Transcript Highlights:

• questions: one, we will be looking at best practices and what other states are doing and have done to mitigate
• To mitigate their error rates.
• One thing is I've had a task force working on wildfire all summer, and I'm trying to bring the bill forward

Keywords: 996, all

Bills: HB1739, HB1741, HB2606, HB2362, HB2608, HB2294, HB2431, HB2375, HB2582, HB2585, HB2231, HB1601, HB2424, HB1956

Keywords: transit-oriented development, zoning, land use, urban planning, density, local governance, housing, inclusionary zoning, inclusionary mandate, affordable housing, below-market-rate housing, inclusionary housing, development exaction, impact fee, housing affordability impact fee, needs assessment study, financial feasibility, rough proportionality, essential nexus, county ordinance

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 19, 2026, and the chair opened by emphasizing strict time limits and that all bills would be deferred if the agenda was not completed before the noon session. The first major measure discussed was HB 1739 HD1, which would preempt county land-use authority in transit-oriented development areas. The Department of Planning supported the bill, saying it could promote state-funded TOD and infrastructure, while the city and county’s position was raised in questioning. Unite Here Local 5 opposed the bill, arguing it would strip counties of self-determination, disrupt state-county policy collaboration, and remove a check on unrestrained development. Committee members pressed the supporters on whether the bill was really about higher density and whether it would override local zoning and sustainability concerns. The committee then heard testimony on HB 1741 HD1, a housing bill described by supporters as reducing inclusionary housing mandates and increasing supply. Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued affordability mandates reduce overall housing production and raise market-rate prices, while a Zoom testifier said the bill would improve housing stability, health, and community outcomes for working families, kupuna, and young residents. Members asked about the bill’s needs assessment and who would conduct it, with a witness saying the counties would likely contract it out but that the bill did not clearly specify the reviewer. HB 2668 HD1, dealing with water heating systems, drew testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office and industry representatives. Supporters generally backed adding heat pumps to the law, but one solar-water-heater industry witness asked for amendments to remove or extend the current 15-year statutory life limit for solar water heaters and to update outdated standards and variance rules. A Kauaʻi Climate Action Coalition witness opposed the existing solar-only structure, arguing heat pump water heaters are cheaper, align with climate goals, and should be allowed without a variance. The Energy Office said the current law already allows variances in some cases, suggested adding high-efficiency heat pump water heaters to the exemption, and said the 15-year figure may be too short, with 18 years mentioned as a possible alternative. The committee also briefly moved through several other bills, including HB 2606 HD1 on off-site construction and HB 2362 HD1 on housing, with no notable testimony or action recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And do measures that mitigate stormwater and drainage automatically qualify the developer for a credit

Bills: HB8, HB12, SB 3, HJR1, SB 11, SB 16, SB 14, HB 8, HB 12, SB 3, HJR 1, SB 11, SB 16, SB 14

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Bills: SB2, SB3, SB5, SB9, SB10, SB14, SB16, SB34, SB18, SB 2, SB 3, SB 5, SB 9, SB 10, SB 14, SB 16, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• and focus on evaluating the return on investment and estimating the future cost of several flood mitigation
• They will also make recommendations for cost-effective flood mitigation strategies. Mr.
• And at that point though, it's about mitigating them at the fence line.
• I believe you described it that would be what we would try to mitigate it to sort of an acceptable level
• You mentioned that there's now some y'all, y'all do ask them to put some dust mitigation measures into

Bills: HB 1520, HB 1525, HB 1530, HB 1535, HB 2068, HB 2091, HB 2347, HB 2372, HB 2805, HB 2815, HB 2867, HB 3154, HB 3482, HB 3483, HB 3663, HB 3781, HB 3901, HB 3915, HB 4135, HB 4153, HB 4158, HB 4329, HB 4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• a step further by providing the data needed to plan and effective financially responsible flood mitigation
• focus on, evaluating the return on investment and estimating the future. cost of several flood mitigation
• They will also make recommendations for cost-effective... blood mitigation strategies. Mr.
• And at that point, though, it's about mitigating them at the fence line, I believe you described. it
• that would be what we would try to mitigate it to sort of an acceptable level of discharge that So the

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3915 ensures the multipurpose flood mitigation projects which address flooding and create
• Treating for potable reuse and also mitigating flood risk through a network of proposed sister detention
• How much has the county already invested in flood mitigation projects?
• And because it has a flood mitigation component, because this is a dual purpose project, the fifth may
• I really appreciate Commissioner Smith highlighting the fact. 778 They also often have flood mitigation

