Transcript Highlights:

• in Texas.
• a creative Texas.
• Investment Council, the Texas Music Office and Texas Film Commission, and Travel Texas.
• Texas.
• Texas, it's really a Texas issue. Sure, of course.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And uh on my election and all that.
• And so I'm copying code, Morse code I learned in Pensacola, Florida.
• And so I'm copying code, Morse code I learned in Pensacola, Florida.
• And so I'm copying code, Morse code I learned in Pensacola, Florida.
• But Texas, I think it was like a decade. Texas was an independent country, 1836 to 1845, correct?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Isn't that current code?
• President, I urge passage of this bill updating our tax code.
• The bill also makes technical corrections to existing code.
• concurrently with regularly scheduled statewide primary or general elections.
• the changes are being made to conform to election scheduling requirements.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, opened with prayer and the pledge, approved the journal, and welcomed numerous guests, honorary pages, school groups, and visitors. It also received committee reports and introduced several resolutions and petitions. Senate Resolution 62, designating March 12, 2026, as West Virginia Athletic Trainers Day, was taken up immediately, debated in support of athletic trainers’ role in preventing injuries, and adopted. Other resolutions, including SR 63 and SR 64, were laid over, and several study resolutions were referred to the Rules Committee. The chamber then moved through a large number of House bills on third reading, with most passing by wide margins. Measures included the West Virginia Collaboratory, business-ready sites funding, increased fire company spending authority, the Load Forecast Accountability Act, funeral service licensure changes, work-zone penalties, biennial business reporting, correctional officer retirement status, the Right to Try Act expansion, quick claim deed tax updates, an ibogaine trial grant program, enhanced penalties for aggravated vehicular homicide and related repeat offenses, 529 plan definition updates, extension of opportunity zones, a barber apprentice program, municipal hotel occupancy fund uses, criminal-record licensing standards, civil remedies for unauthorized intimate image disclosure, online estate-executor training, higher contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS education, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, expanded capitation rate reviews, CVB board appointments, peer support services, the Interstate Cosmetology Licensure Compact, natural resource police retirement changes, DNR fee indexing, ALS care services, the Neighborhood Investment Program extension, oil and gas well plugging changes with carbon-capture protections, DUI technical revisions, abuse intervention program changes, youth summer employment grants, telematics for fleet management, and municipal charter election compliance procedures. Several bills drew brief debate or questions, including the work-zone penalty bill, where one senator argued the measure increased fines without ensuring removal of outdated work-zone signs, while supporters emphasized worker safety. The Load Forecast Accountability Act also prompted discussion about incorporating coal-related provisions from another bill and concerns about prior House rejection of similar language. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, often 34-0, though a few had dissenting votes, including the Collaboratory bill (28-6), the Business Ready Sites bill (33-1), the Load Forecast Accountability Act (26-8), the Neighborhood Investment Program extension (33-1), and DNR fee indexing (29-5). Several bills also received title amendments, and one bill, HB 5162 on sales of tax liens, was referred to the Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Colorado, California, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, California, Arizona, Texas, Massachusetts,<00:58
• States like North Carolina have already modernized their codes.
• Um, last session they their codes.
• A more flexible code can follow suit.
