Transcript Highlights:

• and sanitation systems protect the public's health, and storm water management systems can prevent flooding
• water management systems<00:03:46.480><c> can</c><00:03:46.720><c> prevent</c><00:03:47.040><c> flooding
• </c><00:03:47.519><c> and</c><00:03:47.840><c> reduce</c> systems can prevent flooding and reduce systems
• can prevent flooding and reduce water<00:03:48.640><c> pollution.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I got the opportunity to be incident commander during the most substantial flooding event of my entire
• And those two river systems have dramatically different watershed systems that cause flooding in different
• When a roadway is closed due to flooding, a wildfire, a collision, or other emergency, those closures
• In one recent incident in my community, a driver bypassed a road closure during flooding, became stranded

Bills: HB2165 , HB2173 , HB2203 , HB2293

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: peace officer, false identification, law enforcement, criminal penalties, public safety, face coverings, regulations, civil rights, emergency operations, reckless interference, offense, foreign entities, training, national security, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I got the opportunity to be incident commander during the most substantial flooding event of my entire
• And those two river systems have dramatically different watershed systems that cause flooding in different
• When a roadway is closed due to flooding, a wildfire, a collision, or other emergency, those closures
• In one recent incident in my community, a driver bypassed a road closure during flooding, became stranded

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2203 would create the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations for driving on a roadway known to be closed due to hazardous conditions, with gross misdemeanor penalties, a possible Class C felony enhancement if a rescue leads to injury or involves a minor or vulnerable adult, license suspension, and emergency-response cost recovery. The prime sponsor described recent flooding rescues in Orting as the impetus, and local police support emphasized responder safety and limited resources. The Sentencing Guidelines Commission opposed the felony section, saying the conduct did not warrant felony treatment and recommending a traffic infraction for the first level and a gross misdemeanor for the second. House Bill 2293 would bar Washington law enforcement agencies, the Criminal Justice Training Commission, and related personnel from training with foreign militaries, intelligence agencies, or security services, or funding travel for that purpose. The sponsor said civilian policing should not be trained like military service and argued officers should be trained under U.S. constitutional standards. Opponents from the sheriffs and police chiefs association argued the bill was too broad and unclear, could block valuable counterterrorism and best-practice training, and might need exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and other legitimate international partnerships. Members discussed possible amendments and clarification language. House Bill 2165 would create a new gross misdemeanor for false identification as a peace officer, covering possession or creation of realistic badges, insignia, or other items identifying someone as an officer when they are not commissioned, while preserving defenses for honorary, reserve, posse, and protected expressive uses. The sponsor and governor’s office said current law is too limited because it often requires an active impersonation before enforcement can occur; law enforcement groups supported the goal but raised concerns about definitions, vehicle markings, federal-agent coverage, and whether the offense could be plea-bargained away. House Bill 2173 would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover work, SWAT protective gear, and medical or environmental masks, and would allow civil suits for violations. Supporters said the bill promotes transparency and trust and responds to concerns about masked immigration enforcement; opponents warned it could expose officers to doxxing, create liability and recruitment problems, and raise constitutional issues, especially as applied to federal officers. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is Senate Bill 740, a matter of pending business concerning non-disclosure and confidentiality
• The second is House Bill 748, the non-disclosure bill.
• Like the Senate bill we passed yesterday, it has to do with non-disclosures related to the victims of

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the non-disclosure confidentiality. This is House Bill 748, the non-disclosure bill.
• Like the Senate bill we passed yesterday, it has to do with non-disclosures with the victims of sexual

