Video & Transcript Research : 'crossbow hunting'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill to ban semiautomatic military-style assault weapons 2/24/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- for hunting and for varmint hunting for hunting and for varmint hunting that's<00:31:46.960>
- AR-10s in .308, which I've taken elk hunting, I've taken deer hunting, that would be prohibited.
- .<00:56:42.880>
Um hunt. - Um hunt.
- elk hunting, I've taken deer hunting. elk hunting, I've taken deer hunting.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3433 and House File 3402 together, both aimed at restricting assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. The bill authors described the measures as bans on the sale and possession of enumerated military-style semi-automatic weapons and magazines over 10 rounds, while allowing current owners to keep firearms through a BCA certification process. They framed the bills as a response to the Annunciation School shooting and broader gun violence, emphasizing public support and the need to act to protect children and communities.
Testimony in support came from Annunciation families and a Hennepin Healthcare emergency physician. Survivors and family members described the shooting’s aftermath in personal detail, including the death of children, severe injuries, long-term trauma, and ongoing medical treatment. They argued that the type of weapon mattered because it increased the speed and severity of the attack, and that limiting access to these weapons could slow future mass shootings and save lives. The physician said the injuries he treated showed how high-velocity rifles cause far greater tissue damage and urged swift action to limit access.
Opposition testimony came from the Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center and the NRA. They argued the bills would not have prevented the Annunciation shooting, contended that the 1994 federal assault weapons ban did not reduce crime, and said the legislation would likely face constitutional challenges because the firearms and magazines are in common use and protected by the Second Amendment. They also raised concerns about the bill’s grandfathering, registration, renewal, inspection, storage, and ammunition restrictions, and suggested lawmakers should instead focus on mental health intervention and other upstream causes of violence. The hearing ended with the committee moving into member discussion; no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- who hold a hunting license to hunt<00:35:15.480>
migratory hunt migratory hunt migratory Canada - Hunting with the ammunition. Hunting with the ammunition.
- This is all hunting.
- hunt for their families.
- They hunt for hunt for their families. They hunt for their<01:51:23.280>
livelihood.
Summary:
The House convened with 126 members present, heard the prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and then took up a series of Senate messages and committee reports. Senate bills on consent calendars 21 and 22 were read the first time and referred to committees. The House then adopted favorable reports, often without amendment, on a wide range of bills including workers’ compensation evaluation procedures (HB 1325), a state shark designation (HB 97), several local alcoholic beverages measures, commemorative months for Muslim American Heritage and Jewish American Heritage (HB 661), and local license commissioner changes in Anne Arundel, Worcester, Harford, Baltimore City, and Prince George’s counties.
Several bills were amended before being ordered printed for third reading. HB 121 (Baltimore County alcohol sales) was amended to change the sponsor to the Baltimore County delegation. HB 1335 on Department of Information Technology workforce recruitment and retention was amended to convert the measure into a study and recommendations report. HB 1037 on PSC oversight of broadband and VoIP was similarly amended from direct oversight to a study and report. HB 1164 on water and sewage rate consolidation and limited-income mechanisms was amended to remove rate-consolidation provisions, require a PSC study, and delay implementation. HB 1381 on stopping or parking in bike lanes added exceptions for emergency, transit, disability pickup/drop-off, disabled vehicles, loading/unloading, and construction or maintenance; HB 1504 prioritized sidewalk and bicycle pathway projects near highways with complete streets or Vision Zero policies; HB 912 adjusted community cat trap-neuter-return rules; and HB 969 clarified electric vehicle charging billing and service fees.
The most extended debate centered on HB 639, the Transportation Aviation Passenger Health and Safety Act. After amendments turned it into a reporting measure for fixed-base operators and aviation service companies regarding flights carrying detained individuals, warrants, refueling, and emergency-response documentation, members questioned its practical operation, safety implications, and possible federal preemption issues. The floor leader explained the bill as amended was intended to gather information for Maryland safety and emergency planning. On motion of the committee chair, the House agreed to special order HB 639 until the end of the session for further clarification. The House also amended and advanced HB 1063 on hunting management, including deer damage permits and Sunday hunting rules, and heard a brief statement from an Eastern Shore delegate about the Rural Caucus’s approach to offering amendments rather than opposing bills outright. The session ended with HB 972, creating the Maryland Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund, amended to rename the bill in honor of the late Delegate Charles Otto and to replace lottery funding with an annual appropriation; the House adopted the amendments and the favorable report.
