Video & Transcript : 'natural disaster' :
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Oct 14th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- The House Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee visited last week and was able to see these improvements
- We've got a lot of open disasters. ...team now to talk about a lot of disasters.
- For the second disaster in a row now, we created a volunteer village in Sarasota County. ...disaster
- Moving on to some other significant disasters, all on one page, if you will.
- Disasters. So, for example, what does that mean?
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s mission, outreach efforts, state veterans nursing homes, and support programs. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the state’s existing nursing homes and the planned 10th home in Collier County, and the department’s dental assistance program, which served 245 veterans in the first quarter of the fiscal year and completed 1,631 procedures while saving more than $525,000. He also discussed veteran service officers, the benefits guide, the department newsletter, efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, and mental health outreach through the Overwatch/Firewatch program. Senators asked about future nursing home locations, adult day health care, homelessness, and the dental program; Hartzell also announced that retired Colonel D.J. Reyes will become deputy executive director on November 7.
The committee then heard from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and agency modernization. He described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office warehouse in Auburndale, and the new state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, which is ahead of schedule and designed to hold about 220 people and withstand 200-mph winds. Guthrie reviewed recovery efforts for recent storms, including debris removal, volunteer villages, sheltering, and FEMA reimbursement totals for Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, and earlier storms. He also discussed the Elevate Florida home-elevation program, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation training initiative, the DEMES platform, and WebEOC, noting that 60 counties and 22 colleges and universities are using the system.
Members asked Guthrie about flood-response resources for cities, training for local officials, and lessons from inland flooding after recent storms. He explained how local governments can request pumps and other assistance through county and state channels, described upcoming elected-official training, and emphasized mutual aid and EMAC as key future disaster-response tools. The committee took no formal votes or other legislative action and adjourned at the end of the meeting.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting Jul 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We don't need to get into all the jingle issues and things of that nature because.
- And number two, even if not naturally occurring...
- So why not give these funds to all those who are affected by this horrific disaster?
- But if a disaster strikes in that region, who would be fighting for them?
- infrastructure with flood warning systems, emergency communications, natural disaster preparation, and
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- disaster assistance for school districts or county offices of education impacted by a natural disaster
- We did also have sort of concurrently some requests related to natural disaster assistance going through
- Additionally, there was natural disaster assistance funding provided to Berry Creek Elementary School
- Proposition 2, although it establishes that new authority for the board to provide natural disaster assistance
- So rebuilding of schools damaged or destroyed in natural disasters would come from the overall bond authority
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- disasters, terrorism, or similar events.
- These provisions would remain fully available for natural disasters, fires, acts of terrorism, and other
- In the wake of such a natural disaster, families often face immense pressure to sell.
- And I think especially when there is a disaster of that nature, the AG and the state in general is probably
- focused on a lot of other ...disaster of that nature.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- These additional commitments are becoming more frequent with the changing nature of our environment and
- disasters.
- prior to a disaster occurring to help facilitate the expeditious and orderly... ...prior to a disaster
- recovery efforts, akin to the former redevelopment agencies, but specific for disaster recovery. ...
- recovery efforts, akin to the former redevelopment agencies, but specific for disaster recovery.
Summary:
The committee hearing covered a long agenda of local government and housing-related bills, with the chair repeatedly noting the committee was operating without a quorum for much of the meeting. Several measures were heard with no opposition, including AB 2639 on Merced County flood control coordination, AB 1788 on allowing best-value contracting for general law cities and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, AB 2058 on reducing duplicative permitting and inspection costs for factory-built housing, AB 2576 on clarifying historic resource protections in a housing law, AB 2568 on increasing the compensation cap for water district board members, AB 2224 on updating county recorder fees and requiring electronic recording, AB 2469 on water-supply review and cost responsibility for data centers, and AB 2397 on requiring local governments to justify denials of certain housing-finance decisions. Most of these bills were presented as targeted fixes to improve efficiency, reduce delays, or modernize outdated statutes, and the authors generally requested aye votes and noted committee amendments where applicable.
