Bills: HR670 , HB1601 , HB1600 , HB1834 , HR780 , HR131 , HR504 , HB6938

Keywords: military, veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, awareness day, Russia, Ukraine, foreign policy, territorial integrity, national interest, Russian aggression, Russian occupation, Crimea, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, sanctions, diplomatic recognition, foreign assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• For this reason, at<00:52:01.200><c> the</c><00:52:01.359><c> appropriate</c><00:52:01.839><c> time,<
• Identifying federal lands for recharge is simple, it's necessary, and it's appropriate.
• Urge my colleagues to vote appropriate.
• :42.160><c> urged</c> Democratic lawmakers appropriately urged Democratic lawmakers appropriately urged
• </c> here to Congress for us to appropriate. here to Congress for us to appropriate.

Bills: HCR66 , HB2550 , HR432 , HB3898 , HB3383 , HB3638 , HB3628 , HR939

Keywords: military funding, defense, appropriations, fiscal year, government, labor relations, collective bargaining, federal employees, workforce protection, executive order, federal labor relations, labor management, federal oversight, government reform, Clean Water Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, PERMIT Act, waters of the United States, WOTUS, EPA

Transcript Highlights:

• This session, we asked for 118 million within our overall appropriations.
• We don't always have a custody level bed that's appropriate for that inmate.
• We did have it in our Legislative Appropriation Request, but not the full 85.
• If that number were higher, we've already provided the appropriation.
• It is, but we've also provided the appropriations committees with data.

Bills: HB1826 , HB2854 , HB3006 , HB4614 , HB5261 , HB5639

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, HB 2854, Pokuaa-Flowers Act, parole, mandatory supervision, electronic monitoring, releasee, parole officer, hospital visit approval, general hospital, law enforcement notification, DSHS, Department of State Health Services, corrections, public safety, liability immunity

Transcript Highlights:

• The second of the two proposals that fits within this bucket is the air appropriation increase.
• And this is just appropriating out those funds to the agency.
• from dollars appropriated in '23?
• I think the largest appropriation that the agency has frankly ever received from the state.
• I should have or appropriated in 2023.

Bills: HF1587 , HF2293 , HF2218 , HF1208 , HF1482

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• And agriculture has a lot of relatively small direct appropriations.
• Uh just last week I was appropriations.
• The Agri Works would be for some of those larger appropriations, and that this would come out of the
• Agri program rather than earmarking individual small appropriations.
• </c><00:33:57.600><c> We</c> individual small appropriations. We individual small appropriations.

Bills: HF2784 , HF2785 , HF2778 , HF2281 , HF2576 , HF2280 , HF2579

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: beginning farmers, agriculture, loans, economic opportunity, farmers' equity, agriculture appropriations, farm to school, early care, child care food program, school lunch program, local food, Minnesota agriculture, food access, farm-to-institution, limited market access, county fairs, biofuels, E25, ethanol, meat processing

Transcript Highlights:

• An appropriate notice will be posted. Please avoid using any trademarked or copyrighted items.
• </c> Defense is that really the appropriate Defense is that really the appropriate agency<00:09:16.360
• do all these folks and and other do DOD do all these folks play<00:09:46.200><c> a</c><00:09:46.360>
• </c> mitigation all those things that the dod mitigation all those things that the dod makes<00:09:53.160
• </c><00:10:06.480><c> reached</c> stakeholders and I think DOD reached stakeholders and I think DOD reached

Summary: The joint hearing of the Committees on Economic Development and Technology and Tourism on February 12, 2025, focused on HB 77/HB 1077, a measure related to increasing the transient accommodations tax and directing revenue toward climate mitigation/resiliency and economic development/tourism resiliency. Most testifiers supported the bill, including the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, State Energy Office, Governor’s office, DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Nature Conservancy, the Hawaii Climate Advisory Team, Care for Aina Now Coalition, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the Ocean Legislative Task Force. Supporters emphasized the need for reliable funding for disaster preparedness, environmental restoration, infrastructure resilience, and tourism-related resilience projects; some cited polling and a reported funding gap for natural resource protection and restoration. Opposition or concerns came from the Kohala Coast Resort Association, which argued the state should fully collect existing taxes from short-term vacation rentals and other accommodations before considering any tax increase. The Attorney General and Department of Taxation offered technical comments, noting the bill’s special fund language referred to fees that the chapter did not actually authorize and recommending either deleting that language or authorizing fee collection through rulemaking. The Hawaii Tourism Authority supported the measure but asked that the funding mechanism have a clear nexus to tourism resiliency. After a brief recess, the chair recommended amendments to redirect the proposed 1.75% TAT increase away from the two special funds and into the general fund, while earmarking 7.3% of total revenue for climate mitigation/resiliency and 7.3% for economic development and tourism resiliency, with technical and defect-effective-date amendments. Both committees then voted to pass the measure with amendments; the recommendations were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of mine says DOD, some of mine says DOW.
• Some of mine says DOD, some of mine says DOW.
• Some of mine says DOD, some of mine says DOW.
• </c> from the DOD. from the DOD.
• </c><00:46:43.080><c> certified</c> the off campus DOD certified the off campus DOD certified facilities

