Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c><00:30:58.240><c> include</c> Senator Coleman firefighters to include Senator Coleman firefighters
• who is eligible for workers' compensation pursuant to chapter 5 of title 25 or a firefighter who is
• However, benefits<00:31:31.200><c> for</c><00:31:31.440><c> a</c><00:31:31.600><c> firefighter</c><00
• :31:32.320><c> who</c><00:31:32.640><c> is</c> benefits for a firefighter who is benefits for a firefighter
• </c><00:32:03.760><c> who</c> however, benefits for a firefighter who however, benefits for a firefighter

Bills: HB589 , HB591 , HB609 , HB614 , SB57 , SB280 , SB332 , HB589 , HB591 , HB609 , HB614 , SB57 , SB280 , SB332 , HB627

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: Jefferson County, building regulations, zoning, public health, building commissioner, permits, construction, land use, county tax, lodging tax, Henry County, transient accommodations, hospitality industry, local act, sheriff, sheriff's office, task force, abandoned property, stolen property, unclaimed property

Bills: SB1519 , SB1775 , SB1900 , SB1948 , SB2080 , SB1226 , SB1456 , SB1462 , SB1463 , SB1980 , SB1479 , SB1608 , SB1923

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Bills: SB1519 , SB1775 , SB1900 , SB1948 , SB2080 , SB1226 , SB1456 , SB1462 , SB1463 , SB1980 , SB1479 , SB1608 , SB1923

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Bills: SB1519 , SB1775 , SB1900 , SB1948 , SB2080 , SB1226 , SB1456 , SB1462 , SB1463 , SB1980 , SB1479 , SB1608 , SB1923

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Summary: The Senate convened, the clerk called the roll, and a quorum was declared present. Senator Darrell Weaver delivered the opening prayer, speaking about unity, humility, and Christian service in public office. The body then approved, by unanimous consent, the standing committees and their members for the second regular session of the 60th Legislature. The chamber also recognized the week one pages, who introduced themselves and described their schools, hometowns, sponsors, and future plans. Several senators then introduced interns and guests on the floor, including students from Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma, as well as a homeschool student from Blair. During announcements, Senator Hamilton noted the Local and County Government Committee would meet later that day in Room 2.30. Members were also informed that devotions would begin the following Wednesday. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn, and the chamber stood adjourned until Wednesday, February 4th at 1:30 p.m.

Bills: SB1519 , SB1775 , SB1900 , SB1948 , SB2080 , SB1226 , SB1456 , SB1462 , SB1463 , SB1980 , SB1479 , SB1608 , SB1923

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• as a peace officer and clarifies the conditions presumed to have arisen out of employment as a firefighter
• as a peace officer and clarifies the conditions presumed to have arisen out of employment as a firefighter
• What has happened is the different cancers that were listed for firefighters were listed in a text, in
• We can attribute all of the adenoma cancer denials for firefighters to this lack of one comma in legislation
• It's just the firefighter piece, and it's just turning it into a list instead of a paragraph form to

Bills: SB1180 , SB1215 , SB1270 , SB1290 , SB1292 , SB1294 , SB1430 , SCR1028

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: income tax, conformity, Arizona Revised Statutes, taxpayer, federal regulations, firefighters, occupational disease, workers compensation, cancer presumption, police officers, hazardous duty, SB1270, Arizona retirement system, public safety personnel, defined contribution plan, correctional officers, corrections officers, retirement contributions, supplemental contributions, retention incentive

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, these initiatives address policies impacting the rights of female student athletes and parents

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 bill is going to help our retired police officers and firefighters who are. and their families.
• agreed upon by all impacted stakeholders: the City of San Antonio, the San Antonio Professional Firefighters
• relating to. the Administration of Contributions to and Benefits under Retirement Systems for Firefighters
• This is the Austin Firefighter Retirement Fund Pension, a bill that's been agreed to by the parties.
• on the voluntary funding soundness restoration plan agreed to by both the city and the Austin Firefighters

