Transcript Highlights:

• ...who express their concerns over social media about mosquito-based abatement districts and the process
• The powers and duties of the director still go through a process of a public hearing.
• applications are made through design standards, if you're going to open up a new landfill and the process
• So there's several steps in this process that would reside with the DEQ director, the authority there
• But it doesn't relieve or excuse the director from going through a public process.

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee met on January 28, 2006, approved prior minutes, and then considered several RS introductions. RS 33076, dealing with mosquito abatement districts, would allow property owners to opt out of spraying by request to county commissioners and add penalties for noncompliance; members raised questions about notice, whether the opt-out affected taxes or only spraying, and whether the bill could hinder abatement, but the motion to introduce passed. RS 33014 would consolidate solid waste regulation under DEQ rather than health districts, with the sponsor saying it would improve consistency and could save money; members asked about fiscal effects, DEQ authority, EPA involvement, and whether the bill affected haulers, and it was introduced. The committee also heard RS 32909-C-2, which would raise the state reimbursement rate for housing state inmates in county jails from the current $55/$75 structure to a flat $80, citing a gap between county costs and state payments; members requested county-by-county impact data and the motion to introduce passed. Finally, RS 32985 would preempt local anti-discrimination ordinances that go beyond state law, with the sponsor arguing it would protect religious freedom and reduce regulatory burdens on businesses; opponents argued it would override local control and asked for data on economic impacts. The bill was introduced on a 14-2 roll call vote, and the committee noted it would be heard later in the Juden Rules Room.

Transcript Highlights:

• These proposals were drafted in a consensus process by a multidisciplinary judicial commission on Mental
• SB 1164 amends the emergency obtainer process in Texas to enable this non-criminal remedy to be enabled
• None of the due process protections afforded under the statute are lessened by Senate Bill 1164.
• It simply opens up the intake process.
• However, the SCJC responded with a generic letter saying they cannot process our complaint due to the

Bills: SB 53

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• training can be done as it relates to that equipment while still maintaining the owner-operator contract
• SB1164 amends the emergency detainer process in Texas to enable this non-criminal remedy.
• None of the due process protections afforded under the statute are lessened by Senate Bill 1164.
• It simply opens up the intake process.
• However, the SCJC responded with a generic letter saying they cannot process our complaint due to...

Bills: SJR27 , SB53 , SB311 , SB1164 , SB2807 , SB1574 , SB 53

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, Texas Supreme Court, writ power, mandamus, quo warranto, certiorari, procedendo, extraordinary writs, Government Code Section 22.002, separation of powers, judicial authority

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the committee, there were some significant issues that we found through this process.
• 639, we are dealing with the hiring of or the appointment of an executive secretary and how that process
• If you do something on a bill one week, it sometimes doesn't get processed correctly.
• The board also continues to have... the board also continues to have an attorney on a $550,000 contract
• It has made a mockery of the legislative process in our state, and finally, it has made a mockery of

Bills: HB159 , HB110 , HB114 , HB115 , HB116 , HB123 , HB125

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, public facilities, space exploration, education programs, bond issuance, Governor involvement, pharmacy, pharmacist licensure, Alabama State Board of Pharmacy, renewal fees, continuing education, disciplinary actions, sessions, 2025-R, 1, 219

Transcript Highlights:

• We know this process well. You have to find a bill sponsor.
• It's an incredibly arduous and difficult process.
• process.
• What we have is a special process that provides protection.
• What we have is a special process that provides protection.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate that processes. Thank you.
• So we obviously are not inventing some new process.
• You know, um inventing some new process.
• Is that how your clients understand the process?
• </c> your clients understand the process? your clients understand the process?

