Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:56.720> these to increase costs to mitigate these to increase costs to mitigate these
• <00:41:17.520> at<00:41:17.760> a mitigate that, they're looking at a mitigate that
• The mitigation offsets concern is.
• a greenhouse gas mitigation account. a greenhouse gas mitigation account.
• <02:10:33.239> offsets make sure that our mitigation offsets make sure that our mitigation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 616 would Senator Rubio, it's Community Hardening Commission, Wildfire Mitigation Program
• When communities take collective mitigation action, they more effectively protect themselves.
• Lacking effective mitigation can be the weak link in wildfire defense.
• The Enhancing Infrastructure for Wildfire Mitigation Act will strengthen California's wildfire mitigation
• However, the recent wildfire revealed gaps in our state's mitigation efforts.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:32.399> and we talk about hazard mitigation and we talk about hazard mitigation and
• We were denied hazard mitigation, and all states have been denied hazard mitigation as this FEMA renew
• And as that's under appeal, we desperately need hazard mitigation. this hazard mitigation is under under
• mitigation, $6 are saved in the future. mitigation, $6 are saved in the future.
• So hazard mitigation Fugat's area.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then spent much of the meeting recognizing members of the Falmouth Police Department and related support personnel. Representatives and senators described the department’s response to a May 17, 2025 shooting between two vehicles, saying officers secured the area, apprehended suspects, and prevented further harm within about 30 minutes. They also recognized Officer Jonathan Bis for helping rescue a person from a burning storage facility on May 3, and honored Chaplain Abram Croer and police administrator Marilyn Belure for their support roles. Members praised the officers’ service and presented citations; one member also noted the recent flooding in Falmouth and the strain on local responders. The committee also observed a moment of silence for a firefighter who died after a vehicle crash while responding to a call. The committee then recognized Sergeant Major Jimmy Thorne, USMC (Ret.), with a lengthy citation for his military service and community involvement. The citation highlighted more than three decades of service, including Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia, multiple injuries, exposure to Agent Orange, and numerous decorations such as the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. Speakers also noted his continued civic work in Williamstown and Grant County. Thorne thanked the committee, said enlisting in the Marine Corps and moving to Kentucky were two of his proudest decisions, and received a committee coin. Members and guests offered additional remarks about his character and service. Finally, Brigadier General Charles Jones and Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson gave an update on spring storm response and recovery. They said Kentucky has had three declared disasters and one undeclared event this year, with 113 of 120 counties affected in the last 12 months, including February flooding, April flooding, and May tornadoes; a January ice storm appeal was denied. Gibson emphasized the rising frequency and cost of disasters, citing about $350 million in public assistance over the first 10 years of the period reviewed versus about $2 billion in the last five years. He reported on sheltering, disaster recovery centers, FEMA and SBA assistance, and said about $57 million in individual assistance had been paid and nearly $69 million obligated, while public assistance projects were still moving through review and payment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Investing in mitigation is essential for addressing our insurance crisis. We are not powerless.
• Investing in mitigation is essential for addressing our insurance crisis.
• However, I believe we need a dedicated program to maximize risk mitigation.
• by addressing a key barrier: the upfront cost of essential mitigation actions.
• What sets this bill apart is the solid evidence from... ...mitigation efforts.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to consider several bills focused on California’s insurance market, wildfire resilience, and consumer protections. AB 888, the California Safe Homes Act, was heard first. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Alabama Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler testified in support, describing state grant programs that help homeowners harden roofs and create defensible space, with the goal of reducing losses and improving insurance affordability and availability. Supporters from the insurance industry, local government, and the Rebuild Paradise Foundation also backed the bill, and committee members emphasized the need for more incentives for mitigation. The bill passed the committee on a do pass motion and was sent to Appropriations. AB 290, by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, would require the FAIR Plan to offer automatic payments and address non-renewal grace-period issues. The author described her own experience being forced onto the FAIR Plan and facing a large premium increase, while Consumer Federation of California called the bill common-sense consumer protection. The FAIR Plan opposed unless amended, saying it was already handling major wildfire claims and other operational demands and requested more time and changes to the non-renewal grace-period language. Members across the committee supported the bill as a needed modernization measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 1339, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would direct the Department of Insurance to study insurance availability and pricing for affordable housing providers and report policy recommendations. Supporters from affordable housing organizations said rising premiums were forcing providers to cut services, defer maintenance, and use reserves, threatening housing stability for low-income residents. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 646, by Assemblymember Wallace, also passed to Appropriations; it concerns disclosure related to motor vehicle protection products and catalytic converter theft deterrence, with support from auto dealers and industry groups. The committee also approved AB 1531 on consent. Members later added on to the record in support of the bills, and the hearing concluded without recorded opposition votes on the measures that advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't have to be mitigated because it was established before the February 1st idea.