• for all inspectors to site the code for all inspectors to site the code ordinance,<01:16:36.560>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:07 Roll Call 00:00:25 Discussion of Lexington’s Housing Affordability Partnership 00:02:26 Discussion of Northern Kentucky’s Housing Blueprint 00:30:12 Discussion of Religious Institution Land Use 00:57:33 Discussion of Free-Market Solutions to Kentucky’s Housing Crisis 01:04:18 Adjournment 01:26:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and began informally, with members noting this was the final information-gathering meeting on housing before a November meeting to discuss findings and report back to the LRC. The main presentation focused on the Lexington Affordable Housing Partnership, a public-private effort supported by a $10 million state allocation. Presenters described Fayette County’s housing shortage, citing a gap of more than 22,000 units, rising home prices, and the challenge of assembling land and capital for affordable projects. The partnership explained that five local banks created a $3 million capital investment fund to buy and hold land at no interest, with deed restrictions keeping the site at 80% or below area median income and allowing the banks to seek Community Reinvestment Act credit. The first project is a 12.5-acre former Transylvania University baseball field, planned for about 242 units, including detached homes, townhouses, garden-style apartments, and senior housing. Speakers said the project required extensive neighborhood engagement and zoning/development approvals, but that the planning phase is now largely complete and infrastructure work should begin soon. Financing details included roughly $64 million in additional funding through tax credit equity, market-rate loans, city support, Kentucky Housing Corporation resources, and donations from nonprofit partners. Developers said the multifamily bond applications are due to Kentucky Housing Corporation the next day, and they expect the land purchase to be repaid into the revolving fund once the property is entitled and closed, allowing the original $3 million to be redeployed for future projects. They estimated rental units could be filled within about six months of completion, while for-sale units would come online over 12 to 36 months. In discussion, members asked about regulatory barriers and project timelines. Presenters pointed to rising construction costs tied to new federal and state requirements, and one member highlighted the need to continue reviewing planning and zoning reforms to speed development plan approvals and reduce delays. The group also endorsed a possible statewide $20 million housing fund, a residential infrastructure fund, and efforts to avoid additional regulatory burdens on housing development.

Transcript Highlights:

• code.
• It provides that violations of the election code can be prosecuted as racketeering activity under the
• Is it the supervisor of elections or the canvassing board?
• There are actual provisions, there Malik Moore: are actual changes to election code that would actually
• But this election integrity bill should... Let me back up.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is reported to Codes. The next bill is Senate Bill 1116 by Senator Gounardes.
• So there's other people saying, well, we'll pick up and we'll all move to Texas.
• No, they won't, and there's a whole paper I can give you about why nobody would move their deals to Texas
• I remember going back to when I was first elected. Any further comments or discussion?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met for its fourth meeting of the year and considered a series of bills, mostly on civil practice, real property, and court administration. SB 26A on extreme risk protection orders drew some concern about possible unintended consequences and broad exclusions for minors, but it was moved and reported to Codes. SB 1116, designating April 20 as New York State Constitution Day, was moved quickly and reported to the floor. The committee spent the most time on SB 1477, which would limit certain debt-collection practices involving sovereign debt and so-called vulture investors. Senator Krueger explained that the bill is narrowly targeted at investors who buy distressed sovereign bonds with the intent to sue in New York courts, while Senator Palumbo raised concerns about breadth and possible effects on legitimate lending and contract rights. After extended discussion and assurances that the bill would not affect ordinary investors or credit-card debt, it was moved and reported to Finance. Members also discussed SB 7541 on transparency for co-ops and condos; some members warned of unintended consequences and opposition from the co-op/condo community, while others argued it would improve disclosure. The bill was ultimately reported to the floor. Several other bills were approved with little or no opposition: SB 2546 on abandoned multiple dwellings, SB 8294 requiring more detailed judicial determinations on motions, SB 8372 on expenses in matrimonial actions, SB 8870 extending supervision requirements for a real estate license application, and SB 9482 creating a New York City Civil Court subpart for eviction matters involving affordable housing providers and small landlords. SB 9482 drew supportive comments, with a note that funding and staffing would be needed in the budget for it to function effectively. All bills considered were moved out of committee and reported to the appropriate next committee or to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we stand up a bridge during election time and we take care of this.
• This is an election year.
• There's a lot of controversy across the country in 2028, our federal elections.
• The department has separated itself into two distinct programs or P codes.
• I think it's very important with our code enforcement.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As elected leaders yourselves, we hope you can understand why the League's elected officials generally
• to the people that elected them.
• As elected leaders yourselves, we hope you can understand why the League's elected officials generally
• to the people that elected them.
