Video & Transcript : 'wildfire management' :
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ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy and Natural Resources Apr 3rd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- from the input from the state veterinarian that any diseases that are strictly in the wild herds are managed
- the wastewater recycling; 2276, the Joint Water Resources Boards; 2339, the strict liability on wildfire
- Resources Boards. 2339, the strict liability on wildfire mitigations. And 2340, the study.
Committee:
House Energy and Natural Resources
Summary:
The Natural Resources Committee reconsidered Senate Bill 2159, which concerns a study related to nuclear energy and waste. Members discussed a proposed amendment to clarify that the study would address above-ground storage of nuclear waste, not underground storage, reflecting concerns raised by constituents about earlier nuclear-related proposals. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 2159 a unanimous 13-0 do pass recommendation.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2245, described as a hunting-related bill, and recommended it do pass on a 13-0 vote after brief discussion with Game and Fish support noted. Senate Bill 2216, the duck stamp bill, was also advanced 13-0. Testimony on SB 2216 explained that it would help Game and Fish better track resident duck hunting participation and generate revenue for waterfowl habitat, PLOTS access, and possible federal matching funds.
The most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 2137, which addresses baiting rules and chronic wasting disease surveillance. An amendment was proposed to set a 50-gallon limit at a hunting location, require a 50-foot setback from property used for animal agriculture, and direct continued disease surveillance with a report due before December 31, 2028. After discussion about fence setbacks, livestock concerns, and the department’s authority to manage disease, the committee adopted the amendment by a 7-6 vote and then passed the bill as amended on an 8-4 vote. The committee also noted several remaining bills would be taken up the following week and adjourned, with no meeting the next day.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- That means ensuring communities have the funding and resources to address flooding, extreme heat, wildfires
- means ensuring that communities have the funding and resources to address flooding, extreme heat, wildfires
- Across the state, cities and towns are managing more heavy rains, coastal flooding, aging culverts, and
- This commission would explore the ins and outs of water conservation and management as it relates to
- Every year, we produce nearly twice as much waste as we can manage in-state.
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on S.2542, the Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill aimed at climate resilience, water infrastructure, conservation, and related permitting reforms. Secretary Rebecca Tepper and administration officials described the bill’s major investments in flood control, coastal resilience, DCR roads/bridges/dams and parks, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, land conservation, food security infrastructure, and expanded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness funding. They also explained proposed streamlining measures for environmental permitting, flood risk disclosures, a Connecticut River Resilient Commission, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund to provide low-cost financing for municipal resilience projects. Committee members asked about affordability, useful life of projects, how the revolving fund would be capitalized, and how the bill would help communities such as Lawrence, Methuen, and coastal towns; officials said the fund would initially use existing trust resources, not new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds once it has a track record.
Several witnesses supported the bill but urged larger authorizations or additional provisions. Boston Harbor Now asked for more funding for MVP and the state’s resilient coast plan, and supported permitting reforms for nature-based and hybrid solutions. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance urged inclusion of drought-management language from separate bills, plus a statewide flood buyout program and a water reuse commission. Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements, especially in environmental justice communities affected by traffic and airport pollution. Conservation and forestry advocates requested more funding for urban tree canopy, local nurseries, and workforce training, while also raising concerns about PFAS impacts and the need for clearer municipal reforestation language.
Agriculture and water infrastructure groups focused on food security and drinking water needs. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative backed the food security infrastructure grant program and farmland protection funding, warning that the program needs continued support in fiscal 2027 and that farmland loss is accelerating. The Massachusetts Waterworks Association said the bill does not go far enough on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, citing large statewide capital needs and PFAS compliance costs, and asked for recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. A Product Stewardship Council representative also urged funding for a waste reduction needs assessment, citing growing landfill constraints and rising disposal costs. No votes were taken during the hearing."}{
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Jan 13th, 2026
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- This means ensuring communities have the funding and resources to address flooding, extreme heat, wildfires
- state must ensure communities have the funding and resources to address flooding, extreme heat, wildfires
- Across the state, cities and towns are managing more heavy rains, coastal flooding, aging culverts, and
- I'm the government relations manager at Conservation Law Foundation.
- Every year, we produce nearly twice as much waste as we can manage in-state.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a hearing on S. 2542, the Mass Ready Act, the Healey-Driscoll administration’s environmental bond bill. Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper and Undersecretary Jen Sullivan described the bill as a $3 billion resilience package to protect drinking water, farms, fisheries, roads, bridges, parks, and communities from flooding, heat, drought, wildfires, and other climate impacts. They highlighted major authorizations for flood and coastal resilience, DCR infrastructure, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, open space and land protection, food security infrastructure, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund for low-cost loans to municipalities, tribes, and water districts. Committee members asked about project lifespans, flood and salt marsh permitting, wastewater and combined sewer overflow funding, parkway maintenance, land acquisition priorities, Quabbin stewardship, and how the revolving fund would be capitalized and administered. The administration said the fund would be modeled on the Clean Water Trust, use existing trust resources rather than new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds; they also said the bill would streamline certain permitting and improve flood-risk disclosure and climate-related building standards.
Many witnesses urged the committee to strengthen the bill’s funding levels or add related policy provisions. Labor, contractor, and plumbing groups supported creating a water reuse and graywater recycling commission, saying it could conserve water, reduce stormwater and sewer burdens, and create skilled jobs. Boston Harbor Now asked for higher authorizations for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program and resilient coast work, plus permitting reforms for nature-based and waterfront projects. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance backed the bill but also urged inclusion of drought-management legislation, a water reuse commission, a statewide flood buyout program, and more support for community resiliency. Environmental justice advocates from Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements in schools and public housing, while conservation and tree advocates sought larger investments in urban forestry, local nurseries, and workforce training, along with clearer language to ensure municipal reforestation funds go to cities and towns.
Agricultural and food system witnesses emphasized the importance of the bill’s food security and farmland provisions. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative supported the $125 million food security infrastructure grant program, saying it has funded critical facilities and equipment for farmers, fishers, processors, and food access organizations, but warned that without the bill there could be a funding gap in fiscal year 2027. They also supported farmland protection and asked for more funding for agricultural capital programs, used-equipment eligibility in grant programs, and a next-generation farmer fund. Water utility representatives said the bill still falls short of the state’s long-term drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater needs, citing EPA estimates of nearly $37 billion in needed investments over 20 years and urging dedicated recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. No votes were taken at the hearing.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force (6-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c><00:04:30.320><c> which</c> division of emergency management, which division of emergency management
- Is emergency management tasked only with disaster response, or do you also manage disaster prevention
- </c> Data management and risk assessment. Data management and risk assessment.
- </c> don't think we said the word wildfire don't think we said the word wildfire once,<01:18:36.239><
- </c><01:24:11.440><c> right</c> distinct from emergency management right distinct from emergency management
Summary:
The first meeting of the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force focused on the task force’s mission and on recent Kentucky flooding disasters. The co-chairs described the need to better prepare for increasingly frequent and costly natural disasters, including flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, and ice storms, and emphasized coordination among local, state, federal, and interstate partners. The discussion also stressed the importance of budgeting for mitigation, infrastructure resilience, housing, insurance, and recovery planning, with several members sharing personal experiences with disaster impacts in their districts.
Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson gave the main presentation, responding to questions about the February and April flooding events. He said the February event affected the entire state, with 11,825 individuals registering for assistance and 1,194 public-assistance projects written so far; he also reported 134 households still sheltered, 190 households moved to permanent housing, and three disaster recovery centers still open after a regional consolidation. For the April event, he said 37 counties had individual assistance, 83 counties were still pending public assistance, and no hazard mitigation had yet been declared; 5,893 people had registered for individual assistance, and 144 households were sheltered, with 83 families already moved to permanent solutions. He noted that counties without public assistance would have to cover expenses locally unless state or federal aid is approved.
Gibson also outlined Kentucky Emergency Management’s tools and resources, including a 24/7 state operations center and warning point, embedded National Weather Service meteorologists, five regional warehouses stocked with water, MREs, blankets, and kits, a statewide web-based damage reporting system, laundry trailers, generators, a disaster needs hotline that has received 6,972 calls, and a mutual aid system used to deploy resources such as water tankers. He highlighted ongoing work on urban search and rescue, qualification systems for emergency operations personnel, and aerial documentation of storm damage. No votes or formal actions were taken at this meeting.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, the Millans manage an over 200-acre grain operation on that exact same land.
- Today, the Millans manage an over 200-acre grain operation on that exact same land.
- </c><02:09:03.119><c> an</c> property today the millons manage an property today the millons manage an
- This image could be from the California wildfires, but it's not.
- </c><07:26:36.558><c> relief</c> discussing conditioning Wildfire relief discussing conditioning Wildfire
Keywords:
committee appointments, House of Representatives, agriculture committee, foreign affairs committee, natural resources committee, science and technology committee, member elections, legislative process, inauguration, Congress, House attendance, ceremony, legislative session, inaugural ceremony, President, Vice President, adjournment, committees, membership, election
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 17th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Sam Udan, and I'm the co-founder and managing director of Net Zero California, a nonprofit
- mitigation, wildfire liability, electrification, and environmental programs.
- Do you pass as amended to the Emergency Management Committee? Allen, aye. Ochoa Bogh, aye.
- Do pass as amended to the Emergency Management Committee. Current vote, 10-0.
- This is amended to the Emergency Management Committee. Current vote, 10-0.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Select Committee on Economic Development and Technological Innovation Feb 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We also need a market incentive to do the waste management and wildfire mitigation necessary to get biomass
- Many Californians experience climate change as austerity: higher energy bills driven by wildfires and
- It's causing wildfires and natural disasters that are displacing millions of people, and it's sending
- Wildfires and natural disasters that are displacing millions of people, and it's sending the state's
- The city operates its own in-house hazardous materials program management, which allows staff to work
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 4th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She quickly became an integral part of our team, from helping manage our social media, drafting press
- As California continues to face devastating wildfires, it is clear that fire is no longer seasonal but
- California has not been managing our forests for decades.
- We stopped doing any kind of active California has not been managing our forests for decades.
- Matt Rom is the research director of the Wildfire Conservancy.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- During college, students don't always have access to the support they need to manage these challenges
- I'd like to hear from government program managers coming up saying, here's what I'm looking for.
- They used the example, when we met with them, of a program they did after the LA wildfires where they
- They used the example when we met with them about a program they did after the LA wildfires where they
- college system to upskill workers to clean up the wildfires, a skill that was needed rapidly.
Committee:
House Higher Education
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- Before, during and after multiple disaster events and to strengthen public safety, emergency management
- California Cybersecurity Integration Center and the Wildfire Threat and Intelligence Information Center
- Hi, I'm Sydney Kushida and I am a program manager for Electrify California on behalf of the Cal Asian
- Thank you Good afternoon, Daniel Romero, wealth manager at Legacy.
- A wildfire or a high wind public safety power shut off, or simply a downed power line.
Committee:
House Communications and Conveyance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans Broadband and Rural Development - 03/12/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- We also manage biological control programs for noxious weeds, which is using insects to control weeds
- Terrestrial invasive species increase the risk of wildfire, erosion, and flooding, and they decrease
- We also manage biological control programs for noxious weeds, which is using insects to control weeds
- Terrestrial invasive species increase the risk of wildfire, erosion, and flooding, and they decrease
- </c><00:17:00.680><c> erosion</c> increase the risk of wildfire erosion increase the risk of wildfire
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Assemblymember Rodriguez: California Institution for Men, Infrastructure Management.
- Senator Cerber: 2025-121, Chino Hills State Park, Wildfire Management. 2025-128, Los Angeles County Department
- I'm the transit manager with the city of Union City operating Union City Transit.
- My name is Esteban Nunez, and I serve as managing director for Actum.
- I'm Jennifer Pier, general manager for State Contractors.
Summary:
The committee heard several audit requests and related testimony. The first major item was an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. The author and supporters described long-standing fiscal mismanagement, large budget shortfalls, layoffs, contracting concerns, and questions about the district’s foundation and use of public funds. District representatives and the Riverside County Office of Education said the district is already under fiscal oversight, has a stabilization plan, and is working to reduce deficits and improve student outcomes. After extensive debate and public comment, the motion to approve the audit was put on call because the committee did not have the required votes from both houses at that moment.
The committee then approved an audit of East Bay transit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Senator Wahab argued the region’s many overlapping transit agencies create fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiency, especially amid a fiscal cliff and possible future tax increases. Transit agencies and labor representatives opposed the audit, saying the agencies already undergo multiple audits, serve distinct local needs, and are implementing regional coordination efforts. After testimony from agency leaders and public commenters, the committee voted to approve the audit.
The next item was an audit of California Community Colleges’ unrestricted reserves. Senator Archuleta and supporting faculty representatives said reserves have grown substantially and may be diverting resources from student services, instruction, and workforce programs. They argued there is little oversight when reserves become too high. The Chancellor’s Office and Calbright College were invited to respond, and the audit objectives focused on reserve growth, reasons for high balances, oversight by the Chancellor’s Office, and effects on students and staff. The transcript cuts off during the Chancellor’s Office response, so the final committee action on this item is not shown.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- . 185 by Senator Price is a resolution to create and provide for the Task Force on Construction Management
- Senate Bill 250 by Senator McMath is an act to amend Title 42 relative to comprehensive weight management
- It's an act to amend Title 22 relative to pharmacy benefit managers to provide for definitions and provide
Bills:
SCR12 , HB221 , HB509 , HCR58 , SB78 , SB25 , SB80 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB228 , SB250 , SB414 , SB433 , SB479 , SB513 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB65 , SB215 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR32 , HB17 , HB41 , HB73 , HB223 , HB244 , HB759 , HB906 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1086 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1215 , HB1242 , SB217 , SB283 , SB469 , HB36 , HB42 , HB74 , HB119 , HB159 , HB259 , HB302 , HB414 , HB459 , HB776 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1017 , HB1028 , HB1095 , SB208 , SB312 , SB382 , SB389 , HB210 , HB258 , HB359 , HB368 , HB468 , HB552 , HB732 , HB784 , HB870 , HB953 , HB1117 , HB1236
Keywords:
logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 13th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He graduated from OU Health Science Center in 2009 and he's currently the managing partner of Metrophysicians
- He currently manages his clinic and private practice, leading a growing group of physician hospitalists
Bills:
HB3767 , HB3934 , HB4199 , HB4336 , HB2947 , HB3834 , HB4302 , HB4095 , HB3287 , HB3649 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB2059 , HB3647 , HB3986 , HB3548 , HB3661 , HB4346 , HB3075 , HB4273 , HB3391 , HB4128 , HB3557 , HB3239 , HB3982 , HB2123 , HB2979 , HB2997 , HB3148 , HB4108 , HB4143 , HB4266 , HB2053 , HB4058 , SR30
Keywords:
controlled dangerous substances, controlled substances, drug scheduling, Schedule I, Schedule IV, anti-drug diversion, drug diversion, synthetic opioids, fentanyl analogs, designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine analogs, opioids, hallucinogens, depressants, pharmacy regulation, narcotics control, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, DEA scheduling
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Mar 5th, 2026 at 05:40 pm
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And in Chelan County, we use them specifically for emergency management.
- In Charlene County, we used them specifically for emergency management because we had to do all the wildfire
- And in Chelan County, we use them specifically for emergency management.
- In Charlene County, we used them specifically for emergency management because we had to do all the wildfire
- Many of them just do emergency management as well.
Bills:
HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB5831 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002 , HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6137 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002
Keywords:
behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy Apr 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the business manager of Boilermakers Local 549 in Pittsburgh, California, representing members that
- I'm the business manager of Boilermakers Local 549 in Pittsburgh, California, represent members that
- Second, healthy soils and the manure management program—I think healthy soils farming practices will
- And then just echo my comments from my colleague with the Wildfire Solutions Coalition. Thank you.
- And then just echo my comment, the comments from my colleague with the Wildfire Solutions Coalition.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Mar 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We manage three special schools, state special schools, two schools that serve, I think.
- The state has tried to do more to help districts manage the declines.
- The states tried to do more to help districts manage the declines.
- Quality is better, costs are more manageable; they just simply aren't there to do that.
- I'm a local library manager with 40 years of public library experience.
Summary:
The subcommittee opened with remarks on the state budget and K-12 education, noting the large increase in the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee, the use of deferrals and reserves in the prior budget, and the challenge of balancing education funding against other state priorities. Superintendent Tony Thurmond described California education as improving overall, citing gains in test scores, graduation, and college readiness, but said major gaps remain for low-income students, students of color, agricultural communities, English learners, foster youth, and students with disabilities. He praised recent investments in universal meals, transitional kindergarten, community schools, arts, broadband, and special education, while warning that declining enrollment, chronic absenteeism, and the proposed $5.6 billion Prop. 98 settle-up create uncertainty for districts. He also urged a long-term literacy plan, expanded tutoring, universal kindergarten, and continued protections for students and families affected by immigration enforcement, including ICE-related fear and attendance loss.
The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Proposition 98 from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Finance explained that the Governor’s budget projects the minimum guarantee will rise by about $21.7 billion over three years, with a $5.6 billion settle-up obligation in 2025-26 intended to avoid overappropriation if revenues weaken. Finance also described revised reserve deposits and withdrawals, ending with about $4.1 billion in the Public School System Stabilization Account by 2026-27. The LAO said recent revenue collections were stronger than expected in the current year but warned that the outlook for 2026-27 is weaker and that stock-market-driven revenues remain volatile. The LAO supported maintaining reserves and one-time spending buffers, but recommended fully funding the guarantee and using other budget solutions rather than shifting the settle-up into future deficits. Members asked about the settle-up process, certification timeline, the effect of attendance declines tied to immigration enforcement, and wildfire-related impacts, including Pasadena Unified’s $4 million special appropriation.
On LCFF and necessary small schools, Finance proposed a 2.41% COLA and about $2.2 billion in additional LCFF funding for districts and charters in 2026-27, plus a $30.7 million ongoing increase to raise the necessary small schools allowance by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA but said the small-school increase was not tied to a specific cost study and could be redesigned to better target small districts, noting that only a fraction of very small districts would benefit. Questions focused on how small schools access supplemental and concentration grants and how attendance recovery programs are being implemented. The Department of Education said only 130 LEAs had reported attendance recovery so far, likely because it is a new program with compliance requirements, though interest appears to be growing.
FICMAT then reviewed the fiscal health of local districts, reporting an uptick in qualified and negative certifications, though still far below Great Recession levels. It said declining enrollment, rising special education costs, and higher labor and insurance costs are the biggest fiscal pressures, and that some districts are using fiscal stabilization plans and staff reductions ahead of second interim reports. FICMAT also discussed wildfire impacts on Pasadena Unified and Los Angeles Unified, explaining that Pasadena’s $4 million state appropriation was based on an early post-fire assessment and that the district is being monitored with the county office of education. Members raised concerns about Pasadena’s leadership, special education staffing shortages, AB 218 sexual abuse litigation costs, insurance premium increases, and the need for stronger prevention and training measures. FICMAT said SB 848 and related policies address some of those concerns by strengthening standards, training, and reporting requirements.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Could you discuss more in depth the relationship between California's wildfires and the effect on our
- It's not just the wildfires.
- It's not just the wildfires.
- So the reinsurers have already allotted capacity to wildfire, what they're going to put in wildfire risk
- So I'm not seeing a direct cost to Floridians because of the wildfires, either at the insurer level or
Committee:
Senate Banking and Insurance
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance convened with a quorum present, and Commissioner Michael Yaworsky of the Office of Insurance Regulation delivered a broad update on Florida’s property insurance market. He outlined the division of responsibilities between OIR and the Department of Financial Services, then reported market indicators including 7.61 million residential policies in force, an average premium of $2,755, 1.5 million Citizens takeout approvals, and recent negative trends in homeowners rate requests. He credited recent legislative reforms, especially tort reform and the Insurer Accountability Act, with improving market stability, increasing competition, and allowing the office to conduct more examinations and investigations, recover consumer restitution, and fine insurers for misconduct tied to recent hurricanes.
Yaworsky emphasized that Citizens Property Insurance has been rapidly depopulating from its 2022 peak and may fall below 300,000 policies, while cautioning that over-depopulation could create residual-market risks and assessments if a major storm hits. He also discussed the distinction between admitted and surplus lines markets, the role of reinsurance in Florida pricing, and the effect of inflation on total insured values and premiums. He said Florida has seen comparatively modest property rate increases relative to other states and noted that recent hurricanes did not produce the kind of rate spikes seen in prior years, which he attributed to a more stable market and reduced fraud and litigation pressure.
In response to a question from Senator Martin, Yaworsky explained that California’s wildfire crisis and regulatory structure are not a direct one-to-one comparison for Florida, but that California’s market problems can affect global reinsurance capacity and serve as a cautionary example of regulatory missteps. He also highlighted a recent Progressive auto insurance excess-profits refund of about $1 billion to policyholders, discussed possible federal changes to the National Flood Insurance Program, and urged greater home resiliency and code-plus adoption. The commissioner closed by calling for clearer consumer disclosures and responsible oversight of AI use in insurance filings. No bills were considered and no votes were taken; Senator Hooper moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/14/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> throughout the state so that's managing throughout the state so that's managing contracts<00:44:
- </c><01:03:09.079><c> the</c> office not only do we manage the office not only do we manage the division
- </c><01:15:23.000><c> smoke</c> the year before with the Wildfire smoke the year before with the Wildfire
- </c><01:52:16.159><c> more</c> Members Own and operate and manage more Members Own and operate and manage
- </c> your job of um being able to manage your job of um being able to manage those<04:24:16.199><c> peak
Committee:
House Science, Technology and Energy
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (01/14/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Workforce management.
- Wildfire mitigation. definition of ESG. Wildfire mitigation.
- </c> lines sparked a wildfire in California. lines sparked a wildfire in California.
- </c><00:35:01.280><c> Accounting</c> capital management. Accounting capital management.
- </c> the requirements of a well-managed fund. the requirements of a well-managed fund.