Bills: SB524 , SB782 , HB42 , HB1056 , HB2894 , HB3033 , HB3474 , HB3594 , HB4738 , HB5246 , HB42

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: SB 524, Texas franchise tax, veteran-owned business, new veteran-owned business, business tax exemption, filing fee exemption, Tax Code Chapter 171, Business Organizations Code, Comptroller, small business, veterans, entrepreneurship, tax repeal, privilege tax, beginning date, franchise tax exemption, severance tax, oil, gas, restimulation wells

Transcript Highlights:

• So for one, for an average male or female, they would, with one standard drink, reach 0.02 for men or
• calculation, for a person to reach 0.05 after one standard drink, that would either be an 85-pound female
• That would either be an 85-pound female or a 69-pound male, which is about half or less of the current
• average weight for males and females.
• My father is a retired Spokane City firefighter, my mother a nurse in Spokane.

Bills: SB5234 , SB6110 , SB6176

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: snowmobile, snowmobile registration, vehicle registration fees, registration fee, Department of Licensing, DOL, recreational vehicles, winter recreation, vintage snowmobile, parks and recreation, vehicle license fee, RCW 46.17, fee schedule, renewal fee, initial fee, Washington state, electric-assisted bicycles, electric motorcycles, transportation regulation, safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• privilege of visiting your facilities in Phoenix, and one of the things I heard was that oftentimes females
• I think that the State Council of Firefighters will talk about some of the public safety concerns.
• I represent the Washington State Council of Firefighters.
• We represent the nearly 9,000 professional firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics in this state.
• And when I'm not here in Olympia, I am working as a firefighter as well in South King County.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of the things I heard was that oftentimes females and moms had a preference for the driverless
• I think that... ...that the State Council of Firefighters will talk about some of the public safety concerns
• I represent the Washington State Council Firefighters.
• We represent the nearly 9,000 professional firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics in this state.
• And when I'm not here in Olympia, I am working as a firefighter as well in South King County.

Summary: The committee held a work session on autonomous vehicles, beginning with an overview from the Washington State Transportation Commission on the state’s five-year AV work group. The commission described its 2018 legislative mandate, the 35-member executive committee and seven subcommittees, and the resulting 29 recommendations and “roadmap to the future.” The presentation emphasized six policy “building blocks” for Washington: agency readiness, public outreach, equity, safety, testing and pilots, and a path to deployment. It also noted current Washington law requires AV testing companies to self-certify with the Department of Licensing, carry $5 million in liability insurance, report collisions and violations, and notify local law enforcement before testing; three companies are currently certified. State regulators from California and Arizona then outlined their AV frameworks. California described its long-running permit system for testing with and without a safety driver and for commercial deployment, its current rulemaking to expand use cases to heavy-duty trucks and passenger shuttles, and new requirements for mileage, operational assessments, and more detailed crash and incident reporting. California also said it is creating a new enforcement tool allowing citations to be issued to manufacturers for moving violations by AVs. Arizona described its executive-order-based approach, later codified by statute, which allows testing and driverless operations through self-certification, law enforcement interaction plans, quarterly meetings with companies, and reporting of crashes or near misses; Arizona also said it tracks crashes monthly and has not recorded fatalities attributed to AVs. Industry representatives from Waymo, Zoox, and the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association argued that AVs can improve safety, accessibility, and mobility while creating jobs. They described extensive sensor systems, community outreach, first-responder engagement, and current operations in multiple cities. Waymo cited more than 127 million rider-only miles and said its data show large reductions in injury-causing and pedestrian crashes; Zoox said it operates in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Seattle and stressed its purpose-built electric robotaxi and local jobs; AVIA said its members have driven more than 145 million autonomous miles and that 26 states now expressly authorize driverless operations. Members asked about public education, crash and fatality tracking, enforcement, weather, school zones, first-responder interactions, and labor impacts. Labor and public-safety witnesses from the Teamsters, firefighters, and driver unions opposed commercial AV deployment without stronger safeguards. They argued Washington should not be an unregulated testing ground, especially for heavy trucks and hazardous materials, and warned of job losses for drivers, taxi and rideshare workers, and related occupations. Firefighters and driver representatives raised concerns about AVs interfering with emergency scenes, blocking responders, and creating risks in dynamic roadway incidents. Committee members also asked for comparisons to human-driven vehicles, data on citations and crashes, and more information on how AVs interact with pedestrians, first responders, and workers.