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several shoreline easement resolutions and a water-supply study resolution. For the easement measures, the Department of Land and Natural Resources supported each item, and testimony also came from affected landowners and community members. Members asked about why some easements were granted gratis to public agencies, with DLNR explaining that those cases involved public infrastructure such as stormwater management and did not require bonds or rent. For private properties, DLNR described the standard process of monthly rent during the legislative approval gap, followed by a one-time appraised payment for a 25-year easement once the appraisal is completed. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on shoreline erosion and whether hardened shoreline structures or seawalls were contributing to beach loss. On one measure, DLNR explained that a large sandbag shoreline structure was tied to a nearby boat harbor that had altered sand movement over time, causing flanking erosion on adjacent unarmored property. On another, DLNR said a wall built under a valid 1960s permit was originally a boundary or landscaping wall, but now functions as a seawall as the shoreline has migrated landward. Members raised concerns about fairness, public beach access, and whether adjacent owners should share costs, and DLNR responded that shoreline matters are handled parcel by parcel under existing statute. The committee also heard support for a resolution creating a task force or study on desalination. DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management supported the intent but asked for more time to complete a comprehensive report, noting the work would require substantial staffing and coordination. The Board of Water Supply and CARES also testified in support, with CARES emphasizing future water-supply needs, cultural and historic preservation concerns, and the importance of coordinating with other agencies. DLNR said it would rely on existing studies and work with county agencies and the Department of Health. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the summer, the reverse<00:18:53.760><c> process</c><00:18:54.160><c> is</c><00:18:54.400><c> used
• and heat is reverse process is used and heat is taken<00:18:55.600><c> out</c><00:18:55.760><c> of</
• Now, there's an entire process for line.
• As anybody who's built projects knows, it's a very hard process.
• As anybody who's built projects knows, it's a very hard process.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is also a process. It's always a process.
• So as this process unfolds, we'll see if this thing gets some traction. I certainly hope it does.
• But this is also a process. It's always a process.
• So as this process unfolds, we'll see if this thing gets some traction. I certainly hope it does.
• So as this process unfolds, we'll see if this thing gets some traction. I certainly hope it does.

Summary: Senator Nathan Johnson presented a pair of bills he described as a comprehensive cannabis reform package for Texas. He said one bill would regulate hemp-derived THC with a 21-and-over purchase age, a 5 mg THC threshold, testing, labeling, licensing, packaging, and marketing standards, an advisory committee to report to the Legislature, and a tax structure that would direct revenue to public health, law enforcement, testing, and the Texas Compassionate Use Program. He also said the legislation reflects work by Chairman Ken King and is intended as an alternative to a total ban, which he argued would be unenforceable and undesirable. Johnson said the second bill would decriminalize possession and personal use of up to 2 ounces of marijuana, allow limited home cultivation, and create a path to expunction for people convicted of conduct that would no longer be illegal. He argued current Texas THC laws are inconsistent, harmful, and disproportionately affect communities of color, while also diverting law enforcement resources. He said the bills aim to create a more consistent and enforceable framework and to support medical THC use. Supportive testimony came from Shawn Salvahi, a veteran and Texas Cannabis Collective representative, who said decriminalization and homegrow would help veterans and first responders and that leaders should correct mistaken policy. Senator Molly Cook, an ER nurse, also backed Johnson’s approach and opposed SB 5, saying prohibition has failed, worsened safety, and created criminal and economic harms. In questions, Johnson said the Senate is likely to move SB 5, that the House could still change the outcome, and that he has been consistent in opposing a ban since 2018. The discussion also briefly touched on redistricting, with participants urging attention to flooding and criticizing proposed maps, but the main action was the presentation and defense of the THC bills ahead of floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's a voluntary process. We try to get them to...
• It's a voluntary process, and we try to get them to do this.
• And then how... what is that process of collecting this money like?
• process of collecting this money, like just in the lawsuit we’re suing these Facebook promoters.
• Also, it streamlines the process.

Bills: HB287 , HB280 , HB57 , HB252 , HB286 , SB36 , HB287 , HB280 , HB57 , HB252 , HB286 , SB36

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Keywords: law enforcement, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, education, property acquisition, municipality, land use, annexation, competitive bidding, procurement, disclosure statements, state contracts

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the term cherry pick is often used about the takeout process.
• I am going to get into the claims process.
• And we are hoping to see that reflected in the process. That's quite all right.
• just because contracts last for 12 months.
• And as Tim has indicated through the process, the claims process is supposed to be iterative.

