Transcript Highlights:

• how they know what is there, and if the assessor staff is not visiting your property and there is a natural
• know this is in New Orleans... ...the assessor staff is not visiting your property and there is a natural
• I had concerns just because it will cause inequity, and it could have potential harm in case of a natural
• disaster or anything that's insurance-related. ...and it could have potential harm in case of a natural

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• how they know what is there, and if the assessor staff is not visiting your property and there is a natural
• know this is in New Orleans... ...the assessor staff is not visiting your property and there is a natural
• concerns just because it will cause an equity issue, and it could have potential harm in case of a natural
• insurance related, and so I just want to lift that up. ...and it could have potential harm in case of a natural

Summary: The caucus reviewed several bills on its calendar, mostly focused on Senate amendments and whether sponsors intended to concur. HB 2114 would alter Motorcycle Safety Fund distributions and motorcycle registration rules, including a Senate change requiring at least one registered owner to be licensed in Arizona; the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2729 would continue several boards and agencies, including the Board of Nursing, Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, Board of Physician Assistance, Department of Economic Security, and Board of Pharmacy; the sponsor also intended to concur. Members discussed two agriculture property inspection bills, HB 2104 and HB 2105. HB 2104 would change rules for agricultural property classification and inspections, while HB 2105 would add notice and reporting requirements for inspections; both had Senate amendments that changed inspection timing and exemptions. Some members raised concerns about county assessors’ workload, opposition from county organizations, and possible inequities and insurance or disaster-related consequences for agricultural property owners. HB 2477, the Arizona Education Savings Plan bill, drew the most discussion. The Senate amendment combined the 529-related provisions with several treasurer-related restrictions and investment rules, and members questioned the policy implications of allowing 529 funds to roll into Roth IRAs. HB 4117 would create or expand criminal penalties for interfering with religious worship, and some members expressed concern about civil liberties and equality issues, while the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2311 would require AI service disclosures to minors and, after substantial Senate amendments, to all account holders in some cases; members asked about effects on schools and government systems, and some noted concerns about the expanded scope and AG enforcement limits. The caucus also heard SCR 1004, which would prohibit photo enforcement traffic programs after December 31 subject to voter approval, though existing programs could continue under certain conditions; law enforcement concerns were noted. SB 1110 would establish a home confinement and electronic monitoring program in the Department of Corrections. SB 1618 would revise the Military Affairs Commission’s membership and duties, but one member objected to adding defense-industry representation and warned about military-industrial-complex influence. The meeting ended with the chair noting that only the bills that had gone through rules were on the agenda and adjourned the caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• The conversation was natural, and I came to realize that he was the right person at the right time to
• The<00:04:02.959> conversation<00:04:03.519> was<00:04:03.760> natural,<00:04:05.120
• > and<00:04:05.280> I<00:04:05.519> came The conversation was natural, and I came
• The conversation was natural, and I came to<00:04:05.920> realize<00:04:06.640> that<00

