Video & Transcript Research : 'flood mitigation'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- projects within the State Plan of Flood Control, which is the area for which the state has liability
- This is in the Flood Control Subventions Program, where the state legislature identifies projects in
- plans, through our work with local flood control districts and many other partners.
- This includes the Montecito flooding that occurred after the Santa Barbara fires in the 2000s.
- SAFER is one of our critical. resources to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Feb 10th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- For flood, flood has impacted all of the regions in the state.
- that flood plan.
- With respect to flood, $54.5 billion was identified in need in the first flood plan.
- , water planning, and habitat mitigation.
- And when we have major flood events, because you're there, you... ...have mitigated a lot of problems
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Fri Apr 17, 2026 @ 10:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- We need funding for mitigation of wildfires. We need funding for mitigation for floods.
- We need funding for mitigation of wildfires. We need funding for mitigation for floods.
- We need funding for mitigation of wildfires. We need funding for mitigation for floods.
- We need funding for mitigation of wildfires. We need funding for mitigation for floods.
- We need funding for mitigation of wildfires. We need funding for mitigation for floods.
Keywords:
rangelands, pastoralists, pastoralism, ranching, ranchers, paniolo, livestock, grazing, grasslands, land management, conservation, sustainable agriculture, agriculture, Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, Hawaii counties, International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Mar 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The flood flows provisions, again, under emergency flood conditions, are important.
- Because of the flood control projects, there's a lot of times when the dams are making flood control
- We flood vines. We flood those areas—about 1,000 acres of vines—for our project.
- So there were a lot of flooding issues, houses that were already flooded.
- And we'll be able to flood all clear. and do this.
Summary:
The hearing focused on oversight of AB 658 and the State Water Resources Control Board’s five-year temporary permits for groundwater recharge. Assembly Member Arambula and committee members discussed how the permits are intended to help capture high flows during wet periods, support SGMA implementation, and store water underground for later use. The State Water Board chair said the five-year permits have become an important tool, with seven five-year permits issued this season and over 43,000 acre-feet authorized, but noted that actual recharge depends on hydrology and that the board is open to improvements.
Members and witnesses discussed several possible changes to make the program more effective: allowing a two-year delay before the five-year permit clock starts, codifying CEQA exemptions that have been used through executive order, and shifting from a public objection model to a public comment model to reduce delays. There was also discussion of water availability analyses, with some members asking whether the state could develop a broader statewide assessment to reduce consultant costs and make permitting more predictable. The board said such an effort would be large and costly, but could potentially save applicants money and improve consistency.
District representatives described their experiences. Stockton East said the five-year permit was more cost-effective than repeated 180-day permits, but that the 90-20 methodology, consultant costs, and a burrowing owl survey condition made use difficult. Omaha-Hartnell Water District said its recharge work depends on simple, low-cost infrastructure and that five-year permits, CEQA reform, and lower upfront fees would help small districts. A consultant working with Scott Valley and Sierra Valley said five-year permits can work well in different basins, but local infrastructure, stakeholder coordination, streambed alteration agreements, and upstream flow constraints can limit recharge. Members also raised concerns about basin connectivity, downstream water rights, and the need to pair recharge with sustainable groundwater pumping and broader water storage planning.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Jul 7th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Mitigate, prevent, and help areas affected by fires and floods.
- Flooding there.
- mitigation for the racetrack.
- And then the flooding, and then the subsequent floods are part of the original event, the same PW.
- Flood occurs.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (2-26-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- The 2022 floods were pretty bad.
- <00:40:06.160>
now we're over a week in to the flood now we're over a week in to the flood - So, uh, it's not our first rodeo with floods.
- And secondly, you mentioned the flood wall after that devastating flood some time ago.
- wall after that you mentioned the flood wall after that devastating<00:45:25.079>
flood <00:45
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:05
Capitol Renovations Update 00:00:40
Damage from Recent Disaster Discussion 00:33:25, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025.
A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work.
Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits Jul 16th, 2025
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits
Transcript Highlights:
- mean, more precipitation falling as rain increases the, you know, the risk or the hazard risk of flooding
- But addressing the pressing challenge of mitigating climate change and continuing to meet our growing
- Examples include extreme rain and flooding, like in 2021, that damaged substations and caused outages
- Local and tribal governments and electric utilities lead the work to mitigate these impacts, supported
- Local and tribal governments and electric utilities lead the work to mitigate these impacts, supported
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee I-900 Subcommittee heard JLARC’s annual update on the status of legislative implementation of State Auditor recommendations, followed by two State Auditor performance audits. JLARC staff reported that for the 2024 review period there were three new legislative recommendations and three unresolved older recommendations. They said the legislature did not convene a work group on civil asset forfeiture, and no formal action was taken on two water-use-efficiency recommendations. Two recommendations related to concurrent Medicaid enrollments were addressed in a bill introduced this session, but that bill was not adopted.
