Video & Transcript : 'natural disaster' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Most recently, the devastating wildfires in Southern California, despite the rise in natural disasters
- So it is, by nature, going to decrease the 75% number of reliance on foreign oil.
- That's when we're still relying on natural gas.
- It is absolutely critical, and we need it to transition off of natural gas.
- They are flexible in nature and durable tools that can be used in a variety of ways.
Summary:
The committee heard several climate, environmental, and housing bills. AB 1425, dealing with pit dewatering near the San Joaquin River Parkway, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued the bill was needed to protect the river, groundwater, floodplain conditions, tribal and cultural resources, and public access from a proposed mining project near the river. Opponents, including Cemex, labor representatives, and industry groups, said the bill would bypass the CEQA process before it was complete, threaten jobs, and create uncertainty for an existing operation. Members questioned both sides about hydrology, blasting, dewatering, and the adequacy of the ongoing environmental review. The bill was moved, but several members expressed concern about preempting CEQA and some did not vote or voted no.
AB 881, which would allow California to move forward with carbon capture and sequestration pipelines, was presented as a way to advance state climate goals and capture federal funding. Supporters, including SMUD, labor, and industry groups, said the bill would help deploy carbon capture safely and preserve jobs. Environmental justice opponents supported stronger safety direction and warned that CO2 pipelines pose serious risks and that the state should not move ahead without clearer standards. The bill received a due-pass recommendation to Appropriations.
AB 1207, on the cap-and-trade allowance price ceiling and the social cost of carbon, was presented as a science-based update to California’s climate policy. The author and EDF said the bill would keep the program aligned with current economic and climate data and protect it from federal political interference. It received broad support and a due-pass recommendation. AB 1106, creating a coordinated network of air quality incident response centers, was also approved after testimony about wildfire smoke, toxic emissions, and the need for better real-time monitoring during disasters. AB 28, the Landfill Fire Safety Act, focused on the Chiquita Canyon landfill fire and related health impacts in Castaic and Val Verde; residents described serious illnesses and contamination concerns, while landfill and county representatives warned about costs and asked for more study. The committee nonetheless advanced the bill with a due-pass recommendation. The committee also heard AB 357, which would speed Coastal Commission review of student and faculty housing projects, with supporters citing student homelessness and opponents urging caution but acknowledging the need for more housing; the bill was presented and discussed, with the committee emphasizing the need to balance housing production and coastal oversight.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources & Energy.(7-2-26)
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- But, in the fall, things of that nature.
- </c> disaster strikes. disaster strikes.
- </c> the next disaster. the next disaster.
- </c> treatment and disaster response. treatment and disaster response.
- We know that disasters are disasters.
Bills:
SB8
Keywords:
utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51
Approval of Minutes 00:02:07
Legislator Comments 00:02:18
LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19
PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18
WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- So it seems like a natural fit.
- We're all running around just presenting a bill in Natural Resources.
- Our existing housing stock is under increasing threat from climate disasters.
- Our existing housing stock is under increasing threat from climate disasters.
- , so they have it on hand in the event of a disaster.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 25, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- President, would allow persons who suffer from natural disasters. Their homes are damaged.
- This bill would help persons when they are confronting these natural disasters, and they are suffering
- After each natural disaster, we find ourselves having to, to borrow a term, reinvent the wheel, reinvent
- The wheel, we find ourselves having to start all over again after each of these natural disasters, and
- Process would be like in the recovery phase after a natural disaster.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Florida's first responders have faced numerous critical incidents, including mass shootings, natural
- disasters and large-scale emergencies underscoring the need for comprehensive mental support over the
- Command unit is an asset designed to provide on so site support during high stress incidents and disaster
- there were some some challenges with these historical funding models, especially with the dynamic nature
- So really want to emphasize prevention, permanency things of that nature.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 2nd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- California has authorized composting in emergencies during extreme heat or natural disasters, but this
- California has authorized composting in emergencies during extreme heat or natural disaster. direction
- California has authorized composting in emergencies during extreme heat or natural disasters, but this
- and caregivers after natural disasters, like the recent LA wildfires.
