Transcript Highlights:

• Their hand function has never fully returned.
• My immediate condition of MS was addressed, but I did not get help figuring out how to move, function
• ,<01:25:09.000> or figuring out how to move, function, or figuring out how to move, function
• Their education focuses on rehabilitation and functional assessment.
• Their education focuses on rehabilitation and functional assessment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, that's one function of it, but we also see a lot of requests from schools to bring in trainers to
• Um, that's one function<00:20:31.679> of<00:20:31.840> it,<00:20:32.480> but<00:
• The board functions at a very high level and has earned the trust of the community as demonstrated by
• > high<01:21:53.360> level<01:21:53.600> and<01:21:53.840> has functions
• at a very high level and has functions at a very high level and has earned<01:21:54.480> the<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Zoom chat function will allow you to chat with the staff only.
• The<00:12:29.360> Zoom<00:12:29.760> chat<00:12:30.160> function<00:12:30.639>
• will allow you to The Zoom chat function will allow you to chat<00:12:32.399> with<00:12:32.800
• <00:12:42.320> Um, your chat function or anybody else.
• Um, your chat function or anybody else.

Bills: HB1881, HB2218, HB1956, HB2151, HB1845, HB1844, HB2103, HB2424, HB1650, HB376, HB2599, HB1861

Keywords: land use, ropeway, transportation, state regulation, government exemption, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, public lands, public trust resources, community co-management, co-management agreement, community-based organization, Native Hawaiian, malama aina, ahupuaa, subsistence, cultural resources, religious practices

