Video & Transcript : 'hurricane relief' :
Page 10 of 346
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 02:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- They have no relief at all where their insurance companies are constantly They have no relief.
- And they have no recourse of being able to find relief.
- So we've got to bring relief. So I'm really excited. So we've got to bring relief.
- So we might have relief as a state, but an individual policyholder won't.
- So we might have relief as a state, but an individual policyholder won't.
Summary:
The committee met to hear five banking and insurance-related bills. HB 1549, an Office of Financial Regulation agency bill to help more efficiently regulate financial institutions, was amended to match Senate companion language and then passed unanimously. HB 1231 would extend physician payment and prior-authorization protections similar to a prior dental law, including limits on virtual credit card payments as the sole payment method; physicians and medical groups supported it as a way to reduce fees and retroactive denials, while insurers were not heard in opposition, and the bill passed unanimously.
The committee then heard HB 999, which would make gold and silver legal tender and allow transactions in bullion through electronic debit mechanisms. The sponsor and several proponents framed it as an inflation hedge and economic freedom measure, while questions focused on definitions, transaction costs, and vendor participation. The bill passed on a mostly party-line vote, with one member voting no. The committee also approved HM 4363, a memorial urging Congress to establish a sovereign wealth fund; the sponsor described it as a way to steward national wealth, and the memorial passed with one dissenting vote.
Finally, the committee took up HB 1551, which would create a prevailing-party attorney fee framework in insurance contract disputes. The sponsor argued it would restore balance, deter meritless litigation, and help consumers with valid claims recover fees, while insurers, business groups, and defense attorneys warned it would revive one-way fee shifting, increase litigation, and raise premiums. Consumer advocates and some members supported it as necessary to give policyholders meaningful recourse. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with one member voting no.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Transportation Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It includes safety congestion, relief, connectivity, and then getting the most out of our investment.
- Obviously, we know hurricanes are a fixture in Florida.
- High storm surge from hurricanes can cause disruption, a bridge structures like Santa Bell and others
- One of the common hellmann's that you see with hurricanes as a ration range.
- Relief across the state now federal regulations to outline different things for NPS.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 5, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- We're answering the call and delivering those congestion relief projects.
- Actually, our emergency response and efforts around hurricane response have really accelerated these
- And so that's becoming a challenge while at the same time we still have these major congestion relief
- While at the same time, we still have these major congestion relief projects that we have to deliver.
- I've seen a lot of activity for congestion relief. I appreciate that.
Summary:
The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs.
Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency.
The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPN, CPN DEFER Public Hearings 01-31-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, all in support. three four or five hurricane here on three four or five hurricane here on aahu
- You're confident that the money in the Hurricane Relief Fund is sufficient for them to do what they need
- </c><00:55:06.880><c> Relief</c> the the money in the Hurricane Relief the the money in the Hurricane
- Florida has plenty of hurricanes.
- Florida has plenty of hurricanes.
Summary:
The committee opened by outlining hearing procedures, including a two-minute limit for live testimony, a request not to repeat written testimony, and a reminder about decorum. The first bill heard was SB 697, which would create a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for expenses to retrofit residences with wind-resistive devices. The Insurance Division said it supported the concept but noted it may need an appropriation or outside expertise to develop certification standards, while the Department of Taxation said the bill should retain a third-party certification requirement if the Insurance Division cannot administer the credit. The Hawaii Insurers Council supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation suggested a subsidy-style program would be more efficient than a tax credit and criticized the bill’s 100% credit structure. A testifier in support argued the measure would help homeowners fortify houses against hurricanes and reduce shelter demand; written testimony from several others, including HIEMA, was noted as supportive.
The committee then moved through SB 76, which would require the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to provide commercial property coverage after two private-market denials, and SB 83, which would require insurers to give advance written premium-change notices and explanations to common-interest community policyholders and the insurance commissioner, along with a report on premium increases. For SB 76, the State Insurance Division stood on its written comments, and testimony in support came from Michael Honda, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and Jessica Herzog. SB 83 drew more extensive discussion: the Insurance Division supported the need for better transparency, while the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the bill, arguing that agents—not insurers—typically communicate with AOAO boards and that the measure could worsen an already difficult market. Insurance Division staff acknowledged widespread complaints from condo associations about lack of transparency and said the division had received many calls about premium increases and nonrenewals.
