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

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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.

Keywords: 988, house, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Flood and Mr.
• Flood have done.
• Flood of author of the bill, Mr. Flood of Nebraska. Nebraska. Nebraska.
• Flood, and Mr.
• destinations that might mitigate destinations that might mitigate systemic<04:20:51.359> risk

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Following the Blanco floods, we saw the need to act.
• Are they in the flash flood plain?
• We were not directly impacted by the flood, although we were in a county that had a flash flood watch
• Localities differ in terms of flooding; lakes flood differently than rivers, and rivers flood differently
• In our FEMA maps, we have special flood hazard areas.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Water management district's mission is flood control.
• And mitigation doesn't help because that's somewhere else.
• So it's not going to flood somewhere.
• And mitigation doesn't help because that's somewhere else.
• Now, I'm not going to vote against the... so it's not going to flood somewhere.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain genetic or medical conditions that can mimic signs of abuse. Senator Sharif and several family members and advocates described cases in which children were removed after injuries were initially misread as abuse, and argued the bill would give parents more opportunity to obtain qualified medical opinions. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language imposing analysis duties on certain medical professionals, then passed the bill favorably after testimony in support from the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and several affected families. The committee then considered SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 96 on relief for Jacob Rogers, SB 382 on affordable housing rent agreements, SB 4 and SB 6 on claims bills for Patricia Armini and Jose Correa, SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, SB 658 on waiver or release of liens, SB 28 and SB 30 on claims involving South Broward Hospital District and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 24 on relief for Mandy Penny Lemon, SB 72 on campaign funds for child care expenses, and SB 1622 on recreational customary use of beaches. Most of these bills were explained by their sponsors as narrow relief or technical measures, and the committee heard a mix of support and opposition from claimants, local governments, industry groups, and advocacy organizations. Several bills drew substantive debate. On SB 382, members discussed rent stability and whether the bill should better address lease language and future rent increases; the amendment and bill were both reported favorably. On SB 1142, members raised concerns about environmental and drainage impacts and whether releases of conservation easements should be mandatory or discretionary, but the bill still passed favorably. On SB 72, members questioned the scope of allowable campaign child care expenses and the need for stronger guardrails against abuse; the bill nevertheless passed favorably. On SB 1622, testimony sharply divided between supporters of restoring public beach access and opponents defending private property rights; debate continued when the transcript ended, so no final vote on that bill is reflected here.

Transcript Highlights:

• BASICALLY, WHETHER IT'S FACT OR FICTION, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS LOG, TRACK, INVESTIGATE AND MITIGATE.
• THEY LOG IT, INVESTIGATED AND TURN AROUND AND MITIGATE. WHAT WE CAN'T DO IS SHUT IT DOWN.
• TRACK THEM AND INVESTIGATE AND MITIGATE THEM, IF NEED BE. >> Sen.
• SO, I THINK RISK OF FLOODING AND CONCERNS ABOUT FLOODING IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE REGULATED.
• HAVING A REPOSITORY FOR FLORIDIANS TO CALL AND VENT SO WE CAN LATER LOG, TRACK, INVESTIGATE, MITIGATE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 595 helps property owners address the critical improvements needed for flooding mitigation
• House Bill 595 helps property owners address the critical improvements needed for flooding mitigation
• and so we're looking at having flooding and so we're looking at having to<01:40:10.639> mitigate<
• Federal flood mitigation funds are already highly competitive, and the Trump administration has indicated
• already flood mitigation funds are already flood mitigation funds are already highly<01:57:16.760

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Ransom will be presenting AJR 11 regarding federal reductions to hazard mitigation projects across
• The cancellation of all approved BRIC Program Hazard Mitigation Program applications from fiscal year
• Santa Cruz County will lose up to $11.2 million for wildfire mitigation projects.
• . floods after wildfires, snowmageddons, and water system failures, the middle one is important as well
• I am the Mitigation Director of the California Residential Mitigation Program, which was established

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fire mitigation and rebuilding.
• I know that part of the $2.5 billion will go towards erosion mitigation and mudflow mitigation, but can
• How much money we're looking to actually put into erosion mitigation so that these communities are not
• that have occurred from flooding from those mountains.
• We, as a legislature, cannot stop natural disasters from happening, but we can mitigate the damage.