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Back in 2019, of course, we had the serious flooding all over, but especially on the Arkansas River.
• That's a big issue there because every time it rains a couple inches, it floods. Yes, sir.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHWAY COMMISSION REVIEW AND ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from ARDOT Director Jared Wiley, who introduced Highway Commission members and reported that the agency has completed the final five recommendations from its long-running efficiency review. He highlighted new public-facing maintenance and construction dashboards on the agency website, and noted quarterly reports on land conveyances, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, annual revenue expenditures, and major projects were provided with no major questions or objections. Members asked about ARDOT’s budget priorities, project delivery, and specific corridors. Wiley said roughly 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system, with additional maintenance and operations funding also directed to upkeep; he said Arkansas has about 16,300 centerline miles, nearly 40,000 lane miles, and about 73,700 bridges. He gave updates on Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings in northwest Arkansas, passing-lane projects on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, widening plans for Interstate 40, the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, and Highway 82 improvements in south Arkansas. The director also discussed ARDOT’s litter control efforts, saying the agency spends about $8 million annually on litter pickup and is exploring future legislation. He said work-zone safety tools such as cameras and mobile work-zone enforcement are helping reduce dangerous driving, though distracted driving remains a problem. Wiley also announced new agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for staff, a “Street Smart” traffic-safety education program for students, and a spring cleanup effort in which ARDOT crews and some office staff will collect litter statewide. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Back in 2019, of course, we had the serious flooding all over, but especially on the Arkansas River.
• That's a big issue there because every time it rains a couple of inches, it floods. Yes, sir.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHWAY COMMISSION REVIEW AND ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would improve emergency vehicle traffic and also that area is subject to flooding.
• It would improve access during floods.

Bills: HB2445 , HB2123 , HB3048 , HB3176 , HB3239 , HB3263 , HB3794 , HB3796 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB4317 , HB4321 , HB4322 , HB3673

Committee: House Commerce & Economic Development Oversight

Keywords: HB2445, Route 66, Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Forward Commission, centennial, historic highway, preservation, tourism, historical society, scenic byway, National Historic Trail, Route 66 Alliance, Route 66 Association, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, historic preservation, heritage tourism, public-private partnership, sunset extension, commission extension

Transcript Highlights:

• just allow for deficiency warrants for non-fire emergencies using the Department of Land assets, so floods
• just allow for deficiency warrants for non-fire emergencies using the department of land assets so floods

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met for its first meeting of the session and quickly processed 11 RS introductions, with the chair emphasizing brief presentations because many members and presenters had other meetings. Most items were introduced without extended debate, and the committee repeatedly noted that fuller public testimony would occur later in the germane committees. The committee introduced RS 33389 to modernize vehicle titling and shorten lien-release timelines; RS 33127 C1 to let the Attorney General seek court enforcement and penalties against public officials, taxing districts, or government entities that do not comply with law; RS 33430 to regulate commercial collection, storage, consent, retention, and destruction of biometric data; RS 33366, with added language creating an exception for a minor child needing assistance in a single-sex restroom or changing facility; RS 33459 to clarify that certain labor-relations provisions do not include local police and fire departments; and RS 33402 to allow deficiency warrants for non-fire emergencies using Department of Lands assets. The committee also introduced RS 33458 on resolving public records disputes without litigation, RS 33476 revising annexation-related provisions, RS 33478 as a minor clarification to House Bill 709, and RS 33482 as a Tax Commission-requested change to House Bill 671, with a recommendation that it go to the second reading calendar. One item drew more discussion: RS 33443, a revision to mosquito district abatement reform. The sponsor said it added an opt-out for spraying, distinguished drone from plane spraying, reduced fees, and cleaned up language after feedback from Local Government. A substitute motion to return the bill to the sponsor failed, and the committee then approved introduction; Representatives Birch and Rebell were recorded as voting no. On RS 33127 C1, Representatives Rebell and Church raised concerns about one-sided attorney-fee recovery and withholding revenue before a case is proven, and both were recorded as no votes. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• just allow for deficiency warrants for non-fire emergencies using the Department of Lands assets, so floods
• just allow for deficiency warrants for non-fire emergencies using the department of land assets so floods

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for increased funding for acequias, particularly in light of the damage caused by forest fires and flooding
• We think this fund is critical for us to prevent massive fires and flooding in the future.

