Transcript Highlights:

• For example, the board has adopted or drafted various written policies, procedures, and guidance to help
• When you were auditing their policies and procedures for code of conduct, what were you comparing it
• that they're in the implementation process is that when we created the new policies and procedures,
• I'm saying your job is to advise your board and policies and procedures. Yes, sir. Okay. And Mr.
• Being a past school board member, like I said, we had those policies and procedures in place to us.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Summary: The committee first heard a follow-up on the Arizona State Board of Chiropractic Examiners special audit. The Auditor General’s contractor reported that the board has made progress on most of the 28 recommendations from the 2024 audit, with 25 in process and three not yet implemented. Remaining concerns included complaint investigations not being resolved within 180 days, continued open meeting law compliance problems, and failure to consult the Attorney General’s open meeting law experts. The follow-up also identified new issues with posting disciplinary/non-disciplinary actions and maintaining a complete public records request log. Board staff said they had adopted new complaint timelines, subpoena limits, conflict-of-interest procedures, public meeting guidance, training, and a new licensing platform, and they described efforts to professionalize investigations and improve transparency. Members pressed the board on open meeting violations, complaint backlogs, lobbying activity, and the resignation of the board chair, while the executive director said the audit findings were being treated as a roadmap for reform. The committee then received the January 2026 Arizona school district financial risk analysis. The Auditor General’s office said the number of highest-risk districts rose from two to nine, and districts approaching highest risk increased from seven to nine. The report highlighted common risk factors such as declining student counts, budget reserve problems, use of capital funds for operations, and weakening general fund positions. Tucson Unified was used as an example of a highest-risk district, with declining enrollment, reserve declines, and capital funds redirected to operations; Scottsdale Unified was cited as approaching highest risk. The office explained its web-based dashboard, district action plans, and ongoing outreach to affected districts. Sierra Vista Unified School District superintendent Terry Romo then presented the district’s response to its financial risk designation. She said she inherited the problems, quickly developed an action plan, and is working to stabilize enrollment, reduce staffing through attrition, close an elementary school, freeze nonessential spending, tighten purchase controls, and renegotiate or cancel high-cost contracts. She also said the district is redirecting DAA funds, considering sale or lease of property, and improving communication with families through letters, videos, and enrollment outreach. Committee members questioned the district about declining enrollment, school safety, academic performance, and the pace of corrective action, while Romo emphasized that the district is trying to protect both students and finances and avoid returning to the high-risk list.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission.
• The accountability process involved is basically a self-reporting procedure... ...on any one therapy.
• The accountability process involved is basically a self-reporting procedure and lacks true benchmarks
• I was a state employee for 33 years for the Department of Human Services, the Texas Workforce Commission
• , and the Health and Human Services Commission.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please listen to the second reading of the bill. >> H. 409, an act relating to the procedures for bail
• </c><00:16:30.800><c> for</c><00:16:31.120><c> bail</c> relating to procedures for bail relating to procedures
• </c> &gt;&gt; H409, an act relating to the procedures &gt;&gt; H409, an act relating to the procedures
• </c><00:17:08.079><c> Madam</c> procedures for bail revocation.
• Madam procedures for bail revocation.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You mentioned there is an opt-out procedure. Could you explain that procedure to me?
• I understand there is a procedure. I'm just asking you to explain that procedure.
• I'm just asking you to is a procedure.
• If I want to opt explain that procedure.
• </c><01:09:21.600><c> unless</c> when you're having a procedure unless when you're having a procedure

Keywords: MS House Floor - 21 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• years, particularly with the enactment of AB 2234 from Revis in 2022, which established important procedural
• Circulate California, Habitat for Humanity California, Abundant Housing Los Angeles, San Diego Housing Commission