Committee: Senate Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:

• The number of people in DOD who have to touch something, touch an idea, sign off on an idea to actually
• And at DoD, that's meant having women involved in security cooperation programs that really give us,
• General Kaine, if you are confirmed, what steps will you take to ensure the DOD finally passes a full
• However, DOD does not classify the range as a place where exposure occurred.
• Do you think that's an appropriate use of the chairman's job?

Committee: Senate Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: national security, military readiness, Kane nomination, defense budget, China threats, Russia, collaboration, modernization

Summary: The meeting centered on the nomination of retired Lieutenant General Dan Kane for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delving into various security concerns and the strategic environment facing the U.S. today. Testimonies highlighted the growing threats from adversaries such as China and Russia, with discussions around the necessity of maintaining and modernizing military capabilities to address these challenges. The need for agility in military operations and enhancing collaboration among various defense agencies was underscored. Further, concerns were raised regarding the defense budget and the importance of a strong national defense strategy were prevalent throughout the discussions. The committee members collectively emphasized the need for superior readiness and modernization to keep pace with global threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• system, and pulled all DoD children out of the public school system and put them in the DoD school system
• system, and pulled all DoD children out of the public school system and put them in the DoD school system
• system, and pulled all DoD children out of the public school system and put them in the DoD school system
• system, and pulled all DoD children out of the public school system and put them in the DoD school system
• </c> those funds, and it's not an appropriate those funds, and it's not an appropriate use.<01:31:36.400

Bills: SF0035 , SF0090 , SF0072

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• So what I know is that the DOD fax ...to this piece.
• So what I know is that the DOD fax service ended, right?
• The motion is do pass and refer to the Committee on Appropriations. Schiavo? Aye. Gonzalez? Aye.
• Gonzales. to the Committee on Appropriations. Chavo? Aye. Shiavo, aye. Chiavo, aye. Gonzales? Aye.
• S.J.R. 14. and re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Representative, it probably is only on DOD land, correct. Um, but Mr.
• There's, we have multiple appropriations that could, special appropriations, uh, That could be stacked
• So, but we don't want to appropriate money just for the sake of appropriating it if there's not a plan
• Just to, um, clarify, did you, um, mention, uh, DOD? Awesome, yes. OK, cool.
• DOEE, DOD, EPA. Yeah, Um, so, Mr.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to blank out the appropriations in the FTEs because although we understand the concerns of
• We're going to blank out the appropriations in the FTEs because although we understand the concerns of
• And then for DoD, you have the JOC under I think law enforcement handles missing persons.
• And then for DoD, you have the JOC under That call us out and we have all of our standards in place,
• </c><00:37:56.240><c> uh</c><00:37:56.480><c> department,</c> was about the appropriate uh department

Bills: SB2064 , SB2312 , SB2811 , SB2662 , SB2744 , SB2809 , SB2862 , SB2343 , SB2336 , SB2075 , SB2308 , SB2601 , SB2397 , SB2219 , SB2849 , SB2449 , SB2781

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The committee met for decision-making on measures heard earlier in the week and took up a series of government operations, procurement, public records, public meetings, and related bills. Several measures were deferred one week to February 12, 2026, including bills on state construction projects, government accountability, gubernatorial appointments, the legislature, public procurement, and a bill on Hawaiian lei sales, largely so the committee could compare similar measures, address concerns, or integrate related reports. The committee also deferred SB 2449 on public meetings for the year, citing concerns that the proposed business-day definition was overly prescriptive and unnecessary. The committee passed several bills with amendments. These included measures clarifying UIPA applicability to records created or maintained by agencies, with amendments changing “government function” to “agency function” and committee report language noting Attorney General concerns and exempting ERS for now; SB 2811 on state building projects with technical amendments and a delayed effective date; SB 2809 on budget-related reports; SB 2336 on trees, with a Senate draft and removal of “political subdivision”; SB 2308 on small purchase vendor compliance, setting the threshold at $5,000 and adding a delayed effective date; SB 2601 on procurement, reorganizing misdemeanor language and leaving funding/FTE issues to Ways and Means; SB 2219 on a capital visitor center working group; and SB 2849 on public meetings, with technical amendments and a delayed effective date. Bills on neighborhood board concerns and public notice were also adopted, with SB 2929 drawing testimony both for and against. Testimony was generally supportive on procurement and small business measures, especially SB 2928 establishing permanent small business procurement coordinator positions, which drew strong support from the State Procurement Office, DBEDT, the Chamber of Commerce, DOT, the Ethics Commission, and others. On public notice, the County of Maui supported allowing website posting, while another witness raised concerns about accessibility, centralized notice locations, and impacts on kūpuna and people with disabilities. On search and rescue, the committee heard support for creating a statewide coordination structure, along with discussion of where such an office should reside; the Attorney General raised constitutional and placement concerns, while witnesses suggested law enforcement, DLNR, or DoD as possible homes. The committee also heard support for a bill protecting home addresses of covered public servants and candidates, though the Public First Law Center urged broader coverage and a better fit with existing law.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're on a federal active duty status, the DOD pays for it.
• So, why did the DOD decide to cancel the non-secure internet?
• She appropriates it someplace else.
• Members get it, the citizens get it at the appropriate time. Mr.
• But if this is requesting an appropriation, I'm just wondering. Yeah.

