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.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

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.

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.

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.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

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.

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.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

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:

Bills: HF4133 , HF3419

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

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

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We had devastating forest fires, followed by the flooding.
• During the fires and the floods, actually visiting the devastation, trying to protect people from fires
• their homes. protecting their neighborhoods.
• Once there is a flood—and it will flood again, folks—we know what's going to happen there: the erosion
• Of the New Mexico Night Sky Protection Act.

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• There to be some sort of significant action with the way or effort to change the way the National Flood
• So, really, I always say if it rains at your house, you need flood insurance.
• Everybody should have flood insurance.
• If you are not really a flood risk, you're lowering the prices for everyone.
• Have you asked about buying flood insurance? Your policy doesn't cover wind-driven rain.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance convened with a quorum present, and Commissioner Michael Yaworsky of the Office of Insurance Regulation delivered a broad update on Florida’s property insurance market. He outlined the division of responsibilities between OIR and the Department of Financial Services, then reported market indicators including 7.61 million residential policies in force, an average premium of $2,755, 1.5 million Citizens takeout approvals, and recent negative trends in homeowners rate requests. He credited recent legislative reforms, especially tort reform and the Insurer Accountability Act, with improving market stability, increasing competition, and allowing the office to conduct more examinations and investigations, recover consumer restitution, and fine insurers for misconduct tied to recent hurricanes. Yaworsky emphasized that Citizens Property Insurance has been rapidly depopulating from its 2022 peak and may fall below 300,000 policies, while cautioning that over-depopulation could create residual-market risks and assessments if a major storm hits. He also discussed the distinction between admitted and surplus lines markets, the role of reinsurance in Florida pricing, and the effect of inflation on total insured values and premiums. He said Florida has seen comparatively modest property rate increases relative to other states and noted that recent hurricanes did not produce the kind of rate spikes seen in prior years, which he attributed to a more stable market and reduced fraud and litigation pressure. In response to a question from Senator Martin, Yaworsky explained that California’s wildfire crisis and regulatory structure are not a direct one-to-one comparison for Florida, but that California’s market problems can affect global reinsurance capacity and serve as a cautionary example of regulatory missteps. He also highlighted a recent Progressive auto insurance excess-profits refund of about $1 billion to policyholders, discussed possible federal changes to the National Flood Insurance Program, and urged greater home resiliency and code-plus adoption. The commissioner closed by calling for clearer consumer disclosures and responsible oversight of AI use in insurance filings. No bills were considered and no votes were taken; Senator Hooper moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And on that note, I'm curious about the flood in Gila County recently.
• So we prepared the forces to go assist Customs and Border Protection.
• Specifically, I was there firsthand during the flood at Heila County.
• Obviously, those records are protected, right, under federal law.
• ensued following the floods, right?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement. Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders. A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sanchez-Mayan's ability to brace or protect himself.
• Because emergency powers for spending are meant for hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding...
• And it looks like there's something going on back in my district with flooding.
• And it looks like there's something going on back in my district with flooding.
• We must increase the number of guardsmen for the protection of Florida, which has had the fifth most

Transcript Highlights:

• We've really appreciated your due diligence in protecting the state from those catastrophic fires and
• But that also kind of compounds with what we just experienced: the significant floods, especially in
• That also kind of compounds with what we just experienced: the significant floods, especially in King
• Varvar's got some commercial access stuff in Consumer Protection and Business.
• Varvar's got some commercial access stuff in consumer protection and business.

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The lightning protection for these buildings is inadequate to protect the aircraft and personnel.
• ><c> these</c> The lightning protection for these The lightning protection for these buildings<00:31:
• ><00:31:50.880><c> our</c> buildings is inadequate to protect our buildings is inadequate to protect
• We also protect the border.
• Um, but I watch and I go to see the type of training, protect it from Missouri, but it's a lot protect

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• meeting of the 2025 session of the House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection
• But, Lord, our state and people in the East are suffering today through the floods.
• in the loss, the devastation, all the families, Lord, that's lost loved ones during this time of flooding
• /c><00:02:27.200><c> this</c><00:02:27.360><c> time</c><00:02:27.519><c> of</c><00:02:27.680><c> flooding
• this time of flooding and Lord we<00:02:29.160><c> ask</c><00:02:29.280><c> you</c><00:02:29.360><c>

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection convened with a quorum, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, and briefly discussed the ongoing flooding in eastern Kentucky. Members and the chair asked for prayers for affected families, first responders, utility workers, and others dealing with the disaster. The chair also reminded members about Military Kids Day on Tuesday, February 25 at 9:00 a.m. The committee then took up House Bill 234. Sean Butler, executive director of the Kentucky Police Chiefs Association, testified that the bill would fix an omission in current law so airport police departments can participate in grant funding when they turn in firearms for destruction or sale through the Kentucky State Police, as other departments already can. He said airport police are fully sworn and certified officers but were left out because they fall under a different statute. After questions, the committee voted on the bill and it passed with favorable expressions, advancing to the House floor. The chair said the second bill would not be considered that day because of unresolved issues and would be brought back later. A member also asked to register attendance before the meeting concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The resilience element requires that you address natural hazards that you identify, protect and enhance
• So I'm digging into potential flood disclosure for renters, considering the recent event that we had.
• Does that U-Dub map also include increased flooding due to just, like, storm events, or is it only sea
• So it is riverine flooding as well. Thank you.
• So in our recent flooding in Skagit County, one of the things that came up was kind of how challenging

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee held a work session to review implementation of recent housing, planning, and climate-related laws. Department of Commerce staff outlined the 2023 climate planning requirements under the Growth Management Act, including the climate resiliency sub-element for all jurisdictions and greenhouse gas reduction requirements for larger ones. They described Commerce’s guidance, the use of the University of Washington’s Resilient Washington tool and FEMA hazard mitigation resources, attention to overburdened communities through the Department of Health’s Environmental Health Disparities Map, and the climate policy explorer. Members asked about specific climate impacts, flood mapping, evacuation language access, and how environmental justice and local stakeholder input are incorporated. Commerce also said climate planning grants are being drawn down from Climate Commitment Act funding and should be sufficient through the 2029 deadline for remaining Puget Sound jurisdictions. Local government witnesses described their comprehensive plan updates and implementation challenges. Pierce County said its adopted plan was a major multi-year effort that retracted some urban growth area acreage, concentrated growth near transit, expanded middle housing and streamlined permitting, and created capacity for far more housing than its 32,000-unit growth target. County staff emphasized the difficulty of balancing rural protection, urban growth, transportation constraints, climate goals, and limited transit funding, and asked for more technical assistance. Redmond said its update leveraged light rail investments, added transit-oriented development, middle housing, planned actions, and climate resilience policies, but also required costly mid-course corrections from changing state laws and agency guidance. Redmond urged more regulatory stability, clearer statutes, and streamlined certification and accountability processes. Snohomish County said it is now in early implementation, focusing on translating adopted policy into regulations, aligning with new state housing and parking laws, and coordinating across departments and with cities; it stressed the need for clearer comp plan language, realistic timelines, and more staffing and coordination support. The committee also heard from the Washington chapter of the American Planning Association about inconsistencies in recent planning laws. APA identified three issues: the use of the undefined term “guidelines” in the design review statute, the use of “variance” in a middle housing/design review context where APA said “departure” would better fit the intended flexibility, and the lack of a cross-reference or definition for “administrative design review” in the subdivision statute. APA said these ambiguities can create confusion and delay in permit processing and offered to work with the legislature on technical fixes. Senators asked whether local codes already use “departure” and whether the proposed changes would conflict with current law; APA responded that many cities already use departure provisions and that the goal is to align the RCW with existing planning practice. The meeting ended without any votes or formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Flood and Mr.
• Flood have done.
• Flood of author of the bill, Mr. Flood of Nebraska. Nebraska. Nebraska.
• Flood, and Mr.
• </c> democratic movements, and protect democratic movements, and protect vulnerable<05:04:23.040><c>

Bills: HB1531 , HB6644 , HB3190 , HB3390 , HB3682 , HB5616 , SB3705

Keywords: Taiwan, China, banking organizations, financial regulators, national security, housing, affordability, institutional investors, vacant properties, grants, homeownership, urban development, Burma, sanctions, foreign relations, accountability, economic oversight, military accountability, discount window, Federal Reserve

Transcript Highlights:

• Last month, history came to us in the form of historic flooding that caused tremendous damage and hardship
• 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.
• With those dollars, we will build and protect thousands of affordable housing units, make it easier for