NE
Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Morning Session Apr 9th, 2026
Nebraska Unicameral Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Fuse, Hunt, I bought, Jacobson, Warris, Cal, Lippon, Cal, Lennaske, McKinney, Mayer, Mojure, ProCob,
- Clements, Conrad, DeBoer, Dungan, Dover, Fredrickson, Greco, Hallstrom, Hardin, Holcroft, Hughes, Hunt
- Clements, Conrad, DeBoer, Dungan, Dover, Fredrickson, Greco, Hallstrom, Hardin, Holcroft, Hughes, Hunt
- Clements, Conrad, DeBoer, Dungan, Dover, Fredrickson, Greco, Hallstrom, Hardin, Holcroft, Hughes, Hunt
- Clements, Conrad, DeBoer, Dungan, Dover, Fredrickson, Greco, Hallstrom, Hardin, Holcroft, Hughes, Hunt
Bills:
LB737, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB1216, LB1256, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787, LB365A, LB823, LB900, LB903, LB940, LB954, LB1127, LB1127A, LB1205, LB1240, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR505, LR507
Keywords:
LB737, Olmstead, developmental disabilities, disability services, community-based services, integrated settings, DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services, stakeholder advisory committee, independent consultant, public hearing, legislative oversight, disability rights, community integration, housing, employment, education, transportation, community supports, self-advocacy
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Select Agencies Subcommittee Jan 5th, 2026 at 09:00 am
A&B Select Agencies Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- So, we're widely recognized as the top five deer hunting state, a top five waterfowl hunting state, certainly
- Just to follow up, are they for someone going in to get a license, say a hunting license.
- because it made them lose their opportunity to hunt.
- The hunting access is...
- When we ask somebody what would... allow you to go hunting more or what limits you from going hunting
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/6/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- lands to hunt and harvest deer.
- But because, um, you know, if you're pheasant hunting or duck hunting, for instance, or deer hunting,
- <00:08:35.760>
for peasant hunting or uh duck hunting for peasant hunting or uh duck hunting - resources for pheasant duck hunting resources for pheasant duck hunting whatever<00:10:38.800>
- the liability of people who are hunting the liability of people who are hunting in<00:14:26.839>
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- These are not hunted in small... pets. These are not hunted in small enclosed areas.
- This bill has nothing to do with hunting.
- for people to hunt.
- I don't care how big a hunt lease you have, how long a hunt lease you have, you cannot put any bait if
- If you get caught with bait on your hunt lease, you lose your hunt lease.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm joined by my colleague and House co-chair, Representative Dan Hunt.
- Chair Hunt to introduce the House members.
- And Daniel Hunt for always—I know you're new to the committee, Mr.
- Hunt, but Senator Keenan has always been helpful.
- Good afternoon, members of the committee, Chair Keenan and Chair Hunt.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on a wide range of voting-access and election-administration bills. The largest portion of testimony focused on same-day voter registration (H. 834/S. 505), with support from Rep. Gentile, Boston and Chelsea officials, civic groups, and election administrators from Maine and Vermont. Supporters argued that same-day registration would help eligible voters who move frequently, miss deadlines, or face administrative errors, and would reduce rejected provisional ballots. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Vermont elections director Sean Sheehan testified that same-day registration has worked in their states without major administrative problems and has helped increase turnout. A Boston-based panel also described high rejection rates for provisional ballots and the burden of registration cutoffs on renters, students, immigrants, and low-income voters.
A second major topic was restoration of voting rights for incarcerated people, including S. 524 and related House bills. The committee heard extensive virtual testimony from incarcerated individuals at MCI Norfolk and MCI Shirley, who said voting should be restored as part of rehabilitation, civic engagement, and reintegration. They described disenfranchisement as dehumanizing and argued that voting would help maintain family and community ties, reduce recidivism, and give incarcerated people a voice on laws affecting prisons and reentry. Rep. Erica Uyterhoeven also testified in support, saying the bill would restore municipal voting rights for incarcerated residents and align with broader efforts to expand political participation.
The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting election administration and access, including a proposal to reduce or eliminate mandated early in-person voting in primaries and shorten the general-election early voting period, with supporters from the town clerks’ community arguing that low usage, staffing burdens, and costs justify the change. Opponents warned that reducing in-person early voting could hurt voters who do not use mail ballots and could disproportionately affect communities of color. Other bills discussed included decoupling the municipal census from voter registration, requiring periodic accessibility inspections of polling places, and a Somerville home-rule petition on non-citizen municipal voting and another on lowering the voting age in municipal elections. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill does not mandate more hunting.
- Neither does hunting bears make people safer.