- disaster.
Summary:
The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, established a quorum after a roll call, and proceeded through a long House of Origin floor session with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine parliamentary actions. Early in the day, a motion by Assembly Member Gallagher to suspend the rules and take up AB 12 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. The chamber then moved through the daily file, with many measures passing by wide margins, often with bipartisan support and little or no opposition.
Among the notable bills discussed were measures on law enforcement oversight and records access (AB 847), CalFresh data-sharing exemptions (AB 593), campus-area housing for students and staff (AB 893), insurance and wildfire hardening updates (AB 1), missing middle housing code changes (AB 6), tribal peace officer status in a pilot program (AB 31), utility bill analysis before new mandates (AB 61), fairgrounds funding (AB 258), Diwali as a state holiday (AB 268), labor and worker organizing rights (AB 288), algorithmic price-fixing and antitrust enforcement (AB 325), elections and jail voter information (AB 331), protections for judges and court personnel (AB 343 and AB 352), school construction procurement (AB 361), school-zone speed limits (AB 382), transit worker protections (AB 394), blue carbon coastal mitigation (AB 399), K-9 standards for law enforcement (AB 400), livestock carcass composting (AB 411), translation of housing materials (AB 413), immigrant educational rights notices (AB 419), gun violence restraining order implementation (AB 451), special education and child care measures (AB 560 and AB 563), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), and disability access protections for businesses (AB 649). Several bills addressed housing, energy, public health, and public safety, and many authors emphasized affordability, transparency, and administrative efficiency.
The session also included several ceremonial or recognition items, including ACR 73 declaring Italian American Heritage Month, which was adopted by voice vote after 65 coauthors were added. Most measures were approved overwhelmingly, though a few drew some dissent, including AB 421? no—AB 399 passed 42-30, AB 450 passed 49-6, AB 461 passed 49-8, and AB 621 passed 58-0. The transcript ends partway through AB 772, which was introduced as an educational equity bill addressing cyberbullying after school hours, but the remainder of that item is not included in the provided text.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Criminal Justice Mar 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- THIS ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED IN REGARDS TO NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE CASE OF BATEMAN AND PURDUE IN THE EASTERN
- DISASTERS OR IN THE CASE OF THIS BILL, RIOTS.
- WE REALLY WANT THIS BILL PASSED BECAUSE, I MEAN, NATIONAL DISASTERS OR STATE DISASTERS, LOCAL DISASTERS
- ARE NOT DEBATING WHETHER OR NOT THERE SHOULD BE A PAUSE AND SELLING AND BUYING FIREARMS DURING A NATURAL
- DISASTER OR A HURRICANE.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
ECD/TOU Public Hearing - Wed Feb 12, 2025 @ 10:15 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- We also have the Nature Conservancy in support.
- written testimony in support, but I just wanted to underscore that it's not a matter of if another disaster
- will happen, but when another disaster will happen.
- will happen, but when another disaster will happen.
- will happen, but when another disaster will happen.
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.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 876 is about what happens after the disaster.
- There's a massive disaster.
- That is how it happens post-disaster.
- , to 100% of that to handle a disaster.
- I didn't see a lot of that movement with regard to the Santa Rosa disaster nor the Paradise disaster,
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 1315 by Senator Cabaldon, the “Drive My Car Act,” which was described as a forward-looking bill aimed at ensuring that owners of vehicles with advanced autonomous or software-driven features retain the right to drive their own cars. Cabaldon explained that, after discussions with stakeholders, the bill would likely be redirected out of the insurance space and into transportation to address concerns about mandatory software updates disabling human driving. Members broadly praised the concept as a timely response to emerging technology, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass motion to the Transportation Committee, with members voting aye and the bill held on call until all votes were recorded.