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House met to take up a special action item: reading HCR 196, a concurrent resolution honoring U.S. Army Major General and Vermont Adjutant and Inspector General Gregory Knight for his service to Vermont and the nation. The resolution recounted his career in the Coast Guard, Burlington police, Vermont Air National Guard, and Vermont Army National Guard, including his deployment to Iraq, later promotion to major general, and his appointment as adjutant and inspector general in 2019. It also noted his military honors and leadership during his seven-year tenure, and directed the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to Knight and the Vermont National Guard. Several members offered remarks praising Knight’s leadership, humility, humor, and commitment to service. Speakers highlighted his role in strengthening the Vermont National Guard, building accountability and institutional capacity, and supporting needed change within the organization, including for women in uniform. One member recalled first meeting Knight during his campaign for adjutant general and described him as a strong, detail-oriented leader and collaborator. The House also welcomed Knight, his family, and guests to the State House. A member announced that a reception would be held later in the Cedar Creek Room in his honor. No vote on the resolution was described in the transcript, and the House then recessed until later in the day, with instructions to return for the joint assembly with the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's really important that we take care of our natural relatives.
• take care<00:03:38.640> of<00:03:38.799> our<00:03:39.040> our<00:03:39.440> natural
• <00:03:40.319> It's care of our our natural relatives.
• It's care of our our natural relatives.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The transcript is an interview with Shelley Buck, a newly elected Minnesota House member for District 47A, who introduced herself as Dakota, a member of the Prairie Island Indian Community, and president of a nonprofit working to restore land at Owámni/St. Anthony Falls. She said her prior 12 years on tribal council, including six as president, motivated her to run because she wants to help people and bring that same kind of service to her new district. Buck said constituents in her district emphasized affordability, especially housing and health care, along with environmental protection, clean water, PFAS concerns, gun safety, and the impact of the current ICE occupation. She described herself as a champion for working families and the environment, citing her own working-class, single-parent upbringing and the importance of postsecondary education and state support programs. On policy priorities, Buck said she wants to focus first on the ICE occupation issue, while also addressing affordability, health care, housing, and environmental protection. She framed her environmental views through a Dakota worldview that treats plants, animals, land, and water as relatives and stressed protecting the Boundary Waters and other natural areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• COULD A NATION BASED ON NATURAL GOD GIVEN RIGHTS ALONG A DOOR?
• YOU CAN NOW WALK INTO THE SWAMPS AND SIT ON A CYPRUS STUMP AND SEE NATURE HEALING.
• SEVEN YEARS AGO WE WERE CHARGED WITH IMPROVING FLORIDA'S RESPONSE TO NATURAL DISASTERS AND HAD COORDINATION
• THE TECHNOLOGY MAY CHANGE, THE WINDOW DRESSING MAY BE DIFFERENT, BUT HUMAN NATURE IS WHAT IT IS.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it always depends on the nature of the allegation. Um, it's important to leave it open.
• always<00:05:18.560> depends<00:05:18.880> on<00:05:19.039> the<00:05:19.280> nature
• <00:05:19.680> of<00:05:20.080> the always depends on the nature of the always depends
• on the nature of the allegation.<00:05:21.360> And<00:05:21.520> so,<00:05:21.759>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 1239, authored by Representative Wam and presented by Legislative Auditor Judy Randall, would align reporting requirements for suspected theft, embezzlement, unlawful use of public funds, and similar misconduct by public employees and officers with existing language used for reporting to the state auditor. Randall said the bill is intended as a cleanup measure to clarify that such matters should be reported promptly to law enforcement and to the legislative auditor, and to remove language that she said had sometimes been used to delay reporting. Committee members raised concerns about the bill’s reference to “law enforcement,” saying the term is broad and could create confusion about where reports should go. They questioned whether reports should go to local police, the BCA, or another entity, and suggested that the current process may already work adequately. Randall responded that she was open to further discussion and said delays in reporting to law enforcement have been problematic. The author emphasized that the bill mirrors existing state auditor language and said any changes should remain consistent across both auditors’ reporting statutes. The chair said the committee should resolve the language and definitions before the bill moves further and preferred to address it in the policy omnibus bill. By agreement, House File 1239 was laid over for possible inclusion rather than advanced out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• meetings, conventions, trade shows, cultural activities, historical sites, recreation, entertainment, natural
• historical sites Recreation activities historical sites Recreation entertainment<00:03:47.400> natural
• ><00:03:47.879> phenomena<00:03:48.599> areas<00:03:49.120> of entertainment natural
• phenomena areas of entertainment natural phenomena areas of Scenic<00:03:49.720> Beauty<00:03

