Video & Transcript : 'direct care' :
Page 411 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House public safety committee debate on HF16 - Pt. 1 3/12/25
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:19:42.000><c> about</c> extensions of ice that they care about extensions of ice that they care
- </c> member programs who provide Direct member programs who provide Direct Services<00:37:58.319><c>
- Trust is fundamental to providing the central trauma-informed health care following an assault.
- What does our health care system need? What does our workforce need? What does our economy need?
- What does our health care system need? What does our workforce need? What does our economy need?
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House File 16, and the chair moved the bill with a recommendation that it be re-referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations. Representative Rymer said the bill would require reporting to ICE when an illegal immigrant is arrested on suspicion of a violent crime, even if the county attorney does not prosecute, and would bar state and local entities from blocking federal immigration enforcement. He described the bill as narrowly focused on serious offenses such as murder, assault, robbery, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct, and said it was intended to improve communication with federal authorities about dangerous offenders.
Supporters argued the bill would improve public safety and cooperation with federal law enforcement. David Zimmer, a former local law enforcement official, said cooperation with ICE is consistent with law enforcement practice and helps with information-sharing, warrants, consulate notifications, and locating individuals. Several other supporters, including a crime victim family member and a security officer, said the bill would help identify dangerous criminals and protect communities.
Opponents said the bill would reduce trust in local law enforcement and discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes. Testifiers from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, The Advocates for Human Rights, Violence Free Minnesota, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Northstar Alliance, the City of Minneapolis, and others said mandatory ICE notification could deter domestic violence and trafficking victims from seeking help, harm due process, and undermine community safety. Some also warned it would interfere with local separation policies, burden local agencies, and have negative economic and civil rights impacts. The committee also heard emotional testimony from individuals describing domestic abuse and immigration-related fears, and from family members of a murder victim who supported the bill.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 13th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Labor & Workplace Standards
Transcript Highlights:
- We care about not only access to care, but the quality of care that they receive so that our workers
- We care about not only access to care, but the quality of care that they receive so that our workers
- to care and quality of care.
- We think the most important care, a part of care for an injured worker is an upfront accurate diagnosis
- We think the most important care, a part of care for an injured worker is an upfront accurate diagnosis
Keywords:
construction safety, hazard notification, worksite regulations, labor safety, state law, law enforcement, correctional officers, interest arbitration, collective bargaining, public safety, workers' compensation, healthcare providers, physical therapy, occupational therapy, employment, unemployment insurance, benefits, layoffs, workforce reduction, 904
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Employment Relations May 8th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Employment Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- We also bargain two health care agreements: the state employee health care agreement, PEBB, and the K
- We also bargain two health care agreements: the state employee health care agreement, PEBB, and the K
- care benefit.
- And, as with many health care rates, the cost of graduate student health care has gone up significantly
- I do have a caveat here that for non-state employees, so those child care, adult home care providers,
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight Nov 5th, 2025
Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- critical moment where we find ourselves in health care.
- critical moment that where we find ourselves from health care.
- Primary care, rural health care transformation—tremendous amount.
- A good example of that is in some of the health care arena.
- I mentioned the multidisciplinary care team earlier.
Summary:
The committee met to hear introductory briefings from the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority on agency priorities, federal changes, and implementation challenges. Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said his department’s listening tour is focused on strengthening governmental public health, improving health care quality and access, and responding to federal funding disruptions and the shutdown’s effects on programs such as WIC. HCA Director Ryan Moran said the agency is prioritizing coverage preservation, oversight of major contracts, affordability, behavioral health integration, rural health transformation, and internal agency operations. Members asked about licensure delays; Worsham said the backlog had been reduced from about four months to six weeks and should be caught up by January 1, with possible further process changes if needed.
A major portion of the meeting focused on H.R. 1 and its Medicaid-related implementation. Governor’s health policy advisor Caitlin Stafford, HCA staff, and interim Medicaid Director Trinity Wilson said the state is working with DSHS, the Health Benefit Exchange, tribes, and other partners to prepare for eligibility changes, work requirements, and six-month redeterminations. They said the state expects up to 30,000 Apple Health enrollees could lose coverage under the law’s non-citizen eligibility changes, and that the work requirement/redetermination provisions could affect about 620,000 adults, with roughly 80,000 also enrolled in SNAP. HCA said it hopes to automate most verification, but about 15% to 20% of cases may require manual review, with technology costs estimated at up to $30 million. Staff also said they are trying to keep H.R. 1 implementation mostly in budget language rather than statute, and that communication and navigator support will be important to minimize confusion and coverage loss.