Bills: HB2006 , HB2165 , HB2245 , HB2348 , HB2806 , HB2901 , HB2902 , HCR2016

Committees: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections , House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Keywords: sample ballots, elections, primary election, general election, mailing deadline, ballot mailing, county election officials, board of supervisors, secretary of state, early voting list, election administration, voter information, postal service, USPS processing center, city elections, town elections, special district elections, Arizona election law, ballot proofing, party chair

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're on a federal active duty status, the DOD pays for it.
• So, why did the DOD decide to cancel the non-secret Internet?
• So, why did the DOD decide to cancel the non-secure internet?
• My amendment, if lodging in kind is run to the DOD and the U.S.
• She appropriates it someplace else.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2348, which would appropriate state funds for Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs training-center needs, including Wi-Fi for reserve units at joint facilities, a reimbursement program for service members using personal computers, lodging and kind for drill weekends, and HVAC upgrades and maintenance. Two amendments were considered: the Marquez Amendment, which filled in dollar amounts for each purpose, failed; and the Gillette Amendment, which added national-security restrictions on networking equipment, removed the reimbursement and lodging provisions from the underlying bill, and adjusted the funding language, passed. The sponsor and several military witnesses testified that reserve and Guard members at places like Buckeye lack Wi-Fi, adequate HVAC, and lodging, forcing soldiers to use public libraries, personal devices, or sleep in cars or on armory floors. After debate over whether the state should fund needs tied to federal reserve units and how the money would be sourced, the committee recommended HB 2348 as amended by a 4-3 vote. The committee then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2016, a ballot referral that would cap precinct size at 2,500 registered voters and eliminate county authority to use vote centers, emergency voting centers, and certain on-site early voting options. The sponsor said the measure was intended to restore precinct-based voting and reflect voter preference, noting the change from an earlier 1,000-voter cap to 2,500 after feedback from county officials. County and advocacy witnesses opposed the resolution, arguing that vote centers provide flexibility, are often more cost-effective, and are necessary in rural counties and large counties like Maricopa; they also said precinct voting would require many more locations, staff, and equipment, and could force some counties into central-count tabulation. Supporters argued precinct voting improves voter confidence and access. The committee approved HCR 2016 for the ballot by a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2165, which exempts veterans from Arizona State Parks admission fees, and adopted the Marquez Amendment to extend the exemption to active military, National Guard, and reserve members and to broaden acceptable identification. Arizona State Parks testified in a neutral position, saying the agency is self-funded through user fees and already offers discounts to active duty, veterans, and disabled veterans, but warned that expanding free admission could affect park revenue and rural economies. The bill discussion ended with the amendment adopted and the measure moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what I know is that the DOD fax... ...service ended, right?
• So I can see the availability of the DOD member on a base or whatever, and I can see the availability
• The motion is do pass and refer to the Committee on Appropriations. Sheavo? Aye. Chiavo, aye.
• Gonzales... ...to the Committee on Appropriations. Chavo? Aye. Chaveauvel? Aye. Gonzalez? Aye.
• S.J.R. 14... ...and re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Summary: The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee met and considered several measures, with most of the discussion focused on veterans’ access to food assistance, overseas voting, and veteran mental health research. SB 1201, the “No Hungry Heroes Act,” would seek federal waivers to protect certain veterans from CalFresh time limits and require referrals to county veteran service officers; supporters said federal SNAP cuts are leaving vulnerable veterans at risk of hunger, while no opposition testified. Members spoke strongly in favor, emphasizing the need to support service members and their families. SB 970 addressed ballot access for military and overseas voters after the federal DOD fax service was discontinued. The bill would direct the Secretary of State to develop regulations for a secure ballot return method. County election officials and veterans groups supported the measure, while the Secretary of State’s office and Verified Voting raised concerns about cybersecurity and urged a more deliberate process, including a possible task force. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 970 and send it to Appropriations. SB 1224 proposed a California Emerging Therapies Research Partnership to help the state compete for federal research funding for alternative therapies, including treatments relevant to PTSD, depression, and substance use among veterans. Veterans advocates described the bill as a way to expand options for those not helped by traditional treatment, and the author noted amendments to address conflicts of interest and administrative issues. The committee approved the bill and referred it to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, including HR 120, SB 892, SB 1188, SJR 14, and SJR 17, and later voted SB 1201 and SB 970 out of committee as well. Overall, the meeting reflected broad bipartisan support for veteran-focused measures, with the main policy debate centered on how to balance access and security in overseas voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> lettered and marked with the appropriate lettered and marked with the appropriate seals<00:10:01.360
• </c> left, $14.6 6 billion in direct DoD left, $14.6 6 billion in direct DoD spending<01:18:49.360><c
• </c> DoD payroll to 53,661 DoD payroll to 53,661 personnel<01:20:11.520><c> who</c><01:20:11.840><c>
• </c> personnel who get direct DoD paychecks. personnel who get direct DoD paychecks.
• </c><01:32:54.880><c> has</c> within the army and the DoD has within the army and the DoD has transformed

