Transcript Highlights:

• Presentation by the Department of Commerce on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery
• Florida Commerce is the governor-designated state authority responsible for administering all of the
• Our office works directly with disaster-impacted Floridians through our housing programs.
• So the vendor that I was referring to, they were responsible for management of the projects.
• This not only increases access to federal funding, but also keeps responsibility for disaster mitigation

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum and heard two bills, a confirmation, and two agency presentations. SB 48 by Senator Gates would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead exemption for the owner-occupied portion, limit parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum leases, extend density bonuses for military-family housing, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. SB 34 by Senator Sharief would expand the Historic Cemetery Program, particularly to help historic African-American cemeteries preserve and maintain themselves by allowing sale of excess vacant land only if proceeds are used for long-term upkeep; it also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors by unanimous vote. In addition, the Department of Commerce presented on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida, describing more than $4.3 billion in HUD disaster recovery funds since 2017, housing repair and replacement efforts that have completed more than 5,200 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects across the state. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and clawbacks from a prior vendor; Commerce said it had ended the earlier vendor relationship, imposed about $3.6 million in financial consequences, and now uses stronger oversight and competitive procurement for contractors. The Division of Emergency Management then presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds used. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is intended to reduce repetitive flood losses, keep homeowners in their communities, and serve as a national model; he reported more than 12,000 applications, about 1,500 prioritized for review, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about assistance for seniors who cannot meet the 25% match, the wait-list process, contractor selection, and the mix of project types, and Guthrie said contractors were selected through competitive procurement and that most projects are elevations, though some may become reconstructions or acquisitions depending on inspection results. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thirteen employees received Disaster Temporary Food Assistance benefits related to the March 31, 2023
• disaster.
• disaster.
• So on that disaster recovery plan, I know DIS was going through a lot of upgrades at that time, and it
• Legislative Audit's only responsibility in this is to collect the policies that are remitted to us and

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and approved the January minutes, then heard a series of audit reports with findings. The Department of Human Services report described theft and fraud involving false benefit claims, including about $8,000 in Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, about $5,800 in Medicaid benefits, and an altered state warrant for nearly $610,000 that was cashed by an auto body shop in California; it also noted asset-control problems and an error in sales tax paid on exempt vehicle purchases. Members asked whether the fraudulent business had been flagged or notified to other agencies, and DHS said the matter had been referred to law enforcement but no broader notification to California officials was known. The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism report cited missing museum receipts of nearly $3,500 and issues with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium, including a missing $100 drawer fund and an $80 overage; officials said they were considering cashless operations at War Memorial Stadium and provided an update that the museum theft investigation was still ongoing, with misdemeanor time limits expired but felony investigation still possible. The Department of Corrections report found unauthorized fuel-card purchases totaling about $4,500 and a delayed disaster-recovery test for offender management software; Corrections said staffing had been increased for fuel-card oversight and that a full production disaster-recovery test was now scheduled after DIS upgrades were completed. The Department of Veterans Affairs report found four Fayetteville Veterans Home employees were paid for hours not worked, with additional unapproved overtime totaling more than $6,600, a duplicate vendor payment of nearly $1,000 that was refunded, and many overtime instances lacking proper approval; the department said it had tightened overtime approval policies statewide. The committee also received a special report on law enforcement agencies’ compliance with Arkansas’s racial profiling policy requirement. Legislative Audit said it had received responses from 203 of 383 agencies and forwarded updated policies to the Attorney General, while identifying 180 agencies that had not responded and were deemed out of compliance. Members asked what happens if agencies still fail to respond and requested a list of nonresponding agencies; staff said their role is limited to collecting and forwarding policies, and the committee agreed to receive the list. All reports were filed or reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after announcing the next meeting date and a possible room change due to building work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee.
• Hurricane response starts at a local level.
• Debris tends to be about 50% of all of your disaster costs.
• Again, having that disasters?
• So it's just not a question every time that we have a disaster.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think that's what the group is going to look at: the responsibility of who's responsible from
• And so I think that's what the group is going to look at: the responsibility of who's responsible from
• We have the military saying it's not our responsibility. You know, whose responsibility is it?
• <01:18:14.280> we saying it's not our responsibility we saying it's not our responsibility
• whose responsibility you know whose responsibility<01:18:18.600> is<01:18:18.840> it<01

