Video & Transcript Research : 'bear hunting'
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, it feels like open hunting season on Jewish Americans.
- And while every American feels the impact, Black communities bear the brunt.
- And while every American feels the impact, Black communities bear the brunt.
- Black Americans in particular bear a disproportionate weight of that grief.
- particular bear a disproportionate particular bear a disproportionate weight<08:38:58.160>
of
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- to Carl hunt to Carl hunt who<00:07:00.319>
is <00:07:00.440>the <00:07:00.560> - Hunt, for your testimony.
- have thank you commissioner and Mr Hunt have thank you commissioner and Mr Hunt for<00:18:15.679
- Hunt. Representative Lee, thank you, Madam Chair.
- Hunt. Representative Lee, thank you, Madam Chair.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Walter Fisher Memorial Jun 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And through long discussions on the way to hunting trips and things like that...
- And through long discussions on the way to hunting trips and things like that, we would share notes.
- I would call Walter up at times and go, well, we’ve got a quail hunt going out in West Texas, or you’
- re going to go mule deer hunting out by Marfa.
- I'm not going to tell a hunting story or a fishing story or a lake story.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 25 March, 2026; 1:00 PM
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
Transcript Highlights:
- And I'll tell you this: that I work very hard for a living to support my hunting lifestyle.
- So, basically, I live to hunt and fish and spend time outdoors and take other people with me as much
- enjoy our resources, and it's great in Mississippi where we can be within just a few minutes of good hunting
- lot of people access and that they're projects that are outdoor activity type things that you can hunt
- That's the heart of it is that we can get people out outdoors to actually hunt and fish and enjoy.
Summary:
The committee heard from Allison Cruise of Canton, Mississippi, a nominee for the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. Cruise described her personal background as an avid hunter and angler and expressed support for expanding outdoor access and conservation opportunities across the state. Senator Wicker, who said he was one of the authors of the legislation creating the fund, asked about her views on conservation and how the program could better serve the public. Cruise praised the board’s structure, said she valued the requirement for matching funds and project guidelines that emphasize hunting, fishing, and broad public access, and encouraged continued outreach so projects come from all regions of Mississippi.
Wicker also stressed the need for careful attention to the application process, asking what applicants can do to make projects more feasible for consideration. Cruise responded that applicants should be audited entities with staff able to answer trust fund questions so the board can track money and ensure projects are sustainable. Wicker noted that many counties still have no funded projects and urged the board to remember that Mississippi is a large state and funding should not be concentrated only in certain corridors.
A committee member later noted that Cruise’s portal looked good but mentioned a missing statement of economic interest, which Cruise said she had filed. The committee then moved to advise and consent, approved the motion without opposition, and reported the nomination to the floor.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 20, March 5, 2026-AM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Message 275, Senate File 66, Donated Hunting Licenses Amendments. I-60, excused two.
- Message 275, Senate File 66, Donated Hunting Licenses Amendments. I-60, excused two.
- Message 275, Senate File 66, Donated Hunting Licenses Amendments. I-60, excused two.
- <01:23:50.320>
licenses Senate File 66, donated hunting licenses Senate File 66, donated hunting - you could hunt turkeys when you're 10. you could hunt turkeys when you're 10.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Makarios, then Griffith, Hunt, and Massick.
- Let's go to Bill Griffith, Greg Hunt, and Holly Masik. So, Mr.
- Hunt. Good morning, Mr. Chair, committee members.
- I'm Greg Hunt, Economic Development Manager for the City of St. Louis Park.
- Hunt. Are you related to Ethan? No, sir. Okay, just wondering.
Keywords:
individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 099 Apr 23rd, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, the fees that they pay, the hunting license that they pay, they're really what keep our state parks
- Um, the fees that they pay, the hunting license that they pay, they're really what keep our state parks
- I don't make my kids bear the burden of that. I raise the price of the service that I provide.
- I don't make my kids bear the burden of that. I raise the price of the service that I provide.
