Video & Transcript Research : 'emergency dispatch'
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AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr.
- Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr.
- Except tomorrow we have an emergency clause.
- Except tomorrow we have an emergency clause.
- And to invoke the emergency clause, Except tomorrow we have an emergency clause, and to invoke the emergency
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, granted several leaves, and received gubernatorial approval notices for multiple fiscal-session measures. The chamber then referred House Bill 1034 back to the Joint Budget Committee so pay raises could be stripped out and cybersecurity/bank-fee funding handled later. House Bill 1103, increasing the homestead property tax credit by $75, passed 94-0.
Members then considered several budget amendments and appropriations. Amendments to House Bills 1007, 1022, 1036, and 1064 were adopted, and Senate Bill 76, a $2 million appropriation for county extension office capital improvements, passed 87-7. A batch of appropriation bills passed, but several individual bills failed, including House Bills 1023, 1035, 1053, and 1066. House Bills 1089 and 1090, supplemental appropriations for pregnancy crisis centers and waste tire cleanup, both passed. House Bill 1093, a corrections reappropriation bill that excluded use of funds in Franklin County, also passed 94-0.
The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 1100 Amendment 1, which set out the RSA and one-time funding package. Supporters described major allocations for corrections, state police, LEARNS Freedom Accounts, Medicaid, vehicle purchases, and a proposed $300 million economic-development site-preparation and road package tied to a confidential project. Opponents criticized the secrecy, size, and policy approach of the incentive, while supporters argued it could bring jobs and broader economic benefits. The amendment passed 54-36-3. The House also passed Senate Bills 8, 16, 30, 63, 67, and 73, while Senate Bills 41 and 59 failed, and Senate Bill 10 passed after being briefly set aside for clarification. The chamber adjourned to 1 p.m. the next day, with committee meetings announced for budget and house management.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr.
- Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr.
- Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr.
- One vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr.
- Except tomorrow, we have an emergency clause, and to invoke the emergency clause, as you know, that bill
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, leave requests, and routine business, including reading gubernatorial approval letters for several recently enacted acts. Members also recognized guests in the chamber. The body then took up a motion to send House Bill 1034 back to the Joint Budget Committee, which passed, with Representative Jean explaining the bill would be revised to remove pay raises and address cybersecurity and bank fees later.
On the red and budget calendars, the House passed House Bill 1103 to increase the homestead property tax credit by $75, with supporters noting it would be the fourth straight annual increase and total $300 per household over four years. The chamber also adopted amendments to House Bills 1007, 1022, 1036, and 1064, then passed Senate Bill 76, a $2 million appropriation for county extension office capital improvements. Several appropriation bills were then considered in batches and individually, with mixed results: House Bills 1005, 1051, 1089, 1090, 1093, and Senate Bills 8, 10, 16, 20, 23, 36, 43, 55, 58, 63, 67, and 30 passed; House Bills 1023, 1035, 1053, 1066, and Senate Bills 41 and 59 failed; Senate Bills 10 and 24 were initially passed over for later consideration.
A major portion of the meeting focused on Amendment 1 to House Bill 1100, the RSA/one-time funding package. Representative Jean outlined increases for corrections, state police, LEARNS/freedom accounts, Medicaid, vehicle purchases, and other set-asides, plus a proposed $300 million economic development reserve for a confidential project with clawback provisions. The amendment drew extended debate: supporters argued it could bring major job creation and broader economic benefits, while opponents criticized the secrecy, size of the subsidy, and opportunity cost. The amendment ultimately passed 54-36-3. The House then adjourned until 1 p.m. the next day after announcements about upcoming budget and House Management meetings.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr.
- Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr.
- Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr.
- Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr.
- Except tomorrow we have an emergency clause, and to invoke the emergency clause, as you know, that bill
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Criminal Justice Mar 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- RESTRICTIONS ON FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION DURING EMERGENCY. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU.
- OF FIREARMS IS AUTOMATICALLY PROHIBITED DURING THAT LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY?
- YOU MENTIONED STATE DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY.
