AZlege: Here come the strikers...

For many Arizonans, this week marks the start of Lent, a religious season where adherents give up something (often a bad habit or some luxury) to make their lives simpler.  The only thing that the AZ lege gives up is any pretense of subtlety...

After watching KAET's Horizon air its weekly legislative update where the Arizona Capitol Times' Luigi del Puerto observed that there haven't been any proposals that are in the vein of last year's SB1062 (anti-LGBT) or 2010's SB1070 (anti-immigrant), I checked out the lege's website to see if any had slipped in under the radar.

And found that a rash of strikers, some of which are ugly, had sprouted all over committee agendas since I last checked on Sunday.

Some examples -

 - The anti-immigrant striker to SB1222, barring prosecutors from entering into a plea deal with someone who has been deported while other charges are pending.  It also has language that states that the statute of limitations (time limits) on charges doesn't run while suspects are out of the country, but that language seems redundant - similar language is already part of existing statute.

- The anti-immigrant striker to SB1294, mandating that a person's name, date of birth, place of birth, and country of citizenship be recorded on every summons, arrest warrant, and uniform traffic complaint (traffic ticket) for that person.

(both are from Russell Pearce acolyte Sen. Steve Smith and will be heard in the Senate Public Safety, Military and Technology at 9 a.m., Wednesday, SHR1)

- The striker to HB2059, creating limits on what areas that money in the state's medical marijuana fund can be spent on (while most of the approved areas are marijuana-related, none are related to *medical* marijuana).  Not actually "ugly", per se, perhaps unlike...

- The striker to HB2056, barring municipalities and counties from enacting zoning ordinances that allow certain non-retail medical marijuana production facilities within approximately 1/2 a mile of an area zoned for residential use, a school, or a church.

 - Or the striker to HB2053, directing the Department of Economic Security to come up with a plan to kick "able-bodied" people off of public assistance (the bill uses the term "transition", not "kick", but...)

(these will be heard by the House Government and Higher Education Committee, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR1)

This week is the last week where bills can be heard in committee in their originating chamber (which explains the long committee agendas this week), but it's only the beginning of striker season.  Between now and sine die (the final adjournment of the legislative session), literally dozens of otherwise harmless bills will be changed into nuggets of ugly.

Keep your eyes open folks, the ride toward Sine Die is going to get bumpy...

Arizona legislature: The coming week

...It's a "bring your own popcorn" week at the Capitol as the neo-secessionists, gun nuts, and propagandist types will be out in force this week...

Notes:

All committees meetings and agendas are subject to change without notice, and frequently do.  If you plan to travel to the Capitol to observe or weigh in on the consideration of a particular measure, check with the lege ahead of time to confirm that the meeting that you are interesting in is still on schedule and your item(s) of interest is still on the agenda for that meeting.

Meeting rooms designated "HHR" are in the House of Representatives building.

Meeting rooms designated "SHR" are in the Senate building.

Some agendas are summarized as "looks harmless", but if they cover an area of interest to you, examine the agenda and the bills on it.  If I missed something significant, please leave a comment letting me know.

All House committee agendas can be found here.
All Senate committee agendas can be found here.

On the Senate side of the Capitol -

Natural Resources, Monday, 9 a.m., SHR109.  On the agenda: a striker to SB1041, expanding  off-track betting on races; SB1386, making it a felony for anyone (including the federal government) to transport to and release into an area an endangered species unless specifically authorized by state or federal law (this proposal seems to be targeted at the possible introduction of endangered species into areas that one or another corporation want to develop); SCR1015, a proposed amendment to Arizona's constitution barring the federal agency or official from enforcing any regulation that affects "nonnavigable, intrastate waters or waterways" in Arizona.

State Debt and Budget Reform, Monday, 10 a.m., SHR3.  Short agenda, and I would characterize it as "looks harmless", but I don't completely understand the potential real world impact of the bill proposals.

Rules, Monday, 1 p.m., Caucus Room 1.   Long agenda, some bad bills, to be rubberstamped on their way to floor consideration.

Commerce and Workforce Development, Monday. 1:45 p.m., SHR1.  On the agenda: a striker to SB1118, stating that standard car insurance doesn't cover situations where a vehicle is being used as to provide "transportation network services" (i.e. - Uber and Lyft).

Water and Energy, Monday, 2 p.m., SHR3.  On the agenda: a striker to SB1007, creating the "Joint Legislative Review Committee on State Implementation Plans Relating to Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Existing Power Plants" and tasking it to oppose any federal regulation impacting CO2 emissions in AZ that might impact businesses in AZ (no, the bill doesn't state that specifically, but the many provisions in the bill add up to just that).


Rural Affairs and Environment, Tuesday, 9 a.m., SHR109.  Mostly strikers on the agenda.  On the agenda: a propaganda session presentation from a retired Border Patrol officer; a striker to SB1200, restoring the state mining and mineral museum (which was zero-funded a couple of years ago so the funding could be used for activities related to Arizona's centennial); a striker to SCM1001, declaring the lege's opposition to the idea of declaring 1.7 million acres of the Kaibab National Forest and environs to be a national monument called the "Grand CanyonWatershed National Monument"; a striker to SCM1002, a love letter to Congress urging it to pass legislation to grant states complete authority over the determination of rights-of-way across public lands; a striker to SCM1003, a love letter to the federal government, telling it to stop the reintroduction of Mexican gray wolves into Arizona; a striker to SCM1004, urging Congress to invalidate a proposed EPA rule that defines "Waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act.

