the Executive Office of Early Learning.
• and I'll ask the managers and executive and I'll ask the managers and executive directors<04:41:
• <04:43:36.798> director process of hiring an executive director process of hiring an executive

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:48:46.880> director thrilled that the U executive director thrilled that the U executive
• I'm the executive director of New Hampshire Housing.
• I'm the executive director of New Dapis.
• I'm the executive director of New Hampshire<00:52:06.960> Housing.
• I am the executive director of Chisum.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• follows, which the clerk will read: Thursday, June 25, Senate Resolution 346, referred to Rules and Executive
• Nominations; Senate Resolution 347, referred to Rules and Executive Nominations.
• Friday, June 26, Senate Resolution 345, referred to Rules and Executive Nominations; and Senate Resolution
• Senate Resolution 347 referred to rules and executive nominations. Friday, June 26th.
• Senate Resolution 345 referred to rules and executive nominations, and Senate Resolution 348 referred

Keywords: Scheduler, 972, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She is the development manager for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, their workforce
• The Workforce Skills Cabinet, which is comprised of executive-level leadership from Health and Human
• The Workforce Skills Cabinet, which is comprised of executive-level leadership from Health and Human
• I don't have a handle on details, but we, as a coordinating body, the Executive Office of Health and
• So all of our event proposals go in front of the executive board of the commission, and they're meeting

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to approve the April and May minutes, welcome a new member, and hear an update from Gina Frey of EOHHS on statewide health and human services workforce development efforts. Frey described cross-secretariat initiatives under the Workforce Skills Cabinet, including MA Repay loan repayment awards, expanded community college and tuition supports, ESOL/work-readiness programming for immigrants, and efforts to build career pathways and reduce attrition in nursing, behavioral health, direct care, and primary care. She also reviewed a $46 million ARPA-funded home and community-based services grant program that supported 82 grantees, led to hiring 8,752 new staff, over 1,000 interns, 2,000 new certifications, and a drop in vacancy rates from 22% to 12%. Members raised concerns about the impact of immigration policy changes on the direct care workforce, including losses of trained workers in provider agencies, and asked whether any exemption or other relief efforts were underway. Frey said EOHHS is tracking the issue closely but did not identify a specific exemption effort. The discussion also touched on Medicaid and related program changes, with Frey noting the administration is focused on understanding potential impacts to eligibility and work requirements. Rep. Howard asked about initiatives for direct support professionals and wraparound supports, and Frey said those efforts are often led by individual agencies such as MassAbility and DDS, with EOHHS coordinating across them. The latter part of the meeting shifted to planning FY26 subcommittee goals and possible events. Members discussed using the Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center and possibly asking for a study comparing compensation in DDS and related direct care roles against health care and education jobs. They also discussed a possible cross-state public event on immigration’s impact on the workforce, especially for people with disabilities and direct support services, and agreed to continue refining goals and event ideas by email and at the next meeting. Frey provided a website link and contact information for Amy Doyle at the Health Policy Commission to facilitate future presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does require that signature and review before the transfer is fully executed.
• It requires that signature and review before the transfer is fully executed, and some of these other
• Senators, Jay Jones, as an executive manager with the Delaware Volunteer Fire Service.
• My name is Marvin Maley, Executive Director for the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police.
• We strongly support ...is Mark Mellon, Executive Director for the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police

Bills: HB372, HB414

Keywords: HB372, Justice of the Peace Court, Delaware courts, Title 10, court administration, judicial staffing, county courts, Kent County, New Castle County, Sussex County, Wilmington, 24-hour hearings, court locations, court hours, magistrate court, access to justice, court consolidation, Delaware General Assembly, destructive weapon, possessing a destructive weapon

