Transcript Highlights:

• So anyway, I always had an affection for Mohave County.
• All righty, Stephen Clark. Thank you. Good morning, Chairman and Senators. Yes, yes.
• Clark? Senator. Mr. Chair, thanks. Thank you, Mr. Clark, for your service on the board.
• Clark: Thank you, Senator. To date, I don't think we've ever denied one.
• Clark. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee met to consider several board nominations, beginning with four nominees to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board. Michael Cravens, Jared Lyman, Nathan Reese (who submitted a written statement and did not attend), and Richard Williams each described their backgrounds in wildlife management, ranching, public lands, or conservation, and emphasized balance, pragmatism, and public service in selecting commission candidates. Members asked about their experience, perspectives on candidate evaluation, and the role of the board. Each nominee was advanced to the full Senate by separate motions, all approved on 7-0 votes with one member not voting. The committee then heard Darren Rasmussen’s nomination to the Arizona State Land Department Board of Appeals. Rasmussen discussed his long career in property appraisal at the private, county, and state levels, including work with county assessors and valuation training. Senators focused on his ability to bring transparency, statutory compliance, and consistency to state land appraisals and appeals. His nomination was also forwarded to the full Senate on a 7-0 vote with one not voting. Next, the committee considered the Arizona Livestock Loss Board nominees, Stephen Clark and Randy Dahl. Clark, who chairs the board, explained the board’s process for compensating ranchers for wolf depredation and described the distinction between confirmed losses and “probables.” Senators asked about reimbursement procedures, the range of Mexican gray wolves, and whether wolves had attacked humans in Arizona; Clark said there had been no human attacks in the state and that livestock losses had been compensated. Dahl was unable to attend but submitted a statement citing his farming background and business and engineering experience. Both nominees were confirmed by 7-0 votes with one member not voting. Finally, the committee heard from Carolyn Radajack and Stephanie Teske for the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. Radajack highlighted her prior service on the board’s investigative committee and her experience with disciplinary rules, while Teske emphasized her background as a sixth-generation rancher, veterinary assistant, and agriculture regulator, with a focus on rural livestock care and access to veterinarians. Senators discussed rural veterinary shortages, telemedicine, and the changing structure of veterinary practice. Both nominees were advanced to the full Senate on 7-0 votes with one member not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we found out is we ran into some problems in courts, particularly in Clark County, through our
• They may be navigating public transit or walking early in the morning to be there when the Clark County
• My name is Jeff Rogan, J-E-F-F R-O-G-A-N, and I represent Clark County.
• And in Clark County, specifically, we've had several high-profile instances.
• John Piro from the Clark County Public Defender's Office. This bill has been through some changes.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:51.120> of<00:02:51.360> targeted county began a series of targeted county began
• Senator Clark. Thank you, Chair Latz.
• :15:58.560> of<00:15:58.720> article Senator Clark moves adoption of article Senator Clark
• Senator Clark. Thank you, Chair Latz.
• Thank you, Senator Clark. documentation. Thank you, Senator Clark.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're wearing distinctive royal city purple, and they represent all counties of the state of Hawaii
• [applause] and they represent all counties of the and they represent all counties of the state<00:17:

Bills: HR39, HCR43, HR178, HCR188, SB3144, SB3102, SB2053, SB3248, SB2256, SB3118, SB2245, SB2519, SB3055, SB2090, SB2765, SB2169, SB3136, SB2521, SB2851, SB3154, SB3262, SB2387, SB3001, SB2818, SB2972, SB2372, SB2108, SB888, HR63, HCR69

Keywords: pedestrian safety, crosswalks, traffic calming, school zone, Honolulu, community safety, raised crosswalks, traffic infrastructure, agritourism, agricultural tourism, Hawaii Tourism Authority, HTA, working group, farm tourism, regenerative tourism, working lands, agricultural land use, county ordinances, permitting, farm bureau

Transcript Highlights:

• That it's not just your average county road.
• A lot of times, those aren't even maintained by the County, but it is a county road.
• Senate Bill 1621 simply says that the local county district attorney can defend the county law library
• So, anyway, this is a request bill by Oklahoma County clerk.
• It also allows illers to waive court clerk And county clerk fees move adoption.