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and heard a brief announcement from Senator Richardson about the Missing in America Project interring unclaimed veterans’ remains at the Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Hopkinsville. He read the names of several veterans being laid to rest with military honors, and the chair thanked the volunteers involved in the effort. The main presentation was an update on Kentucky’s urban search and rescue program from the Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky Emergency Management. Officials said the program is being built around two regional task force hubs, a helicopter aquatic rescue team, an incident support team, and a rescue aid fund for local search and rescue units. They reported that the $8.3 million appropriated for the program in the 2025 budget was fully executed, that $482,670 of the rescue aid fund went to 29 local teams, and that $493,592 has already been allocated in the current year to 36 teams. They also described warehouse and equipment purchases, staffing with full-time and part-time personnel, and a new training site on state property for collapsed-structure and multi-agency exercises. Officials said the program has already been used in recent disasters, including flood response and urban search and rescue operations in several parts of the state, and claimed the effort has impacted more than 1,500 citizens through rescues, evacuations, and related assistance. They said the helicopter aquatic rescue team is fully operational, the task force roster should be finalized by January, incident support should be online by April, and the full program should be deployable by June 30 or July 1, 2026. Members asked about statewide response times, K-9 search capabilities, and the long-term cost of the program, including concerns about reliance on federal matching funds. The presenters said K-9 assets will be part of the task force, that pre-positioning during forecasted storms can reduce response times significantly, and that they would provide more detailed budget information later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the bill prescribes Military Installation Fund duties, is subject to legislative appropriation
• It creates a formal structure to connect federal military leadership, DOD installations, and Arizona's
• It creates a formal structure to connect federal military leadership, DOD installations, and Arizona's
• He had five generals from the DOD say they have no opposition to this bill whatsoever, and he made a
• I don't see an appropriation. Or is there an appropriation on this bill?

Bills: SB1047 , SB1365 , SB1474 , SB1618 , SB1620

Committee: Senate Military Affairs and Border Security

Keywords: National Guard, active duty, combat, Arizona, declaration of war, state law, military service, property tax, exemptions, veterans, disabilities, widows and widowers, Arizona Revised Statutes, immigration enforcement, local law enforcement, federal cooperation, law enforcement training, public safety, telecommunications, utility relocation

Transcript Highlights:

• There are appropriate times to take risk and there are inappropriate times to take risk.
• It costs DOD a lot of money.
• Process is what DOD officials use to kill good people and good ideas. Just my opinion.
• So yesterday, I was told that the committee's charter currently sits before the DOD.
• So going to modernizing DOD infrastructure is one of my top priorities.

Committee: Senate Subcommittee on Personnel

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget.
• was part of that general appropriations bill.
• What is that $250,000 appropriation going forward?
• It was appropriated FY25.
• I see in section one that it also appropriates.

Bills: HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, budget appropriations, public schools, teachers' retirement, early childhood education, aeronautics, infrastructure, funding, sustainability, Oklahoma, mining, operator fees, coal production, noncoal mining, department of mines, revenue, state budget, budgetary reform, financial legislation, fiscal accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget was called to order.
• Members, this is an one-time appropriation for the remediation-assistant revolving fund.
• House Bill 4041 appropriates $2.5 million to the Office of the Attorney General.
• Senate Bill 1158 appropriates $2,000 to OJA for medication prescribed for juveniles.
• It appropriates various things for the blood clot registry and sickle cell research.

Bills: HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, budget appropriations, public schools, teachers' retirement, early childhood education, aeronautics, infrastructure, funding, sustainability, Oklahoma, mining, operator fees, coal production, noncoal mining, department of mines, revenue, state budget, budgetary reform, financial legislation, fiscal accountability