Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Garcia, geoengineering and weather modification, you are recognized to explain the bill.
• Senator Garcia, geoengineering and weather modification, you are recognized to explain the bill.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 932, which would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging under state-regulated insurance policies. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce delays in follow-up testing after abnormal mammograms and noted support from medical and cancer advocacy groups. Senators Arrington and Sharief spoke in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered CS for SB 160 on CPA licensure. The sponsor said the bill adds additional pathways to licensure in Florida without lowering standards and is similar to measures being considered in other states. The Florida Institute of CPAs supported the bill, and it was also reported favorably. The committee then took up a water management district bill, described as a comprehensive measure to increase transparency in planning, funding, budgeting, reporting, and business practices while making historic investments in Everglades restoration. Senators asked about the role of the Legislative Budget Commission and whether the bill would affect the Lake Okeechobee system operating manual; the sponsor said those issues were still being worked through and that the bill was focused on accountability and transparency. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 50 on coastal resiliency and mangroves. The bill promotes nature-based solutions such as mangroves, living seawalls, and oyster reefs, and requires DEP to establish related rules and study effects on flood risk and insurance premiums. An amendment providing $250,000 from the Resilient Florida Trust Fund for a feasibility study was adopted without objection. The bill drew broad support from environmental and coastal groups and was reported favorably. SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification was temporarily postponed and not heard, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Weatherization is an essential strategy in eliminating waste from the energy system during peak periods
• This bill does not fund all the weatherization Minnesota needs, but by investing in those least able
• Yesterday, Dakota Electric filed a modification to our commercial tariff with the Public Utility Commission
• The proposed modifications achieve many of the goals in the proposed legislation and will allow Dakota
• Provide weatherization services, how do you think this could impact our energy assistance needs?

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• In Champlin, our programs are too often at the mercy of weather, resulting in canceled practices, limited
• , at the mercy of weather, at the mercy of weather, resulting<00:16:01.000> in<00:16:01.120
• They're supportive, in fact, champion these modifications.
• these modifications. these modifications.
• ,<01:17:42.680> only housing tax credit modifications, only housing tax credit modifications

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:21.840> events infrastructure extreme weather events infrastructure extreme weather
• Senator Gruenhagen: Their heating bills, and I mean they're turning down the heat in below-zero weather
• pump marketplaces because of the weather pump marketplaces because of the weather and<00:42:33.200
• One of those pertains to what are called the modifications and delay of standard affordability is one
• One of those pertains to what are called the modifications and delay of standard affordability is one

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then $1 million to the State Engineer for weather modification.
• And then a million dollars to the state engineer for weather modification.
• Joey and Charles, on line 136, what is weather modification? Cloud seeding.

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is the experience modification rate.
• > one<01:25:46.360> of experience modification rating, one of experience modification rating
• :29.400> was An experience modification rating was An experience modification rating was never
• Then, furthermore, on the experience modification rating, just those attributable accidents.
• Then, furthermore, on the experience modification rating, just those attributable accidents.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided. The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic. The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've<01:18:47.920> seen<01:18:48.840> weather I've seen weather I've seen weather in<01
• <01:32:06.520> Um, weather trends. Um, weather trends.
• Chair Franzen then asked a question about chemtrails, also known as contrails, and weather modification
• <01:38:48.640> modification<01:38:49.440> known<01:38:49.680> as well as weather
• modification known as well as weather modification known as cloud<01:38:50.320> seeding.