Bills: SB504, SB844, SB1209, SB1266, SB1303, SB1448, SB1496, SB1595, SB1597, SB1655, SB1679, SB1621, SB1716, SB1769, SB1827, SB1876, SB1944, SB2072, SB2084, SB2104, SB2112, SB2170, SB2180, SB2182

Keywords: charitable organizations, donor restrictions, endowment gifts, Safeguarding Endowment Gifts Act, Oklahoma, donor rights, charitable contributions, forcible entry, detainer, trial period, legal notices, housing law, SB1266, notary public, notaries, legal advice, unauthorized practice of law, misdemeanor, Secretary of State, appointment revocation

Transcript Highlights:

• to make it as robust as possible so that we can get as much information as possible because every county
• So they can, when based on the study and if they decide that each county might be treated differently
• every as Senator Noi pointed out because every as Senator Noi pointed out every<00:25:43.679> county
• <00:25:44.080> may<00:25:44.320> have<00:25:44.480> different every county may
• that each county might be treated<00:25:54.720> differently,<00:25:56.000> we'll<00:25

Bills: SB99, SB585, SB2060, SB2069, SB2110, SB2115, SB2152, SB2211, SB2259, SB2315, SB2342, SB2382, SB2442, SB2446, SB2485, SB2544, SB2577, SB2580, SB2861, SB2919, SB3326

Keywords: SB99, Hawaii, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, retirant, retiree rehiring, reemployment after retirement, retirement benefits, benefit suspension, school resource officer, SRO, public school safety, Department of Law Enforcement, DLE, labor shortage, difficult-to-fill position, teacher shortage, charter school, mentor teacher, vacancy rate

Summary: The Committee on Ways and Means met for decision-making only and adopted recommendations on a long list of Senate bills, with no oral testimony taken. Early actions included SB 99 to pass unamended, SB 585 to pass with a date correction to 2015, SB 2060 to pass with amendments involving public project lists, legislative approval for fund transfers, and removal of certain appropriations, and SB 2069 to pass with amendments extending a sunset date and requiring transit-oriented development zoning. The committee also advanced several other measures, including SB 2110, SB 215, SB 2259, SB 2382, SB 2442, and SB 2485 unamended, while SB 2152, SB 2315, SB 2446, SB 2919, SB 2577, SB 2580, and SB 2861 were moved with various amendments, mostly date changes, appropriation blanks, or technical clarifications. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 2211, where Department of Human Services officials explained how the department was covering costs by using restricted funds and shifting Med-QUEST funding, and noted a need for $14 million plus support for $16.5 million in ACA enhanced tax credit subsidies. The chair indicated the bill would move forward with amendments, including blanking the appropriation pending more information on lapses, and the recommendation was adopted. SB 2544 was also amended to remove a specific appropriation and replace it with a blank cap on funds from DUR, and SB 2342 was amended to require projects to be in transit-oriented development zones and to reflect prior committee concurrence. The most extended debate was on SB 3326, which would address utility restructuring. One senator opposed the bill, arguing it could raise rates, worsen reliability issues, and disrupt an existing utility without a clear plan, especially given island-specific conditions. Supporters argued the bill would separate generation from transmission and distribution, create competition, protect union jobs, and respond to aging infrastructure and financial weakness in the utility sector. After recesses and discussion of the Public Utilities Commission’s role, the chair changed the recommendation from pass unamended to pass with amendments requiring the PUC to conduct a study, provide an interim report before the next session, and a final report the following session. That amended recommendation was adopted, and the meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Bills: HB2118, HB1764, HB1815, HB2117, HB2436, HB2438, HB2532, HB2566, HB2573, HB1736, HB2425, HB1590, HB1913, HB1573, HB1542, HB1804, HB1976, HB1704, HB1996, HB1541, HB1926, HB1703, HB1866, HB1710

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund

Bills: HB2118, HB1764, HB1815, HB2117, HB2436, HB2438, HB2532, HB2566, HB2573, HB1736, HB2425, HB1590, HB1913, HB1573, HB1542, HB1804, HB1976, HB1704, HB1996, HB1541, HB1926, HB1703, HB1866, HB1710

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund

Bills: HB95, HB111, HJR1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM34, HB2, HB32, HB33, HB61, HJM2, HM23, HM24, HM26