Federalism, Mandates, and Fiscal Responsibility, Tuesday, 9 a.m., SHR3.  Propaganda session Presentation only at this point, previously covered here.

Transportation, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR1.  Looks harmless so far.

Appropriations, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR109.  On the agenda: SB1466, creating a fund to compensate ranchers and other livestock producers for livestock lost to reintroduced Mexican wolves, and a board to administer that fund.


Public Safety, Military, and Technology, Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR1.  On the agenda: another propaganda session presentation from the same retired border patrol agent who is scheduled to present to the Rural Affairs and Environment committee on Tuesday; SB1271, appropriating $10 million to fund a "virtual border fence"; SB1300, a proposal from Sen. John Kavanagh regarding the use of "law enforcement officer body cameras".  Three points:  1. The proposal has scads of exceptions to their use.  2. The proposal specifically states that any recordings made using such cameras are NOT public record and can be made public only because of a court order or subpoena.  3. Nothing in the proposal actually requires the use of law enforcement body cameras; a same-subject striker (text unavailable as of this writing) to SB1330, invalidating in Arizona federal laws regarding firearms and creating punishments for political subdivisions, public employees, and certain others who enforce or provide support for the enforcement of federal firearms laws.

Finance, Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR3.  On the agenda: SB1133, relating to municipalities and sale tax refunds; SB1433, mandating that municipalities and counties reimburse utilities that have to relocate a facility due to a public works project.

Health and Human Services, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR1.  On the agenda: SB1283, regarding colocation of outpatient treatment centers, and other matters.  I don't have the subject area knowledge to point out what is specifically bad about this, but my inner cynic wonders if this is less about enhancing patient care and more about enhancing someone's profits.

Government, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR3.  Based on this agenda, this should be called the "Bad Government" committee.  On that agenda: SB1193, expanding the protection from most zoning laws that is conferred on charter schools to anything owned, leased, or operated by them; SB1266, making changes to the uses of Clean Elections funds, mostly to do with officeholder expense accounts; SB1273, requiring ADOT to issue REAL ID-compliant drivers' licenses upon request; SB1309,  relating to party PCs, their terms of office, and proxies for meetings of party state, county, and legislative district committees; SB1340, requiring that anyone giving more than ten early ballots to an election official also give that official their identifying information...and that the Secretary of State publish that information; SB1345, requiring a government entity (state, county, local, or other subdivision) that acquires previously private property make available for sale property of equal value; SCR1002, proposing to amend the state constitution so that the rules of procedure in the state's courts are subject to change by the legislature or by a the voters.

Financial Institutions, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR109.  On the agenda: SB1189, allowing out of state insurers to sell policies in Arizona (in a way that allows them to circumvent most AZ laws and rules regarding such).


Judiciary, Thursday, 9 a.m., SHR109.  Looks harmless so far, but may merit further examination.

Education, Thursday, 9 a.m., SHR1.  SB1459, allowing schools to use physical restraints or seclusion techniques to control students, and prescribing acceptable practices for both.


On the House side of the Capitol - 




Elections, Monday, 9:30 a.m., HHR4.  On the agenda: HB2081, barring cash as qualifying contributions for Clean Elections candidates; HB2138, moving the date of the state's primary election from August to May; HB2407, making it more difficult for petition drives for referenda and recalls (yes, the Rs in the lege are still pissed over the recall of Russell Pearce a few years ago); HB2613, specifying the period during which the use of public resources by municipalities, school districts, etc. to influence the outcome of elections is barred (from the date the election is called through the date of the actual election); HB2649, changing definitions and reporting requirements for "political committees".  Some might try to tell you this is harmless, but a quick examination of the text of the bill uncovered three examples of "bad" policy - 1.  To be subject to reporting requirements, a committee/organization's "primary" purpose must be to influence the outcome of an election...without defining "primary".  2.  Doubles the threshold below which a committee doesn't have to report (from $250 to $500).  3.  Remove the requirement that organizations working to oppose a recall election of a public officer file as a political committee; HB2644, allowing political signs to go up 86 days before an election.  Currently, the period when signs can go up starts at 45 days before an election; a striker to HB2652, specifying the term of office of an elected party PC; HB2664, allowing political parties to nominate candidates by party caucus, instead of a primary election (where, horror of all horrors, independent voters might cast a ballot) (Note: "horror of all horrors" is sarcasm, folks)  Per the agenda, this item is on the agenda for discussion only, at this point.

Rules, Monday, 1 p.m., HHR4.  Long agenda of items to be rubber-stamped on their way to floor action.

Ways and Means, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR3.  On the agenda: a striker to HB2069, Rep. JD Mesnard's attempt to revive his scheme to reduce the state's income tax by whatever amount of revenue is collected as sales tax on online transactions ("revive" because his original attempt at this, HB2061, failed to pass a floor vote); a striker to HB2450, exempting billboard rentals from sales tax liability; HB2617, creating a "regulatory relief tax credit".

