Transcript Highlights:

• Counties should not be faced with funding alert systems through local property taxes, which is basically
• That means better signage, digital alerts, outreach through local lodging and camps, basically a system
• She's local.
• We worked with local law enforcement in this very building, local aid workers, local EEOC members, TDEM
• We were focused mostly... ...with local law enforcement in this very building, local aid workers, local

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions. The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood. Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ALERT Act does.
• Their ALERT Act improves important must-pass provisions.
• Their ALERT Act improves important must-pass provisions.
• Their ALERT Act improves important must-pass provisions.
• Their ALERT Act improves important must-pass provisions.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we did move forward with the Feather Alert.
• We did move forward with the Feather Alert.
• They moved forward on the Ebony Alert.
• Strategy 6 is to strengthen the Feather Alert system: enhance our local capacity for rapid response and
• We get the Feather Alert moving out.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs opened its 2025 hearing with a traditional song and remarks about the importance of Native visibility and land acknowledgment. The hearing focused on missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP), exploitation and trafficking in a Public Law 280 (PL 280) state, and California’s response. Members and tribal leaders emphasized that MMIP is tied to historical trauma, forced removal, undercounting, and ongoing inequities in law enforcement response, media attention, and access to resources. Several panelists urged stronger tribal consultation, better data collection, more funding, and culturally informed education and victim services. In the first panel, tribal chairpersons described personal and community impacts. Chairperson Antonet Del Rio spoke about the need to include federally and non-federally recognized tribes and to educate schools and communities, while naming long-unsolved cases from her tribe. Chairperson Cheyenne Stone connected MMIP to the history of violence in Owens Valley and to the disturbance of Indigenous remains during infrastructure projects, calling for forensic resources, mandatory consultation, and accountability. Chairperson Charles Martin described the death of Morongo citizen Amy Porter and said the Feather Alert failed her family because law enforcement did not act quickly enough; he called for reforms and better coordination, especially in PL 280 jurisdictions. Chairwoman Nelson and committee members echoed the need for equity, urgency, and government-to-government respect. The second panel examined how PL 280 complicates MMIP and trafficking cases. Professor Carol Goldberg explained that PL 280 created an unfunded mandate, reduced federal jurisdiction and funding, and contributed to under-resourced policing and mistrust; she recommended mandatory training, community-oriented policing, formal tribal-county collaboration, and possible retrocession in some cases. Yurok Chairman Joe James tied MMIP to boarding schools, trafficking, and the need to advance bills such as AB 31, SB 4, ACR 39, AB 285, and AB 1378, along with increased budget funding. Morning Star Gali argued that PL 280 enables traffickers and violent offenders to exploit jurisdictional gaps and called for tribally led public safety, housing, victim services, and stronger consultation. Dustin Contreras, a human trafficking investigator, described the overlap between trafficking and MMIP, stressed partnerships and task forces, and supported more education for law enforcement, schools, and families. In the final panel, state and county officials described current efforts and acknowledged remaining gaps. The Attorney General’s Office said it is working on MICIC outreach, tribal response planning, PL 280 training through an advisory council, and improved data systems, while supporting bills and the Feather Alert. Humboldt County Sheriff Hansel described the case of a missing woman, Emily, as an example of how people with mental illness or justice involvement can become invisible, and said counties need more consistent training and clearer jurisdictional protocols. He and other officials supported the Feather Alert, tribal police authority, and a pilot program for POST status for tribal police, which they said had been vetoed previously. Across the hearing, speakers repeatedly called for better coordination, more funding, stronger tribal authority, and sustained action rather than symbolic recognition.

Transcript Highlights:

• to reach more people through automated alerts such as how they integrated the IPAWS alert system. to
• Let's just say they got an alert. The alert says, seek higher ground. They're on stilts, thank you.
• That's when we got our alert.
• She's local.
• We worked with local law enforcement. this very building, local aid workers, local EEOC members, TDEM

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties should not be faced with the funding of alert systems through local. property taxes, which is
• That means better signage, digital alerts, outreach through local lodging and camps. basically a system
• Let's just say they got an alert. The alert says seek higher ground. On stilts, thank you.
• That's when we got our alert.
• She's local.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• quite difficult was in the local quite difficult was in the local jurisdictions where there might have
• get to the money alert are you alert get to the money alert are you alert get to the money alert are
• allow for more rapid alert to the appropriate more rapid alert to the appropriate more rapid alert to
• you know point so local local law Safety you know point so local local law Safety you know point so
• understand so this would give more local understand so this would give more local control to your local

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• alerts, flooding alerts, mudslides, you know, any other kind of alerts.
• And if we have trust in local media, which we do, people recognize their local reporters... ...media,
• alerts, educational programs.
• In their languages for local news, emergency alerts, educational programming, civic information, and,
• I'm the co-chair of the local Emergency Alert Services Committee, and KVPR is one of two stations in

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of the federal rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding on California public media, with Assemblymember Chris Ward and Senator Akilah Weber Pierson framing public media as essential civic infrastructure for education, local news, arts, emergency alerts, and underserved communities. Local officials from San Diego and La Mesa voiced support, emphasizing public media’s role in trusted information, children’s programming, and community arts access. Panelists from PBS SoCal, KCRW, Rebuild Local News, NPR, KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR described significant budget losses, layoffs, reduced programming, and threats to rural and specialized services. They highlighted impacts on children’s educational content, local journalism, arts coverage, science and documentary production, and emergency alert systems. Several speakers noted that smaller stations in rural or low-broadband areas are especially vulnerable, while larger stations are also cutting staff and delaying projects. They also discussed possible responses such as shared services, cost reductions, philanthropy, and state support, while warning that one-time bridge funding is not a long-term fix. Committee members asked about operational changes, alternative revenue sources, the role of state programs, and whether public pressure could restore federal funding. Witnesses said the loss is already being felt, that restoration appears unlikely in the near term, and that any state support should be structured to protect editorial independence and provide stable, timely funding. The hearing concluded with a shift to labor and production testimony and then to station-specific testimony from KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR, followed by public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• not check with or get permission from state or local authorities before they push that alert.
• Alerts from the National Weather Service, the Division of Emergency Management, local river authorities
• Local authorities should be in charge of pushing those alerts when they push that information to DPS,
• The public can subscribe and set up alerts to stay informed about local conditions.
• , amber alerts, this alert, that alert.

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chief, our local sheriff, nine times out of ten.
• Separate and aside from what alert is doing in San Marcos.
• Oh, that there is a multitude of courses that Alert holds.
• So 16 hours of active shooter training through alert.
• But in the immediacy, I think ALERT is doing a great job.

Bills: HB33, HB298, HB 1024, HB 1234, HB 1261, HB1696, HB298

Keywords: electronic monitoring, parole supervision, law enforcement, warrant execution, public safety, handgun license, judgment evaluation, medical advisory board, application denial, gun law procedures, abandoned property, unclaimed property, disposition, handgun, driver's license, commercial driver's license, weapon carry, gun rights, Texas legislature, legislative attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• not check with or get permission from state or local officials before they push that alert.
• So I would agree with that, and being in charge of pushing those alerts when the locals...
• The alert that goes out—Amber Alert, weather alerts, Silver Alerts—different alerts, they're all the
• The public can subscribe and set up alerts to stay informed about local conditions.
• Alerts for specific gauges help communities and individuals stay informed about local water levels.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not check with or get permission from state or local officials before they push that alert.
• Being in charge of pushing those alerts when the locals push that to DPS, we work with other agencies
• We normally do that in response to a local request, but there are a lot of alerts, and I think people
• The public can subscribe and set up alerts to stay informed about local conditions.
• The responsibility of developing the alerts, watches, and warnings is held by local Emergency Management

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our local detectives and local law enforcement agencies will be the ones that submit that paperwork to
• Our local detectives and local law enforcement agencies will be the ones that submit that paperwork to
• Our local detectives and local law enforcement agencies will be the ones that submit that paperwork to
• Our local detectives and local law enforcement agencies will be the ones that submit that paperwork to
• they didn't trigger an Amber Alert. they didn't trigger an Amber Alert.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection met for its first meeting of the 2026 session, took roll, established a quorum, and heard three bills. The chair reviewed committee procedures, including deadlines for amendments, cell phone etiquette, and sign-in rules for testimony. Senator Clemons was welcomed as a new member, and the committee later noted that Senator Berg had arrived late and wanted his vote recorded on Senate Bills 11 and 13. Senate Bill 11, sponsored by Senator Meredith, would create a pilot rebate program for residential safe rooms in response to increased tornado activity. The bill would reimburse homeowners for 50% of construction and installation costs up to $5,000, require FEMA and code compliance, and allow safe rooms to be used by neighbors during emergencies. Members asked about cost, oversight, and capacity; the sponsor said the bill was not seeking an appropriation this session and would be administered by Kentucky Emergency Management. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill favorably. Senate Bill 13, sponsored by Senator Deneen, would allow military installations to have an ex-officio, nonvoting representative on local planning and zoning bodies to raise national security concerns before zoning decisions are made near bases. Members spoke in support, emphasizing protection of military installations and surrounding land. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill favorably. Senator Deneen also presented Senate Bill 42, which would require law enforcement to submit missing-person cases to Kentucky State Police for entry into the national database within 30 days for minors and 60 days for adults. Supporters said it could help in cases where children are missing but do not trigger an Amber Alert. After discussion about timing and law enforcement workload, the committee again voted unanimously to pass the bill favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced a later Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee presentation on Kentucky’s veteran centers, to be held in the same room after adjournment of both chambers, and then the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• a female from a Feather Alert, but also apprehended and arrested a suspect in a Feather Alert case.
• And you mentioned building relationships with local law enforcement, the local, the state, and the county
• , let the locals deal with it, but give the locals the money.
• I get phone calls throughout California to help with Feather Alerts, and that includes local sheriff
• You did make a comment about some local best practices.

Summary: The hearing focused on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) grant program under the Board of State and Community Corrections and related Department of Justice efforts. BSCC reported that it now administers 36 MMIP grants across three cohorts, with awards ranging from $436,000 to $1 million, plus five collaborative grants at $2 million each, totaling $35.4 million awarded to federally recognized tribes. Testimony from tribal leaders and grantees described how the funding supports prevention, family advocacy, domestic violence services, law enforcement coordination, youth programming, culturally grounded healing, and new tribal public safety positions such as investigators, social workers, and drone operators. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the crisis is longstanding, tied to generational trauma, and that the grant has helped build trust and infrastructure in tribal communities. Several witnesses and committee members urged continued and preferably ongoing funding, noting that demand now exceeds available one-time money. BSCC and tribal representatives described outreach efforts that increased participation from four applicants in cohort one to 20 in cohort two and more applicants than funding in cohort three. Tribes also raised implementation concerns, especially the burden of quarterly narrative reporting, limited staff capacity, and the need for flexible administration. BSCC said it uses steering committees, separate small- and large-project categories, orientations, monitoring visits, and technical assistance to support grantees. Tribal leaders and advocates stressed that the program should remain accessible without requiring a waiver of tribal sovereignty. The second major topic was DOJ’s update on AB 3099, the Tribal Assistance Program, and the tribal police pilot under AB 134. DOJ officials said the Office of Native American Affairs and the Division of Law Enforcement have been conducting outreach, trainings, listening sessions, and coordination with tribal, local, state, and federal partners to address Public Law 280 jurisdictional issues, improve reporting and data, and support Feather Alert and MMIP-related resources. DOJ said the AB 3099 report is in internal review and that the tribal police pilot is moving forward with the Yurok Tribe as a participant, with a July 1, 2026 start date. DOJ and tribal witnesses said the pilot’s main barriers are cost and, for some tribes, the waiver of sovereign immunity. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with broad support for expanding and sustaining MMIP-related funding and infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• public such as Silver Alerts and Amber Alerts.
• public such as Silver Alerts and Amber Alerts.
• So, constituents and our local areas.
• However, law uh seen and amber alerts.
• to the public, such as Silver Alerts and Amber Alerts.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But it did sort of shore up that that was, in fact, a local failure.
• do in communicating these weather alerts.
• And I think a real key appears at the end of this alert text.
• You don't have to monitor social media to get the weather alerts.
• You don't have to monitor social media to get the weather alerts.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires that any organization engaged in activity designed to influence local or state politics or
• It requires that any organization engaged in activity designed to influence local or state politics or
• It requires that any organization engaged in activity designed to influence local or state politics or
• It requires that any organization engaged in activity designed to influence local or state politics or
• alerting authorities. alerting authorities.

Bills: HB358, HB358

Keywords: juvenile justice, detention, age of majority, jurisdiction, child welfare, foreign influence, political activity, transparency, registration, civil penalties, hostile foreign principals, state ethics, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there was somebody that had the thought, I need to alert some of them.
• , did what they were supposed to do in communicating these weather alerts.
• I'm sorry, flood watch alert that you've seen.
• And I think a real key appears at the end of this alert text.
• You don't have to monitor social media to get the weather alerts.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• warning systems and public address systems, and monitoring for local weather alerts.
• alerts.
• And then they alert us not only that they're going to have gate operations, but they also alert us as
• Did they receive National Weather Service alerts on their phone? We received just typical alerts.
• alerts percentage-wise.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How will the Silver Alert and the Turquoise Alert work with each other?
• Under the Silver Alert status, they may also qualify under the Amber Alert status.
• and intermingled the Turquoise Alert and the Silver Alert that we have.
• If it comes from the other side, then it alerts the Silver Alert. Thank you.
• I know you work with your local governments. I work with my local government.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an EROISE alert.
• AI doesn't have to have a lot to start the alert process.
• , but it's very small for it to first alert.
• Should partner with local law enforcement.
• Talked about it, but apparently, like I say, this was not just something localized to Tecumseh.

Summary: The meeting focused on school safety funding and security practices in Oklahoma schools, especially how districts have used school resource officer (SRO) allocation money and related security grants. Kevin Rey of the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Office of School Safety and Security explained that the program, created under HB 2903, allows districts to use funds for SROs and physical security improvements such as cameras, access control, fencing, window film, bollards, metal detectors, and vape detectors. He said more than 170 districts used the money to hire SROs in 2024-25, and that the 2024 change allowing retired officers and armed security guards to qualify was a major help. Members questioned whether the money should also support prevention and mental health services, and Rey said the current program is mainly for security hardware and related measures. Mark Stout, chief of police for Putnam City Schools, described the district’s layered security approach, including weapon detection at middle and high schools and the ZeroEyes AI camera system, which monitors existing cameras for visible guns and sends alerts to trained monitoring staff and then to district police. He said the system is used as one layer among others, alongside officers, weapon detection, and school procedures, and noted the district is expanding coverage at athletic facilities. He also explained that the system is more economical than full weapon-detection setups, with annual costs based on the number of cameras. Tecumseh Superintendent Kinsey, Chief Kennedy, and Pottawatomie County law enforcement described the October threat investigation involving a student who posted a photo with a handgun and knife and discussed violence online. They said the FBI tip, rapid coordination among agencies, and an SRO already embedded in the district helped lead to a search warrant and arrest within hours, preventing a possible attack. Kinsey also described the district’s safety measures, including secure entrances, cameras, ALICE training, crisis communication planning, mental health support, clear backpacks, and a new staff alert system. He said community feedback after the incident favored more law enforcement partnership, limited entry points, handheld metal detectors, more SROs, stronger training, and more mental health support. Matt Riggs, former superintendent of McComb, said smaller districts face different security challenges because of limited local law enforcement and long response times. He explained that McComb used its funding for facility upgrades rather than hiring a full-time SRO because the district wanted improvements that would last beyond the three-year funding window. Throughout the discussion, several members emphasized the tension between visible security measures and prevention, with repeated calls for more counselors, mental health supports, and threat-assessment efforts alongside hardening measures. No formal votes or actions were taken in the transcript.