Video & Transcript Research : 'support plan'

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HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EEP Public Hearing - Tue Jan 28, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then Green Power Projects LLC in support, 350 Hawaii in support, Solar Ray Corporation in support
  • And then Green Power Projects LLC in support, 350 Hawaii in support, Solar Ray Corporation in support
  • uh in support 350 Hawaii in support uh in support 350 Hawaii in support Solar<00:27:03.320> Ray
  • Then we have the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development in support.
  • support Hawaii Farmers Union in support support Hawaii Farmers Union in support environmental<01
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on several energy and environmental bills. On HB 470, relating to noise and leaf blowers, the Department of Health supported the bill’s intent to reduce noise pollution but raised concerns about using decibel limits alone and suggested using dBA measurements; testimony also noted the bill would regulate future sales rather than current use, and there were three additional testimonies, two in support and one in opposition. No questions were raised before the committee moved on. The committee then heard HB 742 on transit-oriented development, which would require HCDA to prepare a programmatic EIS for Ewa, Kapalama, and West Oahu improvements. UH supported the bill, HHFDC said it was already preparing a master plan and programmatic EIS for the Ewa area, and HCDA explained that the projects are already underway or completed, including infrastructure work funded by prior appropriations. Supporters said the bill would streamline environmental review and potentially reduce costs for future housing, while HCDA emphasized the work is already in progress. On HB 340, concerning a streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process and related cost recovery, DCCA provided comments, the Attorney General suggested changing a deadline to a specific date, and the PUC said it wanted to study the matter further while still meeting the 180-day reporting requirement. Solar and clean energy groups strongly supported the bill as a way to speed interconnection and advance grid-interactive technologies, while Hawaiian Electric supported the goal of more DERs but opposed the process, saying its interconnection performance has improved and that collaboration would be preferable to legislation. Members asked about newer technologies, UL 1741, and ratepayer impacts, and the Consumer Advocate said removing the cost-recovery section would alleviate its concerns. The committee also heard HB 243, requiring PV- and EV-ready new residential construction, which the Hawaii State Energy Office described as a cost-saving no-brainer because installing these features during construction is much cheaper than retrofitting later. The hearing then shifted to HB 350, expanding the water-heater systems that can satisfy building-permit requirements to include heat pump water heaters alongside solar hot water systems. The Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray supported the concept but asked for amendments to align efficiency standards and noted the bill’s removal of a 15-year lifespan limit for solar thermal systems, and Hawaii Solar Energy Association raised questions about how heat pump performance should be measured and whether PV-plus-heat-pump combinations should qualify. Committee members asked about impacts on smaller homes and ADUs, and the discussion remained focused on technical standards and possible amendments; no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 5th, 2025

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hello, I'm here in support of HB 98 to support our rental community.
  • The Commission recently supported this measure by passing Resolution 2025-006. supporting House Bill
  • Okay, I urge you to support the bill. Thank you.
  • So I urge you to support this. Support this.
  • Let's hear supporting comments on Zoom. For three comments in support of the bill.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:14:40.880> um a rural health transformation plan um a rural health transformation plan
  • from making Medicaid payments to Planned from making Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood<00:
  • And anything that you can plan for?