County and Municipal Affairs, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR4.  On the agenda: not sure it is "bad", but definitely interesting procedurally: a striker to HB2095, allowing Maricopa and Pima counties to waive a performance bond for certain facilities construction projects if the construction costs do not exceed $500K.  The original bill would allow all political subdivisions to do that.

Children and Family Affairs, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR5.  Nothing that looks too troubling at this point (perhaps the "bay at the moon" crowd is setting aside this time to catch its breath).


Transportation and Infrastructure, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR1. On the agenda: HB2564, requiring that photo radar traffic enforcement devices must be operated by law enforcement personnel for citations issue on the basis of such devices to be valid; HB2662, updating the penalties for traffic infractions related to excessive speed.

Rural and Economic Development, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR5.  Looks harmless so far.

Health, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR4.  On the agenda: a striker to HB2040, relating to school immunization requirements (this one doesn't seem bad).

Banking and Financial Services, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR3.  Looks harmless so far, but some of this is very technical and I don't fully understand the real world impact of some of the proposals.


Federalism and States' Rights, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR5.  When you select your popcorn for this meeting, go with Jiffy Pop.  Whoever has extra tin foil at this one will make a bundle from selling it.  On the agenda: a propaganda session presentation, a striker to HB2055, barring any the state, any of its subdivisions, or their employees from aiding the federal government in the enforcement/administration of the pending "Waters of the United States" rule from the EPA; HB2145, requiring delegates to a future federal Constitutional convention to take an oath to not allow consideration of any "unauthorized" amendments; HB2176, the lege's annual ploy to wrest control of federal block grants to AZ from the governor; HB2368, barring the state or its political subdivisions from even cooperating with an executive order of the President of the US; HB2481, changing state law so that if a constitutional convention in AZ approves an amendment to the US Constitution it must notify the Archivist of the US.  Current law requires that the US SOS is the one notified; HB2643, barring the state or its subdivisions from enforcing or even cooperating with the federal Affordable Care Act (aka - "Obamacare"); a striker to HB2058, barring the state or its subdivisions from enforcing or cooperating with any federal rules or regulation that isn't specifically approved by Congress.

Judiciary, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR3.  On the agenda: HB2378, making it a felony for a peace officer to engage in sexual activity with a victim or with the subject of an investigation (class 2, 3, or 5, depending on the age of non-law enforcement participant in the activity).

Commerce, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., HHR1.  Looks harmless so far.

Insurance, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR4.  Looks harmless so far.

Education, Wednesday, 2 p.m., HHR4.  On the agenda: HB2190, creating a replacement for Common Core; HB2246, allowing parents to opt out (on behalf of their children); HB2250, expanding school vouchers "empowerment scholarship accounts"; HB2562, about removing limitations on how school districts may spend the proceeds of property sales; HB2668, creating a fund for "results-based school-readiness contracts" (it's so specific, it seems to be aimed at funneling money to a specific company; I don't know which one, but this bears looking into).

Appropriations, Wednesday, 2 p.m., HHR1.  On the agenda: HB2617, creating a "regulatory relief tax credit" (assuming the bill is passed by the Ways and Means Committee on Monday).


Military Affairs and Public Safety, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR5.  On the agenda: HB2431, signing on to something called the "uniform firearms transfer compact".  Among its provisions: barring any state that is a member of the compact from crafting any rules concerning the transfer of firearms, even by popular vote.  Also, the member states cannot withdraw from the compact without the unanimous approval of all of the other members of the compact.

Government and Higher Education, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR1.  On the agenda: HB2261, requiring the state board of regents to recognize career and technical education credits as fine arts credits for the purpose of admissions to the state's university; HB2570, barring municipalities from adopting vegetation requirements.

Agriculture, Water, and Lands, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR3.  On the agenda: a lot of neo-secessionist garbage. 


The House has posted a Third Read (final approval) calendar and a COW (Committee of the Whole) calendar for Monday.  The Senate has posted a Third Read calendar for Monday.  When others are posted, they will be available here.

The Capitol Events calendar is here.

Public meeting notices from the Arizona Department of Administration here. 

AZlege going local in its search for corporate anti-science propaganda

The things you see when reading AZ lege committee agendas...

From the agenda for next Tuesday's meeting of the Arizona State Senate Committee on Federalism, Mandates, and Fiscal Responsibility (aka - the "Executive Committee of the Black Helicopter Caucus"):

Intrigued by the name "Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change", I did a little research.

Eye-opening stuff, but nonetheless, not unexpected.

From Sourcewatch's page on the group -

The Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change is one of Mother Jones magazine's 2009 global warming skeptic "Dirty Dozen of Climate Change Denial"^[1]. Founded in 1998 by members of the Idso family, its income has increased in recent years.

{snip}

In August 2011, Center founder and Chairman Craig Idso spoke on "Benefit Analysis of CO₂" (previously known as "Warming Up to Climate Change: The Many Benefits of Increased Atmospheric CO₂") at the Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force meeting at the 2011 American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Annual Meeting.

