Transcript Highlights:

• I think that during disasters, we often have people come together in ways that... that bring out the
• best in us, but I think we've also seen examples of people swooping in during disasters to profit off
• However, statutorily only the Attorney General can prosecute price gouging during a declared disaster
• Disasters affect millions of Texans in all 254 counties.
• declared by the governor or the president.

Bills: HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175

Keywords: Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:33.560> The and declaring an emergency. The and declaring an emergency.
• <00:06:32.640> an appropriation therefore and declaring an appropriation therefore and declaring
• to recyclers and declaring an emergency. to recyclers and declaring an emergency.
• Kentucky's licensed consumer disasters.
• an emergency, Senator fund and declaring an emergency, Senator Rocky<00:47:43.080> Adams.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 35 members present, quorum's declared, Senate's authorized and prepared to do business.
• Senate Bill 69, an act relating to the autism spectrum disorder trust fund, and declaring an emergency
• trust fund, and declaring an emergency. trust fund, and declaring an emergency.
• <00:43:01.320> task<00:43:01.560> force as a chairman of the disaster task force as
• a chairman of the disaster task force that<00:43:01.840> we<00:43:02.000> might<00:43:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received committee and House messages. The Families and Children’s Committee reported Senate Bill 191 favorably, and the House transmitted several passed bills requesting concurrence. New filings included Senate Bill 203 on community health workers and several resolutions honoring individuals and observances, including Marie Childers, Military Kids Day, and Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. The chamber then considered and passed Senate Bill 141 on legal advertisements. The sponsor said the bill updates longstanding legal notice requirements to better balance public transparency with lower costs for cities and counties, reflecting an agreement among the Kentucky Press Association, Kentucky League of Cities, and Kentucky Association of Counties. The bill passed 36-1. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 69, creating an autism spectrum disorder trust fund to support services, research, and grants through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, with an emergency clause; it passed 37-0. Senate Bill 9, as amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, was also passed 35-2. The bill creates two local housing tools: a residential infrastructure development district to finance infrastructure for larger developments, and a housing development district to encourage new housing through negotiated incentive payments and expedited review. The sponsor said the measure is intended to address Kentucky’s housing shortage. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 102 honoring Marie Childers for decades of service on the Pike County Board of Elections, with remarks praising her bipartisan election work and influence in Pike County politics. Later, the Rules Committee recommitted Senate Bill 125 to Appropriations and Revenue, and the Committee on Committees referred several bills and resolutions to standing committees or to the floor. Announcements were made about upcoming committee meetings, and the Senate took up Senate Resolution 104 honoring Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., with remarks describing his national and international civil rights legacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• report to their local animal control authority, which can prevent tragedies in instances like natural disasters
• Again, in natural disasters, animal control will be able to be proactive about that.
• Fixing this problem now will help Texas avoid another disaster and avoid higher prices, and we hope that
• apply to an executive order, proclamation, or regulation issued by the governor during a natural disaster
• So he could still shut down. ...VFWs if there is a natural disaster, but otherwise he could not.

Bills: HB45, HB755, HB 1232, HB1555, HB2460, HB2702, HB2973, HB3120, HB3225, HB3314, HB3356, HB3371, HB3634, HB3638, HB4247, HB4283, HB4290, HB4302, HB4503, HB4511, HB4565, HB4581, HB4627, HB4632, HB4660, HB4668, HB4960, HB5042, HB45

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation

Transcript Highlights:

• of the grid, and can deliver power within three hours of being connected to a demand source. ...disasters
• It complicates medical records requests and transfers of information and is a disaster for lab test interpretation
• Constitution's strict scrutiny of government-imposed sex classifications would probably lead to it being declared
• get to that definition, we see that it is undefined and vague, and in fact, a court has already declared

Bills: HB45, HB45, HB755, HB 1232, HB1555, HB2460, HB2702, HB2973, HB3120, HB3225, HB3314, HB3356, HB3371, HB3634, HB3638, HB4247, HB4283, HB4290, HB4302, HB4503, HB4511, HB4565, HB4581, HB4627, HB4632, HB4660, HB4668, HB4960, HB5042

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money

Transcript Highlights:

• I declare the vote.
• Declare the vote: aye, nay.
• Declare the vote.
• Declare the vote. Good job. Declare the vote.
• Declare the vote.

Bills: HB1242, HB1250, HB1590, HB1752, HB1979, HB1983, HB2952, HB2961, HB2967, HB2973, HB2988, HB3031, HB3047, HB3052, HB3066, HB3086, HB3175, HB3177, HB3178, HB3240, HB3404, HB3429, HB3548, HB3638, HB3671, HB3704, HB3759, HB3831, HB3904, HB3920, HB3944, HB3969, HB3973, HB3975, HB3976, HB3978, HB3983, HB3984, HB4092, HB4118

Keywords: HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, Oklahoma Tax Commission, agriculture, producer sales, private treaty, special livestock sale, tax relief, farm products, rural economy, local law enforcement, Public Safety Technology Revolving Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Following a major disaster, communities like... same period in 2024.
• This is a disaster for the Tulare Cemetery District.
• If they did not go forward in declaring a cemetery abandoned...
• And if it doesn't declare it, it does not have that responsibility.
• ... ...an opportunity, a may, for a county to decide to declare abandoned.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for coverage tying access to specific disaster designation.
• happens to take action. ...that are most essential to them, and we can't wait until another disaster
• after January 1, 2026, if the enrollee is in a county where a local or state emergency has been declared
• It ensures that after a wildfire emergency is declared, individuals can access visits because of this
• In addition, this bill seems to want to treat one type of disaster differently than all others, which

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• House bill 563, declaring an emergency.
• c> strikes, When dis- when disaster strikes, When dis- when disaster strikes, tornadoes<00:22:13.320
• therefore, and declaring an emergency. therefore, and declaring an emergency.
• declaring an emergency. declaring an emergency.
• declaring an emergency. declaring an emergency.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 96 members present, excused absent members, and approved the journal from March 4, 2026. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 50 and 191 and requested concurrence. Several bills were reported for second reading and committee action, including measures on schools, barbering, virtual currency kiosks, eminent domain, DUI, fire protection, school district reporting, teacher certification, legal representation, cost and fee reporting, dentistry, credit insurance, harmful practices, elections, child welfare, health data, Medicaid directed payments, workplace violence in health care, utilities, solid waste, carbon sequestration, and coal/energy affordability. House Bill 534 was sent to the Rules Committee after receiving prior readings, and House Bill 600 was brought up for third reading and passage. House Bill 600, relating to the collection of delinquent tax bills, was explained as allowing counties to use a consolidated procedure to collect multiple delinquent tax cases more efficiently, requiring county attorney contracts with the Department of Revenue to include that option, and extending to counties some property-tax collection tools already used by cities for delinquent and dilapidated properties. A member from Jefferson raised concerns that the bill could allow foreclosure on occupied properties and warned about potential harm to elderly or low-income homeowners; the sponsor responded that the bill was not intended to remove anyone from their property. The House passed HB 600 by a vote of 82-11, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 662, concerning regulation of low-voltage battery-charged security fences by local governments, was described as a business-friendly measure supported by the Chamber of Commerce and affected industries, intended to define the fences and reduce regulatory uncertainty in commercial and industrial zones without removing local regulation. It passed unanimously, 96-0, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 364, relating to benefits for Kentucky National Guard members, was amended by House Floor Amendment 1 to define Commonwealth emergency pay and hazardous duty for Guard members on state active duty during emergencies. Supporters emphasized compensation for Guard members responding to disasters and emergencies, and members cited recent flood and crash responses as examples of their service. The bill passed 96-0, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 534, an elections bill, was taken up with House Committee Substitute 2 adopted. The sponsor said the bill was the product of work by the Secretary of State, the Board of Elections, county clerks, KREF, and others, and was intended to strengthen election laws. Debate focused on a provision that would remove from voter rolls individuals convicted of felonies even while appeals are pending; one member argued this would disenfranchise people before appeals are resolved and sought to offer an amendment, but a motion to suspend the rules for that amendment failed with only 18 votes in favor. Another member said the substitute was the best version of the bill and indicated he would offer amendments, including changes to the felony-appeal language and campaign finance timing, while also seeking to remove a section requiring federal cooperation. The transcript cuts off during that discussion, before final action on HB 534 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So typically, when FEMA declares an emergency, it's for a start and a stop on an incident period.
• New Mexico is unique, and we don't stop getting disasters, and we haven't for the last three.
• But a lot of our disasters are just reoccurring events that are coming off of the old burn scars.
• We already have the Disaster Assistance Program run at the state level, so those instances and disasters
• But we all know what's clear: our system is not built for these kinds of disasters.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was led to the state of emergency declared by the governor on January 25.
• It's related to the exact scope, essentially the state emergency declaration.
• For each of these disasters, they have, of course, been collecting costs as we go along.
• We need to monitor and regulate rental markets post-disaster.
• We need to have a disaster recovery with additional funding for the L.A. County Land Bank.

Transcript Highlights:

• , coastal communities from disasters, coastal communities from disasters, while<04:40:36.640>
• With natural disasters conditions.
• declaration.
• public accidents, natural disasters, public accidents, natural disasters, public health<05:34
• , the post-disaster of H.R. 528, the post-disaster restoration<05:40:10.720> and<05:40:10.840>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 16, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair declares a quorum is present.
• The best declaration of independence and constitution Public if you can keep it.
• The best declaration of independence and constitution in the world do not run on autopilot.
• We've eliminated taxes on baby items, disaster supply, and completely eliminated the tax on business
• Seven years ago, we were charged with improving Florida's response to natural disasters.

Summary: The House and Senate met in joint session to receive the Governor’s annual message. After the customary opening, prayer, pledge, and motions to notify the Governor, the Governor and First Lady were received and the Governor delivered a lengthy address reviewing his administration’s record and outlining priorities for the coming session. The Governor highlighted what he described as major accomplishments over the past seven years, including stronger state reserves, debt reduction, tax relief, economic growth, school choice expansion, higher teacher pay, civics education, higher education reforms, Everglades restoration, hurricane response improvements, public safety measures, and immigration enforcement. He also discussed affordability concerns, especially rising local property taxes, and urged lawmakers to pursue a ballot measure for property tax relief. He called for legislation on informed consent in medical decisions, regulation of artificial intelligence, and bills already filed on issues such as eliminating DEI in local governments, further restricting illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and blocking Sharia law. No substantive votes were taken on legislation during the address. After the Governor concluded, the joint session approved a motion to dissolve, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• have the uh the right or the authority have the uh the right or the authority to to to declare um<00:
• we have a state of emergency declared we have a state of emergency declared for<00:12:03.600>
• <00:12:47.000> an conversation about when to um declare an conversation about when to um declare
• what we Define as a disaster what we Define as a disaster today today today um<00:15:04.519>
• approach to if we have a major disaster approach to if we have a major disaster you<00:25:19.120

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and began with housekeeping on testimony deadlines, hybrid participation rules, time management, and expectations for civility. The chair said testimony posted at least 24 hours in advance would be available to members and the public at the same time, late testimony would still be processed, and decision-making would generally be deferred to later in the day so morning hearings could adjourn before the noon floor session. The first bill heard was HB 673 on emergency management. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency administrator James Barros testified in opposition, saying the bill could undermine the executive’s unity of command during emergencies and objecting to provisions allowing the legislature to terminate a state of emergency by a two-thirds vote. Members asked about the difference between an emergency order and a state of emergency, whether other states use legislative checks and balances, and whether long-running emergencies such as COVID-19 or homelessness should have clearer end conditions. Barros said the agency, along with the Attorney General’s office and the governor’s office, would review the language and that the issue is setting conditions for when an emergency ends. The committee then heard HB 596, also on emergency management, which would clarify types of events that count as dangers and emergencies. Barros opposed the bill, saying the current list covers known hazards but should remain open-ended for future threats; he cited COVID-19 as an example of an unforeseen event and said the bill could limit flexibility. Members asked whether the list could be expanded, and Barros said the agency would look at that possibility. Testimony included support from the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and concerns from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii about the bill’s special fund provisions; the committee also corrected testimony that had been submitted for the wrong bill. The final measure discussed was HB 1060 on emergency preparedness and the Community Readiness Center Program. Barros explained the proposal as part of HEMA’s effort to build local readiness centers and community hubs, with an initial target of 10 communities through a federal grant and a longer-term concept of roughly 100 statewide. The Climate Advisory Team supported the bill’s intent but urged that centers be developed with strong community and nonprofit involvement through the HARRP program. The Department of Taxation offered comments on the special fund, and members raised questions about cost, size, use of existing school facilities, public messaging, and equity across communities. Barros said the centers would provide backup communications, power, water, and food for a community group, would not function as general shelters, and would be designed to help communities hunker down and recover after a disaster.

