Transcript Highlights:

• Natural resources is a priority.
• resources is a priority and then natural resources is a priority that's<00:01:56.600><c> that's</c><
• </c><00:02:06.560><c> which</c> ourselves against future disasters which ourselves against future disasters
• It's probably going to be a multi-hundred-billion-dollar disaster.
• And they, you know, they will have to make some decisions both on the disaster and what cuts may come

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> his tireless medical missions, disaster his tireless medical missions, disaster relief<00:19:31.760
• relief after Hurricane Helen, disaster relief after Hurricane Helen, which<00:52:33.040><c> is</c><00
• up from disasters, vital to making<00:52:56.960><c> sure</c><00:52:57.119><c> that</c><00:52:57.440>
• </c> will make sure that these disaster will make sure that these disaster relief<00:53:58.800><c> efforts
• </c><03:02:33.680><c> will</c> is my prediction that this disaster will is my prediction that this disaster

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, September 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• disaster that impacts counties, because we have an all-at-once statewide implementation and even our
• It's almost a disaster. Hello again, Chair Jackson and members of the committee.
• And so it pales in comparison with all the disasters that we have, we currently are dealing with.
• And so it pales in comparison with all the disasters that we have, we currently are dealing with.
• It would set up a disaster fund for foster youth. It has a $2 million accompanying budget request.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability. The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action. The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• ASR project would store treated drinking water in a natural aquifer, minimizing evaporation water loss
• time data, predictive modeling, and transparent tools to access groundwater scarcity or prepare for natural
• disaster.
• Disasters to ensure transparency the board already publishes key data on its website including bond protections
• Thank you, Chair Martinez and members of the Natural Resources Committee for the opportunity. to present

Bills: HB1523 , HB2109 , HB2694 , HB3525 , HB3898 , HB4646 , HB5188 , HB5219 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5655 , HB5659 , HB5662 , HB5672

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• But at the same time, you don't build a ship for every disaster because the next one's going to be different
• If it's a natural disaster, we're going to be in support of TDEM.
• The threats confronting our state today are complex, coordinated, and transnational in nature.
• Right now we have coordination for intelligence and briefings of that nature, but I'd like to see more

Bills: SB36 , SB2202 , SB 36

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Transcript Highlights:

• build the ship and then walk away from it, but at the same time you don't build a ship for every disaster
• If it's a, if it's a natural disaster, we're going to be in support of TDEM.
• The threats confronting our state today are complex, coordinated, and transnational in nature.
• implementation side right now we are, you know, have coordination for intelligence and briefings in that nature

Bills: SB 36 , SB 2202

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in regards to disaster preparedness, urban retail water suppliers, and public water systems and
• In response to these unprecedented disasters, our public water systems have invested significant time
• question that I have is that the public strongly supports more transparency after we've had these disasters
• within the statutory licensee definition, and not all license operator licenses are commercial in nature
• And so for the senator, I just wanted to figure out what was the nature of it, the hobby rocketry, I

Summary: The Committee on Emergency Management heard several bills related to public safety, wildfire preparedness, and fireworks regulation. SB 1299, by Senator Arreguín, would place in statute a certification and training framework for fire sprinkler fitters and apprentices after a court decision disrupted prior State Fire Marshal regulations. Supporters said the bill would protect life safety by ensuring qualified installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems, while opponents raised concerns about added costs, housing affordability, and labor-related effects. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Labor and Employment on a roll call vote, with DeMaio and Hadwick voting no. SB 1153, by Senator Caballero, would require urban retail water suppliers to incorporate wildfire-specific procedures into emergency plans and clarify that water systems are not designed to serve as wildfire defense systems. Supporters from water agencies and fire organizations said the bill would improve coordination, planning, and ratepayer protection while acknowledging infrastructure limits. Members discussed transparency, backup generators, and whether the bill should require more public disclosure; the author said he would continue working on possible amendments. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. SB 828, by Senator Cabaldon, responds to the Esparto fireworks warehouse explosion by requiring fireworks licensees to disclose storage locations, verify local permits, and meet other compliance conditions. The author said the bill was developed with the State Fire Marshal and local public safety partners to close information gaps and improve enforcement. An opposition witness argued the permit-verification requirements could not be met in all jurisdictions, especially for hobby rocketry and small-scale uses, prompting discussion about clarifying different rocket categories and administrative implementation. The committee passed SB 828 as amended to the Committee on Local Government, and the meeting then adjourned after all bills were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, with first responders protected Charles Chapman: by paper on this bill, it leads to disaster
• A growing need in many communities is resilience, disaster preparedness and recovery.
• The biggest complaint I had from residents following Hurricane Helene and Milton was the need for disaster
• are tasked with water supply, water quality, flood protection and flood management, and maintaining natural
• We talked about many already from a regressive nature to new homeowners having to pay substantially more

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray that you will take away our natural temptation for cynicism, denial, fear, and despair.
• Naturally, the K-wave, K-pop, from the Korean cinema to cuisine and literature, and the Nobel Prize was
• There are so many ways to quantify the cost of the disaster: financial, psychological, public health.
• neighbors they love, the pets that they held dear, just as they had in some cases during previous disasters
• neighbors they love, the pets that they held deer, just as they had in some cases during previous disasters

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Congress had appropriated extra money in contingency funds in case there's a natural disaster or other
• A natural disaster is a really important one.
• Maybe they didn't meet all the regular low-income qualifications, but they did meet other disaster qualifications

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• authority to respond to federal changes that are coming down the line, to be prepared and respond to natural
• disasters, and continue to be.
• working on the interstate health complex. $150,000 for NMSU's camp program, $30 million to respond to disasters
• We helped responses for natural disasters. We saved rural hospitals.

