Transcript Highlights:

• mitigation plan. So, it's a 7525 split. mitigation plan. So, it's a 7525 split.
• flood mitigation assistance. flood mitigation assistance.
• :04.000> efforts So mitigation mitigation efforts efforts So mitigation mitigation efforts efforts
• >> It's under the hazard mitigation. >> It's the hazard mitigation 404.
• It's under the hazard mitigation. It's the hazard mitigation 404.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on hazard mitigation planning and recent tsunami and wildfire threats. Chair Dela Buladi opened by framing the meeting around the need for iterative disaster planning and lessons learned from events such as the Lahaina wildfires, the Puna Coast earthquake/tsunami, and recent wildfire activity. The committee heard first from Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Tomage Magno, who explained the federal and local hazard mitigation planning process, including the requirement for an active five-year mitigation plan to qualify for federal disaster funds. He described the plan as a living document built from prior plans, public and agency outreach, risk and capability assessments, and ongoing updates, with county departments, state agencies, and subject matter experts participating in the process. Magno outlined several FEMA-related mitigation funding programs, including flood mitigation assistance, post-fire assistance, pre-disaster mitigation, revolving loan funds, and dam safety grants. He emphasized that the Hawaii County plan was recently approved by FEMA, that the county council approves the plan, and that the county reviews it annually with a formal revision process beginning in the fourth year. Members asked about how the plan tracks project status, how priorities and funding changes are handled, and whether federal funding programs might be affected by HR1; Magno said the county is proceeding on the assumption that funding will remain available and noted some sources have been reestablished. He also said the county encourages council participation in meetings and planning. Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen then addressed the committee on DOT’s response to a recent tsunami threat, saying the agency had about four hours to prepare before the first wave arrival and was focused on its own operational response rather than the broader statewide planning process. In response to questions, he stated that FHWA funds cannot be used for evacuation routes, which is why prior legislative funding was important. Members also discussed specific mitigation projects such as fire breaks, bridge retrofits, and the Singing Bridge, with DOT noting that work is underway and that a replacement bridge upstream is being planned to carry traffic during repairs. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Establish a dedicated hazard mitigation fund aligned with local hazard mitigation plans.
• The second part of flood control is mitigation.
• The second part of flood control is mitigation.
• Since 2012, a portion of UGRI surplus, is mitigation.
• Radar can be added to help map the wind and the rainfall.

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:

• I KNOW I WAS LONG-WINDED. WE JUST WANTED TO GO THROUGH THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAD WITH THE BILL.
• 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.
• HAVING A REPOSITORY FOR FLORIDIANS TO CALL AND VENT SO WE CAN LATER LOG, TRACK, INVESTIGATE, MITIGATE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When solar works, when wind works, I want all that to happen. I do.
• And when you're building, typically there is a significant mitigation requirement to that.
• And when you're building, typically there is a significant mitigation requirement to that.
• , right, and then, you know, have a mitigation plan and then get approval.
• standpoint, we're talking about mitigating impacts to coastal resources.

