Transcript Highlights:

• That was flash flood. That's correct.
• , was swept away in those floods, was swept away in those floods, it<00:46:49.440> was<00:
• >> That was flash flood. those flash floods. floods. floods.
• So when >> but if they're in a flood plan.
• >> Well, in this body I can't control >> Well, in this body I can't control those. those

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This will be the only crossing in the city limits designed to withstand a 100-year flood event.
• Like Mayor said earlier, we've had some issues over the years with flooding.
• And I'm old enough to remember when we did have flooding, and the only bridge we have was several feet
• It would be able to withstand that flooding problem.
• One more comment: I want to add on to what Councilman Adams said when that bridge did flood back in the

Bills: SB1272

Keywords: appropriation, Douglas port of entry, state funding, infrastructure, federal support, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas the month of August has been designated by the United States Centers for Disease Control
• Because emergency powers for spending are meant for hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding, not long-term
• about: our control, our decision.
• And it looks like there's something going on back in my district with flooding.
• Their families, their streets flood, trees fall, the overhead, all of these things.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing visiting groups and guests, including college students and leaders, health and nonprofit organizations, Catholic Days at the Capitol participants, foreign dignitaries from Morocco, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, with remarks honoring the Parkland community and the school safety law that followed. The chamber then took up a special order calendar of bills, beginning with several claims bills and local relief measures. SB 14 for Jose Correa against Miami-Dade County passed 37-1, and HB 6517 for A. Sanchez-Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg passed after substitution. HB 6515 for Lordes Latour and Edward Lator against Miami-Dade County also passed 38-1. The Senate then approved SB 52 on volunteer armed security at places of worship (39-0), SB 124 updating Florida Virtual School statutes (39-0), SB 504 on code inspector body cameras (39-0), and SB 506 on related public records (38-1). A lengthy debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Several senators argued for tighter oversight and supported an amendment by Senator Berman that would have limited fund use and required Legislative Budget Commission approval for continued spending; that amendment failed 12-27. The underlying bill then passed 29-10. Senators also adopted SB 594 on local housing assistance for mobile home owners (39-0), SB 656 strengthening Internet Crimes Against Children programs (39-0), SB 806 creating right-to-repair protections for wireless devices and agricultural equipment (39-0), SB 816 establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute (39-0), SM 1186 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure by voice vote, SB 308 creating the Florida Museum of Black History with a late-filed amendment clarifying ex officio nonvoting legislative members (39-0), and SB 572 updating ethics law to include foster children and foster parents, as amended (38-0). The Senate also withdrew SB 1360 from further consideration, certified passed bills to the House, and adjourned until February 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state suffers from wildfires and droughts and floods periodically.
• Or if you have very dry soil, you can mitigate the risk of flooding by keeping that soil moisture content
• you to support this, but I'm going to end it with what Lyndon Johnson started, which is, 'He who controls
• the weather controls the world.'
• under conservation easements would be most appropriate because there are lands that the state can control

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee took up eight bills focused on water policy, coastal resilience, environmental regulation, beaches, wildlife funding, and carbon sequestration. HB 7001 preserved the public-record exemption for site-specific location information on endangered and threatened species before its scheduled repeal, and it was reported favorably 16-0. H.R. 661, expressing support for a “one-water” approach to the state water supply, drew discussion about whether it implied centralized control; an amendment aligning the resolution with Senate language was adopted, and the resolution passed 16-0 with a committee substitute. The committee also advanced HB 1345 on infrastructure and resiliency, which after a strike-all amendment authorized DEP to procure coastal resiliency projects through public-private partnerships and use incentives such as revenue-sharing, expedited permitting, public engagement, and workforce training; it passed 16-0. HB 477 on weather modification was substantially amended to return to current statute and add a $10,000 fine for failing to obtain a permit; the bill drew extensive public testimony both for and against weather modification and cloud seeding, and it passed as amended with a committee substitute. HB 6043, repealing the 2018 customary-use beach statute affecting Walton County, prompted testimony about beach access, tourism losses, and private property rights; it passed 17-0. The committee then approved CS for HB 843, making clarifying changes to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trust funds and allowing use of the non-game wildlife trust fund for law enforcement and coordination with related agencies and landowners; it passed 17-0. HB 1169 revised water management district planning, budgeting, reporting, and procurement practices, including restrictions on lobbyist funds and updated project preference rules; two amendments were adopted and the bill passed 16-0. Finally, HB 1063 created a task force to study carbon sequestration and related ecosystem services in Florida’s natural and agricultural lands and waters; after amendments removing a fiscal component and clarifying voluntary participation and property-rights protections, it passed 15-2. The meeting adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• by using flood panels.
• But also on that same building, we put on flood panels to mitigate for flood issues.
• they experienced flooding.
• I'm not in the flood zone, by the way. I do have flood insurance.
• I'm not in a flood zone, by the way. I do have flood insurance.

