Transcript Highlights:

• This lack of insurance and its limitation on Texas' ability to reduce our wildfire risk has come to a
• Something must be done to address this issue so that Texas can do all it can to prevent future wildfire
• It's my belief this bill puts Texas on the correct path of reducing our risk of wildfires across all
• That is a huge leap forward in the protection against catastrophic wildfires in Texas and a huge benefit

Bills: HB139

Keywords: ad valorem tax, tax rates, voter-approval, taxing unit, property tax, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Coast Guard Station Maui for its courageous response to the Lahaina wildfire.
• members of the Coast Guard station, Maui, for their courage and exemplary service during and after the wildfires
• In the first 72 hours of the wildfire, Petty Officer George Chihara coordinated with U.S.
• After the Maui wildfires, many of us here met with the Coast Guard in Lahaina Harbor, right next to a

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pursuing post-secondary education and $110,000 in disaster relief to those affected by the Maui wildfires
• disaster relief to those affected by the disaster relief to those affected by the Maui<00:19:50.799> wildfires
• 52.440> please<00:19:52.720> join<00:19:52.960> me<00:19:53.120> in Maui wildfires
• members please join me in Maui wildfires members please join me in recognizing<00:19:53.840> Mr

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:08:39.199> fighting from supporting wildfire fighting from supporting wildfire fighting
• Those in favor say aye. wildfire risk especially near wildfire risk especially near communities<05:37
• <05:37:24.798> in In fact, the largest single wildfire in In fact, the largest single wildfire
• <05:37:41.120> In forest and reduce wildfire risk. In forest and reduce wildfire risk.
• reducing the urgent threat that wildfire reducing the urgent threat that wildfire poses<05:42:51.520

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They protect consumers during wildfires, earthquakes, floods, pandemics, and other natural disasters.
• And price gouging is wrong, whether it's caused by wildfire, an earthquake, a pandemic, or war.
• The elderly parole program safely reduces incarceration costs for the state and mitigates unconstitutional
• As my colleague mentioned, last year the Southern California wildfires killed 30 people and destroyed
• Last year, the Southern California wildfires killed 30 people and destroyed two communities.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it experienced one of the largest wildfires in Texas history. Over 32,000 acres of land went...
• Since then, allowed the county to slowly recover from the catastrophic wildfire and regenerate lost biodiversity

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock met with a quorum present and heard testimony on House Bill 5085, which would create a report on the impacts of seed banks and seed preservation, especially as they relate to food access, biodiversity, disaster recovery, and education. Representative Gervin Hawkins presented the bill, citing examples such as the Bastrop wildfire and the role of seed banking in restoring ecosystems and supporting food security. No one testified against the bill, and the author closed after questions. The committee then voted to report HB 5085 favorably to the full House without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion passed on a 6-3 vote. The committee also considered Senate Bill 1035, with a committee substitute adopted that made a minor wording change from "or" to "and." SB 1035, which creates a legal pathway for agricultural operators to challenge unlawful local regulations and recover court costs and attorneys' fees, was reported favorably on a 9-0 vote. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2155, which implements TDLR recommendations to modernize the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners by improving licensing, complaint resolution, and enforcement processes. The bill was reported favorably to the full House without amendment on a 9-0 vote. After disposing of these items, the committee adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Take, for example, in 2011, Texas experienced one of the largest wildfires.
• These preserved seeds have since allowed the county to slowly recover from the catastrophic wildfire

Bills: HB5085

Keywords: seed banks, food access, environment, biodiversity, agriculture policy, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is allowed to be used for either invasive grasses, wildfire restoration, or wildfire prevention.
• It is allowed to be used for either invasive grasses, wildfire restoration, or wildfire prevention.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first addressed an unintended consequence in the Joint Conference Committee report involving dual and concurrent enrollment funding. Staff explained that a dollar-for-dollar reduction tied to Senate File 81 would have fully funded public school dual/concurrent enrollment while leaving no funds for non-public school students. Senator Salazar moved to strike that provision, the motion was seconded, and it carried. Budget and Fiscal Administrator Don Richards then walked through the conference committee report and the major adopted amendments. He reviewed Senate and House amendments affecting items such as sign language interpreters, rural veterinary education, predator management authorization, petroglyphs and pictographs, senior services, community college funding, school district entitlement payments, the School Foundation Program reserve transfer, a tourism-related rodeo museum change, archaeological work on human remains, a jet airplane reduction, abortion-related language, livestock ear tags, provider rates for developmental disabilities, student-athlete endorsement restrictions, a forensic audit for the Wyoming Business Council, and the Yellowstone tree inscription. He also described several deleted sections and policy changes, including removal of spending-policy provisions, flex authority language, and other budget sections. Richards further summarized new or revised appropriations and conditions, including funding for local cybersecurity, stormwater fees, the Wyoming Natural Resource Trust Fund, lab services, IT modernization, Wyoming Public Television, matching funds, cloud services, and restored governor FTE requests. He noted a compromise on the outdoor trails matching program, a conditional $10 million University of Wyoming operational review appropriation tied to future cost savings, and a stablecoin appropriation. He also explained that the report retained the base-bill reversion language, discussed the remaining general fund balance and statutory reserve, and said the committee would circulate the amendment and signatures for floor action later that day. The meeting then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• In southwest Florida, we have wildfires that we have to be willing to help respond to.
• In southwest Florida, we have wildfires that we have to be willing to help respond to.
• But then you also have emergency reserves for things like hurricanes or wildfires that come through.
• But then you also have emergency reserves for things like hurricanes or wildfires that come through.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs convened with a quorum and took up SB 308, a bill related to the Florida Museum of Black History. The bill would establish a Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and direct it to work with a supporting nonprofit foundation, while also requiring the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to provide administrative assistance and staffing until planning, design, and engineering are complete. With no appearance forms or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The remainder of the meeting was an informational briefing from the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities on local government budgeting practices. Presenters explained how counties and cities develop budgets, the legal framework governing property taxes and other revenues, the distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds, and the role of constitutional officers, public safety, debt, pensions, and capital planning. They emphasized that most local revenues are restricted by law, that general funds are the main discretionary source, and that local governments must balance annual budgets while meeting mandated service levels. The presenters also discussed how property taxes, fees, local option taxes, and state-shared revenues support local services, and they highlighted the fiscal pressures created by public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, and retirement costs. Members asked questions about the share of local revenue that is unrestricted and the implications for any proposal to eliminate property taxes. The presenters responded that only a portion of county and municipal revenue is flexible, with much of it dedicated to specific purposes by law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Following the devastating 2020 CZU Lightning Complex wildfire in my district, the California Department
• Following the devastating 2020 CZU Lightning Complex wildfire in my district, the California Department
• And just on an ending note here, I do want to note As we are talking about wildfire and recovery, there
• really encourage us to remember many different areas of California that are still recovering from wildfires
• Whether she was reporting on the courts, covering homelessness, chronicling devastating wildfires, or

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then held its Latino Spirit Awards ceremony. Members adopted House Resolution 16, proclaiming May 4–11, 2025 as Cinco de Mayo Week, after supportive remarks from several caucuses emphasizing Mexican history, women’s contributions, LGBTQ solidarity, Black and Brown unity, and AAPI and Jewish community support. The chamber then recognized 11 Latino Spirit honorees for achievements in human rights, business, arts, public service, community empowerment, health and science, environmental justice, philanthropy, and entertainment. After the ceremony, the Assembly returned to floor business and approved a series of measures. AB 60, banning synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products, passed 56–3. AJR 6, urging Congress to protect federal school meal and local food funding, drew extensive debate and broad bipartisan support; members cited child hunger, farm economies, and local food systems, and it passed 76–0 with 73 coauthors added. Other measures adopted included AB 679 on state park land acquisitions, AB 681 expanding Dream Loan Program caps for undocumented graduate students, AB 1224 on substitute teacher continuity, AB 831 on gaming technical changes, AB 259 extending Brown Act teleconferencing flexibility, AB 467 extending Los Angeles Neighborhood Council teleconferencing authority, and AB 519 targeting deceptive puppy mill sales. The chamber also passed AB 1522, an urgency Judiciary Committee bill protecting attorneys from politically motivated discipline and creating an expedited licensing path for some former federal attorneys, and AB 263, which extends temporary water flow requirements on the Shasta and Smith Rivers; that bill drew sharp disagreement over water rights, tribal participation, and impacts on farmers, but ultimately passed 51–16. Additional measures approved included AB 428 on pooled insurance for water corporations, AB 492 requiring notice to local jurisdictions when recovery treatment facilities are licensed, and AB 536 preserving colorectal cancer screening coverage. The Assembly also adopted a motion to suspend file notice so Appropriations could hear AB 379 on May 7.

Transcript Highlights:

• is any loans that were given to a governmental entity There were zero low no interest loans for wildfires
• So this is when we have wildfires and we appropriate it to Las Vegas Or Rio Doce.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill deals with and fill operations, anti-degradation, and mitigation.
• Compensatory mitigation, dredged material, and facility.
• Speaker, gentlemen, for wildfires and for flooding that might occur. Thank you, Ms.
• I mean, we don't have time to get permits; we're going to have a wildfire to discharge some things, so

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we had some cost to summer wildfires.
• We haven't had a lot of wildfires.
• We haven't had a lot of wildfires<00:19:50.080> in<00:19:50.320> Vermont,<00:19:51.120>
• but<00:19:51.440> this<00:19:51.600> last<00:19:51.760> year wildfires in
• Vermont, but this last year wildfires in Vermont, but this last year we<00:19:52.240> had<00:

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we can find $250 million for a special election when health care, community safety, Prop. 36, and wildfire
• For years, Trump's administration has targeted our state, holding California wildfire and disaster relief
• In the mountain communities from Winchester to Anza, families live with a constant threat of wildfires
• From presidential contests held during a pandemic to recalls held during wildfires, they have risen to
• From recalls held during wildfires, they have risen to every challenge.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, recess, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into a highly procedural and contentious floor session centered on redistricting measures. Members debated a point of order raised by Assembly Member DeMaio challenging the constitutionality of SB 280, ACA 8, and AB 604; the Speaker ruled the point not well taken, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on appeal. The body also took up consent-calendar and procedural motions, including suspending rules to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 and to bring the measure up without reference to file. Several motions to re-refer or suspend rules on related measures failed, while the motion to adopt the late amendments on ACA 8 carried. The main substantive item was ACA 8, the Assembly Constitutional Amendment related to redistricting, presented by Assembly Member Berman as a response to mid-decade redistricting efforts in other states, especially Texas. Supporters argued the measure was a temporary, voter-driven response to protect democracy, counter partisan gerrymandering, and address broader threats tied to the Trump administration, including immigration enforcement and health care cuts. Opponents argued ACA 8 would undermine California’s independent citizens redistricting commission, violate the state Constitution, and amount to partisan gerrymandering or a power grab. Members on both sides framed the issue as a defense of democracy, but disagreed sharply over whether the Legislature should act or leave redistricting to voters and the existing commission. No final vote on ACA 8 is shown in the transcript excerpt, but the Assembly did vote on several procedural matters: the appeal of the Speaker’s ruling was sustained 58-18; the motion to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 passed 58-19; a motion to re-refer ACA 8 and SB 280 to Judiciary failed 19-58; and a motion to take up A.J.R. 21 without reference to file failed 19-58. The session remained focused on ACA 8 and related redistricting questions, with extensive floor speeches from both supporters and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to present AB 2038, which extends insurance moratorium protections for wildfire survivors so that
• California, as we all know, continues to face devastating wildfire destruction.
• But as we have seen, rebuilding after a wildfire or any disaster takes longer than it used to.
• Wildfire survivors should not have to worry about losing their insurance coverage while they are still
• This is critical not only for wildfire victims, but for those facing insurance instability, and it creates

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, completed the prayer and pledge, and then held a lengthy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ceremony. Members from both parties and several caucuses spoke in support of HR 107, emphasizing AAPI contributions, resilience, and the need to oppose hate and discrimination. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 observance, including community leaders, educators, advocates, business leaders, and cultural institutions. After guest introductions, the Assembly took up the Daily File and passed a series of measures, including AB 2050 on HOA reserve funding, AB 2106 on lawsuits involving licensed design professionals, AB 1794 on direct home delivery of enteral formula, AB 1829 on CalWORKs-related student aid, AB 2038 extending wildfire insurance moratorium protections, AB 2281 on election cybersecurity, AB 2448 on protecting sensitive medical information, AB 2568 on water district board compensation, and AB 1658 on county public contract change-order authority. Most of these bills passed with broad support, though AB 2050, AB 2038, and AB 2448 drew some no votes. The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and election administration, after a contentious floor debate over election trust, voter access, and decorum. Additional measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously, including AB 2125 on notice in water-rights adjudications, AB 2784 on State Bar fees, AB 1614 on e-bike passenger restrictions, AB 2503 on high school heat safety guidelines, AB 1703 on osteopathic title protections, AB 1920 on community college Promise eligibility, AB 1999 on veterinary workforce and animal shelter care, and ACR 123 recognizing Duan Wu Jie. The chamber then began consideration of ACR 189 designating May 2026 as Foster Youth Awareness Month, with supportive remarks from members, before the transcript cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't go through our entire prepared remarks here, but I'll say the 2025 January wildfires devastated
• We don't go through our entire prepared remarks here, but I'll say the 2025 January wildfires devastated
• We don't go through our entire prepared remarks here, but I'll say the 2025 January wildfires devastated
• how to address the pains that have come with such terrific loss for those that were victims of the wildfire

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• been living in, you know, a Black Swan event like the COVID pandemic and then, you know, the Maui wildfires
• then you know know the co pandemic and then you know the<00:03:13.560> Maui<00:03:13.959> wildfires
• > and<00:03:14.720> then<00:03:14.879> of<00:03:15.040> course the Maui wildfires
• and then of course the Maui wildfires and then of course the<00:03:16.640> multitude<00:03:17.319

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 12 in Room 224 at the Hawaii State Capitol and heard testimony on several labor, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, collective bargaining, and related measures. On House Bill 202, which would revise the definition of the adequate reserve fund for calendar year 2026 and beyond, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported the bill, saying it would protect the solvency of the Unemployment Insurance trust fund. The department explained that the reserve standard had been lowered from 1.5% to 1% in 2010 and argued that restoring it would better prepare the fund for future shocks. Questions focused on whether the change would affect employers’ costs and whether the trust fund had recovered fraud losses from the pandemic; the department said some fraud had been recovered and additional fraud tools were now in place. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes and a defective date, and adopted the recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 477 on the Hawaii Employment Security Law, which the department supported as a modernization of the UI system but asked to amend for clarity, especially on registration-for-work language. The committee accepted those requested amendments and recommended passage with amendments. It then took up House Bill 1026 and House Bills 1027 through 1039, covering emergency appropriations for public employment cost items and collective bargaining for units 1 through 14. Testimony from the Budget and Finance director, United Public Workers, the University of Hawaiʻi, HGEA, UHSC, and others was generally in strong support, with one opposition noted on HB 1038. The committee moved all of those measures together and recommended passage with amendments. In its later decision-making agenda, the committee approved several previously heard bills with technical amendments and defective dates, including House Bill 423 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 480 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 162 on collective bargaining arbitration procedures, House Bill 164 on indebtedness to the state, and House Bill 1152 on tax administration. House Bill 214, relating to government and school resource officers, drew discussion about labor shortages and whether the bill should help train existing school resource officers into law enforcement roles; the committee still passed it with amendments. House Bill 874 on child performers was amended to require trust accounts for certain minors’ earnings and place oversight with DLIR’s Wage Standards Division, and House Bill 159 on qualified community rehabilitation programs was passed with amendments after the committee blanked the $850,000 cap for further discussion. All recommendations were adopted without recorded opposition, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're dealing with inaccessible subdivisions, nuisance properties, lands that have been damaged by wildfire
• know. dealing with inaccessible subdivisions, nuisance properties, lands that have been damaged by wildfire
• There's also nuisance properties that cities have attempted to clean up post-wildfire, and this falls
• staging for emergency equipment, and for personnel and fire evacuations to help those displaced by wildfires

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its first regular hearing of the 2025-26 session, adopted its proposed committee rules on a 5-0 vote, and reinstated a suspense file for bills with fiscal impacts over the committee threshold. The chair explained that only AB 418 would be eligible for an immediate vote, while several other measures would be held for suspense consideration because of budget constraints. AB 330 was pulled by the author. AB 418 by Wilson, which would create a clearer process and administrative remedy for county Chapter 8 tax sales, received support from county tax collectors and housing and taxpayer groups. Supporters said the bill would add transparency, due process, and a noticed public hearing for negotiated sales of tax-defaulted properties, while helping counties dispose of low-value or problematic properties more efficiently. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 418 to Appropriations. Several other bills were heard and then referred to suspense: AB 27 by Chau, which would exclude Chiquita Canyon landfill relief payments from gross income and protect recipients’ eligibility for public benefits, drew strong support from affected residents and environmental advocates; AB 258 by Conley would increase funding for California fairs, with supporters emphasizing fairs’ emergency-response role; AB 397 by Gonzalez would expand the California Young Child Tax Credit into a broader child tax credit for older children; and AB 398 by Aaron would set a $300 minimum refundable Cal EITC benefit. The committee also heard AB 231 by Tye, which would offer a tax credit to microbusinesses that hire formerly incarcerated people, and it too was referred to suspense after supportive testimony from reentry and small-business advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me get to the Lahaina wildfire.
• In 2023, Lahaina experienced some wildfires that devastated our community, including schools, homes,
• As you know very well, horrific wildfires and high winds have ravaged California over the last month,
• You know, over 300,000 acres burned in wildfires in my state just in 2024.

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the unprecedented wildfires in Los Angeles, ...several times.
• Given the unprecedented wildfires in Los Angeles last year and the risk California continues to face,
• Mid-career leaders weaken our state's ability to meet homeland defense, wildfire, disaster response,

Keywords: 988, house, all