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills, with most of the discussion focused on streamlining approvals, clarifying housing law, and expanding planning resources. AB 2005 would expand SB 9 urban lot split eligibility to homeowners using living trusts or LLCs and allow partnerships with small builders; supporters said it would help owner-occupants create more homeownership opportunities, while members raised concerns about enforceability and possible loopholes for corporate investors. AB 2676 would clarify the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 to make clear that referendums or initiatives cannot be used as de facto moratoriums on approved housing projects in affected cities and counties; the author said it codifies existing intent and court rulings, and members discussed retroactivity and pending actions before moving it forward. AB 1621 sought to tighten timelines and accountability for post-entitlement permits by limiting repeated plan checks and preventing local agencies from requiring changes that deviate from already approved plans, with supporters from the building industry and apartment sector saying delays add major costs. Cities and counties opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could limit their ability to ensure compliance with local and state standards and create unintended loopholes. The committee also heard AB 2002, which would codify and expand the REAP 1.0 regional planning grant program to support RHNA-related planning, housing elements, technical assistance, and some housing trust fund activities; supporters emphasized its value for under-resourced jurisdictions, while the building industry sought guardrails against grant conditions that exceed state standards. AB 2118 would refine the AB 2011 streamlined pathway for mixed-income housing by clarifying that state permits are ministerial when objective standards are met and limiting local standards that block mixed-use projects; it drew broad support from housing and planning groups and no opposition. AB 2074 proposed a ministerial pathway for high-rise mixed-income housing in major transit-rich downtowns, paired with labor standards and a state-backed revolving loan fund; supporters said it could revitalize downtowns and leverage private capital, while housing advocates and some members questioned whether public financing should prioritize mostly market-rate high-rise projects and raised budget concerns. The committee took roll-call votes and advanced the bills, with AB 2676, AB 1621, AB 2002, AB 2118, and AB 2074 all moving out on majority or unanimous votes, and consent items AB 1899 and AB 2390 also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• years, particularly with the enactment of AB 2234 from Revis in 2022, which established important procedural
• Circulate California, Habitat for Humanity California, Abundant Housing Los Angeles, San Diego Housing Commission

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2179 would make workplace violence restraining order procedures match other civil restraining order
• former member of this body—as a matter of fact, in this room many times—and former chair of the Commission

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused largely on legal ethics, access to justice, public notice, water-rights notice, and protections for vulnerable people. AB 2305 would bar corporate investors such as private equity and hedge funds from directing or influencing litigation decisions; it was supported by the Consumer Attorneys of California and others, with the Civil Justice Association of California supporting if amended to add disclosure requirements. AB 2039 would tighten discipline for attorney misconduct, protect whistleblowers inside law firms, and restrict certain client-loan arrangements; it drew support from consumer attorneys and a support-if-amended position from CJA. AB 2109 would require the State Bar to adopt the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ Universal Bar Exam after the troubled February 2025 California bar exam; members discussed the need for broader review and possible reciprocity, but supported moving the bill forward. The committee also advanced AB 2115, which would issue a formal legislative apology to California Native peoples for the state’s role in historic violence and dispossession, with strong support from tribal leaders and Native organizations. Members spoke at length about the need for acknowledgment, healing, and a Capitol plaque memorializing the apology. AB 2179 would expand electronic filing and remote appearance options to workplace violence restraining orders, aligning them with other protective order procedures; it received support from local governments, prosecutors, labor groups, and advocacy organizations. AB 2534 would allow restraining orders based on forced marriage or attempts to compel marriage, and the committee heard powerful testimony from a survivor and support from family violence advocates. Two other measures addressed notice and transparency. AB 2323 would modernize public notice by keeping print publication as the legal standard while requiring online availability, with supporters emphasizing access, archival value, and the role of community newspapers; a special districts group opposed unless amended. AB 2125 would require courts in water-rights adjudications to consider proof of notice and receipts before proceeding, prompted by testimony from Ventura County farmers who said they lost water allocations without adequate notice. The committee approved the bills it heard, including several on consent, and later took roll-call votes to move the measures forward, generally sending them to Appropriations or to the floor as noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2179 would make workplace violence restraining order procedures match other civil restraining order
• former member of this body, as a matter of fact, in this room many times, and former chair of the Commission