The discussion on SB 83 expanded into broader concerns about condo insurance, nonrenewals, surplus lines, and the difficulty of getting timely explanations for large premium increases. Committee members and testifiers described older buildings struggling to fund repairs and upgrades while facing steep insurance costs, and some urged the committee to craft baseline statutory protections for unit owners. The Insurance Division said surplus lines serve a critical gap-filling role and warned against regulating that market in a way that could slow access to coverage. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- hurricane.
- Every single time we have a hurricane, we have a hurricane, I know you all have had similar things with
- multiple hurricanes hitting your areas.
- Every single time we have a hurricane, we have a hurricane, Only through the continuing improvement.
- Every single time we have a hurricane, we have a hurricane bill, and that's good. That's not bad.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors.
The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding.
Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 3, 2026 - 02:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- We are prone to hurricanes, and we know we understand.
- commercial side as well, even though we are not seeing what we need to see to give our homeowners the relief
- We are prone to hurricanes, and we know we're in the state of Florida, and that happens all the time.
- commercial side as well, even though we are not seeing what we need to see to give our homeowners the relief
- commercial side as well, even though we are not seeing what we need to see to give our homeowners the relief
Summary:
The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee met with a quorum present and heard four bills. HB 1231, relating to final disposition, funeral, and cemetery services, was presented as a consumer protection and workforce modernization measure. After questions about hospice/funeral provider exclusivity, direct disposal licensing, causes of action, and funeral director/embalmer licensure, the bill was amended by strike-all to remove some provisions and add authorization and regulation of natural organic reduction. Support came from funeral industry representatives, and the bill was reported favorably with the committee substitute.
HB 943 would require Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to create a commercial lines clearinghouse by January 1, 2027, to move certain commercial residential and other commercial risks into the private market while maintaining current eligibility rules. The sponsor and members discussed Citizens’ remaining commercial exposure, surplus lines participation, and carrier financial-strength guardrails. A strike-all amendment conforming to the Senate version and making technical corrections was adopted, and the bill passed favorably with the committee substitute after supportive debate from members.
HB 1221, a Department of Financial Services bill, was described as streamlining DFS processes, improving licensing, updating the My Safe Florida Home Program, strengthening public adjuster protections, and modernizing unclaimed property rules. Three amendments were adopted: notice before a My Safe Florida Home application is deemed abandoned, removal of a misdemeanor disclosure requirement for certain licensure applicants, and a provision allowing public officials to appoint or promote relatives to firefighter positions through a competitive process in a collective bargaining agreement. Testimony was generally supportive, including from firefighters and unclaimed-property claimants’ representatives, and the bill was reported favorably with a committee substitute.
HB 99, concerning reinsurance intermediary managers, would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance business from the intermediary manager statute and instead require an agency license. With no public testimony or debate, the bill was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 31, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise in strong support of H.R. 517, the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act.
- This bill, the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act, H.R. 517, is a bipartisan bill.
- Speaker, includes regulatory relief. Filing season can be long.
- SPEAKER, INCLUDES REGULATORY RELIEF. FILING SEASON CAN BE LONG. IT CAN BE BURDENSOME.
- We're still recovering from Hurricane Florence, which occurred in 2018.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 18th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, we supported FDEM for Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton during last year's busy hurricane
- Debbie, over 4,000 Guardsmen in support of Helene, and over 6,800 Guardsmen in support of Hurricane
- In total, during the 2024 hurricane season, the Florida National Guard conducted 550 missions over 116
- out of that entire summer of hurricane response.
- Emergency funding and disaster relief: we are that safety net for those veterans.
Summary:
The committee took up SB 116 by Senator Burgess, a veterans bill aimed at several FDVA-related changes. The bill would reduce annual nominations to the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame from 20 to 5, expand FDVA’s survey work to assess veterans’ awareness of available programs and their health literacy, add mental health training to the veterans suicide prevention pilot, strengthen coordination and reporting between Veterans Florida and FDVA, direct FDVA to develop a plan for adult day health care facilities statewide, and allow the Florida Veterans Foundation to use a portion of Gadsden flag plate proceeds for administrative costs. Senator Burgess said the measure builds on prior “Forward March” efforts and helps close service gaps for aging veterans and others who may not know about available benefits.
Testimony on SB 116 was uniformly supportive. FDVA leadership said adult day health care could be added at existing facilities such as Port St. Lucie and Lake City, and that the state would need authority and funding to move forward. A veterans legal collaborative, AARP Florida, and Endeavors all voiced support, with speakers emphasizing the importance of better outreach, mental health awareness, and care options that allow veterans to remain at home. The committee then voted favorably on SB 116.