From Mother Jones, written by Josh Harkinson -

The Idso clan is the von Trapp family of climate change denial. In 1980, paterfamilias Sherwood Idso, a self-described "bio-climatologist," published a paper in Science concluding that doubling the world's carbon dioxide concentration wouldn't change the planet's temperature all that much. In years that followed, Idso and his colleagues at Arizona State University's Office of Climatology received more than $1 million in research funding from oil, coal, and utility interests. In 1990, he coauthored a paper funded by a coal mining company, titled "Greenhouse Cooling."

According to IRS filings from the group (OK, its Form 990 for 2013, available here) and the group's filings with the Arizona Corporation Commission, the "Center" is less a "center" than a "house", in Tempe (turns out that the Idso clan has ties to ASU).

Oh, and considering the group's ties to ALEC, it probably isn't a coincidence that this is taking place during the same week of ALEC's annual recruiting dinner/schmoozefest with the Arizona lege.

Jon Stewart leaving The Daily Show

In one of the earliest posts here (May 4, 2006), I wrote simply - 

I think that 20 years from now, we are going to look back with wonder and awe at Comedy Central's one/two punch of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.

Has there ever been a more spot-on hour of political/social commentary and satire?

Colbert retired his character in late December to prepare for his new gig as host of the The Late Show, which he will be taking over later this year when current host David Letterman retires.

Now Jon Stewart is also stepping away from his iconic spot as host (and guiding light) of The Daily Show.

From NPR, written by Bill Chappell -

Taping last night's show shortly before the news of his departure became public, The Daily Show host Jon Stewart faced an awkward task: telling a studio audience that he's leaving the show.
In the process, Stewart couldn't resist making fun of himself.

"Seventeen years is the longest I have ever in my life held a job," he said, "by 16 years and 5 months."

Saying that he had been given "an incredible opportunity to pilot this wonderful franchise," Stewart later added, "in my heart I know it is time for someone else to have that opportunity."

Many in the media are waxing poetically over the news of Stewart's departure (probably because he won't be around to skewer their professional foibles), so I won't go overboard here, just noting that to me, he is (soon to be "was") TV's version of Molly Ivins - able to stoke their audience's fires of outrage  while tickling their funny bones at the same time.

And that is the highest compliment that I can offer.


One group that probably isn't sad to hear about Stewart's impending departure?

Arizona electeds.

Arizona has been featured on The Daily Show numerous times during Stewart's tenure, and while a few may have been less scathing than others, none have be *positive*.  However, almost all of them have aimed at the acts (and ideas and statements) of AZ's elected officials.

One of his commentaries on an event in AZ, this one from the immediate aftermath on the mass shooting in Tucson where six people were killed and more than a dozen others, including former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, were wounded (the commentary isn't "funny", per se, but it is spot on) -

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,The Daily Show on Facebook,Daily Show Video Archive

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

NOTE:  Because of time constraints, this post is not complete.  Agendas for House committees meeting on Wednesday and Thursday have not been covered as yet.  Those will be covered by Tuesday night and the post will be updated at that time.

NOTE2: The post has been completed.  

We've entered the period of the legislative session where almost every committee agenda will be changed before the meeting time, and when consideration of strikers will be present at nearly every meeting.

Notes:

All committees meetings and agendas are subject to change without notice, and frequently do.  If you plan to travel to the Capitol to observe or weigh in on the consideration of a particular measure, check with the lege ahead of time to confirm that the meeting that you are interesting in is still on schedule and your item(s) of interest is still on the agenda for that meeting.

Meeting rooms designated "HHR" are in the House of Representatives building.

Meeting rooms designated "SHR" are in the Senate building.

Some agendas are summarized as "looks harmless", but if they cover an area of interest to you, examine the agenda and the bills on it.  If I missed something significant, please leave a comment letting me know.


All House committee agendas can be found here.

All Senate committee agendas can be found here.


On the Senate side of the Capitol -

Natural Resources, Monday, 9 a.m., SHR109.  On the agenda: SB1185, appropriating $250K to the AZAG to pay for litigation against the feds' reintroduction of the Mexican gray wolf into Arizona; SB1225, creating a committee to study the uses of industrial hemp; SB1441, possibly the most important bill of the session.  It declares that copper is the official "state metal" of Arizona.

Nice to know all of the real problems facing the state have been successfully addressed.

State Debt and Budget Reform, Monday, 9 a.m., SHR3.  On the agenda: SCR1013, a proposed amendment to the state constitution to give the lege the authority to preempt any state administrative rule that it doesn't like.

Rules, Monday, 1 p.m., Caucus Room 1.  Long agenda, a few controversial measures.  Rubber stamp (on their way to floor action).

Commerce and Workforce Development, Monday 1:45 p.m., SHR1.  On the agenda: SB1403, defining "consumer lawsuit loans" and setting the maximum interest rate for the same (at 36%).

Water and Energy, Monday, 2 p.m., SHR3.  On the agenda: SB1465, specifying certain material must be included in contracts for "distributed energy" systems (aka - "rooftop solar"); and SCM1014, asking that the EPA do nothing to help reduce ozone levels in the atmosphere (if this passes, and it will, maybe next year the lege can pass a resolution suggesting that the name of the EPA be changed to "CPA", or "Corporate Protection Agency").


Rural Affairs and Environment, Tuesday, 9 a.m., SHR109.  On the agenda: SB1466, creating a fund to compensate livestock owners for livestock lost to wolves reintroduced into a given area by the federal government, and establishing a board to administer that fund.