The first audit examined how Washington can ensure climate-resilient electricity infrastructure. The State Auditor found the state has opportunities to better adapt new energy infrastructure by using more site-specific climate information, broader collaboration, and vulnerability assessments. The report recommended expanding climate analyses through the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group if funding is available, using forecasted information in DNR wildfire maps, designating a non-regulatory office to coordinate siting and conflict resolution, and expanding vulnerability assessments in Ecology and Commerce processes. Agency witnesses generally agreed resilience is important but emphasized existing efforts, the need to avoid duplicative requirements, the importance of affordability and efficiency, and the role of current forums such as the Clean Energy Siting Council and SEPA processes.
The second audit reviewed fines for human trafficking and related sexual exploitation crimes. Auditors found courts assessed fines inconsistently, collection rates varied, some revenues were sent to the wrong local government, and some jurisdictions did not use the money as required for enforcement, prevention, or survivor services. The audit recommended courts work with prosecutors to improve awareness of mandatory fines, and that King and Pierce County improve coding, templates, and tracking so revenues are routed and used correctly. King County testified that it appreciated the audit and described its existing prevention and survivor-support work. The committee took no votes or formal actions and adjourned after the presentations and testimony.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- When we receive plans for a new home, we require a drainage mitigation plan.
- Sure, so we're all experiencing the joys of flood and fire, as Texans now, so when it rains... it floods
- But isn't there other ways to curb and mitigate drainage than just ash juniper trees?
- Oh sure, we require drainage mitigation and that's certified by the engineer.
- If you say that Ash juniper is exempt from that mitigation fee or credit, then we could clear-cut.
Bills:
SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666
Keywords:
HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Wildfire Prevention Jun 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Is that going to trickle down into local mitigation and prevention plans?
- We've got the multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plans.
- We've got the multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plans.
- Other communities to best mitigate risk from future wildfires.
- Please support whatever you can to mitigate that.
Summary:
The hearing focused on lessons from the 2017 Tubbs Fire and how Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and state partners have changed wildfire prevention, recovery, and rebuilding practices since then. Opening remarks emphasized that catastrophic wildfire is now a statewide issue, that California has shifted more toward prevention and resilience, and that Sonoma County’s recovery has become a model for other communities. Panelists included fire, water, permitting, community recovery, and insurance experts, who described how local experience has informed broader policy discussions.
Santa Rosa fire and city officials described major changes in prevention and preparedness, including stronger public education, a vegetation management ordinance, an ignition-free/Zone Zero approach, and more detailed community wildfire protection planning. They said these efforts helped reduce damage in later fires, such as the Glass Fire, and noted ongoing challenges with prescribed burning, smoke management, grant delays, and maintaining vegetation treatments over time. Santa Rosa Water described improvements in regional coordination, backup power, generator redesign, and wildfire contamination response protocols after the city became the first utility to identify wildfire-related contamination in its water system.
Community recovery leaders stressed the importance of block captain networks, neighborhood organization, and trusted local information in helping residents rebuild and avoid fraud. They argued for more formal support, training, and funding for block captain programs, as well as better long-term financing for local mitigation work and utility upgrades. Permit Sonoma officials said the county tried to balance speed and safety in rebuilding by streamlining permits, reducing fees, and helping residents rebuild to stronger standards, though they noted the loss of a major BRIC grant has slowed home-hardening outreach.
Insurance advocate Amy Bach said wildfire risk reduction is increasingly influencing insurer behavior, with some companies offering discounts or more favorable treatment for Firewise communities and homes meeting wildfire-prepared standards. She urged continued funding for mitigation grants, better disclosure when insurers use aerial imagery to non-renew policies, and caution against removing wildfire coverage from standard homeowners policies. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the hearing; it was an informational discussion intended to gather testimony and policy recommendations.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Caucus of the Whole - 2026-03-25 - 10:00AM
Vermont House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We also established two new permanent positions for the Flood Safety Act at ANR, which happened in 2024
- We also established two new permanent positions for the Flood Safety Act at ANR, which happened in 2024
- And then, finally, we have just over $1.3 million to the Community Resilience and Disaster Mitigation
- fund uh for disaster relief mitigation fund uh for disaster relief assistance<00:13:28.360>
when< - by flooding and aren't getting<00:13:31.640>
FEMA <00:13:31.960>money <00:13:32.240>
Summary:
The House Caucus of the Whole received a budget review from House Appropriations Chair Rep. Shay on H.951, the FY27 budget. He said the budget totals about $9.334 billion across all funds, with a 1.6% increase overall and a 2.1% increase in the general fund, and stated that it balances, fills required reserves, meets pension obligations, and largely reflects the governor’s January budget requests. He also noted that budget documents were emailed to members and that Appropriations Committee members and Joint Fiscal Office staff would be available in the House well during lunch for follow-up questions.
