Video & Transcript Research : 'high hazard dams'

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HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

PBS Info Briefing - Thu Aug 28, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • FEMA has two annual funding opportunities: the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams Grant Program
  • </c><00:23:44.159><c> hazard</c> the rehabilitation of high hazard the rehabilitation of high hazard
  • Then we do a hazard ranking description and summary of the hazard ranking process.
  • >> It's under the hazard mitigation. >> It's the hazard mitigation 404.
  • </c> It's under the hazard mitigation. It's the hazard mitigation 404.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on hazard mitigation planning and recent tsunami and wildfire threats. Chair Dela Buladi opened by framing the meeting around the need for iterative disaster planning and lessons learned from events such as the Lahaina wildfires, the Puna Coast earthquake/tsunami, and recent wildfire activity. The committee heard first from Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Tomage Magno, who explained the federal and local hazard mitigation planning process, including the requirement for an active five-year mitigation plan to qualify for federal disaster funds. He described the plan as a living document built from prior plans, public and agency outreach, risk and capability assessments, and ongoing updates, with county departments, state agencies, and subject matter experts participating in the process. Magno outlined several FEMA-related mitigation funding programs, including flood mitigation assistance, post-fire assistance, pre-disaster mitigation, revolving loan funds, and dam safety grants. He emphasized that the Hawaii County plan was recently approved by FEMA, that the county council approves the plan, and that the county reviews it annually with a formal revision process beginning in the fourth year. Members asked about how the plan tracks project status, how priorities and funding changes are handled, and whether federal funding programs might be affected by HR1; Magno said the county is proceeding on the assumption that funding will remain available and noted some sources have been reestablished. He also said the county encourages council participation in meetings and planning. Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen then addressed the committee on DOT’s response to a recent tsunami threat, saying the agency had about four hours to prepare before the first wave arrival and was focused on its own operational response rather than the broader statewide planning process. In response to questions, he stated that FHWA funds cannot be used for evacuation routes, which is why prior legislative funding was important. Members also discussed specific mitigation projects such as fire breaks, bridge retrofits, and the Singing Bridge, with DOT noting that work is underway and that a replacement bridge upstream is being planned to carry traffic during repairs. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Intergovernmental Affairs Apr 22nd, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • One in the written that I provided, high voucher turn back rates reflect barriers to renters attempting
  • Virtually no landlords in high-opportunity areas rent to vouchers.
  • , high-opportunity areas.
  • recipient of Section 8, and this voucher limited me. ...to only places that were in bad neighborhoods with high
  • Other voucher holders are disproportionately pushed into high poverty, high crime neighborhoods, far
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

PBS Info Briefing - Mon Apr 20, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a high-risk area.
  • We put in a request for high National Guard high-water vehicles.
  • using the dam level?
  • </c><01:41:24.640><c> going</c><01:41:24.760><c> to</c> high-tech, and the high-tech is going to high-tech
  • So, the dam by definition we like a dam?
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

TRS-LBT, TRS Public Hearings 03-19-2026

Transportation

Summary: The joint hearing of the Transportation and Labor and Technology committees considered HB 2097, which would allow administrative driver’s license revocation hearings to be held by interactive conference technology such as Zoom and permit electronic exchange of evidence. DOT and the Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office supported the bill, saying Zoom hearings have worked well since 2021 and save time and money. Both committees passed HB 2097 with technical and nonsubstantive amendments. The Transportation Committee then heard HB 1163 on commercial driver licensing, HB 2113 on funding vegetation removal from the Kaola Stream drainage way, HB 2283 on port pilotage, HB 1588 on a noise detection camera program, and HB 2333 on airport special districts and aeronautics penalties. DOT asked for HB 1163 to use “non-domiciled” language to match federal rules, and the committee passed it with amendments. For HB 2113, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity said the project would likely need about $1 million, and the committee passed the bill with amendments while noting the funding would be reflected in the committee report rather than the measure itself. HB 2283 drew broad support from maritime and labor interests, but the committee deferred it, saying the Senate version was already moving and would be used instead. HB 1588 received support from DOT and several community and health-related testifiers who said noise from traffic is a serious problem, but the committee expressed concern about enforcement language and re-referred the bill to Judiciary/Ways and Means while still passing it forward. HB 2333 was supported by DOT and airline interests; after questions about airport loitering and sleeping rules, the committee passed it as is. In the final decision-making, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on HB 1163, HB 2113, HB 1588, and HB 2333, and deferred HB 2283.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Jan 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Early Learning & K-12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Rent was high, and food prices even higher.
  • She's a few years out of high school now, and when she was in high school, and yes, her dad was teaching
  • She's a few years out of high school now, and when she was in high school, and yes, her dad was teaching
  • Our high school experienced a tragic shooting in 2017.
  • Our high school experienced a tragic shooting in 2017.
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5992, which would create a non-appropriated Youth Development Fund account at OSPI to support grants for positive youth development programs serving ages 5 to 24. Staff explained the fund could receive gifts, grants, endowments, federal funds, legislative appropriations, and other receipts, and that grants could go to nonprofits, tribal entities, and parks and recreation organizations, with school districts and ESDs eligible in limited circumstances. Senator Krishnadasan and several members described the bill as a way to expand access to mentoring, after-school, summer, arts, sports, STEM, and other wraparound supports, especially for youth facing mental health, poverty, homelessness, or other barriers. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, including from students, youth-serving nonprofits, tribes, and state agencies, though one tribal witness asked for consultation, reserved tribal access, and data sovereignty protections. No vote on SB 5992 occurred in the portion provided; the committee moved on to other bills and later returned to testimony on it. In executive session, the committee acted on three bills. For Senate Bill 5952, which would have created a standardized process and form for excusing high school students from PE, the committee adopted Senator Wellman’s substitute, which instead requires districts to honor a prior excusal if a student transfers, and then gave the substitute a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. For Senate Bill 5961, which transfers the Imagination Library of Washington program from DCYF to OSPI, the committee adopted Senator Wilson’s substitute adding a directive for OSPI, subject to appropriations, to contract with a nonprofit experienced in early literacy through pediatric office visits, and then sent it to Ways and Means with a due pass recommendation. For Senate Bill 5969, concerning IEP transition plans and high school and beyond plans, the committee adopted Senator Cortez’s substitute removing student election language and instead directing OSPI to minimize duplication in the statewide IEP system, then sent the bill to Ways and Means with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5918, which would increase materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC) funding by $100 per student or $100,000 per district, whichever is greater, starting in the 2026-27 school year. Staff said the bill had no limiting language requiring the money to be spent only on MSOC, and the fiscal estimate projected significant state costs. Supporters from school districts, administrators, PTA, rural education groups, and labor organizations said districts are using local levies to cover basic operating costs such as utilities, insurance, curriculum, and supplies, leaving less for enrichment and forcing cuts to programs. One remote witness opposed the bill on tax and affordability grounds. The sponsor emphasized that MSOC is part of the state’s paramount duty and that districts are using enrichment dollars simply to keep schools open. The transcript then moved on to Senate Bill 5951 on stock albuterol in schools and Senate Bill 6042 on school mapping for first responders, with testimony beginning on both bills but no final action shown in the excerpt.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 12th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • pre-licensure education requirements for the 440 customer service representative license to allow a high
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government met with a quorum present and first took up confirmation votes for appointees on tabs 2 through 6, which were recommended favorably without public testimony. The committee then heard CS/SB 1474, which would direct DEP to stop issuing or reissuing permits for Class B biosolids land application when a wastewater treatment facility is reasonably accessible within 50 miles, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1708, which removes a timing requirement for veterinarians licensed in good standing elsewhere to qualify for Florida licensure; it received support from Americans for Prosperity and the ASPCA and was reported favorably. Members then considered CS/SB 204 on illegal slot machine operations. An amendment was adopted that set the baseline penalty at a second-degree misdemeanor, elevated violations involving six or more machines or repeat offenses to a third-degree felony, and made violations by a person of authority involving six or more machines or multiple prior convictions a second-degree felony. Testimony supported the bill’s effort to target larger illegal operations while protecting veterans’ organizations and other lawful users from felony exposure; the bill as amended was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all for CS/SB 1294 addressing Class AA biosolids, requiring agronomic-rate application, recordkeeping, IFAS guidance, and application of fertilizer-related requirements to bulk land application products, with an effective date of November 1, 2026; it was reported favorably after limited questions about oversight and IFAS’s role. Later, CS/SB 772 was heard to allow portable electronics limited licensees to sell “iware” insurance and define that term, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1504 updated pre-licensure education for the 440 customer service representative license so a high school student completing a half-credit insurance and personal finance elective can apply upon turning 18; it received supportive testimony from industry groups and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to CS/SB 540 creating cybersecurity program requirements for mortgage and money service businesses, extending oversight to certain investment advisers, clarifying emergency suspension authority for anti-money laundering violations, extending payment deadlines for examination costs, and adjusting director experience requirements for financial institutions; the bill as amended was reported favorably. Senators McClain and Truenow requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tabs 11 and 13, and the committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Environment and Natural Resources Jan 20th, 2026

Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The 58-year-old dam, which has a 50-year life, is classified as, quote, a high hazard by the state, meaning
  • The dam was not designed for flood control or built to modern standards, so breaching the dam creates
  • The dam has a 50-year life. It's 58 years old.
  • The dam is 58 years old and designated a high-hazard dam by DEP due to the threat its failure would pose
  • to lives and property in the town of Welaka. ...and designated a high-hazard dam by DEP due to the threat
Bills: S0698, S0958, S1066, S1230, S1288
Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard and advanced several bills. SB 958, by Senator Bradley, would require local straw and stirrer ordinances to allow renewable, certified compostable, marine-biodegradable products; supporters said it would reduce reliance on paper straws that may contain PFAS and create more uniform standards. The bill was reported favorably after brief supportive testimony and no opposition. The committee also approved SB 1066, by Senator Broder, a major Ocklawaha/Rodman Dam restoration proposal. The bill would direct DEP to implement a phased restoration plan, create an advisory council with local and military representation, fund recreation and economic development projects, and address safety concerns tied to the dam’s age and high-hazard status. Supporters from conservation groups, river advocates, and some local residents praised the restoration and planning framework, while several Putnam County officials opposed the bill, arguing the reservoir supports recreation, water supply, and local interests. The committee adopted a late-filed amendment adding a Naval Air Station Jacksonville representative to the advisory council, then reported the committee substitute favorably. SB 698, by Senator Martin, was also reported favorably. It would let builders proceed with local building permits while septic permits are pending, rather than waiting for sequential approval, and includes a 120-day glide path related to new DEP rules; builders supported the bill as a way to reduce delays, while some senators questioned whether the transition period was too long. The committee then approved CS/SB 1230, by Senator Harrell, which phases out PFAS-containing firefighting foam, restricts non-emergency training use, requires inventory and disposal reporting, creates DEP rulemaking and a grant program, and exempts certain federal, military, and emergency uses. Finally, the committee favorably reported CS/SB 1288, also by Senator Harrell, to designate a water body in the Jupiter Narrows area in honor of Andrew Red Harris, with a technical amendment clarifying the shoal designation. Several members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected bills.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • The 58-year-old dam, which has a 50-year life, not great, is classified as, quote, a high hazard by the
  • High hazard by the state, meaning its failure could result in substantial loss of life and property.
  • The dam was not designed for flood control or built to modern standards, so breaching the dam creates
  • The dam has a 50-year life. It's 58 years old.
  • The dam is 58 years old and designated a high-hazard dam by DEP. ...due to the threat its failure would
Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard and advanced several bills. SB 958, by Senator Bradley, would require local straw and stirrer ordinances to allow renewable, certified compostable, and marine-biodegradable products, with supporters arguing it creates standards and avoids patchwork local rules; it was reported favorably. SB 1066, by Senator Brodeur, proposed a phased restoration of the Ocklawaha/Rodman Dam area, including partial dam restoration, recreation and economic development planning, and a local advisory council; testimony was strongly divided between restoration supporters and local officials concerned about water supply, reservoir value, and community impacts. The committee adopted an amendment adding a Naval Air Station Jacksonville representative to the advisory council, then reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also approved CS/SB 698 by Senator Martin, which would let builders proceed with home construction after applying for septic permits rather than waiting for the permit to be issued first. Testimony from builders and industry representatives focused on permitting delays, contract pricing, and the need for a glide path if DEP rules change; some senators raised concerns about the 120-day transition period, but the bill passed favorably with a technical amendment. CS/SB 1230, by Senator Harrell, would phase out PFAS-containing firefighting foam for non-emergency use, require inventory and disposal reporting, create DEP rules and a registry of alternatives, and establish grant/cost-savings support for local agencies; it was reported favorably after an amendment clarifying DEP references and penalty language. Finally, the committee approved CS/SB 1288, also by Senator Harrell, to designate a water body feature in the Jupiter Narrows area as the Andrew Red Harris Shoal in honor of a local environmental advocate who died rescuing a friend. The bill was amended to clarify the shoal identification and then reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested the record reflect additional affirmative votes on certain bills, and the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Can you expand upon what led to the dams? So the question is what led to the D+ in dams.
  • So for dams, uh, one of the issues that always comes up with dams, I think we've talked about in previous
  • report cards as well, is ownership and dam, like the planning behind, uh, Dam infrastructure.
  • Uh, but also is that there's a lot more development going on downstream of dams.
  • So safety was one of the metrics that brought dams down. Next question.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-04-29 - 11:00AM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It launches a pilot program to build real, actionable emergency operation plans for high hazard dams.
  • It requires the development of emergency operation planning for two high hazard dams in the state.
  • <01:23:16.720><c> hazard</c><01:23:17.160><c> dams.
  • </c> high hazard dams. high hazard dams.
  • </c> for two high hazard dams in the state. for two high hazard dams in the state.
Keywords: 927, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Mar 5th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • That next line item is $20 million for some high-risk, high-need projects.
  • Currently 752 dams are classified as high hazard meaning that failure could result in the loss of life
  • Today, a lot of them. are surrounded by development, so they have been classified as high hazard by the
  • Dam Safety Program at TCEQ.
  • And every time they change one from low hazard to high hazard, our target goes up a notch.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MI

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Energy and Environment 26-06-18

Energy and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • greater flexibility: lower registration fees to reduce the financial burden on counties that own several dams
  • , provide five years for a grace period from attorney general recovery of costs for tax-reverted dams
  • , and Eagle may require an owner of low-hazard dams to submit a comprehensive evaluation report.
  • High-hazard and significant-hazard dams will remain mandatory.
  • Chairman, I just, on the issue of the hydroelectric dams and the issue with FERC, I know that there's
Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy and Environment met with 13 members present, approved the June 4, 2026 minutes, and took up Senate Bill 947, which concerns dam registration, inspections, and related enforcement. The committee discussed a substitute that made technical changes and implementation adjustments, including lower registration fees for counties with multiple dams, extending registration validity from five to ten years, allowing conditional permits, giving EGLE flexibility to modify deficiency schedules, and adding provisions related to inspection reports and low-hazard dam evaluations. Members also raised an unresolved issue involving FERC preemption and hydroelectric dams; the chair and EGLE said that issue would continue to be worked on, likely through the floor process. Public testimony cards were read in support from a range of environmental and policy groups and individuals. The committee adopted the S-1 substitute 13-0 and then reported SB 947 to the floor on an 8-3 vote with two passes. The committee then considered Senate Bill 627, which also had been heard previously. No additional questions were raised, and testimony cards were read in support from several organizations, including the Michigan Environmental Council, Sierra Club, the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum, and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. The committee voted to report SB 627 to the floor with the recommendation that it pass, and the bill was reported on an 11-1 vote with one pass. Finally, the committee took testimony only on House Bill 4361, sponsored by Representative Green, which would direct the Public Service Commission to create a rule allowing utilities broader vegetation management within rights-of-way to improve grid reliability. Representative Green and Thumb Electric Cooperative’s Kevin Mazur testified that the bill would reduce outages, improve safety, and align statutory standards with existing utility practices. Several senators raised concerns that the language was too broad and could allow extensive tree removal, harming property owners, local control, tree canopy, and environmental and health interests; others said utilities already have similar authority and emphasized reliability and homeowner coordination. The committee did not take action on HB 4361 and adjourned after reading in testimony cards from utilities, environmental groups, and others both supporting and opposing the bill.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Public Works and Highways (03/10/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Looking at our high-hazard dams, we rank the work, but currently we're on a schedule of rehabbing a dam
  • Looking at our high-hazard dams, we rank the work, but currently we're on a schedule of rehabbing a dam
  • So, by the very nature of that, we rack and stack according to need and prioritize high-hazard dams.
  • We have like 64 high-hazard dams, whereby if the dam were to fail, it endangers life and property.
  • One of the challenges that we have is, as the commissioner mentioned, we have 64 high-hazard dams in
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Transportation Apr 29th, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • It can lead to public nuisances, disputes, or even safety hazards.
  • House Bill 3793 provides a commonsense fix that would give counties the flexibility to prevent safety hazards
  • Thank you for hearing this bill. 971 permits motorists to use high occupancy vehicle lanes regardless
  • We now know that many features we're all used to in Texas, like frontage, slip lanes, and high-speed
  • It targets high risk scenarios where human oversight still makes a critical difference.