Video & Transcript Research : 'declared disaster'

Page 82 of 324
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • disaster issues and resiliency issues. disaster issues and resiliency issues.
  • <00:24:16.000> funding the FEMA uh post disaster funding the FEMA uh post disaster funding
  • natural catastrophes, natural disasters. natural catastrophes, natural disasters.
  • . uh through the impacts of disaster.
  • We've we've been dealing with disasters We've we've been dealing with disasters in<00:47:05.040>
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The interim task force on disaster prevention and resiliency met for its fourth meeting and focused heavily on insurance markets, affordability, and mitigation. Cochairs noted they are working toward recommendations for a later fall meeting. The main presentation came from David Snyder of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, who said the insurance industry sees itself as part of the problem and part of the solution because it ultimately pays for losses created by natural conditions, development choices, and construction practices. Snyder described rising losses from natural catastrophes, inflation-driven increases in rebuilding and repair costs, more development in disaster-prone areas, wildfire exposure, severe convective storms, hail, and roof damage. He argued that Kentucky should avoid the mistakes he attributed to California, where regulatory responses contributed to a strained insurance market and greater reliance on the FAIR Plan. He said Kentucky’s private market appears to be functioning better, with relatively few FAIR Plan policies, and urged lawmakers to preserve that market through risk-based rates and policies that do not worsen availability. He recommended a broad mitigation strategy involving stronger building codes, land-use decisions, stormwater infrastructure, public access to risk data, and incentives for resilient construction. He highlighted programs such as the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, fortified-home standards, wildfire-prepared community practices, and examples from Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida showing that mitigation can produce quick returns and insurance discounts. He also suggested catastrophe savings accounts, flexible coverage options, and a whole-of-government approach that includes the insurance department, building-code agencies, first responders, FEMA, NFIP, and NOAA. In questions, a legislator asked about the prognosis if carriers continue exiting markets and if nothing is done to address affordability and accessibility. Snyder said he could not predict market exits but stressed that regulators should monitor the market closely, use available data, and focus on loss prevention and mitigation. He said insurers want to do business in Kentucky and that the long-term solution is coordinated action among public and private stakeholders to reduce risk and keep coverage available.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • This is the 14th the time that disaster.
  • <00:10:16.720> and responding to these disasters and responding to these disasters and working
  • So, I responding to these disasters.
  • disaster, you've had a lot of practice. disaster, you've had a lot of practice.
  • that you can't really compare disasters that you can't really compare disasters and<00:37:01.599
Summary: The committee’s first interim meeting opened with roll call, a quorum, and a briefing from Transportation Cabinet officials on the Cabinet’s response to severe weather and tornadoes in Kentucky, especially the May 16–17 storms that caused deaths and widespread damage in Pulaski and Laurel counties, with an additional tornado noted in Washington County. Secretary Jim Gray, State Highway Engineer James Ballinger, and District 11 engineer Chris Jones described how crews in all 120 counties were placed on alert, how roads were cleared of debris, and how KYTC coordinated with emergency management, law enforcement, local governments, and utilities to restore access and power. They reported major impacts on roads, signals, and other infrastructure, including the EF4 tornado path through Pulaski and Laurel counties, and said KYTC also helped with debris hauling, airport cleanup, and delivery of water and meals. The officials gave specific recovery figures for Laurel County, including 1,800 loads of construction and demolition debris hauled, about 11,000 tons and 22,000 cubic yards removed, with roughly 50% of vegetative debris cleared at that point. They said all state roadways in Laurel County were reopened, the London-Corbin Airport was returned to flight operations by Sunday, and a transition plan was underway for Laurel County Fiscal Court’s contractor to take over debris operations. Gray also noted that KYTC had helped issue replacement IDs, licenses, registrations, and titles at no cost in disaster areas, and said the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund had raised nearly $1.5 million from more than 6,000 donors. Members praised KYTC staff as first responders and thanked them for their quick response and coordination. Several legislators recounted local impacts in Washington, Pulaski, and Laurel counties, including blocked roads, rescue challenges, looting concerns, and the scale of property damage. One member asked how KYTC inspects bridges and infrastructure after disasters to check for hidden damage, and officials said the process depends on the event and can include bridge inspections and checks of tall infrastructure such as light poles. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the discussion.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Jan 14th, 2025

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, no disaster comes without prices and no disaster comes without cost.
  • And that's just with this disaster alone.
  • There were impacted disaster survivors from Debbie also part of this footprint.
  • For this disaster alone, there were 1.2 million shelf-stable meals and 1...
  • After any disaster, nonprofit organizations, they jump into the fight with us.
Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session, with members introducing themselves and expressing support for veterans, military families, first responders, space industry growth, and domestic security. The first presentation was from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on the 2024 hurricane season and recovery efforts. Officials described response and recovery operations for Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, including sheltering, meals, water, tarps, power restoration, flood control, debris removal, and public assistance funding. They emphasized that recovery is ongoing, that mitigation and resiliency investments are critical, and that Florida’s shelter space remains in deficit in many counties, especially for special needs populations. Senators asked about improving logistics capacity, technology for grant processing, HOA/private property debris issues, drainage and culvert maintenance, and ways to expand shelter capacity; the witness said more technology, better local coordination, and county-by-county planning would help, while noting limits on state authority over private property and county emergency manager qualifications. Committee members praised FDEM’s response and asked how the Legislature could help, including whether more logistical hubs, pumps, and flood-control equipment were needed. The witness said technology investments could reduce fatigue and improve grant and recovery processing, but that manpower would still be necessary. The committee also discussed the statewide emergency shelter plan, the use of schools as shelters, and the need to identify vacant commercial space and other facilities for future sheltering and special-needs needs. The witness said FDEM works with counties and commerce partners to identify available space and uses legislative funding for shelter retrofits and new construction when needed. The second presentation was from Blue Origin on its Florida operations. The company outlined its work in New Glenn, New Shepard, Blue Ring, lunar landers, and engine production, highlighting its Space Coast presence, more than 3,600 Florida employees, and over $3 billion invested in facilities. Blue Origin also described partnerships with Space Florida, public school Space Academies, internships, SkillBridge, and STEM outreach through Club for the Future. Members asked about the upcoming New Glenn launch window, which the company said was targeted for later that week, and the committee expressed interest in Blue Origin’s role in Florida’s space economy. The meeting ended with no further business and a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Alert System is one of the most important tools to help protect lives in our communities during disasters
  • We owe it to Californians to ensure that when disaster strikes, our alert system is not a point of failure
  • , things like that. ...are infrastructure, burning, disasters, things like that.
  • Informed about natural, human-caused, and technological disasters and what actions they need to take
  • Given your experience with real-time disaster information, what improvements would you recommend for
Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on California’s emergency alert and warning systems, especially in light of recent Southern California wildfires and the January 9 evacuation alert that was mistakenly sent to millions of residents. Opening remarks emphasized the loss of life, the strain on first responders, the importance of timely warnings, and concerns that public trust in alerts has been undermined by delays, confusion, and over-alerting. Members repeatedly raised questions about how to improve speed, accuracy, coordination across jurisdictions, and public understanding of the difference between evacuation warnings and orders. Cal OES staff described the state’s alert and warning framework, including SEMS, the State Warning Center, IPAWS, WEA, and EAS, and said local governments retain primary responsibility for issuing alerts because they know local roads, shelters, and hazards best. They said Cal OES supports local agencies with training, technical assistance, testing, and backup alerting help when requested, and that local alerting authorities must test their systems every 30 days and complete FEMA-required training. Members pressed Cal OES on gaps in smaller or under-resourced jurisdictions, the lack of a statewide unified system, compliance monitoring, redundancy for people without reliable technology, and whether the state should take a more active role. Cal OES said it could assist smaller jurisdictions and step in during emergencies, but that a statewide system would require further analysis and funding. Sheriff Eric Taylor of San Benito County emphasized that local control is essential because counties differ widely in structure, geography, and alerting responsibilities, and he described the challenges of rural areas, limited cell coverage, and multiple platforms such as Nixle, Reverse 911, and social media. Nick Russell of Watch Duty said the nonprofit fills gaps by providing fast, geospatially detailed wildfire information from volunteers and public data, and argued that context and redundancy are critical because official alerts often arrive too late or lack enough detail. Members praised Watch Duty’s usefulness and asked about incorporating similar capabilities into state systems. Public commenters also raised the need for broader redundancy, including earthquake-warning partnerships, and wildfire survivors urged the committee to address the confusing patchwork of alerts and to honor prior compensation commitments to PG&E fire survivors. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational only and adjourned after member questions and public comment.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division II (02/24/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • after a natural disaster municipalities after a natural disaster I'm<03:08:32.040> here<03:08
  • municipality after a natural disaster municipality after a natural disaster hits<03:08:54.640>
  • <03:09:32.840> relief that $25,000 is hardly disaster relief that $25,000 is hardly disaster
  • <03:10:02.680> relief confused with any other disaster relief confused with any other disaster
  • undone for another year if a disaster undone for another year if a disaster hits<03:11:13.600>
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Finance Division 2 hearing took testimony from the director of New Hampshire Police Standards and Training on the agency’s budget request and operations. He described the agency’s role in setting hiring, education, certification, and discipline standards for police, corrections, probation and parole, and court security officers, and noted that the agency runs the full-time, part-time, corrections, and court security training programs. He also outlined the agency’s staffing, facility, and budget request for FY 2026-27, including a request to keep funding level with the governor’s recommendation while shifting funds to support an IT manager position by defunding a vacant administrative slot. The agency requested several statutory changes in Chapter 106, including clarifying the definition of police misconduct, allowing a temporary member on the Conduct Review Committee, clarifying reporting requirements for misconduct allegations, and codifying the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. The director also reviewed new responsibilities added in recent years, including crisis intervention training, statewide accreditation, the Conduct Review Committee, and increased annual in-service training requirements. He explained that crisis intervention funding is carried in a continuously appropriated, non-lapsing account and that some budget lines were reclassified, including software and janitorial services, to reflect actual spending needs. Members asked about national standards, the different academy tracks, crisis intervention funding, maintenance and contract changes, temporary positions, and the court security training program. The agency said it coordinates with national peers through IADLEST, that the part-time and corrections academies are longstanding programs, and that the new court security academy can be delivered either as a full academy or as in-service training depending on resources. The director also said the agency has been running extra full-time academies because of high vacancy rates, but expects to return to three full-time academies this year, with two corrections academies and one or possibly two part-time academies. He also explained the current approach to misconduct records and public disclosure, saying sustained findings under RSA 106-L are heard by the council and published, replacing the older, less standardized exculpatory list process.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Business and Commerce Apr 1st, 2026

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • those discussions in my office, you know, around whether it's an issue with water or some other declared
  • discussions in my office, you know, around, you know, whether it's an issue 4841 with water or some other declared
  • emergency, some international conflict 4842 with water or some other declared emergency, some international
  • think people generally, as I've gone around the state and talked to folks through different natural disasters
  • natural 5498 gone around the state and talked to folks through different, you know, natural 5499 disasters
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce held its first interim hearing on securing critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, with a focus on Texas’s electric grid and the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act. The chair also highlighted Texas’s relatively low electricity prices and welcomed new committee members. ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission (PUC), and the Attorney General’s office were invited to explain how the state screens market participants and grid equipment for ties to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and how the agencies respond to noncompliance. ERCOT testified that it has implemented the requirements of three related Senate bills by requiring attestations on corporate affiliations and on critical grid equipment and services. ERCOT said it has processed thousands of attestations, used additional requests for information and third-party verification tools such as Dun & Bradstreet, and terminated nonresponsive market participants. ERCOT also said it has not seen a case requiring direct Attorney General involvement, but it does refer matters to the PUC when needed. The PUC said it can investigate suspected violations and impose penalties of up to $1 million per violation per day, and that most investigations into late or missing attestations have been resolved through compliance, market exit, or removal by ERCOT. The Attorney General’s office said its role is currently limited to audits and court involvement, and that it lacks broad independent investigatory authority under the act. Members pressed the panel on whether the current system is too reliant on self-reporting and whether it adequately addresses indirect foreign influence, especially through supply chains for batteries, inverters, transformers, and other equipment with routable connectivity. ERCOT acknowledged that the current attestation process has gaps and said it plans to refine definitions of critical grid equipment and grid services, improve information requests, and continue stakeholder rulemaking. The panel also discussed possible legislative changes, including tying prohibitions to the Department of Defense Section 1260H list and the Texas Prohibited Technologies list, clarifying warranty and service access, and expanding the statute to cover grid services more directly. Several senators raised concerns about cost, reliability, and the extent to which foreign-sourced components remain embedded in Texas infrastructure, while others suggested incentives for domestic manufacturing and stronger verification tools, including possible work with national labs such as Sandia.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EEP Public Hearing - Tue Feb 4, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think the Legislature several years ago wisely declared that we're in a climate emergency.
  • Thanks for the opportunity. declared that we're in a climate declared that we're in a climate emergency
  • This critical funding is needed for land management, stream restoration, mitigation, climate disasters
  • This critical funding is needed for land management, stream restoration, mitigation, climate disasters
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 4/23/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate File 3958, an act relating to state government changing the reporting date on the disaster assistance
  • the date that the Commissioner of Management and Budget must submit a report detailing the state disaster
  • the date that the Commissioner of Management and Budget must submit a report detailing the state disaster
  • :48:16.800> makes<02:48:17.120> them<02:48:17.880> they've<02:48:18.120> declared
  • which makes them they've declared which makes them they've declared themselves,<02:48:19.160>
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of the national anthem, then established a quorum and approved the previous day’s journal. Members handled routine business including second readings of several Senate files, first readings of House files 5067 through 5073, and messages from the Senate transmitting bills and requesting concurrence on House File 3437 and House File 1410. The House concurred in Senate amendments to HF 3437, a commerce bill with a technical cross-reference correction, and passed it 133-0. It also concurred in Senate amendments to HF 1410, a public safety bill on correctional officer procedures, and passed it 132-2 after members described the changes as clarifying and balanced for labor and management. The chamber then took up House File 3404, which increases penalties for impersonating a peace officer. The bill would raise the base offense from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, create aggravated offenses for impersonation involving unauthorized access, misleading orders, law-enforcement-style vehicles, or possession of a firearm, and add a duty for officers to identify themselves while protecting undercover work. Supporters, including the author and several members, tied the bill to the June 14, 2025 killings and said it was needed to restore public trust and protect both the public and legitimate law enforcement. The House passed HF 3404 134-0 after a moment of silence. The House also passed House File 3155, which closes a loophole in gift card fraud law by allowing prosecution based on the value stored on the card rather than just the plastic card itself. Supporters described organized retail crime schemes in which stolen gift cards are drained after activation and said the bill would help retailers, consumers, and law enforcement. The bill passed 134-0. Senate File 3958, which changes the deadline for a disaster assistance contingency account report from January 15 to January 31, also passed 134-0. Finally, the House considered House File 3875, the judiciary policy bill. An author’s amendment removed a section that had been unintentionally left in the bill, and members then discussed provisions allowing courts more flexibility in publishing notices, streamlining some notification requirements in dissolution cases, and making restitution orders permanent unless rescinded by court order. The transcript cuts off during discussion of the bill, before any final vote is shown.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • NO DISASTER COMES WITHOUT PRICE OR COST AND WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS MITIGATE.
  • PART OF THE STATE THAT WERE NOT AS FAMILIAR OR ACCLIMATED WITH THE HURRICANE DISASTER RESPONSE.
  • THIS IN MANY INSTANCES UNDERSTATES HOW MANY WE ACTUALLY PROVIDED SUPPORT TO DURING THIS DISASTER.
  • AFTER ANY DISASTER OR ORGANIZATIONS JUMP INTO THE FIGHT WITH US.
  • OR DOES IT NEED TO BE BUILT AT THE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER?
Keywords: 999, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Human Services May 6th, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • I guess I'm also looking... at one question: What about victims of natural disasters under this bill?
  • Victims of domestic violence, homeless issues, the electronic benefit cards, but during. natural disasters
  • About natural disasters, there's a program called D-SNAP, Disaster SNAP, which is a special program for
  • We need to get those benefits to people ASAP, or for a fire, or a flood, or any kind of natural disaster
  • And as she's coming back, there may not be bread because in disasters that happen, or let's just say
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

PBS Public Hearing - Fri Mar 21, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • We do disaster preparedness training.
  • We do disaster preparedness training.
  • We do disaster preparedness training.
  • We do disaster preparedness training.
  • We do disaster preparedness training.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Jan 30th, 2026 at 08:35 am

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • funding, and provide a clear framework for how... ...accountability and disaster funding, and provide
  • First, it clarifies and defines which disaster funds may be used in a natural disaster versus a non-natural
  • disaster.
  • Second, it sets clear limits... ...natural disaster.
  • in the state, to include non-natural disasters.
Keywords: 996, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 15th, 2026 at 01:36 pm

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • But more than that, in the event of a disaster, they would work together.
  • The next disaster happens, we shift everything that we can at that Disaster and recovery operations slow
  • We're going to have to either do more or do less for the people during disasters.
  • These support Homeland Security and their needs during a disaster.
  • DHSCM isn't only on the disasters; we call it the gray skies and the blue skies.
Keywords: 996, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Human Services May 6th, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • I guess I'm also looking at one question is what about victims of natural disasters.
  • victims of domestic violence, homeless issues, the electronic benefit cards, but during natural disasters
  • And I guess the thing is we've increased the benefits for people in emergency disaster like this, so.
  • And in the and to your point about natural disasters, there's a program called DSNAP, Disaster Snap,
  • There may not be bread because in disasters that happen or let's just say there is no bread or by the
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating Apr 28th, 2026

The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating

Transcript Highlights:
  • Disaster and it goes on.
  • We're not going to always prevent a disaster.
  • one disaster, you've seen one disaster.
  • Natural disasters happen; floods happen.
  • Also, disaster and trauma communications.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • avian influenza and HPAI, or maybe 'menan' virus, that's affected turkeys, and H5N1, to open our disaster
  • Those are some of the programs that we use there, including the disaster program, which is probably the
  • <00:04:53.800> is we use there including the disaster is we use there including the disaster
  • disasters, so we can help clean up, replace livestock or other inputs, or repair buildings or improve
  • We've done 123 disaster loans, helped that many farmers over the period this loan's been available for
Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • the forefront when California needs them most, from essential frontline work to rebuilding after disasters
  • AB 1069 requires, as part of disaster planning and response, that an area agency on aging (AAA) or an
  • Older adults disproportionately experience the most negative outcomes during disasters.
  • Older adults disproportionately experience the most negative outcomes during disasters.
  • Even the stamina needed to stand in a line at a disaster center becomes problematic for some frail older
Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on April 22, established a quorum, and adopted its 2023-24 committee rules. The hearing then considered five bills focused on aging, long-term care, immigrant seniors, nutrition, and emergency preparedness. AB 450 would create a task force to study the needs of undocumented Californians age 55 and older; supporters from CHIRLA and other advocates described barriers to housing, health care, retirement, and digital access, while members raised questions about eligibility and process. The bill was approved on a due pass motion and re-referred to the Committee on Human Services. AB 508 would require residential care facilities for the elderly to disclose staffing information upon request at admission and when rates increase. The author and supporters argued that staffing levels are closely tied to quality of care and that families need transparency to make informed choices; a witness described her father’s death in an understaffed facility. Assisted living industry representatives opposed the bill as burdensome but said they were continuing discussions with the author. The committee adopted amendments and passed the bill to Appropriations. AB 1476 would allow senior congregate meal programs to continue offering to-go meals, a practice expanded during the pandemic. Supporters said the option improved access for homebound and food-insecure seniors and helped bring people into senior centers; there was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1068 would create a working group on evacuation and sheltering needs for older adults and people with disabilities in long-term care during disasters, and AB 1069 would ensure area agencies on aging and aging/disability resource programs have access to emergency shelters to provide services. Both measures drew broad support from aging, disability, and advocacy groups, with testimony citing recent fires and evacuations, and both were approved and re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. The committee also left rolls open for additional members to add votes before adjournment.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee Feb 18th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've had a lot of areas throughout the state where disasters have happened.
  • <01:11:21.760> the<01:11:21.840> state<01:11:22.160> where<01:11:22.400> disasters
  • throughout the state where disasters throughout the state where disasters have<01:11:23.240>