Shay described the budget as divided into ongoing base appropriations and one-time appropriations. Major ongoing investments highlighted included funding for designated and specialized service agencies, home- and community-based providers, Medicaid skilled home health services, Bridges to Health, AHEC primary care loan repayment and provider placement, Vermont screening and referral clinics, VHIP housing support, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, a homelessness and housing initiative, a disabilities housing coordinator, the Vermont Access Network, Flood Safety Act positions at ANR, a state mediator position, an attorney for the state ethics commission, an additional attorney at the Human Rights Commission, and funding for the Defender General’s public defense contracting and training.
He also emphasized one-time funding for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, a pension and benefits funding task force, provider stabilization grants, Meals on Wheels, Vermont Legal Aid’s immigration attorney and hotline, rental arrears assistance, manufactured home repair programs, HomeShare expansion, NOFA food and farm programs, food banks, conservation districts, VSAC Freedom and Unity scholarships, and the Community Resilience and Disaster Mitigation Fund. No votes were taken during the presentation; the meeting ended after a brief opportunity for questions, with members directed to continue discussion during noon office hours.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/17/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- You mentioned mitigating for risks, things like floods and delays.
- >
risks, You mentioned mitigating for risks, You mentioned mitigating for risks, things<00:29: - planning on flooding. planning on flooding.
- intentionally flood productive farmland. intentionally flood productive farmland.
- Then later, it was flood control.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought Apr 30th, 2026
Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought
Transcript Highlights:
- And hence why we did see flooding there in December. Next slide, please. These are our reservoirs.
- All other requirements of applications are still in place, including mitigation requirements.
- All other requirements of applications are still in place, including mitigation requirements.
- Now, in other years, when they were worried about flooding, they keep it low and they fill it.
- They knew they didn't have a flooding situation with the snowpack.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and first elected Rep. Reeves as chair and Rep. Dent as vice chair for the coming year, with the vote appearing unanimous. After a brief discussion about who would chair the rest of the meeting, the committee proceeded to its regular agenda focused on the 2026 drought situation in Washington.
The Washington state climatologist, Karen Mbacca, and Department of Ecology drought staff presented data showing a statewide drought declaration issued April 8 due to very low snowpack, warm winter temperatures, and resulting water supply concerns. They described the state’s statutory drought criteria, current reservoir and streamflow conditions, Yakima Basin water supply forecasts, likely summer temperature and precipitation outlooks, and the possibility of an El Niño developing later in the year. Ecology said the declaration makes $3 million in drought response grants available and allows expedited water transfer processing, and staff said they are already hearing concerns about impacts to agriculture, fish, and drinking water systems.
Committee members discussed the need for longer-term drought preparedness, possible legislative tools, and whether additional funding or reservoir/storage strategies should be considered. Rep. Dent and others asked about available grant money and future mitigation planning, while Ecology said it is open to working with the legislature and stakeholders on resilience measures. The committee then heard a contrasting presentation from Dr. Cliff Mass of the University of Washington, who argued there is no current drought emergency because reservoirs are full, precipitation and soil moisture are near or above normal in many areas, and agriculture is performing well; he said the state’s drought declaration is not justified by current conditions. Members questioned him about reservoir capacity, drought definitions, and forecasts, and the meeting ended with several members thanking departing legislators and noting the importance of continued water planning.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jun 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This definition does not change how vegetation management for wildfire mitigation is conducted.
- Rather, it provides a consistent voluntary framework... ...for wildfire mitigation is conducted.
- When the region attempted to resolve devastating floods by building a concrete...
- Roughly one in five Californians are at risk of flooding, and all 58 counties have had severe flood emergencies
- flood potentially leading to $1 trillion in damages.
Summary:
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with some initial delay while waiting for quorum, then approved the consent calendar items SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire mitigation, biomass use, climate resilience, and geologic hazard mapping. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance climate, air quality, public health, and land management goals, with testimony both supporting and opposing biomass-related proposals.
