Video & Transcript Research : 'disaster declaration'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AEN-HOU, AEN-EIG, AEN Public Hearings 03-18-2026
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- Requires cats over 5 months of age to be surgically sterilized unless covered by an intact cat declaration
- and conditions, the importation of intact cats on state and county declaration requirements with certain
- Oh, well, um, you know, Hawaiian Humane Society testified that it's just a $100 declaration fee, but
- a<00:37:23.000>
$100 testified that it's just a $100 testified that it's just a $100 declaration - fee, but it is written in declaration fee, but it is written in the<00:37:27.040>
bill <00:37:
Keywords:
animal control, spay and neuter, pet overpopulation, sterilization, counties funding, tax designation, veterinary care, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy policy, rebate program, environmental impact, renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered.
The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present.
The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (04/08/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- because you have people in, I forget what state it is, New Mexico or whatnot, where the governor declared
- because you have people in, I forget what state it is, New Mexico or whatnot, where the governor declared
- because you have people in, I forget what state it is, New Mexico or whatnot, where the governor declared
- because you have people in, I forget what state it is, New Mexico or whatnot, where the governor declared
- because you have people in, I forget what state it is, New Mexico or whatnot, where the governor declared
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill seems to indicate that it has to be declared void if it exceeds the limitation, but there's
- The bill seems to indicate that it has to be declared void if it exceeds the limitation, but there's
- The bill seems to indicate that it has to be declared void if it exceeds the limitation, but there's
- The bill seems to indicate that it has to be declared void if it exceeds the limitation, but there's
- The bill seems to indicate that it has to be declared void if it exceeds the limitation, but there's
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Eric Johnson declared a conflict and recused himself from the vote.
- it repres sentive Eric Johnson declared a<01:31:55.560>
conflict <01:31:56.080>and <01: - Representative Cab declared a conflict and recused herself from the votes on this bill.
- the stigmat of having people declaring the stigmat of having people declaring themselves themselves
- This proposed method of declaring victory is clear disenfranchisement.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- For an example, if we go back to the Duluth disaster assistance package of $168 million in 2012.
- For an example, if we go back to the Duluth disaster assistance package of $168 million in 2012.
- For an example, if we go back to the Duluth disaster assistance package of $168 million in 2012.
- For an example, if we go back to the Duluth disaster assistance package of $168 million in 2012.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2026-04-16
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- , when all of this was announced, that we were going to be in a tie, that this was going to be a disaster
- going<01:24:23.240>
to <01:24:23.320>be <01:24:23.440>a <01:24:23.480>disaster - is going to be a disaster is going to be a disaster and<01:24:25.200>
so <01:24:25.400>
Keywords:
air pollution, lead emissions, continuous emissions monitoring system, CEMS, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, MPCA, environmental monitoring, emission compliance, air quality, public health, industrial pollution, permitted facility, residential exposure, toxic metals, emission limits, pollution control, stack monitoring, real-time emissions monitoring, natural resources, environment
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/09/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- He said there is probably only so much pre-planning an agency can do for whatever natural disaster or
- agency for when it comes to whatever agency for when it comes to whatever natural<00:29:19.960>
disaster - <00:29:20.520>
or natural disaster or natural disaster or political<00:29:21.760>event
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee (9-11-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And I know because, um, part of one of our roles is we prepare a great deal for disaster response and
- our roles is we prepare a great deal of our roles is we prepare a great deal for<00:20:00.480>
disaster - <00:20:01.039>
response <00:20:01.600>and <00:20:01.919>emergency for disaster - response and emergency for disaster response and emergency communications<00:20:03.200>
to <00
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:02
Statewide Emergency Response System Monthly Update- 00:02:23
Shock Probation: Administrative Office of the Courts-00:34:28
Shock Probation: Department of Corrections Oversight-01:04:04
Adjournment-01:12:22, 958, all
Summary:
The committee received an update on Kentucky’s statewide emergency responder voice system (SERVS) and the supporting microwave network, known as KYeS. Michael Brandon Marshall, the state’s statewide interoperability coordinator, explained that the project began as a replacement for Kentucky State Police’s radio system and has expanded into a statewide public-safety trunked radio system. He reviewed work completed in phases 1 and 2, including upgrades to existing tower sites, construction of new sites, installation of generators and DC power plants, and replacement of microwave routers and stations. He said the microwave upgrade is a separate but necessary part of the project and that the remaining microwave work on existing sites is expected to be finished in 2026, with roughly 20 more sites likely to move from blue to green by the next monthly report if conditions allow.
Members pressed Marshall on the pace of deployment and the lack of coverage in parts of Eastern Kentucky. Senator Thomas said the coverage map was especially unfavorable to counties from Whitley and McCreary up to Lewis County and asked when that gap would be fixed. Marshall said the eastern buildout is planned, but those areas have not yet been funded; he estimated that by the end of 2026 the areas around Posts 14, 8, and 11 should be live, while other eastern post areas would remain unbuilt until additional funding is provided. He said the decision to start in Western Kentucky was technical rather than political, based on terrain and the relative ease of building coverage over flatter ground.
Senator Wheeler asked whether newer low-orbit satellite systems such as Starlink could reduce the need for tower construction. Marshall said satellite technology could be a useful tool, especially for outdoor or disaster-response communications, but it cannot replace terrestrial radio for public safety because responders often work indoors and need reliable penetration through buildings. He also noted that lower-frequency spectrum such as 700 MHz is better suited for that purpose. Representative Smith asked about contracting and delays; Marshall said the Finance Cabinet’s DECA manages the construction contracts, while his office helps define the scope of work and reviews whether it is adequately met. The committee indicated it will continue to receive monthly updates on the project.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/02/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 26 amends eligibility for the disaster recovery loan program to require that a borrower's total
- Section 26 amends the eligibility<00:37:22.160>
for <00:37:22.480>the <00:37:22.640>disaster - <00:37:23.200>
recovery eligibility for the disaster recovery eligibility for the disaster
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 02/05/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- The other thing is, it's going to be an environmental disaster to clean up these windmills and these
- >
environmental uh it's going to be an environmental uh it's going to be an environmental disaster - 20.680>
up <00:47:20.960>these <00:47:21.400>windmills <00:47:22.000>and disaster - to clean up these windmills and disaster to clean up these windmills and these<00:47:22.359>
solar
Summary:
The Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee heard Senate File 486, as amended by the A2 delete-everything amendment, which would create a supplemental, year-round energy assistance program administered by the Department of Commerce alongside LIHEAP. Senator Dibble said the bill is intended to help low-income households pay utility bills throughout the year, including summer months, by providing crisis grants, ongoing monthly assistance, emergency heating system repair or replacement help, outreach funding, and reporting requirements. The committee adopted the A2 amendment before hearing testimony on the bill as amended.
Supportive testimony came from Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board, Jenny Glumac of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Mackey of Minnesota Valley Action Council, Ron Elwood of Legal Aid, Jamie Fitz of CenterPoint Energy, George Shardlow of the Energy CENTS Coalition, and Kent Sulum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association. Witnesses said energy burdens are especially high in rural Minnesota, utility arrears and shutoffs have increased, and most shutoffs occur in summer when LIHEAP is unavailable. They argued that year-round assistance would help vulnerable households, reduce shutoffs, improve health and housing stability, and create administrative efficiencies by using existing LIHEAP infrastructure.
Several witnesses cited data on the need for assistance, including high energy burdens in rural areas, more than 91,000 Minnesota households disconnected for non-payment in 2024, and the large share of LIHEAP recipients who are seniors, people with disabilities, children, or veterans. Amanda Mackey described a client story illustrating how energy assistance can stabilize a household and lead to broader benefits. Senator Mathews offered comments supporting help for households in need but said the bill is a stopgap and tied the need for expanded assistance to prior legislative actions that increased energy costs. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion of the transcript provided, and members indicated they would return to questions after testimony.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HRE-AEN, HRE Public Hearings 01-30-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- A single disaster, like the one we are predicting right now, a big rain, can do to the entire season's
- resilience<00:02:52.720>
um <00:02:53.519>a <00:02:53.879>single <00:02:54.319>disaster - <00:02:55.239>
like <00:02:55.440>the resilience um a single disaster like the resilience - um a single disaster like the one<00:02:56.040>
we <00:02:56.200>are <00:02:56.680>
Summary:
The joint Committee on Higher Education and Agriculture heard Senate Bill 1158, which would authorize general obligation bonds and appropriations for a controlled environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon Research and Teaching Site in Manoa. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the University of Hawaiʻi, Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau, Maui County, MetroGrow Hawaiʻi, and other agricultural groups, who said the project would strengthen food resilience, support year-round production, create clean jobs, and provide a demonstration site for urban vertical farming. University representatives said the project would include demolition of an existing condemned building, a research and lab component, and a multistory vertical farm, with an estimated cost of $6 million and a projected two-year build time.
Members questioned whether Manoa was the best location, whether the project fit the university’s broader strategy, and whether the request would displace other priorities. The University said the site is tied to SEAR activities, close to students and faculty, and intended to support hands-on training and commercial-scale production. In response to concerns about soil testing and stakeholder needs, the University said it would restart the soil testing lab using internal funds, though not as part of this bill, and would request additional staff for efficiency. The committee then recessed and later reconvened in decision-making, where the chairs recommended and the committee adopted amendments to SB 1158, including a name correction and deferral to July 31, 2050, and the bill passed with amendments.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 663, relating to the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and SEAR research and experiment stations. The University testified that the stations are important for locally relevant agricultural research but are short staffed, with 34 positions down since 2005, and that the bill requests eight new positions, including agricultural technicians and four county community coordinator positions, to improve station operations, community engagement, and workforce development. The Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying the positions are needed to revamp extension services and that Manoa is an appropriate urban location for the vertical farming component. Members questioned why vacant or existing positions could not be used instead of new ones, and the University explained that some listed vacancies reflected old federally funded positions or inaccurate counts, promised a written update, and said it was working to fill current openings. No final vote on SB 663 was reached in the portion provided.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Tue Jan 28, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- trying to find employees; if they lose employees because of family situations, that's kind of a disaster
- that's<00:37:00.599>
kind <00:37:00.720>of <00:37:00.839>a <00:37:01.000>disaster - for<00:37:01.960>
the <00:37:02.280>the <00:37:03.040>um that's kind of a disaster - for the the um that's kind of a disaster for the the um the<00:37:03.800>
companies <00:37:04.280
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several measures related to housing, homelessness, caregiving, and tax relief. On HB 431, which appropriates funds for the CAL initiative and HHFDC, the Department of Human Services supported the bill and noted the Governor’s request for $50 million per year for HMS, the need for more permanent supportive housing, and a technical issue with establishing a special fund in session law. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions strongly supported the measure, describing it as unprecedented funding for CAL projects and linking it to goals of reducing homelessness and expanding housing inventory. Catholic Charities Hawaii, the ACLU of Hawaii, and the Reimagining Public Safety in Hawaii Coalition also supported the bill, emphasizing permanent supportive housing, diversion from jail, and public safety benefits. The chair redirected one testifier to stay on the measure when testimony drifted to another program. Written support was also noted from several organizations and agencies.
The committee then heard HB 225 on squatting. DHS said it appreciated the intent and deferred to the Attorney General and task force members, while noting that outreach on public lands differs from private land, where owner consent is required. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill and wanted a voice in finding a solution. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions also said it supported the intent, while opposition from the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands and support from one individual were noted.
For HB 280, which would make the community outreach court permanent and appropriate funds, the Judiciary strongly supported the bill, describing the court as a mobile, community-based program serving vulnerable populations and connecting participants to services. The Office of the Public Defender also supported the measure, saying the program has helped people move off the streets and into stable housing and that permanent funding would allow expansion. Written support from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition was noted. The committee then moved to HB 71, creating a refundable family caregiver tax credit, where the Department of Taxation provided comments, the Executive Office on Aging and AARP Hawaii supported the measure, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about duplication with an existing dependent care credit and the lack of incentives for cost control. The committee next heard HB 753, which would increase the applicable percentage for the household and dependent care services tax credit. Support came from the Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, and Hawaii Children’s Action Network, while the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and administration but noted the bill adds guardrails against abuse. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
MN
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 20, 2026 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair Botana: Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee will come to order.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Lt. Governor Dan Patrick Dec 9th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Press Conference: Lt. Governor Dan PatrickRegarding a proposal to lower the "senior" homestead exemption age threshold from 65 to 55. Dec 9th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There was an amendment to the bill back then, I remember, in case there was a disaster, a hurricane hit
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Senator Nathan Johnson Jul 30th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The people across... ...the state who recently were lost and the people who have been lost to disasters
Keywords:
hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider pending calendar business. Apr 30th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- emergency dispatchers as a protective service occupation and requiring FCC reports or hearings on disasters
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Community Affairs Feb 18th, 2025
FL