Transcript Highlights:

• And my phone is going to look when I say this, but more traditional rain event.
• So all the engineers and the work and say what is a traditional rain event, but or what we see on a regular
• Your expert opinion, if there's our rain arrangement with FDP for a 5 year basis, they already have this
• I don't believe we had a we had a hurricane per se, but I know we had a week where Wisconsin raining

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:21:27.960> in<00:21:28.080> response<00:21:28.600> to<00:21:28.720> rain
• <00:21:28.960> water<00:21:29.159> or that flow in response to rain water or that flow
• in response to rain water or snow<00:21:29.600> melt<00:21:30.320> which<00:21:30.520>
• They don't need to be punished because we've had a hard rain and there's water that's settled for 30

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:04 SB 89 Discussion 00:59 SB 89 Roll Call Vote 24:49, 958, all

Summary: The committee met in a special called session, confirmed a quorum, and took up Senate Bill 89. The sponsor, Scott Maiden, said the bill was intended to address permitting issues affecting coal and other industries, and he described it as supported by a broad coalition of business, agriculture, and industry groups. He said the bill would align Kentucky’s definition of “waters of the Commonwealth” with federal definitions and would codify the existing definition and calculation method for long-term treatment bond requirements at mine sites. He also emphasized that the bill would not eliminate groundwater protections, drinking water protections, or prohibitions on hazardous substance dumping. A committee amendment was discussed and adopted to add and clarify definitions, including navigable waters, sinkholes with open drains, certain springs, and wellhead protection areas. The sponsor said the amendment was intended to address concerns that the bill was too broad and noted that it was worked on with Louisville Water and other stakeholders. Testimony in opposition came from Rebecca Shelton of Appalachian Citizens Law Center, who argued the bill would leave private wells and groundwater vulnerable and cited groundwater contamination data. Nick Hart of Kentucky Waterways Alliance urged the committee to preserve the current definition and requested a statutory review and economic impact analysis. Audrey Ernsberger of Kentucky Resources Council said the bill would strip protections from most groundwater, ephemeral streams, karst aquifers, and many private wells, and warned of higher water-treatment costs and pollution risks. Members asked questions about the meaning of “carcinogenic” and the difficulty of cleaning up contamination in private wells. During roll call, several members explained their votes, with supporters saying the amendment protected water while preserving needed flexibility for industry, and opponents saying they could not risk weakening water protections or harming private wells and agriculture. The committee voted to pass SB 89 as amended with a favorable recommendation to the Senate, and then moved to roll the committee amendment into a committee substitute.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, in 2012 there was a flood in Duluth caused by torrential downpour of rain, and there was
• 00:04:18.919> downpour<00:04:19.359> of torrential downpour of torrential downpour of rain
• :04:21.600> was<00:04:21.720> a<00:04:21.840> really<00:04:22.079> bad rain
• and uh there was a really bad rain and uh there was a really bad situation<00:04:23.280> the<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• rockets to see the clouds... ...were shooting rockets to see the clouds to make them go ahead and rain
• so it didn't rain on Beijing or steer them.

Bills: HB248, HB311

Keywords: weather modification, atmospheric pollution, chemical dispersion, environmental law, public health, improvement districts, assessment collection, property taxes, local governance, foreclosure procedures, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, they're loving this rain. I mean, they're all going up; they can get all kinds of good food.
• So they're not out as much right now with all the rain, actually.
• And when it does rain, you get these different frogs and other animals that have been able to exist in

Transcript Highlights:

• The next up will be Jules Raine. First up, John Labriola, Christian Family Coalition, Florida.
• The next up will be Jules Raine. You're recognized.
• Up next is Jules Rain, followed by Ryan Kennedy. You're recognized.

Summary: The Pre-K Through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered four bills. CS/HB 1403, by Rep. Yeager, would allow child care facilities to participate in the school guardian program and clarify school perimeter and door security requirements. An amendment clarifying that private security companies would pay for training was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably 11-0. CS/HB 447, the Evan B. Hartzell Act by Rep. Salzman, would provide guidance for schools that choose to teach disability history and awareness during the first two weeks of October, including age-appropriate instruction by grade band. The bill received supportive testimony from advocates and was reported favorably 11-0. CS/HB 257, by Reps. Chambliss and Tramont, would expand on a prior pilot program to allow video cameras in certain self-contained classrooms serving nonverbal students and others with significant disabilities, as a safeguard against abuse and to improve accountability. The bill drew strong support from parents and disability advocates describing abuse concerns, and it was reported favorably 13-0. CS/HB 1255, by Vice Chair Trabulsy, was a broad education bill addressing teacher shortages, scholarship program screening, health and math instruction, corporal punishment policy, and restrictions on spending public funds on organizations tied to discrimination or political/social activism. A major focus of debate was the bill’s human embryologic development instruction and related video language, with supporters calling it science-based and opponents warning it could be medically inaccurate or ideological. After the sponsor said she would amend some language, including removing ABCTE-related text and clarifying the video language, the bill was reported favorably 12-1. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We now have longer periods of drought, more periods of intense rain.
• We now have longer periods of drought, more periods of intense rain.
• more periods of intense rain uh<01:14:25.920> it<01:14:26.040> makes<01:14:26.280>
• have become more extreme heat cold rain have become more extreme heat cold rain events<01:33:22.960
• We had land opened up for seeding, and out of nowhere came a 4.5-inch rain and hail storm.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on several bills and announced at the outset that no votes would be taken because the measures would go to divisions later. The first major bill, HB 197, would require the state to pay 7.5% of political subdivision employer pension contributions for teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Representative Mike Edgar, the prime sponsor, argued the state had repeatedly reduced and then eliminated its promised share of retirement costs, shifting the burden to municipalities and property taxpayers. He said the bill would partially restore that commitment and provide relief to local governments, businesses, and taxpayers. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 197, including Representative John Cluder, Bradford selectman Marlene Fryer, the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Margaret Burns, and Epping representative Mark Fone. Supporters said the bill would help with property tax pressure, school budgets, and municipal hiring, and they emphasized that much of the retirement cost reflects unfunded liability decisions made at the state level rather than by local governments. Committee members questioned whether the bill would change local incentives to control costs and how it would affect hiring and compensation. Burns said the state contribution would function as property tax relief because it offsets existing municipal expenses, and she noted the state is already on a long-term schedule to pay down the retirement system’s unfunded liability. After closing the hearing on HB 197, the committee opened a hearing on HB 97, introduced by Representative Tom Buco. He said the bill would continue funding for delayed and deferred wastewater projects and help municipalities finance expensive wastewater infrastructure, which he tied to housing development and local debt planning. No action or votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• to happen; it's just a natural occurrence when the East Wind comes in, usually accompanied by light rain
• depends on, um, like the representative said, usually it's when there's a light East Wind, we had rain

Bills: HB55, HB212

Keywords: fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama, regulations, HB212, aquatic plants, public waters, state waters, waterways, water management, aquatic vegetation, weed removal, vegetation control, lake management, river management, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR

Transcript Highlights:

• function to expressly require<00:18:03.880> the<00:18:04.000> contractor<00:18:04.480> rain
• <00:18:04.799> records<00:18:05.080> in require the contractor rain records in require
• the contractor rain records in accordance<00:18:05.600> with<00:18:05.720> the<00:18:05.880

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a series of Senate bills and generally advanced most of them, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 15 on the definition of historic property was amended to narrow the definition to properties at least 50 years old that are culturally significant or otherwise significant for Hawaii Register purposes, and it passed. SB 97 on excessive speeding was amended to clarify felony penalty language, license revocation timing, and fingerprinting procedures, and passed. Other bills passed as is or unamended included SB 145 on water shortages, SB 108 on accessible parking enforcement, SB 660 on hospitality anti-harassment measures and panic buttons, SB 1662 on landlord application fees and tenant screening reports, SB 1421 on Department of Health provider arrangements, SB 1439 on DOH nuisance authority, and SB 1452 updating controlled substances law. SB 1454 on wage payment violations passed with technical amendments only, while SB 1481 on motorcycle instruction permits was deferred as not ready. Several bills received more substantial changes. SB 253 on condominium association budget summaries was amended to require a single document and to shift the standard to substantial compliance; it passed. SB 371 on critical infrastructure damage was amended to remove a section affecting manslaughter law and to apply specifically to broadband and cable networks; it passed. SB 984 on water pollution liability for large landowners was advanced with a defective date. SB 1517 on public land leases for recreational residential use was amended to change the lease term to five years and add a defective date. SB 1074 on temporary continuation of challenged activities during environmental review was significantly amended to limit the provision to currently authorized activities, add a one-year limit with possible court extension, and clarify other terms; it passed. SB 1322 on emergency mental health transport was amended to restore provider-initiated transport language, require notice and coordination, remove special immunity provisions, and clarify court-ordered treatment procedures; it passed. The committee also passed SB 1496 on disability access to information in public accommodations, with a request that the committee report discuss the Roe v. St. Pizza case and the distinction between physical and digital accommodations. SB 1255 on Uniform Information Practices Act record retention was deferred as not ready. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that both agendas were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• are like paying for an umbrella and you carry it with you every day, and then when it starts pouring rain
• to undo that progress by destabilizing access to essential medical care and leaving us out in the rain
• ,<00:13:11.600> somebody<00:13:12.079> takes starts pouring raining, somebody takes
• medical care and leaving us out<00:16:08.000> in<00:16:08.160> the<00:16:08.240> rain
• out in the rain without an umbrella. out in the rain without an umbrella.

Keywords: Medicaid - Room 216, 4 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several Medicaid-related topics. First, a pharmacy representative discussed nonopioid pain medications as a way to reduce opioid dependence and overdose risk, emphasizing that options such as acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and topical diclofenac can be useful for pain management. She cautioned that nonopioids can still have risks and said any policy should avoid requiring patients to step through opioids before accessing safer alternatives, while still allowing reasonable step therapy among nonopioid options. The presenter said the goal is to keep patients from being pushed toward opioids by cost or insurance design. The committee also heard emotional testimony from parents of a child with Prader-Willi syndrome, who described the condition as a rare genetic disorder that causes severe, lifelong hyperphagia and requires rigid supervision and ongoing treatment. They argued that alternative funding programs can disrupt access to medically necessary drugs such as human growth hormone, forcing families into costly and uncertain coverage gaps. They asked lawmakers to ensure insurance coverage remains stable for rare disease patients and thanked Senator Blackwell for prior support of rare disease legislation. Next, a Livanova representative urged the committee to support higher Medicaid reimbursement for vagus nerve stimulator surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy. He said inadequate hospital reimbursement has reduced access in Mississippi, causing patients to travel long distances or go without treatment, and argued that better reimbursement would improve outcomes and save money over time. He cited studies showing seizure reductions, lower ER use, and a projected $2.8 million in five-year savings for Medicaid based on 40 patients, and asked that hospitals be reimbursed at 100% of Medicare rates for the procedure codes. Finally, a Medicaid official gave a broad overview of hospital payment structure, including fee-for-service, managed care, MHAP, DSH, UPL, provider taxes, and related funding mechanisms. She explained that hospital payments are interrelated and have shifted over time, with major changes tied to managed care, MHAP/UPL increases, and provider taxes. At the end of the discussion, the committee was running short on time and asked her to skip ahead to the provider tax component; no votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we fill it back up, hopefully it will fill back up because we haven't had rain.
• We got a half-inch of rain the other night and that's the most we had in two years So there's a lot of

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] So, well, over the rain that I heard in [Music] Rain that I heard in [Music] [Music] [Music]
• the over the rain.
• The over the rain. [Music] [Music] [Music] First, over the rainbow, rainbow, rainbow.
• Ain't no big thing, brother, rain, rain go away, but this song really came to play.
• <01:07:54.319> big<01:07:54.599> thing<01:07:54.839> brother<01:07:55.640> rain

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Started out slow, as a lot of our projects did with all the rain in the spring, but this is a $4 million
• did<00:09:44.640> with<00:09:44.800> all<00:09:44.959> the<00:09:45.120> rain
• <00:09:45.360> in<00:09:45.600> the projects did with all the rain in the projects
• did with all the rain in the spring,<00:09:46.000> but<00:09:46.480> uh<00:09:47.360>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Protection received a detailed update from Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Meyer on capital projects funded through HJR 76, HJR 56, and House Bill 6. He said the department is making steady progress on a large portfolio of park improvements, with regular quarterly reporting to the legislature and ongoing coordination with the Finance Cabinet, the Energy and Environment Cabinet, the Commonwealth Office of Technology, and local utilities and governments. He emphasized that ADA accessibility is a priority across projects and noted that many completed items, including campground bathhouse renovations, broadband upgrades, life safety improvements, playground replacements, and some furniture and mattress upgrades, are already drawing positive feedback. The presentation focused heavily on campground, utility, and infrastructure work. Meyer described $40 million in campground upgrades split between western and eastern Kentucky, including projects at Ken Lake, Carter Caves, My Old Kentucky Home, Cumberland Falls, and others. He also outlined $20 million in utility improvements, including a federal matching grant for grid resiliency at Ken Lake and Kentucky Dam Village, plus wastewater and electrical infrastructure work at parks such as Dale Hollow, Blue Licks, Natural Bridge, and Cumberland Falls. Additional categories included building systems, life safety, structural repairs, accommodations and hospitality upgrades, pool and beach work, dam safety, playgrounds, and golf course improvements. Members asked about the status of Lake Barkley utilities, the possibility of transferring upgraded utility infrastructure to local providers after repairs, and how park repair priorities are set. Meyer said park managers report issues through regional directors and that projects are prioritized through a running capital list, similar to a long-range transportation plan. He said the department has already spent the current $20 million allocation and is requesting $40 million in the next budget cycle, adding that the department believes it could spend and complete projects if that amount is appropriated. The commissioner also said the department is managing 284 additional capital projects outside the main funding streams, totaling nearly $70 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next witness will be Julie Raines. Julie, and then after Julie will be Lanson B. Jones Jr. Ms.
• Raines. Any questions for Ms. Raines? Yes, sir. Representative Dean. Representative Dean. No, no.
• Raines, in your testimony, you're written in your oral... ...testimony you mentioned that it's misleading

Bills: HB3619, HB3652, HB4572, HB4891, HB4941, HB5103, HB5105, HB5106, HB5224, HB5600

Keywords: surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this operation is intended to combat rain, hard freeze, formation of ice, because that is actually
• A lot of people think, oh, it's raining more than it ever has.
• it's not necessarily that it's Actually, as development continues, it's not necessarily that it's raining
• It's just that these intense rains are inundating the system because there's more runoff going to the

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• In three hours, we had nine inches of rain, and then in the following two hours we had another two inches
• , for a total of 11 inches of rain in about a five-hour period.
• In three hours, we had nine inches of rain, and then in the following two hours we had another two inches
• , for a total of 11 inches of rain in about a five-hour period.
• temperatures in the winter, stronger winds in the spring, extended heat waves in the summer, and lengthy rains

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of climate, energy, and environmental justice proposals. Early testimony strongly supported the Climate Change Superfund or “Polluter Pays” bill (H.1014/S.58), which would assess the largest fossil fuel emitters for a one-time fee based on historic emissions to fund climate adaptation. Sponsors argued the bill is modeled on Superfund cleanup principles, would target only the largest multinational polluters, would not be passed on to consumers, and would direct a significant share of funds to environmental justice communities. Committee members asked about the number of companies covered, consumer impacts, and whether the bill would address other forms of environmental destruction; sponsors said it was limited to major fossil fuel companies with a Massachusetts footprint and did not cover other pollution sources. The committee also heard testimony on a fusion energy compact proposal (S.673) that would direct the administration to develop a framework for a New England regional compact to accelerate fusion research, workforce development, and supply-chain growth. Supporters from MIT and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said fusion could become a major clean-energy and economic opportunity, but acknowledged the technology is not yet commercially viable and still has unresolved technical, cost, and waste-management questions. Members pressed on environmental impacts, siting, waste, costs, and whether the bill would create a compact or only a framework; sponsors said it would only create the framework and that the administration would need to negotiate with other states. Another major topic was a pilot program for nature-based climate solutions (H.971/S.??), backed by legislators, Boston Harbor Now, and UMass Boston’s Stone Living Lab. Witnesses said the bill would help speed permits for research and demonstration projects such as living shorelines, marsh restoration, and hybrid “green-to-gray” flood protections, while maintaining safeguards and protecting Indigenous and historic resources. Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with other permitting reforms and whether it could conflict with housing or wetland-related streamlining; supporters said it was complementary and aimed at making projects faster, more affordable, and more data-driven. The hearing also covered climate-safe buildings and climate adaptation funding bills. Supporters of H.1004/S.583 said current building codes do not adequately account for future flooding, heat, and wind, and the bill would add climate expertise to the building board, allow stretch resilience codes, expand floodplain standards, and create a retrofit program. Related testimony backed H.938/S.572, which would create a dedicated climate and community resilience fund financed by a small fee on property insurance premiums; advocates said it would provide stable long-term revenue for adaptation, especially in environmental justice communities, and help replace unreliable federal funding. One witness from CLF supported the climate-safe buildings and funding bills but opposed S.560/H.939 as too broad. The committee also heard testimony on airport air-quality legislation (H.997) calling for more monitoring and mitigation of ultra-fine particulate pollution around Logan Airport and Massport communities. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, if you'll direct your attention to the South Gallery, in our audience today, we have Raines'
• We have Raines' mom, Carla, in the gallery.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it's really significant that this warning at 1:14 in the morning noted that between 1 to 2 inches of rain
• Two to three inches of rain were expected within one hour, and additional rainfall of...
• I mean, it's raining hard, but there's nothing impeding them from moving by foot toward the camp office

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida is fortunate to have a lot of rain. 51 inches of rain per year. 25 percent on average ends up
• We get 51 inches of rain per year. A lot of that water ends up as runoff and not in the aquifer.

Bills: S0598, S0934, S1260, S1300, S1452, S1510, S1566, S1580, S1668, S7034

Keywords: funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care, direct disposal, mortuary science, funeral service arts, licensure by endorsement, cemetery license, contiguous acres, consumer services

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, a bunch of underbrush, which I think is contributing to our drought conditions since the rain
• Rain falls; it doesn't make it to a watershed and is kept dry.
• Two weeks ago, we had 11 inches of rain up in that valley in Lidu. Near Mora.