Committee passes a package of mostly noncontroversial local‑government and regulatory bills

After the SB 414 debate and a string of contested items, the committee considered a number of technical and agency bills that the sponsor described as administrative or noncontroversial. Highlights:

- Senate Bill 404: Sponsor said the bill codifies existing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules to allow amateur radio towers where federal law preempts local ordinances; passed by voice vote with no testimony recorded.

- House Bill 1517: Sponsor explained the bill separates the county tax‑collector duties from the sheriff in one county and moves those duties to the treasurer; no opposition recorded and the bill passed.

- House Bill 1571: Sponsor described an audit enforcement measure giving the legislative audit committee discretion to hold municipal turnback funds in escrow when required audits are late; sponsors said the mechanism supports audit submission and accountability; passed by voice vote.

- Several technical corrections and agency updates were presented and passed, including bills adjusting building codes to allow federally approved substitute refrigerants, municipal fire/police hiring statutes, and hospitality/continuing‑education funding increases for local associations.

Committee members asked occasional procedural or implementation questions, but most measures were supported by sponsoring agencies and passed without roll‑call votes in committee.

The package moves forward to later legislative steps; the committee chair adjourned after handling the scheduled bills.