Bills: HF4470, HF2418, HF3417, HF3365, HF3463

Keywords: HF4470, Melissa Hortman, memorial, statue, memorial garden, State Office Building, Capitol Mall Design Framework, capital investment, appropriation, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Department of Administration, public art, commemorative monument, landscaping, artist selection, family consultation, Minnesota legislature, state building site, capital appropriation, political subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:34.560> last some important modifications last some important modifications last legislative
• We also don't support the modifications to 18194 for8 subdivision 1.
• We also don't support the modifications to 18194 for8 subdivision 1.
• We also don't support the modifications to 18194 for8 subdivision 1.
• primarily on two areas the weather primarily on two areas the weather related<00:59:16.920> exemption

Keywords: 1183, house

Bills: HCR11, HB153, HB278, HB424, HB454, HB455, HB687, HB816, HB833, HB942, HB1053, HB1097, HB1147, HB1148, HB1190, SB75, SB85, SB197, SB200, SB217

Keywords: Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Youth Challenge Program, military affairs, Pineville, National Guard training, emergency response, youth development, alternative education, high school equivalency, GED, at-risk youth, leadership training, job skills, citizenship, veterans, state military operations, mobilization, logistics staging area, public service

Transcript Highlights:

• the nature and circumstances of a crime, the location, the speed, traffic condition, terrain, and weather
• The speed, traffic condition, terrain, and weather in real time.
• And then he was pulled over during icy weather and um they had seen him, you know, his vehicle not come
• <00:36:02.480> and<00:36:03.359> um pulled over during icy weather and um pulled over
• during icy weather and um they<00:36:03.839> had<00:36:04.000> seen<00:36:04.240> him

Bills: HB348, HB106, HB347, HB54, SB118, SB167, SB195, HB260, HB263, HB328, HB348, HB106, HB347, HB54, SB118, SB167, SB195, HB260, HB263, HB328

Keywords: bail reform, illegal aliens, violent offenses, pretrial detention, flight risk, court hearings, doxing, personal identifying information, harassment, online safety, law enforcement, public servants, penalties, consumer protection, illicit material, private rights, digital privacy, nonconsensual distribution, incarceration, pregnancy

Bills: HB33, HB45, HB48, HB1261, HB1465, HB1778, HB2596, HB5238, SB2969, HB45, HB48

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft

Transcript Highlights:

• One of those reasons is, whatever you want to call it, we have a lot of extremes in our weather.
• Uh, have that fund work with TDHCA which receives some federal money for weatherization programs.
• turning off their air conditioning completely during the summer, risking their health in extreme weather
• They're struggling with the impacts of extreme weather, and then that, that impact on their electric
• Because they haven't had weatherization programs, uh, those homes are vulnerable to survivability.

Bills: HB 14, HB 106, HB 146, HB 267, HB 274, HB 1127, HB 1359, HB 1393, HB 1584, HB 1640, HB 1710, HB 2152, HCR 101, HJR 8, HR 51

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, um, we're beginning to notice more tornadoes, more problems with the cold weather and hurricanes
• online in a timely fashion was essential to mitigate the effects of the prolonged power outage. with weather

Bills: HB14, HB 106, HB146, HB267, HB274, HB 1127, HB1359, HB1393, HB1584, HB1640, HB1710, HB2152, HCR101, HJR8, HR51

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Transcript Highlights:

• DJJ would request a modification to the current contract between the commonwealth and the provider to
• uh to the current contract modification uh to the current contract between<00:15:53.040> the<
• It allows those staff members the flexibility to negotiate the weather.
• It allows those staff members the flexibility to negotiate the weather.
• uh and just most negotiate the weather uh and just most recently<00:46:17.319> we<00:46:17.480

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White on the state’s juvenile detention network and several facility projects. He identified the currently operating detention centers as Boyd County for females, Breathitt County for low-risk males, Fayette County for high-risk males, Adair County for high-risk youth from Jefferson and surrounding counties, Warren County for high-risk males, and McCracken County for low-risk males. Members asked about capacity and staffing; White said Boyd County houses 33 and is usually near full, Breathitt County is about half full, Fayette County runs about 80-90% full, Campbell County’s operational limit is about 25 due to staffing, Adair County can hold 60 and has hit capacity several times this year, Warren County holds 43 and usually runs near capacity, and McCracken County holds 43 and is not currently full. He said staffing is generally harder in higher-risk facilities and in metropolitan areas because of wages and housing costs. White then updated the committee on the Louisville Detention Center downtown renovation and the Lyon facility project. For the Louisville downtown facility, he said schematic design and design development are complete, construction documents are expected by late February or early March, bids are anticipated in April, and completion is projected for March 2027. He explained the delay is due to extensive renovation work needed to bring the building up to current building, life-safety, ACA, and PREA standards, including security, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, food service, and roof work. The project is designed for 64 beds for high-risk Jefferson County boys, with the facility currently vacant and those youth being housed in Adair County and Campbell County. For the Lyon project, he said the contract was issued November 21, 2024, demolition is underway, completion is expected June 14, 2026, and the facility will have 34 beds in four pods for low-risk offenders; he said the project appears to be on time and on budget within the $4.5 million authorization. The committee also discussed the medical services contract. DJJ officials said they are reviewing whether to continue with the current state contract provider, Wellpath, or pursue an RFP, while retaining current merit staff and continuing oversight through four nurse program administrators. They said DJJ uses a state master agreement to staff nurses, APRNs, and the chief medical officer, and that the current contract is about $20 million per year. Members asked about Wellpath’s bankruptcy filing; officials said they were aware of it, asked questions, and were told it would not affect Kentucky service delivery or contracting, though they could not recall the bankruptcy type and offered to provide more detail later. They also said DJJ is working with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to become a Medicaid provider, and any future contractual partner will need to be a Medicaid provider. Finally, White described the proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. He said DJJ must accept court-ordered youth even when they have severe mental illness, but detention centers are not equipped to treat those youth and private psychiatric hospitals often refuse them or discharge them early. He argued that a dedicated secure treatment facility is needed for a small number of highly violent, high-need youth who require intensive psychiatric care and are disruptive in detention. The facility would provide behavioral and psychiatric treatment, reduce delays caused by lack of beds or outside placements, and serve youth determined by clinical assessment to need a secure treatment environment. No votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Severity zones, these areas or zones are based on factors such as fuel, slope, and fire weather.
• Such as fire history, vegetation, flame length, blowing embers, terrain, weather, and the likelihood
• But with the severe rainstorms that, you know, the scientists are attributing to the extreme weather
• We recognize it's absolutely a disaster contributed by severe weather.
• So anyway, those would be the two suggestions I would have for modifications.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding weather warnings, getting good warnings is one thing from the weather service.
• I like to read about weather.
• What is geoengineering and weather modification?
• Here in Texas, we have the South Texas Weather Modification Association.
• modification.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also need to ensure it is safe and approved, which will require some modifications to the building
• **House File 1796**: Livestock Investment Grant Program Modifications.
• But we work hard, 365 days a year in all weather, and we know how to do it.
• From statute escapes result from forces outside of their farmers' control, oftentimes weather-related
• proposals to the DNR to our wildlife biologists, who will review them, approve those changes and modifications

Transcript Highlights:

• As well as amending criminal penalties for possession of investment or weather modification and geoengineering
• What is geoengineering and weather modification?
• On a smaller scale, here in Texas, we have the South Texas Weather Modification Association.
• We do not give implied or informed consent to any weather modification or geoengineering in the state
• That's a prohibition on weather modification. Did get a hearing. It didn't go anywhere.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• or weather modification and geoengineering technology while owning a redevelopment contract, such as
• What is geoengineering or weather modification?
• On a smaller scale here in Texas, we have the South Texas Weather Modification Association.
• We do not give implied or informed consent to any weather modification or geoengineering in the state
• That's a prohibition on weather modification. It didn't get a hearing. It didn't go anywhere.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions. The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood. Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as the these weather the event.
• <00:55:31.839> pattern there's a serious weather pattern there's a serious weather pattern
• Or do they must wait for the National Weather Service to declare a weather alert?
• Or do they must wait for the National Weather Service to declare a weather alert?
• uh a declaration by the National Weather uh a declaration by the National Weather Service<02:16:

Keywords: 1189, house, all