Transcript Highlights:

• $20 million. ...more recurring revenue stream for the Disaster Relief and Resiliency Fund and dedicate
• $20 million of this fund, given that disaster relief has emerged as a major financial exposure for the
• We recognize that the operating budget, because of its nature, tends to lean more towards education.
• We do larger reports that are more comprehensive in nature.
• We do larger reports that are more comprehensive in nature.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'd like you to think particularly about in the aftermath of a natural disaster, a flood, or a bad
• disaster would be prohibited, if you can imagine that.
• And I'd like you to think particularly about in the aftermath of a natural disaster, a flood, or a bad
• disaster would be prohibited, if you can imagine that.
• disasters in the state of Washington.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• provided to municipalities after a natural disaster.
• after a natural disaster<00:58:48.400><c> I'm</c><00:58:48.640><c> here</c><00:58:48.920><c> to</c><
• disaster hits their community.
• disaster.
• disaster.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, if there's a natural disaster that happens and it closes off the walkway, it's going to be very
• </c><01:19:16.719><c> case</c> fiscal requests for the disaster case fiscal requests for the disaster
• Thank you for all natural resources.
• </c> the Department of Land and Natural the Department of Land and Natural Resources.<05:04:33.680><c
• </c> go to the border of land of natural go to the border of land of natural resources<06:02:00.798><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• order the state Civil Air Patrol into active service to provide cadet training, communications, disaster
• This includes things like aerial surveys over wildfire areas, flood zones, and other disaster locations
• Again, that's a governor's disaster response account sort of bill, just like any other state active duty
• pair of eyes you've got in the air that will help you fight a forest fire, a flood, or any other natural
• disaster or aid in search and rescue is a good thing.

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee held public hearings on three bills and then a work session on tourism. House Bill 2365, concerning digital equity programs, would shift more responsibility to the Broadband Office, rename the Digital Equity Opportunity Program as the Digital Opportunity Program, expand the forum’s role, and require more reporting and outreach on broadband adoption and affordability. The prime sponsor and several advocates from community organizations, PTA, and digital navigation groups supported the bill, emphasizing the need for digital skills, cybersecurity, affordability, and trusted community partners. Commerce testified that the bill has technical and fiscal concerns and would add costs, and the sponsor said amendments were likely to reduce the fiscal impact. The hearing on HB 2365 was then closed. House Bill 2446 would direct the Department of Commerce to develop a state quantum strategy by June 30, using non-state funding if possible, to identify growth areas, partnerships, and workforce and economic impacts for the quantum industry. The prime sponsor, industry representatives, and technology organizations supported the bill as a way to keep Washington competitive with other states and build a quantum ecosystem. Committee members raised questions about fiscal impact, private funding, regulatory capture, and cybersecurity risks, including concerns about quantum’s effect on passwords and AI-related harms. A Microsoft representative requested a technical amendment to broaden the definition from quantum computing to quantum technology and said the company would follow up on funding and AI-regulation questions. The hearing on HB 2446 was closed. House Bill 2357 would create a Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department, allowing the governor to activate it for cadet training, communications, disaster relief, cybersecurity, search and rescue, and related missions. The sponsor, the adjutant general, the Civil Air Patrol commander, and a veterans coalition representative all supported the bill, citing recent flood response work, emergency preparedness, and youth training benefits. Testimony emphasized that the proposal would clarify coordination, not change federal authorities, and would not create a fiscal impact. The hearing on HB 2357 was closed without any amendment requests. In the work session on tourism, State of Washington Tourism and industry partners presented recommendations from an advisory group calling for a more sustainable, industry-led funding model, likely through an assessment or visitor-fee structure. They argued Washington is underfunded compared with western peers and estimated that a competitive program could generate $14.6 billion in additional visitor spending over the next decade, along with significant tax revenue and lodging tax growth. Speakers from tourism, the wine commission, hospitality, and advisory group leadership stressed predictable funding, industry governance, and statewide benefits, while committee members discussed international tourism, regional access, and the need to avoid further decline in the sector. The meeting adjourned early after the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• be there to help the people of the Golden State prepare for and rebuild from wildfires and other disasters
• What all of this context shows is the historic nature of this moment, and Senator Limón's ascendance
• Governor Gavin Newsom, thank you for your leadership through countless storms, wildfires, natural disasters
• We are home of the modern environmental movement, protecting natural resources that we know we cannot
• In the forces that we've had to grapple with, with the powers of Mother Nature, from the 1925 earthquake