The committee also received an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program created in H.R. 1. HCA said Washington submitted its application to CMS on November 5 after extensive stakeholder engagement, including more than 310 written comments, webinars, and tribal consultation. The application centers on six initiatives: rural hospital innovation, community care and prevention, tribal investments, technology and data, workforce development, and rural behavioral health. HCA said the state is likely to receive less than the full $200 million annual amount assumed in the federal program, and that an advisory committee may be created to help guide spending over the five-year program. Members asked about palliative care, small business impacts, and communication with enrollees; HCA said it expects to share outreach toolkits and that no 2026 statutory changes are currently anticipated, though that could change.
The final panels covered organ donation and transplant services. Department of Health staff explained the 2023 “Lights and Sirens” law for organ transport vehicles, including licensing, driver qualifications, insurance requirements, and use of emergency lanes and traffic preemption; the department said one company is currently licensed and there have been no complaints. LifeCenter Northwest described the organ procurement process, the legal framework under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and the rarity and complexity of deceased donation, noting Washington has seen strong growth in donation and transplants over the past decade. University of Washington Medical Center staff then outlined its transplant programs for kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and multi-organ transplants, describing the multidisciplinary evaluation and waitlist process and the coordination required with donor organizations and hospitals.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-10 (11:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Lord, would You be especially close to them and take care of them?
- He cares so deeply about this country as an immigrant.
- You took care of those concerns. You addressed them.
- You took care of those things. You took care of those things. I think there's a misconception.
- If you care about taxpayers, if you care about bringing income into your cities and counties, make sure
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum and journal business before taking up the special order calendar. Several bills were explained and moved through amendment and final passage, including CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for mandatory reporters’ child-abuse reporting violations, which was clarified on the floor to apply prospectively only and passed 111-0. CS/SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to align with the House version and passed 111-0. The chamber also recognized Spina Bifida Week and guests in the gallery before considering additional measures.
Members then passed CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), described as preserving the program’s actuarial soundness, by a 112-0 vote; CS/SB 1246 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund, expanded to support broader health science education programs and non-health-care partner contributions, by 112-0; CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care facility standards by 111-0; CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, including transfer-of-ownership and MAT-related provisions, by 168-0; CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, allowing limited coach support for student welfare with parental consent and other guardrails, by 112-0; CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts, limiting use of ADS-B data for airport billing, by 108-2; and CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, modernizing licensure and exclusivity rules, by 111-0.
The House also took up CS/SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related restrictions. The sponsor argued the bill would prohibit counties and municipalities from official DEI actions and related funding while preserving numerous exceptions for holidays, observances, public safety, and other activities. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect local programs, events, and offices, and Representative Gant offered an amendment to narrow the bill’s DEI definition by removing two prongs; debate centered on vagueness, enforcement, and local-government impacts. The transcript cuts off during consideration of that amendment, so no final action on the bill is shown. The session also included lengthy farewell remarks from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf, reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Child Custody Review Task Force Apr 13th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Child Custody Review Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- Sometimes there gets to be some contesting done if some of the direction or things get added into the
- Taking care of yourself, your children, and co-parenting.
- So without any sort of direction of what kind of rules are we asking them to adopt?
- It is within the objectives and the directives of the task force from the Legislative Management.
- That is a direct problem with Rule 3.2.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (04/30/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> be ever more a part of our future care be ever more a part of our future care for<00:22:56.559><
- </c> necessarily need hospital level of care necessarily need hospital level of care but<00:38:43.119
- </c> with my mother and helping me take care with my mother and helping me take care of<01:39:25.360>
- </c> is a critically important area of care. is a critically important area of care.
- /c><02:02:56.599><c> that</c><02:02:57.599><c> every</c> care and hospice care so that every care and
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 2nd, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This is truly a special program that deserves... ...discipline, confidence, and direction.
- She is serving in the board's new position for a behavioral health care provider.