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met for the second Budget Review on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. After a quorum was confirmed, members heard a presentation from Melissa Brewer of the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet, along with Olivia Atkins of Kentucky State Parks and Commissioner Mike Manet of the Kentucky Department of Tourism. The presentation focused on the state’s 1% tourism meeting and convention marketing fund and the broader role of tourism in Kentucky’s economy. Brewer explained that the fund is used only for marketing and promoting tourism-related activities, cannot be used for capital or construction projects, and must be reported annually to the governor and LRC. She said the Governor’s budget and enacted budget increased appropriations in response to growing transient room tax receipts, adding $3 million in FY 2025 and $7 million in FY 2026, and noted legislative support for the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, the National Quilt Museum, and the Southern Kentucky Tourism Initiative. Manet emphasized that tourism marketing drives overnight visitation, local spending, jobs, and economic development, and described the 1% fund as the source for marketing, advertising, website development, public relations, international and group sales, trade shows, research, and regional matching funds. He highlighted efforts to secure media coverage and said the matching funds program distributed $2 million last year to 87 local tourism commissions across the state. No votes or other committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• A jury should be considering the nature of the relationship...
• A jury should be considering the nature of the relationship...
• A jury should be considering the nature of the relationship, the nature of the loss, what pain and suffering
• The bill differences are only technical in nature.
• Maybe I have HIV records, other things of a sensitive nature.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and a remembrance of former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. The chamber then moved to special order bills. CS/HB 687 on transportation offenses involving death was substituted for SB 138, amended to add warnings and penalties for refusal of breath or urine tests, and passed 37-0. CS/SB 306 on Medicaid providers, requiring broader after-hours access and network availability for Medicaid enrollees, also passed 37-0. The Senate then took up CS/CS/HB 913 on condominium associations, a major post-Surfside reform bill. Senator Bradley explained that the measure was intended to provide financial relief and flexibility while preserving safety and accountability. The bill was substituted for SB 1742, amended several times to limit milestone inspections and structural integrity reserve studies to buildings three habitable stories or more, and then passed 37-0 after extensive debate. Senators from both parties praised Bradley, Pizzo, Garcia, and staff for years of work on condo safety and affordability, with several members describing the bill as a balance between protecting residents and avoiding financial hardship. The final major item was CS/HB 1205, the bill on amendments to the state constitution and citizen petition drives. Sponsors Gates and Grohl argued the bill was needed to combat fraud, identity theft, and misuse in the petition process, citing a lengthy Office of Election Crimes and Security report. The House bill was substituted for SB 7016, and the chamber considered a long series of amendments and substitute amendments addressing petition circulator registration, volunteer participation, submission deadlines, invalid-signature thresholds, voter notification, and fiscal impact statements. Several amendments were adopted, while others were debated over whether they would protect access to the citizen initiative process or strengthen election integrity. The transcript ends during debate on the main substitute amendment, before final disposition on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Laura PR with the Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division.
• <01:27:18.800> Resources<01:27:19.320> parks Department of Natural Resources parks
• Department of Natural Resources parks and<01:27:19.679> trails<01:27:20.080> division<01
• <01:37:41.639> and some of the state's finest natural and some of the state's finest natural
• habitat as well as engaging in natural habitat as well as engaging in natural resource<01:38:13.199

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know House Bill 631 is very similar in nature, and I testified in opposition to that one.
• I know House Bill 631 is very similar in nature, and I testified in opposition to that one.
• I know House Bill 631 is very similar in nature, and I testified in opposition to that one.
• I know House Bill 631 is very similar in nature, and I testified in opposition to that one.
• Association that is discriminatory in nature against certain persons.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:51.240> resources Department of land and natural resources Department of land and natural
• Next up, we are going to have the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
• Our native forests are not just natural treasures; they should be national treasures too.
• native Force are not just natural native Force are not just natural Treasures<01:14:56.560> or
• natural Treasures not Treasures or natural Treasures not national<01:14:58.639> natural<01:14

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’ve been in natural disaster areas.
• I’ve been in natural disaster areas.
• I’ve been in natural disaster areas.
• I’ve been in natural disaster areas.
• I’ve been in natural disaster areas.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:07:36.320> Um emails uh in that nature, Mr. Chair. Um emails uh in that nature, Mr.
• This deals with the Department of Natural Resources ELS system.
• the Game and Fish Fund and the Natural the Game and Fish Fund and the Natural Resources<01:28:49.200
• Want to appreciate of Natural Resources.
• And that includes the full scope of our natural resources work.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee took up Senate File 203, a broad housing bill authored by Senator Port. Port described the measure as a package including $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds, MHFA administrative and investment reforms, expanded Greater Minnesota infrastructure grants for workforce housing, manufactured housing bill of rights provisions, and a private equity restriction on large investors buying certain single-family homes starting in 2026. Fiscal analyst Eric Olafson walked through the spreadsheet and said the $50 million bond authorization would add debt service costs over time, with the total estimated debt service for that authorization at about $75.8 million. Senator Draheim raised concern about the growing cost of bonding and said the state should rely more on cash than debt. The committee then adopted two technical amendments. The A21 amendment, described by Port as correcting manufactured housing bill of rights language, aligning MHFA board meeting language, conforming a lived-experience exemption to federal law, and fixing a capacity-building grants reference, was approved without objection. The A20 amendment, offered by Draheim, was also adopted and would give the legislature more control and visibility over MHFA funding and how quickly program dollars are reinvested after agency operations. Members then debated Draheim’s A22 amendment, which would delete the manufactured home park provisions from the bill. Draheim and several Republicans argued the section could function like rent control, could burden good park owners, and might have unintended consequences for park operations and purchases. Port, Senator Boldon’s allies, and other supporters said the provisions were needed to protect residents from rent spikes and private equity abuses in manufactured home communities, where residents own their homes but not the land. The transcript ends during that debate, before any final disposition on A22 or the bill itself is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:14.160> gas program for all these natural gas program for all these natural gas pipelines
• For example, that would be like NGIA plans the natural gas innovation act.
• <00:11:03.920> gas like NGIA plans the natural gas like NGIA plans the natural gas innovation
• <00:19:58.400> is affordable natural gas service is affordable natural gas service is critical
• <01:09:57.120> that fundamentally a natural tension that fundamentally a natural tension that

Bills: HF3830, HF3688

Keywords: utilities, rate cases, cost recovery, reporting requirements, gas infrastructure, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:07:15.839> is part of our our human nature is part of our our human nature is accidents
• The response was that that is the nature of the question.
• The response was that that is the nature of the question.
• nature of the question. nature of the question.
• Um assess um that volume or the nature.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Special Committee on Red Hill held an informational briefing at the State Capitol focused on updates from the Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill and NAVFAC Hawaii. Members and Navy officials opened by noting the meeting format, providing public links to tank closure supplement 4 and environmental remediation resources, and thanking Admiral Barnett for attending before his transition. The Navy emphasized that the Red Hill closure effort and the PFAS/PAS environmental remediation effort are separate but coordinated, and that both are long-term undertakings. For the closure effort, Navy officials reported progress on tank cleaning, ventilation, sludge removal, groundwater monitoring, and preparation for pipeline removal. They said supplement 4 to the tank closure plan was submitted in May and outlines the overall closure strategy, post-closure monitoring, and the decision to proceed with closure rather than wait for beneficial reuse decisions. They described completed ventilation of tanks 3 through 8, the start of tank 2 ventilation, removal of 283 gallons of sludge from the first six tanks, and plans to begin pipeline pigging and removal later this year. Officials also said all sludge samples tested so far were non-hazardous and that air monitoring has not shown elevated volatile organic readings during operations. NAVFAC Hawaii then outlined the PFAS/PAS remedial investigation under CERCLA, explaining the cleanup process, the nature of PFAS, and the role of aqueous film-forming foam as a source. The presentation said the Navy began investigating PFAS releases in 2014-2015, that the 2021 Red Hill fuel release led directly into remedial investigation work, and that current activities include quarterly groundwater sampling at 42 monitoring wells, installation of new shallow and deep wells, soil sampling where exceedances were found, fate-and-transport modeling, and human health risk assessments. Officials said data are publicly available on the Red Hill environmental website and that the next restoration advisory board meeting is scheduled for August 27. The Navy also gave a water resiliency update, saying it is upgrading the joint base drinking water system with pump, tank, and cybersecurity improvements and is installing treatment systems for the inactive Navy Aiea and Red Hill shafts ahead of EPA drinking water standards taking effect in 2029. No votes or formal committee actions were taken, as the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• potential is there to<00:16:06.680> create<00:16:06.959> renewable<00:16:07.360> natural
• natural gas and anerobic<00:19:32.240> digestion<00:19:33.240> um<00:19:33.400> so<
• population change there is natural population change there is natural change<01:13:53.120> which
• change is in Minnesota but how natural change is in Minnesota but how that<01:15:02.400> trickles
• the natural change where there's<01:20:59.360> more<01:20:59.679> deaths<01:21:00.000>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Natural change, that is the difference between births and deaths, used to fuel a lot of growth in New
• natural to 2010 to 2020 you can see that natural increase<04:11:00.800> diminishes<04:11:01.319
• <04:11:35.439> decline began to decline through natural decline began to decline through natural
• there was a little bit of natural there was a little bit of natural increase<04:30:42.399> 2010
• population increase from natural population increase from natural increase<04:30:54.640> in

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with an overview from the Legislative Budget Assistant Office on how Ways and Means will work with agencies and leadership during the budget and revenue-estimating process. Staff explained that the governor’s budget is still being developed, agencies are cautious about going on record early, and the committee will use worksheets and updated fiscal reports to track estimates. The presentation emphasized that the fiscal year 2025 budget status is a point-in-time snapshot and remains fluid because the annual comprehensive financial report has been delayed, which could change the beginning balances for both the general fund and education trust fund. The budget update highlighted that the general fund is currently stronger than originally assumed, while the education trust fund is weaker. The speaker said the general fund began FY25 with a much larger balance than expected, while the education trust fund came in lower due to higher-than-budgeted adequacy spending and weaker business tax performance. Revenue trends showed the general fund slightly ahead year to date, but the education trust fund down significantly. The committee also discussed unbudgeted appropriations, including attorney general litigation, legal settlements, abandoned property claims, adequacy true-ups, and education freedom accounts, as well as the role of lapses and off-budget items in the final balance. Members asked about the delayed liquor commission audit and whether it could affect revenue forecasts. Staff said the delay was mainly caused by the commission’s switch in point-of-sale systems and staffing losses, but did not expect major ongoing reporting issues. They also noted that liquor fund variances are more likely tied to Medicaid expansion costs than to commission operations. The governor’s office was said to be working on possible budget reductions, but no January request to the fiscal committee was expected. Commissioner Lindsay Stepp of the Department of Revenue Administration then presented an overview of state revenue sources, focusing first on the meals and rentals tax. She explained that DRA administers 14 taxes that account for most state revenue, and that meals and rentals tax growth has slowed after strong post-pandemic gains. She described factors affecting the tax, including employment, inflation, fuel and food prices, wages, and weather, and noted that online platforms like Airbnb have improved compliance by collecting and remitting tax on behalf of hosts. Members asked about short-term rental compliance and how DRA identifies unlicensed rentals; Stepp said referrals, anonymous tips, and platform data help enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 70 nature preserves and natural areas encompassing 32,000 acres.
• No, natural gas. Is that what it is, Tina? Natural gas vehicles.
• <01:04:31.760> No,<01:04:32.480> natural<01:04:32.880> gas.
• No, natural gas. Is that state park. No, natural gas.
• Natural gas vehicles. what it is, Tina? Natural gas vehicles.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:05 Approval of Minutes 00:01:48 Welcome New Members 00:02:03 Information Items 00:02:35 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:03:33 A. Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:04:00 B. Kentucky Department of Education 00:17:03 C. Education and Labor Cabinet 00:29:33 D. Energy and Environment Cabinet 00:42:38 E. Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:53:30 F. Justice and Public Safety Cabinet 01:13:28 G. Personnel Cabinet 01:31:04 H. School Facilities Construction Commission 01:41:39, 958, all

Summary: The meeting was the first of the year for the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Members were called, a quorum was confirmed, new co-chairs and members were welcomed, and the board approved the prior year’s meeting minutes. The chair also reviewed the capital planning timeline, packet organization, and the list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, protecting existing infrastructure, preventive maintenance, and improving service delivery. Its major requests included a $21 million maintenance pool for 14 campuses and 175 buildings, phase 2 construction funding for a new public health laboratory, an 18-bed psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents with severe mental health needs, and several projects at Western State Hospital, Western State Nursing Facility, Hazlewood, and Oakwood. Members asked about the youth facility’s relationship to a separate DJJ project, vacant buildings, the high per-bed cost of the children’s hospital, and how the cabinet determined the need for the youth facility. CHFS said the youth project would be a separate facility serving high-acuity youth, the cost reflected the specialized nature of the unit and an 18-bed cap, and the broader youth plan also includes prevention, in-home services, and coordination across agencies. The Kentucky Department of Education then described projects for its three state-operated facilities: the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. It requested additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building after bids came in higher than expected, plus funding for a new education finance application system to support SEEK budgeting. Other priorities included a maintenance pool, FFA pool renovation, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, lighting improvements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size of the FFA pool, and construction cost assumptions; the department said it tracks students through the schools and short-course programs, the pool size figure may have been a typo, and current construction estimates are being adjusted upward because of inflation and supply-chain pressures. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system to connect job seekers and employers, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would help match workers with employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility has safety and code concerns. The adult education system was described as outdated and lacking adequate case-management and tracking capabilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 86 is relating to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and it appropriates monies to DLNR
• HB 86 is relating to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and it appropriates monies to DLNR
• Don Shang, on behalf of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, we stand in support of this measure
• I'm Elizabeth Benek with The Nature Conservancy. We submitted written testimony.
• I'm Elizabeth Benek with The Nature Conservancy. We submitted written testimony.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several water, land, and conservation measures. HB 86, which would fund a permanent DLNR Makai Watch coordinator position, drew strong support from DLNR and community advocates. Testifiers said the coordinator is needed to connect community-based nearshore monitoring groups with government, support training and reporting, and provide stable civil-service funding instead of relying on grants and philanthropy. The committee discussed the position’s duties and cost, estimated at about $110,000 with fringe benefits, and noted broad support from organizations including Kuaʻulu, The Nature Conservancy, OHA, and others. HB 36, relating to state water code penalties, was also supported in principle by DLNR, but the agency proposed amendments to create two tiers of violations, distinguish first-time/non-harmful violations from repeat or harmful ones, and give the commission discretion on whether each day counts as a continuing violation. DLNR said the bill is intended to address egregious cases such as Red Hill while avoiding undue impact on small farmers and others without malicious intent. Testifiers from the Board of Water Supply, Lono Initiative, and others supported stronger penalties and transparency, while Earthjustice raised concerns about broader structural issues and the risk of penalties being applied unfairly. The committee then heard HB 316, which appropriates funds to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program. DLNR, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Kōkua, The Nature Conservancy, and other groups testified in support, describing the program as a workforce pipeline that places young professionals in communities, builds trust, and helps recruit future state employees. Supporters said the program has expanded capacity in watershed and reef management and has drawn extensive public backing. Finally, HB 506, funding equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, received support from DLNR and others. DOCARE said recent recruit classes are moving through training, that the new positions will expand patrol capacity, including nighttime enforcement, and that the Oʻahu-specific funding is tied to priorities such as the Māʻili Bay herbivore rules. The committee also began hearing HB 510 on water shortage and emergency declarations. DLNR proposed limiting shortage declarations to 90 days unless extended, capping groundwater reductions at 20% for lower-priority permits, removing climate-crisis language as a standalone criterion, and moving the process into rulemaking for more public input. The Board of Water Supply supported the bill and the proposed changes, while Earthjustice urged deferral absent broader Water Commission reforms. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would be decision-making after the hearing on items on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Signs, placards, and other objects of a similar nature are prohibited.
• Signs, blackards, and other objects of similar nature are prohibited.
• It's almost second nature.
• Thank you for your quote that Mother Nature humbled us.
• And I'm a nature lover, big. That's what I love to do most is to be in nature.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.