Transcript Highlights:

• Regulation HB 2453 by King relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Public Utility
• and Veterans Affairs, HB 2471 by Simmons relating to the security deposits collected by a municipal utility
• HB 2500 by Spiller relating to the certain proceedings of the Public Utility Commission of Texas regarding
• HB 2506 by Derasio relating to the rates of sewer utility provided by certain municipal owned utilities
• Transportation funding HB 2561 by Pearson relating to the meeting place of a board of a municipal utility

Transcript Highlights:

• Has it had any effect on practitioners who utilize xylazine for legitimate medical purposes?
• What's, is there a power level utilized by, you know, like they did with other...
• Is there a power level utilized by, you know, like they did with other drugs, you know, legal drugs?
• Those drugs are utilized more so than xylazine in our world these days.
• How credible would AI information be—how much xylazine is being utilized across the country?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The working group on best practices for oversight and enforcement met for its first session and focused on xylazine, including its legal veterinary uses, its appearance in the illicit drug supply, and whether it should be classified as a controlled substance. Members discussed the distinction between pharmaceutical-grade and non-pharmaceutical-grade xylazine, the role of international/illicit sourcing, and the limits of state-level regulation if the substance is already being added to fentanyl or other drugs outside the Commonwealth. The Department of Public Health representative summarized the agency’s view that scheduling xylazine could follow the “ironclad law of prohibition” and push the market toward other, potentially worse substances, and said DPH opposed straight scheduling in favor of education, support, and harm-reduction approaches. Veterinary members explained how xylazine is used in large-animal and research settings, why it is useful, and why federal-style scheduling could create practical burdens for veterinarians who work in the field. They also described reversal agents such as yohimbine and atipamezole (Antisedan), and noted that xylazine is not commonly used in small-animal practice. Several members raised questions about how much xylazine is actually used legally in Massachusetts, whether boards of pharmacy or distributors could provide useful data, and what other states have done. Arizona and Florida were mentioned as possible examples for further research, along with the need to examine stakeholder opposition and any effects on legitimate veterinary practice. The group agreed to divide into two subgroups: one focused on oversight and regulation of production/distribution, and another on whether xylazine should be classified as a controlled substance and what penalties, if any, should apply. Staff said they would circulate notes, a draft PowerPoint template, and a shared folder, with members asked to submit materials by December 2, draft materials due December 4, and final approval by December 9 ahead of the next public meeting on December 11. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, a second, and unanimous closure.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE SURVEYS UTILIZE TOOLS ALREADY DEVELOPED BY THE FEDERAL AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY
• BUT UTILIZING THE VENDORS USED NATIONALLY, WE HOPE THERE WILL BE A LOW RISK TO THAT. >> Chair Anderson
• THE AGENCY UTILIZED THIS APPROACH TO FOCUS ON REDUCING PRETERM BIRTH RATES IN PRIMARY C-SECTION RATES
• OF THEM LOOKING AT THE DECREASES, I'M LOOKING AT THIS AND THIS MEANS UTILIZATION.
• I COULD BE WRONG, BUT THE WAY I LOOK AT IT IS MORE UTILIZATION.

Transcript Highlights:

• reusability of the technology for future initiatives, build sustainable business capability, and utilize
• know, when we look at the guiding principles and now with our IT and data strategic plan, we're utilizing
• And so the goal is to continue to even utilize some of the other states' best practices in what we're
• During extreme heat, this is typically a season where utility bills run at their highest.
• As a community-based organization, how it's best to utilize those resources, et cetera, and how we can