- Representatives Stewart, Kay, and Lukens, also Senator Marchman, concerning knowing behavior that lures bears
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved through a series of announcements and committee notices. Members highlighted upcoming events including Sportsman’s Day at the Capitol, Auctioneer Day, and an Earth Day press conference, and several committees announced meetings and bills to be heard later in the day. The Majority Leader also moved to make House Bill 1132, House Bill 1130, Senate Bill 136, and House Bill 1287 special orders for the next day, and the House agreed without objection.
The chamber then took up House Bill 1132, concerning increasing pollinator habitats on state lands. Supporters said the bill builds on years of work to support pollinators and encourages planting native species on public lands; they also explained that the fiscal note reflects use of existing continuously appropriated funds, including GOCO lottery money and oil and gas fee revenue. After committee reports were adopted and questions about funding were answered, the bill passed as amended.
The House next considered House Bill 1130, concerning baby diaper changing stations in public restrooms. An amendment was adopted that exempted local governments and expanded the small-business carveout to employers with 25 or fewer employees and no more than $3.5 million in annual revenue, while also clarifying restroom designation. Supporters argued the bill was the product of extensive stakeholder work and would improve access for families. Opponents said it imposed an unfunded mandate on businesses and raised concerns about contamination in public restrooms, including claims that some changing tables have been found contaminated with methamphetamine and fentanyl; after debate, the amendment was adopted, and discussion on the bill continued.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Jan 31, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 10
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- middle school kids that came to this year's conference, very proud, with their teacher Tiffany Edward Hunt
- I just want to insert the names into the journal with the students that accompanied Miss Edwards Hunt
- 27.399>
Edward proud with their teacher Tiffany Edward proud with their teacher Tiffany Edward hunt - 29.839>
Middle <00:14:30.240>School <00:14:31.240>welcome <00:14:31.880>to hunt - from K Middle School welcome to hunt from K Middle School welcome to your<00:14:32.399>
house
Summary:
The House convened with a roll call showing 48 members present and three excused, then deferred reading of the journal. There were no messages from the Governor or Senate communications. The session featured numerous introductions recognizing the annual secondary student conference, with members welcoming more than 150 students from 28 public schools, along with teachers, advisers, and other visitors from schools across the state.
Under reports of standing committees, Representative Todd moved to adopt standing committee reports Nos. 23 through 29 and advance the accompanying House bills to second reading and referral to the designated committees; Representative Moriwaki seconded, and the motion carried. Members then offered brief positions on several bills, including one dealing with evidence preservation and parental notification, and another prohibiting fines, fees, or court costs against people adjudicated for offenses committed as minors. Testimony and comments reflected both support and opposition, with some members reserving their position and others opposing the measures; concerns raised included the need for clearer parental-notification standards and objections to eliminating penalties for juvenile offenses.
The House also considered a bill limiting court-ordered community service for minors to no more than 72 hours, with some members reserving and others opposing. After discussion, the motion on the committee reports was carried by voice vote. There were no resolutions for action, and all other resolutions were referred to print. The House then adjourned until 12:00 noon Monday.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (02/05/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- you say, based on your reading of that bill, that it really is meant so that people don't post no hunting
- or trespassing on other people's lands, so as not to let hunters go hunt there?
- or trespassing on other people's lands, so as not to let hunters go hunt there?
- But again, in New Hampshire, you can enter private land for recreation purposes, for hunting purposes
- for recreation purposes for hunting for recreation purposes for hunting purposes<03:53:03.479>
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 9th, 2025 at 01:00 pm
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , fishing, and gun dog activity fees and hunting guide and outfitter licensing requirements.
- Should I understand that for a license to hunt a deer, or could you explain that?
- Would it cost $350 to hunt deer if we pass this? Mr.
- Speaker and Representative Hoverson, $350 for a non-resident to hunt a deer. Yes. Thank you.