Bills: SB193

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Guard consistently answers the state's call in response to emergency efforts, including the recent flood
• banks and levees gave way across western Washington, the Guard launched one of its largest and fastest flood

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1604 , HB1798 , HB1002 , HB1065 , HB1155 , HB1269 , HB1916 , HB2120 , HB2123 , HB2158 , HB2178 , HB2264 , HB2309 , HB2411 , HJM4004

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Guard consistently answers the state's call in response to emergency efforts, including the recent flood
• banks and levees gave way across western Washington, the Guard launched one of its largest and fastest flood

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1604 , HB1798 , HB1002 , HB1065 , HB1155 , HB1269 , HB1916 , HB2120 , HB2123 , HB2158 , HB2178 , HB2264 , HB2309 , HB2411 , HJM4004

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

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, a National Anthem performance, and a prayer offered by Washington Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Cole. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 4675, honoring the Washington National Guard for its service in emergencies, search and rescue, disaster response, and military readiness. Members spoke in support, highlighting the Guard’s history, its role in recent flood and landslide responses, and the sacrifices of service members and their families. The resolution passed by voice vote, and Guard leadership and members present in the galleries were recognized. The House also recognized Congressman Dan Newhouse in a point of personal privilege, with remarks praising his service in state and federal office and his ties to agriculture. The chamber then moved to the Fourth Order of Business and debated a motion to suspend House rules to send two initiatives to the Education Committee for prompt public hearings. Supporters argued the Constitution requires precedence for initiatives and that the House should hear them promptly; opponents argued the Constitution allows the Legislature to take no action and that the motion was unnecessary. The motion to suspend the rules failed on a recorded vote, 38 yeas and 57 nays, with three excused. Next, members debated the routine motion to refer the bills, memorials, measures, and resolutions on the introduction sheet to committee. Some members again argued the two initiatives should be given priority and public hearings before other business, while others supported normal referral of the day’s measures. The motion passed on a recorded vote, 57 yeas and 38 nays, with three excused. Committee reports were then accepted and referred as designated, and the House adjourned until Thursday, January 29 at 10:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This time it's not just water itself, but it's the soil in order to basically minimize flooding and and
• impact on campus operations can often be of a similar scope to what you might see if you had a large flood

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• in Kur County, the devastating flooding in Kur County, Texas.<02:07:28.000><c> On</c><02:07:28.239><
• As a New Yorker, I saw the flooding in Texas and immediately thought of hurricane season on the East
• Extreme heat, wildfire, smoke, hurricanes, floods, and the spread of disease.
• </c><07:26:09.600><c> in</c> a New Yorker, I saw the flooding in a New Yorker, I saw the flooding in
• ><c> and</c><07:27:19.600><c> the</c> smoke, hurricanes, floods, and the smoke, hurricanes, floods, and

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wetlands provide critical functions including flood control, water quality maintenance through filtering
• Wetlands provide critical functions including flood control, water quality maintenance through filtering
• control Water Quality including flood control Water Quality Maintenance<00:21:26.200><c> through</c>
• flood damage.
• flood damage.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So some of you know that I've been working on this legislation since severe flooding hit Acworth and
• severe flooding or other natural<03:09:45.160><c> disasters</c><03:09:46.200><c> hit</c><03:09:47.200
• hit aworth and other towns in flooding hit aworth and other towns in the<03:10:40.200><c> state</c><
• </c><03:10:47.319><c> due</c> 2023 many towns experience flooding due 2023 many towns experience flooding
• It's a municipal bridge that was damaged in 2023 flooding.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division 2 hearing took testimony from the director of New Hampshire Police Standards and Training on the agency’s budget request and operations. He described the agency’s role in setting hiring, education, certification, and discipline standards for police, corrections, probation and parole, and court security officers, and noted that the agency runs the full-time, part-time, corrections, and court security training programs. He also outlined the agency’s staffing, facility, and budget request for FY 2026-27, including a request to keep funding level with the governor’s recommendation while shifting funds to support an IT manager position by defunding a vacant administrative slot. The agency requested several statutory changes in Chapter 106, including clarifying the definition of police misconduct, allowing a temporary member on the Conduct Review Committee, clarifying reporting requirements for misconduct allegations, and codifying the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. The director also reviewed new responsibilities added in recent years, including crisis intervention training, statewide accreditation, the Conduct Review Committee, and increased annual in-service training requirements. He explained that crisis intervention funding is carried in a continuously appropriated, non-lapsing account and that some budget lines were reclassified, including software and janitorial services, to reflect actual spending needs. Members asked about national standards, the different academy tracks, crisis intervention funding, maintenance and contract changes, temporary positions, and the court security training program. The agency said it coordinates with national peers through IADLEST, that the part-time and corrections academies are longstanding programs, and that the new court security academy can be delivered either as a full academy or as in-service training depending on resources. The director also said the agency has been running extra full-time academies because of high vacancy rates, but expects to return to three full-time academies this year, with two corrections academies and one or possibly two part-time academies. He also explained the current approach to misconduct records and public disclosure, saying sustained findings under RSA 106-L are heard by the council and published, replacing the older, less standardized exculpatory list process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, also I'll also make a disclosure. So I would... What are doing? Mr.
• Chair, also I'll also make a disclosure, so I work in this area. I do medical malpractice law.
• I actually practice in this area of law too, so I'll make the same disclosure.
• So I'll make the same disclosure that I do a series of work.
• So, in the spirit of disclosure, our rules don't make us do this, In the spirit of disclosure, our rules