Summary: The committee first considered several local property-transfer and wildlife/fisheries bills, including SB 229 (Bojeur Parish property transfer), SB 71 (Lafayette Parish property transfer), and a series of Department of Wildlife and Fisheries measures. SB 203 simplified possession rules for fish on multi-day trips and remote camps; SB 429 created an administrative path to register “orphan” boats with lapsed registrations; SB 204 removed a residency-based restriction on certain commercial fishing gear licenses; SB 205 reduced duplicate registration requirements for federally documented boats; SB 213 clarified titling rules for vessels and outboard motors; and SB 257 removed Social Security number requirements from certain commercial fishing tags. Each of these bills was reported favorable, generally without objection, after brief explanations from sponsors and department counsel about reducing red tape, improving enforcement, or modernizing records. The committee also heard SB 214, which would allow the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District to stop pumping during an imminent flood threat identified by the National Weather Service or GOSEP, addressing liability concerns and giving local officials more flexibility in emergencies. SB 274, as amended, required lead hazard risk assessments for certain child care, early learning, and pre-kindergarten facilities and required hazards found in assessments to be addressed before licensing. Both bills were reported favorable. SB 379, a technical reorganization bill for the Department of Conservation and Energy, received two amendment sets: one changing investment language and another standardizing judicial-review procedures and online notice requirements; it was reported favorable after those amendments. The committee then adopted HCR 62, urging FEMA to review flood maps every five years instead of every ten and to better account for local flood-protection projects, with members discussing the burden of flood insurance and the need for FEMA to recognize levees, pump stations, and elevated homes. HCR 78 was also reported favorable, memorializing Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026 in support of Louisiana’s seafood industry. HB 662, as substituted, was reported favorable after being rewritten to codify the department’s internal protocol for seized sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife, prioritizing release, rehabilitation, placement, and euthanasia as a last resort. Finally, the committee considered two more contentious items. HR 216, which urged repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022, drew extended debate over whether the plan had been adopted without legislative input and whether it could affect permits or future policy; after discussion, the sponsor voluntarily deferred the resolution to return with a revised approach focused on a legislative hearing or review. SCR 24, dealing with chronic wasting disease rules, was introduced with amendments that would raise the prevalence threshold, cap samples, allow zone removal after three years without new detections, and lift baiting/feed prohibitions above a higher prevalence level; the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• , hail, theft and include fire, wind, hail, theft and liability. liability. liability.
• Um wind and hail events natural events.
• Some carry exclusions for wind and hail that they did not understand or even know existed.
• Upset owners then act seeking mitigation. They contact the media. They sue the association.
• <01:09:08.400> They mitigation. They contact the media. They mitigation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and hail damage frequency of uh of wind and hail damage in<01:13:12.080> the<01:13:12.239>
• So we were looking at risk mitigation and property resilience and the effect on insurance, the effect
• So we were looking at risk mitigation and property resilience and the effect on insurance, the effect
• <01:17:58.239> and<01:17:58.560> property you know risk mitigation and property you
• knowing that our main risks are wind knowing that our main risks are wind damage<01:24:55.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So if the homeowner were to mitigate, or harden their home, they would get that second year of protection
• The science on home hardening and the mitigation measures that make the biggest difference have really
• I think if the question is, what are the mitigating... ...I think would appreciate the commitment to
• I think if the question is, what are the mitigation measures, I'm confident we can get there on what
• it was the beginning of what has now become a consistent pattern of fires based on climate changes, wind

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance met as a subcommittee due to a lack of quorum, and first heard AB 1559 by Assembly Member Calderon. The bill would add consumer protections when insurers use aerial imagery for underwriting or coverage decisions by requiring notice before collecting images, giving policyholders access to images used, and allowing an in-person inspection if an image is used to non-renew, cancel, or reduce coverage. The Department of Insurance and United Policyholders supported the measure, citing complaints about outdated or inaccurate drone, satellite, and aircraft images; local governments, AARP, and Realtors also supported it, and there was no opposition. The committee later voted 6-0 to pass AB 1559 to the Privacy Committee. The committee also heard AB 2038 by Assembly Member Harabedian, which would extend wildfire-related non-renewal moratoriums for homeowners, including extending protections for total-loss properties and homes within or near a fire perimeter. Supporters, including the Consumer Federation of California, United Policyholders, and the League of California Cities, argued that rebuilding after major fires is taking much longer than expected and that homeowners need more time and stability. Opponents from the insurance industry warned that extending moratoriums, especially to adjacent zip codes, could further constrain insurers, worsen availability and affordability, and push more business to the FAIR Plan. Senators raised concerns about the zip-code-based perimeter and whether the bill should be tied to home-hardening standards, but the author said the bill simply extends existing timelines and would continue negotiations on amendments. The committee voted 4-0 to send AB 2038 to Appropriations. File items 1 and 3 were taken up as consent items and approved 6-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment simply prevents blanket recovery of every mitigation expense.
• Members 2989 allows electric utilities to prepare a wildfire mitigation plan.
• It creates a wildfire mitigation revolving fund and requires the conservation commission to develop the
• test, pilot, and refine fire mitigation strategies.
• So in my mind, the only thing you could do would be kill all the grass if you wanted to further mitigate