- UNDER WHAT STATES OF EMERGENCY PARTICULARLY OUR FIREARM SALES AUTOMATICALLY PAUSED?
- BY THE CLEAR REASON OF THIS I GUESS A LOCAL COULD DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Remember, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Thank you.
- Remind you, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
- Remind you, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
- This again, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
- Again, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Thank you.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- How was it, the coordination between local emergency management.
- , fires, transportation emergencies, severe illnesses and injuries.
- Emergency plans need to be site-specific.
- people when it's not an emergency.
- But if it's something that only kicked in in an emergency.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Each facility creates its own site-specific emergency plan.
- of Emergency Management State Operations Center.
- We cover everything from emergency...
- Department of Emergency Management, having some oversight in the plans and local county judges or emergency
- when it's not an emergency, right?
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
- Remember, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
- Remember, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
- This again, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
- Again, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Thank you.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum call, and several leave requests. Members then recognized guests and visitors, including law enforcement officers, a doctor and nurse of the day, and various constituent and advocacy groups in the galleries. The chamber adopted the consent calendar resolutions without objection.
On the floor, House Resolution 1006 passed 92-0, authorizing introduction of a non-appropriation bill to raise the Homestead Property Tax Credit from $600 to $675. The sponsor said the increase was supported by the dedicated property tax relief fund and should not be delayed given current inflation and fuel costs. The House then took up appropriations bills, passing House Bill 1014 for DHS Provider Services Quality Assurance 82-9-2 and House Bill 1062 for the DHS Tobacco Settlement Program 87-4-2 after brief questions about what the funding covered.
The House also considered a large batch of Senate appropriation bills. A grouped set of bills passed 92-0-1, while several were pulled out for separate votes. Senate Bill 5, funding the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission, failed 71-14-8. Senate Bills 9, 11, 12, 17, 18, 37, and 56 were then voted on individually; SB 9 passed 77-8-6, SB 11 passed 79-7-6, SB 12 passed 82-9-0, SB 17 passed 93-0-0, SB 18 passed 90-1-1, SB 37 passed 80-11-1, and SB 56 failed 30-52-4. The House then adjourned until Tuesday at 1:00 p.m., with committee meetings announced for Tuesday morning and after adjournment.
OR
Oregon 2026 Regular Session
Joint Emergency Board 06/17/2026 8:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- This meeting of the Emergency Board is being called to order for Wednesday, June 17th, 2026, the day
- The Natural Resources Subcommittee recommends that the Emergency Board approve the submission of the
- The Natural Resources Subcommittee recommends that the Emergency Board approve the submission of the
- The Higher Education Subcommittee recommends that the Emergency Board retroactively approve...
- Just simply, folks, in an emergency situation, seconds and minutes save lives.
Summary:
The Emergency Board approved a series of consent federal grant applications from the Natural Resources and Public Safety subcommittees, along with several budget and position requests. The board approved grant applications for parks, transportation, judicial, emergency management, higher education, school nutrition, and other programs, including retroactive approvals where deadlines had passed. One member objected to the Natural Resources consent grants over concerns about future funding needs, but the motion still passed. The board also approved a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, including digital privacy protections, circuit court security, and a statewide facilities assessment.
A major discussion centered on Southern Oregon University’s financial stability. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission reported on SOU’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and projected cash shortfall. The subcommittee recommended, and the board approved, allocating $7.5 million from the special appropriation for short-term stability, with a required update at the September 2026 Emergency Board meeting and a future request for the remaining funds. Members debated the broader crisis in higher education, with several saying SOU’s situation reflects systemwide enrollment and funding pressures and that long-term restructuring will be needed.
The board also approved an AmeriCorps volunteer generation grant, an apprenticeship expansion grant, and a Department of Education nutrition equipment grant. In public safety, it approved funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a statewide evacuation planning tool, and a juvenile justice information system modernization report, while requiring a follow-up viability report. The Department of Justice received approval for additional antitrust positions and expenditure limitation, though several members raised concerns about the funding structure and incentives tied to settlement revenues; the motion passed despite objections.
In natural resources, the board approved funding for the Water Resources Department’s well abandonment, repair and replacement grants, an assistant water master position in Washington County, groundwater data collection in the Lower Umatilla Basin, a wetlands remote sensing pilot, and parks-related grant applications for operations, maintenance, and capital improvements. Members generally supported the requests but raised concerns about geographic equity, long-term sustainability, and whether some county responsibilities were being shifted to the state. The meeting also included discussion of a Department of Emergency Management evacuation tool as an urgent wildfire preparedness measure, with members emphasizing its potential to save lives.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Oct 14th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- We utilize our entire building, all four floors, I'm sorry, all three floors, the state emergency emergency
- emergency. entire building all four floors I'm sorry all three floors the state emergency operation
- The new State Emergency Operations Center represents a major step forward in our pursuit of... ...emergency
- I will tell you, on behalf of the emergency management community, a lot of our county emergency management
- And so we appreciate the support from both the state emergency management level and the county emergency
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s mission, outreach efforts, state veterans nursing homes, and support programs. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the state’s existing nursing homes and the planned 10th home in Collier County, and the department’s dental assistance program, which served 245 veterans in the first quarter of the fiscal year and completed 1,631 procedures while saving more than $525,000. He also discussed veteran service officers, the benefits guide, the department newsletter, efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, and mental health outreach through the Overwatch/Firewatch program. Senators asked about future nursing home locations, adult day health care, homelessness, and the dental program; Hartzell also announced that retired Colonel D.J. Reyes will become deputy executive director on November 7.
The committee then heard from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and agency modernization. He described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office warehouse in Auburndale, and the new state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, which is ahead of schedule and designed to hold about 220 people and withstand 200-mph winds. Guthrie reviewed recovery efforts for recent storms, including debris removal, volunteer villages, sheltering, and FEMA reimbursement totals for Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, and earlier storms. He also discussed the Elevate Florida home-elevation program, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation training initiative, the DEMES platform, and WebEOC, noting that 60 counties and 22 colleges and universities are using the system.
Members asked Guthrie about flood-response resources for cities, training for local officials, and lessons from inland flooding after recent storms. He explained how local governments can request pumps and other assistance through county and state channels, described upcoming elected-official training, and emphasized mutual aid and EMAC as key future disaster-response tools. The committee took no formal votes or other legislative action and adjourned at the end of the meeting.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- emergency service providers. emergency service providers.
- <00:15:55.360>
service counseling among emergency service counseling among emergency service - ,<00:16:19.680>
toward danger, toward the emergency, toward danger, toward the emergency, - <00:18:21.280>
service that the work of an emergency service that the work of an emergency - emergency service providers. emergency service providers.
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional by Rep. Chris Keyser centered on Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken,” using the poem as a reflection on legislative choices, compromise, and service to the common good. After the devotional, the chamber took up a large slate of introductions, with 21 House bills read by number only after a successful motion to suspend the rules. The House also read HR12, a resolution supporting the principles behind Gov. Phil Scott’s statement regarding federal ICE and CBP activity in Minnesota, and placed it on the calendar for action the next legislative day.
The House then concurred in JRS38, a joint Senate resolution setting weekend adjournment for January 30, 2026, to reconvene no later than February 3, 2026. During announcements, members recognized guests from Third Act Vermont, wished the member from Burlington a happy birthday, invited members to a Universal Health Care Caucus meeting, and promoted an evening Farmers Night performance. The House also voted to rescind journalization and expunge remarks previously entered by the member from Swanton from Friday’s House Journal.
In orders of the day, the House rejected concurrence with the Senate’s further proposal of amendment to S.23, an act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections, and instead requested a committee of conference; the chair appointed Reps. Byron, Hango, and Waters Evans as conferees. The chamber then passed H532, relating to mandatory retirement of college professors. It also adopted the committee’s strike-all amendment to H270, relating to confidentiality for peer support counseling among emergency service providers, after favorable 11-0 committee action; the bill was then ordered to third reading. Finally, the House amended and ordered to third reading H516, approving amendments to the charter of the town of Essex, after discussion of charter changes including select board vacancies, moderator procedures, town appointments, accounting requirements, and related technical updates. The House then adjourned until January 29, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Remember, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Thank you.
- Remember, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
- Remember, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
- Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Cast up the ballot.
- Again, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Thank you.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and several members granted leave. The chamber recognized guests and adopted the consent calendar resolutions without objection. House Resolution 1006, by Rep. Schulz, was adopted 92-0 to authorize introduction of a non-appropriation bill increasing the Homestead Property Tax Credit from $600 to $675, with Schulz citing the Amendment 79 fund’s capacity and rising costs as reasons for acting now.
On the budget calendar, the House passed House Bill 1014, the DHS Division of Provider Services, Quality Assurance appropriation, by 82-9 with the emergency clause. House Bill 1062, funding the DHS Tobacco Settlement Program for Medicaid-related and other specified services, passed 87-4 with the emergency clause after brief questions about whether it included AED funding and whether it used general revenue; the sponsor said it was settlement money and likely did not include AEDs. The House then took up a large batch of Senate appropriation bills, passing the grouped bills 92-0-1.
Several Senate bills were considered separately. Senate Bills 9 and 11, both for the Arkansas Minority Health Commission, passed 77-8-6 and 79-7-6. Senate Bill 12, for the Arkansas Ethics Commission, passed 82-9. Senate Bill 17, for Arkansas Teacher Retirement, passed 93-0, Senate Bill 18, for the liquefied petroleum gas board, passed 90-1-1, and Senate Bill 37, for the Workers’ Compensation Commission, passed 80-11-1. Senate Bill 5, the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission appropriation, failed 71-14-8, and Senate Bill 56, for continuing education of local officials, failed 30-52-4. The House then adjourned until Tuesday at 1:00 p.m., with committee meetings announced for Tuesday morning and after adjournment.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- universities said that student emergency universities said that student emergency Grant<00:20:19.799
- unexpected Ed Financial emergencies unexpected Ed Financial emergencies almost<00:21:30.799>
- seeking emergency financial students are seeking emergency financial support<00:21:38.440>
for system who have received an emergency system who have received an emergency Grant<00:23:46.640>< - 31% of students receiving an emergency 31% of students receiving an emergency Grant<00:23:53.400
OR
Oregon 2026 Regular Session
Joint Emergency Board 06/17/2026 8:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Everyone, this meeting of the Emergency Board is being called to order for Wednesday, June 17th, 2026
- The Natural Resources Subcommittee recommends that the Emergency Board approve the submission of the
- The State Court Facility Account is used to fund court security, emergency preparedness, local court
- Just simply, folks, in an emergency situation, seconds and minutes save lives.
- Department of Transportation Emergency Relief. Representative Gomberg. Thank you again.
Summary:
The Emergency Board met on June 17, 2026, and approved a series of subcommittee recommendations, mostly on consent, related to federal grant applications, agency funding adjustments, and position authority. Early actions included approval of four federal grant applications from natural resources agencies, three public safety grant applications, a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, retroactive approval for an AmeriCorps volunteer-generation grant, and a $7.5 million allocation to Southern Oregon University from a special appropriation for short-term financial stability. Members supporting the SOU item emphasized the university’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and the need for a long-term higher education plan; several members voted no or raised concerns about sustainability, but the motion passed.
The board also approved a federal apprenticeship expansion grant for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a school nutrition equipment grant for the Department of Education, and an Oregon Health Authority request tied to Medicaid community engagement requirements under H.R. 1. Public safety items included funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a report on the stalled juvenile justice information system modernization project with a follow-up viability report due in 2026, and a statewide evacuation planning tool for emergency management. The evacuation tool drew strong support as a wildfire preparedness measure, with members noting it could significantly reduce alert times and save lives.
A major point of debate was the Department of Justice request to add 16 permanent positions and increase other funds limitation for antitrust enforcement. Supporters argued the federal government has pulled back and Oregon needs capacity to pursue active cases and protect consumers; opponents objected to the process, the size of the expansion, and the incentive structure tied to settlements and awards. Despite those concerns, the motion passed. The board also approved Water Resources Department requests for the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement program, an assistant water master position in Washington County, and federal funding for Lower Umatilla Basin groundwater data collection. The water master item prompted questions about county cost shifts, but staff said the position would remain externally funded and would not be filled without those resources.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- excuse me um we have um Hawaii Emergency excuse me um we have um Hawaii Emergency Management<00:
- <00:18:07.400>
and 1262 relating to the emergency and 1262 relating to the emergency and budget - option you know the ebf the emergency option you know the ebf the emergency budget<00:26:49.320>
- opposition from the Hawaii Emergency opposition from the Hawaii Emergency Management Management
- reasons on our part as Emergency reasons on our part as Emergency Management<00:31:53.559>
uh
Summary:
The Committee on Public Safety heard testimony on several bills. HB 628 HD1, relating to education, would reinstate a prior law allowing veterans whose high school education was interrupted by wartime to receive a diploma. Testimony was generally supportive from the Office of Veterans Services, the Department of Education, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and an individual testifier, with one person in opposition. The committee later recommended passage of HB 628 HD1 as is, and the motion was adopted.
The committee also heard HB 1158 HD1 and HB 1159 HD1, both relating to commercial harbors. HB 1158 HD1 concerns firefighting at commercial harbors and drew support from the Department of Transportation; the committee recommended passage as is and adopted the recommendation. HB 1159 HD1 would require masters or persons in charge of vessels to comply with a Harbor Master’s order to evacuate a commercial harbor during emergencies. Testimony included support from Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transportation, and comments from the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. Members raised concerns about small boat operators and safety, and the committee passed the bill with reservations.
The committee then discussed HB 1262, relating to the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund, and HB 1296, relating to the major disaster fund. Supporters of HB 1262 included the Climate Advisory Team and AARP Hawaii, while the Department of Budget and Finance cautioned about duplication of benefits with federal disaster aid and the need to preserve the fund’s primary purpose. Members questioned how the bill would interact with federal assistance and whether the fund could be used more broadly; no vote was taken, and the bill was deferred to decision-making. On HB 1296, HEMA and Budget and Finance opposed the measure, citing the need for flexibility in emergencies and concerns that added reporting requirements could hinder response efforts, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii noted the major disaster fund is much smaller than the EBF. The committee likewise deferred HB 1296 to decision-making, and the meeting adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force (8-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Emergency preparedness and response branch within KDPH serves as a lead coordinating agency for emergency
- police, fire, EMS and emergency police, fire, EMS and emergency management,<00:04:25.120>
but - And that’s kind of how the emergency operations plan and emergency operations center work.
- emergency uh, operations center work. emergency uh, operations center work.
- 11 uh emergency support function. 11 uh emergency operations<01:12:01.120>
center.
Summary:
The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response.
Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19.
The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- National Guard and the Division of Emergency Management.
- We've discussed emergency management, and right now it's kind of a challenging financial time for emergency
- So, emergency... Let's pivot a little bit.
- He understands emergency management.
- He understands emergency management.
NE
Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Morning Session Apr 17th, 2026
Nebraska Unicameral Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- local state of emergency proclamation has been issued under the Emergency Management Act.
- And it had an outlet for emergencies, so unexpected expenses when an emergency was declared, and an emergency
- funds or state emergency funds when those emergencies are declared for those services.
- if there's an emergency declared.
- So not just a blizzard. ...weather-related emergency if there's an emergency declared.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- This would cover non-emergent.
- <01:11:59.320>
or <01:11:59.719>emergency medical emergencies or emergency medical - This basically is non-emergent.
- emergency health or medical emergency emergency health or medical emergency protocol<01:15:21.560
- So, um, again, we hear, we understand emergency. This is not part of emergency protocols.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
05/11/2026 - Senate Director Nominations
Transcript Highlights:
- National Guard and the Division of Emergency Management.
- We've discussed emergency management, and right now it's kind of a challenging financial time for emergency
- So, emergency. “Let’s pivot a little bit.
- He understands emergency management.
- He understands emergency management.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement.
Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders.
A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.