Transcript Highlights:

• mitigation, allows acquisition and rehabilitation of flood-prone properties to return those areas to
• going to have floods, but the effect of the floods should be mitigated.
• how do you acquire that property for the pre-flood value?
• Chairman, we will be valuing properties of pre-flood condition.
• I was a fire chief in 2008 when we had the Dolly flood.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have about a three-year window to put mitigation in place.
• To me, this is more than rural flood control.
• What kind of mitigation is required? We do have some.
• Any landowner that gets impact, we have to mitigate for that impact.
• Yes, we'll be applying for 100-year flood certification through FEMA.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information. The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability. The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you have these floods, these big rain events, it runs into wastewater. We have a real problem.
• Outside of the box thinking, what do we do when it is so regular that we have flooding?
• That's flood prevention, right? They will apply to the Water Trust Board.
• So will this infrastructure that's being built withstand those fires and those floods, the extremes of
• We look at whether or not the project will help mitigate a potential wildfire or potential, you know,

Transcript Highlights:

• him prove the hurricane resilience of eligible condominiums by providing financial assistance for mitigation
• Chair this amendment adds wind-driven rain mitigation devices for sliding glass doors as an eligible
• All this language does is it allows these wind-driven rain mitigation devices to be out as an eligible
• tenant residential rental properties to disclose certain flood risk to potential tenants.
• If you're nfa tenant does not receive this disclosure and suffer significant loss due to flooding.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have about a three-year window to put mitigation in place.
• So we have about a three-year window to put mitigation in place.
• flood control.
• To me, this is more than rural flood control.
• What kind of mitigation is required? We do have some..."

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• 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.
• Now, in other years, when they were worried about flooding, they keep it low and they fill it up with
• They knew they didn’t have a flooding situation with the snowpack.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first elected Rep. Reeves as chair and Rep. Dent as vice chair for the coming year by unanimous voice vote. Rep. Reeves then continued chairing the meeting after noting he would need to leave early, and the committee moved to its regular agenda on drought conditions in Washington. The first major presentation came from the state climatology office and the Department of Ecology on the 2026 statewide drought declaration. They described an unusually warm winter, low spring snowpack, and forecast above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation for parts of the summer. Ecology said the declaration was based on Washington’s statutory drought criteria of reduced water supply and expected hardship, and that impacts were already being seen or anticipated for agriculture, fish, and some drinking water systems, especially in the Yakima Basin. Ecology also noted the drought response grant account had $3 million available, and that the declaration allows expedited water transfer processing and emergency response grants. Committee members asked about funding, preparedness, and longer-term drought planning. Rep. Dent and others urged Ecology to work with the Legislature on broader mitigation strategies, including possible future legislative tools, funding needs, and reservoir or storage solutions. Ecology staff said they were open to continued collaboration and noted recurring drought has highlighted the need for more preparedness funding and resilience planning. Dr. Cliff Mass of the University of Washington then gave a contrasting presentation, arguing that Washington was not in a drought emergency because reservoirs were full, precipitation was near or above normal in many areas, soil moisture was adequate, and agriculture was performing well. He said the low snowpack would not create a serious water shortage this year and urged the state to drop the drought emergency declaration. Committee members questioned him about reservoir capacity, state drought definitions, and forecast uncertainty. The meeting ended with several members thanking outgoing chair Sen. Warnick for her service and reflecting on future drought meetings and water issues in the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• On mitigation, as both my deputy said and Chief Kidd, there's a direct relationship between mitigation
• And local mitigate efforts have to take place.
• I heard number one on mitigation, you're 100% right.
• There was a lot of that that went into it, but mitigation, 100%.
• Having the satellite option during the floods and curves.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Here are a few examples from 2023 after the flooding: 'Bad news, I just spoke with Frank.
• So we're talking about six million pounds of potatoes lost from that one 200-acre flooded field.
• And finally, a lot of people have said this flooding is worse than Irene.
• We need to do everything in our power to mitigate the effects of climate change on our farms... will
• We need to do everything in our power to mitigate the effects of climate change on our farm, Weather

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture opened its first hearing by outlining procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, written testimony options, and the plan to hear 27 bills in docket order. The committee then took testimony on H.11/S.53, a resolve promoting equity in agriculture, with advocates from the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, Southeastern Mass Agricultural Partnership, and urban farming organizations describing racial and economic disparities in farming, lack of data on BIPOC farmers, barriers to land and capital, and the need for a commission to collect information and recommend policy changes. Committee members asked questions about the importance of data collection and future policy development, and the bill was repeatedly urged to be reported favorably out of committee. Testimony also supported H.118, which would create a special commission to examine the strengths and sustainability of the Commonwealth’s emergency food network. The Amherst Survival Center described serving 1.6 million meals last year and explained that food pantries are now functioning as essential parts of the state’s food system while relying heavily on donations, volunteers, and unstable funding. Members discussed the need for a more holistic look at food security infrastructure. The committee then heard H.119/S.60 on climate change impacts on farms and fisheries, with regional planners and farm advocates describing flood damage, rising costs, canceled federal climate-smart funding, and the need for direct state support for adaptation, resilience, and infrastructure improvements. The committee also heard testimony on H.125/H.142/S.65, a healthy soils bill, from landscape professionals who said construction sites often leave poor or stripped soil and that the bill would require better post-construction soil standards to support healthier landscapes and reduce long-term maintenance and environmental problems. Finally, the committee took extensive testimony on H.127, which would prohibit aquaculture of octopus for human consumption. Supporters, including legislators, scientists, veterinarians, students, and animal welfare advocates, argued octopus are highly intelligent and sentient, cannot be farmed humanely, and that octopus aquaculture would create environmental harms such as waste runoff, pressure on wild fish stocks, and ecosystem disruption. No votes were taken during the hearing; the bills were heard and testimony was received.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill pretty much defines the required content of injury mitigation.