• Your Florida Building Code is one of the strongest building codes in the nation.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025 session and focused on an overview of county and municipal home rule powers and state preemption. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Alex Rizzo and Vice Chair Griff Griffiths explained the constitutional and statutory basis for local self-government, the distinction between charter and non-charter counties, and how express and implied preemption limit local authority. Griffiths emphasized that home rule gives local governments broad power to address community needs, but the Legislature can override that authority through clear preemption, with courts ultimately deciding disputes. Representatives Holcomb and LaMarca added that local issues should generally be addressed locally first, but statewide standards can be appropriate when uniformity is needed or local action is ineffective. The committee then heard from a panel representing counties, cities, business, and construction interests: Ginger Delegal of the Florida Association of Counties, Carolyn Johnson of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Rebecca O'Hara of the Florida League of Cities, and Carol Bowen of Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. Delegal and O'Hara argued that home rule is rooted in local autonomy, policy experimentation, and accountability to voters, and warned against broad or “vacuum” preemptions that remove local authority without replacing it with state regulation. Johnson and Bowen supported preemption when local rules create a patchwork that hurts statewide competitiveness, raises costs, or complicates business operations, citing examples such as labor rules, heat safety, permitting, and procurement preferences. The panel also discussed the 2023 local ordinances law, which requires business impact estimates and provides attorney’s fees in certain challenges, as a mechanism to resolve disputes locally before resorting to preemption. Members questioned the panel about the 2024 heat-safety preemption and how to protect workers in the absence of local ordinances. Business representatives said existing OSHA duties and industry best practices already require employers to provide safe conditions, while local governments and the state should avoid inconsistent standards across jurisdictions. Another discussion centered on construction permitting, licensing, and local boards that may slow projects and increase costs; Bowen suggested eliminating redundant local fees and barriers while preserving statewide licensing and enforcement against bad actors. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational, with the chair inviting continued discussion on when preemption is appropriate versus when local governments should retain authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• sharing ministries are not engaging in the business of insurance and not subject to the insurance code
• agents and brokers are engaging in the business of insurance and should be subject to the insurance code
• crater of unshared needs, with Florida being the third-largest state impacted after California and Texas
• crater of unshared needs, with Florida being the third largest state impacted after California and Texas
• Code 686-220 by Senator Martin. Senator Martin, you are recognized to explain the amendment.

Bills: S0266, S0394, S0540, S0632, S0642, S0832, S0834, S1028

Keywords: public adjuster, contract cancellation, state of emergency, vulnerable adults, disciplinary actions, financial regulation, information security, financial exploitation, licensing, transportation, insurance, TNC, ride-sharing, automobile liability, bail bond, insurance regulation, foreign insurers, financial disclosure, premium reporting, residential property insurance

Summary: The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with SB 834 on insurance requirements for nonprofit religious organizations and health care sharing ministries. The bill repeals a recent restriction on licensed insurance agents marketing or selling faith-based health care sharing programs. Supporters argued the change restores free speech and consumer education while preserving existing fraud and disclosure protections; opponents said allowing agents and brokers could create consumer confusion and has been associated with bad actors. A title amendment was adopted, and after debate the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard and passed SB 642, which extends reporting and duty requirements to foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and SB 394, a technical bill updating reinsurance intermediary manager law to match current DFS practice. SB 266, which lets vulnerable adults rescind public adjuster contracts without penalty, was reported favorably after testimony from supporters in the insurance and elder law communities and a public adjuster who said the intent was good but the bill may need refinement. SB 832, a residential property insurance transparency bill requiring rate breakdown reports and a consumer resource center, also passed after discussion about consumer clarity and whether the required cost categories can be compiled as written. Later, the committee approved SB 540, which creates cybersecurity requirements for mortgage and money service businesses, closes a regulatory gap for certain investment advisers, adjusts OFR examination-payment deadlines, changes de novo charter requirements, allows virtual credit union meetings, and makes other financial regulation updates. Several amendments were adopted, including a substitute amendment removing fintech sandbox provisions. Finally, SB 1028 on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was reported favorably after debate over a commercial lines clearinghouse intended to reduce Citizens’ exposure and shift more business to the private market; members discussed taxpayer risk, market competition, and consumer protections. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• One, since 2010, when I got elected to the Assembly originally, the California...
• They're going to the humidity of Florida and Texas. And you know what?...
• And again, let’s put it back in focus and let’s look at why we got elected.
• Senate Bill 1164 by Senator Cervantes, an act relating to elections. Senator.
