Transcript Highlights:

• There was also an objective around fuel savings by Washington State Ferries or other public entities.
• And we'll cover the last three preferences, maybe even more quickly.
• In North Dakota, all public entities keep their deposited funds in the Bank of North Dakota.
• that bank obligations are not obligations of the state, but obligations of the bank as a separate entity
• I recognize a state bank would allow Washington state, cities, counties, and other public entities to

Bills: SB5754

Keywords: public bank, state bank, finance, banking regulations, economic development, state investment, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to have, specifically with Medicaid, we are allocating about 50% less than the agency asked for to cover
• supplementals that we are going to have to vote on in January because we're not taking the time to cover
• And the gentleman from Bartlesville, we've got the east and the west covered in this process.
• It's similar to how we allow Medicare and Medicaid dollars to go to private entities now.
• It's interesting to me that when this body... ...entities now.

Bills: SB1177, HB3705, SB1942, SB2026, SB1533, SB1327, SB2065, SB2155, SB2159

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, tax credit, parental choice, private school, income tax, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity, insurance claims, dentist rights, military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, veteran burial

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, received an invocation focused on grief and remembrance, and heard several special presentations recognizing a brave child, visiting groups, and multiple student-athlete teams and school groups in the galleries. The chamber also introduced the Doctor of the Day and Nurse of the Day. The main business was consideration of the Joint Committee report on Senate Bill 1177, the general appropriations bill, presented by Chairman Caldwell-Trey. Most of the floor time was spent on extended questions about the budget’s major features. Caldwell-Trey explained the bill as a largely flat or modestly increased budget that includes a $200 million transfer to a new sovereign wealth fund, $225 million in set-asides, a $12.5 million “dream accounts” program for newborns, and funding tied to teacher pay, education, workforce, public safety, agriculture, and health agencies. Members questioned the use of one-time funds for recurring expenses, the reduction in state contributions to the OPRS pension system, Medicaid assumptions, emergency management funding, veterans’ services, child care, school counselors, and the lack of funding for some requested items such as National Board Certified Teacher stipends and veterans’ facility maintenance. Caldwell-Trey defended the budget as transparent, early, and designed to preserve cash reserves while supporting core services. No final vote on the appropriations report is reflected in the transcript excerpt. The House also heard explanations that the limits bills would be run later in committee, and that the budget negotiations were still ongoing with the Senate and governor on some related items. The session ended with the queue closed after the budget questioning, and the transcript cuts off during additional remarks from Representative Timmons.

Transcript Highlights:

• big problem that she could not go out in the sunlight and always had to have clothing on that would cover
• c> skin</c><00:09:55.920><c> and</c><00:09:56.279><c> in</c><00:09:56.760><c> uh</c> on that would cover
• her skin and in uh on that would cover her skin and in uh uh<00:09:57.959><c> Thanksgiving</c><00:09
• There are different details we might take from different DOTs or different, uh, entities that have been
• And that is: do we have an addition to the highway design standards manual that covers calming, uh, so

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has been my privilege to serve Delaware's citizens, both individuals and entities, in those roles.
• process and justice and contributed to our state's reputation as the premier domicile for business entities
• I don't know how many people, the media covering it or not, but we all very are attentive to trying to
• And so to the extent anyone is listening now or later or covers it, is there anything about the role
• I do not see Senator Sturgeon, but I will cover this one.

Summary: The Senate Executive Committee met in hybrid format and first considered two gubernatorial judicial appointments. Morgan T. Zurn, nominated to the Delaware Supreme Court, described her background in public service, the Court of Chancery, DOJ, and federal clerkship, and answered extensive questions about judicial philosophy, precedent, statutory interpretation, access to justice, AI and deepfakes, corporate law stability, civility, social media, and public confidence in the courts. Christy N. Vitola, nominated to be Commissioner of Family Court, discussed her Delaware upbringing, legal career in family law and child support, and experience with pro se litigants and high-volume dockets; she was questioned about handling family court cases efficiently, the best interests of the child, and correcting calculation errors. No votes on the nominations were taken during the portion shown. The committee then moved to legislation. House Bill 443, concerning background checks for volunteers and mentors in the Department of Education’s mentoring program, was presented as a technical update to allow DOE to continue receiving wrap-back reports and to ensure mentors undergo state and federal criminal background checks. There was no public comment or committee debate on the bill. House Bill 431 with House Amendment 1, sponsored by Representative Bush and Senator Hoffner, would allow composting of yard waste, food residue, and other organic materials to divert waste from landfills, extend landfill life, reduce disposal costs, support farmers by returning nutrients to the soil, and reduce methane emissions; it also preserves county/local control over siting and inspection. Senator Townsend asked whether composting was currently allowed, and Senator Hoffner explained that the bill would authorize it under the stated controls. No public comment was offered on either bill. At the close of the meeting, the chair noted that the bills and nominee backers had been circulated for signatures. Senator Hocker moved to adjourn, Senator Townsend seconded, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if we don't do permissions on just their contact information, we may release the entity they're with
• We need to look at what's the commission's role in making recommendations to different school entities
• Would you think that may cover the incidentals on the rooms and everything else that we're doing?
• OK, so I I am probably safe in saying that the $200,000 mark will probably cover everything that we're
• That's been covered.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The training is there provided the state partners with that entity.
• sure that they cross all the T's, dot all the I's, because at the end, the state will reimburse the entity
• So it's no different than anything else that we come together and cover behind to support each other
• birth, or because of age, we anticipate that only about 40% of that number are going to need to be covered
• And because it's so far and in between that operation-wise, each department will be able to cover the

Summary: The committee heard several labor and workforce bills. SB 1059 would modernize the Employment Training Panel by allowing electronic record-keeping, digital attendance documentation, and updated training terminology; supporters said it would reduce paperwork and better match current training systems, while no opposition appeared. SB 966 would codify refinery process safety protections adopted in 2017 after the 2012 Chevron Richmond fire, including worker participation in safety proceedings, anonymous hazard reporting, access to safety information, and stop-work authority; labor supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association opposed it as conflicting with a 2024 settlement and potentially preempted by federal labor law. SB 1024 would provide 26 weeks of paid postpartum and recovery leave for firefighters who give birth, with job restoration and no requirement to use sick or vacation time first; firefighters and labor groups strongly supported it, and the committee discussed staffing and operational coverage concerns, but no opposition testified. The committee also heard SB 1316, which would strengthen wage theft enforcement by allowing Labor Commissioner liens to be renewed, limiting employers’ late use of records, and requiring Cal/OSHA to report complaints and citations data annually. Supporters said the bill would help workers actually collect wages after long delays and prevent employers from hiding records; it passed the committee on a 5-0 vote. SB 1185 would apply skilled and trained workforce requirements to pharmaceutical facility construction and maintenance, with supporters arguing these facilities require high precision to protect public health and supply chains; construction industry opponents said the bill was an unnecessary expansion of state mandates into private projects. SB 1227 would create apprenticeship pathways into DIR enforcement jobs, including Cal/OSHA and Labor Commissioner roles, to address staffing shortages and improve labor law enforcement; supporters emphasized vacancies and backlogs, and the bill was framed as a way to build a merit-based pipeline into state service. After hearing testimony, the committee took final votes on all six bills once the full membership returned. SB 966, SB 1024, SB 1059, SB 1185, and SB 1227 were all reported out of committee, and SB 1316 was also passed and sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The recorded final votes were unanimous or near-unanimous in favor, with the bills advancing on 4-1 or 5-0 votes depending on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The training is there, provided the state partners with that entity.
• sure that they cross all the T's, dot all the I's, because at the end, the state will reimburse the entity
• So it's no different than anything else that we come together and cover behind to support each other
• birth or, because of age, we anticipate that only about 40% of that number are going to need to be covered
• And because it's so far and in between that operation-wise, each department will be able to cover the