  • to express and offer our support to express and offer our support whatever<00:59:06.319> you<
  • Thank you for your support. support. support.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee met and approved the minutes from its August 27 meeting. It then received a presentation from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislators on the Medicaid provisions in the 2025 budget reconciliation bill, referred to as HR1. She explained that the bill is estimated by CBO to save the federal government $911 billion over 10 years, with more than 20 Medicaid-specific provisions, most of the savings concentrated in five policies and largely backloaded into 2030-2034. She emphasized that the bill’s effects will vary by state, but that expansion states and hospitals are expected to be most affected, in part because of changes to eligibility, provider taxes, and state-directed payments. Castanza highlighted several new funding and flexibility provisions, including a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund for 2026-2030 and a new home- and community-based services waiver option effective July 1, 2028, with $100 million in grants in fiscal year 2027. She also outlined major eligibility changes for Medicaid expansion adults: work or community engagement requirements effective January 1, 2027; twice-yearly redeterminations for the expansion population effective the same date; and new cost sharing for certain expansion adults effective October 1, 2028. She noted that Kentucky, as an expansion state, would be subject to these changes and that state agencies would face significant implementation demands, especially because federal guidance and timelines are tight. A substantial portion of the presentation focused on financing changes. Castanza described new limits on provider taxes, including a 0% safe harbor for new taxes and a phased reduction for existing taxes in expansion states beginning in 2028, while nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities are exempt from the reduction if already taxed. She also explained that state-directed payments will be capped and phased down over time, with existing arrangements grandfathered only briefly; she said Kentucky has 11 approved state-directed payments and could see significant fiscal effects. She added that the bill also bars Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood or similarly situated providers for one year, changes immigrant eligibility rules effective October 1, 2026, lowers the federal match for certain emergency services, and expands the scope of the federal erroneous payment recoupment provision effective October 1, 2029. Throughout, she stressed that federal savings may translate into state cost shifts and that implementation timing will be critical.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session May 18th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 932 has support, support. I encourage your support on this floor today. Thank you. Thank you.
  • Senator Wahab, you are recognized for your support, support bill. Thank you for that reminder.
  • Plan for Aging.
  • plan for aging. coordination and alignment with California's master plan for aging.
  • I rise in support of SB 1228.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 9th, 2026 at 02:06 pm

Senate Health & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The city of Las Vegas already has the plans, and again, they've exhausted Vegas already has the plans
  • Municipalities already have established zoning codes, comprehensive plans, and planning boards that manage
  • is land use and planning and zoning.
  • in our area is land use and planning and zoning.
  • I appreciate the committee supporting that.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

SPEED Task Force (STF) - Wed May 27, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right now, we're starting to plan out the program.
  • Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.
  • And the Office of Planning.
  • Also, you know, fully supportive of due process.
  • plan and the community plans have already zoned what the growth area is to be urban, then it shouldn
Keywords: 910, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDN Info Briefing - Fri Jan 9, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, looking at our comprehensive needs assessment, our strategic plan, family engagement, supporting
  • Um, looking at our comprehensive needs assessment, our strategic plan, family engagement, supporting
  • Um, looking at our comprehensive needs assessment, our strategic plan, family engagement, supporting
  • Um, looking at our comprehensive needs assessment, our strategic plan, family engagement, supporting
  • Um, looking at our comprehensive needs assessment, our strategic plan, family engagement, supporting
Keywords: 910, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 23rd, 2026 at 09:13 am

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • And again, just to support what you just said, Representative Herndon, I completely support that.
  • I mean, we have to plan for what we need.
  • Will they continue to support it, though?
  • So the LFC recommendation supports partial fun.
  • going to continue to support it.