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation CEO Tim Serio, with Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworski also answering questions. Serio reviewed Citizens’ role as Florida’s insurer of last resort, its statutory funding structure, eligibility rules, depopulation program, reinsurance obligations, and the surcharge/emergency assessment mechanisms that can be used if Citizens runs a deficit. He emphasized that recent legislative reforms, combined with lower litigation and improved market conditions, have helped the private market recover and reduced Citizens’ policy count from a peak of about 1.41 million in 2023 to 936,182 at the end of 2024, with a projected drop to about 771,000 by the end of 2025. He also said the reforms reduced Citizens’ rate need and helped avoid an emergency assessment after the 2024 storms. Members asked about Citizens’ rate increases, why Citizens still seeks higher rates despite lower litigation, how the 20% eligibility threshold works, whether Citizens should be wind-only, and whether the state or federal government could help with deficits. Serio explained that Citizens is still charging below actuarially sound rates in most areas, that rate filings reflect reduced litigation and lower reinsurance exposure, and that assessments on all Florida property policyholders are the reason Citizens tries to build surplus and depopulate. He said the depopulation program is working better than in the past, with less than 2% of takeout policies returning to Citizens, and that the Office of Insurance Regulation has been vetting takeout companies more carefully. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on claims handling after Debby, Helene, and Milton, including flood-versus-wind disputes and Citizens’ use of the Division of Administrative Hearings for some claim disputes. Serio said Citizens had received 76,625 claims from the three storms and had paid nearly $823 million in indemnity and expenses as of January 7, 2025. He said many closed-without-payment claims were either below deductible, withdrawn, duplicate, or flood-only, and that Citizens had asked its internal audit function to independently review the claims data and denials. He also described Citizens’ storm outreach, catastrophe response centers, managed-repair program, and claim review process, and said the corporation remains focused on paying valid claims while minimizing the risk of assessments on the broader Florida market.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just as a reminder and as a quick recap, Senate Bill 1015 creates a legal process for courts to order
• You could sunshine our staffing model, what contracts we have in place with vendors, what our business
• planning documents, certain wage and compensation information, certain real estate and financial contracts
• That's probably the process of the person. I hear that. I hear that. I understand.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got those two phases of contracts underway, about $3.1 million of total funds.
• The contract has been awarded to C3, and again, that's a $6.8 million brick-and-mortar investment plus
• condition, and the department administers that $25 million to the counties through an application process
• We've just closed our application process, and I'll talk about that here in just a minute.

