Transcript Highlights:

• The Florida flood hub is part of this bill.
• risk reduction aiming to lower insurance premiums and improve flood ratings.
• Which designates the flood hub has lead institution for coordinating research on flooding and sea level
• We place a huge amount of emphasis on water, quality control.
• My question is why are we trying to control the weather?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > they<00:24:32.480> will control components where they will control components where they
• hatcheries, and water control hatcheries, and water control structures. structures. structures.
• > windstorms,<01:06:32.000> and to wildfires, floods, windstorms, and to wildfires, floods
• previously have resulted in a more flood previously have resulted in a more flood resilient<01:08
• As I said um in talking about the flood As I said um in talking about the flood hazard<01:11:43.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Zoo on its aging facilities and bonding needs. Zoo staff highlighted the zoo’s economic and educational role, its 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, and its Free to Explore program, while stressing that many of its 50-year-old buildings are in poor condition, with more than $78 million in backlog and safety concerns for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said the governor recommended $4 million for critical life-support systems and asked for an additional $6 million in asset preservation to renovate the original animal hospital building so a new hospital wing can function properly. Testimony emphasized that the renovation is necessary for staff space, storage, code compliance, asbestos removal, and safe animal care, and described recent injuries and close calls tied to outdated facilities. Members asked questions about porcupine quills, natural predators, and the meaning of the zoo’s incident rate. Zoo staff explained that quills are not poisonous but are barbed and can be difficult to remove, and that predators include larger cats, owls, and fishers. On incidents, staff said they include close calls and injuries linked to aging infrastructure, such as a tiger reaching farther through a wall after fencing shifted over time, and staff injuries during animal procedures in older spaces. Members also confirmed that the hospital project has shifted from a standalone building to a wing attached to the existing hospital because of rising construction costs. The committee then heard from Perpich Center for Arts Education. Perpich described its statewide role as both a public high school and an arts education resource center, serving students and educators across Minnesota. It said it hosted 313 events last year for nearly 2,000 educators and administrators and worked with 275 school districts across all 67 Senate districts. Perpich emphasized that nearly seven in 10 students rely on its residential programs because there are no comparable arts high school options in greater Minnesota, and noted strong student outcomes including a 100% graduation rate and national recognition as an exemplary school. For capital needs, Perpich said it received $1.26 million last year for HVAC and building automation work, is grateful for the governor’s recommended $1.3 million this year, and requested $6 million to create a secure, accessible main entrance and upgrade outdated restrooms to ADA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• :52:14.000> kiosks,<00:52:14.559> their get control over these kiosks, their get control
• that's a current flood. that's a current flood. >> Yeah.<01:24:18.159> Okay.
• Are they just not ready to flood yet, or are they proposing anything? >> Mr.
• <01:36:19.600> the in addition to actually flooding the in addition to actually flooding the
• that want to flood do we >> or<01:44:46.960> do<01:44:47.199> we?

