Transcript Highlights:

• SB 762 offers the opportunity to continue to protect those in communities who need the most assistance
• Senate Bill 1055 is sponsored by the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, and it authorizes the use
• They were flooded out.
• I would simply add that it has enjoyed probably the worst level of flood control protection in the state
• SB 13, 17. status compensation and other employment protections.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• , and build flood control and mitigation projects.
• What Senate Bill 1967 does is ensure the multipurpose flood mitigation projects which address flooding
• Customs and Border Protection, correct? That's correct.
• So how do we provide that protection? How does this new division provide that protection?
• Thus, the written consent protects the doctor.

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, received a House message that H.B. 422 had passed the House, and heard gubernatorial nominations for the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day and several visiting groups and adopted a resolution designating June 20, 2025, as Texas Nuclear Legislative Day. Members then considered and passed several bills and resolutions, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. SB 311 passed to final passage on the Texas Supreme Court’s writ power. SB 883, on off-label prescription access for COVID-19 treatment, passed to engrossment. SB 1706, creating an Open Meetings Act exception for certain defense, military, and aerospace deliberations, passed despite concerns from Sen. Eckhardt that the bill’s use of “deliberate” could weaken open-government protections. CS SB 1677, directing a study on diabetes-related amputations, passed with support from Sen. Menendez. SB 1967 expanded flood infrastructure fund eligibility to certain multipurpose projects, and SB 1255, a cleanup bill on mold assessor and remediator regulation, passed unanimously. The Senate also approved CS SJR 40 and CS SB 871, which would change emergency and disaster law to require legislative involvement after prolonged or widespread emergencies and to limit gubernatorial suspension powers, with Sen. Eckhardt questioning whether the bill could slow urgent business closures during a disaster. Additional measures passed included SB 1426 transferring management of the First Capital State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission, SB 249 requiring TxDOT to fund memorial markers for fallen peace officers, SB 1592 centralizing collection of hotel occupancy taxes from accommodation intermediaries, SB 1271 allowing concurrent jurisdiction on military installations for certain juvenile matters, SB 745 creating a higher penalty for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, SB 365 shortening the academic fresh start waiting period at public colleges, and SB 1171 adjusting compensation and standards for certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department inspector general employees. CS SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, passed after questions about its relationship to federal homeland security and its focus on border security and critical infrastructure. The latter part of the session focused heavily on CS SB 38, a major eviction and squatter-related bill. Sen. Bettencourt described widespread squatter cases and argued the bill, with a Moody amendment, would clarify notice and eviction procedures while balancing property-owner and tenant rights. Sen. West said he supported addressing squatters but worried the broader eviction changes could harm vulnerable renters, especially single mothers, and said he would vote present not voting. The discussion continued with additional testimony from Sen. Kolkhorst about the need for a balanced eviction process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislation to strengthen emergency communications and other response infrastructure in flood-prone areas
• Legislation further protecting unborn children and their mothers from the harm of abortion. ...prohibiting
• Legislation similar to Senate Bill number 1278 from the 89th Legislature regular session that protects
• Legislation that protects law enforcement officers from public disclosure of unsubstantiated complaints
• Relating to outdoor warning sirens in flood-prone areas to finance.

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB4 , SB5 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB9 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB15 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB2 , SB3 , SB4 , SB5 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB9 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB15 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 4 , SB 5 , SB 6 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 14 , SB 15 , SB 16 , SB 17 , SB 18 , SB 34 , SB2 , SB3 , SB4 , SB5 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB9 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB15 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB34

Transcript Highlights:

• Here are a few examples from 2023 after the flooding: 'Bad news, I just spoke with Frank.
• And finally, a lot of people have said this flooding is worse than Irene.
• These fascinating creatures need our protection. Please support H. 127.
• These fascinating creatures need our protection.
• Three reasons why I support this bill: protect our coastal waters, keep humans safe, and protect aquatic