Bills: HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464, HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464

Keywords: water rights, rural water districts, board members, training requirements, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, right to repair, agriculture, OEM, repair providers, documentation, farm equipment, parts availability, maintenance, labor, employment definitions, agricultural services, Oklahoma Workforce Commission, confidentiality, data access, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• with moratoriums, restrictions, or new ordinances for large-scale agriculture, transmission lines, wind
• because of our rich agricultural production, oil and gas resources, coal reserves, precious metals, wind
• And on the topic that Mack touched on, all of the above, you know, wind projects will no longer get the
• From what I understand, the industry has matured and efficiencies have improved, and wind will likely
• And on the topic that Mack touched on, all of the above, you know, wind projects will no longer get the

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with moratoriums, restrictions, or new ordinances for large-scale agriculture, transmission lines, wind
• because of our rich agricultural production, oil and gas resources, coal reserves, precious metals, wind
• And on the topic that Mack touched on, all of the above, you know, wind projects will no longer get the
• And on the topic that Mack touched on, all of the above, you know, wind projects will no longer get the
• Capacity factors for wind have gone from the low 30% to over 50%, yet this industry, as we has witnessed

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of the Mincota Power Cooperative headquarters before returning for presentations on large energy consumers, especially data centers. The first presentations focused on how North Dakota should respond to rapid growth in energy-intensive projects, with speakers emphasizing the need for reliable transmission, local decision-making tools, and factual information for county and township officials who are being asked to weigh major projects with limited staff and technical support. The North Dakota Transmission Authority director said local governments are being asked to make high-impact decisions on pipelines, transmission lines, large agriculture, wind, solar, carbon dioxide pipelines, direct-air capture, and data centers, and urged development of simple statewide decision tools and support from the League of Cities and Association of Counties. The Department of Environmental Quality’s air division director said North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the nation, but large data centers can create air-quality concerns because of diesel backup generation; he said the department is requiring air monitors at some facilities and expects grid power and, potentially, cleaner natural gas backup to reduce emissions. Members asked about emissions standards, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession at DEQ. The Department of Water Resources director said North Dakota’s water law is based on common ownership and prior appropriation, and that data centers generally use relatively small amounts of water, often in closed-loop systems. He said the Missouri River and groundwater supplies are ample for projected needs, that the department’s permitting process protects senior water rights, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use a very small share of Missouri River flow. Members asked about downstream impacts and compared data center water use with fracking. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd Erickson urged the committee to study how other states regulate data centers, warned against litigation-driven delays and overly broad local ordinances, argued reclamation bonding should be handled at the state level if at all, and said data centers can bring jobs and tax base but should remain subject to local zoning. The committee ended the morning session for lunch and later heard an EERC update from CEO Charles Gorecki on the center’s 75 years of work in energy and environmental technologies, especially oil and gas development and related research.

Transcript Highlights:

