Video & Transcript : 'flood protection' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Session / Gov. Bob Ferguson State-of-the-State Address Jan 13th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Transcript Highlights:
- After devastating flooding in 2007, then Governor Chris Gregoire said, quote, 'I am reminded time and
- Army Corps of Engineers worked closely with our National Guard and others to protect our levees and the
- The historic floods also dealt a devastating blow to our infrastructure.
- Army Corps of Engineers worked closely with our National Guard and others to protect our levees and the
- The historic floods also dealt a devastating blow to our infrastructure.
Summary:
The joint session of the Washington Legislature convened to receive Governor Bob Ferguson’s State of the State address, with the House and Senate roll called and a quorum confirmed. The chamber recognized Supreme Court justices, statewide elected officials, tribal leaders, consular corps members, and other guests before the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem by the Wapato High School Choir, a prayer by Reverend Indiana Driver Gimmer, and a poem by State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield. The governor opened by thanking those present and highlighting recent flooding as a major test of the state’s resilience, praising first responders, National Guard members, WSDOT crews, and local leaders for their response and recovery efforts.
In his address, Ferguson said Washington’s economy remains strong but argued the state must make major investments in transportation, ferries, housing, and affordability. He proposed more than a billion dollars for bridge repairs, $164 million for road paving this summer, another billion dollars for three new ferries, and a $244 million housing investment. He also called for a millionaire’s tax to fund expanded Working Families Tax Credit benefits, tax relief for small businesses, more K-12 funding, and affordability measures such as utility bill credits and expanded energy assistance. He criticized federal immigration enforcement tactics and changes at the CDC, urged action on a bill limiting masked law enforcement, and said Washington should rely on science-based public health guidance through state-led efforts.
The governor also highlighted several bills and proposals he said he would support, including expanded early learning for military families, modular housing standards, reckless driving changes, improved crash data access, wildfire air support for local fire departments, fee refunds when agencies miss processing deadlines, and a campaign to improve FAFSA completion rates. He said his administration has already reduced processing times for several licenses and wants government to be more responsive. After the address, the joint session was dissolved by motion and vote, and the House then adjourned until January 14 at 10:30 a.m.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The flood the state flood plan identified fifty four point five billion dollars in estimated costs who
- for the solutions to help reduce risk the flood risk in the state.
- One in six Texans live in a flood that live or work in a flood hazard area, so it's a significant issue
- Yes, Ag Fund, EDAP, and currently the Flood Infrastructure Fund.
- It's amazing, Texas is the only one that has a flood plan.
Committee:
House Appropriations
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Senator Nathan Johnson Jul 30th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Present Texas THC laws are inconsistent and inadequate to the task of protecting the public, particularly
- It is about protecting people's health and it's about empowering people to make their own health care
- and first responders retired. ...and first responders who actually have responded recently to the flood
- I just want to say one thing about the maps: fix the flooding first. Fix the flooding first.
- We don't have to do this; we don't need to do this—fix the flooding first.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Four - Tuesday, January 13 - Afternoon Session - State of the State
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Since taking office, she has been hard at work, focusing on fighting crime, protecting consumers, and
- She has also been a leader in fighting against these opioid-like drugs for the protection of minors.
- This bipartisan common-sense bill protects vulnerable women.
- Protecting the unborn is important to Claudia and me, and we ask Missourians to vote yes on Amendment
- Because we have to protect our resources for the generations to come.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton, Eckhardt, Flood.
- We all, everyone on this floor wants to protect children.
- What is a necessary step in order to protect our kids?
- And we talked about flood relief and I deeply appreciate that.
- and hopefully people say you can't stop a flood I can stop people from dying in a flood with the proper
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Joint Transportation, Highways and Public Works Mar 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Item number one is to vote to approve the statewide flood control program.
- Is anyone here to discuss the statewide flood control program? Yes, sir. Let's take that up first.
- And then last week we had a discussion on the statewide flood control program.
- And then last week we had a discussion on the statewide flood control program.