- And I would just add in hunting, this bill doesn't—we're not hunting bears.
- They are allowed to hunt bears without hounds right now.
- Their mission is to get rid of hounding or hunting altogether.
Summary:
The committee heard a long agenda of water, parks, transportation, species protection, and fisheries bills. AB 430 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to publish an economic and environmental impact study when emergency water regulations are extended over multiple years; the author and supporters from agricultural and water groups said it would add transparency without limiting emergency authority. AB 1139 would expand a CEQA exemption to let county park agencies open existing roads and trails for non-motorized recreation, with supporters emphasizing access to nature and opponents warning about impacts to sensitive habitat, tribal resources, and fire risk. AB 929 would temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain SGMA pumping reductions and fines; supporters said it would protect vulnerable communities and wetlands, while farm and water coalition opponents argued it would undermine basin-wide groundwater management and shift burdens to other users. AB 1225, creating an Accessibility Advisory Committee for State Parks, drew broad support and passed unanimously.
The committee also heard AB 514, which would encourage local water suppliers to develop emergency water supplies for drought and service interruptions; it passed with broad support, though one member cautioned against using scientific research as a loophole. AB 550 would let developers seek incidental take permits for species under consideration for listing, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects; environmental groups supported the goal but asked for clearer standards, limits on using research as mitigation, and a fee provision, and the bill passed as amended. AB 697 would authorize an incidental take permit for the State Route 37 interim project in Solano and Marin counties, balancing congestion relief and habitat restoration; supporters stressed long commutes and urgent restoration deadlines, while opponents raised climate, sea-level-rise, and tribal concerns. The bill passed, with some members noting they would continue to work on the measure.
Other measures discussed included AB 975, which would give Sutter County a narrow, temporary exemption from streambed alteration agreements for certain damaged small bridges and culverts; county officials described repeated flood damage and long permitting delays, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1056 would phase out transferability of set gillnet permits after 2027, allowing only a final family transfer; supporters framed it as a gradual response to bycatch concerns, while fishing industry opponents said it would unfairly target an existing fishery and set a bad precedent. The committee also took up AB 1146, described by the author as a response to politically motivated water releases; supporters from conservation and water organizations backed the bill. Several bills were voted out to Appropriations, some were left open for later action or add-ons, and the committee repeatedly noted it was working through the agenda without a quorum early in the hearing.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Chronic Wasting Disease TF Jan 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- or don't hunt.
- So it's, you know, the more we can engage and understand, you know, as a hunting and non-hunting public
- This is a hunting paradise, sportsman's paradise, people hunting all the time to feed their families,
- You know, through hunting season from bow hunting October to mid-January, you would think somebody in
- But I just know we'd never, you know, through hunting season from bow hunting October to mid-January,
Summary:
The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the agenda, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from Julie Grenwald of Louisiana Hunters for the Hungry, who described the nonprofit’s protein donation programs, including freezer clean-out days, deer and fish processing partnerships, and a paused feral hog donation program that had collected about 3,500 hogs and 137,000 pounds of pork before funding ran short. She said the group has donated roughly 300,000 pounds of protein over two years, works with food banks and local agencies, and is protected under Louisiana’s Good Samaritan Law. Members asked about processor locations, exotic species, signage, sponsorships, and whether the program could expand to other invasive species or mobile drop-off options; Grenwald said expansion is possible if processors and funding are available.
The task force then received a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries update from Jonathan Bordelon on chronic wasting disease testing. He reported more than 2,800 samples collected and over 2,300 results returned, with nine positives total: eight in Tensas Parish and one confirmed in Concordia Parish on Richard K. Yancey WMA, which triggered preparation of an emergency declaration and future rulemaking to adjust the control area. He said harvest and sampling remain near record levels, most samples are voluntary, and the agency continues to monitor symptomatic deer reports and public submissions.
The final major presentation was from William McKinley of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, who gave a detailed overview of Mississippi’s CWD response. He said Mississippi has 529 detections across 18 counties, with prevalence rising from about one in 500 samples to about one in 80 statewide, and much higher in some counties. He described Mississippi’s surveillance system, targeted tags within three miles of positives, environmental sampling, feeder bans in CWD zones, and research showing contamination at feeders and in scrapes. He also discussed possible multiple strains, including one linked to the Wisconsin whitetail strain and another around Vicksburg/Issaquena, and said the disease appears to be expanding about 3.5 miles per year. Members asked about high-fence enclosures, live deer movement restrictions, baiting and feeding rules, hunter participation, and whether Louisiana should develop similar environmental testing capacity; no votes were taken on these issues, but members discussed possible future legislative or budget action.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Trump administration's 2025 hunt fish rule combined these limited lead regulations for new hunting
- The Trump administration's 2025 hunt fish rule combined these limited lead regulations for new hunting
- The Trump administration's 2025 hunt fish rule combined these limited lead regulations for new hunting
- The Trump administration's 2025 hunt fish rule combined these limited lead regulations for new hunting
- For new hunting and fishing opportunities with its lead-free hunting voluntary incentive program.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- White-tailed deer hunting remains the most popular hunting activity. in Texas and the department continues
- Love to hunt. Hunting fish and all that. We're members.