• You get benefits from criteria pollutants, and you get benefits from mitigating air toxic pollutants
• Like any new part of the economy, especially the green economy, wind and solar and geothermal, you don't
• We did it with offshore wind with the DDB-bar backed; we did it in other areas.
• It deals with wildfire mitigation strategies.
• It would be really tough to do this with wind and solar.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on Hydrogen Energy held an informational hearing on California’s hydrogen leadership, with Chair Bob Archuleta framing hydrogen as a complementary clean-energy pathway for hard-to-electrify sectors and emphasizing the need for balanced policy, community benefits, and strategic use of public funds. The first panel of private-sector witnesses from the California Hydrogen Business Council, Bosch, Hyundai, and Sierra Northern Railway described existing deployments in buses, trucks, rail, ports, and industrial uses, and argued that the technology is commercially ready but needs stable policy, faster permitting, stronger demand signals, and more infrastructure. They highlighted projects such as Hyundai’s NorCal Zero freight trucks, Bosch’s hydrogen components and refueling technology, and Sierra’s hydrogen switcher locomotive, while also noting major cost barriers, especially for fuel and equipment, and the need for continued state incentives and coordinated infrastructure planning. Committee members focused on labor standards, community engagement, and the current scale of hydrogen vehicles and fueling infrastructure. Witnesses said they work with labor groups, building trades, and safety organizations, and that early community involvement and first-responder training are important. In response to questions, panelists estimated roughly 15,000 to 16,000 light-duty fuel cell vehicles in California, around 100 hydrogen trucks, and growing bus deployment, with South Korea cited as having much larger fleets. They also discussed hydrogen fuel costs, with one rail operator saying delivered fuel had fallen from more than $60 per kilogram to about $35 per kilogram but would need to drop below $10 per kilogram for broad commercial viability. CARB’s incentive and regulatory programs, including heavy-duty vehicle subsidies and low-carbon fuel standards, were described as important supports, though federal tax credit changes and uncertainty were said to be slowing progress. The second panel addressed hydrogen’s public-health, air-quality, and climate role. CAPCOA, the Coalition for Clean Air, the building trades, and a UC Berkeley researcher argued that hydrogen should be used selectively in the most polluted, diesel-heavy settings such as ports, freight corridors, rail yards, transit depots, and backup power for data centers. They stressed that fuel cell applications provide zero tailpipe emissions, but cautioned that hydrogen produced from fossil fuels or used in combustion rather than fuel cells reduces the environmental benefit. The UC Berkeley witness presented modeling suggesting large reductions in NOx and particulate exposure, with significant avoided premature deaths and health savings if hydrogen displaces diesel in heavy-duty sectors. Panelists also urged that hydrogen not delay direct electrification, that environmental justice be central to deployment, and that infrastructure and safety planning include community engagement and measurable local benefits. The final panel featured public-sector updates from SamTrans, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the Port of Long Beach, and the First Public Hydrogen Authority. SamTrans described its transition of more than 300 buses to battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses, including a large order of 108 hydrogen buses, but said the loss of expected ARCHES funding created a major gap for fueling infrastructure and that state support is needed for grants, tax exemptions, and axle-weight rule changes. GoBiz said the federal cancellation of ARCHES funding disrupted the market, but that private capital remains available if demand and cost-reduction signals are strong; it pointed to permitting streamlining and targeted state action as key next steps. The Port of Long Beach reported 106 hydrogen fuel cell trucks in port drayage, a $10 million hydrogen truck grant program, and a request for proposals for a public fueling station, while warning that high costs, fuel shortages, and the Colton incident have slowed momentum. First Public Hydrogen Authority described efforts to aggregate municipal demand, support green hydrogen production projects, and create long-term market certainty for suppliers and off-takers. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses on where state funding should go next, with several suggesting that near-term support for transit fleets, fueling infrastructure, and targeted high-impact corridors would be the most effective way to keep hydrogen deployment moving.

Transcript Highlights:

• pulling funding, and with the President's executive order preventing the development of new offshore wind
• $85 million for the Department of Environmental Protection to support ongoing PFAS testing and mitigation
• You may be gone like the wind. Thank you. You may be gone. You may be gone like the wind.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House met in a session centered on the FY26 budget, especially the Energy and Environmental Affairs and Labor/Economic Development sections, while also taking time to recognize several championship teams and other guests. Early in the day, the chamber adopted a set of commemorative resolutions, including observances for Apraxia Awareness Day, International Celiac Awareness Day, and Jewish American Heritage Month. Members also welcomed Franklin High’s cheerleading and boys basketball champions, Winthrop boys hockey champions, St. Mary’s of Lynn girls basketball champions, Holy Trinity School students, and later Boston Celtics guard Drew Holiday and Lauren Holiday. The most contentious debate involved amendments related to Massachusetts’ climate and clean-car policies. Representative Lombardo offered amendments to delay or repeal ACC2/zero-emission vehicle requirements and to convert climate mandates into goals rather than requirements, arguing the rules were unrealistic, costly, and harmful to dealers, consumers, and the economy. Opponents said the House had already addressed the issue, and that climate and energy policy should remain under review through a public process. The House rejected Lombardo’s ACC2-related amendments, including after a ruling of the Chair was upheld by roll call, and later adopted a consolidated Energy and Environmental Affairs amendment by a wide margin. The House then adopted a consolidated Labor and Economic Development amendment and ultimately passed the FY26 budget to be engrossed. Supporters highlighted major funding for environmental protection, parks, fish and game, clean energy, food insecurity programs, agricultural support, economic development, tourism, and an immigration legal assistance fund. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for Molly McGovern, and at the end of the session adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I forget what all of them. >> Congestion mitigation. >> Congestion mitigation air quality.
• >> Congestion<00:50:39.200> mitigation. >> Congestion mitigation.
• >> Congestion mitigation.
• that money would be used for mitigation that money would be used for mitigation or<03:19:50.720>
• long-winded answer. Apologize for that. long-winded answer. Apologize for that.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• critical incidents with agility, offering immediate peer support and therapeutic interventions to mitigate
• It also established some risk mitigation strategies to ensure that CBC lead agencies were not— that their
• And they didn't really have any adequate risk mitigation strategies that were consistently applied with
• adjustments within that level of funding in Tier 2 that accounts for the numbers of children that are winding
• ...winding up in very high-end care? You recognize, thank you.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Dr. Kelly O’Dare on first responder behavioral health access, peer support, and suicide prevention. She described UCF Restores, the Second Alarm Project, and related partnerships that provide culturally competent treatment, peer training, clinician education, disaster response support, and behavioral health navigation. She cited survey and state data showing significant rates of sleep problems, anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicide among Florida first responders, and said evidence-based treatment has helped many patients recover, including a reported 76% who no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria after treatment. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, peer support standards, and whether the state should create more consistent statewide requirements; O’Dare said peer support training must be specialized, linked to higher levels of care, and supported by sustainable funding and statewide coordination. The committee also heard from a public commenter who supported the work and emphasized the need for adequate resources and peer support infrastructure. The committee then received a Department of Children and Families presentation from Casey Penn on the proposed funding methodology for community-based care lead agencies under HB 7089. Penn explained that the new model is intended to be actuarially based, reimbursement-oriented, and more transparent than prior funding approaches, using historical expenditures, standardized reporting, and two main tiers: Tier 1 for largely fixed administrative and operational costs, and Tier 2 for direct child-serving costs based on per-child-per-month blended rates. He said the model includes a 2% risk corridor for Tier 2, hold-harmless funding in the first year, and optional Tier 3 performance incentives, with an estimated additional state appropriation need after offsets. Senators raised concerns about prevention, historical inequities, reasonableness of costs, administrative overhead, blended state and federal funds, adoption subsidies, high-acuity placements, and disaster-related disruptions. Penn said some of those issues could be addressed in future iterations as the child welfare information system is modernized, and he agreed to provide written responses to committee questions. Representatives of the Florida Coalition for Children and CBCs responded that the model is a major improvement but urged additional safeguards, including an administrative cap, clearer separation of direct and indirect costs, and better treatment of federal and pass-through funds. They argued that the system already has oversight and that deficits reflect insufficient appropriations rather than excess spending, while also noting that higher-acuity children and regional differences can drive costs. No votes were taken on either topic, and the meeting ended with committee staff introductions and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• efforts to mitigate the effects of this invasive species, and I've committed to be part of that process
• In addition, we have already implemented treatment and mitigation measures on our imported conveyance
• And so my district and our communities were not going to get money from a fund to be able to mitigate
• The other mussel was already... there was already a requirement to mitigate in order to import water.
• You know, when the wind blows and a tree limb falls down, the answer is cut the trees down.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several measures focused on conservation, coastal protection, water supply, and urban greening. AB 1987 by Assemblywoman Aguirre-Curry would direct fees generated by state wildlife areas back to their operation and maintenance; she accepted committee amendments, and Audubon California testified in support with no opposition. AB 1448 by Assembly Member Hart would restrict state actions that could facilitate expanded offshore oil and gas development in federal waters, including limits on using existing infrastructure for new offshore drilling and added review requirements for lease changes; it drew broad support from coastal governments and environmental groups and no opposition, and was referred to Appropriations. AB 1894 by Assembly Member Blanca Rubio would allow imported water deliveries for groundwater recharge to continue when they comply with approved invasive mussel control plans, addressing disruptions caused by the golden mussel; supporters said it protects groundwater reliability while maintaining invasive-species safeguards, while opponents argued it could undercut local authority and liability protections. After discussion about liability and whether the bill weakens invasive-species protections, the committee voted 6-0 to send it to Appropriations. The committee also considered ACR 107 by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, which recognizes the Diablo Range as a conservation priority and links it to habitat protection, groundwater recharge, and the state’s 30-by-30 goals. Save Mount Diablo and other supporters emphasized the range’s ecological value and limited current protection, and members voiced support; the resolution passed 7-0. AB 1946 by Assembly Member Bryan would encourage land conservation investments in historically underserved urban communities and support greening, park creation, and restoration in places like South Los Angeles. Testimony from Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation and park and conservation groups stressed environmental justice, access to nature, and the need to regenerate degraded lands into parkland. Members discussed the importance of urban parks, maintenance, biodiversity, and balancing rural and urban conservation, and the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also took up the consent calendar, which passed unanimously. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly noted the need to balance environmental protection with practical water delivery and local community needs, and several bills were amended or clarified before votes. Final recorded actions included unanimous or near-unanimous approvals for the measures heard, with AB 1448, AB 1894, AB 1987, and AB 1946 moving forward, along with ACR 107 and the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• After the state legislature slashed wildfire mitigation by $60 million.
• After the state legislature slashed wildfire mitigation by $60 million, Border Patrol agents detained
• So an emergency clause to make sure that we're mitigating the impacts that have already taken effect
• So an emergency clause to make sure that we're mitigating the impacts that have already taken effect
• So House Bill 2089, which is a bill that funds the wildfire mitigation account, actually was born out

Summary: The meeting was a press conference and Q&A led by Rep. Shaun Scott to promote the proposed Well Washington Fund, a new dedicated account intended to raise about $3 billion annually through a corporate payroll tax on wages above $125,000. Scott said the bill would help offset expected federal cuts under Trump-era policies and support programs most at risk, including cash assistance, higher education, health care, housing, and wildfire mitigation. He also referenced two related proposals: restoring wildfire mitigation funding by ending a tax break for large banks, and allowing counties to raise corporate taxes. Several advocates and affected residents testified in support of progressive revenue. Michelle Thomas of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance warned that federal homelessness policy changes and state underinvestment could worsen homelessness and evictions. Christina Savitsky, a disabled veteran, described how Medicaid, food assistance, and work requirements would affect her family. Representatives from the University of Washington AAUP said federal cuts and Medicaid changes threaten teaching, research, workforce training, and hospital finances. Fatima Boxwala of Tech for Taxes and Mikey Stramskis of the Washington Federation of State Employees argued that large corporations and the wealthy should pay more to sustain public services and address understaffing, burnout, and service backlogs. In the Q&A, Scott said the bill may need an emergency clause to make it referendum-proof and argued that the legislature has a mandate to act, citing the 2024 capital gains tax referendum and the state’s regressive tax system. He acknowledged concerns about businesses leaving but said he was more concerned about working people being displaced by unaffordable housing, child care, and health care. No vote or formal committee action occurred; the event was a call for a hearing in the House Finance Committee in 2026 and for legislative passage in both chambers.