Summary: The committee heard and later voted on six labor-related bills. SB 1059 would modernize the Employment Training Panel by allowing electronic record-keeping, digital attendance documentation, and updated training terminology; supporters said it would reduce paperwork and better match current workforce training practices, while no opposition appeared. SB 966 would make permanent 2017 refinery process safety protections, including worker participation in safety reviews and stop-work authority; refinery workers and unions supported it as a safeguard against rollback, while the Western States Petroleum Association opposed it, arguing it conflicted with a settlement and could be preempted by federal labor law. SB 1024 would provide 26 weeks of paid postpartum and recovery leave for firefighters who give birth and require return to the prior position; supporters said it would improve retention and equity in a male-dominated profession, and there was no opposition. The committee also heard SB 1316, which would strengthen wage theft and workplace safety enforcement by allowing renewal of labor commissioner liens, limiting employers’ late use of records, and requiring Cal/OSHA to report complaints and citations data annually. Supporters said the bill would help workers collect judgments and address long backlogs; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 on call before the full committee vote. SB 1185 would apply skilled-and-trained workforce requirements to pharmaceutical facility construction and maintenance; supporters from the building trades said these projects require specialized precision to protect public health and supply chains, while contractors opposed the bill as an unnecessary expansion of public-work-style mandates into private projects. Finally, SB 1227 would create apprenticeship pathways into Department of Industrial Relations enforcement jobs, including Cal/OSHA and the Labor Commissioner’s office, to address staffing shortages and backlogs. The author and supporters said apprenticeships could help fill vacancies while preserving the civil service merit principle and creating opportunities for displaced workers; there was no opposition. After discussion and roll calls, the committee reported all six bills out of committee, with SB 966, SB 1024, SB 1059, SB 1185, and SB 1227 sent to Appropriations, and SB 1316 sent to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• start with a higher amount than 3,000, and you've got to escalate higher than 2%. 2% doesn't even cover
• ... ...higher amount than 3,000, and you've got to escalate higher than 2%. 2% doesn't even cover inflation
• anything, I think they should depreciate faster in the sense that if you have a...” “...commercial entity
• t want to have too high of a chilling effect, but also obviously I want to be prepared to taxing entities
• I think that covered all my points.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your covering. Did we have any success on connecting with Mr. Kennedy?
• I appreciate your covering. Did we have any success on connecting with Mr. Kennedy? Mr.
• We have Jewish law called Halakha, which covers many things influencing Jewish society, including dietary
• Governor Greg Abbott recently directed law enforcement entities in Collin and Dallas counties to investigate
• coordinated with the Idaho State Supreme Court and the Idaho Attorney General's Office, and both entities

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first approved the gubernatorial appointment of Amy Anderson to the Commission of Pardons and Paroles, sending the nomination to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then heard and advanced three Senate Resource Statements from Senator Todd Lakey: RS 32894, repealing an outdated capital crimes defense fund provision; RS 32896, removing an obsolete mountain standard time reference in juvenile corrections code; and RS 33120, clarifying the Attorney General’s civil enforcement authority. Each was sent to print without opposition. The committee also took up the judicial council appointment of Michael Kennedy. Kennedy described his background, his service as a non-attorney member of the Idaho Judicial Council, and his view that citizen members help ask practical questions and keep the process grounded. Members asked about the role of citizen members and the judiciary’s proper constitutional role; no vote was taken on the appointment during this meeting. The main policy debate centered on Senate Bill 1232, Senator Tammy Nichols’ proposal to modernize Idaho’s Son of Sam law. Nichols asked to send the bill to the 14th order for technical amendments after consultation with the Attorney General’s office, and the committee agreed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1233, the Constitutional Courts Act, from Senator Dan Foreman. Foreman said the bill would prevent Idaho courts from enforcing judgments based on religious or cultural law that does not conform to constitutional rights. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued it would protect constitutional supremacy and oppose Sharia law, while opponents warned the language was overbroad and could threaten references to common law, natural law, or religious history. A motion to send the bill to the 14th order failed, and the committee instead voted to send SB 1233 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, Senator Melissa Wintrow’s RS 3293, excluding photographs or images of deceased individuals from public disclosure, was sent to print.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your covering. Did we have... Thank you, Senator Shippey. Thank you, Senator Shippey.
• I appreciate your covering. Did we have any success on connecting with Mr. Kennedy? Mr.
• We have Jewish law called Halakha, which covers many things influencing Jewish society, including dietary
• Governor Greg Abbott recently directed law enforcement entities in Collin and Dallas counties to investigate
• coordinated with the Idaho State Supreme Court and the Idaho Attorney General's Office, and both entities

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with a larger process, which is going to be in works in the interim, and making sure that we're covering
• with a larger process, which is going to be in works in the interim, and making sure that we're covering
• . ...a process, which is going to be in the works in the interim, and making sure that we're covering
• An elected coroner is much less likely to be influenced by political pressure or government entities.
• An elected coroner is much less likely to be influenced by political pressure or government entities.