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he did not have it by each county, but he did have it for Shelby County, where he represents.
• <00:19:32.000> So, Jefferson County. So, Jefferson County.
• So I am from Madison County. I drove down from Madison County.
• So I am from Madison County. I um yes. So I am from Madison County.
• :47:11.280> County<00:47:11.680> Commission Jefferson County Commission Jefferson County

Bills: SB115, SB131, SB93, HB319, HB163, HB268, SB115, SB131, SB93, HB319, HB163, HB268, HB181, HB153, SB132, SB26, SB189, SB196, HB140, SB197, HB117

Keywords: SB115, Alabama, impersonating a peace officer, peace officer, law enforcement impersonation, police impersonation, unauthorized police officer, fake cop, certification revoked, certification suspended, Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, APOSTC, Class C felony, law enforcement hiring, appointment of officers, federal law enforcement, arrest authority, public order, criminal offenses, Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Clark. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• It can be adapted by cities and counties.
• My name's Tony Clark.
• Clark.
• Clark.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County waste tire district two.
• Our board is made up of all the mayors in Blaskey County and the county judge.
• It's 78.5 cents in Pulaski County, 5.9 cents in Craighead County, 1.5 cents in Faulkner County, and Benton
• order to purchase Pulaski County media to reach Pulaski County residents and others, you're purchasing
• Senator Clark. Thank you, sir. It's a good answer. Senator Clark.

Summary: The committee approved the prior minutes and then received a series of audit and compliance updates. Staff reported on delinquent private water and sewer reports, delinquent 2013-2023 water reports, and several municipal accounting code noncompliance cases. Denning and Gum Springs were recommended to be removed from the 60-day clock after staff visits showed improved records, while Fargo, Lead Hill, Almy, Jericho, Haynes, Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove were discussed for repeat findings involving missing audits, poor bookkeeping, unpaid or misapplied street funds, deficit balances, and other accounting deficiencies. Several of these entities were given additional time or had reports filed without objection, while others were deferred for later review. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was working to improve its accounting systems; the committee voted to defer the matter to the August meeting. Lead Hill’s mayor described efforts to complete overdue water audits and improve office procedures, and the committee also postponed action for 60 days. Almy’s mayor and recorder-treasurer were present, and the committee placed the town on the 60-day clock for repeat accounting issues. Biggers and Gilmore both acknowledged long-running audit problems and said they were working with auditors and the IRS; their reports were filed. Holly Grove’s treasurer said she had only recently taken the position, and that report was filed as well. The committee spent considerable time on the street-fund misuse cases for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho was found to have exceeded the statutory threshold tied to fines and costs, with staff noting the town had since become current on its repayment plan; the committee deferred the report to September. Haynes was also behind on its repayment plan for street funds, with staff saying the town had recently made up the shortfall and was current as of the meeting, but the committee still deferred the report to September. Members and staff also discussed how the speed-trap law is applied, whether certain fines and costs count toward the threshold, and the role of the prosecuting attorney in deciding whether to take further action. The committee then reviewed a special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District, which had six findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, competitive bidding, electronic funds controls, and unusually high advertising spending. District Director Craig Douglas said the board had delegated some authority, that receipts were missing during a temporary staffing gap, and that advertising was needed to educate the public; he also defended the sale of trailers and other equipment as a way to exit the trailer business. Several members questioned the explanations and the low resale value of equipment, but the committee ultimately deferred the report to September. The meeting also included a recognition of accounting students interning with audit staff and a final set of actions on deferred water and sewer reports: 11 were filed, seven were deferred for lack of proper responses, and a private report on Shannon Hills Water, Sewer, and Fire Department was noted as involving misappropriation by an office manager and inadequate internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• William Dale Clark: Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair and Committee.
• That's William Dale Clark: not 70's thinking. This is medicinal.
• This is an William Dale Clark: organic choice.
• and guilty of a different crime in Volusia County.
• Lisa Hurley, Collier County Board of County Commissioners waives in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 63 of the calendar, House Bill 479 by Representative Robbins, relating to Cusa County.
• On page 63 of the calendar, House Bill 479 by Representative Robbins, relating to Cusa County.
• On page 63 of the calendar, House Bill 479 by Representative Robbins, relating to Cusa County.
• County.
• relating to Chilton County. relating to Chilton County.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the state representative for District 82, Whitley County and parts of Laurel County.
• And so I thank my Jefferson County.
• ,<00:25:57.560> so Jefferson County, so Jefferson County, so thank<00:25:59.240> you
• , Mobile County, Mobile County, And<00:53:42.840> he<00:53:43.040> had<00:53:43.200
• Ashley Clark: Certainly.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Clark and your testifier, County Attorney Choy, come on forward. Bring the clerk to us.
• Senator Clark. language. Senator Clark.
• Let's Senator Clark. Uh, so, we calculated this based off of the cost of Ramsey County.
• and Henipin County. Correct. and Henipin County. Correct.
• >> Senator<01:54:42.800> Clark. >> Senator Clark. >> Senator Clark.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Clark. >> Any further discussion? Senator Clark.
• >> Senator<01:38:19.199> Clark. >> Senator Clark. >> Senator Clark.
• Senator Clark, Clark, Clark, >> let<02:34:18.800> us<02:34:19.439> uh >> let
• Thank you. in our uh in the county. We put a lot of in our uh in the county.
• Wright County, represent over 18,000, mostly at DOC as well as in the MCPO counties.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Clark.
• Clark.
• <01:02:26.680> Clark.
• Clark. I'll let you pick Pick three, Ms. Clark.
• Ms.<01:08:47.440> Clark. Ms. Clark. Ms. Clark.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The sanctuary policy hampers the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff's
• The sanctuary policy hampers the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff's
• The sanctuary policy hampers the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff's
• The sanctuary policy hampers the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff's
• Clark County and Habersham citizens of Clark County and Habersham County<01:10:39.679> are<01:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the county, does the county cover y'all now? Sometimes you see them come through.
• Our board is made up of all the mayors in Pulaski County and the county judge.
• So they will... ...is made up of all the mayors in Pulaski County and the county judge.
• It’s 78.5 cents in Pulaski County, 5.9 cents in Craighead County, 1.5 cents in Faulkner County, and Benton
• in order to purchase Pulaski County media to reach Pulaski County residents and others.