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 61, which would raise aggravated battery on a peace officer from a third-degree to a second-degree felony in cases involving great bodily harm or a deadly weapon. The sponsor and supporters said the bill fixes an inconsistency in current law, where aggravated assault on an officer can be punished more severely than aggravated battery causing serious injury. Law enforcement representatives, the Chiefs Association, CBRC, and chamber representatives testified in support, and the New Mexico Sentencing Commission was noted as having endorsed the bill by a 6-3-4 vote. After questions about proportionality and plea bargaining, the committee voted due pass on HB 61 without objection. The committee then returned to House Bill 99, a medical malpractice reform bill, and several members made conflict-of-interest disclosures before debating amendments. The discussion focused heavily on the patient compensation fund, surcharge setting, and whether an advisory board or the superintendent should control rates. Amendments to segregate future fund money, require surcharges no lower than the advisory board’s recommendation, and create a commission with more actuarial and financial expertise were debated at length; the committee rejected the first two amendments. Members and witnesses argued over whether past undercharging of hospitals and doctors led to insolvency and taxpayer bailouts, and whether the bill should require more transparency and oversight. The committee also debated amendments on punitive damages. One proposal would have delayed punitive damage claims until after substantial discovery; opponents said it would conflict with civil procedure, prolong litigation, and likely be struck down. Another would have tied punitive damages to a multiple of compensatory damages or a percentage of net worth; supporters said that would better deter harmful conduct, while opponents said it would create uncertainty and more discovery. That amendment also failed. A final punitive-damages amendment would have removed caps in cases involving sexual assault or intoxication by a health care provider and protected the first $5 million of an independent provider’s personal assets; it too was rejected after members said it would shield egregious misconduct and go beyond the bill’s purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, the board did not include all statutorily required disclosures on its disclosure form and
• did not maintain all disclosures of substantial interest in a single special file for public inspection
• the board provided evidence of correcting some of these deficiencies, including creating a new disclosure
• form that addresses all substantial interests, and store all substantial-interest disclosures in a special
• on its disclosure form and did not maintain all disclosures of substantial interest in a single special