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public safety, courts, and family law. House Bill 141, with House Amendment 1, would require the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to create a firearm responsibilities notice for firearm purchasers through licensed dealers, covering Delaware gun laws, safe storage, lost/stolen reporting, straw purchases, suicide prevention, and other safety responsibilities. Testimony from the NRA, Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association, Moms Demand Action, the Coalition for Safer Delaware, and Delaware State Police was uniformly supportive, emphasizing education, standardized dealer practices, and potential evidence for straw-purchase prosecutions. No committee questions were raised, and the bill was moved forward after public comment. House Bill 326 would create a new offense for theft by impersonating a family member, aimed at scams involving spoofed calls, texts, or online messages that pressure victims to send money. The sponsor described the bill as a response to increasingly sophisticated fraud enabled by artificial intelligence, and noted that a House amendment removed an original mandatory minimum jail term, leaving sentencing to the courts. No public testimony was offered on the bill. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150 would prohibit civil arrests inside courthouses and certain Department of Labor proceedings, with the sponsor arguing that such arrests deter people from coming to court or seeking protection; the bill would allow criminal arrests and civil arrests only with advance written notice. No testimony was taken on that measure. Senate Bill 284, the First State Emergency Responders Act, would create a narrowly tailored offense for intentionally approaching within 25 feet of first responders at emergency scenes after crossing a barrier or ignoring warnings, if done to interfere, threaten, or harass. Supporters, including police, fire service, and sportsmen’s groups, said it would protect responders and preserve emergency operations, while the Office of Defense Services opposed it on First Amendment and overbreadth grounds, arguing existing laws already cover much of the conduct. Senate Bill 304 would amend Delaware’s safe school zone law to allow private schools to use trained, vetted sentries or similar security arrangements; supporters said it would give smaller private schools an affordable safety option, while the sponsor said the bill needed more work and should not move forward yet. The committee also heard Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 314, which would clarify how courts handle evidence that a sexual assault complainant previously made a false allegation; DOJ and ODS said the substitute reflects a consensus approach, and YWCA Delaware supported it as a survivor-protective reform. Finally, Senate Bill 343 would expand methods for serving child support respondents in Family Court by authorizing service through certified mail and carriers such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx, addressing cases where people avoid in-person service using doorbell cameras and other technology. The Division of Child Support Services supported the bill as a practical update that would improve timeliness while preserving proof-of-delivery safeguards. At the end of the meeting, a motion was made and seconded, and the chair adjourned the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have developed a capital improvement program that we are executing aggressively in cooperation with
• protect our way of life in South Louisiana, and we will pursue all available alternatives to fund and execute
• The first one, operations and maintenance outsourcing, we were able to successfully execute a request
• The first one, Operation and Maintenance, outsourcing, we were able to successfully execute requests
• Revised Statute 32:707.2.1, changing from mandatory to permissive relating to electronic creation, execution

Bills: HR243, HB939, SB56, SB72, SB129, SB171, SB252

Keywords: Tickfaw River, boating safety, warning signs, parish governing authorities, Livingston Parish, St. Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Lake Maurepas, Natalbany River, boat collisions, vessel incidents, recreational boating, marine safety, public safety, navigation hazards, waterway signage, Louisiana House Resolution 243, HR 243, motor vehicle, licensing

Summary: The committee first adopted Amendment Set 527 without objection, then took up Senate Bill 56 concerning the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District and its possible transfer into the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West. Amendment Set 5327 was adopted to add a compliance officer with specified qualifications, described as a checks-and-balances measure separating that role from the chief of police. Testimony in support emphasized the district’s limited recurring revenues, the need for professional management, and the West Bank authority’s ability to provide administrative and operational support. A witness for affected landowners raised concerns about unpaid takings claims and urged amendments to preserve liability and avoid litigation, but the committee ultimately reported SB 56 favorably with amendments. The committee then received an update from DOTD Secretary Glenn Laude on the department’s transformation initiatives, including outsourcing operations and maintenance, construction process improvements, faster contractor payment times, quicker change-order approvals, and improved project delivery rates. After that, the committee reported favorably Senate Bill 171, which makes cleanup changes to the new water resources authority, and Senate Bill 252, which updates driver’s license organ-donor authorization to record both yes and no choices. Senate Bill 72, dealing with electronic titles and vehicle registration, was amended extensively to modernize OMV processes, support electronic lien and title transactions, and set standards for secure digital titles; it was then reported with amendments. House Bill 939, which would have created a Louisiana New and Used Motor Vehicle Commission, was converted into a substitute bill creating a Louisiana Vehicle Commission and consolidating the existing new and used vehicle commissions. After discussion of implementation, governance, funding, and employee-transition concerns, the committee adopted the substitute amendments and then deferred the bill. Senate Bill 129, creating a Master Combat Infantry Specialty license plate, was amended to add designated state officials for a related special plate request tied to security and parking around the Supreme Court in New Orleans, and it was reported with amendments. Finally, House Resolution 243, as amended, urged safety warning signage on the Tickfaw River after a fatal boating accident; the amendment shifted responsibility from DOTD to surrounding parish governing authorities, and the resolution was reported with amendments before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have developed a capital improvement program that we are executing aggressively in cooperation with
• protect our way of life in South Louisiana, and we will pursue all available alternatives to fund and execute
• The first one, operations and maintenance outsourcing, we were able to successfully execute requests
• Revised Statute 32:707.2.1, changing from mandatory to permissive relating to electronic creation, execution
• Revised Statute 32:707.2.1, changing from mandatory to permissive relating to electronic creation, execution