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:24:34.960> Um uh for land for land based wind. Um uh for land for land based wind.
• Some of it could be offshore wind, land-based wind.
• For a wind resource, let's say it's a 300-megawatt wind farm, well, their capacity factor might be 30%
• than most landbased wind because you than most landbased wind because you have<04:02:39.199>
• So right now we have Revolution Wind and Vineyard Wind are under construction, and Revolution Wind is

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Every year we know the Santa Ana winds are going to blow.
• Every year we know the Santa Ana winds are going to blow.
• Every year we know the Santa Ana winds are going to blow.
• Fair winds and following seas. With that, Mr.
• Fair winds and following seas. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, it's really about taking reasonable mitigated measures of mitigation, and so there's a reason
• It's the same kind of best business practices in these industries to best mitigate incidental take.
• How am I as a developer or a business owner, a wind farm, whatever that looks like, how do I mitigate
• Well, there's standard mitigation practices for every industry. I don't know that there's a path.
• Well, there's standard mitigation practices for every industry.

Summary: The committee heard several water, parks, and wildlife bills. AB 764 would expand the list of exotic non-game birds that can be managed in California to better control mute swan populations; the author and California Waterfowl said swans are invasive, aggressive, and rapidly increasing, while no opposition testified. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 616 would make the State Library Parks Pass program permanent by allowing state parks to transfer annual day-use passes to the State Library free of charge; supporters said it improves equitable access to parks, especially for low-income families, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 293 would require groundwater sustainability agencies to post board membership and a link to Form 700 filings online. Supporters, including the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, argued it would improve transparency and public trust, while opponents said the requirement was redundant and could discourage service on GSA boards. The bill passed, but with some no votes. AB 639 would narrow the definition of dams so certain weirs used for irrigation would not be subject to dam regulations; the author and technical witnesses said the structures pose no safety risk and are already closely managed, while members urged the bill be narrowed further to the Kings River area. It passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 679 would streamline land transfers for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks by exempting those acquisitions from the Public Works Board process. Supporters said it would speed conservation and park rebuilding after the CZU fire, while one member opposed it over cost and broader state land-management concerns; it passed as amended. AB 454 would remove the sunset on the California Migratory Bird Protection Act, making state protections for migratory birds permanent after federal rollback concerns; it passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved the consent calendar, and the meeting adjourned after add-on votes were taken for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• So RGGI can help mitigate the burden of these communities while not costing the state any more money.
• This includes 200 megawatts of hydropower, 190 megawatts of wind, 180 megawatts of solar, and 76 megawatts
• billion in mostly tax-exempt financing, which has led to major renewable projects like the Berkshire Wind
• billion in mostly tax-exempt financing, which has led to major renewable projects like the Berkshire Wind
• Farm, Cotton Solar Field, and 50 megawatts, Projects like the Berkshire Wind Farm, Cotton Solar Field

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a range of energy, utility, broadband, and municipal infrastructure bills. Representative Powell supported H 3466, which would create a task force to study public ownership of utilities and alternatives to investor-owned electric and gas systems. Representative Therber supported H 3574, which would use RGGI funds to reimburse cities and towns affected by power plant decommissioning, citing lost jobs, tax revenue, and service cuts in communities such as Somerset, Plymouth, Salem, and Everett. Several witnesses from municipal light plants and related organizations testified in support of mutual aid bills, including H 3486/S 2252 and H 3330/S 2277, saying the measures would clarify protections and liability coverage for MLP workers assisting in emergencies and non-emergency work. Jim Leiden of EMWIC opposed H 3514/S 2295, saying the proposed board and governance changes would reduce local control, add burdens, and weaken confidentiality protections. A committee member asked whether the mutual aid bills had been reviewed for municipal impacts, and the witnesses said they had done due diligence. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H 3551/S 2306, the smart meter opt-out bills. Supporters argued that smart meters emit harmful wireless radiation, that some residents have developed health problems or electromagnetic sensitivity, and that opt-outs should be available without fees or penalties; several witnesses urged notification, consent, and non-transmitting analog meter options. The committee also heard testimony from municipal officials and the Massachusetts Municipal Association in support of H 3462/S 2250, which would strengthen municipal authority to enforce timely removal of double utility poles, citing safety, accessibility, and construction-delay concerns. Derek Leffert of Gateway Fiber opposed H 3450, saying it would improperly shift broadband deployment costs to competitors. At the end of testimony, the chair closed the hearing by motion and vote, with members voting aye and no opposition recorded.