Summary: The House Local Government Committee heard public testimony on HB 2588, which would let county ferry districts exercise broader authority over ferries rather than being limited to passenger-only ferries. The sponsor and county officials from Whatcom, Pierce, and Skagit described rising operating and capital costs for county-run vehicle ferries and said the bill would give local governments a needed funding tool. Opponents argued it would create another tax burden and that county councils do not directly represent voters on such decisions. The hearing on HB 2588 was later reopened for additional testimony, but no vote was taken in the hearing portion. The committee also heard HB 2094, which would require non-charter counties to appoint coroners rather than elect them, unless they use appointed medical examiners. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address accountability and staffing problems, citing Yakima County as an example and arguing that coroner positions are technical and should be filled through hiring rather than partisan elections. Supporters said appointment would reduce ballot complexity and allow for professional management, while opponents, including elected coroners and the Washington Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners, argued that elected coroners provide independence, public accountability, and the ability to order inquests without political pressure. The public hearing on HB 2094 was closed without committee action during the hearing. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. HB 2451 on local tax increment financing passed with three adopted amendments and a 7-0 vote. HB 2298 on county title protection programs also passed with one adopted amendment and a 7-0 vote. HB 2566 on local government procurement passed 7-0 without amendment. HB 2267 on urban forest management ordinances passed 4-3 after a substitute was adopted, with some members expressing concern about state guidance becoming too regulatory. HB 2530 on public facilities districts for regional aquatics and sports facilities passed 7-0 after removing the deadline for forming such districts, and HB 2388 on siting distributed energy generation on agricultural lands passed 7-0 after an amendment narrowing the bill’s scope. The committee then returned to public testimony on HB 2094 and HB 2588 before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some other issues that we have is, and, and other entities recognize that.
• The report filed in 2025 covers activity, uh, all of 2024 where you were serving.
• Both we have a spreadsheet of 1,000+ uh entities that we have reviewed for filing in the commission's
• Something, um, I think you need some clarity as to whether that's covered or not.
• And so I thought when I was sending in my reports that would cover both the runoff and the special election

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't think we, you know, I think the idea of the bill was to reward the entity for having that
• I don't know if You know, the entity for having that facility there.
• also tell you that in order to employ someone, they have to kind of have those direct care costs covered
• Who would be covering which facilities for the county jails?
• So I have not found a grant program, someone to help cover the costs we've looked at.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2399, concerning therapeutic leave days for psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs). Sarah Aker from the Department of Health and Human Services explained the current Medicaid rate-setting methodology, how occupancy affects rates, and why paying the full rate for leave days would create additional fiscal impact. Members debated whether the bill should pay the full Medicaid rate, a flat reduced rate, or a tiered rate, and discussed whether a cap or department authorization should be used to control use of leave days. The department said it was not supporting the change as it was not in the governor’s budget, though it supported family engagement in care. After discussion, the committee settled on a compromise motion to set therapeutic leave days at a $500 daily rate and require department authorization of the number of leave days. The motion passed 6-2, with Representative Anderson voting no and the rest of the recorded members voting yes. The committee then moved on to Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget materials, where Michelle Zander walked through detailed population and rate calculations for women’s and men’s facilities, county holds, deferred admissions, transitional facilities, work release, and proposed reentry, man camp, and Grand Forks-related costs. Members asked about the county jail reimbursement rates and the overall pool of funds, and Zander explained the calculations and noted the proposal was roughly break-even depending on assumptions. The committee also heard an overview of DOCR IT requests from Amy and NDIT staff, including data processing, medical modules, a new client management system, body scanners, data management tools, facility management software, medical software upgrades, college solutions, and body cameras/tasers. Staff explained that the new client management system would likely be a multi-phase project with a wide cost range based on vendor selection and scope, and that the current request was for phase one. Members emphasized the importance of better data tracking, staff safety tools, and information that could help explain programming and release outcomes to the public. The committee planned to continue with Veterans Affairs the next day and then return to Senate Bill 2015.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think The Chair covered it incredibly well.
• I was particularly confused by the statement within the MAPE letter that says the statute covers many
• I was particularly confused by the statement within the MAPE letter that says the statute covers many
• I was particularly confused by the statement within the MAPE letter that says the statute covers many
• The first item, I'm going to go a little bit out of order and cover the technical pieces first.

