Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Burkel: House File 601 aims to provide compensation to farmers for crop and fence damage
• Representative Burkel: The fence claims and the crop damage that a herd of elk can do in a short time
• :14:56.240><c> crop</c> fence claims and and the uh the crop fence claims and and the uh the crop damage
• 00:14:58.160><c> can</c><00:14:58.399><c> can</c><00:14:58.720><c> do</c><00:14:58.959><c> in</c> damage
• that a herd of elk can can do in damage that a herd of elk can can do in a<00:14:59.440><c> short</c

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to the land itself in addition to structures and real property. ...ability to include damage to the
• I chastised my agency folks just a little bit because it's a real estate damage program, a real property
• damage program, that I felt like we could define real property.
• The lessee may never see the compensation necessary to fix the damage.
• I completely support the idea that damage should be able to be compensated to either the landowner or

Bills: SB2601

Keywords: landowner compensation, border crime, agriculture damage, law enforcement, crop loss, 1185, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum and heard one bill, Senate Bill 2601 by Senator Blanco, laid out by Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo. The bill amends the Landowner’s Compensation Program, which was created last session and is administered by the Office of the Attorney General, to expand eligibility to land lessees, cover damage to the land itself as well as structures and real property, add continuous smuggling of persons as a covered border crime, prohibit insurers from using claims under the program in rate calculations, and require law enforcement to provide border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days. The committee substitute also makes the bill a legislative council draft. Public testimony was unanimously supportive. Representatives of the South Texans Property Rights Association and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association said the program has helped landowners but needed cleanup and broader access, especially for lessees who manage property day to day and may otherwise not receive compensation. Testimony also emphasized ongoing problems with fence damage, debris, pollutants, and other border-related property damage. Members asked about implementation, including how conflicts between landowners and lessees would be handled; the response was that documentation of authority and lease responsibilities would be required. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the committee substitute without objection. Senator Hinojosa then moved that SB 2601 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the committee substitute, and the motion passed on a 5-0 vote. The bill was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar, with no objection.

Bills: HB443

Keywords: HB443, Underground Damage Prevention Program, One-Call Notification System, 811, utility locate, dig law, excavation safety, damage prevention, underground utilities, pipeline safety, public utilities, buried facilities, excavation notice, demolition notice, Alabama Public Service Commission, sunset extension, utility protection, locate request, call before you dig, gas pipeline

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a guarantee that if something got damaged during the rental and they could not retrieve it back
• Under the rental contract, if a guest or a renter causes damage to the host's property, Rymer for taking
• to the host's a renter causes damage to the host's property, The guest must pay those damages, and most
• under the guarantee, and then Airbnb can elect to continue pursuing the renter who caused the damages
• I have had damage in my short-term rental property. This is a problem. Your bill addresses it.

Bills: HF3766, HF3972, HF3437, HF4118

Keywords: travel insurance, regulation, insurance licensing, consumer protection, travel assistance, short-term rental, vacation rental, home sharing, rental marketplace, online platform, property damage guarantee, damage waiver, reimbursement insurance, insurance regulation, commerce department, platform user, Airbnb, Vrbo, host protection, rental home marketplace

Bills: SB6178, SB5831

Keywords: SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling, consumer protection, void and unenforceable, Washington insurance code, chapter 48 RCW, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• get insurance or what they had to do for insurance for wildfire protection and if their homes were damaged
• Explain that to the people that have had no relief from the insurance companies for five or six years
• They need relief in this as soon as possible.

Bills: SB6178, SB5831

Keywords: SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling, consumer protection, void and unenforceable, Washington insurance code, chapter 48 RCW, civil penalty