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture opened its first hearing by outlining procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, written testimony options, and the plan to hear 27 bills in docket order. The committee then took testimony on H.11/S.53, a resolve promoting equity in agriculture, with advocates from the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, Southeastern Mass Agricultural Partnership, and urban farming organizations describing racial and economic disparities in farming, lack of data on BIPOC farmers, barriers to land and capital, and the need for a commission to collect information and recommend policy changes. Committee members asked questions about the importance of data collection and future policy development, and the bill was repeatedly urged to be reported favorably out of committee. Testimony also supported H.118, which would create a special commission to examine the strengths and sustainability of the Commonwealth’s emergency food network. The Amherst Survival Center described serving 1.6 million meals last year and explained that food pantries are now functioning as essential parts of the state’s food system while relying heavily on donations, volunteers, and unstable funding. Members discussed the need for a more holistic look at food security infrastructure. The committee then heard H.119/S.60 on climate change impacts on farms and fisheries, with regional planners and farm advocates describing flood damage, rising costs, canceled federal climate-smart funding, and the need for direct state support for adaptation, resilience, and infrastructure improvements. The committee also heard testimony on H.125/H.142/S.65, a healthy soils bill, from landscape professionals who said construction sites often leave poor or stripped soil and that the bill would require better post-construction soil standards to support healthier landscapes and reduce long-term maintenance and environmental problems. Finally, the committee took extensive testimony on H.127, which would prohibit aquaculture of octopus for human consumption. Supporters, including legislators, scientists, veterinarians, students, and animal welfare advocates, argued octopus are highly intelligent and sentient, cannot be farmed humanely, and that octopus aquaculture would create environmental harms such as waste runoff, pressure on wild fish stocks, and ecosystem disruption. No votes were taken during the hearing; the bills were heard and testimony was received.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Senate Bill 414 by Senator Talbot is an act to amend Title 51 relative to medical debt protection
• , to create the Louisiana Medical Debt Protection Act.
• I think their concern was there are free services available and they want to protect veterans from being
• And that's, that was actually the intent of this bill initially was to try to protect the free entities
• So the VFW has their standard, and then we've put additional standards that try to protect veterans the

Bills: SCR12 , HB221 , HB509 , HCR58 , SB78 , SB25 , SB80 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB228 , SB250 , SB414 , SB433 , SB479 , SB513 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB65 , SB215 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR32 , HB17 , HB41 , HB73 , HB223 , HB244 , HB759 , HB906 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1086 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1215 , HB1242 , SB217 , SB283 , SB469 , HB36 , HB42 , HB74 , HB119 , HB159 , HB259 , HB302 , HB414 , HB459 , HB776 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1017 , HB1028 , HB1095 , SB208 , SB312 , SB382 , SB389 , HB210 , HB258 , HB359 , HB368 , HB468 , HB552 , HB732 , HB784 , HB870 , HB953 , HB1117 , HB1236

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Bills: SB903 , SB2101 , SB2550 , SB2983 , HB2433 , SCR8 , SCR20 , SCR28 , SCR32 , SCR40 , SCR48 , SCR55 , SCR57 , SCR69 , SCR74 , SCR83 , SCR87 , SCR94 , SCR99 , SCR114 , SCR139 , SCR160 , SCR165 , SCR177 , SCR178 , SCR179 , SCR41 , SCR78 , SCR90 , SCR130 , SCR159 , SCR162 , SCR173 , SB2024 , SB2075 , SB2730 , HB2581 , SB2050 , SB2471 , SB2466 , HB1163 , HB1514 , SB3082 , SB2135 , SB2727 , SB3097 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SR20 , SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> flooded</c><00:05:02.680><c> streams</c><00:05:03.240><c> with</c> rescue people from flooded streams
• </c><00:33:57.640><c> or</c> expended for the '25 set floods or expended for the '25 set floods or tornadoes
• Buying out those flooded homes, repetitive loss properties, hardening with storm shelters, uh, also flood
• areas, to build the of those flooded areas, to build the flood<00:40:23.400><c> walls</c><00:40:23.720
• </c> in areas where you see flood walls, Ms. in areas where you see flood walls, Ms.

