Transcript Highlights:

• Water that could have supported firefighting efforts and protected lives and property.
• and operate critical infrastructure that communities rely on for drinking water, sanitation, and firefighting
• Water that could have supported firefighting efforts and protected lives and property.
• and operate critical infrastructure that communities rely on for drinking water, sanitation, and firefighting
• When disasters strike, whether it's wildfire, earthquake, or flood, ...firefighting.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Nick Gullickson, and I represent the Washington State Council of Firefighters, here testifying
• My nearly 9,000 members make up the vast majority of the state's wildland firefighters.
• When fire season starts every year, it's the firefighters in our local communities throughout the state
• For some reference, DNR employs about 200 full-time wildland firefighters and about 600 seasonal firefighters
• The fire department bears the cost of the firefighters it sends as well as the apparatus.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on several technology and economic development bills. Staff briefed proposed substitutes and amendments for House Bill 2157 on high-risk AI, House Bill 2225 on AI companion chatbots, House Bill 2351 on emergency responder protections, and House Bill 2186 on federal fund acquisition for economic development. Members discussed the competing approaches in the two proposed substitutes for HB 2225, including enforcement, disclosures, minor protections, and crisis-response requirements. The committee then voted to adopt the proposed substitute for HB 2225 and report it out with a due pass recommendation, with a 7-3 vote and three excused. It also passed HB 2186 out of committee with a unanimous due pass recommendation after discussion about reducing fiscal impact. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2397, which would require timely reimbursement within 60 days for state agencies and local jurisdictions mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services mobilization plan. Fire officials and fire finance staff testified in support, describing reimbursement delays of six to ten months that strain local budgets and can discourage participation in wildfire deployments. Testifiers said the bill would improve cash flow and staffing stability, while also noting the need for technical clarification on when the 60-day clock starts and possible staffing needs at the State Patrol. No one testified in opposition. The final public hearing was on House Bill 2417, which would add victim-rights protections to the Washington Code of Military Justice, aligning state military justice procedures with the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice. The prime sponsor and military legal experts testified that the bill closes a gap so victims serving in the Washington National Guard receive the same notice, participation, and fairness protections regardless of whether they are in state or federal status. Veterans’ advocates also supported the bill, saying it would improve trust, reporting, and accountability. The bill was scheduled for future executive action, and the meeting adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, then 400 firefighters violated the law where I live.
• And maybe that's a good thing, but 400 people that I know, the volunteer firefighters, I was just at
• </c> firefighters you're going to have. firefighters you're going to have.
• ,</c> I know that the volunteer firefighters, I know that the volunteer firefighters, I<00:03:02.400>
• Volunteer firefighters are no less important than a regular firefighter.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, um, in 2019, we banned PFAS in our firefighting foam, but it still exists in firefighting equipment
• </c> 2019, we banned POS in our firefighting 2019, we banned POS in our firefighting foam,<00:26:04.400
• </c><00:26:06.960><c> The</c> firefighting equipment, right? The firefighting equipment, right?
• Um and so there's not firefighters use.
• </c> aquous firefighting foam in training. aquous firefighting foam in training.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:40 Chair Comments 00:02:51 Rep. Nima Kulkarni PFAS Presentation 00:04:35 EEC PFAS Presentation 00:39:36 Rusty Cress PFAS Presentation 01:01:10 Chair Comments on Admin Regs and Reports Received 01:14:41, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our firefighters focused on responding from one emergency to the next.
• One: fix the evacuation alert systems and firefighter coordination failures.
• Firefighters and firefighter culture are thick, and I want that culture to be maintained.
• Firefighters and firefighter culture are thick and I want that culture to be maintained.
• I'll just end with one example of this when I Recognize the wisdom of the firefighters.

Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused on California wildfire resilience funding, the SB 254 report on natural catastrophe resilience, and how the state should better prioritize community hardening, recovery, and financing. Senators emphasized that catastrophic wildfires have driven major property losses, insurance cancellations, and affordability problems, and several members argued that prevention and home/community hardening should receive far more attention than they have to date. Members also raised concerns about CEQA and other permitting delays, the need for ongoing rather than one-time funding, and whether the state should rely more on the General Fund, utilities, or other sources such as polluter-pays approaches. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state has appropriated about $4.7 billion for wildfire resilience since 2018-19, with most funding going to forest health, fuels reduction, and related landscape work, while only about $65 million has been specifically targeted to community hardening. LAO also noted that future one-time funding is likely to decline, that GGRF revenues may be limited under the new cap-and-invest structure, and that maintenance costs for treated areas could be substantial over time. Senators pressed LAO on why wildfire resilience is not more often funded through the General Fund and on whether current spending matches the scale of the risk. Cal Fire’s State Fire Marshal described the state’s community wildfire preparedness strategy, centered on home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation, and said the SB 254 report aligns with Cal Fire’s direction. He said California has roughly 4 million homes in the wildland-urban interface, most built before modern wildfire-resistant standards, and highlighted recent streamlining that approved 383 fuels-reduction projects in under 30 days during an emergency proclamation. Cal OES described the AB 38 pilot and FEMA hazard mitigation work, saying federal approval delays have been a major barrier and that the state has hardened 155 properties so far through the pilot, with many more in process. The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force said the state has coordinated more than $6 billion in state and federal investments, treated over 700,000 acres annually, and is shifting toward more regional, data-driven planning and block grants. Task force staff and Cal Fire both said they are moving beyond simple acreage metrics toward models that estimate avoided loss and community risk reduction, but acknowledged major data gaps on parcel-level home hardening and defensible space. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members discussing possible future legislation and budget changes, including home inspection reforms and continued CEQA streamlining.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a $1.8 million grant for new SCBAs for our firefighters.
• For those of you who don't know, I'm a firefighter.
• Firefighters in Texas—municipal, county, ESD, volunteer—all alike.
• Additional firefighters in our community over the next six years.
• When I look at almost $200,000, well, that's two firefighters.

Bills: HB17, HB23, SB 10

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Transcript Highlights:

• It positively affects, uh, the Houston firefighters, and we want to thank Chair Huffman, her team, and
• And I want to thank the head of the firefighters pension system, Brett Besselman, whose leadership has
• I am the chairman of the Houston Firefighters Pension System.
• The facts remain that the Houston Fire Department is 600 firefighters shorter.
• Many of the entry-level firefighters are in their twenties, which means a 40-year career on the fire

Bills: HB104

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tax rate election, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, de minimis rate, local government, special district, tax increase, tax notice, public hearing, tax code, Health and Safety Code, Texas property taxes, taxing unit, election threshold, two-thirds vote, majority vote, budget approval

Transcript Highlights:

• Megan Suber is on behalf of the California professional firefighters in strong support. Thank you.
• thing I note is that every time we have one of these tax measures, and I used to resent this as a firefighter
• , they plaster the firefighters all over that.
• They plaster the firefighters all over that. Why?
• Because people don't want to say no to a firefighter, and I resent being used like that.