- For resident age 16 and over, small game hunting license, $10 to now $20.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then approved journal corrections and recognized visiting students from Underwood School. The chamber also handled several conference committee appointments after failing to concur with Senate amendments on House bills 1022, 1049, 1229, and 1029, and after the Senate failed to concur on House amendments to Senate bills 2010 and 2113. The House then concurred in or passed a series of amended measures, including House Bills 1481 (dental insurance loss ratio and reporting), 1511 (physician guidance on abortion law, with an emergency clause), 1562 (mandated reporter training), 1197 (correctional facilities study), 1095 (child protective services liaison work group), 1317 (barber licensing board changes), 1549 (corrections facility grants and reentry-related provisions), 1354 (appraiser evaluations), 1374 (open meeting exemption for township supervisors during on-site inspections), 1355 (abbreviated notice for administrative rulemaking), 1025 (advanced nuclear energy study), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes), 1592 (Lignite Research Council updates), and 1375 (alcohol service/photo ID provisions). Final passage votes were recorded on each bill, with most passing comfortably and some drawing notable opposition, especially HB 1470 and HB 1549.
The House spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol appropriation. Members discussed shifting one-time funding from the general fund to the Electronic Motor Carrier Permit Fund, including body armor, preliminary breath tests, an emergency vehicle course, resurfacing, fleet costs, and handgun/taser replacement, while also noting a federal grant and no new FTEs. Questions focused on salary-line increases and the new-and-vacant FTE pool, with Appropriations explaining that those dollars had been moved back into agency budgets from OMB. The bill passed 84-6. The House also passed Senate Bill 2013, the Commissioner of University and School Lands appropriation, after discussion of Trust Lands operations, unclaimed property staffing, and distributions from the Common Schools Trust Fund; one member was excused for a conflict, and the bill passed 67-22. Senate Bill 2023, the Racing Commission appropriation, passed 65-25 after a brief explanation of the agency’s responsibilities and funding.
A major policy debate centered on Senate Bill 2385, which revises mobile home park regulation. Supporters said it creates receivership procedures if a license is revoked, requires clearer tenant notices, limits certain fees, and strengthens protections against eviction and utility overcharges. Two members were excused from voting due to conflicts tied to mobile home park ownership, and the bill passed 84-4. Another extended debate occurred on Senate Bill 2159, which allows the State Energy Research Center to study nuclear-related projects with approval from the Industrial Commission and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. Supporters said it is meant to help study advanced nuclear energy while preserving existing prohibitions on high-level radioactive waste storage; opponents raised concerns that the language could weaken prior protections and open the door to waste-related research or storage. The transcript ends during that debate, before a final vote on SB 2159 is shown.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair calls Haley Hunt, Cameron Sykes, Colton Luther, Christina Sullivan. Thank you.
- Haley Hunt is not here. OK. All right. Haley Hunt?
- And we're going to show Haley Hunt, here registered on behalf of Texas Hemp Coalition and SELF, against
- I was actually an altar boy with the Dare Bear.
- We believe it is our God-given right to access seed-bearing plants as it is affirmed in Scripture and
Keywords:
hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, HB28, public testimony, committee decorum, bill substitute, legislative process
Summary:
The meeting featured significant discussions regarding HB28, where the chair outlined the plans to bring forward a substitute for the bill. The chair emphasized the importance of maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings. Members engaged in deliberations, and a number of public witnesses were invited to testify, thereby enriching the discussion around the bill. This interaction provided valuable insights into public sentiment regarding the issues at hand.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 2/26/25
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- to uh our veterans and spouses hunt to uh our veterans and spouses Retreats<00:49:13.640>
family< - HHO provides hunting, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, ATVing, hot air balloons, and we’ve done dog sled
- <01:11:08.480>
Fishing veterans HHO provides Hunting Fishing veterans HHO provides Hunting - Personally, I've been waterfall hunting, fishing, both ice and open water, pheasant hunting, and horseback
- The hunting sucked. It was the waterfall trip over that entire weekend; nothing came into range.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (02/04/2026)
Resources, Recreation and Development
Transcript Highlights:
- bridge access year round.<01:14:45.280>
Long <01:14:45.520>Island, <01:14:46.000>Bear - Long Island, Bear Island, round.
- But there’s also a cost to that, and that’s the cost that we bear.
- And so when the cost that that we bear.
- for instance, but post against hunting for instance, but the<03:50:41.040>
OHRV <03:50:41.920>
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 13 Feb 23rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I just found out your daddy didn't show y'all how to deer hunt with dogs.
- That's some of the things we enjoy: hunting and fishing.
- But y'all missed out, and I know y'all loved a fishing hunt, too.
- Landry Hunt here with Representative Trey Caldwell. Oh! Next, Ms.
- Landry Hunt here with Representative Trey Caldwell. Landry is a senior from Granfield.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- First of all, Senator Utke, of all the animals you could have referenced hunting, you had to throw ..
- They were very cautious because they know where the costs are, who bears the cost.
- They were very cautious because they know where the costs are, who bears the cost.
- They were very cautious because they know where the costs are, who bears the cost.
- They were very cautious because they know where the costs are, who bears the cost.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WLA DEFER, WLA Public Hearings 02-13-2026
Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
Transcript Highlights:
- rules to increase the percentage of acreage on public lands designated as public hunting areas.
- Oh, we can hunt in the ocean too. Good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee.
- but also to maintain land uh for hunting but also to maintain those<00:02:18.080>
areas. - Up first is Senate Bill 2130, relating to hunting.
- ideal places uh for expanding hunting ideal places uh for expanding hunting without<00:48:49.359>
Bills:
SB2341, SB2306, SB2782, SB2161, SB17, SB2358, SB2367, SB2240, SB2547, SB2401, SB3031, SB1406, SB521, SB3247, SB1654, SB1112, SB1301, SB2443, SB2996
Keywords:
historic preservation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, construction, state review, burial sites, cultural artifacts, development review, phased review, administrative fees, bureau of conveyances, land court, transaction fees, public services, cost recovery, notary public, fraud, real property, Bureau of Conveyances, title recording, property rights
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several measures related to hunting, trespass enforcement, conservation banking, coral reef resilience, and search and rescue. SB 2130 would require DLNR to increase the percentage of public land acreage designated for public hunting areas; DLNR offered comments, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council expressed concern, and a Game Management Advisory Commission member urged adequate funding for both study and maintenance of any expanded hunting areas. SB 2128 would require forfeiture to the state of firearms or motor vehicles used in hunting trespass on private land; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the bill, and another signer testified without additional detail.
The committee also heard SB 3053, which appropriates funds to DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline/stream maintenance in the Westlock and Middleock shorelines and watersheds. DLNR supported the measure and noted staff involved in mangrove removal work; no other testimony was offered. On SB 20005, which authorizes conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in habitat conservation plans and incidental take licenses, DLNR supported the bill but said a House measure, HB 1802, would place key safeguards in statute rather than administrative rules. Earthjustice opposed SB 20005 for lacking statutory safeguards and said it would support incorporating the House language, while CARES supported the bill as a modernization that could reduce permit processing time and provide more predictable costs.
A lengthy discussion followed on SB 3201, which would direct DLNR to prioritize coral reef resilience and set performance targets for coral cover and herbivore biomass. DLNR said it supported the intent but wanted more flexibility because outside factors such as climate and emissions policy affect reef conditions; the Nature Conservancy shared that concern and asked for more flexible language. For the bill, For the Fishes strongly supported stronger protections and suggested adding abundance as a metric, while NOAA and DLNR discussed the difficulty of setting universal benchmarks because reef conditions vary by location. Randy Kosaki and CARES supported the bill, emphasizing coral decline and the need for measurable goals, while committee members asked about restoration projects, benchmarks, and whether the bill’s deadlines were meant to require a plan rather than immediate achievement.
Finally, the committee took up SB 2937, which would create a search and rescue card program and special fund to reimburse state, county, and volunteer search-and-rescue operations. DLNR’s wildlife division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii SAR Alliance supported the concept but said Hawaii first needs a stronger search-and-rescue framework, including a state coordinator, before implementing such a program. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 10th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- legislators and their staffs that you would protect them and protect their families, as each family silently bears
- the burden of leadership. ...families, as each family silently bears the burden of leadership.