Summary: The committee received a budget and program update from Kentucky Emergency Management on the state’s urban search and rescue buildout. Eric Gibson and Doug Hargrave said the legislature’s funding was used to create FEMA-type urban search and rescue capacity, including Kentucky Task Force 1 and 2, the incident support team, and the helicopter aquatic rescue/hoist team. They emphasized that the effort is not just equipment purchases but also training, credentialing, warehouse and training-facility development, canine program expansion, and coordination with local search and rescue agencies across the Commonwealth. Gibson reported that the agency executed 99.4% of the $16.175 million appropriation by the end of the fiscal year and said the team met its readiness target ahead of schedule, with equipment already being deployed in recent flood response operations. He also said $500,000 per year was set aside for local search and rescue grants, with about $482,000 awarded to 29 teams in one year and $490,000 to 36 teams in the next, averaging about $20,000 per grant. Several members urged the committee to consider increasing support for local responders in future budgets, noting rising equipment costs and the importance of local teams as first on scene. Members asked about staffing, coverage, and benefits. Gibson explained that the task force is a mixed workforce of full-time fire personnel loaned from local departments, professional service staff such as doctors and engineers, and temporary deployment staff, with workers’ compensation coverage provided through KYEM and/or home agencies depending on the arrangement. He also said local search and rescue members are not currently included in line-of-duty death benefits. In response to questions about coverage and deployment, he described the two task force locations as designed to keep resources within roughly 100 miles of every Kentuckian. The discussion also turned to recent flood response and disaster recovery. Gibson said the state had mobilized up to 24 teams over the weekend, documented roughly 60 to 80 water rescues or assisted evacuations, and was seeing significant damage in counties such as Cumberland, Clinton, and Metcalfe, including agricultural losses. He said several counties were meeting FEMA public assistance thresholds and that the state was preparing a broader relief request that could include FEMA, SBA, and USDA assistance. He also updated members on efforts to claw back and reallocate unused “strained fiscal liquidity” funds by the statutory deadline, saying notices were sent and funds were redirected where possible to unmet local needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> protect the property uh in that area. protect the property uh in that area. Continue.
• ,</c> things that happened to us, floods, things that happened to us, floods, health<00:21:02.240><c>
• I've had a couple of flood six.
• Um determine the flood risk for your Um determine the flood risk for your property<00:28:24.000><c> and
• </c> have to protect their own interests. have to protect their own interests.

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on its hazard mitigation plan and recent emergency events on Oahu. Chair Dela Botti opened the meeting by explaining that the briefing was intended to review the mitigation planning process, the city’s hazard mitigation plan, and lessons learned from recent tsunami and wildfire threats, building on earlier briefings with state emergency management and transportation officials. Director Collins and hazard mitigation staff officer Ian Kio presented the plan, describing it as a five-year FEMA-required document focused on reducing long-term risk to people and property, not an operations plan for active disasters. Kio outlined how the plan was developed over roughly 18 months with a core team, steering committee, consultant support, and public input, and said it was formally adopted by the mayor’s office and approved by FEMA in July 2025. He said the updated plan was aligned more closely with the state hazard mitigation plan, expanded to cover 15 hazards including climate change and sea level rise, and organized around hazard risk rankings and mitigation strategies. He identified the highest-risk hazards as climate change and sea level rise, floods, health risks, hurricanes, tsunamis, and wildfires, and said the plan includes short-, medium-, and long-term actions such as education, Firewise community planning, flood mapping, and major infrastructure projects like tsunami walls and street elevation work. He also emphasized that the plan will be maintained with yearly updates and ongoing public feedback. Collins then discussed after-action findings from the July 6 Meli fire and the recent tsunami response, noting that reviews are still ongoing. He said the fire response showed strong initiative and teamwork, including police officers helping with fire suppression support and door-to-door evacuation efforts before firefighters arrived, and a staff duty officer who initiated a wireless emergency alert without waiting for higher-level direction. He said these actions reflected a culture of rapid decision-making when lives are at stake. Collins also urged residents to prepare by making family plans, gathering supplies, checking flood and tsunami risk maps, retrofitting homes, and obtaining insurance before disasters occur. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• taking the time to meet with the memorial villages regarding the critical issues of drainage and flooding
• detrimental effects on our existing infrastructure, which is already under significant stress from flooding
• The bill as written risks undermining years of careful planning and investment aimed at protecting our
• Owners would lose the predictability of land use protections they reasonably expect.
• Over the years, our residents have come to expect the protection that these zoning laws and ordinances

Bills: HB407 , HB871 , HB882 , HB2011 , HB3572 , HB3578 , HB4038 , HB4866 , HB4897 , HB4978 , HB5380 , HB5555 , HB5668 , HB5670 , HB5674 , HB5676 , HB5679 , HB5688 , SB673

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: solar energy, residential construction, building code, municipal regulations, energy compliance, building codes, interconnection, education, funding, teacher support, student resources, school infrastructure, municipal requirements, environmental sustainability, municipalities, construction, agricultural operation, International Code Council, county regulations, construction fees

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to present AB 2254, the Coastal Monarchs Protection Act.
• And while monarchs may be protected, their sites aren't necessarily protected under the Coastal Act as
• And while monarchs may be protected, their sites aren't necessarily protected under the Coastal Act as
• protection, and more.
• They are also reducing risk and costs from flooding.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to present SB 639, the Sacramento Flood Control Authorization Act, authored by Senator Ashby.
• extends the deadline for four projects within Sacramento and Yuba County to achieve urban level of flood
• protection.
• Four capital improvement projects are on track to meet the urban level of flood protection requirement
• Today I rise on behalf of Senator Ochoa-Bogue to present SB 221 to better protect victims of stalking

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed visiting students from De La Salle High School and a guest for Assembly Member Kalra, and then moved through a lengthy concurrence and third-reading agenda. Early actions included concurrence on ACR 21 honoring fallen Galt Police Officer Herminda Grewal, followed by a series of mostly noncontroversial bills on utilities, reclamation districts, housing, wildfire relief, mobile homes, environmental quality, health care coverage, and local government. Several measures were presented as technical, clarifying, or urgency bills, and many passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; notable items included AB 238 (wildfire mortgage forbearance), AB 571 (Southern California Veterans Cemetery permitting/CEQA exemption), AB 574 (health care coverage), AB 696 (lithium-ion battery safety advisory group), AB 1150 (airport car rental facility maintenance), AB 1154 (ADU parking standards), and SB 499 (impact fee deferrals for emergency-related parkland and utility infrastructure). SB 499 drew the most debate, with supporters emphasizing disaster resilience and dual-use parkland and an opponent arguing it would worsen housing-related fee burdens; it ultimately passed after a call was lifted. The chamber also adopted SJR 4 urging restoration of NIH funding, and passed SB 230 expanding workers’ compensation presumptions to additional firefighters, SB 92 tightening density bonus law to curb loopholes, SB 782 creating disaster relief financing districts, SB 40 capping insulin copays at $35 and limiting step therapy, SB 362 strengthening small-business financing disclosures, SB 513 requiring workers access to training records, SB 489 requiring public agencies involved in housing approvals to post requirements online, SB 31 promoting recycled water use, SB 551 introducing normalization and dynamic security concepts in corrections, SB 639 extending flood-protection deadlines for Sacramento/Yuba projects, SB 653 defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management, AB 652 on air pollution, and SB 221 updating stalking law to include threats to pets. Several bills received recorded opposition or split votes, including SB 551, SB 439, SB 782, and SB 499, but most measures passed comfortably. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments on AB 516 and AB 1523, and later lifted the call on SB 499 to complete passage. The session included an adjournment in memory of Rick Bryson of Long Beach, with Assembly Member Lowenthal highlighting Bryson’s athletic, business, and civic contributions. The day ended with reminders to secure floor managers for pending bills, a notice of the next day’s 10 a.m. floor session, and adjournment until Thursday, September 4th.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did Lake and Brevard flooding.
• We're susceptible to flooding.
• We're susceptible to flooding. We're susceptible to flooding. Tornadoes.
• We're susceptible to flooding.
• They have certainly, as a part of the floods, gotten better.

Summary: The committee took up four bills before moving to a broader discussion of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund. SB 434, which would prohibit counties from increasing a home’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation measures, was presented as a homeowner protection measure and reported favorably. CS/SB 110, clarifying that certain 98-year-or-longer residential leaseholders remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends at death, was also reported favorably without opposition. SB 856, requiring online real estate listing platforms to display estimated ad valorem taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew supportive testimony from property appraisers, Zillow, and local government groups; members emphasized transparency for buyers, especially first-time homebuyers, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then spent most of the meeting on SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Supporters, including the Division of Emergency Management, argued the fund is needed for hurricanes, flooding, other disasters, and rapid response operations, and said the extension preserves legislative oversight that would otherwise lapse. Opponents from advocacy and policy groups argued the fund has been used too broadly, especially for immigration-related detention and enforcement activities, and criticized the lack of tighter guardrails and transparency. They cited deaths in detention facilities, the use of emergency dollars for non-disaster purposes, and concerns about political favoritism and public accountability. Director Kevin Guthrie testified at length in support of the extension, explaining that the fund is used for natural, man-made, and technological emergencies, that reimbursements from federal and other sources are returned to the fund, and that the state has used it for hurricanes, flooding, civil unrest, international evacuations, and immigration-related operations under Operation Vigilant Sentry. He said the division has sought federal reimbursement for some expenses and that the fund helps the state respond quickly when emergencies arise. Members questioned the size of the fund, the amount spent on immigration-related activities, the status of federal reimbursements, and whether lawmakers should have more oversight or unannounced access to detention facilities. The bill discussion remained ongoing in the portion provided, with no final vote on SPB 7040 shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a parent, our most important job is to protect our children until they can protect themselves.
• As a parent, our most important job is to protect our children until they can protect themselves.
• So I think they're pretty well protected.
• us from floods.
• us from floods.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee took up eight bills focused on water policy, coastal resilience, environmental regulation, beaches, wildlife funding, and carbon sequestration. HB 7001 preserved the public-record exemption for site-specific location information on endangered and threatened species before its scheduled repeal, and it was reported favorably 16-0. H.R. 661, expressing support for a “one-water” approach to the state water supply, drew discussion about whether it implied centralized control; an amendment aligning the resolution with Senate language was adopted, and the resolution passed 16-0 with a committee substitute. The committee also advanced HB 1345 on infrastructure and resiliency, which after a strike-all amendment authorized DEP to procure coastal resiliency projects through public-private partnerships and use incentives such as revenue-sharing, expedited permitting, public engagement, and workforce training; it passed 16-0. HB 477 on weather modification was substantially amended to return to current statute and add a $10,000 fine for failing to obtain a permit; the bill drew extensive public testimony both for and against weather modification and cloud seeding, and it passed as amended with a committee substitute. HB 6043, repealing the 2018 customary-use beach statute affecting Walton County, prompted testimony about beach access, tourism losses, and private property rights; it passed 17-0. The committee then approved CS for HB 843, making clarifying changes to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trust funds and allowing use of the non-game wildlife trust fund for law enforcement and coordination with related agencies and landowners; it passed 17-0. HB 1169 revised water management district planning, budgeting, reporting, and procurement practices, including restrictions on lobbyist funds and updated project preference rules; two amendments were adopted and the bill passed 16-0. Finally, HB 1063 created a task force to study carbon sequestration and related ecosystem services in Florida’s natural and agricultural lands and waters; after amendments removing a fiscal component and clarifying voluntary participation and property-rights protections, it passed 15-2. The meeting adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Experience after a wildfire or a flood.
• Francis Rodriguez's homes flooded.
• And six, protect the workforce.
• And they want to protect their families. They want to protect the children that they're serving.
• Necesitamos protections solid in the state.

Summary: The California State Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs held its second hearing focused first on disaster response, especially wildfires and flooding, and how they affect child care infrastructure. State agencies described their disaster preparedness and response work, including evacuation notifications, shelter coordination, emergency guidance, waivers, and support services. The Department of Education said wildfires have displaced tens of thousands of families and impacted thousands of preschool families, and recommended statutory changes to help rebuild programs, require early childhood programs to be included in local recovery plans, expand mental health supports, and review disaster, tax, and insurance policy gaps. Child care advocates and providers described major losses from the L.A. fires and San Diego flooding, including destroyed homes and businesses, lack of insurance, delayed permits, lost income, and the need for emergency grants, relocation help, and better disaster planning for child care programs. Several providers gave personal testimony about rebuilding after fires and floods, including one family child care provider from Pasadena/Altadena whose home and business were destroyed and who is still trying to reopen while paying rent, a mortgage, and permit costs. Another provider described flood damage, health impacts on children, and thousands of dollars in losses. Committee members emphasized that child care is often overlooked in disaster recovery and asked state officials what is being done to integrate child care into emergency planning and to improve coordination among state and local agencies. Officials said the statewide child care disaster plan exists and has been updated over time, but acknowledged more work is needed and that the hearing itself should inform future improvements. The second panel addressed immigration enforcement and its impact on the child care system. Advocates from the Children's Partnership, Every Child California, and CHIRLA said immigration raids and enforcement activity are causing families to keep children home, reducing attendance and enrollment, increasing fear and trauma, and destabilizing providers and the broader early learning workforce. They argued that child care settings are trusted spaces and that enforcement undermines continuity of care, child development, and program viability. They urged stronger privacy and safety protections, statewide training and technical assistance, trauma-informed guidance, legal support for families, transportation and subsidy protections, and emergency funding for providers. Speakers also highlighted recently enacted laws AB 49 and AB 495, but stressed that implementation will require funding and clear guidance. Committee members agreed that funding and implementation are critical and heard public testimony from providers describing fear, family separation, and the need to keep child care safe and stable for immigrant families.

Transcript Highlights:

• The child protection team believed I exaggerated some conditions and made up others.
• It protects against terrorists hiding assets. That's Section 4.
• It protects against terrorists hiding assets.
• Water management district's mission is flood control.
• Thank you. so it's not going to flood somewhere.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain pre-existing genetic or medical conditions. Senator Sharif said the bill is intended to prevent children from being wrongly removed from their families when symptoms of conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, rickets, or vitamin deficiencies are mistaken for abuse. Several parents and advocates testified in support, describing long dependency cases and removals they said were caused by misdiagnosis. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language requiring certain medical personnel to provide differential-diagnosis analysis, and the bill then passed favorably with unanimous support. The committee then heard SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, sponsored by Senator Collins, who described the long effort by U.S. victims of the FARC to enforce a federal judgment and recover assets. The bill would clarify procedures for terrorism-related judgments, modernize intangible asset law, and help prevent terrorists from hiding assets or blocking wire transfers. After one supportive appearance form and no debate, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 96, a local claims bill for Jacob Rogers, and SB 382, an affordable housing rent bill that was amended to define base rent and apply to certain shorter-term rental agreements entered after July 1, 2026; SB 382 drew support from housing advocates and some opposition, but passed unanimously. Several claims bills were also approved: SB 4 for Patricia Armini, SB 6 for Jose Correa, SB 28 for Darlene Engerville and J.R., SB 30 for the estate of M.N., and SB 24 for Mandy Penny Lemon, each involving injuries or damages caused by local government or hospital district negligence and each reported favorably after brief testimony and roll calls. The committee also passed SB 658 on waiver or release of liens after discussion about form language and enforceability. SB 72, which would allow campaign funds to pay certain child care expenses incurred while a candidate is actively campaigning, prompted questions about definitions and safeguards; the sponsor said the bill would require the expense to exist only because of campaign activity, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, which would create a statewide process for releasing certain small, low-value parcels from conservation easements if mitigation credits are secured elsewhere. The bill drew support from the sponsor and a property representative, but environmental advocates and President Passidomo raised concerns about flood control, wildlife corridors, and whether the bill was too property-specific; the sponsor said he would continue working on the language. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 1622, which would repeal the 2018 customary use law and restore local authority over public beach access. Supporters argued the current law has privatized beaches, hurt tourism, and led to harassment and conflict, while opponents defended private property rights and warned against taking away owners’ ability to exclude others. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1622, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, as I said, this is a flood control bill.
• It will result in flood insurance premium reduction.
• And more importantly, it will protect lives, homes, and businesses.
• But my question is, I want to protect them.
• But my question is, is I want to protect them.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 513 by Representative Young, which would regulate name, image, and likeness activity for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes, especially high school athletes. Young said the bill reflects recommendations from a task force and sets guardrails such as parental consent and prohibited NIL categories. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended. Members then heard several Senate bills from Senator Mizell and Senator Cloud. Senate Bill 233 would create a statewide data exchange compact to allow state agencies to share information more efficiently; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 300 would make various changes to the Procurement Code, including auction techniques, sole sourcing for consulting services in limited cases, and procurement process clarifications; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 303 would allow executive branch agencies to buy or share technology solutions with other states and use the federal GSA schedule, and it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 411, removing a 20-year lease limitation for certain Orleans Parish state property, was also reported favorably. The committee spent substantial time on House Bill 660 and House Bill 719, both dealing with district attorney funding and staffing. HB 660 would raise the state warrant amount for assistant district attorney salaries from $50,000 to $60,000, with supporters arguing it is needed to recruit and retain prosecutors; an opposition witness argued the state should fund both prosecutors and public defenders more equitably. The committee adopted an amendment making the bill effective only upon appropriation and reported it favorably as amended. HB 719 would increase the number of assistant district attorney warrants statewide, with most of the new warrants directed to Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, and Caddo; it too was amended to be subject to appropriation and reported favorably as amended. House Bill 596, which would have created an inactive well-feet assessment credit for oil and gas operators, was voluntarily deferred after concerns that it could reduce funding for the oil field site restoration fund. Later, the committee reported favorably as amended House Bill 802, which redirects existing revenue to watershed and flood restoration work in the Amite River Basin, and House Bill 940, which creates a task force and rules framework for law enforcement responses to unlawful drone activity. It also reported favorably House Bill 76 on coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications, House Bill 950 on consumer protection materials for seniors, and began discussion of House Bill 1028, which would require higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for non-emergency medical transportation providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but then they don't get their earthquake protection.
• You may not have the earthquake, but you may have the flood.
• , but then they don't get their earthquake protection.
• survivors to protecting corporations.
• I think we need to protect the wildfire fund from I think we need to protect the wildfire fund from subrogation

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• When the flood in 2012, Minnesota passed a $168 million disaster assistance package.
• When the flood in 2012, Minnesota passed a<00:03:40.040><c> 168</c><00:03:41.200><c> million</c><00:
• Minnesota helped flood victims and drought victims and mill towns and paper towns.
• Minnesota helped flood victims and drought victims and mill towns and paper towns.
• We urge our lawmakers to pass relief for small businesses and protect the businesses that protected their

Summary: House and Senate DFL lawmakers held a Capitol news conference to press for a $100 million small business relief package in response to the economic fallout from Operation Metro Surge and related ICE enforcement activity. Representatives Cedrick Frazier and Jay Xiong, along with Senator Susan Pappas and other supporters, said the enforcement surge caused widespread fear, reduced customer traffic, lost wages, and closures for immigrant-owned and other small businesses in Minneapolis-St. Paul and greater Minnesota. They argued the state has a history of providing disaster-style aid when communities are harmed through no fault of their own and said this situation warrants similar action. Business and community testimony described specific losses: a Willmar restaurant closed after both parents were detained, a North Mankato grocery store opening was delayed, The Coven reported a 33% revenue drop at two locations, and Lake Street businesses were said to have lost substantial revenue and staff. Speakers said the damage affected workers, landlords, suppliers, and neighborhood corridors statewide, and several emphasized that the relief should come as grants or forgivable loans rather than additional debt. They also criticized House Republican leaders for tying the relief to changes in paid family leave and for blocking a public hearing. In response to questions, Frazier said negotiations were ongoing through committee chairs and conference committee, with the issue still being discussed in broader leadership talks. He said the House would need only one Republican vote in committee and on the floor to advance the measure, and identified Chair Baker as a possible supporter because of harm in his district. Speakers said the Senate has already passed the relief and urged the House to act quickly before the end of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• A second question is, you know, I know North Dakota has suffered a major flood...
• Question is, you know, I know North Dakota has suffered a major flood years ago, and Washington State
• How did the Bank of North Dakota help the state of North Dakota deal with the flooding?
• Our city of Minot flooded. It destroyed a lot of residences in that city back in 2011.
• We have so far deployed over $50 million in infrastructure loans, all while protecting taxpayers and

Bills: SB5754

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: public bank, state bank, finance, banking regulations, economic development, state investment

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to present SB 639, the Sacramento Flood Control Authorization Act, authored by Senator Ashby.
• protection.
• protection.
• Four capital improvement projects are on track to meet the urban level of flood protection requirement
• Today I rise on behalf of Senator Ochoa Bogue to present SB 221 to better protect victims of stalking

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a long concurrence file with many bills taken up on the floor. Early actions included concurrence on ACR 21 honoring fallen Galt Police Officer Herminder Grewal, and a series of mostly noncontroversial measures on utilities, reclamation districts, housing, mobile homes, agriculture, veterans cemetery planning, health care coverage, lithium-ion battery safety, alcoholic beverages, local government, land use, and other topics. Most of these bills passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew brief debate over housing fees, local control, and implementation details. Several measures drew more substantive discussion. AB 571, which streamlines permitting for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery project and exempts it from additional CEQA review, received strong bipartisan praise and passed unanimously. SB 499, dealing with impact fee deferrals for parkland and emergency infrastructure identified in local safety or hazard mitigation plans, drew support from proponents who said it helps disaster-ready planning and opposition from members concerned about housing costs and local fees; it ultimately passed after a recorded vote. Other notable bills included SB 40 capping insulin copays at $35, SB 513 requiring employees access to training records, SB 489 requiring public agencies involved in housing approvals to post requirements online, SB 31 expanding recycled water use, SB 551 on corrections and rehabilitation practices, and SB 221 updating stalking law to include threats to pets. The Assembly also adopted or concurred in several Senate measures, including SB 808 creating expedited judicial review for housing permits denied in violation of state law, SB 782 creating disaster relief financing districts after the January 2025 wildfires, SB 639 extending flood-control deadlines in Sacramento and Yuba counties, and SB 653 on environmentally sensitive vegetation management. The chamber adopted SJR 4 urging restoration of NIH funding cuts and passed SB 230 expanding workers’ compensation presumptions for certain firefighters. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Long Beach civic and business leader Rick Bryson, followed by notice that the Assembly would reconvene the next day at 10 a.m.