Summary: The committee first adopted Amendment Set 527 without objection, then adopted Amendment Set 5327, which adds a compliance officer requirement and related qualifications for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority. Supporters of Senate Bill 56 argued that the Lafitte levee district lacks sufficient recurring revenue to maintain its system and that the West Bank flood authority could provide professional management, coordination, and financial support. Testimony also raised concerns about governance problems at SLFPA East and about unresolved landowner damage claims tied to prior levee work. The committee reported SB 56 favorably with amendments. The Department of Transportation and Development secretary then gave an update on the agency’s transformation initiatives, including outsourcing, construction process improvements, faster contractor payments, quicker change-order approvals, and higher project delivery rates. The committee next reported Senate Bill 171 favorably, which cleans up language for the recreation, economy, navigation, and transportation authority board, and Senate Bill 252 favorably, which allows driver’s license records to reflect both acceptance and refusal of anatomical gift authorization. Senate Bill 72, dealing with electronic vehicle titles and registration, was amended extensively to modernize OMV processes, require electronic lien and title functions for certain users, and set implementation timelines; it was then reported with amendments. House Bill 939, which would create a Louisiana Vehicle Commission by consolidating the motor vehicle commissions, was amended with a substitute but then voluntarily deferred to allow more stakeholder work. Senate Bill 129, creating a Master Combat Infantry Specialty license plate and adding a special plate provision for designated state officials tied to Supreme Court parking/security concerns, was reported with amendments. Finally, House Resolution 243, urging safety warning signage on the Tickfaw River after a fatal boating accident, was amended to shift responsibility to parish governing authorities and was reported with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's all executive branch agencies, so whether or not they receive some money at... ...office, it's all
• executive branch agencies, so whether or not they receive some money at that time I don't know, but
• 50 years ago stripped a lot of power from and made them a part-time position, and so you have an executive
• branch constitutional officer that is expected to do the duties of... ...an executive branch constitutional
• And then we have our executive assistant who keeps us all in line, makes sure everything runs smoothly

Summary: The committee first considered the Lieutenant Governor’s Office budget and personnel request to move that office onto the state pay plan and increase salaries for its positions. Office representatives said the request was intended to make pay competitive with other constitutional offices and state agencies, that OPM had approved the grades, and that the office did not plan to max out any positions. Members questioned the size of the increase and the office’s workload. A motion to adopt the proposal failed on a tie vote, and the committee then voted to expunge the vote before moving on. The committee then approved a series of Governor’s letters and related personnel transfers, including cuts for Arkansas Educational Television Network, transfers within the Department of Health and several DHS divisions, and a DFA shared services reorganization. The committee also approved moving child nutrition and related nutrition programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture, with department officials explaining that the programs fit better under Agriculture because the grants come from USDA and the transfer would include the positions and funding tied to the programs. Members raised questions about how the appropriations and positions were split between state and federal funding, and about the broader implications of the transfer, but the committee ultimately approved both the Education and Agriculture sides of the move. The meeting also included extended discussion of the Educational Freedom Account program. Members questioned the $309 million appropriation, whether it matched current participation, and whether future demand could require additional funding. Department officials said the amount covered current participation and that the governor had set aside an additional $70 million in case applications increased, but that any amount beyond the appropriation would require returning to the committee. Some members argued the program’s growth could threaten funding for public schools and adequacy, while others noted that the program is governed by rules under the LEARNS Act. The committee also approved a technical title change at East Arkansas Community College from assistant to the president to assistant to the chancellor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your Committee on Confirmations has had under consideration Senate Executive Message No. 4, requesting
• The hour having arrived for consideration of the executive nomination, the Chair recognizes a junior
• I move that nominee number 54 of Senate Executive Message No. 4 be confirmed.
• Junior Senator from the 17th moves that nominee number 54 of Senate Executive Message No. 4 be confirmed
• Junior Senator from the 17th moves that nominee number 54 of Senate Executive Message No. 4 be confirmed

