Transcript Highlights:

• I have lightning apps, and my lightning apps were working fine, just letting me know that lightning strikes
• We've got it set for a 20-mile radius around us, so my lightning apps were going off, and I knew that
• And that's one of the reasons why we were awake—because it kept buzzing for lightning strikes within

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So just kind of setting the main tone and landscape of how the industry feels: excuse me, we have lightning
• So just kind of setting the main tone and landscape of how the industry feels: excuse me, we have lightning
• So just kind of setting the main tone and landscape of how the industry feels: excuse me, we have lightning
• So just kind of setting the main tone and landscape of how the industry feels: excuse me, we have lightning
• Excuse me, we have lightning in a bottle right now, and we're going to let it evaporate if we don't take

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. On SB 9, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation testified in support, and there were no questions or objections. On SB 148, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and a member of the public testified in support of combining boxing and MMA oversight into a single combat sports commission, with amendments to preserve safety standards and separate or distinct treatment for the two sports. Committee discussion focused on whether proposed requirements were primarily safety-related or cost-related, how to handle smaller events, and whether a one-year implementation delay was necessary; the department said many safety provisions already exist in the MMA program, that it was open to continued discussion on costs, and that it needed time to combine rules and appoint new commissioners. The chair suggested possible amendments to account for event size and to reduce burdens on smaller events. The committee then heard SB 816, which drew extensive testimony on providing legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. Supporters included the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, ACU Hawaii, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, the Legal Clinic, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Pride at Work Hawaii, and others. Supporters argued that immigration cases can be as serious as criminal cases, that counsel is essential for due process, and that representation improves outcomes; several also emphasized the economic importance of immigrants to Hawaii. One supporter noted a suggested amendment to include training for attorneys and partners doing deportation defense and asylum work. Opposition came from a Navy veteran who argued the bill would use state resources for a federal issue, create inequities, and impose fiscal burdens. The chair noted 69 testimonies in support and 44 in opposition, and later an additional supporter brought the total to 70 in support. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The committee also heard SB 125, with the Department of Economic Development, the Agreed Business Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii offering technical comments about complicated nested definitions in the bill. Testimony on SB 125 focused on updating the Enterprise Zone Program so local manufacturers selling directly to retail could qualify, along with value-added products and certain health-related sectors. Finally, on SB 732, the State of Hawaii Creative Industries testified with comments, raising concerns about county permit-fee waivers, implementation timing, and the bill’s lack of a carry-forward provision for the film tax credit. The witness said uncertainty in the credit was already causing productions to delay coming to Hawaii and urged stability to support the industry and local workers. The committee then moved on to additional testimony on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I always thought was a lightning<01:05:56.640> bolt.
• Um, but it's it's a way lightning bolt.
• They have the lightning bolt and usually it's the ham radio call sign with a lightning bolt between the
• They have the lightning bolt and usually it's the ham radio call sign with a lightning bolt between the
• new plate showing that lightning bolt. new plate showing that lightning bolt.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So to the issue, 65A, quite clearly only applies to the perils of fire and lightning, and that one gives
• So to the issue, 65A, quite clearly only applies to the perils of fire and lightning, and that one gives
• and that one gives fire and lightning and that one gives you<01:19:56.640> two<01:19:56.880><
• ,<01:20:13.199> you<01:20:13.440> still you have a fire or lightning, you still you
• have a fire or lightning, you still get<01:20:13.760> your<01:20:14.000> two<01:20:14.239

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The task force approved the minutes from the previous meeting and then reviewed the structure and statutory requirements for its final report. Staff explained that the report must go to the commissioners of commerce, housing finance, and economic development, as well as relevant legislative leaders, and must include a summary of task force activities, adopted findings and recommendations, tort reform recommendations to reduce insurance costs, any draft legislation, and other necessary information. A draft report, likely excluding recommendations and draft legislation, is expected to be circulated before the first January meeting. Most of the meeting focused on the Fair Plan and whether it could be expanded to help homeowners associations, affordable housing, and common interest communities that are struggling to obtain coverage. Supporters said these groups are facing availability problems and often end up in the surplus lines market, which lacks the consumer protections of the admitted market. They argued the Fair Plan could serve as a third-market option with stronger protections and better access, especially for properties that are having difficulty getting quotes. Several members and witnesses raised concerns that the Fair Plan was never intended to be a broad affordability solution and warned against using it to artificially lower prices below risk-based levels. They said doing so could shift losses onto other policyholders through assessments and potentially weaken the broader insurance market. The Fair Plan administrator explained that any expansion would require substantial research, staffing, actuarial and underwriting expertise, reinsurance planning, IT changes, and likely assessments or other capitalization decisions, and that the plan would need to focus on a limited subset of properties rather than the entire market. No votes were taken on policy recommendations, and the discussion ended with agreement that more information and scoping work are needed before any formal recommendation is made.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in the spirit of the chair's desire for us to be efficient, let's do- sort of the lightning
• And I'll remind LAO that we're trying to do lightning rounds.
• So any creative ideas you have for us there, lightning rounds again, right?
• Just very quickly, I know we're in sort of the lightning round piece of it, but I know I'm having kind