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• inspections, testing, and remediation for residential properties damaged by smoke exposure from wildfires
• California ...by smoke exposure from wildfires.
• Smoke damage is a crisis for thousands of wildfire survivors, ...is a crisis for thousands of wildfire
• And let me simply say, that's an understatement, because I've spoken to wildfire victims.
• You all know that California's wildfire reality has changed, not only in size and in speed, but in the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California... ...by smoke exposure from wildfires.
• Smoke damage is a crisis for thousands of wildfire survivors, ...is a crisis for thousands of wildfire
• And let me simply say, that's an understatement, because I've spoken to wildfire victims.
• You all know that California's wildfire reality has changed, not only in size and in speed, but in the
• also for a specific wildfire.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not initially present, then later established a quorum and heard several bills. The main special-order item was AB 1795 (Gibson), which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, and remediation of wildfire smoke damage in homes, with CalEPA and public health agencies developing science-based standards and insurers required to follow new claims-handling timelines. Supporters, including Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and wildfire survivors, said the bill would bring consistency and safety; insurers and consumer groups generally supported the concept but sought further amendments on scope, standards, and claim handling. The committee voted do pass as amended and refer AB 1795 to Appropriations, with the roll held open for later additions. The committee also considered AB 1576 (Ortega) on the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund, which would make changes intended to reduce litigation and employer assessments while preserving the program’s purpose of encouraging hiring of workers with prior disabilities. Labor-side witnesses supported the bill as a reform step, while business, public entity, and insurance groups opposed it, arguing it did not address the core structural problems and that a trailer bill was a better vehicle for broader reform. AB 1576 was voted do pass to Appropriations, with the roll held open. AB 1931 (Papan) would create an optional limited-lines license for utilities to offer home protection products for repairs to appliances and utility service lines. Support came from HomeServe, utilities, and industry groups, who said the bill would clarify current law and add consumer protections such as training, disclosures, and a free-look period; there was no opposition in the room. The committee passed AB 1931 to Appropriations. AB 2361 (Pacheco) would limit vicarious liability for peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platforms like Turo while preserving insurance coverage requirements; supporters said it would align California with other states, while consumer attorneys opposed it as reducing accountability and consumer recovery. The committee passed AB 2361 as amended to Appropriations. AB 2098 (Kalra), heard later, would require employers to allow leave for workers to attend treatment for occupational injuries during work hours, subject to notice and business-necessity limits; labor groups supported it and business and insurance groups sought narrower standards. It was also voted do pass to Appropriations. The committee then completed roll-call add-ons and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Information on the recent wildfires we've had, because I know they've been in the news a lot.
• In the last five days, we've had almost 400 wildfires, which is a lot for us.
• So that's a lot of wildfires in five days.
• Wildfires, and also, down there, trivial information: yesterday was the most wildfires we've ever had
• In one day, we had 181 wildfires that our employees responded to.