Summary: The Senate committee heard AB 1768, which would authorize Los Angeles County and Contra Costa County to place local sales tax measures before voters to help offset federal funding cuts affecting Medi-Cal, nutrition assistance, and related health and safety-net services. Assembly Member Brian and supporters argued the bill would preserve local control and allow voters to decide whether to raise revenue to prevent clinic closures, layoffs, and service reductions. Testimony in support came from the California Primary Care Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, labor organizations, Contra Costa County, and others, while the cities of Glendale and Burbank opposed the measure. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was an appropriate response to federal cuts or an unnecessary tax increase. Supporters said the measure did not impose a tax directly but simply let county voters decide how to respond to the funding losses. Opponents argued California and local governments should address spending and affordability concerns without additional taxes, and questioned whether the federal cuts were the sole cause of the budget pressure. Several members also raised broader concerns about cost of living, health care financing, and local versus state responsibility. Senator Arreguín moved the bill for a due pass recommendation. The committee voted 5-2 to send AB 1768 to the Senate floor, with Senators Choi and Seyarto voting no. The bill was briefly held on call before the final tally was announced and the measure was reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Megan Subers on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters.
• So my question is, and I want to ask the firefighters, how do firefighters implement this, and does this
• How do firefighters implement this?
• Firefighters are looking to help that process.
• Firefighters are looking to help that process.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1377, a bill on medical exemptions for school immunizations. The author and supporters said the measure was a narrow reform to restore physician discretion and reduce what they described as chilling effects from audits and license discipline; opponents from pediatric, medical, public health, and school groups argued the current system already works, protects against fraudulent exemptions, and should not be weakened. Committee members debated the data, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the effect of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended in committee, but because there was no quorum it was not formally voted on at that time. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and compliance framework for large private detention facilities. The author and supporters described severe conditions in immigration detention, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and lack of oversight, and the bill was presented as a response to those abuses. The California Hospital Association raised concerns about duplicative regulation and overlapping standards, but said it was continuing to work on a solution. The committee discussed constitutional and jurisdictional issues, and the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Judiciary with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Next, SB 1089 was heard, proposing expanded access through CalPERS and CalRX to GLP-1 medications for chronic weight disease and diabetes prevention. The author and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups argued the drugs are effective tools to prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce long-term costs, and improve health equity, while the author also shared personal experience with weight loss and medication access barriers. There was no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1221, dealing with Murphy conservatorships for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or otherwise under criminal-mental health conservatorship. Supporters, including prosecutors and psychiatrists, said the bill addresses a gap created by a court decision and would improve public safety and placement decisions for a small population of high-risk individuals. Opponents from county behavioral health and disability rights groups warned it would turn a civil process into a quasi-criminal one, expand district attorney involvement, and disrupt bed prioritization and least-restrictive-placement principles. The discussion centered on the scope of the bill and its amendments, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Later that year, the city petitioned CalPERS to amend its contract to exclude all new firefighters from
• As a result, firefighters in the newly formed department were denied access to CalPERS pension benefits
• . later that year, the city petitioned CalPERS to amend its contract to exclude all new firefighters
• As a result, firefighters in the newly formed department were denied access to CalPERS pension benefits
• Doug Subers on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several retirement and school employment measures. SB 301 by Sen. Grayson would prevent CERL-covered cities and districts from amending retirement contracts to exclude certain employee groups, closing a loophole similar to one previously addressed for CalPERS. The bill was supported by California Professional Firefighters and received no opposition. SB 443 by Sen. Rubio would clarify that employees transferring into a joint powers authority can retain CalPERS classic status even when the JPA expands later; the city of La Verne, a flood management agency, and AFSCME supported the bill, and it also drew no opposition. Both bills were moved out of committee on unanimous votes and sent to Appropriations, with the consent calendar items SB 521, SB 581, and SB 853 also approved. The committee then heard SB 494 by Sen. Cortese, which would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge rather than by the school board. Supporters, including CSEA, AFSCME, and CFT, argued the bill would create parity with teachers and community college faculty and provide a fairer appeal process. Opponents, including the California School Boards Association, county superintendents, school business officials, and community college groups, argued it would remove local control, impose a one-size-fits-all process, and shift costs to districts. The bill was passed out of committee and referred to the Committee on Higher Education. The committee also considered SJR 2 by Sen. Cortese, a resolution urging Congress and the President to enact federal protections for classified school employees, including better wages, benefits, safety, and workplace rights. Support came from CFT, CSEA, and other labor groups, with no opposition. The resolution was adopted and moved forward. At the end of the hearing, the committee reopened the roll to add votes, and all listed measures ultimately passed unanimously or near-unanimously before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As well as allowing certification reciprocity with volunteer firefighters.
• Mike Wisco: ...The growth of regulated fire departments and added certified firefighters, along with
• Mike Wisco: ...The growth of regulated fire departments and added certified firefighters, along with
• This is a critical training that we want to ensure is available to all Texas firefighters.
• The Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to providing training for all Texas firefighters.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

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.
• , something every firefighter in the country, as well as my oncologist confirms.
• 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:

• have the ability to save their house... $115 to make sure that their firefighters have the ability to
• Assembly Bill 1309 asked the state to pay Cal Fire rank-and-file firefighters within 15 percent of the
• I do think that there's an opportunity for us to continue to support bills like AB 1309 for firefighter
• I do think that there's an opportunity for us to continue to support bills like AB 1309 for firefighter
• It's actually to try to find a way for the people in those areas who love their Cal Fire firefighters

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public health, wildfire recovery, local government finance, transportation, and rural health care. SB 1124 by Senator Archuleta would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco retail locations. The author and a physician witness argued the bill would raise awareness of a highly underused screening that can save lives, while retailers and fuel/convenience groups raised implementation concerns about signage size, notice, and penalties. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a 4-0 vote after the committee later took up the on-call item. SB 1352 by Senator Valadao and Senator Allen would clarify that wildfire victims can rebuild homes up to 110% of the original size without triggering reassessment, so long as the property was destroyed in a governor-declared disaster. Supporters, including the L.A. County Assessor, the California Assessors Association, Realtors, and taxpayers groups, said the bill would reduce uncertainty and help families rebuild without higher property taxes. It passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. SB 1343, presented by Senator Allen on behalf of Senator Dodd, would provide a $4,000 income tax credit for sales tax paid on furniture and appliances purchased to furnish a primary residence after a disaster; it drew one opposition witness from the California Teachers Association but otherwise had no public opposition and passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place caps and transparency requirements on consultant compensation in local tax-sharing agreements, responding to cases in Shafter and Dinuba where revenue was allegedly diverted to consultants. Local government and business groups supported the measure as a guardrail, while some members expressed concern about Sacramento limiting local control; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1408 by Senator Arreguín would authorize the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to place a countywide sales tax measure of up to 1% on the ballot to continue transportation funding; transit agencies and local officials supported it, while taxpayer groups opposed it, and it passed 4-1. SB 1404 by Senator Stern would restore a fee on property owners in state responsibility areas to fund Cal Fire wildfire prevention and suppression, with supporters arguing the fee would broaden funding and opponents calling it an unfair tax on rural and wildfire-prone residents; it passed 4-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1102 by Senator Dodd would create a $2,000 tax credit for frontline nurses working in rural hospitals; supporters said it would help recruit and retain nurses in underserved areas, and the bill passed 5-0 as amended to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• have the ability to save their house. $115 to make sure that their firefighters have the ability to
• Assembly Bill 1309 asked the state to pay Cal Fire rank-and-file firefighters within 15% of the average
• I do think that there's an opportunity for us to continue to support bills like AB 1309 for firefighter
• , so we can pay our firefighters the wages they deserve and take care of those budgets and have zero
• It's actually to try to find a way for the people in those areas who love their Cal Fire firefighters