• The mitigation offsets, according to MnDOT, increase project costs between 5 to 30 percent.
• In the overall bill, we do establish a greenhouse gas mitigation account.
• You also talked about some project that would require mitigation of a bike path to Fargo.
• We have been doing this kind of mitigation for, I think, about 30 years with wetlands mitigation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 616 with Senator Rubio's Community Hardening Commission Wildfire Mitigation Program.
• When communities take collective mitigation action, they more effectively protect themselves.
• Even a few homes lacking effective mitigation can be the weak link in wildfire defense.
• mitigation by improving planning, enhancing emergency response, and increasing public safety.
• However, the recent wildfire revealed gaps in our state's mitigation efforts.

Summary: The committee met to hear seven Senate bills, first approving two consent items, SB 352 and SB 804, on motions to do pass to Appropriations. SB 542 (Limón) would require public notice and comment before issuing a financial responsibility certificate for an oil pipeline and require hydrostatic testing before restarting pipelines idle for five years or more; it was supported by the Center for Biological Diversity and passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 616 (Rubio) would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to coordinate wildfire mitigation and insurance-related recommendations; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and several local and industry groups, while water agencies, special districts, and the building industry raised concerns about water infrastructure standards, and it passed on a due-pass motion to Insurance. SB 429 (Cortese), which would establish a public wildfire catastrophe model and related university-based research and education program, received support from the Department of Insurance and outside groups and passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 256 (Perez) would strengthen wildfire mitigation and emergency response by expanding planning, improving PSPS communication, requiring utility coordination with emergency centers, and directing removal of permanently abandoned electrical facilities; utilities and business groups were generally neutral after amendments, while the author emphasized the bill’s connection to recent wildfire losses, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 509 (Caballero) would require specialized training for local law enforcement on transnational repression targeting diaspora communities; it received support from the California Police Chiefs Association and immigrant-rights advocates, but drew extensive opposition from Hindu and civil-rights organizations concerned about bias, implementation, and First Amendment issues. Committee members discussed amendments to clarify cultural competency, diversity, and constitutional protections, and the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. After the hearing, the committee took final roll-call votes on the bills, with the consent items and SB 429, SB 256, and SB 509 moving forward, while SB 542 and SB 616 were also reported out on earlier motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• standardized schedule for releasing mitigation credits.
• , and requires all mitigation banks in the state to provide quarterly reports of mitigation credits to
• Mitigation is supposed to result in no net loss.
• And so while the wetland mitigation process and wetland mitigation banks in particular are not a perfect
• Florida Association of Mitigation Bankers waives in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• lead agencies and tribes to develop feasible mitigation.
• mitigation measures as part of the consultation when feasible.
• The mitigation is also a lot simpler than described.
• You take away the requirements of mitigating the impacts.
• CEQA is unique in that it requires mitigation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is mitigating electric grid ignited wildfires.
• We also mitigate the consequences of those wildfires by modeling the wildfire spread, for example.
• Investment decisions to mitigate wildfires.
• They are dedicated to wildfire risk mitigation.
• And managing that risk by the criticality and the opportunity to mitigate it.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would also empower communities to prioritize actions that mitigate wildfire risk.
• Mitigation often comes at a cost, and not all Californians in need of assistance can afford it.
• And look, I mean, nobody more than me has outlined the mitigation. Right.
• They recognize that a home that's mitigated is...