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Mark Hashem outlining strict testimony rules and noting a time constraint because of later hearings and floor session obligations. The committee then took up several bills, hearing mostly supportive testimony on HB 1881 relating to land use, HB 2218 relating to DLNR/community management, and HB 1956 relating to freshwater waves, while HB 1845 relating to the Land Use Commission drew legal concerns and opposition. HB 2151 relating to building materials had no substantive testimony presented in the excerpt, and the committee moved through it quickly. On HB 1881, testimony focused on protecting North Shore lands from overdevelopment. A supporter described the area as valuable precisely because it remains largely undeveloped, and a member asked whether the bill’s restrictions on “finculars” would affect existing or future private residential installations; the response suggested the bill was aimed at future commercial uses and that grandfathering or personal-use exceptions might be possible, but the exact wording would need legal refinement. HB 2218 received broad support from OHA, DLNR, Kua, Sierra Club, Hui Maka Aana, the Honlay Initiative, and others, who said the measure would expand community-based co-management across DLNR divisions, build on existing park partnerships, and produce real benefits such as better stewardship, safer access, local jobs, and stronger community trust. Members asked about the bill’s five-year review structure, how multiple community groups would be handled, and whether the model could apply to ocean or nearshore areas; DLNR said the board would retain authority, agreements would be non-exclusive and subject to review, and the department was still working through how the approach would function across different divisions and marine settings. For HB 1956, the Attorney General offered technical comments, urging clearer definitions of “residing” and “freshwater way,” clearer timing for citations and arrests, and more explicit procedural safeguards and agency roles. On HB 1845, the Attorney General and Land Use Commission raised concerns that the bill could conflict with constitutional protections for important agricultural lands and could not be reconciled with existing voting requirements; the LUC also said commissioners cannot vote by proxy under sunshine law and warned that the bill could allow too few commissioners to approve major boundary changes. Members questioned how the bill would work in counties without designated important agricultural lands, and the LUC explained that Kauai is the only county to have completed the IAL process, while the broader statutory process remains county-driven and has been the subject of litigation. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• pharmacists must operate under pharmacist control and recognize compound as a regulated pharmacy function
• pharmacists must operate under pharmacist control and recognize compound as a regulated pharmacy function
• pharmacists must operate under pharmacist control and recognize compound as a regulated pharmacy function
• pharmacists must operate under pharmacist control and recognize compound as a regulated pharmacy function
• Thank you for your pharmacy function.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS and LBT meeting opened with accessibility concerns, as several blind attendees arrived after the general public had already been seated. The chair apologized and said future hearings would try to seat blind members earlier. The committee also announced the hearing was being streamed on YouTube, testimony would be limited to one minute, and written testimony was available online. The first bill heard was SB 2281, relating to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The Department of Health supported transparency for patients but preferred disclosure through provider websites and office signage rather than a new regulatory program. The Hawaii Medical Association and Healthcare Association of Hawaii generally supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about administrative burden and suggested a working group or model policies. Hawaii Pacific Health said it already uses AI for note-taking and patient portal functions and worried that written notice requirements could create too much consumer information. In response, the chair emphasized that patients should be informed when AI is used, especially if it affects diagnosis or consequential decisions, and said AI should not be making medical decisions. The committee later voted to recommend SB 2281 pass with amendments, including narrowing the definition of consequential decisions, removing certain language requested by DOH, adding a two-year implementation period, and setting a far-future defective date for further discussion; both committees adopted the recommendation, with the chair voting aye and the vice chair voting with reservations. The second major bill was SB 2852, a civil rights measure focused on digital access for people with disabilities. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii all supported the bill, arguing that existing law clearly protects physical access but should also make digital access explicit. Blind testifiers described how accessible technology, such as VoiceOver on iPhones, allows them to participate independently in public processes and warned that inaccessible digital systems can create barriers for thousands of blind residents. One testifier, an attorney with disability-law experience, supported the bill’s intent but said the draft had flaws, including no exceptions for archived materials, no distinction between small and large businesses, and concerns about the timing and choice of accessibility standards; he suggested delegating regulatory authority to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. The bill’s sponsor said he supported DAB’s proposed amendments, and the committee indicated those amendments would address many of the concerns raised. No final vote on SB 2852 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 2751, which defines compounded prescription drugs for workers’ compensation purposes. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported the bill but requested clarifying amendments to keep pharmacists as the primary professionals authorized to compound in licensed pharmacies and to limit any physician compounding authority to the physician’s own patient. Supporters included the Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii, while Solera Integrated Medical Solutions opposed the measure, arguing the current definition was already broad enough and warning about cost inflation, especially with 503B bulk compounding facilities and physician dispensing. In questioning, members asked about rural access, reimbursement for 503B products, and late testimony suggesting definitions for 503A and 503B facilities, limits on physician dispensing to 30 days post-injury, and pre-approval for non-FDA-approved drugs. DLIR said not every rural community has licensed pharmacists available, that products with a national drug code are reimbursed at 140%, and that 503B facilities raise concerns because they are bulk manufacturers rather than patient-specific compounding operations. The meeting then moved into decision-making on SB 2281; the chair’s pass-with-amendments recommendation was adopted by both committees, with the vice chair voting with reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So would we make an exception in the case of a driverless vehicle doing the exact same function?
• Additional broadband to community so that the QR code is functional.
• Most of the traversals through intersections that were non-functional also proceeded as normal.
• vehicle is designed to be able to recognize when traffic light-controlled intersections are non-functional
• When it was non-functional, and if it was highly confident, it would drive through as a four-way stop

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And those are performed functions by the state, not by the vaccine association.
• 08:30.080> those<01:08:30.319> are<01:08:30.719> performed<01:08:31.199> functions
• And those are performed functions >> Yes.
• And those are performed functions by<01:08:31.920> the<01:08:32.159> state<01:08:32.480
• that we provide in terms of the function that we provide in terms of providing<01:08:54.560> the<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 155, which drew a lengthy debate over an amendment to delay implementation until tax year 2027. Supporters said the delay would give lawmakers time to see whether projected revenues materialize and to reconsider the policy if needed; opponents argued it would reduce money available to services and local governments at a time of tightening revenues. Members also discussed broader revenue trends, including tobacco, rooms-and-meals, real estate transfer, and lottery revenues, and disagreed over whether tax cuts tend to increase revenue. The committee adopted amendment 2025-2983H on an 11-9 vote, then voted 11-9 to report HB 155 ought to pass as amended. The bill was sent to the consent calendar, with a majority and minority report to be filed. The committee then considered HB 224, with members expressing concern that the bill would redirect money collected for one purpose to another and should receive more study. A motion for interim study was made and seconded, and the committee approved interim study unanimously, 20-0, sending HB 224 to the consent calendar. Next, the committee took up SB 83, which the Lottery described as a vehicle for technical corrections to gaming law. The Lottery requested changes to remove a bond cap, reconcile inconsistent free-play/promotional-play language, redirect problem-gambling funds to the Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention, and revise background-check language after the FBI declined to conduct checks under the existing wording. The committee adopted amendment 2025-2984 unanimously, 20-0, then voted 20-0 to report SB 83 ought to pass as amended and placed it on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee began work on HB 524, a bill to repeal the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. Representative Yuli said members had received many emails and calls both supporting and opposing the program and that he had questions about transparency and the dollars involved. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 524.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does that function as your signature?
• It functions as my signature for that purpose because we don't have to physically sign them, and it's
• <00:29:24.640> Does<00:29:24.799> that<00:29:25.039> function<00:29:25.279><
• Does that function as your before it. Does that function as your signature?
• It function as my signature signature?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was—we got rid of almost a whole chapter's worth of outdated regulations. enforced and and uh and functional
• and enforced and and uh and functional and are<00:34:29.879> functional,<00:34:30.359> which
• <00:34:30.640> ones<00:34:31.000> are<00:34:31.840> outdated are functional,
• which ones are outdated are functional, which ones are outdated or<00:34:33.399> now<00:34:33.679
• ,<01:17:42.560> particularly the program has functioned, particularly the program has functioned

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• plans<01:08:04.000> which<01:08:04.240> is<01:08:04.559> 12 for those functional
• plans which is 12 for those functional plans which is 12 uh<01:08:05.920> is<01:08:06.240>
• So those are still functional. Familiar with that water system. Um, okay.
• So those are still functional >> Okay.
• So those are still functional familiar<01:15:46.880> with<01:15:47.199> with<01:15:47.440

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think some of the questions that we received is how does the state division of water function exactly
• /c><00:05:55.600> water does the state division of water does the state division of water function
• <00:05:59.039> Uh function exactly what all does it do?
• Uh function exactly what all does it do?
• water is available or accessible, it doesn't always mean that we have the capacity to support other functions

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the minutes, and brief remarks, including birthday recognition for Representative Maseroni and a moment of reflection for a soldier who died during training at Fort Knox. The committee then heard a presentation from Tony Hatton, commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection and acting director of the Kentucky Division of Water, with Amanda Lefer, deputy commissioner, on the state’s water and wastewater programs and planning. Hatton described Kentucky’s water resources and the Division of Water’s responsibilities, including watershed and nonpoint source work, KPDES discharge permitting, PFAS response, engineering review of water infrastructure, inspections, public outreach, and sampling. He said Kentucky has 428 public water systems, 263 water treatment plants, about 1.9 million service connections, and nearly 97% of the population has access to municipally treated water. He also noted that the state has 43 systems receiving awards for EPA areawide optimization and emphasized operator training, regionalization, and use of GIS mapping and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority data to support planning and funding decisions. Members raised concerns about aging infrastructure, water loss, staffing shortages, and wastewater problems in local systems. Representative Blandon described severe failures in a city system, including major water loss and sewer backups, and asked whether the state could intervene; Hatton said the division inspects treatment facilities and provides compliance assistance but is not authorized to manage delivery systems, though third-party help and emergency funding can be used in some cases. Senator Smith and others shared similar experiences with line loss and system failures, while Hatton pointed to regionalization and funding support as the main tools available. The discussion also highlighted PFAS as an emerging issue, with Hatton saying the department is working with systems to meet anticipated federal requirements by 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• discipline, or something we're concerned about, could it affect informal conversations at a social function
• All of these things could potentially be applicable because, at a social function.
• Judicial Conduct and then no sanction is able to be delivered because they do not have judicial function
• “That if you are a judge, if you run for office as a judge, but you relinquish the judicial function,
• Claim, bypass the Legislature, and argue properly functioning firearms are a public nuisance.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• address this and increased densities and opportunities, as well as maintain our city as it has functioned
• address this and increased densities and opportunities, as well as maintain our city as it has functioned
• They function as a sweeping tax on local homes and businesses required to build parking they may not
• in addition when the CI functions in addition when the CI representation<01:34:38.440> and<01
• HOA should go into an HOA to function HOA should go into conservatorship<01:37:14.560> do<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll turn the chair and the presentation over to my colleagues to walk through three different functional
• As we've experienced in our two prior meetings, we are happy to pause for questions at those functional
• The cancer center men drive row 199 on your spreadsheet will be described in the second functional area
• And that agenda, with the three functional areas I referenced, looks like this: first, the Safety and
• area today under the research functional area today under the research related<00:01:26.600> items

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that's up for discussion in the bills that we have and some bills in the House, but nonetheless is a function
• that's up for discussion in the bills that we have and some bills in the House, but nonetheless is a function
• that's up for discussion in the bills that we have and some bills in the House, but nonetheless is a function
• that's up for discussion in the bills that we have and some bills in the House, but nonetheless is a function
• that's up for discussion in the bills that we have and some bills in the House, but nonetheless is a function

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• because this is dealing with appointments by the governor and who's in the cabinet and those types of functions
• And amongst the highest priorities of what we have to maintain are our hospitals and their functionality
• And amongst the highest priorities of what we have to maintain are our hospitals and their functionality
• That closely mirrors some of the functions of PACE right now.
• <01:19:01.320> of closely mirrors some of the functions of closely mirrors some of the functions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A functioning delivery system is essential to that goal.
• Additionally, a fully functional State Water Project provides significant opportunity to support the
• All of its components, whether it be Delta levees or State Water Project canals, must be functional to
• biologically feasible, advisable, and to what extent their reintroduction would restore the ecological functions

Summary: The committee heard several wildlife and water-related bills. SB 872, by Senator McNerney, would create a Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund and allow waiver of local cost-sharing for Delta levee repairs to protect the State Water Project and Delta infrastructure. Supporters from water agencies, environmental groups, counties, and agricultural interests said the bill is needed to address levee failure and canal subsidence; there was no opposition, and the bill was held open until a quorum was present, with broad support expressed. SB 1108, by Senator Caballero, would establish the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in the Central Valley to coordinate conservation, habitat restoration, public access, and voluntary easements in a region described as the largest remaining wetland/grasslands complex west of the Mississippi. Support came from the Grasslands Water District, Audubon, conservation groups, and local stakeholders, who emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, wildlife corridors, and land-use transition under groundwater sustainability. There was no opposition, and the bill received favorable committee support. SB 1135, by Senator Blakespear, would reestablish and strengthen the statewide wildlife coexistence program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal deterrence, education, and compensation for livestock losses. Supporters cited rising wildlife incidents, wolf depredation, and the need for proactive tools; opponents and some committee members raised concerns about rural impacts, funding, and the absence of law enforcement/public safety as a specifically named advisory role. After discussion and amendments that moved the cattlemen and Farm Bureau to neutral, the bill passed out of committee on a due-pass motion, though some members voted no or abstained. SB 1305, by Senator Richardson, would direct CDFW to study the feasibility of grizzly bear reintroduction and prepare a roadmap, with tribal consultation and stakeholder engagement, but would not itself authorize reintroduction. Tribal sponsors and conservation groups supported the bill as a planning and cultural restoration effort, while hunting, ranching, and county groups opposed it, arguing California already faces major wildlife-management and funding challenges and that the proposal would create new conflicts. Committee members debated costs, appropriations, and whether the study should include funding estimates; the bill was amended and passed on a due-pass motion. The committee also heard SB 1250, by Senator Cortese, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning; supporters said it would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity, and the bill was presented in support as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a nurse for over 20 years, I can tell you that health care cannot function without nurses.
• Our structure is unique because we only have two full-time individuals, and we function with hundreds
• We're just asking for this year's budget to function, is what we're asking for.
• confused about the proposed additional clinical hours and the acupuncture training and the cross-functional

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hybrid hearing on a wide range of bills focused on patient safety, workforce development, health equity, and access to care. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 2362/S. 1491, which would require health care providers to offer trained chaperones for sensitive exams. Sponsors and supporters said the bill is a common-sense safeguard prompted by cases of physician sexual abuse, and survivors gave emotional testimony describing grooming, isolation, and abuse during exams when no chaperone was present. Support also came from a health services researcher, a physician, and a RAINN representative, all arguing that trained chaperones and clearer documentation would improve transparency and protect patients. Committee members asked about clarifying who may serve as a chaperone and whether the bill would apply to other clinicians such as PTs and OTs. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2401/S. 1485, which would require explicit informed consent for certain educational exams performed on unconscious patients. The bill’s supporters said patients should know in advance if students or physicians will conduct non-medically necessary exams while they are under anesthesia, and that the measure would protect survivors from retraumatization. The hearing then moved to H. 2537, a primary care access bill. Health Care for All, the Massachusetts Medical Society, pediatric and internal medicine physicians, and a patient advocate described long waits, provider shortages, and difficulty finding primary care, especially for low-income people and people of color. They supported the bill’s proposed primary care spending target, payment reforms, Medicaid graduate medical education funding, and a commercial payment floor for health centers. Another set of bills addressed workforce and safety issues. H. 2397/S. 1593 would establish a nursing workforce center; nursing leaders said Massachusetts should make the current workforce council permanent to support data collection, apprenticeships, and long-term planning for the state’s largest health care workforce. H. 2396/S. 1535 would require safe patient handling and mobility programs in health facilities; nurses described serious injuries from lifting patients and said better equipment and programs would reduce staff injuries and improve patient outcomes. H. 2501/S. 1505 on LGBTQ+ health disparities drew support from a medical student and Doctors for America, who urged collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data to improve care and school outcomes. Finally, H. 2448/S. 1522 on patient safety and equitable access to care drew strong support from nursing organizations and individual nurses who described unsafe staffing, burnout, and patient harm, while the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems opposed the bill as redundant for psychiatric facilities already regulated by the Department of Mental Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota could have tracked what we've done over this year to find out that their government can be functional
• Minnesota could have tracked what we've done over this year to find out that their government can be functional
• Minnesota could have tracked what we've done over this year to find out that their government can be functional
• Minnesota could have tracked what we've done over this year to find out that their government can be functional

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on House File 4188 met on May 16, 2026, with a quorum present and indicated it was intended to be the final meeting. The main issue discussed was an amendment to the 62J language concerning home care nursing services for children with complex medical needs. Chair O'Driscoll said the amendment would direct the Departments of Commerce and Health and Human Services to review the fiscal impact on the state, families, and health plans, and to develop possible legislation for 2027. Supporters described the proposal as a pause to allow more review, while also acknowledging it was not a complete solution. Senator Bolden and others testified strongly against allowing the coverage changes to stand, saying the issue affects roughly 200 to 250 families statewide, many of them children who need hospital-level care at home. They warned that capping or denying private coverage would shift costs to Medicaid waivers, strain family waiver budgets, increase state costs, and potentially force more children into hospitals, reducing critical care capacity. Committee members also questioned Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold and department staff about the distinction between home care nursing and home health services, statutory definitions, billing units, essential health benefits, waiver budgets, and the effect of enforcement actions involving HealthPartners. The committee adopted the A30 amendment by voice vote, and the motion prevailed. Members then took up another provision, described by staff as the meat raffle/paddle wheel language, and adopted an amendment to add the game of Haus und Pfeffer before approving the provision as amended. In final remarks, members from both chambers praised the committee’s work and professionalism, but several expressed regret that the home care nursing issue was not resolved in the conference report and said it would need further work next session. They also noted other items that did not make it into the bill, including reinsurance and certain other policy provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• you all know, agency directors have a critical responsibility to administer necessary government functions
• Administrative Services at DEMA, helping to manage personnel, finance, and other mission support functions
• Our role in the Arizona National Guard is to be a support function. So we're the supporting entity.
• the president, that's what we would do, is we would prepare our soldiers to perform that support function

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you all know, agency directors have a critical responsibility to administer necessary government functions
• Administrative Services at DEMA, helping to manage personnel, finance, and other mission support functions
• Our role in the Arizona National Guard is to be a support function. So we're the supporting entity.
• the president, that's what we would do, is we would prepare our soldiers to perform that support function

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.