Federalism, Mandates, and Fiscal Responsibility, Tuesday, 9 a.m. SHR3.  A neo-secessionist/"bay at the moon" special.  On the agenda: SB1291, enacting penalties for political subdivisions (i.e. - counties, municipalities, etc.) that enact gun laws that are more restrictive than anything produced by the state legislature; SB1330, invalidating federal laws relating to firearms (actually, it specifies laws that are in violation of the 2nd Amendment, but it doesn't define an objective standard to determine that) and creates penalties for individuals and political subdivisions that do anything to enforce such federal laws; SB1331, barring political subdivisions and their employees from assisting the federal government in the collection of "metadata"; SB1384, requiring federal law enforcement officers to gain the permission of a county's sheriff before conducting law enforcement activities in a given county.

Transportation, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR1.  On the agenda: SB1273, requiring the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to issue a REAL ID compliant or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Enhanced Driver License (EDL) to an applicant requesting one; SB1369, allowing local authorities to establish speed limits on roads that are within their jurisdiction but not under their control (many of the state's highways serve as surface streets in some of the state's smaller towns).

Appropriations, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR109.  Looks harmless so far. 


Public Safety, Military, and Technology, Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR1.  On the agenda: In addition to three measures that are also on Tuesday's Federalism, etc. agenda (SBs 1291, 1330, and 1384) SB1335, allowing homeowners to sue to block (and collect costs and damages) a political subdivision from requiring a homeowner to install a sprinkler system in a home; SB1445, proposing to keep secret for 90 days the names of police officers who use deadly force; SB1460, automatically restoring the gun possession rights for those who have had criminal convictions set aside.

Finance, Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR3. On the agenda: SB1446, "reforming" sales tax as it pertains to building contractors.

Health and Human Services, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR1.  On the agenda: SB1318, seeking to harass abortion clinics by imposing more stringent paperwork requirements upon them; SB1329, imposing a requirement that a SNAP benefit card have a photo of the benefit recipient; SCR1003, expressing the lege's opposition to something called the "Interstate Medical Licensure Compact".

Government, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR3. On the agenda: SB1287, classifying the showing of another voter's ballot to another party as a class 2 misdemeanor, with the exception of situations where a voter has revealed the contents of that ballot voluntarily (such as by posting a pic of their ballot on social media); SB1339, allowing public agencies to refuse to comply with a public records request if that request is "unduly burdensome".

Financial Institutions, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR109.  On the agenda: nine bills that look harmless but are also technical enough that I don't understand the real-world impact of them.


Education, Thursday, 9 a.m., SHR1. On the agenda: SB1434, expanding school vouchers; SB1463, creating the equivalent of school vouchers for online courses, siphoning ever more funds from school districts.

Note:  I use the phrase "school vouchers" where the lege uses the phrase "empowerment scholarships".

Note2: They don't use "empowerment scholarships" for the online course funding, at this time.

Judiciary, Thursday, 10 a.m., SHR109.  On the agenda: SB1195, codifying that someone who has been arrested does not have to provide a biometric identifier that is needed to unlock an electronic device unless a valid search warrant has been issued.


On the House side of the Capitol -

Elections, Monday, 10 a.m., HHR4.  On the agenda: HB2109, requiring specific language be used on ballots for bond approval; HB2536, the House version of SB1287 above.  The bills are slightly different in language and effect, so eventually one will be discarded.  I don't know which that will be; HB2265, which, subject to voter approval, creates the office of Lieutenant Governor, and makes that person the director of the Arizona Department of Administration.

Rules, Monday, 1 p.m., HHR4.  Loonnng agenda.  A few controversial measures.  Rubberstamp.

County and Municipal Affairs, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR4.  On the agenda: HB2558.  Under current law, if a municipality wants to sell off a piece of real property, it must gain the approval of the voters if the value of the property exceeds $500K.  This proposal would raise the threshold to $1.5 million.

Children and Family Affairs, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR5.  Looks mostly harmless.


Transportation and Infrastructure, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR1.  On the agenda: HB2411.  Under current law, if someone commits a traffic violation and is sentenced to attend a defensive driving school, that person is not eligible to attend defensive driving school for at least 24 months.  This measure would reduce that period to 12 months.

Health, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR4.  Looks harmless, but there is a proposed striker to HB2556, relating to "hospitals; healthcare quality assurance".  No text available as of this writing.

Banking and Financial Services, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR3.  On the agenda:  A striker to HB2220, relating to "security freezes; protect consumer"; and a possible striker to HB2611.  "Possible" because while the striker is shown on the bill's detail page, it is NOT listed on the agenda.  The original bill proposal specifies a definition and some minimal regulations for "consumer flex loans"; the proposed striker looks to be a more technical update of financial services statutes.


Federalism and States' Rights, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR4.  On the agenda: HB2175. I'm not a lawyer, so this one should definitely be studied by one to be certain, but this looks like the lege's idea of a subtle claim to all public lands in the state; HB2326, calling for an amendment to the US Constitution relating to requiring a balanced budget, with some specific clauses mentioned (and not all of those clauses are budget-specific).

Commerce, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., HHR1.  Looks relatively harmless so far.