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an overview of efforts to streamline access to safety net programs and move toward more automatic, person-centered enrollment. CDSS, DHCS, and CalHHS described current cross-enrollment between Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs, including data showing high overlap among programs and a text-message outreach pilot that increased CalWORKs applications and enrollments but reached only a small share of potentially eligible people. Witnesses emphasized barriers such as differing federal eligibility rules, data-sharing limits, privacy concerns, and the need for better technology, consent management, and stakeholder engagement. Members pressed the administration on how to institutionalize these efforts across administrations and asked for concrete budgetary and regulatory steps to support “no wrong door” enrollment and automatic referrals. The committee also reviewed several chair priorities. On the proposed foster care multi-agency office, CDSS said existing coordination structures already address much of the intended work and asked to verify prior fiscal scoring. On the Employment First Office, CalHHS explained that the office’s $1 million budget was eliminated in the 2024-25 budget as part of deficit reductions, while noting that employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities remains an administration priority through existing departmental coordination. For the food insecurity proposal, CDSS said it could provide technical assistance but would need new data-sharing agreements, could not separately calculate a CFAP participation rate with current data, and would likely need until July 1, 2027, plus ongoing staffing, to complete the requested report. The mandated reporter proposal drew support for reform, with CDSS estimating low-millions in one-time training costs and ongoing costs in the hundreds of thousands. The subcommittee also discussed a guaranteed income proposal. CalHHS suggested drafting new statutory language and considering a county-administered model rather than a state-run competitive grant process to reduce administrative burden, while members and public commenters urged support for AB 661 and a study of a permanent statewide guaranteed income program. Public testimony also supported automatic enrollment, community-supporting mandated reporting reforms, and cash assistance for fire recovery. In the final items, CSD described how local nonprofit partners helped during the Los Angeles fires with food, housing vouchers, transportation, and emergency energy assistance, and explained that LIHEAP and CSBG remain important but limited tools for disaster response. CSD also said recent federal staffing cuts and possible future federal budget threats could affect LIHEAP and CSBG administration, though no immediate service disruptions had occurred and additional LIHEAP funds were expected to be released soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• have that money come out of your check a little bit every month or every two weeks and be able to utilize
• First, it requires utilities to update their mitigation plans every two years.
• First, it requires utilities to update their mitigation plans every two years.
• third, it clarifies that compliance with the mitigation plan is a rebuttable presumption that the utility
• This bill not only embraces public safety, but preserves financial stability for our utilities.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened and handled several House messages and conference committee appointments before taking up a series of bills. It appointed conference committees on Senate Bill 2265 and House Bills 1454, 1448, and 1524. The chamber also adopted a Senate amendment to House Bill 1216, delaying its effective date for the copay accumulator prescription drug bill to January 1, 2026, with later renewal timing for non-PERS plans. House Bill 1216 then came up for final passage. Senators debated whether allowing copay accumulator programs to count manufacturer coupons toward deductibles would help patients with expensive drugs or unfairly shift costs to insurers and other policyholders. Supporters said it would help people afford life-saving medications and that the coupon payments go to pharmacies, not insurers; opponents argued it could raise premiums and create perverse incentives for drug pricing. The bill passed 29-18. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2160, which changes health insurance benefits under the Uniform Group Insurance Program to move from a grandfathered to a non-grandfathered plan, with supporters emphasizing added benefits and flexibility and opponents warning of higher costs and irreversible changes. That bill passed concurrence 33-14 and final passage 39-8. The Senate next concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2339, the wildfire mitigation bill, which requires utility mitigation plans to be updated every two years, incorporate national electric standards, and creates a rebuttable presumption of reasonable care if the plan is followed. The bill then passed final passage 46-1. The chamber also adopted conference committee reports and passed House Bill 1460 on adult foster care and monitoring devices, House Bill 1440 on cigar lounge tobacco use, and Senate Bill 2374 on insurance-related provisions including property insurance arbitration, managed repair programs, and surplus lines issues; SB 2374 also added a study on towing and recovery coverage. The session ended with announcements of upcoming conference committee meetings and adjournment until April 22, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, members, this is the time for you to utilize her expertise.
• Mobile's water utility recently decided they had the authority to close our chairs like other public
• The utility company. The road leading to the lake was vacated by our County Commissioners.
• Our water utility shut down our reservoir permanently as of February 5th, 2025.
• Our water municipality has brought to the table the assurance that they will be the model utility.