The committee then took up SB 876, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, presented by the Insurance Commissioner and supported by the committee chair. The bill was framed as a comprehensive response to wildfire disaster claims problems, especially after the Los Angeles-area fires, and would require more accurate replacement-cost estimates, stronger optional extended replacement-cost coverage, improved building code upgrade coverage, faster claim payments, clearer adjuster communication, pre-disaster emergency response plans, and stronger penalties and restitution for unfair claims handling. Supporters, including United Policyholders, California Environmental Voters, the Los Angeles Mayor’s office, AARP California, and consumer advocates, said the bill would help survivors avoid underinsurance, delays, and repeated trauma in the claims process.
Opposition came from several insurance and industry groups, including APCIA, the Personal Insurance Federation of California, the Pacific Association of Domestic Insurance Companies, the Civil Justice Association of California, and the California Building Industry Association. They argued the bill remained too broad, would raise premiums, reduce flexibility, and could worsen availability in an already fragile market, especially because of mandatory coverage expansions and faster payout requirements. Committee members questioned both sides extensively about cost, optional versus mandatory provisions, contents coverage, ALE limits, building code upgrades, and rate-setting timelines. The committee ultimately passed SB 876 as amended to the Judiciary Committee on a due pass motion, with one no vote from Vice Chair Niello and the remaining recorded members voting aye; the bill was held open briefly to add a missing vote before the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs Mar 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Recent wildfires and other natural disasters have driven costs higher, higher than the statewide average
- And that's for all the natural perils. That's for wind and for hail and for wildfire.
- disasters also are benefiting the surrounding community.
- And we do do a lot of retrofitting and things of that nature.
- They're not just responding to disasters or fires on Indian lands.
Summary:
The Select Committee on Native American Affairs met on Barona tribal land to examine rising homeowners insurance costs affecting tribal communities, with opening remarks from tribal leaders and Assembly members emphasizing tribal sovereignty, the history of forced settlement in high-risk areas, and the need for the state to recognize mitigation work already being done on tribal lands. The committee heard that wildfire, drought, and other climate-driven disasters have sharply increased insurance premiums and reduced coverage options, especially for tribes located in rural or mountainous areas that were not chosen by the tribes themselves.
Cal Fire Deputy Director Frank Bigelow described the state’s wildfire response and tribal engagement efforts, including tribal liaisons on incident management teams, a Southern Region Tribal Affairs Deputy Chief, cultural burning agreements, and more than $30 million in tribal wildfire resilience grants over the last three years. Members questioned why tribal communities receive only a small share of grants, whether Cal Fire should do more outreach and budget proposals for tribes, and whether mitigation work is being recognized by insurers. Bigelow said Cal Fire is working with insurers and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety on mitigation standards, but acknowledged that more tribal outreach and participation are needed.
Tribal chairpersons and fire chiefs testified that their communities are already investing heavily in fire protection through dedicated fire departments, fuel reduction, defensible space, prescribed burns, firebreaks, and home-hardening efforts, yet premiums remain high or coverage is denied. Barona leaders said premiums can range from $6,000 to $18,000 and urged insurers to assess properties individually rather than by broad high-risk zones. Soboba, Hamu, and Pechanga representatives described similar efforts and said grant rules, environmental review, and insurer practices can make it difficult to translate mitigation into lower rates. Several members suggested short-term state assistance or a tribal insurance mitigation fund, and the committee discussed the possibility of requiring insurers to better account for tribal mitigation and sovereignty in risk assessments.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs Mar 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Recent wildfires and other natural disasters have driven costs higher, higher than the statewide average
- And that's for all the natural perils. That's for wind and for hail and for wildfire.
- disasters also are benefiting the surrounding community.
- And we do a lot of retrofitting and things of that nature.
- They're not just responding to disasters or fires on Indian lands.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Apr 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- , non-disaster program, BRIC, is gone.