Bills: HF3489, HF3990, HF3825, HF3826, HF3827, HF3822

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, evil actually resides in the hearts of each and every one of us, but there's no entity greater
• to manifest the power of evil in the world... ...entity greater to manifest the power of evil in the
• And so, in doing the additional request for the $500,000 recurring, it will cover the additional 400%
• And I think making sure that our, since the VA does not cover dental care, making sure that we do have
• As you know, if it is related to combat, then it's covered by the VA.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 694, which would compensate the descendants of the Groveland Four—Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepard, and Ernest Thomas—for the wrongful convictions, incarceration, and death tied to the 1949 case. Senator Bracey Davis described the bill as a final step after prior state apologies, pardons, and exonerations. The committee adopted a $4 million amendment that divided compensation equally among the four families and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s share. Multiple family members and advocates testified in support, emphasizing the decades of trauma and the need for full justice. Senators in debate largely supported the bill, and it was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 330, which clarifies disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers by refining the definition of heart disease and allowing certain officers who transfer agencies to rely on a prior physical under specified conditions. SB 474 also passed, expanding military leave protections to include public officials and employees who serve in the Coast Guard or Florida State Guard, adjusting pay eligibility for federal service, and updating related retirement and assistance provisions. SB 96, the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program bill, was amended to expand eligibility to veterans with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level and to move funding into the General Appropriations Act; members debated whether the broader eligibility could increase demand, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for out-of-home placements, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. CS/SB 480 on state IT governance was reported favorably after amendments that strengthened vendor performance metrics and restored state data center security provisions; it creates a new central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office and aims to improve oversight of procurement, spending, and technical debt. SB 1066, addressing partial restoration of the Ocklawaha River and Kirkpatrick Dam, passed after a late-file amendment and extensive testimony from environmental, recreation, and local economic interests. SB 1216, which gives school districts more flexibility in educator compensation, and SB 1120, which increases oversight and reporting for water management district spending, were also reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 1366 on claims against the government, which raises sovereign immunity caps, ties future adjustments to CPI, shortens claim deadlines, and changes attorney-fee provisions. The bill drew support from local government and public-hospital groups as a compromise, but also significant concern from some senators about the impact on self-insured agencies and whether the fee changes would discourage attorneys from taking cases. The discussion remained ongoing, and the bill was still moving forward as the meeting continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's only so that, again, you've got a deduction in the expense of covering that insurance for
• Something that could have been covered at 100% or 80% or 90%... 50%.
• Something that could have been covered at 100% or 80% or 90% goes to 50% if you're out of network.
• They're going to say, fine, but it's not covered.
• State your name, and please don't cover any points already made. Oh, no.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• private detention facility is a detention facility that is operated by a private, non-governmental entity
• Does this bill cover the area around transportation, transporting?
• Many of the news organizations that I represent have tried to cover many of the events that have been
• But we're not sure that just outsourcing to county governments to cover that cost is the way forward.
• But we're not sure that just outsourcing to county governments to cover that cost is the way forward.

Bills: HB1228, HB1239, HB2310, HB2464

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, impaired driving, toxicology, forensic toxicology, breath test, blood test, THC, marijuana, cannabis, alcohol concentration, state toxicologist, implied consent, evidence admissibility, venous blood draw, forensic phlebotomist, certified laboratory, accredited laboratory, law enforcement, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes purchasing multiple buses to cover what can currently be done... ...work.
• This includes purchasing multiple buses to cover what can currently be done with one single bus.
• We have 67 schools and cover both rural and urban areas.
• Our buses cover 175 home-to-school routes and 108 special education routes daily.
• Our buses cover 175 home-to-school routes and 108 special education routes daily.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several transportation-related bills, beginning with AB 431 on advanced air mobility. The author and supporters from AUVSI, Joby Aviation, United Airlines, Wisk Aero, the City of Long Beach, and Archer said the bill would create a statewide plan and technical framework for eVTOL/advanced air mobility infrastructure, public outreach, and local implementation. No opposition testified, and the bill passed the committee as amended to Appropriations on a unanimous roll call. Members then took up AB 630 on abandoned or hazardous RVs. The author and supporters, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office, argued the bill would curb a cycle in which inoperable RVs are towed, auctioned cheaply, and returned to the streets by predatory buyers, while adding notice, recovery, and reporting requirements. Opponents from Western Center on Law and Poverty and ACLU California Action warned the bill would destroy RVs that serve as shelter for unhoused residents and could worsen homelessness. After discussion about the bill’s focus on dismantling rather than towing, the committee passed AB 630 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 314, which would support transit-oriented development around planned and existing high-speed rail stations; AB 1223, which gives Sacramento County communities more flexibility to use local transportation revenues for related infrastructure supporting infill development; AB 1111, which adds flexibility to the zero-emission school bus transition for rural and disadvantaged districts; AB 1190, which caps fees charged by DMV business partners and requires clearer disclosure of the official DMV site; AB 987, which limits unreasonable towing fees and related charges; and AB 911, which creates a narrow exemption from Advanced Clean Fleets rules for telecommunications bucket trucks and sail-on-wheels used in emergencies. Most bills drew support from local governments, industry, or consumer groups, while AB 1111 and AB 911 drew opposition from clean transportation and environmental advocates concerned about weakening emissions goals. All of the bills were reported out as amended to the Committee on Appropriations, with recorded roll-call votes and several members adding their names as co-authors or supporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• reserve, the utilities could seek recovery beyond that amount to replenish the reserve and also to cover
• So a lot of this was covered in the previous presentation, so I won't talk about the legislative portion
• What we are seeing, and I'll cover this more on the next couple of slides, is the investments are paying
• of the storm plan together. ...workshop where we'll bring each entity of the storm plan together and
• Because I'm, again, I'm trying to figure out who else might cover this, and it sounds like the answer