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public health, wildfire recovery, local finance, transportation, and rural health care. SB 1124 by Senator Archuleta would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post signage at tobacco retail locations about lung cancer screening eligibility. The author and a UC San Diego thoracic surgery resident testified that lung cancer screening is underused because many Californians do not know it exists, while retailers and convenience store groups raised implementation concerns about sign size, store space, and notice before penalties. Members discussed penalties and screening access, and the author said he was willing to reduce the penalty in later amendments. The bill passed 4-0 and was sent to the Committee on Health. The committee also considered several disaster-related tax measures. SB 1352 by Senator Valadao and Senator Allen would clarify that wildfire victims can rebuild homes up to 110% of the original size without losing their Proposition 13 base-year value, and it received support from the Los Angeles County Assessor, the California Association of Realtors, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. SB 1343, presented by Senator Allen on behalf of Senator Dahle, would create a $4,000 income tax credit for sales tax paid on furniture and appliances purchased after a disaster for a primary residence; the chair raised concerns about administration and benefits flowing to higher-income households, and CTA opposed. Both bills were approved and sent to Appropriations, with SB 1352 passing 5-0 and SB 1343 passing 5-0 after committee amendments were accepted. SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place limits and transparency requirements on consultant compensation in local tax-sharing agreements, responding to examples from Shafter and Dinuba where local revenue was allegedly diverted to consultants. The city of Shafter, League of California Cities, and California Retailers Association supported the bill, while some members worried it could infringe on local control; the author and sponsor argued it would protect local tax dollars without eliminating local discretion. The bill passed 4-0 and went to Appropriations. SB 1408 by Senator Arreguín would authorize Contra Costa Transportation Authority to place a countywide sales tax measure of up to 1% on the ballot to continue transportation funding; supporters included transit agencies and county officials, while Howard Jarvis and the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association opposed. The committee emphasized that the measure only lets voters decide, and the bill passed 4-1. The committee also took up SB 1404 by Senator Stern, which would restore a fee on property owners in state responsibility areas to help fund Cal Fire wildfire prevention and suppression, with the author saying he wanted to reduce administrative costs and work on hardship protections. NRDC and PG&E supported the concept, while rural county representatives, Howard Jarvis, and Butte County opposed, arguing the fee would unfairly burden rural and fixed-income residents and function like a tax. Members split over affordability and local impacts, but the bill passed 4-1. Finally, SB 1102 by Senator Dodd would create a $2,000 tax credit for frontline nurses working in rural hospitals; supporters said it would help retention and access to care in underserved areas, and the bill passed 5-0 after committee amendments were accepted. The consent calendar and other listed bills were also approved on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• have the ability to save their house. $115 to make sure that their firefighters have the ability to
• Assembly Bill 1309 asked the state to pay Cal Fire rank-and-file firefighters within 15 percent of the
• I do think that there's an opportunity for us to continue to support bills like AB 1309 for firefighter
• I do think that there's an opportunity for us to continue to support bills like AB 1309 for firefighter
• It's actually to try to find a way for the people in those areas who love their Cal Fire firefighters

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Firefighters usually work shifts that are either 24 on and 48 off, or as it's becoming more excuse me
• This results in the accelerated use of the 15 days paid leave of absence, and firefighters often use
• Since firefighters work shifts often work shifts often last 48 hours.
• of the Texas State Firefighters Organization and myself in favor of this bill.
• Shift members such as career firefighters are forced to use 1 to 2 of their 15 workday.

Bills: HCR7

Keywords: memorial, tribute, military service, community contribution, Texas legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Megan Suber is on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters in strong support. Thank you.
• thing: I note that every time we have one of these tax measures, and I used to resent this as a firefighter
• , they plaster the firefighters all over that.
• They plaster the firefighters all over that. Why?
• Because people don't want to say no to a firefighter. And I resent being used like that.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> will provide relief to firefighters will provide relief to firefighters across<01:28:06.240><c>
• </c><01:28:19.200><c> and</c> I choose to support the firefighters and I choose to support the firefighters
• ,</c><01:32:09.800><c> you're</c> Colorado that are firefighters, you're Colorado that are firefighters
• </c> in the same way that other firefighters in the same way that other firefighters are<01:32:16.960
• It's not because I don't support firefighters. I have a record of supporting firefighters.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been in my personal capacity as a firefighter and EMT for 15 years.
• It was specific to firefighters on the floor. They were clear on the floor.
• And the Supreme Court has said now Unified Fire and those firefighters are liable.
• This clearly covers firefighters.
• Joe Hiddrow, President of the Professional Firefighters of Utah on active duty, firefighter here in Salt

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this bill actually was brought to me by the Firefighters Association.
• It is permissive legislation that allows a municipality to adopt a Firefighters Bill of Rights.
• that I'd love to set some time up to talk with you about it along with the lobbyists from the firefighters
• it along with the lobbyists<00:04:16.359><c> from</c><00:04:16.480><c> the</c><00:04:16.600><c> firefighters
• </c> lobbyists from the firefighters lobbyists from the firefighters association,<00:04:18.120><c> but

Bills: HB468, SB366, HB468, HB561, SB227, SB32

Keywords: service of process, funding, Marion County, fees, legal documents, firefighters, rights, personnel procedures, state law, public safety, HB468, local commissions, local authorities, municipal planning commission, planning commission, zoning, land use, municipal official, municipal officer, city council