The most extended debate centered on AB 1751, which would streamline approval of qualifying townhome projects while setting a $28 hourly minimum wage floor for construction workers on covered private projects. Supporters argued the bill would expand homeownership opportunities, raise wages for largely non-union residential workers, and preserve existing prevailing wage law while adding enforcement tools and developer liability. Opponents, including several building trades and labor organizations, argued it would undercut prevailing wage standards, create a race to the bottom, and potentially affect wage-setting more broadly. Committee members asked detailed questions about land-use barriers, the relationship to prevailing wage, and whether the bill would affect unionized work; the author and supporters responded that it applies narrowly to private for-sale townhome projects and does not alter prevailing wage requirements.
AB 2469 also drew a substantive split. Supporters said data centers should be required to provide water-supply assessments before approval, pay for infrastructure they trigger, and account for impacts on overdrafted groundwater basins and local ratepayers. Opponents from the Chamber of Commerce, Data Center Coalition, counties, and tech groups argued existing law already covers water planning, that the bill imposes unique and burdensome requirements on one industry, and that some reporting provisions could raise security concerns. The author responded that the bill is about front-end planning and local accountability, not daily reporting, and emphasized the hyperlocal strain data centers can place on small water systems. No final votes were taken during the hearing because the committee lacked a quorum, though members repeatedly indicated support or intent to vote aye once a quorum was present.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jun 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This begins the Assembly Natural Resources Committee hearing for today.
- Natural is the best. Thank you very much. Welcome. That's a good dude.
- California has a notorious history of destructive natural disasters...
- California has a notorious history of destructive natural disasters, including devastating earthquakes
- disasters and climate change.
Summary:
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with some initial delay while waiting for quorum, then approved the consent calendar items SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire mitigation, biomass use, climate resilience, and geologic hazard mapping. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance climate, air quality, public health, and land management goals, with testimony both supporting and opposing biomass-related proposals.
SB 88 (Caballero) would direct state agencies to support beneficial uses of forest and agricultural biomass, including biochar and low-carbon energy. Supporters argued it would reduce open burning, improve air quality, and create rural economic opportunities; opponents, including environmental groups, argued woody biomass energy is costly, polluting, and harmful to forests and communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 653 (Cortese) defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management also passed, with supporters describing it as a voluntary framework to align wildfire fuel reduction with biodiversity and habitat restoration; no opposition was heard, and a member requested to be added as a coauthor.
The committee also approved SCR 50 (Stern), which urges state climate agencies to define maladaptation and develop criteria for reviewing climate-related policies and investments, and SB 567 (Limón), a pilot program to study converting idle oil wells into gravity energy storage wells. SB 567 drew support from the sponsor and labor/local government witnesses, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, citing groundwater protection concerns in key basins and asking for additional safeguards. Finally, SB 831 (Limón) passed, clarifying the scope of geologic hazards to include conditions tied to climate change and natural disasters such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion. All measures were reported out of committee, with several absent-member votes later added to complete the roll.
TX
Texas 89th 1st C.S.
Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting Jul 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We have more important issues to focus on, like disaster recovery and preparedness.
- When disasters like Winter Storm Uri or the recent floods hit, we support each other.
- God forbid a disaster strikes in that region. So that these people can have representation.
- God forbid a disaster strikes in that region. Who would be fighting for them?
- infrastructure with flood warning systems, emergency communications, natural disaster prep, and relief
Summary:
The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its first regional hearing, focused on South and Central Texas, including Bexar County, Travis County, and the Rio Grande Valley. After establishing a quorum, the committee adopted its rules on a 6-3 roll-call vote, with Senators Alvarado and Miles voting no. Chair Phil King explained the regional-hearing format, the use of 2020 census data, the online testimony process, and the availability of written comments and future hearings. Several members then gave opening remarks, with Republicans emphasizing public input and Democrats arguing the special session and mid-decade redistricting were unnecessary and aimed at minority districts.