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resources asset preservation, $33 million for improving accessibility to state parks; $1 million for flood
• On page two, Pollution Control Agency: statewide drinking water, $6 million; capital assistance program
• > program,<00:02:04.079> 9<00:02:04.520> million<00:02:05.520> for for flood
• hazard program, 9 million for for flood hazard program, 9 million for reforestation,<00:02:06.799>
• <00:02:13.760> agency, On page two, pollution control agency, On page two, pollution control

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One area became incorporated, but the county still maintained control over the largest taxable entity
• I represent 20 cities and we've had two really bad rain events, flooding events in the last couple of
• The big picture, like Senator Pizzo said, I'm not a fan of locals having this much control over so many
• The big picture, like Senator Pizzo said, I'm not a fan of locals having this much control over so many
• to do is noble, and as somebody who presented a bill yesterday related to stormwater and inland flooding

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several bills, reporting each favorably after hearing sponsor presentations, public testimony, and member questions. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it received support from Americans for Prosperity and passed without debate. SB 606 clarified when guests in public lodging or food service establishments may be removed for nonpayment, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from hotel and restaurant industry groups; it also passed favorably. Members then heard SB 202, which addresses a municipal water utility surcharge issue affecting Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach by requiring the utility to charge residents where the plant sits the same rate it charges its own residents. The sponsor and supporters described it as a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach argued it would shift costs and threaten utility finances; the bill was reported favorably. SB 570 modernized and clarified the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and SB 928, as amended, regulated non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display, increasing inspections and penalties, and adding a school-buffer provision; both were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 346, which repeals state preemption over local regulation of hoisting equipment and cranes, prompted by concerns after Hurricane Milton and a crane collapse in St. Petersburg. Supporters said local governments need authority to address storm-related crane safety, while industry representatives warned against patchwork regulation and said local oversight already exists in some areas. Finally, the committee took up SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks, including limited surgeries under veterinarian supervision; animal welfare groups supported it as a way to expand access, while some veterinarians opposed the surgery provisions. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. The committee then began SB 354, a major overhaul of Public Service Commission oversight, including expanding the commission, adding financial expertise, tightening rate-setting and storm-hardening review, and increasing transparency for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the substitute amendment was adopted and public testimony was heard from consumer advocates and utility-related groups, but the transcript ends before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we had a significant... ...significant flooding event with Hurricane Debbie.
• On those day-to-day incidents where they don't... ...a lot of flooding.
• that took place, I think it's important to highlight the inland flooding.
• You've got flooding problems. This is provided by the state.
• I didn't say the flood plain. I said the flood plain. I said the flood.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now I would assume some sort of water flood or CO2, probably CO2 flood actually, to bring the inactivables
• is done either by using these well boards... as production well bores or by using them for water floods
• Ingham, your example of taking a group of old wells and doing a flood project, understanding of the bill
• with Senator Alvarado to hear the bill, I asked her to make two commitments to remove the enhanced control
• those changes as a result of protectiveness review changes in the bill will not apply to enhance control

Bills: SB1150, SB763, SB1061, SB1146, SB1198, HB279, HB310

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• Of survivors, removal of household hazardous materials, post-fire hazard assessments, traffic control
• And I'll just give one small example in the northern part of our district in 2020. three floods, families
• And the thing that we can control in this is the fuels.
• The Los Angeles flood control system is one of the most sophisticated in the world because of disasters
• that have occurred from flooding from those mountains.

Transcript Highlights:

• Increasing costs over factors businesses do not control.
• In the disastrous flooding that would quickly follow, I came to realize that New Mexico.
• I haven’t seen any small business that can budget for a wildfire or a flood.
• Not all rules are command and control.
• Not all rules are command and control.

Bills: SB12, SB36, SB92, SB120, SB133, SB151, SB18, SB96

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• During this time of the year, we have our flooding season, and so in the past, we've seen a lot of flooding
• , flooding, thinning projects, and the part that didn't burn.
• That happened with Dixon flooding. And the Black Fire flooding.
• And the current flooding that we are experiencing.
• We cannot prevent flooding.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chamber and the big business lobby rely on this flood of dark money to get their way and exercise
• <00:04:27.520> this the big business lobby rely on this the big business lobby rely on this flood
• of dork money to get their way and flood of dork money to get their way and exercise<00:04:30.639>
• <01:19:17.440> of happening right now is the flood of happening right now is the flood of
• > corporate<01:29:29.280> money, of this flood of corporate money, of this flood of corporate

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Detention ponds are supposed to be dry until they need to control flooding, but in this case, because
• Detention ponds are supposed to be dry until they need to control flooding, but in this case, because
• this need to control flooding but in this need to control flooding but in this case<00:15:06.240>
• For instance, the Ala Wai flood control project recently originally had about six retention and detention
• c> it alaw of flood control P recently it alaw of flood control P recently it originally<00:21:09.280

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1233, relating to storm management systems, which would add safety and maintenance requirements for detention and retention ponds. Supporters, including Alison Schafers of the Ki Injury Prevention Coalition and Kristen Herstead of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the measure is needed because poorly maintained ponds can become hidden drowning hazards, especially for children, and argued that fencing, signage, and life-saving equipment would have minimal cost. Schafers described the death of her daughter in a detention pond and said the bill reflects recommendations in the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Members asked about whether the issue should be handled at the county level; testifiers responded that a statewide standard is needed, though counties would likely handle permitting. No vote was taken on the bill during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HB 867, relating to recreational facilities, which would require accessible playgrounds. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it submitted comments and that state parks do not generally have recreational facilities affected by the bill, while most such facilities are under county jurisdiction. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Communication Access Board, and the Disability Rights Center all supported the bill’s intent but recommended changes, including replacing the term “special needs” with “accessible,” focusing the requirement on new and renovated playgrounds, and specifying wheelchair-accessible swings. Testifiers emphasized that accessible play spaces promote inclusion for children with disabilities and benefit all children. No final action or vote was reported. The committee also took up HB 1358, relating to a public land trust working group. DLNR supported the measure and said it had provided written comments, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the bill and described longstanding problems with incomplete land inventories, self-reported revenue data, and disputed public land trust payments. OHA said an audit it funded suggests the state owes more than current payments reflect, and other supporters said the bill is needed for transparency, accountability, and a complete inventory of public trust lands, including submerged lands. Committee questions focused on how the public land trust information system is maintained, who updates it, and how revenue reporting works; DLNR said the system is older, has limited dedicated IT staffing, and relies on agency self-reporting rather than independent verification. No vote or final committee action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ask is to move attack surface management, governance, and risk control.
• Madam Chair, Representative, we don't control that.
• Ditches alongside the road that got flooded that aren't being cleared.
• Every month, there's been a fire or a flood someplace.
• And in many parts of our state, multiple fires, multiple floods.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and local control.
• This bill does not usurp local control because that control is granted by the state.
• areas, non-flooding areas, and how we're going to do it.
• One of the gentlemen said earlier about local control causes state suburb. about local control causes
• areas, non-flooding areas, and how we're going to do it.

Bills: SB211, SB131, SB183, SB222, SB246, SB254

Keywords: appropriation, local government, Las Vegas, Rodriguez Park, public facilities, zoning reform, building regulations, residential apartments, commercial use, multigenerational housing, local government authority, healthcare, urgent care, emergency services, feasibility study, medical facilities, physician training, medical residency, New Mexico, massage therapy

Transcript Highlights:

• are under DVM oversight is an effective long-term solution to a problem that is steamrolling out of control
• It creates efficiency without shortcuts and ensures local control is protected.
• Flooding areas? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Are you speaking about the retaining walls in the bill?
• No, ma'am, when you say flood protection walls, are you viewing that as a?
• And this appears to be what, just literally a flood protection wall? You're right, yes.

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
• Properties located within a FEMA-designated special flood hazard area.
• And should result in a lower National Flood Insurance premium for the property owner and potentially
• However, a lot of these properties are already in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard several housing and disaster-recovery items. The committee heard SB 48 by Senator Gates, which would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead treatment for the owner-occupied portion of the property, limit undue parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum rentals, extend certain density bonuses for military families, 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. The committee also heard SB 34 by Senator Sharif, creating a historic cemeteries program to help preserve historic African-American cemeteries and allow sale of excess vacant land if proceeds are used for long-term maintenance; it was also reported favorably. The committee then considered and recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Members also received a presentation from the Department of Commerce on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida. Deputy Secretary Justin Domer described the state’s administration of HUD disaster recovery funds, including more than $4.3 billion received since 2017, housing repair and replacement programs that have completed 5,271 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects such as sewer conversion in Alford, the new Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, and the Florida Keys desalination plant. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and audit procedures; Domer said the department uses inspections, vendor oversight, and financial penalties, and noted stricter contract consequences in newer programs. The Division of Emergency Management also presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition/demolition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is designed to reduce repetitive flood losses and keep homeowners in place, and that it has received more than 12,000 applications, with about 1,500 prioritized, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about the 25% match for seniors, the wait list, contractor procurement, and how projects are classified; Guthrie said the program uses insurance proceeds where available, has competitively procured 27 contractors, and may shift projects from elevation to reconstruction depending on damage and flood rules. The committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• LAST YEAR WE HAD A RECORD YEAR, 285,000 ACRES THAT WE BURNED IN THE STATE FOREST, CONTROLLED BURNS. 2
• ON THE RIGHT YOU WILL SEE THE ESTIMATED FLOOD INUNDATION CONDITIONS.
• DARKER BLUE, DEEPER THE FLOOD MAY HAVE BEEN.
• THEN SOME SIGNIFICANT FLOODING IN THE BIG BEND AREA.
• THAT'S CUMULATIVE OF THOSE WIND, PRECIPITATION AND FLOODING IMPACTS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cross: Representative Maggard, with these buffers, have they had the effect of reducing flooding during
• They absorb stormwater, reduce flooding, filter nutrients before they reach the rivers and estuaries.
• Peter Abuelo: Local governments are on the frontline of protecting water quality and managing flooding
• They are required to meet state water quality and flood protection standards.
• These buffers do provide a protective mechanism as well as for flooding impacts during periods of high