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, Senate Bill 1364 deals with our Idaho Administrative Procedures Act, more specifically temporary
• that are not federally mandated, necessary for finance, or related to the Professional Standards Commission

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the March 11 journal and received routine communications, including notice of a temporary substitute senator and several committee reports. The chamber also received a gubernatorial message transmitting signed Senate bills and House messages on enrolled bills and new legislation. Committee reports moved a number of bills forward, including measures on finance, judiciary, resources, education, local government, agriculture, and transportation, with some bills held for amendment or one legislative day. On the floor, the Senate considered several third-reading bills. Senate Bill 1351, concerning state office vacancies and limits on reappointed gubernatorial appointees, passed 34-0. Senate Bill 1364, revising the expiration of temporary administrative rules, passed 35-0. Senate Bill 1370, amending the abortion trafficking statute by removing the word “recruiting” after constitutional concerns raised by the Attorney General’s office, passed 28-6. Senate Bill 1337, allowing limited flexibility for small irrigation district boards, passed 34-0, and Senate Bill 1339, replacing continuous improvement plans with multi-year strategic performance plans for schools and reducing reporting requirements, also passed on a 34-0 vote. The Senate also passed House Bill 576 on the Consumer Asset Recovery Fund, House Bill 731 on participation in the federal tax credit scholarship program, House Bill 591 cleaning up obsolete indigent eligibility law, House Bill 663 shifting agricultural license plate design authority, House Bill 543 updating retirement system Roth contribution language, House Bill 563 revising CPA licensure pathways, and House Bill 652 designating hunting as Idaho’s state sport. Senate Bill 1303, revising provisions related to renewable/sustainable energy resources and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources, passed 27-8. House Bill 822 was introduced, and Senate Bill 1227 received House amendments that the Senate concurred in. The major defeat of the day was Senate Bill 1375, the fiscal year 2027 Health and Human Services maintenance appropriation bill. After extensive debate over Medicaid rate reductions, provider impacts, federal funding losses, and the use of reserves versus cuts, the bill failed 10-25 and was retained by the Secretary. The Senate then returned to committee reports, received additional House and Senate messages, and adjourned until 10:30 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, 1364 deals with our Idaho Administrative Procedures Act, more specifically temporary rules,
• that are not federally mandated, necessary for finance, or related to the Professional Standards Commission

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're leaving the commission in.
• It modifies the reporting requirement and requires parental reporting procedure, making sure that it's

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2710, which would revise school accountability report cards. The sponsor and members described a committee substitute that clarified the report card’s purpose, added an appeal process and changed deadlines, set the top decile of schools as the highest rating, addressed the 95% participation issue with an asterisk-style disclosure, shifted the Show Me Success funding language toward growth-based criteria, clarified growth-to-proficiency language, added agricultural industry reporting, and removed an anonymous survey section and a changing-target provision. After discussion about how letter-grade cutoffs would be set and whether the bill captured enough information about school quality, the committee adopted an amendment changing “growth to proficiency” to “growth relative to grade level” and exempting special school districts or state-operated schools serving only students with disabilities. The substitute was adopted and the committee voted the bill do pass by 16 ayes and 6 noes. The committee then considered House Bill 2872, a literacy bill. The sponsor explained that the substitute kept the four approved screeners, retained the commission, and softened the three-cueing language so science of reading remains the primary approach while allowing teachers some flexibility. Members discussed retention and possible future exceptions, including parental consent and reading plans, but those changes were not yet drafted. The substitute was adopted and the bill passed the committee 20-0, with two present. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2120 and House Bill 1698 together under a combined substitute addressing bullying and related reporting requirements. The substitute removed language on second-degree harassment, added a title reference to Sawyer’s Law, modified reporting procedures to require notice by the end of the school day or the next school day if the incident occurs on a weekend, and clarified investigation and liability protections for teachers. The substitute was adopted and the combined bill passed unanimously. The committee then moved out of executive session and heard House Bill 2335, which would let districts and administrators reduce repetitive annual teacher trainings by using a rotation after a teacher’s first three years. The sponsor and several witnesses from school administrator and teacher groups supported the bill as a time-saving retention measure, while a student witness raised concerns about ensuring continued training on mental health emergencies. Testimony then began on House Bill 2918, the Cronkite New Voices Act, which would expand student journalism rights at public schools and public colleges. The sponsor, a Hazelwood plaintiff, student journalists, an advisor, a law professor, and free-speech advocates testified in support, arguing the bill would protect student speech while preserving limits for libel, obscenity, privacy, and disruption; no opposing testimony was presented before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Procedures. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, to speak on the bill. Proceed, gentlemen.
• Forgive my ignorance: Is this commission moving forward, or is it being renewed, or is it—?

