Transcript Highlights:

• Inland ports play a pivotal role.
• For inland port development and improvements.
• For inland port development and improvements.
• We're a prime area coming from the port of Los Angeles and the port of San Diego.
• So on the next slide, we have identified our trade port.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Once they started doing that and we began addressing the issues at the port, the ports corrected those
• All of these depots, the source of fuel is the ports: Port of Brownsville, Port of Harlingen, and even
• For our customers, they want to go directly to that port.
• of Harlingen or the Port of Brownsville.
• We were visited by TCEQ last week.

Bills: SB290, SB2949

Keywords: LP-gas, property owner notice, natural resources, gas installations, safety notification, motor fuel, fuel transport, fuel export, transloading, export fuel transloading facility, fuel terminal, terminal operator, comptroller, Texas Tax Code, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Department of Public Safety, DPS, border security, ports of entry

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up we have Brian Giuliani, CEO of the Port of Tampa Bay. Mr. Giuliani, you're recognized.
• Next up we have Brian Giuliani, CEO of the Port of Tampa Bay. Mr. Giuliani, you're recognized.
• So Port Tampa Bay is the largest, both in land and cargo tonnage, and the most diversified port in Florida
• Our port property encompasses 5,000 acres and receives 35 million tons of cargo per year.
• come through the Port of Savannah, which shows we have a huge opportunity.

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee met to hear an overview of its jurisdiction and then focused primarily on Florida manufacturing. Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly described manufacturing as central to a more resilient, diversified economy, citing the 2023 Florida Manufacturing Report and noting strong growth in manufacturing businesses, jobs, exports, and workforce programs. He emphasized that most Florida manufacturers are small businesses, that the sector is increasingly STEM- and technology-driven, and that the state’s main challenge is workforce aging and the need to retain trained talent. Members also discussed how to better expose students and parents to manufacturing careers, improve startup access to capital, and strengthen regional manufacturing corridors and transportation links. Kevin Carr of FloridaMakes said Florida is on track to become a top-five manufacturing state, but warned that productivity, technology adoption, and workforce shortages remain key issues. He said a proposed manufacturing bill would create a chief manufacturing officer and help address workforce, technology, and market-visibility challenges. Bain Beecher of PGT Innovations described the company’s growth and community role, but highlighted obstacles such as affordable housing, insurance costs, permitting delays, supply-chain disruptions, and limited awareness of manufacturing careers among students and parents. Andrew Kosowski of Veterans Metal focused on small- and medium-sized manufacturers, citing labor shortages, the cost of adopting new technology, regulatory burdens, and cybersecurity compliance as major pressures, and urged support for the draft manufacturing bill. Brian Giuliani of the Port of Tampa Bay outlined the port’s cargo mix, infrastructure investments, and role in moving fuel, construction materials, and manufactured goods, saying the port’s expansion and transloading plans could better connect Florida manufacturers to suppliers and markets. Committee members repeatedly stressed the need to promote manufacturing careers earlier in school, improve public perception of the industry, and reduce barriers to investment. No formal vote was taken during the discussion, but the panelists broadly supported the draft manufacturing legislation and the committee’s focus on manufacturing policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• But when I went and visited there, I realized there's already 20 other states that have economic trade
• We show you registered as Eric Kimball on behalf of Port Arthur Area Shrimpers Association.
• I've been doing the Port Arthur Shrimp Association president for 2025 years.
• I'm Tricia Kimball, and I'm representing the Port Arthur Area Shrimpers Association.
• Go to another port and basically they port hop. They go to a different port.

Transcript Highlights:

• Port votes I. Senator Mchuan votes I. Port votes I. Senator Mchuan votes I.
• </c><00:30:54.640><c> to</c> people when they come to the visit to people when they come to the visit
• Senator Port votes I. Senator Mchuan votes I. And Senator Wickland votes I.
• </c><00:34:42.000><c> Senator</c><00:34:42.240><c> Port</c><00:34:42.560><c> votes</c> Senator Port votes
• Senator Port votes Senator Port votes I.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And James Weaver with Port of Poulsbo.
• And James Weaver with Port of Poulsbo.
• Navy, Coast Guard, ports, tribes, and other partners.
• My name is James Weaver, and I serve as the port manager for the Port of Poulsbo in Kitsap County.
• On behalf of the Port of Poulsbo and the small ports across Washington, I urge your support for HB 2199

