Transcript Highlights:

• A new rider for tease to grant unextended balance authority for the hypersonic wind tunnel funds from
• I have to ask, what is a hypersonic wind tunnel?
• defer to you on the, um, the, the exact, um, research that they're conducting with that wind tunnel.
• Bottom line is it takes everybody to really fight wildfires and mitigate against wildfires, not only
• How many hypersonic wind tunnels are there? The United States.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tees was appropriated $30 million in GR last session for the construction of a hypersonic wind tunnel
• Thank you. 808 I have to ask, what is a hypersonic wind tunnel?
• We fight wildfires and mitigate against wildfires.
• With that funding, we are building two of the largest and most capable hypersonic wind tunnels in the
• How many hypersonic wind tunnels are there?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of this, recommendations continue the agency riders which provide flexibilities to mitigate
• So we want to make sure we mitigate or manage those risks before we have a real problem.
• Let me say this: we don't do electricity, and we don't also regulate solar or wind, which are kind of
• Issue number 2 is cattle fever tick mitigation.
• Rider 9, cattle fever tick mitigation clinical trials.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present to hear Article VI Natural Resources agency budget recommendations, beginning with the Railroad Commission. LBB staff summarized the commission’s 2026-27 base recommendation at $458.7 million, down from the prior biennium, with an increased FTE cap. The presentation highlighted reduced federal IIJA funding, volatility in oil and gas regulation account 5155, continued support for IT modernization, and rider changes. The commission’s major exceptional items were then presented, including requests for produced water and injection data reporting, an authorized pit registration system, regulatory filing/permitting upgrades, an underground injection well investigation team, site remediation support, and especially $100 million for orphan well plugging. Members asked about biennium-to-biennium comparisons, salary biennialization, the scale of orphan well risks, federal funding delays, bonding, and whether the state should rely more on industry or general revenue for plugging costs. Commission leadership explained that orphan wells can threaten water and public safety, that plugging costs have risen sharply, and that current funding is insufficient to keep up with emergency wells and the backlog; they also said the agency is moving to cloud-based systems with cybersecurity protections and that the proposed performance measure may need adjustment if funding does not increase. The Railroad Commission testimony was followed by LBB and agency testimony for the Texas Animal Health Commission. LBB described a $42 million recommendation for 2026-27, an increase overall, but with a reduced FTE cap due to turnover and salary reallocation. The recommendation maintained funding for cattle fever tick work, chronic wasting disease, lab testing through an MOU with Texas A&M’s veterinary diagnostic lab, and a new $5 million spay-and-neuter pilot program, while deleting a capital budget rider and adjusting riders tied to entry point inspection stations and clinical trials. Agency leadership then outlined the commission’s mission to protect livestock health and the state’s $22 billion animal industry, and described major disease threats including highly pathogenic avian influenza, cattle fever ticks, New World screwworm, and chronic wasting disease. Their exceptional items focused on recruiting and retaining veterinarians, replacing fleet vehicles, creating an ectoparasite identification lab, adding field staff and IT support, improving records and epidemiology reporting, strengthening central administration, supporting secure food supply planning, expanding chronic wasting disease work, and staffing the new spay-and-neuter program. Members asked about field identification of ticks, the use of disinfectants and PPE, fleet management, the scale of cattle fever tick risk, and chronic wasting disease; the agency explained its current inspection and lab-confirmation process, its reliance on field disinfecting and biosecurity, and the need for more staff and better data systems to keep pace with growing workloads and disease threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• About half of that was due directly to the cost of wildfire mitigation, okay.
• The last couple of years include projects approved for offshore wind development.
• The last couple years include projects approved for offshore wind development.
• EDP Renewables owns and operates solar, wind, and storage assets across the world.
• We've got, you know, we've done all this other mitigation. You know, we're trying to...