• candidates of their choice, and have access to critical election language materials.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of bills focused on consumer protection, housing, worker safety, privacy, and local fiscal authority. Measures discussed included SB 1312 on abandoned cemeteries, SB 1112 on towing fee notices, SB 877 on insurance claim transparency after wildfire losses, SB 1046 on Cal/OSHA standards for Tijuana River Valley pollution exposure, SB 1091 on anti-displacement housing preservation, SB 951 on notice and protections when AI displaces workers, SB 1030 repealing the “man in the house” rule for public assistance, SB 1218 tying vehicle registration to unpaid illegal dumping fines, SB 1013 regulating automated license plate reader data, SB 1116 making technical changes to the starter home housing law, SB 1201 protecting veterans from food assistance cuts, and SB 1164 strengthening state voting rights protections. The Senate also considered SCR 171, declaring May 20, 2026, California Nonprofits Day, and welcomed Berkeley Mayor Adina Ishii during floor introductions. Debate was often divided along policy and fiscal lines. Supporters of the local tax authorization bill AB 1768 argued it would let voters in Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties decide whether to backfill major health and human services cuts tied to federal changes, while opponents said it would raise costs, bypass normal tax-policy review, and worsen affordability. SB 1013 drew strong support from senators who said ALPR data needs tighter safeguards, but opposition warned the bill would hamper law enforcement investigations. SB 951 on AI-related layoffs received support as a worker-protection measure, while SB 1164 drew opposition over concerns about litigation and expanded Attorney General oversight. SB 1030 was framed as a long-overdue repeal of a discriminatory welfare rule, and SB 1201 was presented as a way to shield vulnerable veterans from federal food assistance cuts. Most measures passed on strong bipartisan votes, often unanimously. SB 1312, SB 1112, SB 877, SB 1046, SB 1091, SB 1030, SB 1218, SB 1116, SB 1201, SB 1164, and SCR 171 were adopted, and AB 1768 passed as an urgency measure after extended debate. SB 951 also passed, with some no votes. The Senate then announced committee meetings for budget subcommittees and adjourned until the next floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• North Dakota Century Code 57-20.04-2 requires a report to be provided by the county auditor reporting
• Texas and New Mexico certainly stand out.
• Texas and New Mexico certainly stand out.
• and 30 days in prison in Century Code already.
• allows, they have a $1,000 fine and 30 days in prison in Century Code already.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas, Colorado, all around us. That's where typically the food warehouses are.
• We're average 15 higher per basket... than our neighboring states in Colorado, Arizona, and Texas.
• And I even got a Texas Ranger in my background. So, law enforcement is very near and dear to me.
• And I even got a Texas Ranger in my background. So, law enforcement is very near and dear to me.
• Seaports complex and fastest growing U.S. markets in Texas and the U.S. and the South.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this is our new home for election law and several of the other committees.
• just for the ZBA and the building code just for the ZBA and the building code board<00:35:41.359
• Our existing zoning codes weren't designed to address data centers.
• <00:52:02.800> Noise Texas, Bitcoin Data Mining Center.
• Noise Texas, Bitcoin Data Mining Center.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, elected. I'm a voter in West Kendall. My address is 13264 Southwest 143 Terrace.
• It ensures that the Florida Building Code is consistent with the international code as it relates to
• So what is the reason for why do they need to be exempted from building codes?
• We know we have a gubernatorial election coming up next year.
• It's not something where state monies are getting... governor or any other elected official.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 80, the Parks Preservation Act, which would define state park purposes around conservation-based recreation and public access, prohibit uses such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and hotels, require more public notice and advisory input on land management changes, and mandate reporting on park spending and maintenance backlogs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with conservation groups, youth advocates, and other members of the public backing stronger protections for state parks. The bill was reported favorably. Members then approved SB 200, directing DEP to develop a statewide waste reduction and recycling plan, and CS for SB 496, which clarifies that timeshare facilities are governed by Chapter 721 and only need annual board meetings. CS for CS for SB 1404, dealing with illegal gambling, was amended to add reporting requirements, tighten penalties, preempt local gambling legalization, and create a process for vetting certain machines and veteran-service-organization gaming questions; the bill drew significant concern from veterans groups and others over vague machine definitions and the need for clearer standards, but it was still reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 622 to allow pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities across horse-racing classes. The committee next approved CS for CS for SB 712 after adopting a strike-all and amendment that covered synthetic turf rules, change-order timelines, public works scoring, elevator and alarm contractor issues, mass timber code updates, pool and spa contractor scope changes, spaceport building-code exemptions, and solar/energy-storage inspection provisions. Support came from timber, construction, and industry groups, while pool contractors objected to parts of the scope changes. The committee also reported favorably CS for CS for SB 1742, a major condominium reform bill that pauses reserve funding after milestone inspections, expands financial flexibility, adds disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, and increases data collection and oversight; members from both parties praised the sponsor’s work on condo issues. Finally, the committee approved SB 1574 on renewable natural gas infrastructure and SB 1580 authorizing DEP coastal resiliency public-private partnerships. It also passed CS for SB 1760, which requires certain public officials and agency leaders to meet Florida residency or proximity requirements. The last bill, SB 820, would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office; while supporters said it would permanently support faith-based and community organizations and improve coordination, several senators raised concerns about church-state separation, the office’s ties to Hope Florida, and whether codifying it could make the program more political. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• our public schools and most certainly, policies that ensure that every single child, no matter zip code
• OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MOST CERTAINLY, POLICIES THAT ENSURE THAT EVERY SINGLE CHILD NO MATTER ZIP CODE
• Someone has maybe come from Texas to New York, gotten into g... mixed up.
• SOMEONE HAS MAYBE COME FROM TEXAS TO NEW YORK, GOTTEN INTO G MIXED UP.
• Yesterday in the Codes Committee, we had Sarah's Law come up that addressed ab initio.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and handled several motions to discharge and substitute identical Assembly or Senate bills, along with a number of amendments. The chamber also welcomed student visitors from the League of Women Voters’ Students of Albany program and a group of Staten Island titleholders, and later adopted previously approved resolutions honoring Dorothy E. Reid for her role in Brown v. Board of Education and recognizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on Delta Day, with multiple senators speaking in support of both recognitions. The bulk of the floor session was devoted to third-reading votes on a large number of bills, most of which passed with broad support. Measures addressed public health, workers’ compensation, education, environmental conservation, insurance, labor, criminal procedure, domestic relations, tax, municipal authority, and correction law. Several bills were explained by sponsors as advancing stormwater management authority, labor-law transparency, public health protections, and stronger penalties for trafficking-related offenses; one bill on immunization in summer camps drew a defense from Senator Skoufis as a child-protection measure, while another on correction law passed with some Republican opposition. The chamber also took up a controversial public health/electronic health records bill by Senator Fernandez. Senator Martin questioned the bill at length about redacting certain categories of information, emergency access, provider obligations, and the impact on doctors’ ability to see complete medical histories. Fernandez said the bill was intended to protect patients from discrimination and to limit access to a small list of sensitive services, while also noting emergency exceptions and support from more than 200 health care providers. The debate remained focused on balancing privacy protections with concerns about continuity of care and record integrity.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relating to housing by providing the funds necessary, therefore, through an election for the issuance
• An act relating to housing by providing the funds necessary, therefore, through an election for the issuance
• miserable that people literally are packing up and leaving this gorgeous state for the hot, humid Texas
• It requires standardized itemization of all lien-based medical bills so that you have the same codes
• for the same treatment, i.e., like a chiropractor will be X code or Y code.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So your Texas Tech University system, your Texas State University system, North Texas, University of
• and move to Texas.
• , and when you marry a Texas girl, you retire in Texas.
• , and when you marry a Texas girl, you retire in Texas.
• , Texas—this is 200.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The color coding there, the projects that you see in red, those were funded with 2022-23 money.
• I had a producer from Texas last week, sit by me in Colorado, and he had just written a check to his
• Now they're moving to large-scale data centers, massive data centers, anything they can do in Texas to
• Our tax code is a mess in terms of enhanced oil recovery and the extraction tax.
• If you take that Texas example, which we lived through 10 years ago, and everybody was stifling their

Summary: The committee received a compliance and budget update on Industrial Commission agencies and programs, including the Industrial Commission administrative office, the Oil and Gas Research Program, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the State Energy Research Center, the Research Technology Park grant program, and related funds. Staff reviewed spending and balances for items such as electric grid resiliency grants, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the salt cavern business case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members also discussed timing, carryover balances, matching requirements, and how some programs are structured to reimburse projects over several years rather than spend funds immediately. Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described the agency’s administrative budget, the grant management system nearing completion, and the transition to standalone audits and staffing after separating from other agencies. She also outlined the status of active grant rounds across lignite, oil and gas, renewable energy, outdoor heritage, and clean sustainable energy programs. Members asked about the length of active grants, demand for clean energy funding, and the possibility of future grant rounds. Tyler and members also discussed the salt cavern study, the need to better define its commercial value, and the research technology park grant’s cash-match requirement. Ron Ness then testified on enhanced oil recovery and broader oil and gas market conditions. He said North Dakota production remained steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, longer laterals, and better use of natural gas and carbon dioxide for EOR. He described the state’s EOR grant round, the use of federal DOE funding to replace part of a state-funded project, and the expectation of additional grant rounds. Members asked about CO2 supply, storage, and the economics of using legacy fields and pipelines to extend oil production and support agriculture and industrial uses. The committee also heard from Bank of North Dakota President Don Morgan, who reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, lending verticals, disaster programs, and new initiatives. He said the bank is seeing deposit growth flatten and is responding to fintech competition by focusing on liquidity, risk management, and a new payment infrastructure initiative called Rough Rider Coin, which he emphasized is not crypto and not a public coin, but a banking payment rail for North Dakota institutions. Members asked about student loan rates, disaster lending, and how the bank’s lines of credit and balance sheet capacity are affected by deposit trends. Morgan said the bank remains profitable and continues to support agriculture, commerce, and industry through participation loans, student lending, and state-directed programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are the second-largest veteran population behind Texas, that's according to the U.S.
• For the first time ever, we're going to do an elected officials track where we focus on elected officials
• Improvements made on homes also mean that they will be brought up to code compliance.
• We may only have an elected official track for a couple of days, not the full five days.
• The other thing that we know and understand with elected officials is many elected officials across the

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are the second-largest veteran population behind Texas, that's according to the U.S.
• We're going to do an elected officials track where we focus on elected officials training, and that will
• Improvements made on homes also means that they will be brought up to code compliance.
• We may only have an elected official track for a couple of days, not the full five days.
• The other thing that we know and understand with elected officials is that many elected officials across

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s mission, outreach efforts, state veterans nursing homes, and support programs. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the state’s existing nursing homes and the planned 10th home in Collier County, and the department’s dental assistance program, which served 245 veterans in the first quarter of the fiscal year and completed 1,631 procedures while saving more than $525,000. He also discussed veteran service officers, the benefits guide, the department newsletter, efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, and mental health outreach through the Overwatch/Firewatch program. Senators asked about future nursing home locations, adult day health care, homelessness, and the dental program; Hartzell also announced that retired Colonel D.J. Reyes will become deputy executive director on November 7. The committee then heard from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and agency modernization. He described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office warehouse in Auburndale, and the new state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, which is ahead of schedule and designed to hold about 220 people and withstand 200-mph winds. Guthrie reviewed recovery efforts for recent storms, including debris removal, volunteer villages, sheltering, and FEMA reimbursement totals for Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, and earlier storms. He also discussed the Elevate Florida home-elevation program, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation training initiative, the DEMES platform, and WebEOC, noting that 60 counties and 22 colleges and universities are using the system. Members asked Guthrie about flood-response resources for cities, training for local officials, and lessons from inland flooding after recent storms. He explained how local governments can request pumps and other assistance through county and state channels, described upcoming elected-official training, and emphasized mutual aid and EMAC as key future disaster-response tools. The committee took no formal votes or other legislative action and adjourned at the end of the meeting.