Keywords: 996, all
Summary: The meeting began as an informal education budget work group focused on reviewing a revised House Appropriations and Finance Committee scenario and flagging concerns rather than taking votes. Staff outlined the main changes from the LFC recommendation, including moving the statewide student information system appropriation, adding funding for the Black, Bilingual, Multicultural and Hispanic Education Act, universal school meals overrun costs, an evidence-based CTE pilot with a 50% local match, STEM network funding, wellness room pilots, Martinez-Yazzie action plan items, and changes to innovation zone and out-of-school time appropriations. A separate handout on the seven-year CTE pilot explained spending patterns, reversions, and possible federal maintenance-of-effort concerns if the state continues funding beyond a true pilot. Members then debated CTE extensively, with several arguing it improves attendance, graduation, and career readiness and should be sustained or expanded, especially in rural areas, while staff and others emphasized that much of the current funding has gone to general operational costs rather than intentional program design and that regional or matched funding models may be more effective. Members also discussed STEM and math initiatives, the need for more industry involvement, and whether the proposed match requirements would be too burdensome for smaller districts and BIE schools. The discussion also covered the Black, Hispanic, and Multilingual Education Acts and the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit. Some members stressed that the acts should be explicitly named in the budget language and not merely implied, while staff said the scenario reaffirms prior commitments by building the costs into agency operating budgets. Members raised concerns about charter school hold-harmless funding, declining enrollment, and the need to align spending with the needs of at-risk students. The work group ended the education portion without any votes, with staff noting they would incorporate the feedback and return with clarifications, including on CTE funding, the educational acts, and the charter hold-harmless item. The meeting then shifted to the child well-being and early childhood work group, where staff presented a revised Early Childhood Education and Care Department scenario. The proposal moved money toward child care assistance and early pre-K, kept the FIT program funding level unchanged, and used a mix of trust fund, TANF, federal, and operating-budget adjustments to close part of the gap between the executive and LFC recommendations. Members questioned the policy direction, especially the shift toward infant and toddler care and pre-K expansion, the impact on school-age child care, and the implications for continuity of care and provider costs. Staff explained that the scenario prioritizes younger children and at-risk families, includes language for a wage and career ladder, and would require legislation to raise the early childhood trust fund distribution cap from 500 to 525. Members also discussed a separate proposed CYFD pilot bill (HB 65), which would be distinct from ECECD funding. No votes were taken, and staff said they would return with more cost information on full pre-K plus wraparound care. A final work group reviewed C2 and Department of Information Technology-related appropriations. Staff compared the LFC and executive recommendations for new funding and reauthorizations, noting that the LFC generally limited new projects while the executive funded more. Members discussed several IT modernization requests, including the Secretary of State’s voter registration and election management systems, the Spaceport Authority, Game and Fish, the State Engineer’s WATERS system, ECECD’s FitKids and EPIC replacement discovery, and Aging and Long-Term Services’ enterprise system modernization. The main themes were whether to fund planning versus full replacement, how to avoid piecemeal spending, and whether new systems should wait for incoming leadership. The Secretary of State’s office said its system is nearing end of life and the planning funds would help prepare a realistic replacement request, while other agencies described aging infrastructure, cybersecurity risks, and the need for modernization. The work group did not vote on any of the items and ended with staff noting additional follow-up on funding needs and reauthorization details.
CT
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm going to just unshare my screen so I can see you. ...support them.
  • And we are providing some of the data to support that.
  • And this is the Advantage plan.
  • on a Medicare Advantage plan, could we not look at...
  • They know they're on a Medicare Advantage plan.
Keywords: 962, all
Summary: The Complex Care Committee meeting focused first on a new Diabetes Caucus launched at the Capitol. Rep. Johnson described the caucus as a forum to educate people about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, genetic risk, early testing, pregnancy-related diabetes, and ways Medicaid policy might improve prevention and lower long-term costs. Members agreed the caucus could intersect with care management, and Carolyn Grandell of CHNCT offered to share information about current diabetes-related care management services at a future meeting. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Alex Rigger of the Office of Health Strategy, who is moving to the Office of Policy and Management. He reviewed Connecticut health care benchmark data, including total health care expenditures, medical spending, and market-by-market trends. He said 2023 to 2024 per-capita spending grew more than 8.5% statewide and 14% in Medicaid, with long-term care accounting for about 46% of Medicaid spending and retail pharmacy also identified as a major cost driver. Members asked about enrollment changes, dual-eligible populations, Medicare Savings Program members, 340B drug pricing, and value-based payment models. Rigger explained that his office tracks alternate payment models and quality benchmarks, but does not separately capture 340B data. Discussion then shifted to Medicare Advantage, dual eligibles, and hospital discharge planning. Members said they want better data on how many Medicaid members are in Medicare Advantage plans and whether those plans shift costs back to Medicaid or affect access to care, especially for complex-care patients. Staff noted DSS does have some Medicare Advantage indicators and that CMS is developing encounter-data rules for states. Kathy Holt and others raised concerns about denials, nursing home stays, and the need to compare Medicaid spending for dual eligibles in Medicare Advantage versus traditional Medicare. The meeting ended with plans for follow-up data sharing, including Alex Rigger’s slides, the diabetes caucus materials, and a future discussion with DSS and other agencies; no formal votes were taken.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HRE-EDT Informational Briefing 03-03-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And our history of support, I think the chair had given you all the history of that support for many
  • Wasn't it the plan, the intent? It was the plan. Yes. And what happened?