Judiciary, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR3.  On the agenda: a striker to HB2089, turning the bill from one that would make it felony aggravated assault if someone commits an otherwise misdemeanor assault on an elected official into one that would make that change, but for "judicial officers"; HB2131, lifting the cap on attorney fees that can be awarded when a private party prevails over the government in a tax matter; a striker to HB2076, proposing to increase the size of the state supreme court from five justices to seven; HB2299, adding definitions and clauses to state law regarding sex offenders; HB2413, relating to civil penalties for "phishing"; HB2561, narrowing the state's law regarding the unlawful distribution of private images.

Insurance, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR4.  On the agenda: HB2346, exempting workers' comp insurers from having to provide reimbursement for medical marijuana (this will need a 3/4 vote to pass if it goes before the full chamber).

Appropriations, Wednesday, 2 p.m., HHR1.   On the agenda: a same-subject striker to HB2380, relating to public notice and the state budget (striker language not available as of this writing).



Military Affairs and Public Safety, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR5.  Gun nuts rejoice!  On the agenda: HB2320, allowing firearms to be possessed in nearly all public events and establishments; and HB2509, with certain exceptions, making it aggravated assault (a class 4 felony) to take control or attempt to take control of another person's firearm.

Government and Higher Education, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR1.  Long agenda.  On it:  HB2315.  Current state law requires local governments to post certain financial information on the internet.  This bill calls for the firing of the public officer responsible for that if the information isn't properly posted.

Agriculture, Water, and Lands, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR3.  Looks harmless so far.


The House has posted a Third Read (final approval) calendar and a COW (Committee of the Whole) calendar for Monday.  The Senate has posted a Third Read calendar for Monday.  When others are posted, they will be available here.

The Capitol Events calendar is here.

Public meeting notices from the Arizona Department of Administration here.

NIBW Update: another likely carcinogen in Scottsdale's drinking water

This is going to be a Scottsdale-focused non-political post, but since I live in the North Indian Bend Wash Superfund (NIBW) site, it kind of grabbed my attention.  So I'm exercising a little blogger's privilege here... :)

Earlier today, the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator for the NIBW sent out an email to the members of the Community Involvement Group of the NIBW. 

From that email (their emphasis) -

We are issuing this update as part of EPA’s regular practice to keep the community informed of EPA’s ongoing oversight of the North Indian Bend Wash (NIBW) Superfund Site remedy.  This update addresses the recent finding of low levels of 1,4-dioxane in groundwater within the NIBW Superfund site.  Although 1,4-dioxane is detected in groundwater, tap water remains safe to drink.

{snip}

The City’s data indicates 1,4-dioxane was detected within the North Indian Bend Wash Superfund site.  In all previous sampling, 1,4-dioxane had not been detected or was detected below health-based screening levels in effect at the time of sampling. 

At the NIBW site, air stripping and liquid phase granular activated carbon treatment are used to treat trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE), which are the NIBW primary chemicals of concern.  These systems do not effectively remove 1,4-dioxane.

Because health-based screening levels have changed and the treatment systems in place at NIBW are not effective at removing 1,4-dioxane, EPA asked the City to remove one well from its groundwater pumping system while EPA, ADEQ, the City, and NIBW Participating Companies evaluate the data. 

{snip}

As noted above, at EPA’s request the City of Scottsdale has stopped extracting water from well 75A, pending further investigation.  At this time, the suspension of pumping from this well can be sustained without jeopardizing the continuing success of the NIBW Site remedy.

In addition to the samples collected in January 2015, groundwater samples will be collected throughout the NIBW Superfund site to determine if 1,4-dioxane is detected other than in the area of well 75A, and, if so, at what depths and concentrations.

When the additional sample results are available, EPA toxicologists will review all of the data and provide recommendations for appropriate next steps.

  

EPA will provide updates to the CIG as new NIBW information and data are available.  In the meantime, please feel free to contact us if there are questions.

Background on 1,4-dioxane - 

EPA information here.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (part of the US Department of Health and Human Services) info here.

FDA info here.

California State Water Resources Control Board info here.

Summary:  It's toxic, and it may cause cancer.  While the assurances regarding the level of dioxane contamination seem genuine, the fact that current remediation efforts in the NIBW are ineffective in regard to it is worrisome.  This is a situation worth keeping an eye on.


Background on the NIBW -

The history of the site began with the discovery of groundwater and soil contamination in 1981, mostly of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) attributed to the disposal of industrial waste. 

The entire site covers approximately 13 square miles of Tempe and South Scottsdale, with Pima/Price Road serving as the eastern border, Scottsdale/Rural Road as the western border, Apache Boulevard as the southern border, and Chaparral Road as the northern border.  The NIBW/SIBW split occurs at the Salt River, north of Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe.

EPA's North Indian Bend Wash Superfund (NIBW) site info page

City of Scottsdale's NIBW page

A National Academies of Science report on the human health risks of TCE here (there are a *lot* of reports on this; just type "TCE" into any search engine)

AZ lege: cuts to education funding, pay raises for staffers - the two-step continues

Years ago, the late (great!) Molly Ivins made an observation about the people who made up the administration of the first President Bush (H.W., not W.).  They were people who thought that public service, and public servants themselves, were contemptible, and used that belief to rationalize engaging in contemptible behavior of their own.