Bills: HB2117, HB2199, HB2327, HB2516, HB2554

Keywords: tribal member, board of natural resources, indigenous representation, natural resource management, local governance, derelict vessels, marine environment, coastal management, environmental protection, maritime economy, audit, county, forest management, transparency, public lands, rodenticide, rodenticides, anticoagulant rodenticide, bromethalin, pesticide

Transcript Highlights:

• And I have encouraged to visit Florida as it happened.
• I visited the U.S.
• So the Port, Tampa Bay's largest, both inland and cargo tonnage, most diversified port for a our poor
• The import products for Florida that comes through port comes through the Port of Savannah, which is
• Those packaging on the port and exports finished product.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maritime industry, I will touch on that a bit later on, but our ports.
• We also prepare and work with the Port Authority Advisory Committee to put together the port mission
• We address port roadway connectivity infrastructure and ship channel needs and we work with the Port
• for port capital improvements. improvements inside the gate of those ports.
• Ports you stated that we have through our ports.

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• It might surprise you that the largest port in the United States is not...
• port in the nation.
• We have quite a bit of poultry products that are going across our ports into Mexico.
• Almost 30 data points an animal every time they visit a stall.
• After seeing a significant bump in visits to veterinarians during the pandemic, office visits are now

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And unlike Port Miami, Port Tampa Bay is the largest port in land mass in the state.
• And I think as you've heard from all these ports, when you've seen one port, you've seen one port.
• And I think as you've heard from all these ports, when you've seen one port, you've seen one port.
• And as Mike said, if you've seen one port, you've seen one port.
• And as Mike said, if you've seen one port, you've seen one port.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee held a panel discussion focused on Florida seaports and their role in the state economy. Florida Ports Council CEO Mike Rubin opened with statewide figures from a 2023 economic impact study, saying Florida seaports support about 1.2 million jobs, generate roughly $195 billion in economic value, and produce about $7.4 billion in state and local taxes. He emphasized that ports are critical for fuel, food, medical supplies, construction materials, and hurricane response, and argued that continued state and federal investment is needed to expand capacity and move projects forward faster. PortMiami Director Heidi Webb described Miami’s cruise and cargo operations, noting the port generated about $61 billion in economic impact and 334,000 jobs. She highlighted record cruise activity, major private investment by cruise lines, the launch of shore power at cruise terminals to reduce emissions, and ongoing capital projects including a new Royal Caribbean terminal, berth reconstruction, and an inland port concept to reduce congestion. Members asked about security, hurricane procedures, AI use, infrastructure planning, collaboration among ports, and smuggling prevention; Webb said the port uses layered security with local law enforcement, CBP, Coast Guard, and radiation monitors, and that hurricane planning is coordinated in advance with county and federal partners. Port Tampa Bay’s Raul Alfonso said Tampa is the state’s largest port by land area and a major energy hub for Central Florida, with an estimated $34.5 billion economic impact. He discussed diversification into containers, food distribution, fertilizer, and construction materials, along with major needs such as a deep-dredge project and more warehouse space. He also addressed resilience and fuel distribution during hurricanes, and said the port is preparing for future LNG and alternative-fuel demand through partnerships, land planning, and education. Jaxport’s Nick Primrose then described Jacksonville’s container, auto, breakbulk, aggregate, military, and LNG businesses, including 1.3 million TEUs last year, major state-funded crane purchases, harbor deepening, auto-processing expansion, and its role as a strategic military port. He said Jaxport is a leader in marine LNG and has trained all employees on human trafficking awareness. The discussion ended with Port Panama City being introduced as a smaller but important Panhandle economic engine, with Rubin noting its cargo, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects and its continued need for state and federal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a wonderful place to visit, and Senator Schwertner, one of those towns is called Gun Barrel City
• It's a wonderful place to visit, and Senator Schwertner, one of those towns is called Gun Barrel City
• It's always really neat to have folks like this from our district here with us for a visit, and it is
• You guys do a great job and appreciate you coming down here to the Capitol to visit us.
• bilingual, and bicultural, Laredo is Texas's 11th largest city and the largest international trade port

Summary: The Texas Senate convened with a quorum, heard the governor’s emergency message outlining priority issues for the session, including property tax relief, water supply and infrastructure funding, universal education savings accounts, teacher pay, career and technical education, creation of a Texas Cyber Command, and bail reform. The governor also submitted a State of the State message and several appointment nominations for Senate confirmation. The chamber then took up a series of ceremonial resolutions and recognitions for McAllen Day, UTSA and UT Health San Antonio Day, Wise County Day, and Houston East End Chamber of Commerce East End Day, along with visits from the Houston Realty Business Coalition, Cedar Creek Chamber of Commerce, Webb County/Laredo delegates, UT Dallas McDermott Scholars, Andrews County officials, and occupational therapy professionals and students. Several senators spoke in support of the recognitions, highlighting local economic development, higher education, public health, and regional history. McAllen was praised for its growth, business climate, and cultural significance; Laredo and Webb County were recognized for trade, the Washington’s Birthday Celebration, and cross-border ties; UTSA and UT Health were commended for research, cybersecurity, and health science work; and UT Dallas scholars were recognized for academic achievement and public service. Wise County, the East End of Houston, and Andrews County were also described in terms of their economic contributions and community heritage. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 27 for McAllen Day and Senate Resolution 32 for UTSA and UT Health San Antonio Day without objection. It also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 11, which granted permission for either house to adjourn for more than three days between February 5 and February 11, by a recorded vote of 30 ayes and 0 nays. Additional resolutions listed on the calendar were adopted without objection, and the Senate recessed until noon on Wednesday, February 5.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we also do work with the ports themselves, all of our districts work very closely with their ports
• Capital, Port Capital Program, which goes toward funding work that is inside the gates of the port, on
• Okay, and I want to switch gears because in keeping what ports, but a different type of port.
• We're talking about kind of land ports.
• It's coming in the port, not out of the port.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , it's not New Orleans, it's Laredo, Texas, where we have 17 ports of entry there.
• It is the second port, um, second largest poultry port in the nation, so we have quite a bit of poultry
• , uh, products that are going across our ports into Mexico.
• Chairman, members, thank you for the opportunity to visit with you all today.
• After seeing a significant bump in visits to veterinarians during the pandemic, office visits are now

Transcript Highlights:

• The Port of Seattle and others have also created unique programs to help the industry build back after
• People actually don't even visit China.
• Most winters have seen a decline in tourist visits through tasting rooms.
• Fred Felleman with the Port of Seattle. Thank you. Just working to unmute myself.
• I’m Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman, Vice President, testifying in support of Senate Bill

Bills: SB6061, SB5844, SB6079, SB6137, SB5831, SB6031, SB6178

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, storage rental, tenancy agreements, tenant rights, landlord obligations, termination notice, insurance, wildfire prevention, policy nonrenewal, cancellation, risk management, sports wagering, sports betting, sports gambling, bookmaking, gambling regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• You can go and visit it. It's a it's a it's a still the Baptist Church and independence.
• Port Fulton and Aransas County sit on the Gulf of what we now call the Gulf of America.
• and you visit and you tell people from your from Texas, you receive a very, very warm welcome.
• Today they're advocating and visiting our offices to encourage safe practices. while driving.
• . on the resolution. the Port of Galveston on operating for 200 years.

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB26, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't realize there were 75 ports in Washington. We have 11 ports in Grant County.
• So I'm very well aware of the value of ports.
• This bill is for one port only, the Port of Moses Lake.
• Currently, port districts and port development authorities are prohibited from using port funds to purchase
• Currently, port districts and port development authorities are prohibited from using port funds to purchase

Summary: The committee heard several local government bills. Senate Bill 6181, sponsored by Senator Conway, would let county legislative authorities in certain large western Washington counties file a city incorporation petition without collecting resident signatures if the area is fully within an urban growth boundary and has more than 25,000 people. Supporters from Pierce County said the current signature requirement makes incorporation too difficult for large urban unincorporated areas like South Hill, while opponents argued the signature threshold is an important test of community support and raised concerns about boundaries, taxes, and the adequacy of the bill’s details. Senate Bill 6132 would give the Port of Moses Lake additional bonding authority tied to a tax increment financing area to help finish a rail project; the port said rising costs and a pending federal grant made the extra flexibility necessary. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6154, which would give local governments more flexibility in how they use hydraulic project approval permits for culvert replacement. Counties and cities testified that many emergency culvert repairs are expensive and that some sites provide little fish habitat benefit, so they want the option to redirect equivalent resources to higher-priority fish passage projects elsewhere in the watershed. A few commenters supported the bill as a practical way to improve habitat and flood resilience, while one remote witness objected to the broader legal framework for salmon habitat projects. Senate Bill 6189 would extend from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028 the deadline for creating an additional public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities; Olympia, Tumwater, and regional partners said they need more time to complete feasibility and coordination work for a proposed aquatic center. In executive session, the committee took action on several bills. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6037 to Ways and Means, adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5983 to Rules, and passed Senate Bills 5995 and 6013 to Rules without amendments. For Senate Bill 6066, the committee adopted an amendment into a new substitute and passed the bill to the Transportation Committee. The committee did not take action on Senate Bills 5820 or 6064.

Transcript Highlights:

• She also gets her fowl from this very esteemed member who's visiting us today.
• Being done in Bernalillo County in terms of a trade port.
• Speaker, gentlelady, and you meet all the criteria to become a trade port.
• We have the Port of Long Beach, and we have the Port of LA. We also have the Port of Houston.
• We have, believe it or not, the Port of New Orleans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gulf and East Coast ports, with the Port of Houston experiencing a 26.7% reduction.
• They are rare if you count the number of some 7,000 port visits a year.
• It's invested in 129 ports in dozens of countries and runs a majority of 17 ports.
• In 2021, Hutchinson was awarded those two ports, Port Balboa and Port Cristobal, in a no-bid award process
• In the 25 years that the two ports that we call two ports, they've contributed zero.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so Port.
• </c> Uh Senator Port, to the question. Uh Senator Port, to the question.
• Senator Senator<00:37:08.720><c> Port.</c> Senator Port. Senator Port.
• I will defer to Senator Port. Senator Port. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator Port. Can yield? He will yield. Senator Port.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Port of Seattle and others have also created unique programs to help the industry build back after
• People actually don't even visit China.
• Most winters have seen a decline in tourist visits through tasting rooms.
• Fred Felleman with the Port of Seattle. Thank you. Just working to unmute myself.
• I’m Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman, Vice President, testifying in support of Senate Bill

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering. Staff explained that the bill would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington colleges, but would continue to prohibit bets on the performance of individual college athletes. Tribal representatives from the Jamestown S’Klallam, Puyallup, and Kalispel tribes testified in support, saying the bill would keep wagering within the regulated tribal marketplace, protect integrity, and help smaller tribal casinos participate through a hub-and-spoke model. University of Washington and Washington State University representatives supported the ban on individual prop bets and emphasized student-athlete safety, while WSU also argued the bill would expand exposure to harassment and online abuse. No vote was taken. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6079, which would create the Strengthen Washington Homes wildfire mitigation grant program. Staff said the bill would fund grants for wildfire-hardening homes to IBHS standards, authorize pilot projects, and prohibit insurers from using wildfire risk to disqualify homes that meet the standards. Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuder and Senator Marcus Riccelli supported the bill, arguing that wildfire losses and non-renewals are increasing and that upfront mitigation is cheaper than recovery. Local officials and advocates from Medical Lake, Washington Realtors, and climate and wildfire groups also supported the measure. Insurance industry representatives supported the mitigation goals but objected to the bill’s requirement that insurers provide coverage based on IBHS designation and to using the commissioner’s regulatory account as a funding source, saying underwriting still needs to consider broader risk factors. No action was taken. The committee next held a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 6061, which would create a tourism self-supported assessment program. State of Washington Tourism, the Washington Wine Commission, the Washington Hospitality Association, the Brewers Guild, the Port of Seattle, and rural economic development representatives said the state’s tourism program is underfunded and that an industry-led assessment could provide a stable, competitive funding source. They said the model would be governed by a ratepayer oversight board, subject to ratification, and could generate significant visitor spending and tax revenue over time. Some testimony raised concerns about the scope of eligible businesses and the bill’s references to other industries, but supporters said friendly amendments would refine those details. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5844 on self-storage rental agreements, which would allow electronic agreements, clarify acceptance by continued occupancy, and create a uniform process for termination or nonrenewal for nonpayment or nonmonetary defaults. Self-storage operators supported the bill as a modernization measure that would improve safety and consistency, and no vote was taken on any of the bills heard.