  • Why was that plan derailed?
  • Like, he got a bit of plan.
  • Well, what's the plan? There was no plan developed. Okay, thank you. One second, Peter.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-HHS-WAM, JDC-WAM DEFER, WAM-JDC, WAM, WAM Public Hearings 04-09-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I strongly support HB 1618 HD1.
  • Support. Thank you. Support. Thank you.
  • Hawaii<00:04:04.800> State Okay, in support, uh Hawaii State Okay, in support, uh Hawaii State
  • I'm here to testify in strong support. I'm here to testify in strong support.
  • support HB 1618 HD1. support HB 1618 HD1.
Bills: HB1618
Summary: The committees held a joint hearing on HB 1618 HD1, which would create and fund a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to help homeowners upgrade, convert, or connect cesspools. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state agencies and advocacy groups, with witnesses emphasizing that cost is the main barrier to cesspool conversion and that recent Kona flooding underscored the public health and pollution risks of cesspools. One testifier suggested the fund should actively pursue outside funding sources, and another urged an effective date that would allow counties to contribute sooner. A member raised concerns about whether loans would be affordable and whether other financing tools, such as tax credits, should also be considered; another member opposed the bill as not adequately addressing district-level sewer and septic issues. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, and the motion was adopted. The joint Judiciary and Ways and Means committees then considered HB 2592 on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. The chair outlined amendments to clarify that the authority would assume property and liability associated with transferred assets, preserve existing liability rules, transfer conditional use permits if not already transferred, allow lease extensions before transfer, and set reversion triggers if the authority fails to adopt a management plan by June 30, 2028, or administrative rules by December 31, 2029. Members asked about preserving the public trust and whether the amendments would keep the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ role intact; the chair confirmed the fee and board role would remain unchanged. The committees voted to pass the bill with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also took up HB 2033, making further amendments to clarify the definition of state, delay certain effective dates, allow rental and U-Drive lessors to avoid liability by identifying renters, delete one section, and add administrative hearing language and bus-camera clarifications. HB 1888 was amended to expand protections for educational workers to include sports officials, define sports official, make intentional bodily harm a felony with enhanced penalties for repeat offenses, and authorize the attorney general to assist with restraining orders. Both measures were recommended for passage with amendments and adopted. Later, several bills were moved with little or no discussion: HB 1515, HB 1713, HB 1718, HB 2022, and HB 2385 were recommended for passage unamended; HB 2375 was deferred; and HB 1741 was amended to reflect Honolulu’s concerns, narrow study requirements, add exemptions and a delayed implementation date, and was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees adopted the recommendations on these measures, with some members noting reservations or prior opposition on certain bills.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • CLIENTS TO NAVIGATE WHO ARE ON THE MEDICAID DENTAL PLANS WE STRIVE TO KNOW WHAT IS COVERED ON THE PLANS
  • BECAUSE THEY ARE FEDERALLY SUPPORTED. TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT 58 PERCENT.
  • THEY SUPPORTED.
  • WE ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE MEDICAID PROGRAM WORKING.
  • >> ARE PUTTING PLANS TOGETHER FOR THAT.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 20, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  • I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  • I rise in support of H.R. 5200, the Emergency Reporting Act, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  • I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5201.
  • The baby shower was planned.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 087 Part 2 Apr 11th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • you all to support this Amendment 110%. you all to support this Amendment 110%.
  • for us on the reintroduction plan, the wolf management plan.
  • the reintroduction plan, the wolf wolf<00:30:39.320> management<00:30:39.960> plan.
  • And I would wolf management plan.
  • plan was being managed. plan was being managed.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Senate Floor Session - 05/14/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are supporting uh kinship care.
  • It includes some support in our communities through support for their food and meals, housing supports
  • supportive of healthcare. Thank you, Mr. supportive of healthcare. Thank you, Mr.