- The one big pre-disaster, non-disaster program, brick, is gone.
- Whatever the disaster of the day is, whether that's a it does become kind of very reactive.
- Michael Jared with the Nature Conservancy.
- The Nature Conservancy does a lot of projects.
Summary:
The hearing focused on California wildfire resilience, with the first panel discussing statewide funding, policy, and strategic priorities, and the second panel shifting to home hardening and defensible space. The LAO outlined the state’s wildfire risk, the large increase in resilience spending in recent years, and the fact that most funding has been one-time rather than ongoing. Testimony emphasized that wildfire risk varies greatly by region, that the state must balance response spending with prevention, and that success should be measured more carefully than by acres treated alone. Witnesses also noted the importance of local, federal, utility, and Proposition 4 funding sources, as well as the need for long-term maintenance and strategic prioritization rather than scattered projects.
Cal Fire leadership and other witnesses stressed that California’s wildfire problem is not uniform: forested areas, chaparral, and wildland-urban interface communities require different strategies. In Northern California and forested watersheds, speakers emphasized fuels reduction, prescribed and cultural burning, strategic fuel breaks, watershed protection, and maintaining forest health. In Southern California, testimony focused on wind-driven fires, ember intrusion, ignition prevention along roads and power lines, and the limits of large-scale vegetation clearing. Several witnesses argued that the state should invest where it can leverage local and regional partnerships, support capacity-building programs like Regional Forest and Fire Capacity, and improve data systems to track treatment effectiveness and project outcomes.
Members repeatedly pressed witnesses on how to prioritize limited funds, asking what should be done more of, less of, and first. The chair argued that protecting homes and communities through hardening and defensible space should be a major priority, especially near structures, while also acknowledging the need for broader landscape work and watershed protection. There was discussion of incentives such as insurance discounts, property tax treatment, and community certification for hardened homes, along with the need for multiple payers rather than relying on the state alone. Cal Fire reported new and expanding data tools, including treatment trackers, defensible space inspection dashboards, and a fuels treatment effectiveness program that evaluates whether nearby treatments affected wildfire behavior. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- disaster requiring reimbursement contracts.
- disaster requiring reimbursement contracts.
- Providing for enforcement of the terms of the loan contracts, creating the Natural Disaster Revolving
- Providing that the state reserves shall consist of certain funds, including the Natural Disaster Revolving
- A joint memorial requesting the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department and the Economic Development
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 8, 2025 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, the Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee will now come to order.
- I want to welcome you back to the first meeting of the Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee.
- I want to welcome you back to the first meeting of the Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee.
Summary:
The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee convened for its first meeting of the session with roll call taken and several members noted as excused. The chair welcomed returning and new members, including Representatives Boyles, Miller, and Owen, and introduced the new policy chief, Roberta Skinner.
No legislation was discussed or voted on. The chair explained that the purpose of the meeting was a site visit to a new state emergency operations center and gave logistical instructions, including wearing comfortable shoes and bringing photo ID.
The meeting then adjourned for departure to the van outside the House Office Building for the site visit.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to markup an original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Feb 12th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Senate Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Export liquefied natural gas to China or other areas of concern.
- those disasters.
- All Americans, when hurt by natural disasters, deserve to be able to rely on their country without fear
- disaster funding, which we all support.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- of natural disasters or typical types of natural disasters or man-made<02:28:11.120><c> disasters</c
- </c><02:29:00.720><c> cause,</c> From any sudden or natural cause, including a list of disasters that
- I think our concern is not necessarily the nature of the disaster in terms of what is the source.
- the nature of the disaster<02:31:02.800><c> in</c><02:31:03.040><c> terms</c><02:31:03.280><c> of</c
- </c> disaster in terms of what is the source. disaster in terms of what is the source.