• I'll tell you the three things that we need to focus on in the Legislature: mitigation, mitigation, mitigation

Summary: The committee first heard AB 597, a bill to strengthen consumer protections for disaster survivors who use public adjusters. The author and the Department of Insurance said the measure would cap public adjuster fees at 15% for claims tied to declared disasters, require clearer contracts, prohibit solicitation during emergency conditions, and allow consumers to rescind contracts that were solicited during prohibited periods. Insurance industry groups supported the bill, while public adjuster representatives opposed it as written but said they were willing to work on revisions. The committee approved the bill and re-referred it to Appropriations; the roll call was ultimately recorded as 16-0. The committee then held its fourth oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, with Commissioner Ricardo Lara giving an extensive update on wildfire-related market reforms and consumer protections. He said the recent Southern California wildfires had not derailed the strategy and described actions including advance claim payments, a one-year moratorium on residential non-renewals in affected areas, a new fraud strike team, smoke-damage claim guidance, additional living expense protections, and a consumer claims tracker. He reported more than $12.1 billion in claims paid, over 37,000 claims filed, and more than 7,000 survivors assisted directly. He also discussed related bills and reforms, including AB 597, SB 495, SB 547, SB 429, SB 616, AB 888, and AB 2026. Members questioned the commissioner about the Fair Plan’s growing exposure, the $1 billion assessment, rate increases, non-renewals, underinsurance, and whether the reforms would actually stabilize the market. Lara said the assessment was already approved, that policyholders would not be hit with one large bill because insurers have two years to recover costs, and that the department was pushing insurers to use catastrophe modeling and reinsurance tools in exchange for commitments to write more policies in wildfire-distressed areas. He said the department expects to see market stabilization by 2026, though he emphasized the timeline depends on insurer participation, implementation of the new regulations, and future disaster activity. Members generally expressed support for the goals of the strategy while pressing for clearer expectations for consumers and faster action on mitigation and market reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm asking for 10% mitigation.
• The goal of the bill, he says, is to provide mitigation to cities and towns, asking for 10% mitigation
• The 10% mitigation fee—why 10% versus maybe five or six?
• representative uh the the 10% mitigation representative uh the the 10% mitigation fee<00:14:53.519
• to set the structure in place for such mitigation.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on HB 660, which would require historic horse racing facilities to provide 10% of HHR winnings to host municipalities as mitigation. Representative Om said the bill was intended to offset local costs associated with large gaming facilities, noting that prior gaming measures included opt-in provisions and that this proposal would leave charities and the state whole while taking the 10% from the operator’s share. Members questioned why 10% was chosen and whether municipalities were currently experiencing added costs; Om said the amount was meant to address projected future impacts, not broader municipal budget issues, and cited a study on casino-related community costs. Opponents from the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association argued the bill unfairly singled out one industry and said gaming facilities do not impose more municipal burden than other entertainment venues. The hearing closed without a vote, and a member clarified the bill would apply to existing and future casinos/facilities. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 658-FN, which raises the cap on reimbursements from the Oil Discharge and Disposal Cleanup Fund and makes related changes to the Oil Pollution Control Fund. Representative Malloy introduced the bill, and Representative Aly described the funds as an insurance backstop for oil spill cleanup and low-income tank replacement, saying the program helps prevent environmental hazards and satisfies financial responsibility requirements. Bob Scully of the Energy Marketers Association supported the bill but noted that fee changes are ultimately passed on to consumers. Department of Environmental Services officials Robert Bishop and Jennifer Marts explained that the bill would change reporting deadlines, raise the reimbursement cap for low-income homeowners, extend the fee collection period for 10 years, and adjust petroleum import fees based on an actuarial review. They said the funds cover spill response, prevention, and tank replacement, and that the fee structure was designed to keep the funds solvent while balancing costs across fuel categories. Committee members asked about the actuarial basis for the fee changes, why some fees would rise while others would fall, and how the funds are used. DES said the review used 10 years of claims and exposure data and that the fuel oil fee would otherwise need to rise sharply, so the board proposed a smaller increase and rebalanced other fees. Members also asked about the scope of covered oil imports, and DES explained that the fee applies to oil destined for use in New Hampshire, not merely passing through the state. The discussion also covered home heating oil spills, which DES said are often discovered by homeowners or fire departments and are usually caused by tank corrosion, piping, or overfills. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair noted that the policy committee had already approved the bill before the finance-focused review.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I read about some flood mitigation efforts. I don't know that it will.
• I think I read about some flood mitigation efforts. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah.
• I think I read about some flood mitigation efforts. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah.
• I think I read about some flood mitigation efforts. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah.
• efforts some flood mitigation efforts some flood mitigation efforts >> Yeah,<00:02:48.280>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The interview focused on Rep. Godfrey’s reflections on his first legislative year after winning the special election in 40B. He described the experience as a “roller coaster,” citing the challenges of a tied House, the ongoing budget work, and the June 14 assassination of Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman as the lowest point. He said the Legislature still needs to recover from that tragedy while continuing its work. Looking ahead, Godfrey said he wants to find areas of bipartisan agreement, especially on budget issues, public school funding, and tackling fraud in a way he sees as nonpartisan and durable. He also said he plans to continue raising common-sense gun safety reforms, though he has not seen signs the other side is willing to discuss them. On the federal level, he said criticism of Washington would not change his approach in St. Paul, because he believes lawmakers can disagree strongly with the federal government while still working together on state issues. He also discussed local bonding and infrastructure priorities, including flood mitigation work connected to the Rice Creek watershed district. He said the project would help prevent catastrophic commercial shutdowns during high-water events and protect low-income residents. As another major priority, he said he wants to pursue worker protections related to artificial intelligence and other algorithmic technologies, arguing that the state should get ahead of job displacement risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the appropriate use of federal lands and resources, we all need to help mitigate the frequency and
• I've invited them to be here today to speak about their experience. in wildfire mitigation and share
• Can you explain why larger categorical exclusions are critically needed and will help mitigate future
• or hurt Georgia's ability to mitigate wildfire risk?
• Infusion to the Forest Service was generational money to address wildfire mitigation.

Bills: HB471

Keywords: forest management, wildfire prevention, public lands, Tribal jurisdiction, Fix Our Forests Act, wildfire, forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, fuels treatment, prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, mastication, fuel breaks, fire breaks, wildland-urban interface, WUI, fireshed, fireshed management area, fireshed registry, Fireshed Center

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.

Transcript Highlights:

• The California Wildfire Mitigation Program is currently conducting home hardening projects in six counties
• The California Wildfire Mitigation Program is currently conducting home hardening projects in six counties
• SB 1270 would have the intent to expand the California Wildfire Mitigation Program.
• Existing law established the California Wildfire Mitigation Program to cost-effectively harden homes
• The bill advances cost-effective, data-driven investments in wildfire mitigation, and for these reasons

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard several wildfire- and emergency-related bills. SB 1270 by Senator Richardson would expand the California Wildfire Mitigation Program to more counties and direct future funding toward areas with the greatest wildfire risk and social vulnerability; supporters included CSAC and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. SB 1079 by Senator Stern would create a permanent fire innovation unit within Cal Fire to identify operational needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful tools; it drew support from Megafire Action, fire agencies, and several advocacy groups. SB 1020 by Senator Niello would require annual reporting on open gubernatorial states of emergency, including spending and lessons learned, to increase legislative oversight without limiting emergency powers; the LAO provided technical assistance on the bill. SB 894 by Senator Allen would establish a wildfire resilience loan program modeled on Go Green to help finance home hardening and defensible space improvements, with broad support from state, local, environmental, and credit union interests. Testimony on the bills emphasized wildfire risk, the need for broader home hardening access, and the value of innovation and oversight in emergency management. Supporters of SB 894 said grants alone cannot meet the scale of needed mitigation and that low-cost financing could leverage private capital. Supporters of SB 1079 argued California needs a more formal system to connect firefighters with innovators and scale proven technologies. On SB 1020, the author and committee discussed balancing executive emergency authority with transparency and accountability. There was no recorded opposition to the measures during testimony. After discussion, the committee accepted amendments on the bills and voted to pass SB 894, SB 973, SB 1020, SB 1270, and SB 1079 as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The transcript shows multiple roll calls as quorum was established and absent members were called; each bill ultimately received unanimous support from members present and was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second part of this measure prioritizes culturally sensitive mitigation options.
• lead agencies and tribes to develop feasible mitigation.
• The mitigation is also a lot simpler than described.
• You take away the requirements of mitigating the impacts.
• CEQA is unique in that it requires mitigation.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with SB 1350 by Senator McNerney presented first. The measure would expand California’s use of renewable hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with supporters emphasizing grid reliability, clean-energy goals, in-state investment, and construction jobs. Support came from labor, clean-energy, municipal utility, and local government representatives; NRDC Action Fund withdrew opposition after amendments, while a few groups remained opposed or neutral. The committee later took a roll call and SB 1350 passed out on a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard SB 1180 by Senator Allen, which would set operational rules for the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund created under SB 54, including clearer eligible uses, transparency, technical assistance, and access for tribes and smaller community groups. Environmental justice, ocean, conservation, and local government groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would ensure the fund addresses plastic pollution’s public health and environmental harms. Industry and manufacturing groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill should stay tightly tied to plastic waste reduction and not broaden into source-reduction policy. After quorum was established, the committee approved SB 1180 on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. SB 1326 by Senator Wahab was then heard to strengthen tribal consultation and tribal cultural resource protections under CEQA by recognizing tribal registers and requiring feasible avoidance or mitigation measures when tribes identify resources. Tribal representatives and supporters said the bill would better protect sacred sites and tribal knowledge, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and rural county groups opposed unless amended, citing implementation concerns, possible litigation, and uncertainty for infrastructure and housing projects. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. Finally, SB 954 by Senator Blakespear was presented as a cleanup of last year’s SB 131 advanced-manufacturing CEQA exemption, narrowing eligible projects and adding guardrails such as setbacks, air-quality limits, tribal consultation, labor standards, and habitat protections. Environmental and labor groups supported the bill as a needed correction to an overly broad exemption, while business, manufacturing, housing, and local-government groups opposed, warning it could make the exemption unusable and slow investment. Members debated the balance between environmental protection and manufacturing competitiveness, and the committee voted SB 954 out on a due pass recommendation to the Labor and Employment Committee; the transcript then moved on to SB 1031 on compostable plastics, which was introduced but not acted on in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• AN ESTIMATED 45.4 MILLION IN RESILIENCY FUNDING HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR HAZARD MITIGATION
• AND MITIGATION MOVING FORWARD WITH THE LONG-TERM RECOVERY.
• CURRENTS AND OTHER MITIGATION HLMP SO THAT NUMBER WILL CONTINUE TO GROW BUT I WILL GET YOU TO DATE THE
• THIS IS AS MUCH MITIGATION AS WE CAN DO AND WE TRY TO BE AS PRUDENT AS POSSIBLE. >> Sen.
• WE CAN MITIGATE FUTURE DAMAGES. WE CAN GET HIGH INCREASED WIND VELOCITY SHELTERING ON YOUR HOMES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to point out that section two of the bill that establishes the climate mitigation and resiliency
• We have the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission in support. Thank you.
• we're the resources that we have when we're talking<00:09:35.279> about<00:09:35.519> mitigation
• <00:09:36.240> resiliency talking about mitigation resiliency talking about mitigation resiliency
• all those things that the dod mitigation all those things that the dod makes<00:09:53.160> sense<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Committees on Economic Development and Technology and Tourism on February 12, 2025, focused on HB 77/HB 1077, a measure related to increasing the transient accommodations tax and directing revenue toward climate mitigation/resiliency and economic development/tourism resiliency. Most testifiers supported the bill, including the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, State Energy Office, Governor’s office, DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Nature Conservancy, the Hawaii Climate Advisory Team, Care for Aina Now Coalition, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the Ocean Legislative Task Force. Supporters emphasized the need for reliable funding for disaster preparedness, environmental restoration, infrastructure resilience, and tourism-related resilience projects; some cited polling and a reported funding gap for natural resource protection and restoration. Opposition or concerns came from the Kohala Coast Resort Association, which argued the state should fully collect existing taxes from short-term vacation rentals and other accommodations before considering any tax increase. The Attorney General and Department of Taxation offered technical comments, noting the bill’s special fund language referred to fees that the chapter did not actually authorize and recommending either deleting that language or authorizing fee collection through rulemaking. The Hawaii Tourism Authority supported the measure but asked that the funding mechanism have a clear nexus to tourism resiliency. After a brief recess, the chair recommended amendments to redirect the proposed 1.75% TAT increase away from the two special funds and into the general fund, while earmarking 7.3% of total revenue for climate mitigation/resiliency and 7.3% for economic development and tourism resiliency, with technical and defect-effective-date amendments. Both committees then voted to pass the measure with amendments; the recommendations were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the policyholder conducts the mitigation, provides evidence, and the insurer agrees that the mitigation
• They have an opportunity to mitigate.
• Mitigation reduces losses and improves resilience, but particularly in the wildfire space, mitigation
• SB 1076 goes far beyond recognizing mitigation.
• This is community-wide risk mitigation.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1209, which would give the Insurance Commissioner new authority to require insurers to carry out corrective actions identified in market conduct and financial examinations, and to impose penalties when companies fail to comply. Supporters, including Commissioner Ricardo Lara and his deputies, said the bill would close an enforcement gap that lets harmful practices continue and would help ensure insurers provide requested financial records and fix violations. Industry opponents argued the bill expands CDI authority too far, could duplicate existing penalties, and should be limited to legal violations rather than recommendations; members and the author discussed amendments to narrow the bill to legal violations, apply penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarify other language. The committee then voted the bill out on a due pass motion to Appropriations, with some no votes and the item placed on call. The committee next took up SB 1301, which would require more detailed and earlier notice before a homeowner, condo owner, or renter policy is non-renewed, give policyholders an opportunity to fix correctable property issues, and prohibit certain non-renewal reasons such as claims below deductible or claims not covered by the policy. The author and supporters, including a consumer who described spending thousands on roof repairs before being dropped anyway, said the bill would improve transparency and give families a real chance to keep coverage. Opponents said California already has long notice periods, that the bill could force insurers to make decisions too early, and that some underwriting factors are not property-specific; they also raised concerns about roof-age standards and reporting burdens. The author indicated willingness to reduce the notice period to three months and work on a bifurcated process for mitigation, and the committee passed the bill on a due pass motion to Appropriations, with the item placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1026, a bill to reform regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing the Department of Insurance to suspend or revoke licenses without waiting for a criminal conviction, tightening conduct rules, and requiring continuous liability coverage and proper notice of appointment. The author and Commissioner Lara said the measure responds to complaints about bounty hunters breaking into the wrong homes, impersonating law enforcement, and operating without adequate oversight. Opponents from the bail industry and related groups said the bill is not workable as written, especially provisions requiring insurance for willful acts, use of admitted carriers, and a residency requirement they said is unconstitutional; they also warned it could reduce the availability of recovery agents and delay justice for crime victims. The department said it was still working on language changes, and the committee passed the bill to Appropriations on a due pass motion, with the item placed on call. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 982, which would authorize the Attorney General to seek recovery from fossil fuel companies for climate-related costs affecting the FAIR Plan and private policyholders, with the author framing it as a way to shift some wildfire and flood costs from Californians to the industry that helped drive climate change. Supporters, including flood and wildfire survivors, climate advocates, and an economist, said Californians are bearing rising insurance and disaster costs and that the bill would help fund recovery and resilience. Opponents argued the bill imposes unfair strict liability, raises due process and preemption concerns, and could harm the broader business climate and energy sector. The transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on SB 982.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Ransom will be presenting AJR 11 regarding federal reductions to hazard mitigation projects across
• The cancellation of all approved BRIC Program Hazard Mitigation Program applications from fiscal year
• Santa Cruz County will lose up to $11.2 million for wildfire mitigation projects.
• Officer and I also am our Assistant Director that oversees all the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs
• I am the Mitigation Director of the California Residential Mitigation Program, which was established

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you open to other potential funding sources for this kind of mitigation program?
• The fee, the mitigation fees. The mitigation piece, not the wildfire fund.
• They would be paying the wildfire mitigation fees, yes.
• mitigation requirements into the scope of the project.
• relevant previous mitigation requirements into the project scope.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 919, SB 931, SB 1215, SB 1359, SB 1125, and SB 1098, with authors and witnesses presenting each measure and the committee taking up amendments on several bills. SB 919 would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and encourage CPUC action on reducing renewable natural gas interconnection costs; supporters said it would help methane reduction and RNG development, while opponents warned about ratepayer costs and the use of public funds. The author said the amended bill removed the rate-basing direction and instead urged CPUC action. SB 931 would extend Diablo Canyon’s Community Impact Mitigation Program through 2030; supporters said local communities and schools rely on the funding, while opponents argued it would add about $47 million in statewide ratepayer costs and should instead be paid from existing PG&E revenues. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was tied to a broader Diablo Canyon extension package, and the author said it was intended to cover the five-year extension period already enacted. The committee also heard SB 1215, which would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing. The author and supporters said renters are largely shut out of home charging and that existing utility pilots have been successful but insufficient; the bill’s amendments would require consideration of ratepayer benefits, non-ratepayer funding, and system constraints. SB 1359 would require utilities to more carefully justify new gas infrastructure investments and consider electrification and non-pipeline alternatives first; supporters framed it as a guardrail against stranded gas assets, while gas utilities and other opponents said it could undermine safety, the obligation to serve, and ongoing CPUC proceedings. SB 1125 would establish a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation; supporters emphasized widespread household water debt and the lack of statewide aid, while one member raised concerns about the lack of a funding source and the limits of Proposition 218. The bill was moved and the roll was opened, with several ayes and at least one no recorded. Finally, SB 1098 would restrict the use of utility memorandum and balancing accounts by requiring exceptional circumstances, more commission review, cost-sharing or lower returns, and sunset dates. Supporters said these accounts have proliferated and allow utilities to recover costs after the fact with too little oversight, while utilities and business groups argued the accounts are needed for hard-to-forecast costs such as wildfire mitigation and emergencies, and that the CPUC already reviews them. The committee also heard brief introductory remarks on SB 1295, which would promote more targeted use of distributed batteries on the distribution grid to save money and improve reliability, with utilities and environmental groups expressing support and saying they would continue working on the details.