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to agency and stakeholder presentations. Florida National Guard officials described a high operational tempo, deployments at home and abroad, hurricane response efforts, and the need to grow the force and infrastructure. FDVA’s adjutant general reported Florida now has the nation’s second-largest veteran population, rising in-migration of younger veterans, a large and aging Vietnam-era population, strong claims and outreach activity, declining veteran homelessness, and improved suicide prevention outcomes. The Florida Veterans Foundation outlined its emergency relief, dental, transportation, and license-plate-funded programs, while Veterans Florida and CareerSource Florida detailed workforce, apprenticeship, SkillBridge, entrepreneurship, and job-fair programs for veterans and spouses, along with efforts to expand recurring funding and better protect customer information.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 11th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- We've been able to do disaster relief and also help provide communities that need broadband that maybe
- So not to mention disaster relief, where it's been a huge impact.
- And once again, just think of the implications with disaster relief, right?
- The images of Manhattan after Hurricane Sandy are used for flood mapping in this case.
- And this imagery is great for hurricane planning and hurricane disaster mitigation.
Summary:
The committee met to hear presentations on Florida’s space economy and related infrastructure. SpaceX Vice President Kiko Donchev described the company’s Florida operations, launch cadence, reusable rocket program, Starlink service, and plans for future Starship activity at the Cape. Senators asked about Florida employment, expansion plans, satellite lifetimes, disaster-relief uses of Starlink, and recreational connectivity; members also praised SpaceX’s hurricane response and broader public benefits. Donchev said SpaceX’s Florida workforce has grown to about 1,600 and that the company hopes to add Starship pads and continue expanding in the state.
The committee then recognized Commander Dennis Baker for his military service and veteran advocacy, including his leadership of the Florida Veterans Foundation, grant work, the Walk of Honor, and the Gadsden Flag license plate program. Members highlighted that revenue from the plate helps fund veterans’ dental care and noted upcoming dental services for veterans in Volusia County. Baker received a flag flown over the Capitol and a framed gubernatorial proclamation.
Newview CEO Clint Grumman presented the company’s commercial satellite LiDAR mapping system, describing its Lake Nona headquarters, Florida ownership, planned jobs, and applications for infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. He said the company’s satellite data could improve accuracy and lower costs, and noted partnerships including a Department of Defense contract and a European Space Agency moon-mapping effort. Space Florida then outlined its role as the state’s aerospace finance and business development authority, emphasizing its pipeline of projects, spaceport improvement program, workforce academy, and efforts to address infrastructure constraints and seek tax-exempt bond authority for spaceports. NASA’s Kelvin Manning closed with an update on Kennedy Space Center, highlighting Artemis progress, rising launch demand, commercial partnerships, economic impact, and the Florida University Space Research Consortium. No bills were voted on, and the meeting adjourned after comments from members.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) Apr 3rd, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 231 creates a process for CenterPointe to compensate its customers for overcharges related to Hurricane
- Then, forgoing the storm costs from Hurricane Beryl will further support our customers.
- And it will help with everyday reliability, but also with hurricane response.
- Y'all are in Hurricane Alley, just as they are in Florida, and you didn't do it.
- So I need to get some relief anyway that I can. Thank you very much. Thank you, sir.
Bills:
SB231 , SB584 , SB600 , SB668 , SB841 , SB986 , SB1003 , SB1244 , SB1625 , SB1960 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB2026 , SB2056 , SB2368
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Over the past seven years, we have delivered a record of almost $10 billion in tax relief, nearly three
- times the relief that had been enacted in the previous eight years.
- We've gone through four major hurricanes... ...needed relief to affected areas.
- We've gone through four major hurricanes in the last four years, and each storm has witnessed the most
- Tax relief is at the discretion of the people acting through our constitutional amendment process.
Summary:
The transcript is of a Florida Legislature joint session convened to receive the Governor’s annual message. After the House and Senate were received, a committee was appointed to notify the Governor that the joint session was ready, and the Governor and First Lady were introduced. The Senate President presided, a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance were offered, and the joint session then recessed to await the Governor’s arrival.
Governor Ron DeSantis delivered a lengthy address reviewing his administration’s record over the past seven years. He highlighted fiscal restraint, larger reserves and rainy-day funds, debt reduction, tax cuts, business and job growth, school choice expansion, education reforms, higher teacher pay, civics initiatives, environmental restoration efforts in the Everglades, hurricane response improvements, public safety and immigration enforcement, and opposition to DEI and other ideological policies. He also urged lawmakers to send him bills on issues such as eliminating DEI in local governments, further restricting illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and addressing what he described as the creep of Sharia law.
The Governor additionally called for property tax relief through the constitutional amendment process and for legislation emphasizing informed consent in medical decision-making. He warned about risks posed by artificial intelligence and said new technologies should align with American values. No substantive votes were taken on policy matters during the session; after the Governor’s remarks, the joint session adopted a motion to dissolve.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-13 (11:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Over the past seven years, we have delivered a record of almost $10 billion in tax relief, nearly three
- times the relief that had been enacted in the previous eight years.
- We've gone through four major hurricanes... ...needed relief to affected areas.
- We've gone through four major hurricanes in the last four years, and each storm has witnessed the most
- Tax relief is at the discretion of the people acting through our constitutional amendment process.
Summary:
The transcript captures a Florida legislative joint session convened to receive the Governor’s annual message. After the House and Senate formally received the Lieutenant Governor, Cabinet, and Supreme Court, a committee was appointed to notify the Governor, and the Governor was introduced and delivered a lengthy address. The Governor framed Florida as a model of conservative governance and highlighted accomplishments over the past seven years, including budget reserves and rainy day fund growth, debt reduction, tax cuts, economic growth and job creation, universal school choice, teacher pay increases, civics education, higher education reforms, Everglades restoration, hurricane response, public safety measures, immigration enforcement, and opposition to DEI and COVID-era mandates.
The Governor also outlined priorities for the coming session, urging lawmakers to send him bills on issues such as eliminating DEI in local governments, further discouraging illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and blocking Sharia law. He additionally called for action on property tax relief, saying homeowners should not pay “perpetual rent” to government, and asked the legislature to place a tax-relief measure before voters. He emphasized emerging concerns about artificial intelligence and medical freedom, arguing for informed consent and ethical limits on new technologies.
After the Governor concluded, the joint session took up a motion to dissolve. The motion was approved, and the joint session adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-13 (11:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Over the past seven years, we have delivered a record of almost $10 billion in tax relief, nearly three
- times the relief that had been enacted in the previous eight years.
- We've gone through four major hurricanes... ...needed relief to affected areas.
- We've gone through four major hurricanes in the last four years, and each storm has witnessed the most
- Tax relief is at the discretion of the people acting through our constitutional amendment process.
Summary:
The House and Senate met in joint session to receive the Governor’s annual message. After the customary opening, prayer, pledge, and motions to notify the Governor, the Governor and First Lady were received and the Governor delivered a lengthy address reviewing his administration’s record and outlining priorities for the coming session.
The Governor highlighted what he described as major accomplishments over the past seven years, including stronger state reserves, debt reduction, tax relief, economic growth, school choice expansion, higher teacher pay, civics education, higher education reforms, Everglades restoration, hurricane response improvements, public safety measures, and immigration enforcement. He also discussed affordability concerns, especially rising local property taxes, and urged lawmakers to pursue a ballot measure for property tax relief. He called for legislation on informed consent in medical decisions, regulation of artificial intelligence, and bills already filed on issues such as eliminating DEI in local governments, further restricting illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and blocking Sharia law.
No substantive votes were taken on legislation during the address. After the Governor concluded, the joint session approved a motion to dissolve, and the meeting adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Over the past seven years, we have delivered a record of almost $10 billion in tax relief, nearly three
- times the relief that had been enacted in the previous eight years.
- We've gone through four major hurricanes... ...needed relief to affected areas.
- We've gone through four major hurricanes in the last four years, and each storm has witnessed the most
- Tax relief is at the discretion of the people acting through our constitutional amendment process.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Obviously, we know hurricanes are a fixture in Florida.
- And as you mentioned, we have withstood many, many hurricanes, but we experience many more.
- One of the common elements that you see with hurricanes is erosion, right?
- Well, we have extreme wind and extreme storm surge during hurricanes.
- Well, we have extreme wind and extreme storm surge during hurricanes.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Transportation met to hear presentations from the Florida Department of Transportation on rural arterial roadways and transportation resiliency, followed by a panel discussion on metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). FDOT’s Will Watts described the state’s growing population and travel demand, emphasizing that rural arterials are critical for connectivity, freight movement, evacuation routes, and congestion relief. He outlined FDOT’s project selection factors, noted thousands of identified rural arterial needs with billions in unfunded demand, and explained that the department uses community input and long-range planning to prioritize safety, capacity, and economic development.