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 3, 2026 by roll call vote, 131-1. Members then spent much of the morning introducing special guests, including a page for the day, Missouri State University Citizen Scholars, JAG program students, school counselors, elementary students observing online, interns, and a tribute honoring Josephine Baker’s life and legacy. The chamber then moved to first reading of several bills and to perfection of multiple House Committee Substitutes. The most substantial debate centered on a composite anti-trafficking bill, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2273, 1946, 1814, and 2551. Supporters said it would strengthen Missouri’s response to trafficking, grooming, sextortion, and child sexual abuse material by updating terminology, creating a permanent Attorney General’s statewide council, expanding training for professionals, extending the civil statute of limitations for trafficking claims, increasing penalties, and allowing expungement for victims. Members cited testimony from survivors and advocates and emphasized the need for coordinated enforcement and education. The House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members also debated House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1694 and related bills, a package aimed at curbing abusive website-accessibility lawsuits against Missouri businesses. Supporters described “sue-and-settle” tactics targeting small businesses with little notice and high settlement demands, while opponents of the abusive practice argued the bill preserves legitimate ADA claims and gives businesses a chance to cure problems. The House adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2375 on workers’ compensation, which supporters said would clarify the “prevailing factor” standard, address preexisting-condition claims, adjust treatment and appeal rules, and reduce costs; opponents warned it could make it harder for injured workers to obtain care and create disputes between insurers. The House adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The chamber then moved to announcements and recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation, cities and towns, Chapter 7 for state-level contracts, or special legislation, policies, or procedures
• good job, to do training, and the Attorney General’s office as well, ...and possibly the Ethics Commission

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Summary: The committee met to discuss MassDOT’s unsuccessful service plaza procurement, with Chair Montigny opening by stressing the committee’s investigative role, its refusal to take lobbyist calls or meetings, and its willingness to use subpoena power if needed. He said the committee was focused on understanding how the bid process unfolded, why the selected bid was far above the low bid, why the Capital Programs Committee did not vote on the matter, and what ex parte communications occurred. He also framed the issue as broader than one contract, criticizing procurement practices generally and noting future hearings on quasi-public entities and the Convention Center. Commonwealth Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified that his office would issue an investigatory letter on the service plaza procurement in the coming weeks. He said the procurement was a major one—18 locations, nearly $1 billion in value, and a 35-year term—and that his office had reviewed the process, its design, and execution. Shapiro emphasized that the OIG looks beyond fraud to the totality of a procurement and contract management, and he outlined best practices for large public procurements: clear planning, transparent solicitation terms, defined evaluation criteria and weights, limited and explicit non-negotiable terms, conflict-of-interest controls, and strong contract management after award. He said the Commonwealth was fortunate the procurement was canceled because a contract of that size and duration should mitigate risk factors. Committee members then pressed Shapiro on broader procurement reform, including how to handle subjective criteria versus objective price comparisons, how to prevent ex parte communications, whether selection committees should be treated as public bodies subject to open meeting and records laws, and whether agencies should use outside experts or dedicated staff for major negotiations. Shapiro responded generally that agencies must define objectives and scoring before bids are opened, use forms that allow apples-to-apples comparisons, ensure boards understand their oversight duties, and think about enforcement and contract management from the start. The hearing ended with the chair saying the committee would continue its work and would hear from the Secretary of Transportation at a later date; the meeting adjourned at 4:12.