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several insurance and consumer protection bills. On engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5928, staff and supporters described wildfire risk score and model disclosure requirements for homeowners whose policies are nonrenewed, canceled, or adversely affected by wildfire risk, along with insurer website disclosures about mitigation discounts and a process for consumers to request revised scores. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner, AARP, a mayor from Medical Lake, and a fire chief supported the bill as a transparency and consumer protection measure, while industry witnesses said the bill was heavily amended but still too regulatory and potentially costly, and some urged further technical changes. Members asked about how the bill interacts with mitigation efforts, the Fair Plan, and whether it would help consumers understand what actions could improve insurability. The committee also heard engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6031, which would create a standalone Class B felony for insurance fraud, expand the insurance commissioner’s fraud program, require reporting of certain suspected crimes affecting insurance, and address restitution in criminal cases. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner and AARP supported the bill as a response to organized fraud, but a criminal defense representative argued that part of the bill overlaps with existing misdemeanor insurance-claim fraud law and could create conflicting penalties and charging issues. Members asked about the 10-year statute of limitations and how it compares with other crimes. Substitute Senate Bill 6079, a wildfire mitigation grant program, was also heard. The bill would create the Strengthen Washington Homes Program to fund retrofits meeting IBHS wildfire-prepared standards and would bar insurers from using wildfire risk to disqualify properties that meet that standard. The OIC, fire commissioners, the prime sponsor, and AARP supported it as a way to reduce nonrenewals and help homeowners harden their homes, while insurance industry witnesses said they could support the grant program but wanted Section 7 removed because they believed it would interfere with underwriting. The committee also heard substitute Senate Bill 6248 on travel insurance, which would adopt a Washington Travel Insurance Act with licensing, disclosure, tax, and unfair trade practice provisions; the travel insurance industry supported it and said prior amendments had been incorporated. Finally, the committee took testimony on engrossed Senate Bill 5280, which would regulate virtual currency kiosks with daily transaction limits, fee caps, disclosures, receipts, and reporting requirements. The Department of Financial Institutions and the Attorney General’s Office supported the bill as a response to rising crypto-kiosk fraud, especially elder fraud, while some members questioned whether the limits were too restrictive for legitimate users and asked about enforcement, restitution, blockchain analytics, and whether stronger consumer protections should be added. Additional testimony from industry and consumer advocates was invited, but the hearing moved quickly because of the committee’s limited time.

Transcript Highlights:

• They must provide timely and accurate scope of damage and cost of repair.
• They must provide accurate and timely costs to repair or replace damaged property.

Bills: SB5831, SB6178

Keywords: mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three Senate bills. SB 5831, the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, was explained by staff as creating safe harbors so certain mortgage modifications would not affect lien priority or require re-recording; the prime sponsor said it would reduce uncertainty and legal costs. There was no public testimony or questions, and the hearing was closed. The committee then heard Substitute SB 6091, which would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to an exclusive group of buyers or brokers unless the property is also concurrently marketed to the public. Staff noted changes from the House version, including removal of Washington Law Against Discrimination language and added clarification that public marketing does not require physical access to the property. The sponsor and supporters, including Zillow, Washington Realtors, Habitat for Humanity, and the Fair Housing Center, said the bill promotes transparency, fair housing, and equal access, while the Rental Housing Association raised a concern about the remaining reference to “lease” and asked for an amendment to avoid unintended application to some rental providers. Members asked several questions about how the bill would work for private marketing, rentals, and potential disparate impacts. Finally, the committee heard SB 6178, which would prohibit post-loss assignment of insurance benefits in property insurance contracts. Staff and the sponsor said the bill is intended to stop contractors from taking over homeowners’ insurance claims after disasters like wildfires, while preserving direct payment arrangements to contractors. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill and described an increase in complaints, while also saying it was open to discussing the $50,000 penalty level; the National Insurance Crime Bureau and Washington State Association for Justice also supported the measure. Some members questioned whether the penalty should distinguish between good-faith and bad-faith conduct and whether a cooling-off period or existing consumer protection laws might address the issue. The committee closed the public hearing on SB 6178 and then on SB 6091, and ended the meeting with birthday recognition for two members.

Transcript Highlights:

• When a storm strikes, we as the utility have to finance those costs.
• Yet many have suffered financial losses due to damages from border-related crimes.
• For damages caused by border-related crimes.
• Insurance may not fully cover the damage, and many are uninsured.
• Help to compensate the landowners for the damages caused. Thank you. Thank you.