Bills: HB0075, HB0128

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• flooding.
• With me today, I have Kristen Sicki from the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
• From the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and Ryan O'Jacking from the Regional
• As mentioned, I'm Kristen Sicki, general manager of the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation
• That's the air pollution control officers from all 35 local air districts.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting, codify existing CEQA exemptions for recharge diversions, and help California capture flood flows for storage in aquifers. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it or sought amendments, warning about CEQA, streambed, Delta, and tribal-resource concerns. The bill was held open pending a quorum. Members then heard AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy use and related information to the Energy Commission and local agencies. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and support grid planning. Data center industry and business groups opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while several environmental and local-government groups supported or supported if amended. The bill was left with a due-pass recommendation once a quorum was present. The committee also took up AB 2245 on producer responsibility for vehicle lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental protections in overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation/VMT analysis, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects, and AB 2433 on density bonus housing incentives. Each bill drew a mix of support from sponsors, local agencies, labor, housing, or environmental justice groups and opposition or concerns from business, local government, or conservation organizations. Several measures were amended in committee, and multiple bills were reported out on due-pass or due-pass-as-amended votes, with some roll calls left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• And on that note, I'm curious about the flood in Gila County recently.
• We believe that there were tens of millions, $100 million worth of damage caused by that flood.
• Those 7,800 are available for fires, floods, rescues, all those things.
• Specifically, I was there firsthand during the flood at Heila County.
• ensued following the floods, right?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, HB 802, is a flood control bill, and it's designed to conduct river restoration in areas where
• the 2016 flood that affected many in this state, particularly here in the capital region.
• Members, as I said, this is a flood control bill.
• control in the capital region.
• It will result in flood insurance premium reduction.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 513 by Representative Young, which would regulate name, image, and likeness activity for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes, especially high school athletes. Young said the bill reflects recommendations from a task force and sets guardrails such as parental consent and prohibited NIL categories. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended. Members then heard several Senate bills from Senator Mizell and Senator Cloud. Senate Bill 233 would create a statewide data exchange compact to allow state agencies to share information more efficiently; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 300 would make various changes to the Procurement Code, including auction techniques, sole sourcing for consulting services in limited cases, and procurement process clarifications; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 303 would allow executive branch agencies to buy or share technology solutions with other states and use the federal GSA schedule, and it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 411, removing a 20-year lease limitation for certain Orleans Parish state property, was also reported favorably. The committee spent substantial time on House Bill 660 and House Bill 719, both dealing with district attorney funding and staffing. HB 660 would raise the state warrant amount for assistant district attorney salaries from $50,000 to $60,000, with supporters arguing it is needed to recruit and retain prosecutors; an opposition witness argued the state should fund both prosecutors and public defenders more equitably. The committee adopted an amendment making the bill effective only upon appropriation and reported it favorably as amended. HB 719 would increase the number of assistant district attorney warrants statewide, with most of the new warrants directed to Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, and Caddo; it too was amended to be subject to appropriation and reported favorably as amended. House Bill 596, which would have created an inactive well-feet assessment credit for oil and gas operators, was voluntarily deferred after concerns that it could reduce funding for the oil field site restoration fund. Later, the committee reported favorably as amended House Bill 802, which redirects existing revenue to watershed and flood restoration work in the Amite River Basin, and House Bill 940, which creates a task force and rules framework for law enforcement responses to unlawful drone activity. It also reported favorably House Bill 76 on coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications, House Bill 950 on consumer protection materials for seniors, and began discussion of House Bill 1028, which would require higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for non-emergency medical transportation providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• properties that they're under control. properties that they're under control.
• We think of the catastrophic floods in Eastern Kentucky and the tornadoes in West Kentucky.
• And we think of<00:29:21.360> the<00:29:21.480> catastrophic<00:29:22.280> floods
• I mean, floods are different than tornadoes, so each one of them has severe impacts on communities, so
• <00:36:55.840> than I mean, floods are different than I mean, floods are different than tornadoes

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appointment of Tanya Pacheco Warner, PhD, as a member of the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control
• before you today, and for the privilege thus far of having served on the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control
• before you today, and for the privilege thus far of having served on the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control
• And I will say that recently, as a San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District member, I was asked to.
• .. ...that recently, as a San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District member, I was asked to do an op-ed

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires considerable repairs to fix issues such as flooding in the basements of several cottages
• This flooding has posted. with substance use disorders and youth who sexually harm.
• It also requires considerable repairs to fix issues such as flooding in the basements of several cottages
• This flooding has posted. Fix issues such as flooding in the basements of several cottages.
• This flooding has posed safety risks to youth and staff during severe weather and creates the risk of

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee held an invited-testimony hearing on LR 425, which examines the Whitehall campus in Lincoln and possible long-term options for youth currently served there. Chair Brian Hardin explained that Whitehall houses two separate programs for adolescent males: a substance use program and a youth-who-sexually-harm program. Testimony from DHHS officials described Whitehall as a Joint Commission-accredited psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) that provides about 40 hours of weekly programming, family involvement, school services, and community reintegration activities. Officials said the department is evaluating whether the programs should remain at Whitehall or move to another state-owned facility, with Hastings described as the department’s preferred alternative because it is more residential in design than a youth rehabilitation treatment center (YRTC).

Transcript Highlights:

• may not impose undue parking restrictions, but the bill continues local government's authority to control
• The program combines two long-term existing federal grants: the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant and
• programs, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the Flood Mitigation Grant Program, the Flood
• premium for the property owner. ...and should result in a lower National Flood Insurance premium for
• However, a lot of these properties are already in the National Flood Insurance Program.

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:

• I'm the Director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
• Department of Toxic Substances Control.
• How has it addressed the structural deficit in the Hazardous Waste Control Account?
• They couldn't be conducted until there was access to the site because of sewage and flooding and flooding
• and flooding and flooding and flooding and... and it just seems like in an effort to try and get public

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations on the administration’s Proposition 4 spending plans for extreme heat mitigation and outdoor access, then took up SB 54 implementation, SB 707 textile producer responsibility, and recovery needs related to the Los Angeles fires at state parks. For the extreme heat chapter, agencies described funding for the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program, urban greening, urban forestry, fairground upgrades, and technical assistance for community-based climate programs. Witnesses emphasized that these are existing programs with strong demand, that technical assistance is important for reaching disadvantaged and tribal communities, and that the proposed funding would expand outreach and implementation capacity. Members asked for more detail on where funds have gone geographically, examples of successful projects, tree-planting totals, and how fairgrounds could better support fire staging and emergency preparedness. The LAO said the timing of the administration’s proposed funding generally made sense because the programs are already established, and no votes were taken. For outdoor access, State Parks, Fish and Wildlife, and Natural Resources described funding for new parks in underserved communities, deferred maintenance, state lands access, and several new or pending programs. State Parks said the park development program would fund roughly 48 projects and that deferred maintenance funding would address high-priority health, safety, and access needs. Fish and Wildlife said its lands program would improve visitor amenities and access on properties that often lack basic facilities. The Natural Resources Agency also outlined three newer outdoor-access proposals: expanding recreation in disadvantaged communities, enhancing natural resource values and trail access, and a nature/climate/education facilities grant program. The LAO distinguished between existing programs, which are ready to move forward, and the newer proposals, where the Legislature may want more input before funds are allocated. Members also raised concerns about park police vacancies, the need to track outcomes for accessibility investments, and whether Prop. 4 could help with wildfire-related recovery at state parks. CalRecycle then presented on SB 54, the plastics and packaging producer responsibility law, and members pressed hard on the delay in regulations. CalRecycle said it has held workshops, formed an advisory committee, selected the producer responsibility organization, and completed required baseline and covered-material reports, but needs more time to address complex comments and novel features such as source reduction and eco-modulated fees. Members expressed frustration that a statutory deadline was missed and asked for a concrete timeline; CalRecycle said it expects regulations in place by 2026, ahead of the PRO’s January 1, 2027 plan deadline. Finance said the Beverage Container Recycling Fund is currently healthy enough to support short-term loans for implementation. The committee also reviewed SB 707, the textile EPR law, which would create the nation’s first textile producer responsibility program; staff said the proposal would add positions and loan authority, and members noted the statutory deadlines for PRO approval, needs assessment, and later regulations. The hearing ended with discussion of the January Los Angeles fires’ damage to Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park, where State Parks described extensive losses, emergency response work, and ongoing damage assessment. Members asked about FEMA eligibility, state funding sources, and community engagement in rebuilding, and the department said it is still assessing costs and will work with the public on reimagining the parks.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that health care costs are out of control. Housing costs are out of control.
• Grocery costs are out of control.
• We know that health care costs are out of control. Housing costs are out of control.
• Grocery costs are out of control.
• Housing costs are out of control.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the Root River floods occasionally.
• that the Root River floods occasionally.
• that the Root River floods occasionally.
• <00:41:49.359> Agency Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• will include essential surge control will include essential surge control features.<01:12:50.800

Bills: HF474, HF218, HF210, HF441, HF691, HF720, HF1068, HF1314, HF1465, HF1860, HF2046, HF1389, HF2404, HF2854, HF2985, HF3128, HF3103, HF778, HF3125

Keywords: HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The only revenue source we can really control is the property tax, and you can only control your revenue
• In my district, we deployed resources to the floods in Kerrville and to the floods here in Travis County
• Local control in this republic that we call...
• Inflation got way out of control.
• That's a fact, and local control can't control the local market.

Bills: HB17, HB23, SB 10

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, what it does is ensures real local control, right? The voters have control locally.
• And when that flood happened, it filled And when that flood happened, it filled this<02:57:53.680>
• I came and testified and participated in the original Title 15 law. floods are more devastating. floods
• I just want one thing that hasn't come up yet in the discussion is that in addition to flood control,
• I just want one thing that hasn't come up yet in the discussion is that in addition to flood control,

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...rebuilding and infrastructure repair in areas with ongoing flooding.
• going to have floods, but the effect of the floods should be mitigated.
• how do you acquire that property for the pre-flood value?
• Chairman, we will be valuing properties of pre-flood condition.
• I was a fire chief in 2008 when we had the Dolly flood.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is intended to ensure we basically keep control of healthcare costs that he has incurred to provide
• Emergency services, if you're talking flooding and those things - after a natural disaster event, those
• mitigation or water or storm water control.
• control, things that are really critical and I think will be some of the programs that are lagging if
• Other places where seniors go to file their tax returns or to file returns for flood insurance claims

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up from Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and invasive animal control, we have a program
• These funds do not include general law enforcement or funding for invasive plant control.
• These funds do not include general law enforcement or funding for invasive plant control.
• This information is then used to help inform managers on which prevention and control measures may be
• , the FPCP, along with many action items being moved forward for python control.

Summary: The committee meeting began with quorum, member introductions, and an overview of the Agriculture, Environment, and General Government budget process. The chair emphasized using the committee resource book and performance metrics to review the base budget and invited members to identify areas of interest for later discussion. Members were also reminded about appearance forms and speaking procedures. Wes Gregory of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented on agricultural best management practices and water policy. He said the office had updated all nine commodity BMP manuals and added a manual for small farms and livestock, expanded enrollment by 742 producers covering 677,000 acres, and used GIS and data analysis to target areas such as the Indian River Lagoon. He also described cost-share projects, a new field application for enrollment and inspections, cross-training staff, and a request for $20 million for regional water quality projects. Members asked about BMP enrollment, compliance, and enforcement; Gregory said noncompliance is uncommon and cases can be referred to DEP. Adam Blaylock of DEP reviewed environmental grant programs, saying the state has appropriated $2.9 billion since 2018 for water quality projects, with about 1,100 projects reducing nitrogen and phosphorus statewide. He described the Water Quality Improvement Grant, Indian River Lagoon, Biscayne Bay, Springs, Alternative Water Supply, and Resilient Florida programs, including a planned public dashboard and a water-quality monitoring portal. Senators asked about the application window, award timing, and the high cost of septic-to-sewer conversions, with Blaylock estimating a blended average of about $35,000 per home. Chief Conservation Officer George Worthing of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission then presented on invasive animal control. He discussed prevention, risk screening, law enforcement at ports, public outreach programs such as the Python Challenge, Lionfish Challenge, and Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and early detection tools like the Ive Got One reporting system. He also described control efforts for Burmese pythons, tegus, and lionfish, along with research and partner coordination. Members asked about the most harmful invasive species and whether iguanas may be taken; Worthing said iguanas are open for take, subject to other laws. The meeting ended after members briefly identified priorities such as water quality, recreation water quality, sustainability, sea level rise, and septic-to-sewer infrastructure, and the committee adjourned without any formal votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Catherine Butler, I'm the Director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
• How has it addressed the structural deficit in the hazardous waste control account?
• Access to this park has been limited by chronic flooding caused by a combination of storm events. and
• They couldn't be conducted until there was access to the site because of sewage and flooding.
• Yeah, and I mean, I'm very familiar with the challenges, the flooding, and the sewage issue there.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• water needs, it authorizes the use of Texas water development funds, dedicated revenue stream for flood
• We are moving floods underneath the waterfront so that it's not an afterthought or an outside consideration
• This is important to protect local control of surface water.
• As an option for funding, with our recently adopted state flood plan, we adopted it in August of 2024
• We see a need for $54.5 billion in flood infrastructure projects.

Bills: SB7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, 1185, senate, all