The Republicans in the Arizona seem to be operating from the same playbook..

From the Arizona Republic, written by Ronald J. Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl (emphasis added) -

Arizona's state government is continuing its spending diet, with no pay raises and talk of an 18-month hiring freeze. But the belt-tightening hasn't happened at the Legislature, where salaries of the roughly 300 staffers who assist lawmakers have collectively gone up $500,000 in the past year, financial records show.

{snip}

Stephanie Grisham, press secretary for the House Republicans, said in a statement that the changes reflect the chamber's commitment to dedicated staff and their special qualifications.

"Like any well-run organization, we want to hire and retain first-rate individuals in order to best serve the people of Arizona," she said. "Every position's salary is proportionate with the education and professional experience of the person in that role. Serving the people, especially when the Legislature is in session, requires much more time than a regular 40-hour workweek, and staff here consistently work evenings and weekends."

Interesting - the lege's GOPers loathe the idea of public resources going to the public's education system, but they love to expend public resources on their staffers based on...wait for it...their education.

More interesting - the same folks that have claimed that they can't find the money to fully fund the state's education system have easily found money to shovel to their staffers.

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

This is going to be the first of the long weeks at the lege; most committees are meeting, and most of them have bills to consider.

We are also going to see a rise in the number of "bay at the moon" bills once the Super Bowl (and its attendant media spotlight) leaves Arizona.

Notes:

All committees meetings and agendas are subject to change without notice, and frequently do.  If you plan to travel to the Capitol to observe or weigh in on the consideration of a particular measure, check with the lege ahead of time to confirm that the meeting that you are interesting in is still on schedule and your item(s) of interest is still on the agenda for that meeting.

Meeting rooms designated "HHR" are in the House of Representatives building.

Meeting rooms designated "SHR" are in the Senate building.

Some agendas are summarized as "looks harmless", but if they cover an area of interest to you, examine the agenda and the bills on it.  If I missed something significant, please leave a comment letting me know.


All House committee agendas can be found here.

All Senate committee agendas can be found here.


On the Senate side of the Capitol -

State Debt and Budget Reform, Monday, 9 a.m, SHR3.  Presentation on "tax benefit fraud", aka - "propaganda blaming poor people for the state's budget deficit".

Natural Resources, Monday, 9 a.m., SHR109.  Looks harmless so far.

Rules, Monday, 1 p.m., Caucus Room 1.  Long agenda, rubber stamp. 

Water and Energy, Monday, 2 p.m., SHR3.  On the agenda: SB1134, changing AZ law to define nuclear power as "renewable energy"; and SCM1013, a love letter from the lege regarding a proposed rule from the federal EPA that would require power plants to reduce carbon emissions.  The lege (OK, the Republicans in the lege) want Congress to hobble the EPA (to block implementation of the rule) and they want Arizona's governor and attorney general to sue (if the rule is actually implemented).

Commerce and Workforce Development, Monday, 2 p.m., SHR1.  On the agenda: SB1098, quadrupling the maximum size of public service corporations (water companies, energy providers, etc.) that can apply for a rate increase without a public hearing.


Rural Affairs and Environment, Tuesday, 9 a.m., SHR109.  On the agenda: a striker to SB1061, adjusting the compensation procedures for people who are paid for their labor by the piece or commission; SB1169, barring municipalities, counties, and the state's fire safety committee from requiring the use of a fire watch (legal definition, from the bill - "a person who is stationed in a building or in a place relative to a building to observe building openings when the fire protection system for the building is temporarily nonoperational or absent"); a striker to SCM1003, demanding that the director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service stop the reintroduction of Mexican grey wolves into Arizona; and SCM1006, urging Congress to support the Keystone XL pipeline.

Federalism, Mandates, and Fiscal Responsibility, Tuesday, 9 a.m., SHR3.  Short agenda, but don't let that fool you - it's all bad.  At least it is only a series of love letters to Congress:  SCM1009, urging Congress to exempt military bases and training facilities from the Endangered Species Act; SCM1010, urging Congress to extend (and expand?) specific programs that send money to counties with federal land in them; and SCM1012, urging Congress to water down the Endangered Species Act.

Transportation, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR1.  On the agenda: SB1106, mandating that ADOT establish a standard design for "special" license plates (the ones established for the pet causes of legislators; there's close to 60 of them, so a standard design might be a good thing); SB1146, allowing people with "special" classic car license plates to personalize them; SB1197, exempting the spouses and dependents of fallen police officers, firefighters, and first responders from vehicle license taxes and automobile registration fees (for one vehicle).

Appropriations, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR109.  On the agenda: SB1185, appropriating $250K to the AZAG to litigate against the reintroduction of Mexican wolves into Arizona.


Public Safety, Military, and Technology, Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR1.  On the agenda: SB1167, banning any use of photo radar in the enforcement of traffic laws.  This bill has the best example of legislative "fingers crossed" chutzpah exhibited this session (so far).

From the "legislative intent" section of the bill:

2.  Protect the citizens of this state from the abuses that accompany the outsourcing of law enforcement to private, for-profit entities.