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, yeah, yeah, lightning struck the rock, yeah, they broke in half, yeah.
• That's like a lightning rod, okay?
• Yeah, you protect yourself when you sign the waiver, but you know, guess what the lightning rod does?
• It draws a lot of lightning. happening. So there's going to be suits on that.

Bills: SB 10, SB 11

Keywords: human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lightning round, or is it deeper?
• Representative Noe, we'll try and get one more lightning round for everyone, please.
• Thoughts and more lightning than that. I'll go quick.
• We will have Representative Heavens Ander will lightning it out and then we will be done.
• Well, that was lightning, and that was true lightning, Representative Noe.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to having another thunder and lightning and then I think in December.
• That process their conversion see complete in March with the state of 20 new Lightning twos in Jacksonville

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I knew I would be in trouble if I tried to take those girls out in the lightning.'
• I knew I would be in trouble if I tried to take those girls out in the lightning.
• It was, again, pitch black, sheeting rain, aggressive lightning.
• Every single person that describes this night to us talks about the aggressive lightning strikes and
• And so getting them out of the cabin was one of his first... amount of light other than the lightning

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They move at lightning speed on tax breaks for billionaires.
• lightning speed. lightning speed.
• You guys are promoting the Ford Lightning.
• The are promoting the Ford Lightning.
• :25.600> that's<08:53:25.840> a Ford Lightning, which nobody that's a Ford Lightning, which

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam President, I don't know what happened in the House; there must have been a lightning strike over
• there because that House Bill came over quicker than lightning could have ever struck.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we look forward to having another Thunder and Lightning event, I think, in December.
• That process, their conversions, is complete in March, with end state of 20 new Lightning IIs in Jacksonville

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, and Domestic Security met for its first meeting of the 2025-26 session and heard presentations from Major General John Haas, Adjutant General of Florida, and Tim McGregor, executive director of the Florida Defense Support Commission. General Haas reviewed the Florida National Guard’s missions, statewide footprint, domestic disaster response, and federal deployments, emphasizing the Guard’s role in hurricanes, border-related support, and other state operations. He also discussed recruiting and retention, noting that recruiting remains strong but retention is challenged by the Guard’s high operational tempo, and he outlined efforts to expand force structure, improve facilities, and modernize units, including Camp Blanding upgrades, new armories, additional infantry, engineer, military police, and aviation assets, and the Air National Guard’s F-35 conversion. Members asked questions about recruiting methods, typical brigade size, and how many personnel would be needed to reduce the average duty burden back toward the statutory 39 days. Haas explained that Florida’s large population helps recruiting, especially through community and school outreach, but that the state’s frequent domestic missions make the current 12,000-member force too small for its workload. He said the Guard’s high tempo is the main reason members leave for the reserves and argued that more force structure is needed to reduce strain. Committee members also discussed prior efforts to influence National Guard stationing decisions based on population shifts and domestic mission demands. McGregor then described the Florida Defense Support Commission’s work to protect military installations, prevent encroachment, support workforce and economic development, and improve the military-friendly environment for service members and families. He highlighted the commission’s grant programs, the military benefits guide, and a spouse license reciprocity matrix, as well as site visits to installations and defense-related facilities across the state. Members asked about Lockheed Martin’s innovation and simulation work in Orlando and discussed the value of military spouse reciprocity compacts. No bills were heard, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• One day, clear as a bell like today, and it’s telling me there’s lightning in the area.
• One day, clear as a bell like today, and it’s telling me there’s lightning in the area.
• and the H.A.F.C. adopted budgets is the $30 million special to the risk fund for severe hail and lightning