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Outside of uh disaster response, there's general storm response.
• Outside of uh disaster response,<00:04:58.320> there's<00:04:58.639> general<00:04:58.960
• We also have the disaster response, which unfortunately has been very prominent.
• <00:10:55.360> response<00:10:55.839> that<00:10:56.399> uh other um even disaster
• response that uh other um even disaster response that uh that<00:10:57.360> we<00:10:57.600><

Keywords: 0:00:15 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:01:15 Maintenance Update 0:21:07 Approval of Minutes 0:21:32 Regional Offices 0:43:47 SHIFT Scoring 1:04:24 Local Assistance Road Program 1:16:41 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum and first received a maintenance update from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials James Ballinger and John Moore. They described how repeated disasters, including floods, tornadoes, and ice storms, have strained routine road maintenance and forced crews to focus on emergency response, snow and ice removal, pothole patching, ditching, signal repairs, mowing, striping, sign work, and other day-to-day upkeep. They said snow and ice costs have averaged about $60 million to $61 million annually in recent years, disaster response has totaled hundreds of millions of dollars over five years, and the cabinet often must carry those costs until FEMA or FHWA reimbursement arrives. They also said maintenance work is increasingly contracted out because of staffing and resource limits, and that competitive pay is needed to retain employees and contractors for around-the-clock emergency work. Members then discussed traffic roundabouts and other intersection designs. Senator Hickden asked about their cost savings and safety benefits compared with traffic signals, and cabinet staff said they would provide life-cycle cost figures later. They emphasized that roundabouts and related designs reduce serious injuries and fatalities, with serious injuries down roughly 70% to 80% and fatalities over 90% in their experience. Chair Douglas and others asked about roundabout sizing for trucks and farm equipment, and staff explained that designers tailor the inscribed diameter to local traffic needs and context. The committee also briefly discussed red-light running and traffic-light cameras, with members stressing the safety risks of drivers ignoring signals. The committee adopted the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and voice vote. It then heard from Sarah Jackson and Matthew Cole on the Real ID and driver licensing transition. They said the cabinet has expanded from almost no regional offices to 35, grown driver licensing staff from 89 to 400, and now issues about 1.3 million credentials annually. They reported improvements in office capacity, queue management, staffing, and compensation, including added workstations, new or expanded offices in Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown, and the use of contract staff. They said statewide average wait times have fallen to just under 30 minutes, and Kentucky’s Real ID adoption rate has risen to 42.9%. Members asked follow-up questions about driver testing and CDL scheduling. The presenters said all permit and CDL testing is coordinated through Kentucky State Police, with written tests available in most regional offices and CDL testing at a smaller number of KSP locations. Senator Douglas asked when the driver testing requirements were last updated, and the presenters said that was set by KSP. The discussion ended with additional questions about which regional offices lack KSP testing presence, but no further action was taken before the transcript ended.

Bills: SB2169, SB2263, SB2360, SB2359, SB2031, SB2796, SB3090, SB3091, SB3092, SB2120, SB2593, SB2751, SB2135, SB2024, SB2872, SB3179, SB2308, SB2392, SB2470, SB2398, SB2902, SB2841, SB2436, SB2806, SB2691, SB2824, SB2645, SB2384, SB2697, SB3153, SB3156, SB888, SB2423, SB2746