- by gates and lights, with the exception of one, and it was protected.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works met on March 9, 2026, established a quorum, and approved the March 3 minutes. The chair introduced new members and then moved through four priority-program items: the statewide flood control program, the airport construction and development priority program, the port construction and development priority program, and the state highway priority program. DOTD staff said there were no changes to the flood control, airport, or port projects from the prior week, and the highway priority packet reflected about $1.2 billion in total investment, including about $913 million slated for construction in the upcoming fiscal year. Members also discussed the written justifications for projects raised during the road show but not included in the highway priority list, with the department explaining that those comments would continue to be tracked and addressed in future priority programs. Each of the four programs was approved without objection.
The committee then received a presentation from Amtrak’s Todd Stennis on Louisiana service and the new Mardi Gras route between New Orleans and Mobile, which began in August 2025. He described the route as a state-supported service funded by Louisiana, Mississippi, the city of Mobile, and their transportation agencies, and said ridership had exceeded projections, with more than 80,000 riders in about six months against a first-year estimate of 76,000. He also outlined strong on-time and customer-service performance, station usage patterns, fares, and planned capital improvements funded through federal CRISI grants and state matches that are intended to improve rail fluidity and shorten travel times over the next several years.
A substantial portion of the Amtrak discussion focused on railroad crossing safety after members raised concerns about recent accidents and fatalities. Stennis emphasized the blue emergency placards at crossings, the 800-number system for reporting incidents, and ongoing coordination with Operation Lifesaver and the host railroads to improve public messaging. Members also asked about an app used to identify crossings when signs are unreadable, and Stennis said he would follow up. The meeting concluded with a motion by Vice Chair Carter to adjourn, which carried without objection.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/03/2026 - Senate Natural Resources
Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- That WIFA manages is funded through Environmental Protection Agency federal appropriations on an annual
- One quick question with the flooding that occurred, you know, a year, less than a year ago, I guess.
- One quick question with the flooding that occurred, you know, a year, less than a year ago, I guess.
- system, that the two systems that came ...worth of damage through the flood system.
- However, in this particular case, because of the floods, it contaminated some of the soil.
Summary:
The Natural Resources Committee heard three bills related to water policy and all were given do pass recommendations. HB 2029 would require disclosure information for applicants to the Water Conservation Grant Fund, and an amendment broadened the disclosure requirements from only certain water users to all eligible entities. WIFA testified neutral on both the bill and amendment, noting it already collects much of the information; the committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 8-0.
HB 2096 would allow counties to receive WIFA financial assistance, including forgivable principal, for cesspool remediation, closure, or replacement when there is a risk to water or public health. WIFA and county representatives from the County Supervisors Association and Gila County supported the bill, explaining that counties need clearer authority to accept loans and grants for cesspool cleanup, especially in rural areas with thousands of aging cesspools and flood-related contamination. Members discussed impacts in Gila County and other areas, and the bill passed 8-0.
HB 2116 would appropriate $1 million from the State General Fund in FY 2027 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association supported the measure as preparation for possible Colorado River litigation, while members emphasized that the funding is a placeholder and that they hope litigation will not be necessary. The committee passed the bill 8-0 and then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Prohibiting entities from engaging in election activity 3/12/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The chamber and the big business lobby rely on this flood of dark money to get their way and exercise
- </c><00:26:50.640><c> Here's</c> for Citizens United to protect.
- Here's for Citizens United to protect.
- </c><01:19:17.440><c> of</c> happening right now is the flood of happening right now is the flood of
- ><c> corporate</c><01:29:29.280><c> money,</c> of this flood of corporate money, of this flood of corporate
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 12th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Environment & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- So when we talk about the harms of climate change, we talk about wildfires, floods, droughts.
- And don't you think that, I mean, what is your approach to handling adaptation for flood?
- You have to go back to 2017 and 2019, I mean 2019, when we had the huge floods in Quebec.
- To manage adaptation linked to flooding. Then we moved on and had more thinking about that.
- Firm, dispatchable power protects in-state jobs.
Committee:
House Environment & Energy
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Apr 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It's your perceived risk of flooding.
- And I still have to have flood insurance. So if I flood, there's going to be no Louisiana.