- So it's not like anybody's going to go hunt down this woman because there's no, the report is aggregated
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- So bear with me through committee, please.
- So I actually have a few questions, so bear with me, Mr. Chair.
- So I hear what you're saying, but that dog don't hunt with me. It doesn't.
Summary:
The Education Committee met as a committee of reference to complete required sunset reviews and hear a performance audit. Members and staff introduced themselves at the start of the session, and the chair outlined committee procedures, including limits on public testimony and the goal of adjournment by 5 p.m. The committee then heard the sunset review of the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board. A governor’s office representative explained that the board was created in 2016 to help qualifying schools, mostly charter schools, lower borrowing costs through a credit enhancement fund. He said the board has approved 15 projects, has no dedicated staff or budget, and is now at its statutory leverage limit, so it is mainly monitoring existing obligations. Members voiced support, and the committee voted by voice vote to recommend continuation of the board for 10 years, until July 1, 2036.
The committee next reviewed the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE leadership described the interstate compact, its student exchange programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional health care education, and related cost-savings and workforce benefits for Arizona. Testimony emphasized tuition savings for Arizona students, the return of many professional students to practice in Arizona, and the role of the compact in supporting higher education access and workforce needs. Commissioners from Arizona’s Board of Regents and Eastern Arizona College also spoke in support. The committee then voted by voice vote to recommend continuation of WICHE for 10 years, until July 1, 2036.
The committee also received the Arizona Auditor General’s performance audit of the Arizona Department of Education school safety program. The audit found that while the program has grown substantially and now funds more than 1,000 school safety positions, ADE did not ensure many sampled schools complied with requirements such as operational plans, safety teams, annual training, activity logs, and expenditure documentation. The Auditor General said the department relied too heavily on written attestations and reduced monitoring as the program expanded, and recommended stronger oversight, written procedures, and better reimbursement controls. ADE’s school safety director responded that the department accepts the findings, has already begun improving monitoring, and is moving to require uploaded documentation and more risk-based reviews; he also said the department will seek additional staffing and will meet with the Auditor General and ASU to strengthen evaluation of the program.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 2142, which would establish a school safety center within ADE, assign it responsibility for administering the school safety program and providing technical assistance, and allow up to 10% of program appropriations for administration. Members discussed whether the bill should also require monitoring of emergency operations plan compliance, better address students with disabilities, and clarify coordination with other state agencies. The sponsor said he planned to offer a floor amendment to make monitoring expectations clearer. The bill was discussed but no final committee action was recorded in the portion provided.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Clair County did not have to bear any of the cost.
- They didn't bear any cost for that development.
- It's kind of a witch hunt.
Bills:
HB 1520, HB 1545, HJR 110, HJR 203, HB 245, HB 1465, HB 1482, HB 294, HB 793, HB 809, HB 3928, HB 334, HB 2037, HB 1973, HB 285, HB 4341, HB 4264, HB 1043, HB 837, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 1194, HB 1646, HB 1729, HB 2498, HB 1314, HB 2295, HB 1353, HB 1531, HB 1988, HB 5398, HB 3960, HB 3923, HB 1407, HB 1764, HB 2221, HB 2214, HB 2517, HB 2518, HB 2213, HB 5008, HB 5092, HB 3421, HB 3663, HB 3748, HB 3800, HB 3756, HB 2613, HB 3782, HB 5246, HB 4344, HB 4044, HB 4066, HB 2702, HB 2807, HB 2869, HB 2898, HB 3181, HB 3250, HB 4153, HB 2091, HB 2115, HB 2542, HB 2768, HB 3349, HB 3352, HB 4406, HB 1593, HB 1899, HB 3133, HB 4432, HB 4960, HB 3214, HB 3915, HB 3508, HB 2145, SB 304, SB 608, SB 2312, SB 494, SB 530, HB 45, HB 2520, HB 35, HB 47, HB 318, HB 349, HB 554, HB 1359, HB 1373, HB 2254, HB 2259, HB 2853, HB 3073, HB 3088, HB 353, HB 355, HB 786, HB 762, HB 705, HB 932, HB 849, HB 1119, HB 3041, HB 713, HB 3104, HB 3970, HB 4042, HB 4490, HB 1731, HB 2607, HB 3689, HB 1788, HB 1612, HB 138, HB 15, HB 1971, HB 1338, HB 2989, HB 267, HB 1201, HB 2954, HB 5265, HB 1804, HB 5061, HB 1520, HB 1545, HJR 110, HJR 203, HB 1887, HB 1914, HB 2402, HB 2306, HB 1809, HB 2350, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 3211, HB 1056, HB 2081, HB 2187, HB 3092, HB 3308, HB 3526, HB 3750, HB 3527, HB 4219, HB 4230, HB 4290, HB 5238, HB 4804, HB 4749, HB 245, HB 1465, HB 1482, HB 294, HB 793, HB 809, HB 3928, HB 334, HB 2037, HB 1973, HB 285, HB 4341, HB 4264, HB 1043, HB 837, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 1194, HB 1646, HB 1729, HB 2498, HB 1314, HB 2295, HB 1353, HB 1531, HB 1988, HB 5398, HB 3960, HB 3923, HB 1407, HB 1764, HB 2221, HB 2214, HB 2517, HB 2518, HB 2213, HB 5008, HB 5092, HB 3421, HB 3663, HB 3748, HB 3800, HB 3756, HB 2613, HB 3782, HB 5246, HB 4344, HB 4044, HB 4066, HB 2702, HB 2807, HB 2869, HB 2898, HB 3181, HB 3250, HB 4153, HB 2091, HB 2115, HB 2542, HB 2768, HB 3349, HB 3352, HB 4406, HB 1593, HB 1899, HB 3133, HB 4432, HB 4960, HB 3214, HB 3915, HB 3508, HB 2145, HCR 6, HCR 12, HCR 34, HCR 50, HCR 55, HCR 58, HCR 70, HCR 71, HCR 72, HCR 74, HCR 75, HCR 78, HCR 80, HCR 93, HCR 100, HCR 107, HCR 116, HCR 117, HCR 90
Keywords:
Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 14, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Bear in mind there's, I think, I want to say eight generations of building code post-Andrew.
- And I do want to highlight that any costs that we bear, whether it be from purchasing private reinsurance
- And any inquiry we got, we hunted down and made sure it was happening.
Summary:
The subcommittee held its first meeting on homeowners property insurance, with members from both parties introducing themselves and repeatedly noting that insurance affordability, roof condition, claims handling, and storm recovery are top concerns for their districts. Chair Yeager said the meeting was intended as an educational discussion rather than a legislative debate, and introduced a panel that included Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski, consumer Chad Carr, agent Mary Catherine Lawler, insurer executive Melissa Burt DeVries, and policyholder attorney Chip Merlin.
The panel and members discussed major cost drivers in Florida homeowners insurance, including inflation, home age, roof age, mitigation features, claims history, litigation costs, reinsurance, and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Commissioner Yaworski said underwriting has become more sophisticated and that litigation costs, reinsurance, and replacement-cost inflation all affect premiums; he also said litigation is down about 30% and average requested rate increases have fallen from about 22.1% in 2022 to 0.8% today. DeVries said age of home, replacement cost, roof age, and coverage choices can materially change premiums, and explained that reinsurance is a major expense passed through to consumers. Merlin emphasized transparency concerns, argued that insurers are increasingly individualizing risk, and said consumers often struggle with coverage limits, deductibles, and claim denials.
Members asked about flood coverage, hurricane deductibles, managed repair programs, mitigation credits, new insurer capitalization, and whether savings from reforms are reaching consumers. Yaworski explained that flood is generally excluded from homeowners policies and covered separately, that hurricane deductibles are mandatory in Florida and usually around 5%, and that the office tracks savings from reforms through rate filings and insurer discussions. He said the state is updating mitigation discounts and monitoring new entrants closely for solvency and market conduct. Several members and panelists said recent reforms have helped reduce some abuses and litigation, but many consumers are still seeing higher premiums because replacement costs and reinsurance remain elevated. No votes or formal actions were taken.