SB 88 (Caballero) would direct state agencies to support beneficial uses of forest and agricultural biomass, including biochar and low-carbon energy. Supporters argued it would reduce open burning, improve air quality, and create rural economic opportunities; opponents, including environmental groups, argued woody biomass energy is costly, polluting, and harmful to forests and communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 653 (Cortese) defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management also passed, with supporters describing it as a voluntary framework to align wildfire fuel reduction with biodiversity and habitat restoration; no opposition was heard, and a member requested to be added as a coauthor.
The committee also approved SCR 50 (Stern), which urges state climate agencies to define maladaptation and develop criteria for reviewing climate-related policies and investments, and SB 567 (Limón), a pilot program to study converting idle oil wells into gravity energy storage wells. SB 567 drew support from the sponsor and labor/local government witnesses, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, citing groundwater protection concerns in key basins and asking for additional safeguards. Finally, SB 831 (Limón) passed, clarifying the scope of geologic hazards to include conditions tied to climate change and natural disasters such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion. All measures were reported out of committee, with several absent-member votes later added to complete the roll.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And when I say that, we're talking about mitigation.
- On mitigation, uh, as both my deputy said and Chief Kidd, uh, there's a direct relationship between mitigation
- Number one on mitigation. You're 100% right and um.
- That kind of connectivity in these flood-prone flood-prone areas.
- Um, During the floods in Kerrville.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- and towns as they mitigate flooding, coastal erosion, infrastructure, and other risks.
- The most recent is in 2023 with the great floods and frost and freezes.
- The floods were the sort of ending of a terrible year for farmers, growers, and producers.
- So two things happened when the floods hit Western Massachusetts, the Connecticut River Valley.
- So when the floods happened, otherwise okay crops, like they weren't swept away, they hadn't fruited
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on 25 tax and administrative bills, with opening remarks explaining the hearing process and noting that House-filed matters must be reported by December 6. The first major topic was funding for the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial and related support for families of fallen officers. Police representatives, memorial fund advocates, and family members gave emotional testimony urging favorable action on S. 1934 and related bills, emphasizing the need for a permanent revenue stream to maintain the memorial and honor officers killed in the line of duty. Committee members and legislators responded with personal remarks of support and appreciation for law enforcement families.
The committee then heard testimony on a proposed Commonwealth Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, including S. 1967 and related bills. Senator Peter Durant and later Dennis Porter argued that the state should be allowed to invest a limited share of stabilization or other funds in Bitcoin or other regulated digital assets as a hedge against inflation and fiscal risk, with strict caps, custody rules, and audits. They described the proposal as a forward-looking, non-mandatory framework for diversifying state reserves. No vote was taken during the hearing.
Another major topic was disaster resilience funding. Dr. Paul Biddinger of Mass General Brigham supported S. 1936/H. 3030, saying climate-driven flooding, drought, and wildfire risks are increasing and that the State Disaster Relief and Resiliency Trust Fund needs a dedicated revenue source. Senator Comerford also testified in favor, explaining that the fund was created in the prior session, that recent floods showed the need for quick state response, and that the bill would dedicate a portion of capital gains revenue to the fund. Committee members asked about how the fund would accrue and be used. The committee also heard testimony on PILOT and endowment-related bills: AICUM opposed H. 3122/S. 2013 and H. 3264/S. 2016, arguing that an endowment tax and mandatory PILOTs would harm private nonprofit colleges, students, and research; and a representative from Peru supported reform of PILOT formulas for state-owned land, saying rural towns need higher reimbursements and hold-harmless protections. The hearing concluded after testimony on the digital asset bills, with no recorded votes or final actions.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Feb 11th, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- The Florida Flood Hub is part of this bill.
- The Florida Flood Hub is part of this bill.
- coordinating research on flooding and sea level rise solutions.
- And if need be, mitigated via...
- To mitigate if necessary. Follow up.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 200, which would implement recommendations from DEP’s 2020 Recycling Goal Final Report by creating a technical assistance group to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026. The bill focuses on recycling education and outreach, evaluating the former recycling grant program, and developing markets for recyclable materials. Supporters from the waste and recycling industry and counties said the bill would finally create a real plan to help Florida move toward its recycling goals. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee then considered SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, which would promote green, gray, and hybrid infrastructure, direct USF’s Flood Hub to develop guidelines, require DEP rulemaking on erosion and mangrove protection, and study whether nature-based flood reduction could help lower insurance costs. Supporters appeared in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7000 as a committee bill to continue a public records exemption protecting site-specific location information for threatened and endangered species.
Members next took up SB 56 on weather modification activities. The bill would prohibit the release of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere to affect weather or sunlight, define geoengineering, increase penalties through an amendment, and create a DEP reporting hotline with possible referral to DOH or emergency management. The sponsor and several supporters argued the bill was needed to address public concerns and lack of oversight, while several senators questioned the evidence, the role of state agencies, and whether the bill was ready for passage. Despite opposition from some members, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 62 creating a resilient building tax credit program, after amending it to shift agency references from DEP to DBPR and add university advisory members, and CS for SB 80 to clarify state park management as conservation-based, require public notice and advisory input for plan changes, and improve reporting on park repairs; both bills were reported favorably after testimony from supporters and conservation groups who sought tighter language to prevent incompatible uses.
Finally, the committee received presentations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on gopher tortoise relocation, wildlife disease surveillance, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. FWC described tortoise relocation and recipient-site programs, ongoing monitoring of wildlife diseases such as chronic wasting disease and feline leukomyelopathy, and efforts to address fish die-offs and update sanctuary agreements amid state-federal jurisdiction issues. No votes were taken on the presentations.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Flood hazard mitigation is the last public safety proposal.
- Uh<01:07:39.119>
flood <01:07:39.440>hazard <01:07:39.839>mitigation <01:07:40.400 - >
is <01:07:40.720>the <01:07:41.280>last Uh flood hazard mitigation is the last - Uh flood hazard mitigation is the last um<01:07:42.000>
public <01:07:42.319>safety <01 - As I said in talking about the flood hazard mitigation grant, there are criteria that are laid out in
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Zoo on its aging facilities and bonding needs. Zoo staff highlighted the zoo’s economic and educational role, its 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, and its Free to Explore program, while stressing that many of its 50-year-old buildings are in poor condition, with more than $78 million in backlog and safety concerns for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said the governor recommended $4 million for critical life-support systems and asked for an additional $6 million in asset preservation to renovate the original animal hospital building so a new hospital wing can function properly. Testimony emphasized that the renovation is necessary for staff space, storage, code compliance, asbestos removal, and safe animal care, and described recent injuries and close calls tied to outdated facilities.
Members asked questions about porcupine quills, natural predators, and the meaning of the zoo’s incident rate. Zoo staff explained that quills are not poisonous but are barbed and can be difficult to remove, and that predators include larger cats, owls, and fishers. On incidents, staff said they include close calls and injuries linked to aging infrastructure, such as a tiger reaching farther through a wall after fencing shifted over time, and staff injuries during animal procedures in older spaces. Members also confirmed that the hospital project has shifted from a standalone building to a wing attached to the existing hospital because of rising construction costs.
The committee then heard from Perpich Center for Arts Education. Perpich described its statewide role as both a public high school and an arts education resource center, serving students and educators across Minnesota. It said it hosted 313 events last year for nearly 2,000 educators and administrators and worked with 275 school districts across all 67 Senate districts. Perpich emphasized that nearly seven in 10 students rely on its residential programs because there are no comparable arts high school options in greater Minnesota, and noted strong student outcomes including a 100% graduation rate and national recognition as an exemplary school. For capital needs, Perpich said it received $1.26 million last year for HVAC and building automation work, is grateful for the governor’s recommended $1.3 million this year, and requested $6 million to create a secure, accessible main entrance and upgrade outdated restrooms to ADA compliance.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (03/17/2026)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- and for resilience and or for mitigation and for resilience and the<00:42:19.040>
state <00:42 - >
and we learned that mitigation and we learned that mitigation and forward-reaching<00:42:53.119 - uh resilience into a to embed flood uh resilience into a municipality's<00:43:08.000>
core <00 - instrument, and a home for flood instrument, and a home for flood resilience<00:43:18.319>
that - resilience is a master plan that flood resilience is a master plan function<00:43:27.359>
that
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, we will review the Administration's Spending Plan for Extreme Heat Mitigation and Outdoor Access
- The mitigation spending plan is issue number one, and we'll begin with the panelist.
- program provides funding for competitive grants for urban greening, which includes projects that mitigate
- , sound mitigation.
- They couldn't be conducted until there was access to the site because of sewage and flooding.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We did have moderate flooding.
- Stayed in the same during that flood.
- Um, we are not directly impacted by the flood, though we were in a county that had a flash flood watch
- Lakes flood differently than rivers. Rivers flood differently than creeks.
- We were above the flood.