- , ensuring that families could continue to receive life-saving care close to home.
- Could continue to receive life-saving care close to home.
- She cared so much about regional equity.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several floor recognitions and ceremonial presentations. Senator Perez presented SR 81, declaring March 2, 2026, as Read Across America Day. Senators Choi and Rubio spoke in support, emphasizing literacy, libraries, volunteer reading programs, and the importance of diverse books and student engagement. The resolution passed on a unanimous roll call vote, 37-0, and Perez introduced guests from the California Teachers Association.
The chamber then honored the 50th anniversary of the California Conservation Corps, with Senator Laird leading the recognition and several senators praising the Corps’ service, conservation work, disaster response, and job-training role for young adults and veterans. The Senate also welcomed the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agriculture Leadership Class and the College of San Mateo Bulldogs, including the 2025 state championship football team and a coach from the women’s softball team. Later, the Senate confirmed Dr. Chris Thayer as Director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and Dr. Gina Castro Rodriguez to the Board of State and Community Corrections, both by 29-0 votes.
Senator Wahab presented SCR 125 recognizing the beginning of Ramadan, with Senator Becker offering supportive remarks about an iftar dinner and the meaning of the holiday. The resolution was adopted unanimously, 37-0. The Senate then took up several adjournments in memory, including Stephen Cassidy, John Joseph Zoria, Crystal Schoenfelder, and Belinda Baraghani, with multiple senators sharing personal tributes to their public service, community leadership, and mentorship. The session concluded with remarks on Ramadan and the Senate entering recess, with the next floor session scheduled for March 5, 2026.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Democratic Leaders Media Availability Feb 18th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Transcript Highlights:
- to take opportunities to celebrate, but there are real problems on the horizon on access to health care
- and how it's going to limit really preventative care or early intervention.
- I spend a lot of time talking to our health care providers, especially mental health and substance use
- So my sense is that we are headed in that direction.
- Their employees wind up using taxpayer-funded Medicaid as their health care.
Summary:
Senate and House Democratic leaders held a post-cutoff media availability to review the first half of session and outline priorities for the remainder. They said both chambers made substantial progress on protecting Washington from federal overreach and on affordability, citing measures on ICE access and notice, private spaces, housing expansion, medical debt interest caps, senior property tax relief, working families and small business tax credits, and proposals to phase out sales tax on services. They also highlighted that the House moved nearly 200 bills, about 80% with bipartisan support, and said the chambers are now processing each other’s bills and preparing for a fast-paced final stretch.
A major focus was the “millionaire’s tax” and related tax relief proposals. Leaders said the governor’s suggestions, including a sales tax holiday and diaper relief, were welcome and that the updated revenue forecast gives the budget more breathing room and reserves, though much of the new revenue is offset by caseload growth and federal cuts. They said the tax package is intended to support long-term fiscal sustainability and affordability, and that House members will continue shaping the bill in committee. They also discussed a separate proposal to tax large employers whose workers rely on Medicaid, saying it is being considered in light of new federal requirements to track Medicaid employment data, while noting concerns from employers and nonprofits.
The conversation also covered several bills that stalled or were delayed. Leaders said the JR bill did not advance because it lacked votes, though support and stakeholder engagement increased this year. They said child welfare bills and Senator Wilson’s proposals were paused after stakeholder concerns, while Representative Fitzgibbon defended the House’s approach to child safety and said lawmakers are still working on the issue. Other topics included the transmission and cultural resources bills, where a late procedural request to read a bill in full disrupted plans to move multiple measures together, and a tort-liability bill that passed the Senate and is expected to continue in the House with amendments. They also addressed the 0.05 impaired-driving bill, the Left Plan 1 pension proposal, the farmworker unionization bill, and the initiative-related bill, with several of these measures described as still under discussion or lacking enough support to move this year.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Vets Committee Meeting - 2025-03-26
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill has a direct impact on Morrison County, which is home to Camp Ripley, one of the nation's premier
- from the Legislature helped the Department support work that led to five additional Continuums of Care
- Southeast; November 2020, the Suburban Metro area counties; November 2021, the Central Continuum of Care
- That's been a bit of a challenge with the situation regarding health care workers since COVID.