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, Supreme Court justices, statewide elected officials, tribal leaders, consular representatives, and other guests formally introduced. The meeting also included the Pledge of Allegiance, a performance by the Wapato High School Choir, a prayer by Reverend Indiana Driver Gimmer, and a poem by State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield. In his address, Governor Ferguson said the state remains strong economically but faces major challenges from recent historic flooding, aging transportation infrastructure, ferry reliability problems, the housing shortage, and affordability concerns. He proposed major budget priorities including more than a billion dollars for bridge and road maintenance without raising taxes, another billion dollars for ferries, and a record housing investment. He also called for a millionaire’s tax to fund expanded Working Families Tax Credit benefits, tax relief for small businesses, and more support for K-12 education, along with utility assistance and early learning expansion funded in part by a large private gift. The governor also criticized federal immigration enforcement practices and changes at the CDC, urged action on a bill to prohibit masked law enforcement and require identifying information, and backed shifting vaccine recommendations to the state health department. He highlighted several bipartisan proposals he said he would sign, including expanded early learning for military families, modular housing standards, reckless driving changes, crash review access to medical information, wildfire air resources for local fire departments, and fee refunds for missed agency deadlines. After the governor’s remarks, the joint session was dissolved by motion and the House adjourned until the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> thinking he was securing and protecting thinking he was securing and protecting his<00:25:14.640
• </c><00:26:27.760><c> of</c> higher priority is that protection of higher priority is that protection
• </c><00:51:53.520><c> the</c> take immediate action to protect the take immediate action to protect the
• </c><00:51:57.920><c> all</c> industry in this state to protect all industry in this state to protect
• </c> that's a current flood. that's a current flood. &gt;&gt; Yeah.<01:24:18.159><c> Okay.

Bills: HB0075 , HB0128

Committee: Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We are convening the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection.
• </c><00:09:52.480><c> I'm</c> Protection. My name is Andrew Cab. I'm Protection.
• I</c><00:23:30.240><c> mean,</c> consumer protection standpoint, I mean, consumer protection standpoint
• ><00:33:30.000><c> extreme</c><00:33:30.399><c> flooding</c> we're experiencing some extreme flooding
• protection protection uh<01:59:24.480><c> to</c><01:59:24.880><c> come</c><01:59:25.119><c> back</c>

Bills: SB3253 , SB3154 , SB3254

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard a long series of resolutions focused largely on waste reduction, energy planning, and environmental protection. Early measures included HR 12/HCR 10 on a permanent landfill host benefits program for Honolulu, HCR 148/HCR 157 on a demolition waste reduction working group, and HR 184/HCR 194 on a mattress stewardship program working group. Testimony on these waste-related measures was generally supportive from environmental groups and some individuals, while the Department of Health supported the mattress stewardship proposal. The Department of Health also commented that a proposed study on recyclable/biodegradable/compostable labeling was very broad and would require additional resources to carry out effectively. The committee then took up several energy-related resolutions. HR 192/HCR 202 would create a task force on Hawaii’s future energy pathways, and HR 194/HCR 204 would ask the Public Utilities Commission to conduct a comprehensive analysis of cost reductions and financial risk. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the PUC offered support or comments on these measures, with environmental and industry groups also submitting testimony. Members questioned the Energy Office and PUC at length about errors in prior analyses, competitive bidding, and whether utility proposals could proceed through waiver processes; the PUC said any proposal would still be reviewed and that it generally prefers competitive bidding, while the Energy Office said some issues were being characterized differently and would follow up on waiver standards. Additional measures addressed data centers, liquefied natural gas, and utility oversight. HR 196/HCR 206 would convene a working group on the impacts of large data centers, and HR 197/HCR 207 would require conditions before the PUC approves LNG-related costs; testimony on LNG was split, with supporters urging caution and opponents arguing LNG should not be pursued. HR 193/HCR 2003 sought a written status update on implementation of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, and HR 191/HCR 201 and HR 33/HCR 33 dealt with sewage and wastewater issues, both drawing support from environmental and community groups. The committee also heard strong support for HR 141/HCR 149 on Red Hill remediation meetings and HR 190/HCR 200 on reassessing military PFAS cleanup decisions; the Board of Water Supply testified in support and described ongoing PFAS testing and concerns beyond Red Hill. The transcript ends as the committee moved into decision-making, with the chair indicating a recommendation to pass HR 12/HCR 10.