Bills:
HB676
Keywords:
HB676, Hawaii correctional facilities, youth correctional facilities, adult correctional facilities, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Youth Services, inmate phone calls, prison phone calls, jail phone calls, free prison calls, free communication services, incarcerated persons, prison reform, reentry, family visitation, recidivism, video visitation, electronic messaging, commissions, ancillary fees
Summary:
The committee heard three public safety bills. HB 2235 would appropriate $1.3 million for the Military Affairs and Community Relations Office to strengthen coordination on military and defense issues. Supporters, including the Hawaii National Guard and DBEDT’s military relations office, said the office helps Hawaiʻi understand federal contracting, USA Jobs, and military-related economic impacts. One member questioned why the state should fund a DoD-related office while Hawaiʻi remains under-reimbursed on impact aid; supporters responded that the office serves Hawaiʻi communities and helps prepare residents for federal jobs. The chair said she intended to recommend the bill pass with a HD1, a blank appropriation to be filled in the committee report, technical amendments, a defective effective date, and updated office title language.
HB 2263 would expand Hawaiʻi family leave law to cover qualifying military exigencies. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii National Guard supported the measure, saying military families often face short-notice deployments, relocations, briefings, and urgent family arrangements that require time away from work, and that aligning state law with federal standards would provide clarity and consistency. The chair said she would recommend passage with a HD1, a defective effective date, and technical amendments.
HB 2291 would clarify that certain National Guard Youth and Educational Programs employees are excluded from collective bargaining, rename the program, and codify its Hawaiian name. The Hawaii National Guard said it was a housekeeping bill with no appropriation, but requested an amendment to align the bill with updated authorities and program references; the chair asked for proposed language before the later decision-making. She said she would recommend passage with a defective date and the requested amendment if provided, and then recessed the hearing until 11:30 a.m. for decision-making on all three bills.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
06/12/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #23
Transcript Highlights:
- disaster, I know this is in New Orleans... ...the assessor staff is not visiting your property and there
- is a natural disaster.
- I had concerns just because it will cause inequity, and it could have potential harm in case of a natural
- disaster or anything that's insurance-related. ...and it could have potential harm in case of a natural
- disaster or anything that's insurance-related, and so I just want to lift that up.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
06/12/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #23
Transcript Highlights:
- how they know what is there, and if the assessor staff is not visiting your property and there is a natural
- disaster, I know this is in New Orleans... ...the assessor staff is not visiting your property and there
- is a natural disaster.
- disaster or anything that’s insurance related, and so I just want to lift that up. ...and it could have
- potential harm in case of a natural disaster or anything that’s insurance related, and so I just want
Summary:
The caucus reviewed several bills on its calendar, mostly focused on Senate amendments and whether sponsors intended to concur. HB 2114 would alter Motorcycle Safety Fund distributions and motorcycle registration rules, including a Senate change requiring at least one registered owner to be licensed in Arizona; the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2729 would continue several boards and agencies, including the Board of Nursing, Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, Board of Physician Assistance, Department of Economic Security, and Board of Pharmacy; the sponsor also intended to concur.
Members discussed two agriculture property inspection bills, HB 2104 and HB 2105. HB 2104 would change rules for agricultural property classification and inspections, while HB 2105 would add notice and reporting requirements for inspections; both had Senate amendments that changed inspection timing and exemptions. Some members raised concerns about county assessors’ workload, opposition from county organizations, and possible inequities and insurance or disaster-related consequences for agricultural property owners.
HB 2477, the Arizona Education Savings Plan bill, drew the most discussion. The Senate amendment combined the 529-related provisions with several treasurer-related restrictions and investment rules, and members questioned the policy implications of allowing 529 funds to roll into Roth IRAs. HB 4117 would create or expand criminal penalties for interfering with religious worship, and some members expressed concern about civil liberties and equality issues, while the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2311 would require AI service disclosures to minors and, after substantial Senate amendments, to all account holders in some cases; members asked about effects on schools and government systems, and some noted concerns about the expanded scope and AG enforcement limits.