- I still have to have flood insurance. So if I flood, there's going to be no Louisiana left.
- outside or without a home, that their possessions are protected.
- And so that protects flammable materials in some instances.
Summary:
The committee first considered HB 431, which would require annual training for municipal mayors. After adopting a technical amendment adding municipal retirement systems to the training categories, members heard testimony from the bill author and Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA) officials that the measure would require 16 hours of annual training, count existing ethics/harassment/cybersecurity requirements toward that total, allow online and in-person options, and impose no penalty other than public audit disclosure of compliance. The bill was favorably reported.
Members then heard HB 150, authorizing Cameron Parish to create a local insurance program to help residents recover and repopulate after hurricanes without state funding. Testimony emphasized that the program would be locally funded and likely function as a subsidy or premium offset rather than a standalone insurer. The bill was favorably reported. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities appointing members to certain economic development district boards, was also favorably reported after discussion of an amendment to set a two-year forfeiture period for noncompliant nonprofits.
The committee then took up HB 204, which would require monthly financial reports from certain East Baton Rouge Parish agencies to the Legislative Auditor. After an amendment removing the Council on Aging, testimony from CATS, BREC, and the auditor focused on whether the information was already public, the burden of monthly bank-statement reporting, and whether bank statements would expose sensitive information. Members ultimately agreed to voluntarily defer the bill for further work. The committee also favorably reported HB 136 on Harahan classified police hiring, HB 376 extending provisional appointment timeframes in civil service, HB 377 changing pay-range rules for the State Examiner and Deputy Examiner, HB 450 clarifying veterans’ points in fire and police civil service exams, HB 273 repealing a duplicate local tax statute, HB 1068 on garbage collection contract terms, and HB 864 allowing New Orleans to establish fire limits in certain state-right-of-way areas to address bridge fires. The transcript ends as HB 444 on adding commissioners to the East Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission was being introduced.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It would be great if every kid knew how to swim by some young age to protect themselves that way.
- That's going to close the door, protect taxpayer dollars for the truly needy, and stop Medicaid from
- So I think it is a really important part for protecting the children...
- those privacy protections for families.
- We're trying to do everything we can to protect kids, stop kids from dying across the state.
Bills:
HR267 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR110 , HCR113 , HCR114 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB237 , SB333 , SB433 , SB483 , SCR37
Committee:
House Health and Welfare
Keywords:
diabetes, amputation, amputations, diabetic foot ulcer, peripheral artery disease, PAD, wound care, podiatry, vascular disease, endocrinology, limb salvage, health policy, public health, healthcare costs, insurance coverage, Louisiana Department of Health, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, patient education, screening
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 8 Feb 12th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB3880 , HB3263 , HB2970 , HB3043 , HB3044 , HB3078 , HB3940 , HB4117 , HB3428 , HB4275 , HB3257 , HB3901 , HB4298 , HB4260 , HB2981 , HB3695 , HB2960 , HB3967 , HB3968 , HB4339 , HB4341 , HB4342 , HB2940 , HB4295 , HB4196 , HB3134 , HB1016
Keywords:
Oklahoma Today Magazine, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, tourism promotion, advertising sales, commission pay, employee bonus, sales commission, digital publication, print publication, sponsorships, bulk subscriptions, newsstand sales, ancillary products, public records, procurement exemption, administrative procedures exemption, tourism magazine, revenue sharing, executive director, state agency compensation
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Civil Judiciary REVISED: Links added Feb 5th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Civil Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- The university's protected. The professors protected. The student is not.
- They're not protected like the university and the student is. I mean, and the professor is.
Bills:
HB3790 , HB2941 , HB2959 , HB3087 , HB3974 , HB3500 , HB3697 , HB3262 , HB3582 , HB4226 , HB3037 , HB4139 , HB4143 , HB4144 , HB2936 , HB3322 , HB4296 , HB3278 , HB4202 , HB4176 , HB3303 , HB3648 , HB4119
Committee:
House Civil Judiciary
Keywords:
home repairs, consumer protection, contracts, homeowner rights, rescission, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, school abuse reporting, child abuse, neglect, mandatory reporting, student safety, school employee misconduct, administrator reporting, superintendent
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (03/17/2026)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- uh resilience into a to embed flood uh resilience into a municipality's<00:43:08.000><c> core</c><00
- </c> instrument, and a home for flood instrument, and a home for flood resilience<00:43:18.319><c> that
- resilience is a master plan that flood resilience is a master plan function<00:43:27.359><c> that</c
- So would you consider firearms and body armor part of this personal protection?