Watts then discussed resiliency planning for hurricanes and flooding, focusing on structural design, storm readiness, and drainage. He highlighted efforts such as elevated bridges, wave attenuators, coastal armoring, drainage upgrades, and materials testing at FDOT’s research facilities to extend service life and reduce storm damage. Committee members asked about local project selection, materials research, LiDAR use, and legislative support; Watts said local coordination drives project priorities and asked lawmakers to protect the Transportation Trust Fund.
The MPO panel, led by FDOT’s Kim Holland, explained that MPOs are federally required in urban areas over 50,000 population and that Florida has 27, the most in the nation. Holland said MPOs identify and prioritize transportation needs through long-range plans and public engagement, and she noted that several regions are exploring consolidation after the 2020 Census, especially in Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida. Representatives from MetroPlan Orlando, Forward Pinellas, Pasco MPO, and Hillsborough discussed their structures and the potential benefits and challenges of merging, including representation, governance, funding, and maintaining local voice. Members generally supported regional collaboration, urged patience as studies continue, and emphasized the need for transparent public engagement, while the committee adjourned after no further business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a common sense solution that brings fairness to the system and much-needed relief to districts
- Many of our coastal districts are still recovering from Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
- This is not a broad benefit to all districts. tailored to provide relief to those that are both subject
- You're shaking your head because I know some Hurricane Ike claims that literally just got... ...paid
- I'm talking about hurricanes, so thank you all. Thank you all for coming here today.
Bills:
SB2920 , SB2929 , SB2398 , SB865 , SB401 , SB2619 , SB2927 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB1635 , SB1581 , SB2008
Committees:
Senate Education , Senate Education K-16
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We've been able to do disaster relief and also help provide communities that need broadband that maybe
- So not to mention disaster relief where it's been a huge impact in North Carolina.
- And once again, just think of the implications with disaster relief.
- But your impact after the hurricanes in here in the state of Florida and North Carolina, truly phenomenal
- And this imagery is great for hurricane planning and hurricane disaster mitigation.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 5, 2025 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- And while concurrently operating Hurricane Debbie, recovery operations for Hurricane Helene began.
- And while concurrently operating Hurricane Debbie, recovery operations for Hurricane Helene began.
- Our logistics branch balanced those Hurricane Debbie, Hurricane Helene, and now Hurricane Milton operations
- Debbie, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton in succession.
- And then, most recently, the beginning of 2025, you know, we breathed a sigh of relief when hurricane
Summary:
The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Over the past seven years, we have delivered a record of almost $10 billion in tax relief, nearly three
- times the relief that had been enacted in the previous eight years.
- We've gone through four major hurricanes...
- We've gone through four major hurricanes in the last four years, and each storm has witnessed the most
- Tax relief is at the discretion of the people acting through our constitutional amendment process.
Summary:
The Florida House and Senate met in joint session to receive the Governor’s annual message. After opening formalities, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the appointment of a committee to notify the Governor that the Legislature was ready, the chamber recognized special guests and then received Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis.
In his address, the Governor reviewed what he described as seven years of major accomplishments in Florida, emphasizing fiscal restraint, tax relief, economic growth, education reforms, environmental restoration, disaster response, public safety, and immigration enforcement. He highlighted a larger rainy day fund, reduced debt, record job and business growth, universal school choice, higher teacher pay, Hope Florida, Everglades restoration, stronger hurricane response, and tougher laws on crime and illegal immigration. He also warned about property tax burdens, called for a constitutional path to property tax relief, urged informed consent in medical policy, and raised concerns about artificial intelligence.
The Governor pointed to several bills already filed and urged lawmakers to send him legislation eliminating DEI in local government, further discouraging illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and blocking the spread of Sharia law. He closed by asking the Legislature to continue advancing his agenda. After the address, the joint session voted to dissolve.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So in the, remember, I'm looking at Senator Alvarado, remember with Hurricane Harvey, there was some
- little bit because most people don't realize we still have money from the federal government from Hurricane
- We still have money from 2008 for hurricane assistance from the federal government that has not been
- So the Harvey experience was a good indicator; year, year and a half we were beginning to get relief
- Because I survived the FEMA... ...Bastrop fire, the hurricane, the Texas snowstorm, and... homeless,
Committee:
Senate Finance