Keywords: business competitiveness, economic development, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, business climate, regulatory reform, permitting, economic ranking, state ranking, top 10 states, business climate improvement working group, business revitalization task force, CNBC America’s Top States for Business, Hawaii business climate, workforce development, infrastructure, cost of doing business, tax competitiveness, labor unions, private sector

Transcript Highlights:

• And that could be a natural disaster.
• It's to address preloading some of the disaster response that we can issue and some of the mitigation
• So it is on a federal disaster.
• DFA does a lot of disaster assistance and response as well, but we've been working together.
• It's real-time data-informed responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a result of economic inequality, caregiving responsibilities, and biological risks that make
• them more exposed during climate-related disasters... ...responsibilities and biological risks that make
• So this is all about prioritizing streamlined recovery for disaster victims while still balancing the
• So this is all about prioritizing streamlined recovery for disaster victims while still balancing the
• The Coastal Act's disaster replacement exemption was designed to help homeowners, real people trying

Summary: The committee considered several coastal, climate, and air quality measures. Senator Laird presented SCR 136 marking the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Act and Coastal Conservancy Act, and SJR 12 opposing the federal offshore oil and gas leasing program; both drew broad support from environmental groups, local governments, and other advocates, with no opposition heard. Senator Padilla presented SB 10, requiring state climate plans to include gender impact assessments, with supporters arguing climate harms fall disproportionately on women and LGBTQ+ people; the bill also drew no opposition in the hearing. Senator Padilla also presented SB 675 to restructure the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District board and expand public transparency, while supporters cited severe air quality problems and opponents raised concerns about unfunded mandates, consultation, and impacts on local permitting and economic development. Senator Allen presented SB 1229 to limit disaster-rebuild coastal permit exemptions when replacement structures would newly impede coastal access or sensitive protections, with supporters saying it would prevent investor abuse of post-disaster rebuilding rules. After testimony, the committee took up the measures and recorded votes. SCR 136, SJR 12, SB 10, SB 675, and SB 1229 all advanced on party-line or near-party-line votes, with some members voting no on the more regulatory measures. The consent calendar was also approved, including ACR 157, SB 899, SB 949, SB 963, SB 1008, SB 1207, SB 1428, and SJR 5. All of the listed measures were sent onward, generally to Appropriations, and the committee concluded its hearing after the roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• RESPONSE.
• PART OF THE STATE THAT WERE NOT AS FAMILIAR OR ACCLIMATED WITH THE HURRICANE DISASTER RESPONSE.
• AFTER ANY DISASTER OR ORGANIZATIONS JUMP INTO THE FIGHT WITH US.
• THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING A STATEWIDE EMERGENCY SHELTER PLAN.
• OR DOES IT NEED TO BE BUILT AT THE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties already have this particular responsibility.
• Counties already have this particular responsibility.
• equip local governments with tools to proactively plan for disasters.
• a disaster occur.
• community recovery from future disasters.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who have duties and responsibilities who have duties and responsibilities under<01:48:53.040>
• occurred during a statewide disaster. occurred during a statewide disaster.
• disaster.
• and the duration of the disaster and the duration of the disaster disaster disaster for<01:59:30.800
• pay any money out during that disaster. pay any money out during that disaster.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s a public health responsibility.
• Not ideology, not politics, just the basic responsibility to keep our children alive.
• statewide service that connects residents to programs, reliable information, and disaster response systems
• A couple of examples of ways we've been able to help during a disaster in 2021 storms: real-time unmet
• AB 1832 would help us and our partners provide seamless disaster information and support no matter what