Summary: The committee approved the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent water and sewer reports, including seven new reinstatements and a reduction to four remaining delinquent filers. Staff also reported on municipal accounting code noncompliance, removing Denning and Gum Springs from the 60-day clock after improved records were verified, and presenting repeat findings for Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Jericho, and Haynes. Members discussed repeated audit problems, the length of time some issues had persisted, and whether towns should be given additional time or face stronger action; motions were made and adopted to place some entities on a 60-day clock or defer action to later meetings. For Fargo and Alma, staff described extensive repeat accounting deficiencies, including missing budgets, bank reconciliations, financial statements, receipts, journals, and supporting documentation. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was beginning to improve its office systems; the committee voted to defer the matter for 60 days and file the report. Alma’s officials said they were trying to correct water audit and accounting issues, and the committee likewise deferred the matter to the August meeting while warning that water-audit delays could jeopardize turnback funds. The committee then reviewed misuse-of-street-funds findings for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho’s police chief and officials explained that traffic fines, drug-related arrests, and other citations had pushed the town over the statutory threshold, while staff clarified that the speed-trap calculation excludes certain add-on fines and is referred to the prosecuting attorney for any action. Haynes officials said repayment problems stemmed from lost revenue and staffing changes, including the loss of the police department, but staff reported the town remained behind on its repayment plan and also owed the IRS. The committee voted to defer the Haynes matter to September and to defer Jericho as well, with members emphasizing the need for consistency and possible broader legislative review of small-town viability. A special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District drew substantial discussion. Staff cited findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, car allowances and personal vehicle use, competitive bidding, and unusually high advertising spending, as well as the sale of trailers and other equipment at low prices. The district director said the board had delegated authority for many expenditures, that personal use was reported for tax purposes, and that advertising was necessary to educate the public about recycling. Members questioned the procurement and disposal decisions and the size of the advertising budget; after discussion, the committee deferred the report to September and asked the director to return. The meeting also included brief deferred reports on Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove, which were filed after local officials described ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing audit and tax issues.