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• old saying that we used to hear down here some, and it goes like this: the skies darken and the lightning
• The the skies darken and the lightning<00:46:29.440> flashes<00:46:30.000> across<00:46
• :30.400> the<00:46:30.640> sky<00:46:30.880> and<00:46:31.119> the lightning
• flashes across the sky and the lightning flashes across the sky and the thunder<00:46:32.000> booms

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal from Friday, February 20, 2026. The chamber also announced caucus meetings during recess and received notice that the House had passed House Bills 111, 527, and 555. New Senate bills were introduced, including SB 220 on small farm wineries, SB 221 on abuse of a corpse, and SB 222 on environmental covenants and an emergency declaration. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 52, which concerns fair permitting and licensing practices. The sponsor described the bill as a response to delays and subjectivity in agency permitting, saying it would require clear standards, set deadlines, and provide meaningful appeals without eliminating existing requirements. Opponents argued that a fixed deadline could be too short for complex environmental and public-safety reviews and could pressure agencies with limited staffing; one senator also warned it could benefit large businesses at the expense of workers and communities. Supporters countered that the bill would improve accountability and help businesses, child care providers, and other applicants get timely decisions. After floor amendments were withdrawn, SB 52 passed as amended by a vote of 30 yeas to 5 nays. Before that vote, the Senate also returned SB 50 from the Appropriations and Revenue Committee to the Rules Committee under suspension of the rules. After SB 52, the chamber took up Senate Bill 124, relating to sick leave for school district personnel, and heard the sponsor’s explanation that it was intended to address classroom absences in a cost-effective way that would benefit students and taxpayers. The transcript cuts off during the discussion of SB 124, before any final vote on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in the spirit of the chair's desire for us to be efficient, let's do sort of the lightning round
• And I'll remind the LAO that we're trying to do lightning rounds. Sorry.
• Lightning rounds again. Yeah.
• So it is, you know, we— Very quickly, I know we're in sort of the lightning-round piece of it, but I

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support. Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization. Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, uh, sometimes lightning causes forest fires, but sometimes it doesn't.
• I think, uh, sometimes lightning causes forest fires, but sometimes it doesn't.
• I think, uh, sometimes lightning causes forest fires, but sometimes it doesn't.
• I think, uh, sometimes lightning causes forest fires, but sometimes it doesn't.
• I think, uh, sometimes lightning causes forest fires, but sometimes it doesn't.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force opened its sixth meeting by approving the minutes and then taking up a presentation from University of Pikeville representatives and local leaders on an Eastern Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Speakers included Greg May, Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty, Lori Worth, and Laura Damron. They described repeated flooding and other disasters in eastern Kentucky, the lack of a single prepared relief location, and the need for a centralized, elevated site that could serve as a flood and broader natural-disaster hub. The presenters said the Bear Mountain property, about 530 acres and well above flood levels, could support a multi-use facility combining disaster response functions with university and community uses. Proposed features included a command and communications center, distribution space, emergency shelter, medical and clinic support, food service, restroom facilities, RV hookups, and an indoor track/distribution building. They emphasized that the project would help avoid disrupting existing venues such as the Pikeville Expo Center and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, while also supporting tourism and economic recovery. Committee members asked about community and emergency-management support, annual operating costs, and resilience standards such as tornado-related building codes. In response, the presenters said local stakeholders, including Appalachian Wireless, Pikeville Medical Center, Community Trust Bank, the city of Pikeville, and emergency management officials, had expressed support. They said the university planned to absorb some operating costs through multiple uses of the facility, community camps, and budgeted maintenance, and that construction documents were nearly complete with plans to begin building within months. After the presentation, the chair thanked the presenters and moved the committee into its recommendations discussion, noting the broader fiscal and humanitarian importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency and indicating that future legislation would likely follow from the task force’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:45.040> Uh<00:41:45.440> my bill talks about a lightning bolt.
• Uh my bill talks about a lightning bolt.
• >> The<00:41:55.119> lightning<00:41:55.520> bolt,<00:41:55.839> can<00:41
• :56.000> you<00:41:56.160> talk<00:41:56.319> about >> The lightning bolt,
• But the lightning bolt is used in Massachusetts.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you take the Ford F-150 Lightning and uh drive at that same 11,500 miles, the number of miles
• and uh drive at that F-150 Lightning and uh drive at that same<01:15:10.080> 11,500 same 11,500
• >> Well, the uh the the Ford F-150 Lightning gets 68 um EMPG.
• So you can The Lightning gets 68 MPG, so you can convert that, take the mileage, and convert that MPG
• You want the Ford F-150 Lightning to be paying the same amount as a regular Ford F-150, right?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The working group approved the prior meeting minutes with one correction to reflect Laura Ziggler’s attendance. Staff then outlined the report due February 13, 2026, which must summarize the group’s activities and include findings and recommendations adopted by the group; the report will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. The chair emphasized that the group’s charge is broad and includes analyzing electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, developing policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding, and reviewing other states’ laws and policies. Discussion focused heavily on how to replace declining gas tax revenue as more vehicles become electric. The chair framed the issue as a fairness and implementation challenge, noting that EVs are a growing share of the fleet and that the group should consider both policy and funding, not just one or the other. Members and guests raised several ideas already submitted, including a road user charge, changes to the EV charging tax, ending or modifying the EV surcharge, broadening the tax to publicly owned charging stations, reducing the charging level threshold to level 2, ending sales tax on electricity, addressing off-road use, and expanding the definition of auto parts to include charging equipment. Representative Elkins argued that charging based on electricity used at home is impractical for most vehicles, that public charging is already much more expensive than home charging, and that the current sales tax plus surcharge amounts to double taxation for public-charging users. He said a mileage-based user charge modeled on Utah’s approach is workable, could be phased in, and could preserve privacy by allowing a voluntary or alternative method for home charging estimates. Senator Howe responded that home electricity use can be estimated similarly to mileage deductions on taxes and said the state should tax all electricity used as fuel, regardless of charger level, if it can be identified. Other speakers echoed that all road users should pay a fair share and that the main challenge is implementation. Tony Kis of Quick Trip asked that a late letter be included in the record and urged clarification of the sales, use, excise tax, and collection rules to avoid double taxation and reduce administrative burden, noting the current monthly collection date and suggesting the group should streamline collection methods. No final policy decisions or votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• One way we can help PJM and help Pennsylvania at the same time is by supporting the Governor's Lightning
• The Lightning Plan provides a means to invest in generation resources and to create jobs here in Pennsylvania