Bills: HB352

Keywords: HB352, cotton, cotton bale assessment, cotton levy, cotton producers, agriculture, forestry, Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, per bale fee, commodity assessment, producer referendum, cotton sales tax, Alabama Code 2-8-199, cotton commission, agricultural funding, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• particular mitigation that is absolutely required.
• <03:37:01.840> mitigation<03:37:02.399> such<03:37:02.560> as forms of mitigation
• no particular mitigation that is absolutely<03:37:08.880> required.
• We had 60 determinations of adverse effect or effect with mitigation commitments. Next slide.
• We had 60 determinations of adverse effect or effect with mitigation commitments. Next slide.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The task force held its first meeting, beginning with roll call and introductions of members and participants in the room and on Zoom. The chair emphasized Sunshine Law transparency, noted the meeting was on September 11, and opened public testimony on the orientation report. No one testified in person or on Zoom, and the chair observed a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11 before moving into the agenda. The chair then reported on several orientation presentations given statewide between July 18 and September 5, including meetings with transit-oriented development, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce on Hawaiʻi Island, the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber, and the Capo Chamber of Commerce. The main presentation item was a detailed overview from Kauaʻi County on its permitting process. County staff explained that zoning and building permits are handled separately on the outer islands, with zoning focused on form, character, and compatibility, and building permits focused on health and safety. They described a two-tier zoning system: ministerial permits that are automatically approved if not acted on within 30 days, and discretionary permits that go to the planning commission and can become lengthy contested cases if there is intervention. They also discussed special management area review in coastal areas, which can add time, and explained that building permits must conform to what was approved in zoning. Kauaʻi County staff also outlined the building permit process, including online and in-person submission, coordination with planning, engineering, water, wastewater, health, and fire agencies, and the county’s fully electronic review system using ProjectDox and related software. They noted that applicants are encouraged to check zoning, water, wastewater, and floodplain issues before hiring someone to prepare plans, especially for homeowners. The county shared permit and utility statistics and said the public can check permit history through Click2Gov. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; after the Kauaʻi presentation, the chair opened a question period for members.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 247 is a bill that will ensure incarcerated hand crew members who are actively fighting wildfires
• Essentially, it ensures that nobody fighting a wildfire gets paid less than the federal minimum wage.
• AB 247 is a bill that will ensure incarcerated hand crew members who are actively fighting wildfires
• They get a $1 bonus right now when they're actively fighting a wildfire.
• This only raises their actively fighting wildfire pay.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on June 3, 2025, and considered one bill, AB 247. The author said the bill would require incarcerated hand crew members actively fighting wildfires to be paid at least the federal minimum wage, and explained that recent amendments were added to clarify inclusion of the Pine Grove Conservation Camp and to update co-authorship. There was no organized opposition or support testimony, but committee members discussed the bill’s cost, how any annual pay adjustment would be determined, and whether higher pay could reduce opportunities in the program. The author and supporters argued the current pay is extremely low and that the bill would provide fairer compensation without creating parity with Cal Fire wages. Several members expressed conceptual support while raising questions about the amendment language and the impact on the state budget and inmate firefighting opportunities. The chair noted the bill had been brought back because post-approval amendments added costs and needed further analysis. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed AB 247 on a 9-0 due pass recommendation, with several members not voting. The committee adjourned after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Environmental Protection Agency if a wildfire occurs on federally managed land that affects Arizona.
• Environmental Protection Agency if a wildfire occurs on federally managed land that affects Arizona.
• And the term exceptional event does include wildfires.
• If a wildfire occurs on federally managed land.
• This bill instead mandates submissions every time a wildfire occurs on federally managed land...

Bills: HB2013, HB2026, HB2056, HB2098, HB2113, HB2156, HB2158, HCM2011, HCR2057

Keywords: air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply

Transcript Highlights:

• The restricted amount of funds that were in the bed, the governor released for Maui, uh the wildfires
• Thank you for your attention. wildfires or uh dilapidated facilities wildfires or uh dilapidated facilities
• The restricted amount of funds that were in the bed, the governor released for Maui, uh the wildfires
• The restricted amount of funds that were in the bed, the governor released for Maui, uh the wildfires
• ,<00:18:11.919> um<00:18:12.160> and<00:18:12.640> promote uh the wildfires,

Bills: SB2278, SB2908, SB2987

Keywords: light pollution, outdoor lighting, fully shielded, Hawaii Revised Statutes, environmental protection, night sky, lighting fixtures, local control, exemptions, athletic facilities, wildlife conservation, Hawaiian culture, 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committees on Tourism and Economic Development and Technology heard several measures on February 12, 2026. HB 1950 would dedicate 15% of transit accommodations tax revenue to a new state-led marketing and branding special fund and require an annual tourism management plan. HTA and DBEDT supported the bill as providing predictable funding for marketing and tourism management, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special fund structure as limiting legislative flexibility. Members discussed the size of the allocation and whether a tourism emergency fund would still be needed; the bill later advanced with amendments that removed some provisions and blanked out the 15% figure for further discussion, and it passed with amendments. HB 2268 would add film production marketing and promotion to HTA’s powers. The governor’s office, HTA, the Hawaii Film Alliance, and several industry groups supported the measure, arguing that film and TV exposure drives tourism and generates significant spending and tax revenue, while one individual testified in opposition. In questions, HTA said it would use existing staff and did not have a separate cost estimate. The committee amended the bill to specify that film productions are primarily filmed in Hawaii and deferred the date to continue discussion; it then passed with amendments. The committee also heard HB 2156, which would raise filing thresholds for general excise tax and transit accommodations tax filers. The Department of Taxation said the change could increase administrative burden if more filers shift from mandatory electronic filing to paper filing, while the Tax Foundation noted the filing threshold issue is separate from e-filing requirements. The bill was moved forward with a deferred date. HB 1946, concerning time-share registration renewals and amendments, drew support from ARDA and other industry testimony, with no opposition noted; DCCA was said to be in talks with the industry. It was also advanced with technical amendments and a deferred date.