Summary: The committee first heard AB 13, which would restructure the CPUC to increase legislative oversight, add legislative liaisons, require more detailed and timely reporting on rate-setting decisions, and add a public advocate member. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and geographic diversity in CPUC decision-making amid rising utility rates. Witnesses from TURN, San Joaquin County, SDG&E, and former CPUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch offered support or support-in-principle, while no opposition testimony was presented. Members generally praised the bill’s transparency goals, and AB 13 passed 10-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then adopted the 2025-2026 committee rules and approved three consent items: AB 61, AB 365, and AB 406. The next bill, AB 99, would cap investor-owned utility rate increases above inflation except for specified costs such as safety, modernization, and fuel/commodity costs. The author and supporters, including a representative of the California Senior Legislature, said the bill was needed to protect ratepayers, especially seniors and low-income customers, from repeated rate hikes. Opposition came from utility labor, utilities, the Chamber of Commerce, and others, who argued the bill was too simplistic, could suppress labor costs, and did not account for major cost drivers such as wildfire mitigation, mandates, and net metering. Several members supported moving the bill forward as a starting point on affordability, while others criticized it as overly blunt. AB 99 passed 11-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The hearing then shifted to an informational panel on strategies to reduce California transmission costs. A Public Advocates Office staffer described a growing backlog of approved-but-unbuilt transmission projects, rising transmission access charges, and long project timelines driven largely by utility pre-application and construction periods. Panelists from Net Zero California and consulting firms presented research suggesting that public financing or public-private partnership lease models could reduce transmission costs by lowering financing, tax, and capital costs, with estimated savings of up to 57% and as much as $123 billion over 40 years. PG&E’s representative said the utility is already pursuing federal loan guarantees, grants, and a public-private partnership with Citizens Energy, but warned that state ownership could create tax, wildfire-liability, and governance risks. Members asked about the CPUC’s role, the causes of delays, and whether public financing could complement existing competitive solicitation processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> down<00:03:20.799> I got your wind offshore wind shut down I got your wind offshore wind
• <00:34:15.800> completed wind uh Vineyard wind recently completed wind uh Vineyard wind recently
• wind turbines?
• wind um offshore wind offshore offshore wind um offshore wind will<02:26:19.840> also<02:26:20.279
• isn't<04:26:03.319> this floating wind wind farms this isn't this floating wind wind farms

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also produce wind, but magically wind farms don't trigger an archaeological review, I guess because
• Offshore wind Offshore wind development<00:42:50.280> this<00:42:50.480> was<00:42
• district for massive fire mitigation district for massive fire mitigation projects<04:18:56.040>
• That's very important for fire mitigation efforts.
• That's very important for fire mitigation efforts.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, March 6, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• September 6th of 2020, in 2003, ERCOT initiated a level two energy emergency due to high demand, low wind
• But on days when it's 50 degrees, the wind is blowing, and it's cloudy outside, there's more capacity
• Core found that the temperature adjustment, including wind speed, didn’t make a big difference.
• We're in an almost constant state of drought, and the wind seems like it never stops blowing.
• From a safety perspective, distance requirements do not equate to risk mitigation.

Bills: HB551, HB 1281, HB1378, HB1617, HB2868, HB2881, HB3374, HB4439, HB4726, HB4732, HB4878, HB4914, HB4921, HB4958, HB5200, HB5318, HB5360, HB5402, HB5568, HB5573, HB5623, HJR218

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Investing in mitigation is essential for addressing our insurance crisis.
• However, I believe we need a dedicated program to maximize risk mitigation.
• by addressing a key barrier: the upfront cost of essential mitigation actions.
• What sets this bill apart is the solid evidence from... ...mitigation efforts.
• We bundled the program with mandated wind mitigation discounts and strong building codes in our coastal

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to consider several bills focused on California’s insurance market, wildfire resilience, and consumer protections. AB 888, the California Safe Homes Act, was heard first. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Alabama Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler testified in support, describing state grant programs that help homeowners harden roofs and create defensible space, with the goal of reducing losses and improving insurance affordability and availability. Supporters from the insurance industry, local government, and the Rebuild Paradise Foundation also backed the bill, and committee members emphasized the need for more incentives for mitigation. The bill passed the committee on a do pass motion and was sent to Appropriations. AB 290, by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, would require the FAIR Plan to offer automatic payments and address non-renewal grace-period issues. The author described her own experience being forced onto the FAIR Plan and facing a large premium increase, while Consumer Federation of California called the bill common-sense consumer protection. The FAIR Plan opposed unless amended, saying it was already handling major wildfire claims and other operational demands and requested more time and changes to the non-renewal grace-period language. Members across the committee supported the bill as a needed modernization measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 1339, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would direct the Department of Insurance to study insurance availability and pricing for affordable housing providers and report policy recommendations. Supporters from affordable housing organizations said rising premiums were forcing providers to cut services, defer maintenance, and use reserves, threatening housing stability for low-income residents. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 646, by Assemblymember Wallace, also passed to Appropriations; it concerns disclosure related to motor vehicle protection products and catalytic converter theft deterrence, with support from auto dealers and industry groups. The committee also approved AB 1531 on consent. Members later added on to the record in support of the bills, and the hearing concluded without recorded opposition votes on the measures that advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• AN ESTIMATED 45.4 MILLION IN RESILIENCY FUNDING HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR HAZARD MITIGATION
• HURRICANE HELENE HAD MAX WIND SPEEDS AT 140 MILES PER HOUR.
• AND MITIGATION MOVING FORWARD WITH THE LONG-TERM RECOVERY.
• THIS IS AS MUCH MITIGATION AS WE CAN DO AND WE TRY TO BE AS PRUDENT AS POSSIBLE. >> Sen.
• WE CAN MITIGATE FUTURE DAMAGES. WE CAN GET HIGH INCREASED WIND VELOCITY SHELTERING ON YOUR HOMES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was always struck me as strange that we would have anything for new hydro or for new wind.
• Should I build wind? Should I expand a hydro?'
• We only have new hydro or for new wind.
• Should I build<00:57:27.000> wind?
• build wind? Should I expand a hydro?" build wind? Should I expand a hydro?"

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in in the state of Florida and the property space is interesting because you have you see the the winds
• So we would we think we're close to releasing our 18 to mitigation credit.
• I think mitigation is is a good thing to do.
• the things that one of the products that can ex developed has a parametric trigger to it based on wind
• developed has a parametric trigger to it based on wind speed so that the contract will pay out if that

Transcript Highlights:

• Hope that everyone is hanging tight with this wild wind. My name is Olga Grace. with Empowered.
• There are both adaptation and mitigation aspects involved in the projects that the pro tem listed.
• an estimate of the financial losses that New Mexico has incurred as a result of fires, floods, high winds
• large part because of bad agricultural practices, where we just wiped off the topsoil and then had winds
• I look at it this way: we are just a pinpoint on a globe, and we have jet streams and wind currents.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they may respond and wind up in litigation. And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions.

Bills: SB1206, SB1254, SB1290, SB1421, SB1432, SB1515, SB1563, SB1641, SB1649, SB1670, SB1671, SB1747

Keywords: storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention, storm chaser, residential construction contract, workers' compensation, joint check, claim solicitation

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard and acted on a long series of bills, with several strike-everything amendments. SB 1421, dealing with restrictions on financial institutions, check cashers, and remittances involving undocumented immigrants, drew strong opposition on constitutional and economic grounds and support from the sponsor as a sovereignty measure; the committee rejected a Villegas affordable-housing striker and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. SB 1254, a continuation/cleanup bill for the Industrial Commission of Arizona and its divisions, was explained as mostly renaming and administrative changes and passed unanimously after adopting the chairman’s striker. SB 1515 created a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and corrections retention bonuses funded by investment earnings from the Budget Stabilization Fund; law enforcement witnesses supported it as a needed retention tool, while some members objected to using rainy-day fund interest, and it passed on a split vote. SB 1206 updated homeowner protection rules for adjusters and contractors after disasters, limiting certain conduct during loss events and emergency responses, and passed unanimously after amendment. The committee also approved SB 1563, which continues the Barbering and Cosmetology Board and lowers some fee caps, after testimony that the board protects public health and sanitation. SB 1649 established a Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund; a Ripple Labs witness discussed self-custody options for unclaimed crypto, while an Aguilar striker would have required reporting on employers whose workers receive public assistance, but that amendment failed and the underlying bill passed. SB 1290, originally about HOA closed meetings, became a major debate over transparency versus privacy; opponents warned the Carter striker would force disclosure of sensitive member and employee matters, supporters argued HOAs should not take secret action, and the committee adopted both the Aguilar consumer-protection striker and the Carter HOA transparency striker before passing the bill. SB 1670, preempting local contractor licensing and allowing certain journeyman licenses, was amended with a Villegas striker aimed at landlord algorithmic pricing and passed unanimously. The committee continued the Arizona Department of Gaming, Racing, and Boxing/MMA commissions in SB 1671, with the chairman’s amendment narrowing reporting requirements and adding aggregate complaint reporting; the department said it had worked with auditors and supported the bill, which passed. The meeting then moved into SB 1747, beginning discussion of social media application requirements for developers and covered companies, including age verification and parental consent, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action on that bill.