Summary: The committee met for an oversight update on how one-time and recurring transportation-related appropriations are being implemented. Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Director Grayson Artees reviewed ARPA and PREP-funded airport and aerospace projects, including completed or nearing-completion work at Will Rogers, Woodward, Ardmore, Tulsa’s air traffic control tower, and multiple hangar, terminal, taxiway, utility, and UAS infrastructure projects statewide. He also discussed one-time FY25 and FY26 appropriations for airport development, the repurposing of an unneeded Lufthansa project allocation into other aerospace projects, and the department’s aerospace education grants, classroom labs, aircraft-build programs, and internship support. Members asked for lists of participating schools and for a clearer overall accounting of the funding; Artees said the department would provide those materials and estimated roughly $400 million has been invested in aerospace and defense since PREP and ARPA, with about $250 million directed to airport infrastructure. The committee then heard from ODOT Secretary Tim Gatz on the Retro Fund, lake and industrial access roads, ports of entry, and the PACT Fund. Gatz said Retro, created in statute and funded with $200 million in both 2024 and FY25, is helping accelerate rural high-impact road and bridge projects; he reported $249 million awarded so far, supporting about $1.4 billion in construction, with most projects expected to be awarded by September 2027. He also described lake and industrial access projects, including work at the Port of Inola, and updated members on ports of entry, internal way stations, and the replacement of the aging OkiPROS permitting system with ProMiles. On PACT, he said the county road and bridge allocations are being administered, but the Tax Commission’s role in distributing the county road share has created unnecessary bureaucracy; he urged a statutory fix so the money can go directly to counties. Members asked for lists of approved lake/recreational projects and for clarification on the Tax Commission issue; Gatz said ODOT would provide the project list and that he would welcome Tax Commission input on a legislative remedy. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the updates and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hey, Rep., what provisions do you have in place for a contract?
• of campaigns do 1099s, but if I'm giving you a uniform and a software to use, you are no longer a contract
• It's a very simple bill, but it's really going to expedite and modernize our process.
• It's a very simple bill, but it's really going to expedite and modernize our process.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 455, a local bill for the City of Lake Wales that would allow open containers in a downtown arts district. The sponsor said the city had invested heavily in the area and wanted to support business growth. An amendment clarified that the allowance was intended for cups, not bottles taken from restaurants, and the bill was then adopted favorably without opposition. Members then heard HB 1049 on building permit requirements, which would remove permits for certain work under $7,500 and for battery or backup power systems, while also preempting local governments from adding extra permitting rules. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying modular homes on RV lots, and another addressing contractor “splitting” of projects to avoid the threshold and requiring five years of record retention. County and local-government groups raised concerns about inspections and permitting, while several business and advocacy groups supported the bill. It passed favorably. HB 1175, dealing with safety design standards for office surgery suites, was presented as a measure directing the Florida Building Commission and State Fire Marshal to establish new standards to improve safety and efficiency. There was no amendment or public testimony, and it passed favorably. The committee then spent extensive time on HB 221, which would let workers waive the state minimum wage for certain work-based learning, internship, or pre-apprenticeship positions for up to nine months, later narrowed by amendment to 252 days, or 126 days for minors with parental consent, and defining the program as structured learning. Supporters framed it as a way to expand apprenticeships and help small businesses offer training opportunities; opponents argued it would create free or subminimum labor, invite abuse and coercion, and raise constitutional concerns. Despite strong opposition testimony from labor, civil rights, and policy groups, the bill passed favorably after debate. The committee also heard HB 4035, a Palm Beach County local bill requiring applicants for a certificate of competency to pass the licensing exam before applying to the Construction Industry Licensing Board. The sponsor said it would streamline and modernize the process, and members discussed it briefly in support. The transcript ends before the final action on that bill is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that the idea of intervention has to be more clarified at some point through the process.
• The other thing that state, federal, and local governments would do is they would have grants, contracts
• They actually used the government to get around a freely written and accepted private contract.
• So for those positions that are open for 150 days, our process in the private industry was, as the representative

Committee: House House Regulatory Oversight Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met for its first hearing of the session, took roll, introduced members and staff, and reviewed committee rules and amendment deadlines. The chair also announced that video recording would not be allowed in the room and set the order and speaking limits for the day’s bills. The committee heard HB 2248, the Arizona Medical Freedom Act, which would bar governmental entities, businesses, schools, and ticket issuers from denying employment, entry, services, or participation based on whether a person has or has not received a medical intervention. Supporters framed it as protecting bodily autonomy, parental rights, and freedom from medical discrimination. Opponents, including physicians, child care and public health advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could undermine vaccination policies, school and child care illness controls, and protections for immunocompromised people. The bill passed on a 3-2 vote. The committee then heard HB 2086, which would prohibit governmental entities and businesses from requiring vaccination or masks/face coverings, with limited exceptions for workplace safety and infection control. Supporters said it would prevent government coercion and protect individual liberty and business freedom; opponents warned it would interfere with private business decisions and public health measures. After testimony and debate over the scope of the bill and the relevance of Jacobson v. Massachusetts, the committee approved HB 2086 on a 3-2 vote. Finally, the committee considered HB 2688, which would require the Arizona Department of Administration to identify state budget positions vacant for at least 150 days and direct budget units to eliminate those positions each fiscal year, with some exceptions such as Corrections and DPS. The sponsor said the bill was intended to reduce waste and prevent vacant positions from functioning as slush funds, while critics raised concerns about hard-to-fill specialized roles. The committee passed HB 2688 on a 3-2 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that the idea of intervention has to be more clarified at some point through the process.
• The other thing that state, federal, and local governments would do is they would have grants, contracts
• They actually used the government to get around a freely written and accepted private contract.
• So for those positions that are open for 150 days, our process in the private industry was, as Representative

Bills: HB2086 , HB2248 , HB2688

Committee: House Regulatory Oversight

Keywords: vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, government regulation, vacant positions, state budget, government efficiency, employment, full-time equivalent positions, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our contract calls for up to 127 households at least.
• 00:04:29.039><c> up</c><00:04:29.199><c> to1</c><00:04:29.800><c> 27</c><00:04:30.479><c> at</c> contract
• calls up for uh up to1 27 at contract calls up for uh up to1 27 at least<00:04:31.600><c> okay</c><00
• We're also in the process of amending our rules to address issues that have recently come up regarding
• </c><00:39:48.480><c> of</c><00:39:48.720><c> actually</c> we're also in the process of actually we're

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees. In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees. Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.