A major procedural issue arose over whether the committee should invite or subpoena the DOJ attorney who authored the July 7 letter that prompted the redistricting discussion. Senator Miles moved to subpoena the attorney; the motion was seconded but then set aside after the chair said the committee could not take formal action on a non-procedural matter during a regional hearing under the adopted rules. The chair said he would consult legal counsel about issuing an invitation, and members discussed the August 7 deadline referenced in the DOJ letter. The committee then moved on to public testimony.
Witnesses, including Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, law professor Ellen Katz, and Texas NAACP president Gary Bledsoe, argued that the DOJ letter misread the law and that the targeted districts were lawful opportunity or coalition districts. They said the Fifth Circuit’s Pettway decision was limited to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and did not declare coalition districts unconstitutional, and they cited Bartlett v. Strickland as warning against intentionally dismantling effective minority districts. Garcia and Bledsoe said the hearing was politically motivated and would harm Black and Latino representation; Katz said Texas would act illegally if it followed the DOJ letter’s instructions. Members asked questions about the legal status of coalition districts, the 2021 map-drawing process, and the difference between opportunity, coalition, and crossover districts. The hearing continued with additional public witnesses, including labor representative Emily Amps, who said workers and communities of color were being harmed by the proposed redistricting effort.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- a troubling pattern that we're seeing across California, an increasing frequency and severity of natural
- disasters that are devastating and deeply traumatic for our communities.
- AB 239 establishes a state-led disaster housing task force.
- AB 239 establishes a state-led disaster housing task force, which is a coordinated effort between the
- It's about ensuring when disaster strikes we can move quickly, decisively, and compassionately.
Summary:
The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services.
Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government.
The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0.
Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 9th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- be clear to all parties concerned that a trustee or sub to trustee can be a person which includes natural
- I think that during disasters, we often have people come together in ways that... that bring out the
- best in us, but I think we've also seen examples of people swooping in during disasters to profit off
- However, statutorily only the Attorney General can prosecute price gouging during a declared disaster
- Disasters affect millions of Texans in all 254 counties.
Bills:
HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175
Keywords:
Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- LIHEAP avails specific forms of assistance to individuals during... a disaster such as an extreme weather
- event, wildfire, or natural disaster.
- This means that in the case of a natural disaster like the LA fires, our local agencies don't have the
- to bring significant resources to bear as other state and federal partners can in the event of a natural
- disaster.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation May 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- wet water, so if you could expand some on the natural disaster risk that you see that you're trying
- I asked you to talk about natural disaster. Oh, sure.
- Yes, so what are the risks to California of natural disaster that you were referring to?
- You know, the other, I would say, natural disasters, one is just the slow— sea level rise challenges
- Sea level rise is another, I would call it a natural disaster, pressure on the system.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it only for natural disasters? Not natural disasters, natural causes. Natural causes.
- Natural causes. Does that mean vandalism?
- It's the kind of thing that happens, for lack of a better word, naturally.
- But the disruption of the headstone from natural causes is not provided for.
- And this came to me as something disrupted by a natural event. All right.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bills 1993 and 2771, both sponsored by Reps. Irwin and Boykin, which would extend Servicemembers Civil Relief Act-style protections to Missouri National Guard members when they are called to state emergency duty. The sponsors and supporting witnesses said the bills would help Guard members with issues like eviction, lease termination, debt collection, and civil court proceedings while they are serving, and would align state law with federal protections already available to active-duty service members. Committee members generally expressed support, noting the financial strain on Guard members and their civilian employers, and witnesses from the Missouri National Guard Association and the Guard itself said the bills would provide clarity and stability. No opposition was presented, and the hearing ended without a vote in the transcript.