Transcript Highlights:

• that person coming up and standing behind them hearing what they had to say about this Black missing female
• I wasn't in this situation and I didn't have the husband that I do, who is the chief and also a firefighter
• I wasn't in this situation and I didn't have the husband that I do, who is the chief and also a firefighter

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We were able to, uh, add 40 firefighters and support personnel position.
• First exceptional item, we're asking for more firefighters there.
• And so we, uh, positioned firefighters and equipment down in South Texas, unlike we've had before.
• active during the day, they're putting a lot of people at risk, and that's why we've invested firefighters
• Uh, the way that you deal with the screwworm is through release of sterile flies so that the, the female

Bills: HB294

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• And the average age of these volunteer firefighters is... the average age of these volunteer firefighters
• I'm a firefighter paramedic, and I'm here with the New Mexico Professional Firefighters Association.
• I'm the president of New Mexico Professional Firefighters.
• I've also seen multiple times firefighters not be covered, including lung cancer, including a female
• behalf of all the future firefighters that will fight occupational cancer.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 130, which would require heart calcium scans for people over 50, allow pharmacists to manage related screening and medication, and eliminate cost-sharing barriers for the testing and treatment. The sponsor argued the bill could prevent coronary artery disease deaths and reduce long-term health costs, while an industry lobbyist questioned whether it would actually save patients money and raised concerns about the substitute language. After questions about costs, rural access, pharmacist training, liability, and the effect of treatment, the committee adopted a due pass recommendation on the committee substitute by a 6-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 31, the EMS personnel licensure interstate compact. Supporters from the Chamber of Commerce, Think New Mexico, the Health Care Authority, and an autism advocacy group said the compact would help address EMS shortages, improve emergency response, and support rural health workforce needs. One opponent warned about out-of-state personnel practicing under unfamiliar standards and possible retention problems. The committee adopted an immunity-related amendment and then gave the bill a 9-0 do pass recommendation. House Bill 33, the psychology inter-jurisdictional compact, was also heard and amended with a similar immunity change. Supporters said it would expand telehealth and behavioral health access, while some members questioned data on workforce shortages, standards, and how the compact would affect New Mexico’s oversight. The committee approved the amended bill 8-0. House Bill 43, a cleanup bill for PERA disability and survivor pension provisions, was presented as a technical measure to clarify statutes, update the disability earnings cap to match Social Security, and reduce ambiguity without changing benefits or liabilities. Members asked about double-dipping, survivor provisions, and fiscal impact, and the bill received a 9-0 do pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Memorial 22, which asks the Legislative Finance Committee to study how CYFD-administered state and federal funds support domestic violence services. Sponsors and advocates said funding has been flat or reduced despite rising need, and that providers need clearer, more transparent data; committee members expressed concern that the state lacks a clear accounting of where the money goes. The memorial passed on a 9-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• These include harmful stereotypes, unconscious bias, and a lack of female role models.
• HB 4620 by Allen relating to the program accessibility for female inmates at the Texas Department of
• HG 4875 by Y Davis of Dallas relating to the Board of Trustees retirement system for police and firefighters
• feasibility of offering alternative service retirement benefits to the Texas A&M Forest Service wildland firefighters