Transcript Highlights:

• priorities that members may have, whether it's transit or clean transportation, sustainable housing, wildfire
• mitigation, research and development, and higher education.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fire also reduces organic material that we hear called muck in the lake and minimizes the risk of wildfire
• To mitigate the potential negative consequences for LOSOM, we implemented Lake Recovery into the plan

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to hear presentations on Lake Okeechobee from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the South Florida Water Management District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. FWC described the lake as a major recreation, water supply, and habitat resource, and outlined its habitat management plan, including control of invasive plants, prescribed fire, and restoration of native vegetation. The agency said low water levels have helped submerged aquatic vegetation recover, with gains in 2025 exceeding 24,000 acres and meeting its target, while torpedo grass and floating invasive plants remain active management priorities. Senators asked about bass fishing trends and blue-green algae; FWC said water levels are the main driver of fishery health and that it was not seeing current water-quality impacts on bass, though algal blooms can affect habitat and wildlife. The South Florida Water Management District focused on nutrient pollution, lake ecology, and restoration projects across the watershed. Director Drew Bartlett said the district’s work is aimed at reducing harmful discharges, improving water quality, and moving more water south to the Everglades through storage and treatment projects, including the EAA Reservoir, C-43 and C-44 reservoirs, aquifer storage and recovery, and wetland treatment areas. He said the state and federal governments have invested about $9 billion in restoration, roughly split 50-50, and that the EAA Reservoir is now targeted for completion in 2029. He also said Lake Okeechobee BMAP participation is around 92% and that recent data show phosphorus and nitrogen loading declines, though the lake remains impaired and eutrophic. An industry witness from Associated Industries of Florida said the BMAP and agricultural best management practices are producing measurable improvements and urged continued funding for water storage and treatment. The Army Corps of Engineers then explained LOSOM and Lake Recovery operations, saying the new operating approach balances flood control, water supply, navigation, ecology, and estuary protection. Colonel Brandon Bowman said Lake Recovery was implemented in late 2024 to bring the lake below 12 feet long enough to help submerged vegetation rebound, and reported that the lake met both recovery metrics, with water levels low enough to support a major increase in SAV from about 4,000 acres to 28,000 acres in 2025. He also noted benefits such as improved water clarity and more Okeechobee gourd plants, but acknowledged drawbacks including reduced navigation and some impacts to wading birds and snail kites. Senators pressed the Corps on the C-44 reservoir’s sloughing issue; Bowman said repairs are underway, the problem is geological rather than a safety failure, and the Corps expects to award a contract by 2027 and complete work by 2030. The committee did not take any substantive vote on the presentations and adjourned after Senator Smith moved to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the House, we wildfires.
• to the settlement of claims related to the 2023 Maui wildfires and for the payment of administrative
• expenses related to the Maui wildfires settlement agreement.
• Uh and there is appropriation wildfires.
• deposited into the Maui Wildfire deposited into the Maui Wildfire Settlement<00:58:54.400> Trust

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• move it up to April 1st for the authorization of positions and appropriations to better match the wildfire
• ><00:11:29.839> the appropriations to better match the appropriations to better match the wildfire
• season and then the one-time wildfire season and then the one-time cost.<00:11:33.920> Some<00
• think they'll be starting over in the House that really takes a measured step to try to address wildfire
• 1120, hazard mitigation grant program. 1120, hazard mitigation grant program.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . wildfires. wildfires.
• This section of the bill allows for wildfire victims who receive disaster aid incurred from a wildfire
• This section of the bill allows for wildfire victims who receive disaster aid incurred from a wildfire
• This section of the bill allows for wildfire victims who receive disaster aid incurred from a wildfire
• constituents and disaster and wildfire constituents and disaster and wildfire survivors<04:16:54.720

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from those wildfires.
• Summer Hughes, victim of a PG&E-caused wildfire, strongly supports the bill.
• Will Abrams, a wildfire survivor from the 2017 PG&E Tubbs Fire, strongly supports the bill.
• Cheryl Spradling, Paradise wildfire survivor, says, “This is my home.
• Sydney Robinson, survivor from the 2018 Camp Fire, Utility Wildfire Survivors Coalition.

Keywords: 988, house, all