Transcript Highlights:

• sheriffs, police chiefs, town marshals, law enforcement agency volunteers, youth cadets, specially commissioned
• allow them plenty of time to be able to sign it and off. ...to an officer and create a policy or procedure

Summary: The Law and Justice Committee heard multiple Senate bills and took executive action on several of them. Bills discussed included SB 5837 on guardianship and conservatorship, SB 6011, SB 6009 on consent language in proceedings, SB 5868, SB 5974 on sheriffs and related law enforcement volunteers, SB 5720 on consumer debt default judgments, SB 5833 on leaving engines running to protect pets, SB 5936 on human trafficking remedies, SB 5993 on medical debt interest, SB 6070 on missing persons alerts and investigative tools, and SB 6002 on driver privacy and ALPR data. Staff summarized proposed substitutes and amendments for each, with members raising concerns about scope, constitutionality, consumer protections, law enforcement authority, privacy, and debt collection practices. Several amendments were adopted, withdrawn, or rejected during the discussion. In executive session, the committee adopted proposed substitutes or amendments for SB 5837, SB 6009, SB 5974, SB 5720, SB 5833, SB 5936, SB 5993, SB 6070, and SB 6002. SB 6011 also received a due pass recommendation. SB 5974, after debate over sheriff certification and recall provisions, was advanced to Ways and Means. SB 5993, dealing with medical debt interest, drew multiple proposed amendments that were withdrawn, and the committee ultimately advanced the bill with the substitute. SB 6002 on ALPR privacy was advanced after discussion of retention periods, ownership of data, and evidentiary use. The committee then held a public hearing on SB 6086, which would strengthen security protections for judicial officers and court personnel by expanding who may request removal of personal information, broadening Address Confidentiality Program eligibility, and allowing AOC security consultants to conduct threat assessments. Proponents, including judges, clerks, and court officials, described rising threats and the need for stronger protections; county officials and prosecutors raised implementation, constitutional, and records-management concerns. The committee also heard Senate Joint Memorial 8014, requesting a U.S.-led investigation into the killing of Washingtonian Aishanur Esgi Yegi. The memorial drew extensive testimony from family members, advocates, academics, and community groups in support, while a few opponents argued the memorial was factually incomplete or politically selective. No final action was taken on SB 6086 or SJM 8014 during the hearing, and the committee closed after noting very large numbers of signed-in supporters and opponents for the memorial.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but as you keep reading further down, Secretary of State shall establish procedures to allow any
• Did you mention a county commission race?

Bills: HB67 , HB89 , HB67 , HB89

Committee: House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Keywords: parental rights, drag performances, public schools, public libraries, overnight programs, gender identity, minor safety, HB89, Medicaid, pregnant women, pregnancy, prenatal care, ambulatory prenatal care, presumptive eligibility, temporary Medicaid coverage, Alabama Medicaid Agency, maternal health, low-income women, health coverage, eligibility determination

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to now move from public hearing into executive session, and I believe Sam has some procedure
• And I'll give you just one quick example: the Wounds Commission was created in 2018.

Bills: SB5834 , SB5835 , SB5883 , SB5905 , SB6151 , SB6163 , SB6177 , SB6173

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: Washington retirement systems, retirement trust funds, interest earnings, public employee retirement system, teachers retirement system, state patrol retirement system, judicial retirement system, judges retirement system, school employees retirement system, public safety employees retirement system, law enforcement officers and firefighters retirement system, PERS, TRS, LERS, legal expenses, medical expenses, administrative expenses, fraud prevention, overpayment recovery, trust fund protection