- , as I said, the empty beds and reductions in revenue and levels of service for veterans under our care
MO
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- For that reason, I approach each matter with seriousness, humility, and care.
- And where that change is still an ongoing process, I'm able to give hope by providing direction and a
- And where that change is still an ongoing process, I'm able to give hope by providing direction and a
- So we do check because we do care and we get reports and we do care a great deal.
- And if the law changed, I certainly would move in that direction. But because of...
Summary:
The Senate Rules Committee established quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors and the State Mining and Geology Board, with one mining board appointment passing 3-2 and the others passing 5-0. The committee also approved a rule waiver request from the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee to allow budget subcommittees to meet during the blackout period, and it referred ACA 7 (Jackson) to the committees listed on the agenda after rejecting a motion to add Labor, Public Employment and Retirement as an additional referral.
The committee then heard testimony from five appointees to the Board of Parole Hearings: William Munis, Michael Ruff, Rosalind Sergeant Burns, Mary Thornton, and Jack Weiss. In opening remarks, the appointees emphasized their corrections, legal, and public safety backgrounds and described parole work as evidence-based, collaborative, and focused on current risk rather than the original offense alone. Senators, especially Senator Jones, pressed them on recent high-profile parole grants involving child sex offenders, the extent of commissioner discretion, the use of coping mechanisms and risk assessments, transparency in en banc review votes, and whether the board’s decisions adequately protect public safety. The appointees said they must follow the law, rely on structured risk tools and expert assessments, and treat each case individually; several said they would defer to the Legislature on whether en banc votes should be made public.
Members also questioned the board about use of MAT/drug-treatment records, commutation review, institutional behavior and write-ups, victim participation, elderly parole, and the role of community support and rehabilitation. The commissioners said treatment records are considered only in context with other reliable evidence, that reconsideration hearings and recidivism data help evaluate whether tools are working, and that victim and family members are given respectful accommodations and opportunities to participate. Senator Jones said he was not satisfied with the answers on discretion and accountability and stated he would not support Jack Weiss’s reappointment, citing ongoing concerns about professionalism. Public testimony at the end was overwhelmingly supportive of the five commissioners, with several advocates, formerly incarcerated people, and anti-recidivism coalition members praising the board’s rigor and the role of rehabilitation.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Direction. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
- that and that having signs trying to figure out ways for them to be more... ...who care about that and
- demonstrated that law enforcement agencies unfortunately do not consistently treat ALPR data with care
- That law enforcement agencies, unfortunately, do not consistently treat ALPR data with care, suggesting
- If there is a direct connection here, we'll work on it. I don't think there is, though.
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee heard a series of bills focused on driver accountability, curb management, privacy, illegal dumping enforcement, rail coordination, billboard signage, and high-speed rail development. SB 953 by Senator Nilo would add DMV points for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases dismissed through diversion; the author and supporters, including a victim’s mother and CHP representatives, argued it would ensure fatal conduct is reflected in driving records, while no opposition testified. SB 1292 by Senator Richardson would let certain cities use stationary cameras or sensors to enforce curb use in designated zones with human review of citations; supporters said it would help manage modern delivery and loading activity, while one privacy group remained cautious but noted the committee amendments improved the bill. SB 1228 by Senator Rubio would create a permanent compliance path for a small number of existing redevelopment-era LED advertising displays; supporters said it preserves local revenue and existing signs, while the outdoor advertising industry opposed it over federal compliance and fairness concerns. SB 1013 by Senator Cervantes would tighten ALPR privacy and security rules, require DOJ audits, training, and a 30-day retention limit; privacy advocates supported it as a needed enforcement measure, while law enforcement groups opposed the retention cap and hot-list limits as too restrictive. SB 1218 by Senator Arreguín would block DMV registration renewal for vehicles with unpaid illegal dumping fines, modeled on parking citation enforcement; local officials and city representatives strongly supported it as a deterrent, and no opposition was heard. SB 1136 by Senator Blakespear would require rail agencies to better coordinate service to major events and integrate fares and schedules; transit and rail advocates supported it, with some agencies taking a work-with-author or neutral position. SB 1425 by the committee chair would create a permit process for new encroachments on high-speed rail right-of-way; supporters said it would help protect and manage the corridor, while utilities and a city raised concerns about rights-of-way and enforcement language. SB 1411 by Senator Stern would expand high-speed rail authority to pursue public-private partnerships and early works, removing a project cap; supporters from Metro, labor, and rail groups said it would help leverage funding and advance the project, while Merced-area agencies remained cautious but noted amendments. Most bills were moved on committee votes, generally along party lines or with broad support, and several were left on call after roll calls.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Direction. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
- So I just want to make sure that that's logged for the record: there are those of us who care about that
- Who care about that and that having signs, trying to figure out ways for them to be more permissive and
- If there is a direct connection here, we'll work on it. I don't think there is, though.