Bills: HB 246, HB 796, HB 1056, HB 1544, HB 1846, HB 2001, HB 2618, HB 2625, HB 2869, HB 2898, HB 3069, HB 3114, HB 3157, HB 3228, HJR 98

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Bills: HB433, HB443

Keywords: tax distribution, Talladega County, economic development, public safety, rural infrastructure, HB443, Underground Damage Prevention Program, One-Call Notification System, 811, utility locate, dig law, excavation safety, damage prevention, underground utilities, pipeline safety, public utilities, buried facilities, excavation notice, demolition notice, Alabama Public Service Commission

Bills: HF3475, SF3832, HF3508, HF3917, HF3404, HF3593

Keywords: agriculture, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment relief, agriculture support, food production, economic relief, investment, relief initiative, farm support, medication repository, drug donation, healthcare, Minnesota Statutes, pharmacy, public health, controlled substances

Bills: SB 410, SB 795, SB 2510, SB 728, SB 2689, HB 143

Keywords: Gulf Coast Protection District, navigation safety, special districts, state governance, Texas legislation, Gulf Coast, flood protection, storm risk management, coastal restoration, natural resources, prescribed burns, self-insurance, fire management, liability protection, rural land management, recycling, environment, sustainability, economic development, Texas Recycling Fund

Bills: HB517, SB110

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> recognized the value of flood damage recognized the value of flood damage reduction<00:36:02.960
• </c><00:48:07.599><c> water</c><00:48:07.839><c> lift</c> will support levies, storm water lift will
• support levies, storm water lift stations,<00:48:08.640><c> county</c><00:48:08.960><c> road</c><00:48
• and/or at risk homes have 337 damaged and/or at risk homes have been<00:51:02.760><c> acquired.
• and to keep the sediments and damages and to keep the sediments and nutrients<01:00:05.839><c> on</c

Bills: HF2080, HF356, HF1968, HF228, HF569, HF603, HF692, HF1455, HF2224, HF1361

Keywords: contamination, water supply, municipal bonds, environmental mitigation, city funding, Sauk Rapids, PFAS contamination, drinking water, pollution control, bond issuance, Cokato, capital investment, school infrastructure, state bonds, HF228, Lakes Area Police Commission, Lindstrom, Chisago City, regional training facility, public safety facility

Transcript Highlights:

• One, it was the extreme cold of Winter Storm Uri. And in 2025, it was wind, drought, and fire.
• wind storms.
• Hell-damaged ponds in Central and North Texas affect homes and businesses.
• Tornadoes and derechos cause extensive damage.
• Is our infrastructure adequate for... of the intense storms and heat.

Bills: HB246, HB796, HB 1056, HB1544, HB1846, HB2001, HB2618, HB2625, HB2869, HB2898, HB3069, HB3114, HB3157, HB3228, HJR98, HB246

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• All of this should be used for property tax relief.
• When a storm strikes, we as the utility have to... finance those costs.
• Yet many have suffered financial losses due to... damages from border-related crimes.
• Insurance may not fully cover the damage, and many are uninsured.
• I have been in a predicament for a while regarding the damages to agricultural lands.

Bills: HB246, HB796, HB 1056, HB1544, HB1846, HB2001, HB2618, HB2625, HB2869, HB2898, HB3069, HB3114, HB3157, HB3228, HJR98, HB246

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• aimed to narrow the scope in which the trust fund could be used only for disaster preparedness and relief
• We did last year's winter storm. We did civil unrest. We have Copa Cup.
• There's expenditures of over $4 million for Haiti Relief. What was that for?
• So Haiti Relief, we went in, at the governor's direction, we had Floridians that were there when you
• Because those are U.S. citizen constituents living there under great duress in a storm.

Bills: S7040, S0110, S0434, S0856

Keywords: property assessment, wind damage, home improvements, real estate, tax exemption, Florida statutes, ad valorem taxes, property listings, tax estimation, disclosure, Florida, residential property