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Revenue, the Employment Security Department, the Utilities and Transportation Commission
• We also facilitate tsunami exercises so that we can test alerting and response procedures.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on the effects of tariffs on Washington’s economy, agriculture, and small businesses, followed by updates on emergency management, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, tsunami preparedness, and World Cup security planning. Office of Financial Management economist Abdelamintrawe Trieri said tariff increases are expected to raise prices, reduce output and employment, and lower state revenue over a four-year horizon, with the hardest-hit sectors including aerospace, food and beverage manufacturing, and agriculture. Members asked about updated tariff scenarios, crop-specific impacts, inflation versus deflation in different goods, and whether some manufacturing sectors could benefit; staff said updated numbers would need to be rerun as tariff rates changed. Washington Department of Agriculture representative Ryan Hamm described how tariffs raise costs for farm inputs such as equipment, parts, packaging, and fertilizer, while also affecting exports of key commodities like wheat, potatoes, apples, cherries, dairy, and wine. He said some sectors support tariffs on competing imports, but retaliation and market restrictions have hurt exports, especially to China and, in the wine sector, Canada. Department of Commerce representative Andrea Chartock outlined export assistance, business finance, recruitment, and industry-sector development programs, and proposed expanding tariff-resilience support through market diversification, supply-chain optimization, and efforts to attract investment and federal funding. She also noted uncertainty around delayed federal STEP funding for small business export assistance. Emergency Management Division Director Robert Ezell warned that federal disaster and mitigation funding is becoming less reliable, citing the denied bomb cyclone disaster declaration, delays in FEMA grant processing, and possible restructuring of FEMA that could shift more responsibility to states. He said Washington may need stronger state-funded public assistance, individual assistance, and mitigation programs, along with broader coordination among state agencies and local governments. Cybersecurity staff described state efforts to support local governments through the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, threat intelligence sharing, vulnerability assessments, and a proposed volunteer incident response team, while noting the loss of MS-ISAC funding and the importance of continued state matching funds for cybersecurity grants. Hazard mitigation and tsunami staff emphasized the need for sustained investment in flood, wildfire, earthquake, lahar, and tsunami resilience, including vertical evacuation structures and language-access outreach. Ezell also briefed the committee on World Cup security preparations and federal grants for counter-unmanned aircraft systems, explaining that the state can buy mitigation capabilities but current authority to use them remains largely federal; the committee asked follow-up questions about fan zones, training, and the meaning of drone mitigation. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 1,631 procedures we've done in three months for veterans who would not have gotten that care otherwise
• So I was on the county commission in 2012. We started an initiative called Zero Point in Time.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 1,631 procedures we've done in three months for veterans who would not have gotten that care otherwise
• I was on the county commission in 2012.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s mission, outreach efforts, state veterans nursing homes, and support programs. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the state’s existing nursing homes and the planned 10th home in Collier County, and the department’s dental assistance program, which served 245 veterans in the first quarter of the fiscal year and completed 1,631 procedures while saving more than $525,000. He also discussed veteran service officers, the benefits guide, the department newsletter, efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, and mental health outreach through the Overwatch/Firewatch program. Senators asked about future nursing home locations, adult day health care, homelessness, and the dental program; Hartzell also announced that retired Colonel D.J. Reyes will become deputy executive director on November 7. The committee then heard from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and agency modernization. He described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office warehouse in Auburndale, and the new state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, which is ahead of schedule and designed to hold about 220 people and withstand 200-mph winds. Guthrie reviewed recovery efforts for recent storms, including debris removal, volunteer villages, sheltering, and FEMA reimbursement totals for Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, and earlier storms. He also discussed the Elevate Florida home-elevation program, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation training initiative, the DEMES platform, and WebEOC, noting that 60 counties and 22 colleges and universities are using the system. Members asked Guthrie about flood-response resources for cities, training for local officials, and lessons from inland flooding after recent storms. He explained how local governments can request pumps and other assistance through county and state channels, described upcoming elected-official training, and emphasized mutual aid and EMAC as key future disaster-response tools. The committee took no formal votes or other legislative action and adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Walter Adams. of the chairman for the NMDOT Commission.
• engaged in a lot of public engagement and discussions with folks to ensure that the policies and procedures