The caucus also heard SCR 1004, which would prohibit photo enforcement traffic programs after December 31 subject to voter approval, though existing programs could continue under certain conditions; law enforcement concerns were noted. SB 1110 would establish a home confinement and electronic monitoring program in the Department of Corrections. SB 1618 would revise the Military Affairs Commission’s membership and duties, but one member objected to adding defense-industry representation and warned about military-industrial-complex influence. The meeting ended with the chair noting that only the bills that had gone through rules were on the agenda and adjourned the caucus.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine risk management, credit, and rural business views on the agricultural economy, focusing on views from the field. Mar 11th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Iowa farmers who have faced multiple natural disasters in recent years. have made it clear that they
- Our ag economy is a disaster right now, and we've obviously failed. To some degree.
- Is it mother nature? Why are crop insurance rates going up?
- Yeah, the disaster, thank you for the question, the disaster relief that was provided, these are critical
- So there are moments when disaster aid is incredibly important.
Keywords:
farm bill, rural economy, crop insurance, access to credit, young farmers, USDA funding freeze, agricultural policy, risk management
Summary:
The meeting of the agricultural committee focused on significant concerns regarding the current state of America's rural economy, highlighting the need for a strong five-year farm bill to address the challenges faced by farmers, particularly young and beginning farmers. Key testimony was given by multiple stakeholders including agricultural leaders and young farmers, emphasizing issues related to crop insurance, access to credit, and the adverse impact of recent USDA funding freezes. Various members discussed the necessity of risk management tools that farmers rely on to secure financing, which is crucial for sustaining agricultural operations and supporting rural communities. The importance of timely legislative action was underscored, as many farmers reported struggles in the current economic climate, raising urgency for reforms within the Farm Bill framework.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Insurance Committee Apr 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 876 is about what happens after the disaster.
- There's a massive disaster.
- That is how it happens post-disaster. In there. That is how it happens post-disaster.
- , to 100% of that to handle a disaster.
- I didn't see a lot of that movement with regard to the Santa Rosa disaster nor the Paradise disaster,
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 1315, the “Drive My Car Act,” from Senator Cabaldon. The author explained that the bill was intended to address the overlap between autonomous features and human driving, with a focus on preventing software updates from disabling a purchaser’s ability to drive a vehicle they bought for that purpose. He said the bill would be redirected to the Transportation Committee and amended to remove insurance provisions. Members broadly supported the concept as a forward-looking issue, and the committee voted due pass to Transportation on a roll call vote, with the bill held on call until all members were recorded.
The committee then took up SB 876, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, presented by the Insurance Commissioner and the committee chair. The bill would make a broad set of changes to disaster claims handling and coverage after declared wildfires, including stronger replacement-cost and contents coverage, higher additional living expense limits, building code upgrade coverage, faster claim payment timelines, adjuster status updates, insurer emergency response plans, and stronger penalties and restitution for unfair claims practices. Supporters, including United Policyholders, California Environmental Voters, the Los Angeles Mayor’s office, AARP California, and the Consumer Federation of California, said the measure would help wildfire survivors avoid underinsurance, delays, and repeated trauma in the claims process.
Opposition came from insurance industry and related groups, including APCIA, the Personal Insurance Federation of California, the Pacific Association of Domestic Insurance Companies, the Civil Justice Association of California, and the California Building Industry Association. They argued the bill remained too broad even after amendments, would raise premiums, increase claim severity, reduce flexibility, and potentially worsen availability in an already fragile market. Committee members questioned several provisions, especially the cost and feasibility of mandatory coverage expansions and faster timelines. The commissioner and author said the bill was about disaster recovery rather than rates, that many provisions were optional or limited to declared disasters, and that any cost impacts could be reflected in future rate filings. The committee ultimately passed SB 876 as amended to Judiciary on a due pass vote, with one member absent and the bill held open briefly for additional votes.