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up three property-tax related bills before turning to a broader discussion of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund. SB 434, which would prohibit counties from increasing a residential property’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation measures, was presented by Senator Lee and reported favorably. CS for SB 110, which clarifies that holders of 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends at death, was also reported favorably. SB 856, requiring online residential listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew support from property appraisers, Zillow representatives, and others and was reported favorably after questions about transparency and realtor obligations. The committee then considered SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Senator DiCeglie and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie argued the fund is needed for hurricane response, other natural and man-made emergencies, and reimbursement-based spending; they said the extension preserves legislative oversight that would otherwise lapse. Several senators questioned the use of the fund for immigration-related operations, detention facilities, and other non-disaster activities, as well as the lack of additional guardrails, reimbursement timing, and transparency. Guthrie said the division has used the fund for hurricanes, flooding, civil unrest, security operations, and other incidents, and that some reimbursements are still pending from the federal government. Public testimony on SPB 7040 was largely opposed. Speakers from the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Florida for All, and others argued the fund has been repurposed for immigration enforcement and detention-related spending rather than true emergencies, and raised concerns about deaths in detention and the absence of competitive bidding and oversight. Guthrie answered extensive questions about the South Florida and North Florida detention facilities, Operation Vigilant Sentry, State Guard support, reimbursement requests, equipment purchases, and legislative access to facilities. The committee did not take a final vote on SPB 7040 within the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Changes or improvements made to increase the property's resistance to wind damage include, but are not
• Changes or improvements made to increase the property's resistance to wind damage include that are not
• limited to improving the strength, To increase the property's resistance to wind damage include, but
• And it is a relief to not be on the budget side of the equation. Well, If I may follow up, Mr.
• President's office are contemplating every facet, and we haven't mentioned the word property tax relief

Bills: S0110, S0434, S0856

Keywords: property assessment, wind damage, home improvements, real estate, tax exemption, Florida statutes, ad valorem taxes, property listings, tax estimation, disclosure, Florida, residential property

Summary: The committee heard and passed three bills before moving to a staff presentation on the state revenue forecast and the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. SB 856, by Senator DeSantis? [sic], would require online real estate listing platforms to display estimated property taxes for residential properties using prescribed methods and DOR-developed formulas rather than the current owner’s tax bill. Supporters from county, city, and property appraiser groups said the bill would improve transparency and help homebuyers avoid surprise tax and escrow increases. The bill was reported favorably after debate about making sure the estimate appears on realtor and platform sites for first-time buyers. SB 110, by Senator Arrington, was amended and then reported favorably. The bill clarifies that people holding 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead tax exemption even if the lease ends upon the tenant’s death, aligning those leaseholds with life estates for estate-planning purposes. The amendment, supported by the Florida Bar’s real property, probate and trust law section, clarified that lease provisions terminating at death are valid under current law. SB 434, by Senator Leak, was also reported favorably; it would prevent property tax assessments from reflecting increased just value attributable to wind-hardening improvements such as stronger roof attachments, shutters, and roof-to-wall reinforcements. The committee then received an update from staff director Azar Khan on the new general revenue forecast. He said collections had been running slightly above estimate overall, but the Revenue Estimating Conference reduced corporate income tax projections because of weaker recent collections and uncertainty around tariffs, while increasing some other revenue sources. Members then discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which staff said would significantly reduce Florida corporate income tax revenue, with a large first-year impact driven by retroactive provisions such as bonus depreciation, research expensing, and business interest deductions. Senators and the appropriations chair said the forecast and federal changes would affect budget planning, and the committee adjourned after noting the bills had been favorably reported and the meeting was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was far more damage than we thought once we investigated that.
• There was far more damage than we thought once we investigated that.
• There was far more damage than we thought once we investigated that.
• There was far more damage than we thought once we investigated that.
• There was far more damage than we thought once we investigated that.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 Capitol Renovations Update 00:00:40 Damage from Recent Disaster Discussion 00:33:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025. A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work. Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• expenditures that there would be an account created to refund, whether through property tax refunds or relief
• whether through property tax uh refunds whether through property tax uh refunds or<00:03:01.440><c> relief
• ><c> let</c><00:03:04.799><c> um</c> So, as stated, it was basically the House File is to provide relief
• So, as stated, it was basically the House File is to provide relief to taxpayers, and when there is a
• </c><00:31:30.480><c> repr</c> give them a refund or a relief repr give them a refund or a relief repr

Bills: HF4, HF173

Keywords: tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief, state surplus, fiscal forecast, wealthy taxpayers, high-income exclusion, 2026 ballot, referendum, surplus distribution