Transcript Highlights:

• You guys can read that for yourself, but whatever is obligated in a disaster, disaster by disaster at
• Each and every federally declared disaster has what we refer to as a one-year lock-in.
• And this is based not just on lab experimentation, but in post-disaster investigations.
• I will also say we need to think about other disasters and floods and...
• I will also say we need to think about other disasters and floods and... ...hole.

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• of disaster, or public health emergency.
• Moreover, the prohibition on certain collection activities applies if a state of emergency, declaration
• of disaster, or public health emergency has been declared in the patient's county of residence.
• of disaster and emergency or the laws of another state.
• of disaster, or public health emergency has been declared in the patient's home county in Ohio and keep

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I declare the bill to have passed.
• Declare the vote. I one nay and received 23 of those elected to unconstituted house.
• I declare the emergency to have passed. Lo leader, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Across Oklahoma, we're already seeing the impacts of extreme weather disasters.
• The vote was 74 to 16, a majority of those elected to and constituting the House, declaring the bill

Bills: HR1046, SB1733, SB1439

Keywords: Oklahoma City, terrorism, Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, memorial, remembrance, first responders, community support, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, fossil fuels, liability protection, climate change, energy independence, oil and gas, 914

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up to 10 CS for SB 150 on abandoning restrained animals during natural disasters
• There are more animals tied up and abandoned during declared states of emergency because of the notoriety
• During a declared national weather disaster.
• We must increase the number of guardsmen for the protection of Florida, which is had the 5th most declared
• We are currently under prepared for a large-scale disaster where there may be and we may be unable to

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in addition to not just the changing population, the propensity for natural disasters, the increase
• in state declarations of emergency.
• In this case, you've seen the fifth most declared states of emergency.
• In this case, you've seen the fifth most declared states of emergency of anywhere in the country, and
• into play, when really we have a, as you know, very large coastline great propensity for natural disasters

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard and passed two measures before receiving a staff presentation on the local bill process and local delegation meetings. HB 4007, by Rep. Snyder, would cap reimbursement for certain inmate emergency medical services in Martin County at 110% of the Medicare rate, with a higher cap if a provider shows it is operating at a loss. Snyder said the bill is intended to create predictability and save taxpayer dollars; members asked about fiscal effects and whether other counties could adopt similar language. Public testimony came in support from Martin County and related local officials, and the bill was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The committee also passed HM 4005, by Rep. Daly, which urges Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure. Daly argued Florida’s troop allocation is outdated and inadequate for the state’s population and disaster demands, contributing to burnout and recruiting problems. Members asked about the basis for the current allocation, possible budget and infrastructure impacts, and the National Guard’s needs; there was no opposition or public testimony, and the memorial was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. After the votes, Reps. Holcomb and Kendall gave a detailed presentation explaining how local bills differ from general laws, constitutional limits on local legislation, required local delegation meetings and notice, certification and economic impact forms, and amendment procedures. Members asked several process questions, including about multi-county delegations and Miami-Dade’s special status. The meeting ended with a few recognitions and adjournment before session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to clause 12-A of Rule 1, the Chair declares the House in recess until 2:00 p.m. today.
• PURSUANT TO CLAUSE IS 12 -- TO CLAUSE 12-A OF RULE 1, THE HOUSE DECLARES THE NEWS TO -- THE CHAIR DECLARES
• Pursuant to clause 12-A of Rule 1, the Chair declares the House in recess subject to the call of the
• RESPECT TO IRAN DECLARED ON MARCH 15, 1995, IS TO CONTINUE IN EFFECT BEYOND MARCH 15, 2025.
• With ever-worsening wildfires and other severe national disasters threatening communities across this

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 10, 2025, 1012, house, all