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with a quorum established after opening remarks on committee rules and decorum. The committee heard several bills, including AB 1540 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez, which would restore the 988 LGBTQ+ youth crisis line option and related specialized counselor support if approved by the federal government. Supporters, including a parent who lost her son to suicide and numerous advocacy, mental health, education, and local government groups, said the bill would save lives and provide culturally competent crisis response. Opponents argued it could politicize crisis services and raised concerns about affiliated organizations and youth safety. The bill was moved by Assembly Member Rogers, seconded by Assembly Member Krell, and passed out of committee on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items AB 2093 and AB 2193, both of which passed on consent and were sent to Appropriations. AB 1832 by Assembly Member Ransom, which would create a statewide 211 fund, dashboard, and emergency-planning integration to expand and stabilize 211 services, drew strong support from 211 providers and local service organizations describing its disaster-response and referral role. With no opposition, it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 2289, the chair’s bill, would create an Office of Broadband and Digital Equity, consolidate broadband functions, establish a commission, and narrow CPUC jurisdiction to voice communications; the author said it would solve structural problems in broadband governance, while TURN and CWA District 9 opposed the loss of CPUC oversight and raised enforcement and labor concerns. The bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2424 by Assembly Member Carrillo sought to strengthen oversight of the California Lifeline program by creating a Low-Income Telecommunications Advisory Board with telecommunications expertise, citing fraud and duplicate enrollment concerns. Proponents said the bill would improve accountability and better serve low-income and immigrant communities, while opponents argued an additional board was unnecessary because an existing advisory committee already advises the CPUC and could increase surcharges. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations on a 7-2 vote. The committee then completed its roll calls and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• team, and the new crisis response program.
• responsibility of the Department of Military Affairs.
• The next disaster happens, we shift everything that we can at that Disaster and recovery operations slow
• These support Homeland Security and their needs during a disaster.
• really, it's us being responsible, except for that $100,000, which was us being responsible in trying

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor, the legislature, the Supreme Court following certain disasters.
• Senator Parker, we're not adding any new responsibilities to DPS. Exactly right.
• And its responsibilities and functions are DPS... That's exactly right.
• Identify roles and responsibilities, and coordinate response plans. prior to an attack.
• If they are, then whoever is the responsible person for ordering the vaccine.

Keywords: legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 40, Senate Bill 871, constitutional amendment, emergency powers, governor authority, legislative oversight

Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial pieces of legislation, notably Senate Joint Resolution 40, which proposed a constitutional amendment to clarify the powers of the governor, the legislature, and the Supreme Court during emergencies. Senator Birdwell presented the resolution, emphasizing the need for legislative involvement during prolonged crises. It garnered broad support, passing with 29 votes in favor and only 1 against. Following this, Senate Bill 871, considered the enabling legislation, was also moved for discussion, with the aim of reinforcing the legislature's authority during emergencies while establishing clear guidelines for the governor's powers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, no, I appreciate the response.
• Our insurance, we are responsible for that. Our insurance, we are responsible for that.
• And I'm wondering what your response to that is.
• And I'm wondering what your response to that is.
• , so they have it on hand in the event of a disaster.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FIS tightens its imported catfish inspection responsibilities?
• Disaster relief. Disaster relief.
• I certainly hope that in America, while we all have a responsibility for fiscal responsibility, our priorities
• I appreciate that response very much.
• natural disasters.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is all about prevention, response, and recovery.
• So I know the Housing and Community Development, through the CDBG programs, both the disaster post-disaster
• So I know the Housing and Community Development through the CDBG programs, both the disaster, post-disaster
• to create a local disaster recovery district.
• But then you move into the response, and I heard you mention the need to have robust responses to today's