Also: SB1180, raising the minimum threshold of property damage caused by a motor vehicle accident where a written report (by a police officer or other investigator) is required from $1K to $5K.

Finance, Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR3.  Looks harmless so far.

Health and Human Services, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR1.  The items on the agenda seem to be mostly technical changes and nothing that stands out as particularly harmful, but someone with a familiarity with the subject area may want to examine the bills.

Government, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR3.  Long agenda.  Highlights (so to speak): SB1102, banning texting while driving (OK, this is a good idea...which is why it won't pass the lege); SB1182, allowing candidates to collect all of their nominating signatures and Clean Elections qualifying contributions online (the current limit is 50% of the necessary number); SB1184, micromanaging local elections regarding bond, sales tax, and property tax questions (in another example of the lege crossing its fingers, part of their rather hypocritical stated rationale for this one is to bolster government "transparency"); and SCR1009, Sen. John Kavanagh's proposed amendment to the state constitution to make legislative terms of office four years long (instead of the current two years).

Financial Institutions, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR109.  On the agenda: SB1189, allowing out-of-state insurance providers to sell health insurance policies in Arizona; and SCM1011, a love letter to Congress urging it to weaken home mortgage qualification standards.


Education, Thursday, 9 a.m., SHR1.  Highlights: SB1173, micromanaging school district bond and budget override elections; SB1191, enacting a moratorium on requirements that a student must pass a standardized test in order to graduate high school in AZ; SB1286, expanding the list of entities that may start a charter school to include private colleges and universities.

Judiciary, Thursday, 10 a.m., SHR109.  On the agenda: SB1196, Sen. John Kavanagh's proposal to create a "do not call" list that would bar political "robo-calls" to people on the list.  Note: this bill is also on the agenda of the Senate Government committee on Thursday.


On the House side of the Capitol -

Elections, Monday, 10 a.m., HHR4.  On the agenda: HB2072, Rep. Michelle Ugenti's proposal to scare voters into never voting "yes" on a ballot question by publicizing Prop 105 (Voter Protection Act) restrictions that essentially bar changes to voter-approved questions, unless the voters themselves make the changes; HB2543, adjusting the way that "majority of votes" is calculated in municipal elections.

Rules, Monday, 1 p.m., HHR4.  Long agenda, rubberstamp.

Ways and Means, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR3.  On the agenda: A number of bills that reduce state revenues.  At least two of them fall into the category of "Enhancing Steve Yarbrough's revenue" - HB2152 and HB2153 are proposals to expand tax credits for contributions to school tuition organizations.

Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR1.  On the agenda: HB2412, reducing the total amount of tax credits available for producers of renewable energy, and allowing users of the tax credit to take an unused tax credit amount as a cash payment (in the form of a refund).  With most of the tax credits available to AZ taxpayers, that's not an option.  Once tax liability goes to zero, the credit ends.

County and Municipal Affairs, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR4.  Some very specific technical changes to state law where I don't understand the "real world" impact.  They look harmless, but readers with a knowledge of the subject area may want to examine the bills for themselves.

Children and Family Affairs, Monday, 2 p.m., Offsite.  The committee is touring Gompers Employment Services in Glendale.


Transportation and Infrastructure, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR1.  On the agenda: HB2221, barring the suspension of a driver's license for failure to appear in court over a ticket generated by a photo radar device; and HB2259, increasing the civil penalties for pipeline safety violations (given the recent spate of pipeline issues nationally, adding some criminal penalties might seem advisable.  But not in AZ, of course...).

Rural and Economic Development, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR5.  On the agenda: HB2358, adding crop dusters to the list of items exempt from sales tax.

Health, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR4.  Looks harmless so far.


Federalism and States' Rights, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR5.  The bay at the moon caucus will be in full throat here.  On the agenda: HB2173, a "gold as legal tender" special; and HCR2003, a neo-secessionist special calling for a new constitutional convention to hobble the federal government.

Commerce, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., HHR1.  Looks harmless so far.

Judiciary, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR3.  On the agenda: HB2301, specifying that a felony conviction in another state counts as a "historical prior felony conviction" in this state.

Education, Wednesday, 2 p.m., HHR4.  One bill, HB2181.  Looks harmless, but it is an "omnibus" bill, meaning that there are a lot of changes encompassed by it.  Omnibus bills are not supposed to be used for significant changes, but that's only an "unwritten" rule.  In other words, a closer examination of the bill may be warranted.

Appropriations, Wednesday, 2 p.m., HHR1.  Looks harmless so far.


Agriculture, Water, and Lands, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR3.  On the agenda: HB2366, pertaining to reimbursement claims related to wildland fire suppression (it looks like it proposes to use the state's "rainy day fund" to pay for claims that the federal government doesn't cover, but I think that there are nuances to this one).

Government and Higher Education, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR1.  Looks harmless so far.

Military Affairs and Public Safety, Thursday, 10 a.m., HHR5.  On the agenda: HB2320, creating a legal protection for carrying a firearm at any public place or event unless that place or event provides for security screening of attendees and a place for firearms possessors to store their weapons.


The House has posted a Third Read (final approval) calendar for Monday.  The bills on it look to be non-controversial.  When others are posted, they will be available here.

The Capitol Events calendar is here.

Public meeting notices from the Arizona Department of Administration here.