Summary: The California State Senate held a special ceremonial session to swear in Monique Limón as the 50th President Pro Tempore, described throughout the event as the first Latina to hold the post and only the second woman to lead the chamber. The session opened with acknowledgments of statewide officials, tribal leaders, members of Congress, former legislative leaders, and other guests, followed by a quorum call, suspension of Senate Rule 55 to allow guests and media on the floor, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a land acknowledgement honoring the Miwok, Nisenan, Patwin, and Southern Maidu peoples. The ceremony included musical performances by Mariachi Bonitas and the Sacramento Women’s Choir/Genesis Church, after which several senators delivered remarks praising Limón’s leadership, coalition-building, work on education, labor, child care, wildfire response, and her role as a trailblazer for women and Latinas in California politics. Speakers also referenced the state’s fiscal challenges, federal policy concerns, and the importance of inclusive leadership. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero administered the oath of office, and Limón was formally introduced as President Pro Tempore. In her acceptance remarks, Limón thanked her predecessor Mike McGuire, Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and her colleagues, family, and supporters. She emphasized her immigrant family background, the importance of education, child care, consumer protection, labor rights, and support for working families, and said California must continue to protect immigrants and expand opportunity. The Senate then announced a reception in the Capitol Rotunda and adjourned/recessed until January 8, 2026 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill was to describe it: it requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease public
• I need to describe it: it requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease public lands for
• </c> requires the board of land and natural requires the board of land and natural resources<00:11:46.000
• Uh, let's proceed with SB 1296 relating to disaster recovery, and this is for the reconstruction development
• special management areas, disaster recovery, and wildfire recovery.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• homes and licensed centers that experienced damage and service interruptions during the declared disasters
• Because of each fund source and specific disasters in particular years, there is an overlap in the grants
• Because of each fund source and specific disasters in particular years, there is an overlap in the grants
• Lastly, we recommend exploring the alignment of the federal disaster relief grant and the child care
• This alignment strengthens statewide disaster recovery efforts and maximizes funding impacts, and helps

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held a hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, with no votes taken. The first major topic was child care and early education, where the Department of Social Services and Department of Finance outlined proposed changes to absorb federal Child Care and Development Fund and Proposition 64 revenue reductions, shift some funding between child care programs, end funding for prospective pay implementation now that the federal requirement has been rescinded, adjust the alternative payment administration structure, and fund child care infrastructure grants and a Low-Income Investment Fund contract closeout. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the budget makes progress on the structural deficit but recommended maintaining the administration’s solution level, making reserve deposits, and avoiding new ongoing commitments; it also raised concerns about shifting reductions to the California Alternative Payment Program and about the proposed administrative-rate change. Committee members strongly criticized the proposed loss of child care slots and said they would oppose eliminating those slots, while also expressing support for child care as essential infrastructure. The committee then reviewed California State Preschool Program proposals. Finance and CDE described reductions to the preschool COLA from 2.41% to 2.01%, removal of prospective pay funding, and increases for the QRIS block grant, audit support, and rate reform implementation. Trailer bill language would codify age-based rate categories, inclusion-rate documentation, family fee collection rules, portability, and excused absences. CDE supported the QRIS increase and some attendance and family-fee changes, but warned that aligning three- and four-year-old rates could reduce support for three-year-olds and that the budget does not fully cover enrollment growth. Members also questioned whether the preschool and child care slot reductions should be reallocated rather than terminated, and the administration said the reductions were intended to reflect current utilization and avoid harm to currently enrolled families. The hearing then moved to CalFresh and nutrition programs. CDSS said the May Revision includes a one-time CalFood augmentation, funding to cover federal SNAP administrative cost-share pressures, and additional staffing and technical assistance to implement HR 1 changes, including the able-bodied adults without dependents time limit and new non-citizen eligibility rules. The department estimated HR 1 could cut CalFresh funding by $2.3 billion to $3.7 billion annually and affect about 500,000 people, with roughly 806,000 adults potentially subject to the time limit and about 34,000 non-citizens expected to lose eligibility once fully implemented. Members pressed for stronger harm mitigation, including a $98 million backfill to protect families from losing food benefits, and raised concerns about county workload and the “chilling effect” on immigrant participation. The final portion of the transcript began the IHSS presentation, noting a revised budget of $33.7 billion total funds and $12.8 billion General Fund, with proposed reductions tied to Medi-Cal asset-limit changes and other federal conformity items.

Transcript Highlights:

• We cannot allow Washington to continue this dysfunction and derail disaster recovery or to let the disaster
• disaster recovery fund is about to run out<00:13:18.800><c> of</c><00:13:19.040><c> money,</c><00:13
• </c><00:13:49.519><c> recovery</c> dysfunction and derail disaster recovery dysfunction and derail disaster
• relief fund run or to let the disaster relief fund run dry.<00:13:55.040><c> I</c><00:13:55.680><c>
• relief fund so that Western the disaster relief fund so that Western North<00:14:11.839><c> Carolina

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, April 30, 2026, 1012, house, all