The committee then heard House Bill 1869, which would create a grant program administered by the Missouri Veterans Commission to help repair and reset damaged veteran grave markers in private and public cemeteries when the damage is caused by natural events. Rep. Roberts explained the bill was prompted by a constituent’s experience with a deteriorated headstone, and members asked about eligibility, whether the money would go to families or cemeteries, and whether vandalism or non-cemetery graves would be covered. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at natural causes and family-member applications, though he was open to suggestions for expansion. The Veterans Commission director supported the concept but warned the agency lacked funding and staffing to take on another program without additional appropriations; members also raised broader concerns about underfunding the commission. No formal action or vote was taken in the transcript.
After the bill hearings, the committee received informational testimony from Retrieving Freedom, a Missouri-based service dog organization, and from Compass Health on firearm suicide prevention. Retrieving Freedom described its training of service dogs for veterans and children with autism, including demonstrations of tasks such as grounding, retrieving items, and helping with mobility, and said it had a waiting list but was expanding its work in Missouri. Compass Health discussed its firearm suicide prevention grant work, emphasizing community-based education and conversations about safe access to lethal means rather than confiscation. These presentations were informational only and did not involve committee action.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/16/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It is an investment in prevention over disaster and partnership over fragmentation. Thank you, Mr.
- It is an investment in prevention over disaster and partnership over fragmentation. Thank you, Mr.
- It is an investment in prevention over disaster and partnership over fragmentation. Thank you, Mr.
- disasters.
- At present, programs of this nature are available in North Carolina, Alabama, and Idaho.
Keywords:
air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, forest fire, brush removal, defensible space, community hardening, vegetation management, fire-resistant construction, wildland urban interface, WUI, insurance premium tax, property insurance, homeowners insurance, commercial property insurance
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, I mean, what this bill does is it identifies properties that are naturally affordable right now
- But this bill is a natural consequence of that in that many of those covenants are expiring.
- What is naturally occurring affordable housing?
- And what the Governor's action was in response to was the largest fire disaster in state history.
- If I'm a staff member, that's a naturally occurring process.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 1091, which would create the Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation Program within HCD to help nonprofit developers, community organizations, and local governments acquire unsubsidized rental housing and preserve it as affordable housing or homeownership opportunities. The author and supporters from Enterprise Community Partners, the Unity Council, and several housing and tenant groups argued that acquisition-preservation is a proven, cost-effective way to prevent displacement and homelessness. There was no opposition testimony. Members discussed funding, with the author and chair noting the bill is intended to be supported through the housing bond or other appropriations. The committee voted the bill do pass to Judiciary, with broad support and no recorded opposition.
The committee then took up SB 904, which would codify and expand the wildfire rebuilding coordination and permitting streamlining used after the Los Angeles-area fires, including HCD-led review of permitting and code barriers and reporting on recovery lessons. The author said the bill is meant to speed rebuilding after future wildfire disasters and avoid repeated delays seen in places like the Camp Fire. Members raised concerns about the cost and repetition of requiring multiple agencies to produce reports after each disaster, and about e-permitting mandates for smaller jurisdictions. The author responded that the bill is meant to capture lessons from different fire contexts and that some concerns could be addressed with amendments. The bill was moved do pass to Emergency Management and was reported out with sufficient votes, though kept on call.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1007, which would change HOA assessment rules by tying annual increases to inflation rather than allowing up to 20% increases, and would require clearer annual budget disclosures and evidence for fines. The author and supporters said the bill would improve transparency and protect homeowners from steep fee hikes, while opponents from community manager and HOA industry groups warned it could underfund reserves, force larger special assessments, and add duplicative paperwork. Several senators expressed support for the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the inflation cap, the need for flexibility for insurance and maintenance costs, and the visual-aid disclosure requirement. The author said amendments are forthcoming and that the bill will look different in the next committee; no final vote is reflected in the excerpt provided.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- This is largely to address the volatile nature of our revenue streams.