Bills: HB79, HB437, HB646, HB1089, HB1099, SB173, SB180, SB260, SB424, SB476

Keywords: carbon capture, damages, environmental liability, legal liability, site restoration, expert witness, expert testimony, witness fees, pecuniary interest, conflict of interest, civil procedure, evidence law, Louisiana evidence code, Louisiana civil litigation, expert report, discovery, pretrial disclosure, litigation transparency, settlement, damages award

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 476, which would add clearer warning language for garnishees responding to interrogatories and create a limited procedure for a new trial when a garnishee shows it never held property of, or owed money to, the judgment debtor. After brief questioning about how garnishment works, the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up Senate Bill 260 on youth athletics, which establishes required injury-mitigation training content for youth sports coaches, including emergency preparedness, concussions, heat injuries, overuse injuries, equipment, heart defects, and sudden cardiac effects. An amendment was adopted to remove language allowing the department to spend donated funds to purchase the courses, and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 79, which removes the damage threshold for carbon capture release, was also reported favorably after sponsor testimony that carbon capture should be treated like other industries and not receive a special liability cap. Senate Bill 424, clarifying service by mail, delivery, or electronic means by defining “counsel of record” as someone who actually represents a party, was reported favorably as well. Senate Bill 180, a constitutional amendment allowing the surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran to make a one-time transfer of an expanded property tax exemption to another qualifying property, received a ballot-language amendment and a 6.8A report, then was reported as amended. The committee spent the most time on House Bill 1089, which creates “care accounts” for future medical damages in delictual actions. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would ensure future medical awards are actually used for medical care, function like a money market/HSA-style account, and potentially reduce costs; opponents raised concerns about the account being owned by the judgment debtor, possible reversion of unused funds to the wrong party, unclear mechanics for payment, and the impact on survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse who may need flexible, non-billing-code-based care. Several members suggested exclusions or clarifying amendments for med-mal, intentional torts, and sexual abuse victims, and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-1 vote after amendment. Finally, House Bill 437 was taken up, which bars expert witnesses from having a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case. An amendment excluding criminal traffic and juvenile proceedings was adopted, and members discussed that the bill would prohibit contingent-style expert fee arrangements while still allowing cross-examination about an expert’s prior testimony and payment history. The discussion emphasized that the rule would apply to both plaintiffs and defendants.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the wake of hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, our state experienced historic flooding that left
• In the wake of hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, our state experienced historic flooding that left
• The purpose of this bill is to try to do what we can to prevent some of the catastrophic flooding that
• What does it do as it relates to just identifying those that are at high risk for flooding? Great.
• it comes to floodwater and the things that we can do to be proactive in ensuring that, if we can mitigate

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard four bills. SB 810, as amended, addressed stormwater management and flooding prevention after recent hurricanes by requiring annual inspections of certain municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and identifying infrastructure vulnerable to blockage, deterioration, failure, or flooding. Senator Burgess said the amendment narrowed the bill, removed a notice requirement to DEM, and was still being refined with stakeholders and counties; Senator Smith asked about prioritizing high-risk systems and DEP’s role. The committee adopted the amendment, heard one opposition appearance from the Florida Stormwater Association, and reported the bill favorably as C.S. for SB 810. SB 994 by Senator Collins revised driver education requirements. It would require applicants age 18 and older to complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course unless they had previously been licensed or completed a Department of Education driver’s ed course, and it would require learner’s permit applicants to complete a DHSMV-approved classroom driver education course. The bill had one supportive appearance from A BET Florida and was reported favorably without debate. The committee also approved two transportation facility designation bills. SB 662 designated a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street in honor of the Jacksonville businessman and philanthropist, and SB 706 designated a portion of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway, recognizing Sebesta’s public service and work on transportation issues. Both bills had no opposition or debate and were reported favorably. The committee then adjourned and noted it would meet again Wednesday to take up additional bills and begin budget rollout.