- ,</c><01:07:43.359><c> you</c> guns in the name of protection, you guns in the name of protection, you
Committee:
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (9-18-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And we're not of flooding for safety.
- </c><00:09:43.519><c> our</c> narrow bill designed to protect our narrow bill designed to protect our
- ,</c><00:12:33.440><c> tornado,</c> disasters be it a flood, tornado, disasters be it a flood, tornado
- Protecting them is not the power on.
- ,</c> policy changes or we know floods, policy changes or we know floods, tornadoes,<00:24:48.640><c>
Summary:
The committee meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior minutes. Members also observed a moment of reflection for Charlie Kirk and offered condolences to Representative Bobby McCool on the death of his mother. Representative Fugate then made announcements about the ongoing ATV/UTV trail system, including an October 21 opening in Letcher County and an October 2 groundbreaking in Knott County, and staff was asked to circulate the dates to members.
The main agenda item was Senate Bill 137, presented by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong with testimony from George Ecklan of the Coalition of the Homeless and Wesley Bryant, a flood survivor and Eastern Kentucky resident. The bill would prohibit utility disconnections for non-payment during dangerous weather and emergencies, including extreme cold, excessive heat, and declared natural disasters. Supporters said the measure is narrow, does not forgive past-due balances or change reconnection policies, and is intended to protect vulnerable residents, reduce risks to first responders, and create a minimum statewide standard amid a patchwork of utility policies. They cited weather thresholds and historical examples of extreme weather and disaster declarations in Kentucky.
Testimony emphasized the human impact of shutoffs, especially for low-income households, older adults, and families facing illness or disaster recovery. Bryant described experiences with people shivering without heat or struggling to keep children cool when power was cut off, calling electricity a lifeline rather than a luxury. Representative Gu raised concerns that utility bills have become unaffordable due to broader policy and rate issues, argued that some customers may not pay if shutoffs are prohibited, and questioned whether the bill was needed. Senator Chambers Armstrong responded that the proposal is limited to non-payment shutoffs during short periods of dangerous conditions and is meant to keep people safe during emergencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Mar 18th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Brett Tubbs, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, waving in support.
- You can call the Department of Environmental Protection.
- , to protect Americans from environmental pollution, that is great.
- So I think that risk of flooding, concerns about flooding, it's something that absolutely should be regulated
- this madness, protect our water, and the very air that we breathe.
Summary:
The committee considered and reported favorably several bills, most of them sponsored by Senator Rodriguez. CS/SB 164 on vessel accountability was presented as a measure to help law enforcement identify vessel owners, create a free long-term anchoring permit program, increase penalties for derelict vessel violations, and authorize grants for local governments in FWC’s prevention program; it passed without amendment. SB 388, dealing with FWC trust funds, was also reported favorably after Senator Berman asked whether non-game wildlife funds would support immigration enforcement; Senator Rodriguez said they would not. CS/SB 1320 was amended to recreate the Resilient Florida Trust Fund and then passed favorably. CS/CS/SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System was amended to define new terms and reduce the maximum surcharge from 25 cents to 15 cents, then reported favorably. CS/SB 86 on peer support for first responders expanded eligibility to support personnel and passed with broad support from law enforcement and related groups.
The committee also took up CS/CS/SB 92, a hit-and-run accountability bill by Senator Gruters. The adopted amendment added a front license plate requirement, lowered the damage threshold from $5,000 to $2,500, and retained reporting requirements for repair shops. NFIB testified in opposition to parts of the bill, citing concerns about the lower threshold, short reporting deadlines, and potential license revocation, while supporters argued the bill would improve accountability and help solve hit-and-run cases. The bill was reported favorably after debate.