Bills: SB874, SB2098, SB2110, SB2126, SB2154, SB2160, HB818, SB2047, SB2116, SB2246, SB2250, SB2334, SB2505, SB2520, SB2561, SB2721, SB2820, SB2971, SB3019

Keywords: veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, Hawaii agriculture, plant propagation, conservation, soil health, climate change, food security, small farmers, technical assistance, Hawaii, grant program, small farms, midsize farms

Bills: SB23, SB71, SB105, SB109, SB115, SB131, SB148, SB165

Keywords: law enforcement, taser, restrained individuals, police procedures, civil rights, income tax, tax exemption, Alabama tax code, Section 40-18-3, civilian employees, Department of Defense, DoD, Armed Forces, military pay, combat zone, deployment, National Guard, Reserve components, emergency response, federal employees

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill asks the Guarantee Fund Board to submit a wind-down plan to the insurance commissioner, and
• After the fund winds down, we will continue to provide workers' compensation coverage to our members
• Senate Bill 264 will allow the Guarantee Fund to wind down operations.

Bills: HB 1087, HB2504, HB4113, HB5144, HB5146, HB5377, HB5543, SB140, SB264, SB1244, SB1343, SB2121, HR868

Keywords: property owners, board vacancy, special election, association governance, community management, property owners' association, resale certificate, fees, real estate regulation, homeowners, HB 4113, Texas Rising Star Program, child care, child-care providers, Texas Workforce Commission, TWC, safety barriers, crash-rated bollards, bollards, playground safety

Bills: HB 105, HB982, HB1483, HB1508, HB2575, HB3646, HB3993, HB4083, HB4580, HB4725, HB5169, HB5511, HJR73, HJR102, HJR174, HB3746, HB4240

Keywords: economic development, job creation, energy, tax incentives, technology investment, ad valorem taxes, elderly, disabled, low-income, tax limitation, homesteads, Texas Tax Code, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, residential real property, home improvement, energy efficiency, energy-efficient upgrades, HVAC

Transcript Highlights:

• If the fund winds down, we will continue to provide workers' compensation coverage to our members. and
• be regulated by TDI like other insurers. 2064 will allow the Guarantee Fund to wind down operations
• Once the wind-down is complete and the Commissioner of Insurance determines that all obligations have

Bills: SB264, SB542, SB924, SB1008, SB1029, SB1036, SB1057, SB1058, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1376, SB1569, SB1664, SB1697, SJR50

Keywords: SB 264, Texas Workers' Compensation Act, group self-insurance, self-insured groups, workers' compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, certificate of approval, guaranty fund, trust fund, wind down, dissolution, labor code, insurance regulation, employer coverage, risk pool, business and commerce, trade workforce economic development, property owners' association, water conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the aftereffects of the fires, the flooding, and then our winds in the state.
• For the homes that don't have it, we're introducing a fair plan bill, which requires mitigation.
• This type of mitigation strategy is nothing new in the fire service.
• I think that's a good place for it to wind up.
• You can't wind it up and veto anything. So, Madam Chair, if the Senator, thank you for that.

Transcript Highlights:

• and in the high winds it's just a<02:12:51.880> tender<02:12:52.280> box<02:12:52.559>
• Electric utilities are deemed ineligible for reimbursement for permanent work and mitigation efforts
• The current law prevents FEMA from reimbursing utilities for hazard mitigation as they make temporary
• as they make temporary mitigation as they make temporary disaster<04:58:13.760> repairs<04:58
• activities as part of Hazard mitigation activities as part of power<04:59:25.200> restoration

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, January 13, 2025, 1012, house, all