  • <02:53:59.120> The support. Thank you, Mr. President. The support. Thank you, Mr.
  • So, I'd ask for member support. call. So, I'd ask for member support.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session Apr 23rd, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senators, I would appreciate your support of this bill that supports all of our families and our constituents
  • I'm not going to be supporting this bill.
  • I just want to ask for your favorable support.
  • So with that, I ask for a favorable support.
  • I read the plan reading of the law.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions and moments of silence recognizing recent tragedies and public figures, including students affected by the FSU shooting, John Thrasher, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, and conservation and youth groups visiting the chamber. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 1878 honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim and Senate Resolution 1892 recognizing Florida Wildlife Corridor Week. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, passing several bills with little or no opposition. Measures approved included child care and early learning provider regulation updates (SB 738, 37-0), false reporting/swatting penalties and cost recovery (SB 726, 38-0), health care billing and collection protections/medical debt (SB 656, 38-0), hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren (SB 650, 38-0), young adult housing support for foster and homeless students (SB 584, 38-0), the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program disclosure bill (SB 508, 37-1), trust fund interest for court-approved purposes after a debated amendment (SB 498, 28-10), transportation and traffic-safety changes including school bus camera hearings and micromobility rules (SB 462, 37-0), public records exemptions for AHCA investigators and JQC/appellate court clerks (SB 342, 34-4; SB 302, 35-3; SB 300, 35-3), municipal water and sewer utility rate fairness for Miami Gardens/North Miami Beach (SB 202/HB 11, 36-2), motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonation (SB 44/HB 253, 36-0), trespass at large-scale ticketed events and law-enforcement-controlled sites (SB 1828/HB 1447, 35-1), patient refund of overpayments (SB 1808, 37-0), stem cell therapy standards (SB 1768, 37-0), insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives (SB 1736/HB 1567, 38-0), and pre-arranged transportation services/rideshare impersonation (SB 1696/HB 1525, 37-0). Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers, and education. Debate centered most heavily on the trust fund interest bill, with supporters arguing it would stabilize funding and better reflect market rates, and opponents warning it would sharply reduce legal aid funding and hurt access to justice. The transportation bill also drew extensive questions and amendments, including removal of a speed-limit increase, changes to school bus infraction hearing procedures, micromobility regulation, and flood-wake enforcement. The municipal water bill prompted constitutional and fairness concerns, while the public records bills were defended as necessary to protect investigators and court personnel from doxing and harassment. Most measures ultimately passed with strong bipartisan support, though the scholarship disclosure bill and trust fund interest bill drew the most visible dissent.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • With me today to testify and support are Angela Pontes with Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California
  • That was support.
  • I support, if amended.
  • Any additional witnesses in support? I want to add on in support.
  • We want to clarify the analysis has us as support. We are supportive, amended.
Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a full agenda of bills focused on reproductive health, professional licensing and sunset reviews, consumer protection, and business regulation. Early testimony centered on AB 260, which would protect access to medication abortion, mifepristone, and telehealth reproductive care in California; supporters emphasized state protections against federal restrictions, while an opponent argued the bill removed safety safeguards. The committee also heard AB 714 on closing a loophole in regulation of low-cost commercial driving schools, AB 968 on allowing pharmacists to prescribe non-hormonal contraception, AB 671 on streamlining restaurant permitting, AB 1027 on strengthening cannabis product testing oversight, AB 1271 on broadband pricing and speed transparency, and AB 1332 on narrowly allowing medicinal cannabis shipments for seriously ill patients. Several sunset bills were also taken up, including AB 1482 on animal shelter and breeder transparency, AB 1501 on the Podiatric Medical Board and Physician Assistant Board, AB 1502 on the Veterinary Medical Board, AB 1503 on the Board of Pharmacy, and AB 1504 on the Massage Therapy Council. Testimony was largely in support of the measures, with many bills drawing co-sponsors or support from industry, consumer, or professional groups. AB 1503 generated the most sustained opposition, with nurses, physicians, and drug industry representatives objecting to expanded pharmacy technician ratios, standard-of-care language, and therapeutic interchange authority; supporters argued the bill would modernize pharmacy practice and expand access. AB 1504 also drew mixed testimony, with massage therapy groups supporting continuation of the council but raising concerns about proposed public records and governance provisions. AB 1271 drew a policy dispute over whether broadband reporting requirements duplicated federal FCC processes, while supporters argued California needed its own consumer-facing data and complaint system. After quorum was established later in the hearing, the committee began taking roll-call votes. AB 1271, AB 1332, AB 1482, AB 1501, and AB 1502 were all reported out on due-pass motions, with AB 1271 amended and the others generally amended or as introduced as noted. Earlier bills including AB 260, AB 671, AB 714, AB 968, and AB 1027 also received motions and were approved once the quorum was present. The chair repeatedly noted the lack of quorum during the hearing, but once one was secured, the committee completed votes on the agenda items and advanced the measures to Appropriations.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 25th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:
  • An additional attorney and admin support.