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of House amendments to enrolled bills and, in each case, moved to concur, pass the bill, and in several instances set effective dates. Measures approved included SB 29 (judiciary pay increases), SB 44 (homemade food/cottage food rules), SB 617 (protections against financial exploitation of eligible adults), SB 742 (involuntary hospitalization requirements), SB 952 (court security fund transfer), SB 1008 (asbestos and silica statute of limitations), SB 723 (law enforcement cooperation with bordering states), SB 947 (birth certificate copies for homeless minors), SB 392 (personal income tax reduction), SB 54 (criminal penalties for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults), SB 228 (technology in child abuse/neglect investigations, including a three-county caseworker aid pilot), SB 231 (value-based payment requirements), SB 402 (Workforce Readiness Opportunity Act, with the House removing several provisions but retaining a micro-credential program), SB 553 (temporary transfer of contractor licenses to qualifying immediate family members), SB 575 (refusal review hearings), SB 686 (coal code modernization and minors protection), SB 906 (lawful prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin under FDA recommendations), SB 1026 (penalties for disturbing religious worship), SB 63 (Sustaining Opportunities for Academics and Rural Schools Act), SB 502 (Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act), and SB 153 (Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund). Most of these passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 392 passed 31-2 on the first vote and was later reconsidered and passed again 32-2. Several bills were made effective from passage or on July 1, 2026, by the required supermajority votes. The chamber also considered Senate Executive Message No. 4 from the Committee on Confirmations. The Senate confirmed all nominees except number 54 in a 33-0 vote, then separately confirmed nominee 54 by a 30-3 vote. In debate on SB 392, the majority leader explained that the House removed a proposed vape tax increase to preserve the income tax reduction, while a senator from the 13th spoke about affordability concerns, tax relief, and urging action on gasoline prices; those remarks were ordered into the Journal. After the legislative business, the Senate received several introductions of guests and visitors in the galleries, including state police sergeants, family members of senators and pages, and the wife of the newest senator from Pleasants County. The Senate then agreed to recess until 5:30 p.m., with the Rules Committee scheduled to meet immediately after recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your Committee on Confirmations has had under consideration Senate Executive Message No. 4, requesting
• The hour having arrived for consideration of the executive nomination, the Chair recognizes a junior
• I move that nominee number 54 of Senate Executive Message No. 4 be confirmed.
• Junior Senator from the 17th moves that nominee number 54 of Senate Executive Message No. 4 be confirmed
• ... ...moves that nominee number 54 of Senate Executive Message No. 4 be confirmed.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Jeremy Wolfe, the executive director of BRIM, introduced himself. The Chair then swore him in.
• Jeremy Wolfe, Executive Director of BRIM, said, "In July, just to let you know, I looked at things that
• Jeremy Wolfe, Executive Director, BRIM: Okay. Do you want to address?
• Jeremy Wolfe, Executive Director, BRIM: The original intent of the bill, again, was something that I
• Jeremy Wolfe, Executive Director, BRIM: The amendment that Mariah just explained, if it takes that language

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the March 4, 2026 minutes. It then took up Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 55, a workers’ compensation cleanup bill from the Insurance Commissioner’s office. Counsel explained that the bill modernizes outdated code after privatization of the workers’ compensation system, repeals obsolete provisions, updates references to the Insurance Commissioner, reduces the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review from five members to three, and makes related technical changes. The committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment and a title amendment, and then reported the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass. The Insurance Commissioner and a senior senator both spoke in support, describing the bill as part of the long-term cleanup of the privatized system and noting the reduced caseload on the Board of Review. The committee next considered Engrossed House Bill 5463, which would lower the required insurance coverage for county boards of education from $1.25 million to $1 million per occurrence and eliminate the separate $5 million excess coverage requirement. BRIM’s executive director testified that the agency had difficulty finding a market partner for the excess coverage and that the premium cost exceeded $5 million, creating a burden for county boards. Some senators raised concerns that reducing coverage could limit recovery for victims in serious claims and that the change might reduce protections for school systems. When the motion to report the bill was put to a vote, the result was tied, and the chair declared the bill not passed. The committee then approved Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4869, which creates guaranteed issue rights for Medicare supplement policies in West Virginia. Counsel explained that the bill allows certain policyholders to replace a Medicare supplement policy during an annual birthday period without medical underwriting, and also grants a guaranteed issue right for certain individuals losing Medicaid eligibility. The bill also requires annual reporting on premium trends and gives the Insurance Commissioner rulemaking authority. The motion to report the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass was adopted. Finally, the committee considered Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance. Counsel explained that the bill would allow the mine subsidence fund to reduce payments by amounts already received by a policyholder and, as introduced, would bar actions against insurers for claims reported to the board. A proposed strike-and-insert amendment would have replaced the blanket bar with a 90-day pre-suit notice requirement and limits on damages, but after discussion from senators, counsel, BRIM, and the Insurance Federation, the committee rejected the strike-and-insert and also rejected a separate amendment to strike the setoff language. The committee then reported the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, this includes the standard conformity provisions plus the items from the executive order and that
• The amendment brings it back to what the executive order was, not what DOR forms.
• those with this amendment from this and yet trying to stick to the spirit of having matched that the executive
• those with this amendment from this and yet trying to stick to the spirit of having matched the executive
• Authority is to singularly change state tax policy through an executive order.

Bills: SB1638

Keywords: taxation, income tax, internal revenue code, deductions, tax benefits, retroactive, standard deduction, 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee took up SB 1638, a tax conformity bill that would update Arizona’s tax code to the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and incorporate federal changes from 2025. The bill also included individual income tax subtractions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, along with changes to the standard deduction and charitable contribution deduction. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether Arizona should conform broadly to federal changes or limit the bill to more targeted, temporary provisions. Two amendments were considered. The chair’s amendment was described as clarifying only, addressing retroactivity and foreign dividend language, and it was adopted. Senator Epstein’s amendment would have removed the broader conformity provisions and the modified charitable deduction, limited the standard deduction change to tax year 2025, and kept the individual subtractions; she argued the business-related conformity items mainly benefited corporations and should be negotiated in the budget. Opponents said the amendment would create unnecessary recalculations and uncertainty for taxpayers and businesses, while supporters of the underlying bill said conformity was needed quickly to match Department of Revenue forms and avoid filing-season confusion. Epstein’s amendment failed. Public testimony split along similar lines. Business and tax group representatives supported prompt conformity, saying taxpayers and small businesses needed certainty and that the department’s forms should be codified. Opponents argued the bill would reduce state revenue substantially and mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations, while diverting money from education, child care, and health care. After debate, the committee voted to move SB 1638 as amended with a do-pass recommendation, passing it by about 4-3, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• ONCE WE RECEIVE THE APPROVAL FROM THE NTIA WE ANTICIPATE IN THE NEXT 3 TO 4 MONTHS TO BE ABLE TO EXECUTE
• INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THAT KIND OF REVIEW SO WE FEEL THAT WILL BE SEAMLESS ONCE WE EXECUTE
• >> THE COMPLETION DATE FOR THE BEAD PROGRAM ONCE WE EXECUTE OUR GRANT AGREEMENTS WE HAVE A FOUR-YEAR
• IN 2021, FUNDED IN 20 2220 23 THE PROVIDERS APPLIED FOR THIS AND IN EARLY 20.4 WE HAD CONTRACTS EXECUTED
• BUT SINCE EXECUTING THOSE CONTRACTS INSPECTION WAS AWARDED AND IT YOU CAN SEE FROM THE DASHBOARD AWARDED

Transcript Highlights:

• This multifaceted crisis demands a new approach, including a robust command structure capable of executing
• develop a proactive layered security environment framework that is not simply coordinating, but also executing
• moment ago, some of the very folks that came forward commented on the concern with regard to the execution
• on how you envision... ...because ultimately it's under your responsibility, how you envision the execution
• However, you obviously feel good about your ability as a division to execute on the mission?

Bills: SB36, SB2202, SB 36

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Transcript Highlights:

• This multifaceted crisis demands a new approach, including a robust command structure capable of executing
• develop a proactive layered security environment framework that is not simply coordinating but also executing
• ago, some of the, uh, various, uh, folks that came forward commented on the concern with regard to execution
• Uh, because ultimately it's under your, uh, responsibility, how you envision execution to be able to
• nothing's ever perfect, but you obviously feel good about your ability as a division to be able to execute

Bills: SB 36, SB 2202

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Transcript Highlights:

• Many public executive employee contracts contain golden parachutes payout clauses that result in substantial
• There are no broader regulations of government executive severance payments.
• Senate Bill 20237 restricts political subdivisions from providing severance pay to executives beyond
• wondering how many of these we even know about, you know, how many of these were agreed to like an executive
• All right, members, any more Thomas, just so you know, this is for all executive sessions, I just, not

Bills: SB 1079, SB 1243, SB 1504, SB 1579, SB 1708, SB 1844, SB 1851, SB 1879, SB 1921, SB 1951, SB 2237, SB 2238, SB 2406, SB 2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Don Kerr, I'm the executive director of the Department of Military Affairs, and not much to add
• Chair Don Kerr, I'm the executive director of the Department of Military Affairs, and not much to add
• state your name and chair Don Kerr I'm state your name and chair Don Kerr I'm the<00:03:42.280> executive
• director<00:03:43.000> of<00:03:43.120> the<00:03:43.200> Department the executive
• director of the Department the executive director of the Department of<00:03:43.640> military

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to tell him that he is exceeding his authority as an executive
• The one person who's trying to stand in the way is an executive branch official, and the Minnesota Supreme
• who's trying to stand in the way<00:03:19.920> is<00:03:20.080> an<00:03:20.160> executive
• /c><00:03:20.680> branch<00:03:20.920> official<00:03:21.400> and way is an executive
• branch official and way is an executive branch official and the<00:03:21.600> Minnesota<00:03

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republicans held a press availability focused on the ongoing Minnesota House stalemate and their decision to file a lawsuit in the Minnesota Supreme Court against Secretary of State Steve Simon. Representative Niska said Simon, acting as presiding officer, had refused for four straight days to recognize him to make motions that a lesser number than a quorum is constitutionally allowed to consider. Republicans argued Simon exceeded his authority by preventing even discussion of those motions and by unilaterally controlling adjournment, while saying the House members present have the power to adjourn day to day and compel absent members. The proposed motion at issue would impose penalties on absent lawmakers, including fines equal to lost salary for days not present and ineligibility for per diem for the session. Niska cited precedent from other states, including Indiana and Texas, to support the idea that a minority can enforce quorum-related penalties, and said Minnesota case law does not address a prolonged quorum break like the current one. He said the lawsuit seeks only to require Simon to stay within constitutional bounds as presiding officer, not to remove him from the role entirely. Niska said the filing was being made that day, with courtesy copies delivered to Simon, and that the legal team is from his own law firm and would be paid privately, likely with campaign funds. He said there had been no talks with Democratic leaders that day, but he remained open to a serious offer. Republicans said they would be in the chamber every day next week at 3:30 p.m. unless Democrats returned sooner, and that there would be no gavel-in the next day.