- If there is a direct connection here, we'll work on it. I don't think there is, though.
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills, with testimony focused on transportation safety, enforcement, privacy, curb management, rail service, and high-speed rail. SB 953 by Senator Nilo would require two DMV points to be applied in misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases even if the criminal case is dismissed through diversion; supporters, including a victim’s mother and the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, said the bill would prevent serious fatal crashes from disappearing from driving records, while no opposition was presented. SB 1292 by Senator Richardson would authorize selected cities to use stationary cameras or sensors to enforce curb and loading-zone rules, with human review of citations and a pilot-style, optional local framework; supporters argued it would improve safety, turnover, and compliance, while privacy concerns were noted but softened by amendments, and the bill drew neutral or conditional support from some groups.
The committee also heard SB 1228 by Senator Rubio, which would create a permanent compliance path for a small number of existing redevelopment-era outdoor advertising displays. Supporters said the bill would preserve local revenue and avoid penalties for legally established signs, while the California State Outdoor Advertising Association opposed it over federal highway beautification compliance and fairness concerns. SB 1013 by Senator Cervantes would tighten safeguards for automated license plate reader systems by requiring DOJ audits, employee training, limits on data retention, and restrictions on hot lists and queries; privacy advocates supported the bill as a response to documented misuse, while sheriffs and narcotics officers opposed it as an unnecessary restriction on a valuable law-enforcement tool. The committee voted to move SB 1013, but the roll call was 4-1 and the bill remained on call.
Other measures discussed included SB 1218 by Senator Arreguín, which would block vehicle registration renewal for owners with unpaid illegal dumping fines, using a process similar to unpaid parking citations; Oakland officials and several local government and waste-management groups supported it as an accountability tool, and the bill passed committee on an 8-0 vote and remained on call. SB 1136 by Senator Blakespear would require rail agencies to better coordinate service, fares, and trip planning for large events and intercity/regional rail connections; supporters said it could boost ridership and make rail more useful for major venues, and it also passed 8-0 and remained on call. The committee also advanced the chair’s SB 1425, which would create a permitting program for new encroachments along the high-speed rail right-of-way; supporters said it would help protect the project and manage utilities and other uses, while some utilities and the City of Burbank raised concerns, and the bill passed 8-1 and remained on call. Finally, SB 1411 by Senator Stern would expand high-speed rail authority to pursue public-private partnerships and early works, remove a project cap, and support bookend investments; it drew broad support from transit, labor, and rail groups, with some local agencies noting amended concerns, and the discussion continued as the hearing moved toward the final bill.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- responding fire department or ambulance service, and there would be certain limitations on health care
- Normally, negligence is the failure to exercise ordinary care.
- Normally, negligence is the failure to exercise ordinary care, and ordinary care just means the care
- Madam Chair, the votes both directions on this.
- You might have votes both directions. Thank you so much. Any further? Any further discussion?
Bills:
HB2543
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Elementary and Secondary Education Feb 18th, 2026
Elementary and Secondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- We've seen about 40% of them get a health care option through their employment instead of necessarily
- like to point out is that they've also seen a 14% increase in access to employer-sponsored health care
- I also really appreciate that we are putting some direction... ...going forward.
- And then the administrators needed some kind of signal that we were going to move in this direction as
- a state. ...administrators needed some kind of signal that we were going to move in this direction as
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Community Safety Jan 15th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Community Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- what may happen, to decisions that I make that it may impact my livelihood and my ability to take care
- what may happen, to decisions that I make that it may impact my livelihood and my ability to take care
- My views are informed by direct experience.
- This change pushes decertification in the same direction.