Bills: HB471, HB473

Keywords: water authority, sewer management, fire protection, local governance, board of directors, local officers, water recreation, public access, water bodies, recreational use, water commissions, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we're going to help to fund the development of the software, Minnesota companies who utilize the system
• <00:01:54.360> the Minnesota companies who utilize the Minnesota companies who utilize the
• Governed by a board of directors including utility executives, regulators, and electric and RNG industry
• So, this could be a rebate utilized by several companies. And one last final comment, Mr.
• be uh utilized by by several<00:18:38.800> companies.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:56.520> funds<00:31:56.880> to we do utilize funds to we do utilize funds to
• so it can utilize those funds with<01:18:45.160> its<01:18:45.400> match.
• It is truly utilizing the >> Yes, sir.
• It is truly utilizing the existing<01:18:49.840> contract.
• having a utility bill and things<01:24:38.600> like<01:24:38.760> that.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the September 19 meeting minutes and then took up a deferred University of Kentucky personal services contract amendment for guardianship services. UK officials explained that the contract covers court-appointed guardians for patients who cannot make medical decisions and are not eligible for state guardianship, with the work funded by UK Medical Center agency dollars rather than the general fund. Members questioned the large increase in the not-to-exceed amount, the number of cases, the hourly billing structure, and whether there are safeguards to prevent unnecessary costs or reimbursement issues if a patient later has resources. UK said the increase reflects shifting work from a prior firm, anticipated new cases, a move from a monthly fee to hourly billing, and the need for a second firm because one prior attorney died and another firm has had difficulty appearing in court promptly. The committee ultimately approved the contract, while Senator Thomas said he would vote aye but urged future review of attorney fee limits and broader guardianship statutes, which he described as outdated and inconsistent. The committee then deferred three Office of Energy Policy memorandum of agreement items to the November 2025 meeting without objection. After that, it approved the remaining agenda items, including the contract lists and deferred items not separately selected for review. The final major item was a University of Kentucky personal services contract related to fundraising and philanthropic outreach. UK representatives said the contract supports marketing and donor engagement efforts to grow the university’s endowment pipeline and philanthropic support. The transcript cuts off before the committee finished its questions or took final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• CMS utilized to come up with those cuts. CMS utilized to come up with those cuts.
• services to enable greater utilization services to enable greater utilization of<00:31:38.320>
• As I mentioned in my earlier remarks, utilization of community-based care is the most cost-effective
• . utilization. utilization.
• <00:36:19.599> and curve on nursing home utilization and curve on nursing home utilization

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee to study long-term managed care met to approve the prior meeting minutes, with a clarification that “OB3” referred to the “one big beautiful bill.” The minutes were then approved. Chair Jim Kofalt outlined the day’s agenda, which included testimony from the Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, the New Hampshire Association of Counties, and later DHHS. He also noted that future meetings were expected soon and that the meetings were being livestreamed on YouTube. Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, represented by Kellyanne Totten and Amy Moore, urged inclusive planning and a cautious, phased approach if managed care is considered. They emphasized that home care providers are not uniform, with different licensing and service models, and said any pilot should include varied provider types, rural and southern regions, and agencies of different sizes. They warned that workforce shortages, inflation, and a possible 9% CMS cut to Medicare home health payments could force agencies to reduce service areas or service types. They also said the 2023 Medicaid CFI rate increase has begun to lose its effect. In response to questions, they said the rural health transformation fund may help with planning and telehealth but likely cannot be used directly for rates or recruitment/retention. They also described the New England Home Care Nurse Residency Program, a Department of Labor grant, as a way to bring new registered nurses into home care with added training and school partnerships. The New Hampshire Association of Counties, through county nursing home administrators Craig Labore and David Ross, revisited the earlier Step Two managed care discussions from 2016-2018. They said prior consultants found the long-term services and supports system was underfunded and needed investment to stabilize providers and expand community-based care. They argued the same concerns remain today and said a managed model would jeopardize the Medicaid quality incentive payment program and, for county nursing homes, the proportionate share payment program. Their testimony was generally opposed to moving forward with managed long-term services and supports without significant additional funding and safeguards.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, in Massachusetts, they would put into Vineyard One, well, the utilities in Massachusetts
• In Massachusetts, the utilities were told, 'You will bid.
• Hampshire Public Utilities for these Hampshire Public Utilities for these resources<00:40:03.800>
• mandating or approving utility mandating or approving utility negotiated<01:36:40.440> long-term
• The utility has no choice in the matter.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jennifer Williams with East Bay. for Utility District in support.
• Jason Eichern on behalf of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
• Andrea Abergell with the California Municipal Utilities Association.
• File item number three, AB536. 532, do pass to Utilities and Energy.
• Do pass to Utilities and Energy, it's seven to zero. That matter's out.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What areas is utilized the most, make sure they're in the plan.
• What areas is utilized the most, make sure they're in the plan.
• We'll start utilizing the preventive care because it's covered 100% in the new plan.
• And higher ed in our state utilizes these plans.
• These compounds that we're dealing with and utilizing in agriculture are of that vintage.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several procedural motions, including suspending House rules for three legislative days and replacing conference committee members on Senate Bill 2282 and SCR 4007. The chamber also recognized visiting student groups from Grafton/Pleasant Valley and Shiloh School. Later, the House agreed to several conference committee reports and moved a number of measures through final passage or final disposition. House Bill 1428, which would have created a sales tax exemption for clothing sold by thrift stores or nonprofit corporations, drew extensive debate over tax policy, revenue loss, and possible conflicts with streamlined sales tax rules. Supporters argued it would help lower-income shoppers and nonprofit thrift stores, while opponents said it created an unfair advantage and could reduce state and local revenue. The conference report was adopted, but the bill ultimately failed on final vote, 37-54. House Bill 1440, relating to cigar lounges, was amended in conference and then passed 75-17. House Bill 1460, concerning adult foster care for private-pay adults, electronic monitoring, and a legislative study, was also adopted and passed overwhelmingly, 91-1. The House then passed Senate Bill 2224, which revises gaming commission structure and gaming stamp requirements, adds Attorney General enforcement provisions, and includes a $25,000 general fund appropriation, by a vote of 88-0. Senate Bill 2327, which expands uses of the agriculture diversification and development fund and appropriates $15 million to it, passed 74-17 after a member was excused from voting due to a personal interest. Senate Bill 2267, creating a regulatory framework for on-site wastewater treatment systems and shifting licensing authority to the Department of Environmental Quality, passed 82-10, and Senate Bill 2276, addressing joint water resource boards for cross-county projects, passed 90-1. The most contentious debate centered on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the state employee health plan from grandfathered status to a non-grandfathered ACA-compliant plan and appropriate about $6.6 million for the transition. Supporters said it would give the PERS board more flexibility, expand preventive and other benefits, and potentially slow premium growth without charging employees premiums. Opponents warned it could raise out-of-pocket costs, add mandated benefits, and shift costs to employees, while also arguing the bill had not been adequately studied. After extended debate, the House passed SB 2160 by a vote of 55-37. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 1318, a pesticide labeling bill, and placed it on final passage, but the transcript ends before the final vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wouldn't necessarily be the backend technology that they're utilizing.
• Wouldn't necessarily be the backend technology that they're utilizing.
• Wouldn't necessarily be the backend technology that they're utilizing.
• Wouldn't necessarily be the backend technology that they're utilizing.
• I'm trying to that they're utilizing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Outside entities utilized by health plans are captured by adding "affiliate of a health insurance plan
• As far as utilization review, what this does is it prevents doctors without an administrative license
• from qualifying for utilization review.
• Under this bill, the medical board does have the authority to penalize a physician if the utilization
• It also makes clear that a physician's direction of utilization review conducted by a utilization review