Bills: HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261 , HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• And the police officers and the firefighters and the EMTs and the corrections officers, they've got their
• And the police officers and the firefighters and the EMTs and the corrections officers, they've got their
• One of the things that we do recognize for females, and I guess have my DPH colleagues here, there is
• In the younger generation, sometimes it's thought that there's an idea that younger female being a part
• of Younger female being a part of environments where they're potentially manipulation of some sort.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine held its first meeting, with House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Co-Chair John Keenan outlining the commission’s charge and a proposed work plan. The commission is tasked with studying the public health and safety impacts of xylazine in the illicit drug supply, including whether it should be scheduled as a controlled substance, how to regulate its production and distribution, and how to improve outreach and treatment for people exposed to it. Members were told the report deadline had been extended to March 30, 2026, and staff proposed a series of public hearings and working groups leading to a final report. The meeting also included attendance, packet materials, and procedural planning. The first major testimony came from BSAS Director Deirdre Calvert, who described xylazine’s appearance in Massachusetts drug supply data, the state’s public health alerts, and DPH’s partnership with Brandeis, CDC, and harm reduction organizations. She emphasized four priorities: reducing stigma and discrimination in health care, expanding self-directed wound care support and coverage for supplies, expanding access to drug checking and test strips, and supporting low-barrier services such as mobile vans and drop-in centers. Commission members asked about first responder awareness, medical education, and whether harm reduction services might face federal restrictions; Calvert said misinformation remains a problem and noted ongoing training efforts, including collaboration with public safety agencies. Several other speakers reinforced the need for low-barrier care and drug checking. Dr. Raghini Jala, an infectious disease and addiction medicine physician, said xylazine has become a common component of the unregulated opioid supply and urged support for rapid-response education teams, community-based drug checking, and better hospital and detox protocols for xylazine withdrawal and wounds. Recovery coach Alan Young testified from lived experience, describing severe wounds, fear of inadequate withdrawal treatment in emergency settings, and the value of mobile care vans that can provide methadone, buprenorphine, and wound care in the community. Dr. Sarah Wakeman echoed the need for naloxone, rescue breathing, low-threshold treatment, and non-stigmatizing health care settings, while Sarah Macon of the Boston Public Health Commission described Boston’s harm reduction and drug checking work, including on-site testing, wound care, and a decline in opioid mortality. Tracy Green of the Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream explained that xylazine has declined in recent samples while metatomidine is rising, said drug checking is increasingly used but still not enough, and argued for more funding, staffing, and statewide access to real-time drug checking and harm reduction services.

Transcript Highlights:

• , lost their lives to save hundreds of folks in the Bellis Court apartment fire, to the first all-female
• firefighter crew in Dakota County history, to Margaret Newberg, who was the very first woman to cast
• firefighter crew in Dakota County history, to Margaret Newberg, who was the very first woman to cast
• firefighter crew in Dakota County history, to Margaret Newberg, who was the very first woman to cast
• and uh uh Heroes our local firefighters and uh uh all<00:09:26.959><c> sorts</c><00:09:27.200><c> of

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• employees that are by a political subdivision to receive the same tuition exemptions that our firefighters
• , while the statutes for the Tuition exemptions for peace officers and firefighters are very simple,
• On the one hand, firefighters Riders are provided with exemptions for graduate and undergraduate courses
• Now, both of these changes aid in creating... between firefighters and peace officers and I'm open to
• We serve a student body that is 70% female, 70% minority, 40% Hispanic, 65% first generation.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> language as it applies to firefighters language as it applies to firefighters was was was um<00:
• </c><00:33:12.679><c> already</c> the benefits that firefighters already the benefits that firefighters
• </c> underlying language for firefighters. underlying language for firefighters.
• The Vermont State Firefighters originally put this forward because most firefighters are volunteers,
• </c> State Firefighters State Firefighters uh<00:34:25.000><c> originally.

Keywords: 927, senate, all