- I'm also here speaking on behalf of the families who aren't here today, not because they don't care,
Keywords:
criminal justice training commission, CJTC, law enforcement training, peace officer certification, decertification, corrections officer certification, tribal police certification, police accountability, police oversight, public safety, academy training, in-service training, continuing education, use of force, misconduct investigations, disciplinary hearings, administrative law judge, hearing panel, law enforcement standards, background investigations
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Overhead systems are at risk of direct structural damage caused by wind and also indirect damage caused
- Also, in 2006, the legislature directed the commission to conduct a wide-ranging review of what could
- A significant portion of the damage was not necessarily caused by direct wind events, but by debris,
- So that is a direct result. The recent seat, which in this, you know, 2019 is when we started SPP.
- I understand your concern, and however, my office is very careful about not engaging.
Summary:
The committee met to hear invited presentations on storm recovery and storm protection from the Florida Public Service Commission, Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, Chesapeake Utilities, and the Office of Public Counsel. The PSC reviewed the history of storm restoration financing and utility hardening efforts after major storms such as Hurricane Andrew, the 2004-05 hurricane seasons, Irma, and Michael, explaining storm reserve funds, storm recovery bonds, and the current three-year storm protection plan process. The commission’s role in approving plans and later reviewing prudence of actual costs was emphasized, along with the types of work included in the plans such as vegetation management, pole replacement, undergrounding, feeder hardening, and substation flood protection.
The utilities described their own storm-hardening investments and recent storm performance. FPL said it has spent about $4.9 billion on storm protection and recovery-related efforts, highlighted improved restoration times during Helene and Milton, and said it is expanding undergrounding, feeder hardening, and smart-grid technology. Duke Energy reported more than 40,000 hardened poles and structures since 2021, major gains from self-healing grid technology, and faster restoration during recent storms. Tampa Electric described a roughly $200 million annual storm protection effort, including vegetation management, undergrounding, substation hardening, and new storm surge protections, and Chesapeake Utilities discussed its smaller-scale hardening program, vegetation work, pole replacement, and rapid restoration after Helene in Nassau County.
Committee members asked about how utilities prioritize neighborhoods for lateral hardening, whether maps of planned projects could be shared, how much each utility has spent on undergrounding and hardening, and how reliability comparisons are normalized against the national average. Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler argued that storm recovery and hardening costs fall too heavily on investor-owned utility customers, said the current framework lacks a meaningful cost-benefit or prudence check at the planning stage, and urged broader sharing of storm costs because the benefits extend to the whole state. Senators also discussed whether the commission can review the reasonableness of approved programs and whether future reports or recommendations from Public Counsel would be helpful. No votes or formal actions were taken.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
To receive a closed briefing on Department of Defense cyber operations. Feb 25th, 2025 at 03:00 pm
Cybersecurity Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- I believe he has a lot to offer as the Department of Defense directs its focus to lethality, efficiency
- They do so because they care about the mission and protecting their fellow citizens, in a word their
- department, an urgent care department, and a VA. clinic.
- Now, of course, a hospital is supposed to provide good quality care, and that takes qualified nurses
- Be careful not to cut into mission and do it in a granular, bottoms-up, person-by-person, detailed way
Keywords:
Steven Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense, national security, budget cuts, military readiness, global threats, Department of Defense
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on the nomination of Steven Feinberg as Deputy Secretary of Defense. The committee emphasized the urgent need for strong leadership in response to a complex array of global threats posed by adversarial coalitions, including China, Russia, and Iran. The discussions highlighted concerns regarding budget cuts and personnel reductions within the Department of Defense, showcasing the challenges posed by the current economic context and the pressing need to maintain military readiness and capabilities. Various members expressed their apprehensions about how impending layoffs and budget reductions would impact the defense workforce and national security.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (03/10/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't know of any that are, but in case they're direct billing, the same rules would apply to them.
- I don't know of any that are, but in case they're direct billing, the same rules would apply to them.
- </c><01:06:32.680><c> but</c> Department moving in that direction but Department moving in that direction
- :11.599><c> direct</c><01:51:11.920><c> oftaking</c><01:51:12.280><c> of</c> doesn't provide for direct
- With luck, that will take care of our activity for the month of March.