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• these water utilities these water utilities and<04:24:17.800> then<04:24:17.960> you
• mayors on their utility authority board. mayors on their utility authority board.
• that's going to cost that utility that's going to cost that utility authority<04:32:15.520> money
• their utility authority accountable. their utility authority accountable.
• don't have to worry about their utility don't have to worry about their utility authority<04:33:

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 February, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and heard an invocation and pledge. The early portion of the meeting focused on recognizing recipients of the 2026 Governor’s Arts Awards. The Senate adopted resolutions honoring Greg Harkins for excellence in traditional craft, Jesse Robinson for lifetime achievement in blues music, Heather Christian for excellence in music composition, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra for excellence in performing arts, and Dorothy “Dottie” Armstrong for excellence in art education. The executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission briefly thanked the senators and invited them to the evening awards ceremony. The chamber also received several announcements and introductions, including recognition of the Mississippi Society of Radiologic Technologists’ Capitol Day and visiting students from several radiologic science programs. There was also mention of an out-of-order resolution commemorating the 155th anniversary of Alcorn State University, though no action on it was detailed in the excerpt. On the calendar, the Senate took up Senate Bill 2915, which concerns alcoholic beverages, native wine retail permits, and festival permits. The bill was explained as a measure to support Mississippi’s native wineries by allowing free-standing tasting rooms in different parts of the state while maintaining tax collection; a committee substitute and a friendly amendment were adopted, and the bill passed by use of the morning roll call. The Senate then began consideration of Senate Bill 2828, the Money Transmission Modernization Act, which would impose transaction fees, create a Law Enforcement 287G Program Fund, provide an income tax credit for fees paid, and revise licensing and control definitions. After objections to the usual motion, the bill was read at length, but the excerpt ends before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Executive budget also supports higher utilization than the DD waiver program.
• We also have higher utilization and projected enrollment in the DD waiver.
• The higher trend utilization data shows that visits have increased.
• We are seeing utilization going up across the board.
• The waivers that the state was utilizing are no longer in place.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, let's call this hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications to order
• Affordable housing development projects in San Diego have faced significant, unpredictable delays in utility
• Some utilities have worked across the board, have used SB 410, and have gotten the backlog down or eliminated
• proceeding, and as part of that work they've established essentially average timelines that the utilities
• So the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications will recess. All the other votes are cast.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications met to hear several bills; ACA 9 was announced as postponed to a later hearing. The committee first approved the consent calendar, then heard AB 2458 by Assemblymember Bennett, which would extend California Energy Commission appliance efficiency standards to appliances that are rented or leased rather than only sold. Supporters from Ceres and Southern California Edison testified in favor, and Senator Caballero asked whether the bill would affect commercial food processors; the author said the CEC indicated it would not. The bill passed on a unanimous roll call and was sent to Senate Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 2476 by Assemblymember Ellis, which would remove an outdated pre-2020 state-funding requirement for pumped storage hydro projects to qualify for the state’s central procurement program, while keeping the 500-megawatt cap. The author and supporters from Rye Development, GreenGen Storage, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers argued the bill would expand competition for long-duration storage, support grid reliability, and help lower costs for ratepayers. Senator Rubio and others asked how the bill would produce savings, and the author explained that more eligible projects would increase competition in procurement. The bill passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard AB 2518 by Assemblymember Sharp-Collins, a San Diego County pilot program to speed utility connection timelines for affordable housing, hospitals, municipal projects, EV infrastructure, and other projects. The San Diego Housing Commission and SDG&E supported the measure, saying it would reduce costly energization delays; members asked about possible impacts on other customers and whether the bill conflicted with existing SB 410 work, and the author said it was intended to complement current utility timelines. AB 2518 also passed on a unanimous vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee later reopened the roll to record an additional vote on AB 2518, confirming its passage before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2457, public utilities, plant construction, co-location, allows a utility
• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2457, public utilities, plant construction, co-location, allows a utility
• , and it requires the public report to contain specified information, including information about utility
• Classifies the presence of a utility-scale solar or wind farm constructed after the effective date as
• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2113 requires the director of the Residential Utility Consumer Office

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long calendar of House bills across education, health, water, land, housing, labor, public safety, and taxation. Several measures dealt with artificial intelligence, including bills on AI disclosures for minors, AI-assisted divorce arbitration, an Arizona AI education program, AI privilege protections, and a required AI course in schools. Other topics included ESA administration funding, a prohibition on public money for certain foreign-controlled genetic sequencing devices, towing regulations, DUI and ignition interlock changes, health facility and nursing facility complaint timelines, internationally trained physicians, nurse anesthetist reimbursement, pharmacy penalties, childhood cancer research, cybersecurity encryption, school mental health instruction repeal, superintendent performance pay, adoption disclosures in student health settings, anti-Semitism in schools, and a range of water, land, and housing bills. Members frequently raised concerns about local control, unfunded mandates, constitutional issues, and the scope of state intervention. Several bills drew criticism for affecting school curriculum, public education, reproductive rights, protest activity, or tribal communities. Others were supported as technical fixes, consumer protections, or funding measures. The caucus also discussed a series of bills related to the Mexican gray wolf, state land management, solar and wind siting, groundwater transport, and rural development, with some members objecting that the proposals would undermine federal protections or tribal interests. A number of bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2020, HB 2957, HCR 2044, HB 2352, HB 2667, HB 2906, HB 2093, HB 2386, HB 2481, HB 2830, HB 2076, HB 2411, HB 2136, HB 2665, and HB 2904. The meeting ended with an announcement of the Latino Caucus guest presentation and an emotional tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, followed by presentation of an Affordability Award to Representatives Lorena Austin and Stephanie Simacek for work on economic justice and working families. The caucus then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes heavy equipment like utility vehicles, and it's not SUVs.
• Think very, very specific heavy equipment utility vehicles, forklifts, skid steers.
• All 67 counties utilize this to put their requests into us if they need some...
• All 67 counties utilize this to put their requests into us.
• There are seven counties that are utilizing a different system to get information from their cities.

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:

• It also includes heavy equipment like utility vehicles, and it's not SUVs; that's more like very, very
• specific heavy equipment utility vehicles, forklifts, skid steers.
• As a statewide initiative, all 67 counties utilize this to put their request into us if they need some
• All 67 counties utilize this to put their request into us.
• There are seven counties that are utilizing a different system to get information from their cities.

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.