Transcript Highlights:

• Marshal has clearly The Office of the State Fire Marshal has clearly the authority to appropriate and
• Competitive, yes, but overseen by the expert, the fire marshal.
• “That the fire marshal, the experts within that department, would be the right one.
• Altadena's well-functioning water systems were impacted by a huge disaster, the Eaton Fire.
• The company was considering what level of fire recovery fee they should impose.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• He'd even called in fire on his own position, which led to traumatic brain injury and PTSD.
• on his own position which called in fire on his own position which led<00:04:59.520> to<00:04
• I'm Bruce Roberts, executive director of the Kentucky Fire Commission.
• responsibilities for the fire responsibilities for the fire commission.<00:20:17.360> Uh<
• They are the leaders of the fire service and plus the leader of the college.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 369, which would add post-traumatic stress disorder to an existing 2018 hyperbaric oxygen therapy-related law for veterans. Representative Scott Sharp and HBOT for KY Vets representatives testified that PTSD and traumatic brain injury often overlap, that veterans are frequently misdiagnosed, and that hyperbaric oxygen therapy has shown benefits in clinical trials and in Kentucky’s own funded program. Members asked whether the bill would require insurance coverage; the sponsors said it would not, and noted they are seeking broader approval through medical and congressional channels. The committee voted favorably on HB 369, with members expressing support based on personal experience and the needs of veterans and their families. The committee then considered House Bill 419, for which a committee substitute was adopted before testimony. Representative Suzanne Miles and Kentucky Fire Commission/KCTCS representatives explained that the bill would expand the fire commission board from 14 to 18 members, clarify that KCTCS’s 5% administrative fee applies collectively to all funds rather than separately to each fund, and allow excess funds to help cover out-of-pocket cancer screening costs for volunteer and paid firefighters. A question about board staggering was answered by explaining that staggered terms were originally used to avoid all terms ending at once and were expected to continue. The committee passed HB 419 with favorable expression. Later, USA Cares presented an update on how it has used prior state funding. The organization described its grant-based assistance for veterans and military families facing housing, vehicle, and utility crises, as well as career transition and housing-related support programs. Testimony emphasized that the aid helps prevent homelessness and reduce suicide risk, and the group reported it had used nearly all of the $2 million awarded in the last budget cycle to assist 364 families and more than 500 dependents. No vote was taken on the USA Cares presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Has anybody ever been fired or put to another position because of the waste, fraud, and abuse oversight
• Has anybody ever been fired or put to another position because of the waste, fraud, and abuse oversight
• is there someone in overseeing get fired is there someone in overseeing either<00:16:20.800> in
• Does anybody ever get fired because of, uh, dereliction of duty or not overseeing something properly?
• um where we are generals are being fired um where we are seeing<00:29:58.720> oversight<00:29

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you put out a fire of batteries? I know how to put out regular fires.
• I mean, you can try to plan to not have a fire. You can still have a fire. Yeah.
• These were led by Chairman Schwertner and one on fire safety.
• County fire code. Yes.
• fires with batteries.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the State Fire Council's consideration in its adoption of or amendments to the state fire code.
• . of the Office of the State Fire of the Office of the State Fire Marshal<03:07:32.760> as<03:
• by the state fire Council for the<03:08:11.640> State<03:08:11.880> Fire<03:08:12.200>
• <03:08:25.120> Council Fire Marshall and the State Fire Council Fire Marshall and the State
• state the Office of the State Fire state the Office of the State Fire Marshall<03:08:42.520>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on House Bill 433, which would appropriate $4 million for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the governor’s executive budget already includes $4 million for the same purpose and asked that the measure defer to that budget. Supporters, including the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the ACLU, backed the funding but urged that it be tied to a clear re-entry plan, performance measures, transparency, and regular reporting to the legislature. They emphasized that re-entry should begin at intake and involve community partnerships, housing, treatment, employment, and family reunification services. Committee members questioned the department about current re-entry services, pre-trial detainees, and how the new funds would be used. Johnson said the department’s current statewide re-entry budget is about $1.5 million to $1.7 million, separate from the larger Corrections Program Services Division budget for in-facility programs. He described the proposed $4 million as supporting a mix of services, including a pilot apprenticeship program, substance abuse treatment, navigator or warm-handoff services, and short-term transitional housing. He also said the department already tracks performance outcomes in its annual report and can provide a matrix showing the intake-to-discharge process, program contracts, and volunteer organizations. The discussion also covered pre-trial detainees, electronic monitoring, and mental health services. Johnson said the department has limited jurisdiction over pre-trial detainees but works with courts to seek supervised release when possible; he noted that many requests are denied, though electronic monitoring has improved release rates somewhat. On mental health, he said the jail is not an ideal therapeutic setting for people found unfit to proceed and suggested a secure community-based step-down facility run by the Department of Health for those needing care above what the jail can provide but below forensic-level treatment. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their hair would be on fire.
• The 2018 Camp Fire and the 2021 Dixie Fire were all started by electrical equipment.
• The 2018 Camp Fire and the 2021 Dixie Fire were all started by electrical equipment.
• The 2018 Camp Fire and the 2021 Dixie Fire were all started by electrical equipment.
• The 2018 Camp Fire and the 2021 Dixie Fire were all started by electrical equipment.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, from the snowplow drivers to the educators and police and fire. And that's what we did.
• In the police and fire area, with the funds, we were able to allocate some investments in that area and
• One thing that folks don't seem to quite grasp about this process is if you are in the police and fire
• Minnesota chiefs of police, the Minnesota professional firefighters, Minnesota sheriffs, Minnesota Fire
• We just had tremendous fires up north.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't have our fire trucks.
• The size of fire trucks have changed over the years.
• OK, so if a fire truck can't get down there because the fire fleet's been upgraded, it's the county needs
• MUD can adopt a fire plan, and if that fire provider, whether it's an ESD or a city, wants to collaborate
• As you know, law enforcement, fire protection.

Bills: HB23

Keywords: property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest, county property tax, nonprofit-owned property

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a safety and health issue, we can't have an ambulance, we can't have our fire trucks. a risk to
• As development and requirements change, the size of fire trucks have changed over the years.
• So if a fire truck can't get down there because of fire fleet's been upgraded, it's the county needs
• We can adopt a fire plan, and if that fire provider, whether it's an ESD or a city wants to collaborate
• As you know, law enforcement and fire protection, Chapter 26 of the Texas Water Code, requires.

Bills: HB23, HB363, HB447, HB954, HB23

Keywords: third-party review, property development, local government, permits, construction inspection, regulatory authority, land development, liability, occupancy certificate, municipal utility district, petition, county clerk, water code, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, traffic impact studies, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, extraterritorial jurisdiction, county authority

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen 70 plus trash-related fires costing over $1.6 million.
• And in 2024, the Apollo fire sparked by illegally dumped material burned 800 acres and destroyed a home
• But then also, like, land trusts, fire safe councils, the UC system has all taken advantage of this to
• It is very last, 4241K, very, very last page of the mockup: for all publicly funded projects, Cal Fire
• They pose significant safety risks when improperly managed, including potential fires and explosions.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of these fires are caused by lithium batteries or rechargeable batteries.
• These fires put industry workers, responders, and the public at risk. Mr.
• <00:13:12.320> in have seen significant rise in fires in have seen significant rise in fires
• <00:13:26.079> facilities,<00:13:26.720> our fires in our waste facilities, our fires
• workers<00:13:31.920> first, These fires put industry workers first, These fires put industry

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The House then communicated passage of House Bills 184 and 265 and House Joint Resolution 24, requesting concurrence. The Senate also approved the prior day’s journal, excused absent senators, and received committee reports advancing several measures, including Senate Bill 76 with committee substitute, Senate Bill 12, Senate Joint Resolution 23 with committee substitute, and Senate Bills 27 and 40 with committee substitutes. New bills introduced included Senate Bill 1 on education, Senate Bill 3 on school district finances, and Senate Bill 112 on short-term rentals. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 29 on solid waste management facilities. The sponsor explained that the bill would prohibit counties from charging designation or origination fees to solid waste facilities located in other counties, while leaving intact local authority over facilities within a county and existing host fees. The bill passed on a roll call vote of 36 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 pass. Senate Bill 49 on battery stewardship was next. Its sponsor described growing fire risks from lithium batteries in landfills, recycling trucks, and waste facilities, and said the bill would prohibit lithium batteries in curbside trash and recycling containers and create a statewide stewardship program with a phased implementation timeline. The measure passed 37-0. Senate Bill 38 on pharmacist reimbursements and services followed; supporters said it would improve access to routine care through pharmacists, reduce unnecessary emergency room visits, and align Medicaid and KCHIP reimbursement policies with private insurance standards. It also passed unanimously, 37-0. Finally, the Senate considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, which directs the Legislative Research Commission to procure a vendor for a feasibility study on an accountable communities for health Medicaid delivery model pilot project. The sponsor argued that Medicaid and broader health care costs are unsustainable and that a community-based model could reduce bureaucracy and improve outcomes. Several senators spoke in support, including questions about the cost of managed care organizations and administrative overhead. The resolution was adopted after debate and roll call, with strong support from members who described it as a potentially revolutionary approach to health care delivery.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if it's for new traffic lights, if it's for police and fire, go talk to your constituents, say we
• your voters, but what if the voters of a certain city don't want to give an increase to police or fire
• They don't vote for it, and it brings down what the city is giving to the local police and local fire
• And so if you really need a fire truck and it goes over the budget, you can ask your people to buy you
• a fire truck.

Bills: HB17, HB16, SB 10, HB27, HB23, SB 15, SB 18, HB 17, HB 16, SB 10, HB 27, HB 23, SB 15, SB 18

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support

Transcript Highlights:

• A number of years ago when I worked for CAL FIRE, you have never seen men work harder than with these
• But there is not a system, there is not a program better than the fire camps with Cal Fire in the state
• Colleagues, let us remember these brave crews are fighting on the lines of fires of each year, working
• And as my colleague from Lodi said, fire doesn't what color your uniform is, whether it's a yellow Cal
• Fire uniform or an orange jumpsuit, and neither do the people who are in danger, who need help, who

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• January 7th, as most of you probably know, was the date of the fires.
• I think I would describe the Palisades as a mixed community prior to the fires.
• So if I have an apartment complex that's Wilson Manor that was completely destroyed in the fire and I
• in Santa Rosa in 2017 and the Camp fire in Butte County in 2018.
• already been mentioned that fire damaged or destroyed 34 mobile home parks.

Summary: The committee heard several housing bills, with the longest discussion focused on SB 79, which would allow more housing near high-capacity transit stops and on transit agency-owned land. The author and supporters argued it would address California’s housing shortage, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and strengthen transit systems by putting more residents near rail and rapid transit. Supporters included housing advocates, local officials, environmental groups, and transit-oriented development organizations. Opponents, including many cities, the League of California Cities, and some tenant and legal advocacy groups, raised concerns about affordability requirements, displacement, demolition protections, local control, and the bill’s interaction with existing local planning efforts. The committee discussed amendments to strengthen anti-displacement protections, minimum density, affordability standards, and a local flexibility alternative, and SB 79 was moved out on a due-pass-as-amended vote of 8-1, with one member not voting. The committee then took up SB 21, which would amend the Housing Crisis Act to allow limited unit reductions when converting deed-restricted SRO buildings into larger, more livable affordable units with private bathrooms, kitchens, and supportive services. The author and nonprofit housing providers said many SRO buildings are financially unsustainable and that the bill would preserve deeply affordable housing while improving conditions for residents. There was no organized opposition testimony at the hearing, though one business property group registered opposition. Members expressed support for the preservation-focused approach, and SB 21 was approved on an 8-0 vote and sent to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. Next, SB 92 was heard, a measure to close a density bonus loophole by limiting how much additional commercial floor area a project can receive and preventing the law from being used to justify very large nonresidential projects with only minimal affordable housing. The author cited a San Diego project as an example of the problem, and the City of San Diego supported the bill as a reasonable fix. Several labor and housing groups also supported it, while no formal opposition witnesses testified. The committee accepted amendments, members praised the effort to curb abuse while preserving feasibility, and SB 92 passed on a 7-0 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 522, which would extend just-cause eviction protections to units rebuilt after disaster if they had previously been covered by the Tenant Protection Act. The author and the Los Angeles City Attorney said the bill would help preserve rental housing in disaster-affected communities, especially after the Pacific Palisades fires, and would not create new rent control. Opponents, including apartment, realtor, and property owner groups, argued it would add burdens to rebuilding and could discourage reconstruction. Members raised questions about whether existing law already protects returning tenants and whether the bill was necessary, and the hearing continued into committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know in the Governor's budget this year the Office of the Fire Marshal will be under the Department
• marshal yeah thank you of the fire marshal yeah thank you Senator<00:09:23.880> thanks<00:09:
• and the State Fire Council would be able to then work closely with the fire marshal in preparation.
• Council, and the State Fire Council would be able to then work closely with the fire marshal in preparation
• Office of the State Fire Marshal. Okay, thank you, members.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard advice-and-consent testimony on several gubernatorial nominations, beginning with GM 644 for Steven Logan to serve as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense through December 7, 2026. Testimony from multiple state officials and others was strongly supportive, citing Logan’s military leadership, service during the COVID-19 period, and coordination during the fireworks-related patient transfer. Logan described his 44 years of military service, 22 years with the Honolulu Police Department, and his approach of “unity of effort,” including how he would help operationalize the Office of the State Fire Marshal by coordinating with county fire chiefs, the State Fire Council, and emergency management to pursue funding and implement recommendations. The committee then took up GM 621 and GM 623 for the Correctional Industries Advisory Committee. Shante Asuda of Hawaii Correctional Industries supported both nominees and said the board is important for evaluating private-sector joint ventures that can provide work skills for incarcerated people. Carla Kashiwa said she wanted to help improve outcomes through public-private partnerships and vocational rehabilitation opportunities for people reentering society. Lee Shinato, however, gave a less prepared presentation, offering broad ideas such as crafts, lunch wagons, and ukulele-making, and acknowledged he was not fully clear on the board’s scope or goals. Committee members expressed concern about the lack of preparation and clarity around the board’s mission, and the administrator later explained that the board’s role is to review business plans for viability, return on investment, sustainability, and whether they provide marketable skills for inmates. The final item discussed was GM 568 for Aris Banag to serve on the Advisory Board of Veteran Services. Supporters described him as community-minded and deeply committed to veterans. Banag said he has over 30 years of service, has worked as a mental health therapist and veterans resource coordinator at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, and helped create the first veteran service center there. In response to questions about federal VA cutbacks and veterans nearing retirement, he said the board must be a strong independent voice for veterans, advocate against reductions in benefits, and help service members plan for post-military life, including disability benefits, retirement, and financial planning. No votes or final committee actions were stated in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a cycling TAN—tax anticipation notes—for those fire...
• Our police and fire department is 63% of that general fund.
• Revenue, first to fund the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System.
• Essential city services like police, fire, sanitation, and water.
• Of the $61 million of growth, $63 million has gone to police and fire.

Bills: HB26, HB73, SB 14, HB46

Keywords: HB26, law enforcement contracts, sheriff, constable, county commissioners court, commissioners court, private security, special law enforcement district, property owners association, POA, municipal utility district, school district, junior college district, local government, contract policing, supplemental police services, large counties, population over 3.3 million, Texas Local Government Code, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Howe: State Fire Marshal, or a fire guy at all, who is verifying that these businesses are safe
• I believe DLI has certified inspectors and DPS has fire code officials as well.
• And so, fire code officials as well.
• <01:40:46.320> official building official and a fire official building official and a fire
• haven't gone to DLI and the State Fire haven't gone to DLI and the State Fire Marshal's<01:41:14.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the only issue that I have is fire stations.
• I I know on line 11 it fire stations.
• > to<00:05:02.240> be<00:05:02.479> clear Uh fire stations ought to be clear Uh fire
• over the the years is even the fire over the the years is even the fire department.<01:46:38.320
• Okay, sometimes the fire department.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , which he did get fired.
• get him fired, which he did get fired. get him fired, which he did get fired.
• Um, so like what he said, got him fired.
• There's for the firing though, right?
• It was the person that got them fired.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a deputy fire marshal for the Office of State Fire Marshal. We are neutral on this bill.
• chief with flexibility around the scheduling of the fire details.
• Philip Byron, I am a deputy fire marshal for the Office of State Fire Marshal.
• Philip Byron, I am a deputy fire marshal for the Office of State Fire Marshal.
• <00:13:34.920> display a free Fire display a free Fire display from<00:13:37.839> America

Keywords: 1189, house, all