Summary: The committee met to hear invited presentations on storm recovery and storm protection from the Florida Public Service Commission, Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, Chesapeake Utilities, and the Office of Public Counsel. The PSC reviewed the history of storm restoration financing and utility hardening efforts after major storms such as Hurricane Andrew, the 2004-05 hurricane seasons, Irma, and Michael, explaining storm reserve funds, storm recovery bonds, and the current three-year storm protection plan process. The commission’s role in approving plans and later reviewing prudence of actual costs was emphasized, along with the types of work included in the plans such as vegetation management, pole replacement, undergrounding, feeder hardening, and substation flood protection. The utilities described their own storm-hardening investments and recent storm performance. FPL said it has spent about $4.9 billion on storm protection and recovery-related efforts, highlighted improved restoration times during Helene and Milton, and said it is expanding undergrounding, feeder hardening, and smart-grid technology. Duke Energy reported more than 40,000 hardened poles and structures since 2021, major gains from self-healing grid technology, and faster restoration during recent storms. Tampa Electric described a roughly $200 million annual storm protection effort, including vegetation management, undergrounding, substation hardening, and new storm surge protections, and Chesapeake Utilities discussed its smaller-scale hardening program, vegetation work, pole replacement, and rapid restoration after Helene in Nassau County. Committee members asked about how utilities prioritize neighborhoods for lateral hardening, whether maps of planned projects could be shared, how much each utility has spent on undergrounding and hardening, and how reliability comparisons are normalized against the national average. Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler argued that storm recovery and hardening costs fall too heavily on investor-owned utility customers, said the current framework lacks a meaningful cost-benefit or prudence check at the planning stage, and urged broader sharing of storm costs because the benefits extend to the whole state. Senators also discussed whether the commission can review the reasonableness of approved programs and whether future reports or recommendations from Public Counsel would be helpful. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I think we've covered all the ground. Is there anyone else to testify for?
• So isn't there, would the theft statute cover this?
• Senator, Madam Chairman, Senator Kuby, it would be covered, but this is an...
• Oh, but it covers everything. I suggest you... ...it doesn't because it's so vague.
• There is no requirement for covered providers to provide. content is created or altered by AI.

Bills: SB1067, SB1234, SB1285, SB1295, SB1392, SB1413, SB1436, SB1470, SB1476, SB1489, SB1512, SB1535, SB1540, SB1556, SB1568, SB1569, SB1570, SB1573, SB1585, SB1609, SB1627, SB1634, SB1635, SB1644, SB1647, SB1648, SB1650, SB1653, SB1654, SB1655, SB1656, SB1657, SB1658, SB1661, SB1662, SB1664, SB1666, SB1667, SB1669, SB1709, SB1720, SB1723, SB1725, SB1743, SB1746, SB1748, SB1755, SB1786, SB1820, SB1822, SB1829, SCR1027, SCR1040, SCR1048

Keywords: tax lien, property tax lien, real property tax lien, foreclosure, right of redemption, redeem, excess proceeds, county abatement lien, abatement lien, lien priority, assessment lien, easement, county treasurer, certificate of purchase, tax delinquency, delinquent property taxes, property owner equity, judgment foreclosure, title report, Arizona Revised Statutes