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, committee reports, and approval of the prior journal. Members also granted several leaves of absence and welcomed a number of guests, including Ireland’s Consul General and Deputy Consul General, student shadows, an intern, and the Neshaminy High School baseball team, which was recognized for winning the 2026 PIAA Class 6A state championship. The chamber then recessed briefly for an Education Committee meeting and party caucuses before returning to session. On the floor, the Senate advanced several measures. Senate Bill 362, addressing SNAP skimming, passed 49-0 after remarks about protecting food assistance benefits from theft. Senate Bill 469, providing discounted fishing and hunting licenses for current and retired law enforcement, also passed 49-0 after an amendment was withdrawn. Senate Bill 730, codifying Pennsylvania POLST forms for end-of-life medical orders, saw a tabled amendment from Senator Boscola on physician-assisted dying after a 28-21 vote, then passed 49-0. The Senate also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 1206 clarifying a temporary license pending FDA approval, and sent House Bill 1344 and Senate Bill 1377 to the House after unanimous final passage. Other bills were moved to appropriations or held in order, including Senate Bill 49, House Bill 96, Senate Bill 535, Senate Bill 536, House Bill 538, Senate Bill 743, Senate Bill 1262, Senate Bill 1273, House Bill 1286, and Senate Bill 1372. House Bill 1862 and House Bill 2017 each received amendments and were re-referred to the Appropriations Committee. The Senate also agreed to consider newly reported committee bills, including measures from Finance, Judiciary, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, and Education. In petitions and remonstrances, Senators Tartaglione and Costa focused on minimum wage and utility affordability, urging action on consumer protections, LIHEAP funding, data center energy costs, and related energy policy. The session concluded with the signing of House Bill 1877 in the presence of the Senate and a recess until June 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., unless recalled earlier.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and now talk to Representative Turbo Lightning about how to do this. And thank you.
• about how to how to do turbo lightning about how to how to do this<01:22:58.920> and<01:22:59.080
• That was another lightning pin because I appreciate you being brief.
• <01:35:34.440> pin<01:35:34.760> because<01:35:34.920> I was another lightning
• pin because I was another lightning pin because I appreciate<01:35:35.480> you<01:35:35.600><

Keywords: 1183, house