  • Thank you for your support and consideration.
  • While serving Planned Parenthood and being paid by Planned Parenthood, uh, for over a decade.
  • Oh, was he also getting paid by Planned Parenthood?
  • We would support that number being higher.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on State-Federal Relations Mar 27th, 2025

S/C on State-Federal Relations

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm representing the Texas Farm Bureau and here in support of, uh, HCR 77. Uh, Mr.
  • tax support for new and existing nuclear technologies.
  • Again, uh, Reed Clay on behalf of the Texas Nuclear Alliance testifying in support of HCR 102.
  • So those are the three reasons why we support these tax credits. We support HCR 102 as well.
  • Many of these are planned for deployment in Texas.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Environment and Natural Resources Dec 9th, 2025

Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you all very much for supporting these efforts.
  • And if they are, do you plan to expand up into Martin County?
  • Now, in 2023 there was the Restoration Act that was planned to develop the restoration plan.
  • I did want to ask what is the plan after the cleanup, right?
  • And then so in 2023 there was the Restoration Act that was planned to develop the restoration plan.
Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard a series of presentations focused on coral reef restoration, artificial reefs, biosolids management, and a proposed biosolids processing facility. Mote Marine Laboratory described the severe decline of Florida’s coral reefs, its restoration methods using microfragmentation, genetic banking, selective breeding, nurseries, and outplanting, and asked for a long-term state commitment to help restore reef areas. The Keys Marine Laboratory and Florida Institute of Oceanography highlighted their role as a hub for coral rescue, holding, propagation, and research, including emergency response during the 2023 bleaching event. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed the scale of reef loss, the state’s coral rescue and propagation efforts, and the economic and habitat value of artificial reefs, while noting permitting delays and material-selection concerns for reef projects. The committee then received a DEP update on the Osborne Reef tire cleanup. DEP explained that the original tire reef was a failure, that nearly 500,000 tires had been removed by 2024, and that the current effort is funded at $5 million for the fiscal year, with cleanup now shifting from large tire clusters to more difficult individual tires and coral relocation. Members asked about the future of the site after cleanup; DEP said that phase two decisions, such as whether to restore or monitor the area, have not yet been made. DEP also presented on biosolids rules, explaining that the 2021 rule tightened nutrient management, groundwater, and surface water protections, reduced the number of active land-application sites, and contributed to a shift away from Class B land application toward Class AA, landfill, or out-of-state disposal. Senators raised concerns about PFAS, nutrient loading, and the loss of disposal options, and a public speaker warned of a statewide septage disposal crisis. Finally, Sedron Technologies presented its VARCOR system and a planned Indiantown facility that would process dewatered biosolids into clean water, ammonia, and a dry Class AA product or fuel, with the company saying the process can destroy PFAS and help relieve regional disposal pressure. Senators expressed support for the technology as a potential solution to Florida’s biosolids challenges. No formal votes were taken on the presentations themselves, and the only action at the end of the meeting was adjournment after Senator Polsky moved to do so.