Transcript Highlights:

• And oftentimes that process can be confusing and it's different based on the jurisdiction.
• The intent is to make it as smooth a process as possible for that former president.
• The process to get here is quite long. It's quite arduous.
• So we'll now go through the normal bill process like it is before you.
• But this is actually just going to give a process for those constitutional officers.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard and voted on several local and statewide bills. HB 69, by Rep. Andrade, preempted local zoning and land-use authority to the state for presidential libraries; after an amendment clarifying the scope of preemption, it passed 13-2. HB 63, by Reps. Gerwig and Cassel, created a public-records exemption for city and county administrators and their deputies, citing threats and harassment against local administrators; it included a 10-year sunset and passed 15-0. HB 4045, by Rep. Alvarez, updated the City of Tampa firefighters’ and police officers’ pension plan, including extending the DROP period by three years; it passed 14-0 with a committee substitute. HB 4023, by Rep. Hunschofsky, tightened conflict-of-interest rules for officers and employees of the North Springs Improvement District after prior audit concerns; it passed 16-0. HB 4017, by Rep. Oliver, codified the Bermont Drainage District’s charter and corrected a statutory cross-reference via amendment; it passed 16-0 with committee substitute. HB 4009, by Rep. Kendall, renamed the St. Johns County regional airport to the St. Augustine Airport and passed 16-0. The committee also considered PCB IAS 25-01, by Vice Chair Griffiths, which would standardize county constitutional officers’ budget procedures and create an appeal process for clerks of court and supervisors of elections similar to that used by sheriffs; after testimony from the clerks and supervisors’ associations, it passed 16-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• And other individuals included in this process.
• Senator Love, the work papers are part of the audit that is in process or that will be in process.
• The work papers are part of the audit that is in process or that will be in process.
• Okay, so the audit—that audit is in process right now.
• Yeah, so the process here, it's a timing issue. Yeah, so the process here, it's a timing issue.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The committee met to adopt prior minutes and reports from its executive and standing committees, including counties and municipalities, educational institutions, and state agencies. Those reports covered routine audit activity, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, and several state agency audit items. The committee also reviewed and adopted the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2025 and the related single audit report, both presented by Legislative Audit staff. The state financial report showed unmodified opinions on the state’s financial statements and described total assets of about $41.9 billion and liabilities of about $11.1 billion, along with retirement system assets of $39.9 billion and a net pension liability of $9 billion. Two material weaknesses were identified: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and a Division of Workforce Services methodology change for unemployment-related estimates that was not properly documented or approved. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed; it resulted in 33 findings, 14 with questioned costs totaling $16.6 million, and qualified opinions for the Summer EBT program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Members questioned agency officials in detail about the Summer EBT questioned costs, DHS unresolved findings, broadband grant documentation, cyber security controls, workers’ compensation liabilities, and child care funding and reporting. DHS explained that the Summer EBT issue involved drawing federal funds in advance rather than as benefits were redeemed, and said the process has been corrected. Broadband officials said the questioned $6.6 million reflected documentation-detail disagreements across many invoices rather than missing payments. OST officials described new logging, endpoint detection, and phishing-training efforts, and DFA and Education officials addressed specific audit findings and corrective actions. The committee ultimately moved to hold the two large statewide reports over until the August meeting for further review, with discussion continuing on whether to release some agency staff in the meantime.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is more of a confirmation hearing style process.
• So we went through that process.
• We're still in that process.
• The purpose of the confirmation hearing process is to understand how you process information, how you
• But I was part of that process, right? So I understand much of that process now. Yeah, but hold on.

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we went through that process.
• We're still in that process.
• The purpose of the confirmation hearing process is to understand how you process information, how you
• But I was part of that process, right? So I understand much of that process now.
• We went through those processes.

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.