- We're talking about high-fenced hunting.
- So not everybody that's hunting in a high-fence area is releasing a deer that's been... or is hunting
- And they do hunt. Hunting itself is a management practice.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 01/23/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- hopefully more interest in deer hunting hopefully more interest in deer hunting in<00:07:52.759>
- this year there were zero deer hunting this year there were zero deer hunting deaths<00:10:34.360
- >
incident deaths and one deer hunting incident deaths and one deer hunting incident with<00:10 - and the future of deer hunting.
- and the future of deer hunting.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Administration Committee Meeting Jun 24th, 2026
Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- with deer hunting and crop damage.
- So, uh... ...with deer hunting and crop damage.
- I have two sons that hunt.
- I hunted, and this is something that's needed in the state of Delaware: hunting, trapping, and fishing
- We do believe that there is no legitimate threat to hunting and fishing in Delaware or the state's hunting
Bills:
SB231
Keywords:
school social workers, salary supplement, LCSW, mental health, education funding, Delaware Code, certification, professional standards
Summary:
The House Administration Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 231, which would extend the existing 6% salary supplement for school-based mental health professionals with advanced credentials to school social workers who hold licensed clinical social worker credentials and have passed the national exam. The bill sponsor and multiple witnesses described school social workers as essential to student mental health, crisis response, attendance, and family support, and argued the measure corrects an oversight and inequity in the current salary supplement structure. Public testimony was uniformly supportive, and the committee voted to release the bill.
The committee then heard Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 212, a constitutional amendment to protect the rights to hunt, fish, and trap. Supporters, including sportsmen’s groups and individual residents, said the amendment would preserve longstanding traditions, support wildlife management, and guard against future threats to hunting and trapping. An opposing witness argued there was no current threat in Delaware and said the Constitution should not be used to protect trapping or elevate hunting and trapping over other wildlife management approaches. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to release the substitute bill.
Finally, the committee took up Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 284, the First State Emergency Response Act, which would create a 25-foot buffer around first responders at emergency scenes after warning, with misdemeanor penalties for knowingly entering or remaining in the zone to interfere with duties. Supporters said the bill would protect police, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics from interference, while opponents from the ACLU and the Office of Defense Services raised concerns about vague terms, potential First Amendment impacts, enforcement clarity, and jurisdictional issues. Committee members also questioned how the buffer would be marked and enforced. The sponsor and staff said they would continue working on the language, and the committee voted to release the bill.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- On the other side, the fee schedules for hunting and fishing.
- This legislation is broadly supported by the hunting and fishing community, as Mr. DuBell stated.
- So we've talked about cultural traditions when it comes to hunting and fishing.
- someone who hunted and didn't fish.
- We're going to look at the hunting or fishing that may be restricted.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- poor people, multi-generation families, and it is so common for an owner of a firearm, usually a hunting
- because he inherited a gun, a hunting because he inherited a gun, a hunting rifle<00:31:00.720><
- c> if<00:32:08.399>
it <00:32:08.640>is <00:32:08.799>mandatory used for hunting - <00:32:59.600>
So hunting to have a mandatory sentence. - So hunting to have a mandatory sentence.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/17/26 - Part 5
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And they also allow hunting and fishing easements for those enthusiasts that love to hunt and fish and
- And they also allow<00:04:09.720>
hunting <00:04:10.440>and <00:04:10.600>fishing - hunting and fishing easements for those<00:04:11.959>
enthusiasts <00:04:12.560>that <00- enthusiasts that love to hunt and those enthusiasts that love to hunt and fish<00:04:13.640>
and< - , and enjoy this beautiful planet hunt, and enjoy this beautiful planet that<00:04:42.360>
God - hunting and fishing easements for those<00:04:11.959>
Summary:
The House received a message from the Senate announcing concurrence in the conference committee report on Senate File 2077, an environment and natural resources appropriations bill. Representative Heintzeman explained that the report incorporated language from the Legacy and Lands bill, an extension of unemployment insurance benefits for miners, and an $80,000 appropriation for the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. Representative Vang urged adoption, noting the bill had already passed earlier in the day with strong support.
Several members spoke in favor of the conference report and the bill, emphasizing its outdoor heritage and conservation provisions, support for the Iron Range miners’ UI extension, and the related land and water protection measures. Representative McDonald and Representative Gilman highlighted the bill’s legacy and conservation benefits, while Representative Fischer and Representative Igo praised the work of the authors and the inclusion of the miner unemployment insurance extension.
The House adopted the conference committee report and then took up third reading of the bill as amended by conference. After further supportive remarks, the clerk called the roll and the bill was repassed as amended by conference by a vote of 111 ayes and 22 nays, with the title agreed to. The chamber then adopted a motion to recess to the call of the Speaker.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Natural Resources Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 09:38 am
Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- of requiring hunters to purchase an upland game bird stamp along with the purchase of a standard hunting
- license prior to hunting upland game birds in wildlife management areas in the state.
- license prior to hunting upland game birds in wildlife management areas in the state.
- license in West Virginia and that hunting upland game birds is a popular sport among hunters in the
- It's a senior citizen license for fishing, hunting, and trapping. Okay. All right. Thank you, sir.
NE
Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Afternoon Session Apr 9th, 2026
Nebraska Unicameral Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , Ballard, Bostar, Brandt, Cavanaugh, Clements, Clouse, Conrad, DeBoer, Dungan, Dorn, Fredrickson, Hunt
- Clements, Clouse, Dorn, Dungan, Fredrickson, Greco, Hallstrom, Hansen, Hardin, Holdcroft, Hughes, Hunt
- Senator Hunt voting yes. Vote is 47 ayes, 0 nays, 2 excused/not voting. Mr.
- Voting no: Senators McKeon, Conrad, and Hunt. Not voting: Senators Dover and Mervin?
- Voting no: Senators Anderson, Armendariz, Hansen, Hunt, Riepe? The vote is 36 ayes, 13 nays. Mr.
Bills:
LB737, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB1216, LB1256, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787, LB365A, LB823, LB900, LB903, LB940, LB954, LB1127, LB1127A, LB1205, LB1240, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR505, LR507
Keywords:
LB737, Olmstead, developmental disabilities, disability services, community-based services, integrated settings, DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services, stakeholder advisory committee, independent consultant, public hearing, legislative oversight, disability rights, community integration, housing, employment, education, transportation, community supports, self-advocacy
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy and Natural Resources Apr 3rd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Use the duck hunt. Representative Marshall? Awesome. 2216. 2216. 2216. 2216. Senate Bill 2216.
- But is that what do we believe that higher fees generally encourage more people to hunt?
- I think the net effect would be increasing waterfowl access to hunting in the state.
- We had pretty much consensus that the 50-gallon in a single hunting location was okay.
- It gives some idea to Game and Fish and to the hunting community. The 50 feet...
Summary:
The Natural Resources Committee reconsidered Senate Bill 2159, which concerns a study related to nuclear energy and waste. Members discussed a proposed amendment to clarify that the study would address above-ground storage of nuclear waste, not underground storage, reflecting concerns raised by constituents about earlier nuclear-related proposals. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 2159 a unanimous 13-0 do pass recommendation.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2245, described as a hunting-related bill, and recommended it do pass on a 13-0 vote after brief discussion with Game and Fish support noted. Senate Bill 2216, the duck stamp bill, was also advanced 13-0. Testimony on SB 2216 explained that it would help Game and Fish better track resident duck hunting participation and generate revenue for waterfowl habitat, PLOTS access, and possible federal matching funds.
The most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 2137, which addresses baiting rules and chronic wasting disease surveillance. An amendment was proposed to set a 50-gallon limit at a hunting location, require a 50-foot setback from property used for animal agriculture, and direct continued disease surveillance with a report due before December 31, 2028. After discussion about fence setbacks, livestock concerns, and the department’s authority to manage disease, the committee adopted the amendment by a 7-6 vote and then passed the bill as amended on an 8-4 vote. The committee also noted several remaining bills would be taken up the following week and adjourned, with no meeting the next day.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- grew up in Hunt and Kerrville.
- grew up in Hunt and Kerrville.
- I was prohibited from going to the Hunt Store reopening, the Hunt Store concert. I have not...
- I was prohibited from going to the Hunt Store reopening, the Hunt Store concert.
- at the Hunt store.
Summary:
The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions.
The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood.
Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.