The final and most contentious measure was CS/SB 56 by Senator Garcia, which would prohibit geoengineering and weather modification activities in Florida, repeal older weather-modification statutes, create a public reporting system at DEP, and impose penalties for violations. Supporters, including individuals identifying with weather-watch and anti-geoengineering concerns, argued that the bill would address public fears and environmental risks. A cloud-seeding company representative testified that cloud seeding is distinct from solar radiation management and said permitting should exist for responsible weather modification, while warning the bill could hinder beneficial precipitation enhancement. Despite skepticism from some members about the bill’s premise and scope, the committee reported it favorably. The meeting then concluded after members recorded missed votes and the committee adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- protected.
- protected for 50 years.
- This is how we protect our state. This is how we protect our water and our resources.
- I think that we need to make sure that we protect women, we protect our values, and I find this to be
- We go turkey hunting, protecting our water, and protecting our cherished way of life.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Feb 12th, 2026
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- Norwood Hospital closed almost six years ago because of a 500-year catastrophic flood.
- Lynch: There was a terrible disaster here, a huge flood that took out Norwood Hospital.
- This flood happened five years ago.
- Since the flooding and subsequent closure of Norwood Hospital in 2020, Since the flooding and subsequent
- I mean, really, it was flooded. The insurance was paid.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on H. 3599, a bill concerning access to landlocked Indian lands in Massachusetts. Witnesses, including members of the Mashpee Wampanoag and Herring Pond communities, described long-standing family land access problems, tax assessments they said treated inaccessible parcels as buildable, and a 2016 Supreme Judicial Court ruling that denied easements by necessity on the basis of tribal custom. They said the bill would restore equal treatment under the law and noted support from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and conditional support from the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe, with possible language changes still under discussion. Members asked about the tax impacts and the status of tribal support, and the chair said the committee would review the conditions and written letters before proceeding.
The committee then took up H. 5047, authorizing the Commonwealth to take the Norwood Hospital property by eminent domain so the site can be restored as a hospital. Sponsors Rep. Rogers, Sen. Rush, and Rep. Lynch argued that the closure of Norwood Hospital after the 2020 flood and Steward bankruptcy left a regional medical gap affecting more than a dozen towns, major venues, and emergency responders. They said the site should be returned to a not-for-profit operator, that the state would not be asked to fund the hospital itself, and that eminent domain would allow an independent valuation and move the project forward. Several committee members voiced support, while Rep. Davis asked about timing, cost, and whether negotiations with the current owner could still resolve the issue; sponsors said the private owner had delayed too long and that the state needed a contingency path.
Testimony from local officials, chamber representatives, nurses, firefighters, EMS leaders, and residents emphasized the hospital’s regional role, the strain on ambulance and emergency room capacity, longer transport times, boarding at other hospitals, and added costs to towns for ambulances and staffing. Speakers also described personal experiences with delayed care and said the hospital had been profitable before the flood. The Massachusetts Nurses Association and the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts supported the bill, stressing the need for inpatient beds, emergency preparedness, and a stable regional health care system. The committee also briefly heard and accepted testimony on S. 2922, an Eversource-backed bill authorizing an underground easement at Magazine Beach in Cambridge for the Greater Cambridge Energy Project, before returning to the Norwood Hospital bill; no votes were taken during the hearing.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 5th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- One of those being rising costs and very few protections for renters themselves.
- I am Judy Wolf, Chief Humane Communities Officer at Animal Protection New Mexico.
- I'm super passionate about protecting animals, and I don't want them to be taken advantage of.
- Fire and floods highlight this need.
- Flood events, same thing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- They said proper process required neutralizing chemicals, HEPA filtration, protective gear, and a much
- </c> chemicals, hepoiltration, protective chemicals, hepoiltration, protective gear,<00:04:34.000><c>
- The house needed full neutralization, filtration, and protective cleanup procedures.
- The chamber and the big business lobby rely on this flood of dark money to get their way and exercise
- </c> give up their constitutionally protected give up their constitutionally protected rights,<00:37:
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy