Video & Transcript Research : 'wind damage'
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HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HED/EDN Joint Public Hearing - Wed Feb 5, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- I’d like to give just specific, very short to wind up my testimony, so I can provide all of the letters
- I’d like to give just specific, very short to wind up my testimony, so I can provide all of the letters
- it<01:00:02.520>
how <01:00:02.680>would <01:00:02.880>this <01:00:03.160>damage - c><01:00:03.839>
think <01:00:04.599>the <01:00:05.119>the it how would this damage - I think the the it how would this damage I think the the ecosystem<01:00:06.240>
of <01:00:06.680
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 707, which would create a state income tax deduction for contributions to Hawaii 529 college savings accounts and conform state law to federal changes allowing 529 funds to be used for K-12 expenses. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the bill as written. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure but asked that ABLE accounts be included and that the program title be changed; the Department of Taxation indicated the title issue could be a problem because the bill’s expanded purpose may not fit the current program name. No vote was taken.
The committee then heard House Bill 617, which would fund a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. UH Community Colleges supported the bill, and Maui nursing staff testified that faculty recruitment is challenging but manageable, clinical placements are available, and the campus already has a statewide RN-to-BSN pathway; they said the new program would create two tracks, including a four-year BSN option. Members also heard support from several organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, nursing groups, and health care associations. No action was taken.
Next were several UH-related measures. HB 718 would fund faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine; the dean and other supporters testified in favor. HB 1279 would create a medical education liaison position tied to Project ECHO; the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns about statewide concern and grant standards, while an individual witness supported the concept but suggested the bill should focus on liaison/support functions rather than program administration. HB 1169 would consolidate conference center revolving funds, and HB 1168 would authorize up to $800 million in UH revenue bonds; UH’s CFO said both were procedural/housekeeping measures and supported them. On HB 1168, members questioned debt service, possible uses, and whether deferred maintenance would be included; the CFO estimated annual debt service could be about $33 million to $41 million at current rates, said likely uses could include student housing and research facilities, and said deferred maintenance was not the current strategy. The CFO also explained that revenue bonds require both legislative authorization and a Board of Regents resolution approving the project and amount.
Finally, the committee heard HB 548, which would authorize revenue bonds and appropriations to acquire the St. Francis School campus for UH Mānoa. UH supported the bill but noted the property is privately owned and not known to be for sale. A supporter described the site as a unique 11-acre parcel contiguous to the main campus and urged the committee to seize the opportunity for future generations. No vote or final action was taken on the bills in the transcript.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 01/30/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- That does provide for a lawsuit that does allow for attorneys' fees and treble damages, so a very significant
- ><00:04:44.440>
fees <00:04:44.800>and <00:04:44.960>treble <00:04:45.360>damages - <00:04:46.160>
so for attorneys fees and treble damages so for attorneys fees and treble damages - people in the committee and in the audience, um, the future of this project, uh, will at some point wind
- future of this project uh will at some future of this project uh will at some point<00:43:54.680>
wind
Summary:
The committee heard Senate File 558, a bill to create a formal process for removing unauthorized occupants from real property, often described as a “squatters bill.” The author presented an A2 amendment, which was adopted, and explained that the bill would give sheriffs a structured complaint and verification process, allow fees, provide immunity when the process is followed, and impose civil remedies for wrongful removal and criminal penalties for false complaints. The bill also includes a provision on holdover situations, clarifying that certain unauthorized guests of tenants are unlawful occupants rather than tenants, and a use-of-excess-force provision was mentioned.
Supporters said the measure is intended to give property owners and law enforcement a clearer, faster, and more consistent way to handle situations where people occupy property without a lawful basis, especially in rural or seasonal properties and in some landlord-tenant disputes. Senator Uty read a letter from Hubbard County Sheriff Corey Oas describing recurring problems with rental issues, couch hopping, and subletting without landlord knowledge, and a testifier from Pine Island described several local examples of prolonged and costly occupancy disputes, including a restaurant tenant who stopped paying rent and a rural property trespass incident. Committee members in support emphasized the need to balance tenant rights with property rights and to avoid leaving sheriffs to make ad hoc decisions.
Michael D. from Homeline opposed the bill, arguing that existing trespass and harassment restraining order laws already address unlawful occupants and that the proposal creates due process concerns by allowing removal without a court hearing. He also warned that the bill’s definition of unlawful occupant could jeopardize oral leases, which are allowed under Minnesota law. In response, supporters said the bill is meant to distinguish true landlord-tenant relationships from trespass situations and to provide a workable process consistent with Minnesota law.
At the end of the discussion, the chair announced that Senate File 558 would be laid over for possible inclusion. He also said Senate File 222 would be laid over, Senate File 559 would be moved with a recommendation to pass to the Judiciary Committee, and the fourth bill on the agenda was informational only.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 04/03/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- And so I don't know the answer to this question, so um the HOA bill is traveling and it's going to wind
- up wherever it winds up on the floor sooner or later, but not coming this way.
- and<00:09:03.519>
it's <00:09:03.680>going <00:09:03.760>to <00:09:03.920>wind - up wherever it and it's going to wind up wherever it winds<00:09:04.880>
up <00:09:05.040> - up on the floor sooner or later winds up on the floor sooner or later but<00:09:06.560>
not <00
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
PSM-GVO, PSM Public Hearings 01-31-2025
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- He also thinks they need to be more specific about wind speeds and access to bathrooms in the words '
- He would add wind speeds of 200 miles per hour and have interior passages to bathrooms.
- more following and I think we need to be more specific<00:04:15.439>
about <00:04:15.799>wind - speeds and access to specific about wind speeds and access to bathrooms<00:04:19.079>
to <00:04 - of 200 miles per hurricanes with Winds of 200 miles per hour<00:04:54.560>
and <00:04:54.800><
Summary:
The joint Senate Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Government Operations met on January 31, 2025, to hear several bills related to disaster resilience, the National Guard, veteran services, and memorials. SB 111 on hurricane-resistant criteria drew support from HEMA and DAGS, with one witness suggesting tighter language on funding timing, wind-speed standards, and bathroom access. SB 239 on disaster preparedness, requiring new public buildings and schools to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and serve as shelters, received support from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which said its facilities should be able to withstand such storms but shelter capacity would be limited. SB 998, creating a Hawaii First Responders Memorial study and consultant appropriation, drew support from state and local officials and one written opposition.
During the first decision-making segment, the committees adopted amendments to SB 111, including changing the effective date language to July 1, 2026. For SB 239, the committees agreed to amendments removing correctional facilities from the shelter requirement, changing “public buildings” to “state buildings,” retaining the January 1, 2026 construction date, and accepting DAGS language. SB 998 was advanced as introduced. Government Operations lacked quorum and said it would formally vote later, but Public Safety and Military Affairs took action on the measures before it.
A second Public Safety and Military Affairs hearing later considered SB 1381, SB 1382, SB 1379, SB 609, and SB 1377. Testimony was generally supportive: the Department of Defense, HEMA, the Office of Veteran Services, veterans groups, and others backed the National Guard, emergency preparedness, veteran services, and veteran cemetery measures, while one witness opposed SB 1379. Members asked why SB 1382 needed statutory changes, and the Adjutant General explained it was to better protect National Guard members during law-enforcement support duties. The committee then passed SB 1381 with technical amendments, SB 1382 as is, SB 1379 with technical amendments, SB 609 with amendments including deleting appropriations and changing the effective date to July 1, 2077, and SB 1377 with technical amendments.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 21st, 2025 at 05:00 pm
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- But what we did wind up taking on is $13.5 million of, basically, it's a rent stabilization program that
- Well, that program is winding down, and it came over to us for $13.5 million.
- But what we did wind up taking on is $13.5 million of...
- Well, that program is winding down, and it came over to us for $13.5 million.
- up, might not even wind up with a good water well.
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 2014, the budget for the Industrial Commission, with Representative Kempenich walking through the agency’s major components: the administrative office, Bank of North Dakota, housing finance, Department of Mineral Resources, and the State Mill and Elevator. He described mostly special-fund operations, including bond payments, economic development programs, the rail loan program, the Rebuilder’s Loan Program, housing incentive funding, abandoned well reclamation work, lignite research, litigation reserves, and a capacity purchase arrangement for a future natural gas pipeline. He also explained several one-time funding items, such as grid resiliency grants, housing-related transfers from the Strategic Investment Fund, and enhanced oil recovery funding repurposed from a prior salt cavern study.
Members asked about the reduction in housing incentive funding from the Senate version, the use of one-time Strategic Investment Fund dollars for ongoing housing programs, and whether a trigger should be added to increase housing funding later. Kempenich said no trigger was discussed and emphasized that housing needs vary widely across the state. Another exchange focused on the enhanced oil recovery grant program, which he said would be driven largely by the Energy and Environmental Research Center and would use repurposed funds. A longer discussion covered the natural gas pipeline capacity purchase, including its purpose, possible routes, and the idea that the state would be buying capacity rather than immediately building a pipeline.
The committee adopted Amendment 25.0181.0207 on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. The committee then passed HB 2014 as amended on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. Representative Kempenich was designated to carry the bill. The chair then noted this was the final budget hearing for the committee, with one bill remaining to be heard later.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And then nobody has really talked about wind today. Are we the number one in wind now too?
- Y'all have the same concerns about wind that you do on solar?
- Wind is just under 50,000. And for the first time in a really long time, gas is more than wind.
- Wind is just under 50,000. And for the first time, in a really long time, gas is more than wind.
- I’m not sure on the wind, and most of the wind and solar tends to be in the west.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Jan 13th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- So, listen, after 23, 24, 25 hours of public testimony, I knew we were going to go long-winded, all right
- prove some sort of, I think it's like the 1983 type of cause of action, right, where there's treble damages
- I think it's like the 1983 type of cause of action, right, where there's treble damages and attorney's
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So these flies feed on a live animal, or a wounded animal, or they can... mucous membranes are damaged
- It's very damaging to those animals. And to do that kind of research would take a lot of oversight.
- real-time data of the cases that are reported, it would resemble, if you've ever seen a wildfire, and the wind
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/25/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- This is, I think, a piece where some were included, some were not, and I don't know the exact long-winded
- This is, I think, a piece where some were included, some were not, and I don't know the exact long-winded
- group of people, and I'm not saying we shouldn't protect them from abuses, but we also need to not damage
- group of people, and I'm not saying we shouldn't protect them from abuses, but we also need to not damage
- <01:13:51.719>
not from abuses but we also need to not from abuses but we also need to not damage
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/26
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:21:17.280>
and to 24 if you were adding more wind and to 24 if you were adding more wind - Wind and solar are free. And increased demand for electricity.
- can happen quickly, we can build wind can happen quickly, we can build wind and<00:28:32.960>
- <00:29:32.880>
And rising demand is wind and solar. And rising demand is wind and solar. - Famously in wind and solar and case.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- run the grid in all conditions with only wind and solar and some storage is a dangerous belief.
- <00:31:06.840>
and <00:31:07.000>solar increases in wind and solar increases in wind - There was a comment that only wind and solar, and relying on only wind and solar and storage, is dangerous
- There was a comment that only wind and solar, and relying on only wind and solar and storage, is dangerous
- There was a comment that only wind and solar, and relying on only wind and solar and storage, is dangerous
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force Jun 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Do we go with wind? Do we go with solar? Do we go with nuclear?
- Do we go with wind? Do we go with solar? Do we go with nuclear?
- Over the last 11 years, when we said solar and wind is going to be the answer...
- that deficit with 350 megawatts of solar and wind.
- The authority to seek procurement of offshore wind is already in the statute.
Summary:
The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives.
Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad.
The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC/CPN Joint Info Briefing - Mon Jan 27, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- basic property insurance, fire insurance, that includes extended coverage perils such as smoke, hail, wind
- , collapse, vandalism, and mischievous damage, and it was to cover dwellings and contents.
- such<00:15:00.519>
as <00:15:00.959>smoke <00:15:01.959>hail <00:15:02.600>wind - <00:15:03.720>
collapse such as smoke hail wind collapse such as smoke hail wind collapse
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Foresters don't want to damage the environment any more than a farmer doesn't want to damage the fields
- the fields that they're that damage the fields that they're that they're<02:08:51.920>
using. - In my district, Becker County had a fire, $800,000 worth of damage there.
- Koochiching County, $500,000 worth of damage at a waste recycling facility as well.
- wind, solar, and geothermal.<02:30:59.000>
Thank <02:30:59.200>you, <02:30:59.280>Mr
Summary:
The Senate convened under a call, established a quorum, received the House message on Senate File 4807 concerning benefits for veterans of the secret war in Laos, and voted not to concur in the House amendments, appointing a three-member conference committee. The chamber also received a batch of House files, laid several of them on the table, and adopted committee reports and other routine motions. Senate Resolution 84 was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration, and Senator Murphy designated special orders for immediate consideration.
The main floor debate centered on Senate File 4059, the supplemental finance omnibus bill. Senators described the bill as a slim, supplemental budget focused on urgent affordability needs, including $52 million for state grants in higher education, $15 million for LIHEAP, school district compensatory revenue adjustments, support for public television stations facing federal cuts, Medicaid fraud enforcement, and consumer restitution for scam victims. The Jobs article was presented first, with roughly $4.9 million in Workforce Development Fund appropriations for workforce and job-training programs, including support for rural oncologist training, homelessness-related employment programs, youth training, local news talent development, transportation-related employment assistance, and manufacturing support.
Several amendments were offered and debated. Senator Farnsworth offered the A14 amendment to extend unemployment benefits for laid-off Iron Range miners, but withdrew it after being told it would unbalance the bill and after receiving a commitment to continue working on the issue in conference committee. Senator Draheim offered the A18 amendment to redirect Cookie Cart funding to rural hospital maternity training grants; after debate, the Senate rejected the amendment by a roll call vote of 32 ayes and 34 nays. The discussion emphasized competing priorities between youth workforce programs and rural health care needs.
The Senate then moved into Article 1 on K-12 education, where Senator Kunesh outlined provisions including anti-grooming language, a district health insurance reporting requirement, extension of a gender-neutral bathroom grant, compensatory hold-harmless aid, operating capital flexibility, literacy aid hold harmless language, and several cost-neutral district fund transfers. Senator Nelson offered the A29 amendment to require school sports teams and participants be designated by biological sex at birth; debate on that amendment began near the end of the transcript, but no final vote was shown before the excerpt ended.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Emergency Management
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- firefighter, the wildfires that I went to out of Kern County typically were Southern California, Santa Ana wind
- straightforward: restoration of fair and competitive pricing for fire apparatus and parts; treble damages
Summary:
The committee held an informational hearing on the rising cost and long delivery times for fire apparatus and related equipment, with opening remarks stressing that aging fleets, supply chain problems, and delayed replacements are affecting emergency readiness across California. Cal OES and Cal Fire described statewide procurement challenges, including higher prices, multi-year delivery timelines, two-year encumbrance limits, and the strain on mutual aid when engines remain in service beyond their intended replacement cycles. Cal Fire said it operates 537 engines, with 300 meeting replacement criteria and 243 at least 16 years old, and explained the difference between mandatory contracts and one-time acquisitions. The Department of General Services said vendors have cited labor costs, chassis pricing, and the need for longer production timelines, while also noting that statewide contracts can include nominal price increases but not open-ended price hikes.
Local fire chiefs from Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, Napa, and Fullerton testified that apparatus prices have risen sharply while delivery times have stretched from under a year to three to five years or more. They described specific examples of engines and ladder trucks costing far more than prior purchases and arriving years later, forcing departments to keep older reserve apparatus in service, spend more on maintenance, and defer other budget priorities. Several witnesses said industry consolidation has reduced competition and contributed to delays and price increases, with Los Angeles County and Fullerton noting they have pursued antitrust complaints and litigation against major manufacturers. Napa also described proprietary parts and software limiting in-house repairs, and Santa Barbara County said a vendor’s unfulfilled delivery promise caused the department to lose its place in line.
Members asked about possible solutions, including whether the state should consider manufacturing apparatus itself, whether procurement rules or prototype requirements could be streamlined, whether DGS staffing or contract processes could be accelerated, and whether more stable long-term purchasing commitments would help manufacturers plan production. Witnesses said safety-driven specification changes are necessary but can add time, and that the main bottlenecks are industry capacity, consolidation, and vendor performance. The vice chair raised concerns about how grant funding windows and local matching requirements are affected by multi-year delays, especially for small and rural departments that rely on grants and on used apparatus passed down from larger agencies. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with committee members indicating interest in possible legislative, regulatory, and antitrust follow-up.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 6th, 2026 at 08:37 am
House Taxation & Revenue
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 21st, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- It also increases the amount of damages resulting from a crash that need to be reported from the $500
- Hey, last step, we've got Wind Peoples with the Recreational Off Highway Vehicle Association.
Keywords:
reemployment assistance, fraud prevention, eligibility verification, Department of Commerce, benefit disqualification, specialty license plate, specialty plates, motor vehicle registration, license plate fees, annual use fees, Florida DHSMV, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, deauthorization, financial reporting, nonprofit organizations, college license plates, university license plates, veterans plates, law enforcement plates, Fraternal Order of Police
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and considered ten bills, beginning with SB 594 on local housing assistance plans. Senator Burton explained that the bill would make residents of mobile home parks and manufactured housing communities eligible for SHIP rental assistance and, in some cases, repair or rehabilitation funds, recognizing that many own their homes but rent the lot. Supporters from AARP and the Federation of Manufactured Homeowners said the bill would help seniors and low-income residents remain housed. The bill was reported favorably by a roll call vote.
Members then approved two Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles measures: SB 488, the agency package updating Florida’s motor fuel tax compliance with IFTA, allowing online filing and private license plate agencies to act as agents, raising the crash-damage reporting threshold, expanding email communications, and updating tank vehicle compliance; and SB 490, a related public records exemption for email addresses collected for renewal notices. Both were reported favorably without opposition. The committee also passed SB 246, creating a specialty license plate for the UFC Foundation, despite concerns raised that the foundation is based out of state and that the plate was politically motivated; the bill was approved on a split vote.
The committee gave favorable reports to SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility, which would tighten job-search requirements, require more frequent eligibility verification, and add reporting on fraudulent claims. The bill drew substantial opposition from labor and policy advocates who argued it would add barriers for unemployed workers, especially in rural and skilled-trades jobs, and that the state’s unemployment system remains difficult to navigate. Supporters said the bill was aimed at fraud prevention and ensuring claimants remain eligible. SB 356 on utility terrain vehicles generated extensive debate over safety, local control, and whether UTVs should be allowed on certain roads; supporters emphasized rural utility and law enforcement benefits, while opponents cited manufacturer warnings and crash risks. The sponsor ultimately temporarily postponed the bill.
The committee also reported favorably SB 528 on manufacturing, which expands the Department of Commerce’s manufacturing responsibilities, codifies the chief manufacturing officer position, and creates workforce development grant support; SB 584 on commercial driving schools, which authorizes DHSMV agreements with county tax collectors to help enforce school regulation; and SB 388, which raises the annual use fee for the Florida Wildflower specialty plate from $15 to $25 to support the Florida Wildflower Foundation. The final bill, SB 470 on the Fraternal Order of Police specialty plate, was introduced as a measure to broaden eligibility for the existing plate and stabilize funding for law enforcement memorial efforts, but no final action on that bill was reached in the portion of the transcript provided.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Jan 8th, 2026 at 02:30 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- say, 50 or so copies for anyone at Legislative Council or chamber staff, somebody loses it, it gets damaged
- We'll just encourage the agencies to try to do better and see how that winds up, and we would know then
Summary:
The committee first discussed security and member contact procedures, with several members emphasizing the need for formal security training at the start of each session and clearer procedures for knowing where legislators are staying during session for welfare checks and emergency contact. Members also raised concerns about the disclosure of home addresses in other public records and forms, and Legislative Council was asked to prepare a background memo on possible training, best practices, and related legislative or rule changes.
The committee then took up a bill draft to reduce the number of paper copies of state publications sent to the State Library from eight to two. Legislative Council explained the cost savings and the move toward digital distribution, but the State Librarian testified that the library still needs paper copies for circulation, archives, and depository libraries, and requested a minimum of three copies. After discussion, the committee amended the draft to require three copies instead of two and passed the motion. The committee also approved a related House and Senate Rules amendment reducing the number of bound journals distributed, and a separate rule change removing the requirement that legislators’ home addresses be printed in the rule book and allowing a lower print run based on request and need.
The committee next reviewed data on bill pre-filing and legislative workload. After hearing testimony that agency bills tend to arrive in a late-year rush and that staff workload is especially heavy around organizational session and the holidays, the committee voted to move the agency pre-filing deadline to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It also amended the deadline for constitutional amendments and study resolutions, moving them earlier so they would occur before crossover, and adjusted the reporting deadline accordingly. Members discussed whether these changes should be handled in special session or organizational session, and staff explained that the agency deadline change could be made effective for the next regular session through a permanent rules change.
Finally, the committee reviewed proposed special session rules. Staff explained that the special session would use joint appropriations and joint policy committees, with expedited bill processing, limited bill introduction routes, and remote participation allowed for members and public testimony with approval. The committee also resolved a House appropriations membership issue by keeping the House side at 23 members and giving the House majority leader authority to appoint a replacement for the vacant seat, while increasing the Senate dollar threshold to match the House. Members then discussed the upcoming rural health special session process, including how the interim rural health group would differ from the actual special session committees, the timing of committee work and the governor’s address, and whether remote participation would be permitted in the special session.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And once they're in the wind, they're kind of in the way.
- Now, thankfully, the threats did not materialize, but they were. damaging in and of themselves.
Keywords:
false reporting, emergency response, criminal penalties, restitution, public safety, penalties, emergency services, public institutions, false reports, criminal penalty, pretrial hearings, criminal competency, legal process, court timelines, restoration of competency, fines, community service, credit, criminal justice, defendants