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Joint Natural Resources and House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committees of Reference heard the Arizona Auditor General’s sunset review of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. The audit found the board generally met some licensing requirements, but it did not timely investigate and resolve 49 of 159 complaints in fiscal year 2024, and it did not fully comply with conflict-of-interest disclosure and filing requirements. The Auditor General also identified weaknesses in continuing-education verification and other sunset-factor areas, and the board agreed to implement all 21 recommendations. Board staff said complaint volume has risen sharply since the pandemic, that the board’s process is slower because every case goes through an investigative committee and then the full board, and that it has already corrected some conflict-of-interest issues and is adding tools to improve continuing-education audits. The committee then heard testimony from the board’s executive director and from the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. The executive director emphasized the board’s public-protection mission, described the shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and said the board is working to improve efficiency through a new e-licensing system and staff training. Members asked about the shortage of large-animal veterinarians, complaint backlogs, and whether the board could do more to recruit rural practitioners; the board said it lacks direct recruiting authority but supports multiple licensure pathways and loan-assistance efforts. The veterinary association supported the board’s oversight and said it is also working on rural and large-animal workforce issues through partnerships and advocacy. The committee then voted to recommend continuing the board for eight years, until July 1, 2034. The committee next took up the Arizona State Land Department, beginning with the Auditor General’s presentation on the department’s sunset review and prior special audit. The audit found the department had not updated its required five-year disposition plan since 2011, had sold more than 48,000 acres without an active plan, had allowed agricultural rental rates to go unchanged since 2006 despite market increases, and had not consistently inspected mineral-related leases or properly managed reclamation bonds. The Auditor General said these issues created risks of lost revenue, reduced transparency, and public-safety hazards, and recommended 18 corrective actions in the main review plus 34 additional recommendations on other issues; the department agreed to most recommendations but declined to adopt a written policy for commissioner-initiated land sales. Commissioner Robin Sahid said the department is working through audit recommendations, has created a rules team, improved its customer portal, and is pursuing new policies on water use, transportation-basin leases, and disposition planning. Members questioned the department about agricultural leases, groundwater valuation, the Fondomonte leases and reimbursement for improvements, the canceled Coyotes land auction, backlog and processing times, and the use of consultants and administrative funds. The commissioner said the department had over 2,000 applications in queue when she arrived, that it has made progress reducing the backlog, and that it is conducting stakeholder outreach on water-efficiency standards and lease addenda. No final vote on the land department continuation was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, the board did not include all statutorily required disclosures on its disclosure form and
• did not maintain all disclosures of substantial interest in a single special file for public inspection
• the board provided evidence of correcting some of these deficiencies, including creating a new disclosure
• form that addresses all substantial interests, and store all substantial-interest disclosures in a special
• on its disclosure form and did not maintain all disclosures of substantial interest in a single special

Summary: The committee first heard an Auditor General presentation on the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board’s sunset review. The audit found the board generally met some licensing requirements, but it did not timely investigate and resolve 49 of 159 complaints in fiscal year 2024, and it did not fully comply with conflict-of-interest disclosure and filing requirements. The Auditor General also noted the board lacked a formal process to verify continuing education compliance. The board’s executive director said the agency had already corrected some conflict-of-interest issues, was working to improve complaint handling, and would implement all 21 recommendations. A veterinarian representing the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association supported the board and said the profession is also working to address the shortage of large-animal veterinarians. The committee then voted to recommend continuation of the board for eight years, until July 1, 2034. The committee next received the Auditor General’s sunset review of the Arizona State Land Department. The audit identified three major problem areas: the department had not updated its required five-year disposition plan for state trust land since 2011, it had not adjusted agricultural rental rates to reflect market conditions for many years, and it had not consistently inspected mineral-related leases and permits before releasing reclamation bonds. The Auditor General said these issues risked lower returns for trust beneficiaries, lost revenue, and public safety hazards, and made 18 recommendations in the performance audit plus 34 additional recommendations in the sunset review. The department agreed to implement or partially implement nearly all recommendations and said it had begun a mass appraisal process. State Land Commissioner Robin Zahid then testified that the department was making operational improvements, including rulemaking updates, stakeholder outreach on water-use policy, a new customer-service status bar, and process changes for land sales and mining applications. She defended the decision not to renew the Fondomonte leases in a transportation basin, citing the high value of groundwater and the trust’s fiduciary duty. Members questioned her about agricultural lease water charges, the status of a water policy framework and addendum, the lack of a formal expedited review process, the Fondomonte reimbursement payments for improvements, and the department’s handling of a high-profile land auction tied to the Coyotes arena proposal. Several members also asked for follow-up information on pending residential housing applications, acreage, administrative fees, and third-party contractors.