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was a terrible disaster here, a huge flood that took out Norwood Hospital.
• Natural disasters fueled by a changing climate.
• Natural disasters fueled by a changing climate.
• And that's why I urge your to natural disasters, are we capable to act in a time of crisis?
• So any delay in our response is going to be detrimental.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on H. 3599, a bill concerning access to historic Indian lands and easements for landlocked tribal parcels in Massachusetts. Witnesses, including members of the Mashpee Wampanoag and Herring Pond communities, said the bill would restore access to family lands that have long been treated as landlocked and had been denied easements by necessity in prior court rulings. They described heavy tax burdens, prior litigation, and support from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, with conditional support from the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe pending language changes. Committee members asked about the tax assessments and the status of tribal support, and the chair said the committee would follow up on possible amendments. The committee then took up S. 2922, which would authorize an underground easement at Magazine Beach in Cambridge for the Greater Cambridge Energy Project. Eversource representatives said the easement is needed for a transmission line connecting the Brighton and Kendall Square substations, supporting grid reliability and the Commonwealth’s clean energy transition. They said DCR would receive fair market value and replacement land in Wendell to satisfy Article 97 requirements. No objections were raised, and the panel’s testimony concluded without a vote recorded in the transcript. Most of the hearing focused on H. 5047, which would authorize the Commonwealth to take the Norwood Hospital site by eminent domain so the hospital can be restored. Sponsors, local officials, hospital task force members, EMS and fire representatives, a chamber of commerce leader, and a former hospital administrator all argued that the 2020 flood and Steward’s bankruptcy left the region without adequate care, causing longer ambulance transports, emergency room boarding, staffing strain, and economic losses. They said the site remains a partially completed shell, that the state should be able to acquire it and bring in a nonprofit operator, and that the taking would not require state funding because an operator would pay the acquisition costs. Committee members from both chambers expressed support and asked about costs, timing, infrastructure, and whether a nonprofit operator is being pursued. The chair took the bill under advisement after extensive testimony; no vote was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• In response, the Governor issued a disaster declaration allowing governments to adopt expedited building
• and appliances purchased to furnish a home for up to three years post-disaster.
• SB 1172 takes a balanced and responsible approach.
• Cal Fire is responsible for fire management.
• These state responsibility areas are our duty to uphold and defend.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As someone in local office, it is a responsibility to keep our community safe, not only our residents
• There are many barriers to building much-needed new housing when the state is not facing a disaster.
• California faces frequent and severe natural disasters, including wildfires, earthquakes, and floods,
• The bill ensures a more efficient, equitable, and cost-effective approach for disaster recovery.
• But right now, given the disasters that Los Angeles is facing, and also all the disasters that are happening

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills on holidays, procurement, public safety, and business regulation. AB 268 would add Diwali as an official state holiday and allow schools and state workers limited flexibility to observe it; supporters described it as a recognition of California’s large South Asian and Hindu communities, and there was no opposition. AB 770 would define “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising displays to clarify what repairs and reinforcements are allowed; the bill was presented as a safety and consistency measure for the billboard industry. AB 783 would authorize the Department of General Services to negotiate bulk pricing for construction materials to help disaster-affected communities rebuild more affordably, with supporters from the housing and building sectors and some members raising concerns about state contracting, storage, and implementation. AB 381 would update state procurement rules to better prevent human trafficking and forced labor in supply chains, aligning state policy with federal standards and drawing support from anti-trafficking advocates, labor, and local government representatives. AB 668 would extend drink-spiking prevention measures to music festivals by requiring test strips, drink lids, and reporting procedures; supporters emphasized victim safety and underreporting, while venue operators opposed the bill unless amended, citing feasibility and cost concerns. AB 880 would require prompt payment and indirect cost coverage for nonprofits contracting with the state, with broad nonprofit support and no opposition. AB 989 would make California Native American Day a paid holiday, with tribal and allied support. AB 592 would extend and expand temporary outdoor dining and alcohol service flexibilities for restaurants, with strong support from restaurant and business groups and opposition from alcohol policy advocates who preferred a narrower or permanent grandfathering approach. Most bills advanced on committee votes, generally on party-line or broad bipartisan support. AB 770 was moved to Appropriations, AB 783 was passed as amended to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management, AB 381 was sent to Labor, AB 668 and AB 880 were sent to Appropriations, AB 989 was sent to Public Employees and Retirement, and AB 592 was sent to Health. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing several additional bills, which was approved. The hearing ended with the roll left open for additional votes and adjournment at 3:17 p.m.