- It takes multiple years in nature for all the funding streams to align and be able to...
- disaster emergency declaration.
- Most of the last disasters we'll face as a state this year, but they probably won't be.
- disaster recovery.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation May 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- disaster and then the— You mentioned very briefly it was a combination of natural disaster and then
- I asked you to talk about natural disaster. Oh, sure. Yes.
- So what are the risks to California of natural disaster that you were referring to?
- You know, the other, I would say, natural disasters.
- So there are a number of natural disasters that could impact this.
Summary:
The hearing opened with budget framing from the chair and the LAO, who said the May Revision addresses roughly a $14 billion budget problem and that the environment and transportation subcommittee’s proposals account for about $1.9 billion of the solution. The LAO urged members to focus on solutions that do not worsen out-year deficits, to preserve reserves, and to defer major policy changes that are not necessary to pass the budget, including the newly introduced water-related trailer bills. Members also raised concern about a late-dropped Olympic-related trailer bill, which the LAO likewise suggested should be deferred for fuller review.
The first major item was the Delta Conveyance Project and related water quality control plan trailer bills. The administration argued the proposals would streamline permitting, water rights proceedings, judicial review, and land acquisition, and would clarify DWR’s bond authority for the project. DWR said the project is needed to protect water supply reliability against drought, earthquakes, sea level rise, and other climate-related disruptions, and that the tunnel would help move water when conditions are wet and safer for the environment. Committee members from both parties questioned the timing, the use of budget trailer bills for major policy changes, the scope of the CEQA and water-rights changes, the lack of a bond cap, cost growth, and eminent domain protections. The LAO recommended deferring both water trailer bills without prejudice. Public comment was sharply divided, with labor, water agencies, and some business groups supporting the project as climate adaptation and reliability infrastructure, while environmental, tribal, fishing, county, and community groups opposed it as an attempt to bypass public process and weaken protections.
The committee then briefly heard the DMV’s Digital Experience Platform fee trailer bill, which would reinstate a $1 system improvement fee to help fund the vehicle-registration phase of the project. DMV said the fee would raise about $7 million annually and offset roughly $59 million to $60 million of project costs, while the LAO noted it would help but would not solve the Motor Vehicle Account’s broader structural gap. The hearing then moved to California High-Speed Rail, where the new CEO presented an updated plan and said the project remains a major climate and infrastructure investment. He reported a revised Merced-to-Bakersfield cost range of $34.9 billion to $38.5 billion, said the agency is trying to reduce risk through direct procurement of materials, and argued that stable annual funding is needed to avoid higher costs from delays.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- And what this is, is a disaster relief organization who originated it in 2011 after the tornado, and
- And what it what this is is a d disaster<00:14:48.480><c> relief</c><00:14:49.600><c> uh</c><00:14:49.839
- Dallas County when they had the tornado, Lee County, all the counties that have that national disaster
- 35.680><c> national</c> the counties that have that national the counties that have that national disaster
- </c> disaster, they have served that. disaster, they have served that.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Oct 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I appreciate Hammer's dear friendship and support in these disasters.
- The House Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee visited last week and was able to see these improvements
- We've got a lot of open disasters.
- Our State Emergency Response Team is, as I said, handling a lot of disasters.
- hits. ...of clawbacks down the road by preparing before a disaster ever hits.
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.
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
- and caregivers after natural disasters, like the recent LA wildfires.
- AB 848 recognizes the uniquely vulnerable nature of hospital patients and their serious nature of sexual
- disaster.
- AB 239 would establish a state-led disaster housing task force.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- That was a new fund created last session for natural disasters, and I think there will be legislation
- The LFC had recommended reforming how natural disaster funding is dealt with, and that was in the executive
- Yes, and that's, there's not funding for that because there's funding elsewhere for disasters.
- It's natural; it's almost like a yeast that they're putting in.
- It's natural; it's almost like a yeast that they're putting in.
Keywords:
SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement