Transcript Highlights:

• An administrative clarification that when a school board votes to put a school millage on a ballot for
• If the school board asks for it, the county commission must put it on the ballot.
• If the school board asks for it, the County Commission must put it on the ballot.
• Yes, it requires a legislation to put it on the ballot, but if the school board asks for it, you must
• Why are we making that change and requiring them to put it on the ballot?

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• An administrative clarification that when a school board votes to put a school millage on a ballot for
• If the school board asks for it, the county commission must put it on the ballot.
• If the school board asks for it, the County Commission must put it on the ballot.
• Yes, it requires a legislation to put it on the ballot, but if the school board asks for it, you must
• Why are we making that change and requiring them to put it on the ballot?

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Don Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber announced it would take up 11 budget conference committee reports, with no third-reading bills or special-order calendar items. Members were reminded that conference reports were subject to debate but not amendment, and that the required review periods had been satisfied. The first major action was on HB 7031E, the tax package. Representative Duggan explained that the conference report included a mix of retained, modified, and new tax provisions, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related changes, reductions in certain gaming and carbon-related taxes, changes to child care and documentary stamp tax credits, a new refund process for public works construction tax paid by universities and colleges, and other tax administration changes. Debate focused on the bill’s consumer impact, the reduction of the child tax credit from three years to one, the inclusion of firearm accessories in a sales tax holiday, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the homestead exemption provision for certain deployed diplomatic and foreign service personnel. Critics argued the package favored niche or corporate interests over broad affordability relief, while supporters said it provided targeted tax relief and reflected conference negotiations. The House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began presenting the conference report for HB 501E, the state budget, which totaled $114.5 billion for fiscal year 2026-27 and was described as below the prior year’s spending level while maintaining reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major budget areas: pre-K-12 funding included an increase in FEFP, salary increases for veteran teachers, stabilization funding, and support for declining enrollment; higher education included full Bright Futures funding, workforce programs, college operating support, university initiatives, and school guardian expansion; IT funding focused on Palm, ACCESS, APD’s I-Connect replacement, corrections systems, emergency management systems, and cybersecurity grants; health care funding covered Medicaid, nursing home rates, waiver provider increases, ADAP funding and restructuring, child welfare, and behavioral health; transportation and economic development included housing, cultural grants, jobs and rural infrastructure, Visit Florida, Space Florida, highway patrol equipment, and local transportation projects; justice funding included correctional construction, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement grants, and clerk and due process reimbursements; state administration included fire stations, constrained counties, building maintenance, and Safe Florida Home; and agriculture/natural resources funding emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, land acquisition, Florida Forever, state parks, and citrus research. Members then began questioning the budget details, including school voucher accountability, school funding formulas, public defender parity, prison technology, wastewater monitoring in prisons, ADAP policy, SNAP fraud controls and AI-assisted verification, Florida Forever funding, school lunch funding, and coral reef restoration. No final vote on HB 501E appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So urge your aye vote, vote how you want, I'll be voting for A when it comes on the ballot. Mr.
• Hopefully people are prepared when they come to the ballot and make their choices when they just see
• So urge your eye vote, vote how you want, I'll be voting for A when it comes on the ballot. Mr.
• Hopefully people are prepared when they come to the ballot and make their choices when they just see
• Hopefully people are prepared when they come to the ballot and make their choices when they just see,

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have two full years to find an appropriate time to put the referendum on the ballot.
• They have two full years to find an appropriate time to put the referendum on the ballot.
• And as a matter of fact, the city of Scanlon wouldn't have to put it on the ballot at all.
• </c><00:53:34.319><c> Is</c><00:53:34.480><c> that</c> it on the ballot at all.
• Is that it on the ballot at all. Is that correct? correct? correct?

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• publicly evaluate any potential impacts on voters and ensure that changes do not create barriers at the ballot
• inadvertent omission of a Groton-Dunstable Regional School District Committee seat from Dunstable's ballot
• I did submit my nomination papers and was expecting and anticipating to be on the ballot.
• Putting options for a successor on the same ballot muddies the water and makes the election about whether
• addition, for all of those towns around us—Hudson, I think, Marlborough—each of those towns had a ballot

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the ballot initiative process is something that really gives direct democracy to the citizens
• And this puts limits on that process and makes it harder for initiatives to get on the ballot.
• Limits on that process and makes it harder for initiatives to get on the ballot.
• Since ballot measures are inherently for the people of Arizona, and Since ballot measures are inherently

Summary: The House met, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior journal, and first took up a motion to request Senate consent for an extended adjournment. Representative Volk opposed the motion, arguing members should keep working on unfinished business, while Speaker Montenegro said the House had completed its current budget work and was waiting on the governor to return to negotiations. The motion passed 31-20, and the House also agreed to a related Senate adjournment request and to return HB 2415 to the Senate for reconsideration. The chamber then went into Committee of the Whole and considered several Senate bills. SB 1199, concerning the Salt River wild horse herd, was amended to pause removals for a genetic diversity study and received a do-pass recommendation. SB 1399 on Medicaid spending transparency, SB 1496, SB 1497, SB 1582, SB 1713, and SB 1798 were also amended and advanced. SB 1713 drew the most debate, with supporters saying it would expand pharmacist access to basic care and improve rural and veteran access, while opponents warned it expanded scope of practice beyond pharmacists’ training. The House later adopted the Committee of the Whole report, ordered several bills engrossed, and sent SB 1399 to third reading. In a second Committee of the Whole, SB 1214 and SB 1670 were further amended and advanced. The House then moved to third reading and voted on multiple bills. SB 1006, SB 1037, SB 1171, SB 1242, SB 1270, SB 1419, SB 1429, SB 1445, SB 1452, SB 1478, and SB 1566 passed, while SB 1099 and SB 1635 failed on the initial vote. Members then used reconsideration motions to place SB 1006 and SB 1635 back on the third-reading calendar. The session ended with personal privilege remarks recognizing correctional officers, Cinco de Mayo guests, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day, and other tributes, followed by adjournment until June 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• the lengthening to 60 was more and more people are voting early, or by means other than going to a ballot
• the lengthening to 60 was more and more people are voting early, or by means other than going to a ballot
• the lengthening to 60 was more and more people are voting early, or by means other than going to a ballot
• it would have to pass both chambers with a constitutional supermajority and then be placed on the ballot
• it would have to pass both chambers with a constitutional supermajority and then be placed on the ballot

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00 Senate Bill 126 (Sen. McDaniel): 01:21 Senate Bill 37 (Sen. Elkins): 12:23 Adjournment: 21:06, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up two bills. Senate Bill 126, sponsored by Senator McDaniel, proposed a constitutional amendment to limit the governor’s pardon power during the final 60 days before a gubernatorial election and through the transition period, with the stated goal of giving voters more time to learn about executive clemency decisions. McDaniel said the measure was intended to increase accountability and noted it would need approval by both chambers and then placement on the 2026 ballot. Senator Haron raised concerns about whether the proposal could chill pardons and asked about the timing; McDaniel responded that 60 days was chosen because of early voting and the need for public notice. The committee adopted a substitute and then passed the bill with a favorable expression; several members voted aye, Senator Haron passed, and Senator Adams later asked to be recorded as voting aye before adjournment. The committee then considered Senate Bill 37, sponsored by Senator Elkins, which would amend Kentucky law on indigent burials to allow cremation as an option instead of requiring burial, and would require consultation with the county coroner before a decision is made. Elkins described it as a local control measure and said he was working with Rabbi Litman on a possible accommodation for Jewish indigent decedents, since the Jewish community strongly prefers burial and has offered to assume costs in those cases. Questions focused on how long officials must make a bona fide effort to notify a spouse or next of kin and whether the bill would affect current practices; Elkins said it would not change existing policy on that point and suggested a possible floor amendment for additional issues. Rabbi Litman testified in support, explaining the religious importance of burial and the community’s concern about cremation. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed with a favorable expression, though Senator Herron and Senator Tichenor expressed reservations and voted no or passed, citing constituent concerns and the possibility that family members may later seek a burial place to visit.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the ballots already. See? Exactly who's supposed to be there and who's not.
• We have the ballots already. We do this in Pinau County, and we have had no problems at all.
• We had paper ballots. We had small precincts. It was hand-counted. Talk about low-cost elections.
• But Arizona's, we love our mail-in ballots for some reason.
• Some of them, their ballots were shoved into black trash bags and nobody knew where they went.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on the secretary of state in consultation with the attorney general's office to put together the ballot
• So, if you look at 2224 317, I believe it says uh the ballot statement needs to include the estimated
• to to put attorney general's office to to put together<00:04:07.760><c> the</c><00:04:08.080><c> ballot
• statement and to together the ballot statement and to include<00:04:09.680><c> the</c><00:04:10.239>
• </c> 317, I believe it says uh the ballot 317, I believe it says uh the ballot statement<00:07:15.360

Committee: Joint Revenue

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...only wanted to vote for a Republican because there were only Democrats on the ballot, but they still
• Was not on the ballot in October, nor in November, because she ran unopposed.
• even when someone proves their innocence, even when they follow the law, even when they went at the ballot
• to override that process, it sends a message that our participation can be disregarded, even the ballots
• . ...can be disregarded, even the ballots, even though the ballots have been counted.

Bills: SB256

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 256, which would combine the Orleans Parish clerks of criminal district court and civil district court into one office, with the bill taking effect upon gubernatorial signature. Senator Jay Morris said the change would align Orleans with other parishes, improve efficiency, and eventually help consolidate funding and operations, noting that Orleans is the only parish with two clerks and that the criminal side lacks the civil-side revenue streams used elsewhere. Committee members questioned the timing because the election for the next term had already been held and certified, and repeatedly raised concerns that the bill would effectively eliminate an office after voters had already chosen Calvin Duncan as criminal clerk. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill would be constitutional or fair if enacted before the new term began. Opponents argued it would disenfranchise voters, target Duncan personally, and set a dangerous precedent by abolishing an office after an election. Supporters and witnesses for Duncan said the bill was rushed, lacked a fiscal note, and would create confusion about staffing, records, training, and the transition between the two court systems. Several witnesses also argued that the criminal clerk’s office is essential to access to justice and that the data and efficiency rationale did not justify the timing or effect of the bill. Calvin Duncan testified that he ran to improve access to court records after his own wrongful conviction and incarceration, and said the bill sends the message that votes do not count. Other witnesses, including teachers, voters, attorneys, former officials, and advocacy representatives, echoed that the measure undermines democracy and appears aimed at preventing Duncan from taking office. Senator Morris denied personal targeting and said the bill was about abolishing an unnecessary office, but acknowledged litigation was likely. The committee also adopted a three-minute rule for testimony by a 10-3 vote, then began hearing public testimony, with the first witnesses overwhelmingly opposing the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I envision the bill working, is the county commissioners will vote whether or not it goes on the ballot
• If they do, it goes on the ballot and the voters approve a biennial budget, then they'll use a biennial
• If they do, it goes on the ballot<00:19:44.799><c> and</c><00:19:44.960><c> the</c><00:19:45.120><c>
• voters</c><00:19:45.440><c> approve</c><00:19:45.679><c> a</c><00:19:45.840><c> bianial</c> ballot and
• the voters approve a bianial ballot and the voters approve a bianial budget,<00:19:46.720><c> then</

Committee: Senate Rules and Enrolled Bills

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, it is a ballot question, plain and simple.
• This is a mandated statewide ballot question regarding a policy that towns already have the ability to
• They do not need the state telling them what to do and telling them what to put on their state ballot
• Um I think that lastly just ballot.
• And he asked me to put my name on the ballot in his place. And I said, "No." I turned him down.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just handles four different things on the ballot.
• One is The bill just handles four different things on the ballot.
• The other is the ABC listing for ballot language.
• It would also cover any ballot language that would, or any new measure that would...
• on a previously approved ballot measure approved by the voters, that it would so state.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether it be by the ballot, term limits, or retirement, we will all soon be gone.
• logic in the House having the date right before the election, where the sponsoring committee on the ballot
• I don't know why I understand if this was a resolution to put it on the ballot and change it.
• So when you read the ballot how it was passed, it was not passed with clear language.
• So when you read the ballot how it was passed, it was not passed with clear language.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The North Dakota House convened with prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests and student visitors, then moved through a long calendar of resolutions and bills. Early in the session, members honored Mandan High School’s e-sports team for state championships and recognized House Minority Leader Zachary Ista’s birthday. The House then passed HCR 3037 unanimously, urging mandatory reporting requirements for public officials, after committee support and remarks emphasizing accountability in public office. The chamber then considered numerous Senate amendments and final-passage votes on bills covering ambulance service grants (HB 1597), Public Service Commission records and open meetings (HB 1110 and HB 1063), squatter/trespass law (HB 1305), nonconforming structures in local governments (HB 1500), academic tenure policy (HB 1437), retirement eligibility for correctional officers and state radio dispatchers (HB 1274 and HB 1419), a Medicaid dental study (HB 1567), above-ground fuel storage tank regulation (HB 1058), gaming site authorization procedures (HB 1615), an oil extraction tax incentive outside the Bakken and Three Forks formations (HB 1483), and simple assault protections for hospital workers (HB 1341). Most of these measures passed, though HB 1231, which would have created a study on early discontinuation of sex offender registration, failed on final passage. A major point of debate was Senate Bill 2354, which would restrict student use of personal electronic devices during the school day in public and nonpublic schools, with exceptions for medical and special education needs and annual reporting on impacts. Supporters argued it would improve focus, behavior, and mental health, while opponents raised concerns about private-school regulation, logistics, liability, and duplication with a similar bill. The House passed SB 2354, and also passed SB 2112, which temporarily authorizes the Life Skills and Transition Center to serve certain non-eligible youth in crisis, despite objections that the facility should remain focused on developmental disabilities and concerns about repeating past institutional problems. The House also debated and rejected HB 1300 on legislative term limits after extensive discussion about whether the Senate’s date change altered the effect of the voter-approved measure. The session ended with announcements, committee notices, and adjournment until April 8, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, we have an overseas military ballot portal that we're... We have a couple things.
• First of all, we have an overseas and military ballot portal that we're not going to be able to pay for
• So we're not sure how our overseas and military voters are going to get their ballots to us.
• And then also, as you all know, in the past we've done ballot tracking for absentee ballots so you can
• see where your ballot was.

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Secretary of State, the State Land Office, the Attorney General, and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State said its requested general fund budget of $15.88 million was intended to maintain baseline operations, replace lost federal cyber and election support, and address a 12% vacancy rate. Officials warned that the House recommendation still left major gaps for election security, tabulator replacement, campaign finance system upgrades, overseas and military ballot services, ballot tracking, and a new tax lien filing system. Senators pressed about the election fund, county burdens, and the risk of underfunding election administration; the office said the House had provided $15 million for the election fund for the primary and another $15 million for the general election, but not enough for operations or all capital needs. The State Land Office said it was satisfied with the House budget action and had no additional request. Staff described the office’s record revenues, low vacancy rate, clean audits, and proposed new positions tied to forestry, economic development, petroleum, geothermal, and royalty compliance work. Senators asked about long-term revenue trends, forest thinning and biomass opportunities, and bookkeeping around the land maintenance fund; the office said the new positions were intended to generate revenue and support land management, including fire mitigation. The Attorney General’s office presented a budget built around a 0% general fund increase, greater use of the Consumer Settlement Fund, and $4.5 million in special/extraordinary litigation funding. The AG emphasized active litigation and investigations involving consumer fraud, Medicaid fraud, federal funding cuts, Meta and other technology platforms, AI and child safety, gaming compacts, tobacco, and possible litigation over abandoned uranium mine cleanup. Senators asked about scam enforcement, the structure of settlement funds, and whether the office could take on uranium-related litigation; the AG said the office could prepare a litigation budget but warned such efforts would require sustained funding. The State Auditor said the House budget added only modest increases while the office faced about a 40% vacancy rate, difficulty recruiting auditors, and a shrinking pool of public accounting firms, creating risks for constitutional audit responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you brought up, Dorothy’s name was on the ballot. My name was not even on the ballot.
• The amendment prohibits the operation of personal delivery devices and mobile carriers at theme parks
• It prohibits drone delivery services from operating over and delivering within a major theme park that's
• It prohibits a candidate from being qualified and appearing on the ballot if they will, at the time of
• It prohibits a candidate from being qualified and appearing on the ballot if they will, at the time of

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0. The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:56:39.119><c> ballot</c><00:56:39.480><c> and</c><00:56:39.599><c> then</c><00:56:39.720><c>
• Okay, seeing none, uh... ...while she finished her balloting.
• The polling place is sort of a secure and neutral location where you fill out your ballot and hand it
• The polling place is sort of a secure and neutral location where you fill out your ballot and hand it
• The polling place is sort of a secure and neutral location where you fill out your ballot and hand it

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Montana is advancing a ballot measure this November, a bipartisan measure that doesn't call out one specific
• Montana is moving to put this on its 2026 ballot.
• if this bill passes in California, every dollar in California politics, whether it's elections or ballot
• I won't name which one, but one of the petitions that's being circulated to try to add to the ballot

Summary: The Committee on Banking and Finance met as a subcommittee at first due to a lack of quorum, then established quorum and proceeded with an informational hearing on AB 1984 by Assemblymember Rogers. The bill was presented as an effort to reduce the influence of money in politics by limiting political spending by corporations and other state-created entities, with supporters arguing that Citizens United has fueled dark money, eroded public trust, and distorted democracy. Testimony in support came from the author, Tom Moore of the Center for American Progress, Nancy Price of the Alliance for Democracy, and several advocacy groups and individuals, who emphasized corruption concerns, the need for transparency, and the view that the bill would make elections more accountable and less dominated by anonymous spending. Committee members raised concerns about constitutionality, the definition of covered entities, and whether the bill could unintentionally favor wealthy individuals or independent expenditures over ordinary candidates. Assemblymember Rubio argued that the measure could disadvantage candidates from poorer districts and shift power toward self-funded or IE-backed campaigns, while Assemblymember Schiavo and others noted the corrosive effect of dark money and the difficulty of running in a system shaped by large outside spending. The author and witnesses responded that the bill would not eliminate all spending, but would require spending to come from identifiable individuals and reduce anonymous corporate and dark-money channels. Opposition testimony came from the California Chamber of Commerce, which argued the bill would be unconstitutional under First Amendment precedent and would silence businesses and nonprofits rather than solve the underlying problem. Additional opposition was voiced by the California Building Industry Association and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association. The committee also briefly considered and passed the consent calendar, including AB 2607, by roll call vote. The hearing on AB 1984 remained informational only, and no vote was taken on the bill before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• together in the 1980s, and in the 1980s when I was in local government, our local government adopted a ballot
• Our local government adopted a ballot measure with over 80% of the vote to oppose the then-proposed oil
• And the Santa Cruz ballot measure also authorized city money to educate other cities and counties on
• When that ballot measure passed, we on the city council hired Save Our Shores, and a witness you'll hear

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several measures focused on conservation, wildlife access, and coastal protection. SB 1108 would create the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in Merced County to coordinate land, water, habitat, and wildlife corridor protection in the largest remaining wetland/grassland complex west of the Mississippi. Supporters, including the Grasslands Water District and Audubon California, emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, groundwater sustainability, and voluntary conservation easements; there was no opposition. The committee members generally praised the bill’s regional coordination and ecological significance. The committee also heard SB 1021, which would direct the Fish and Game Commission to create a program allowing youth with physician-certified life-threatening illnesses to participate in hunting and fishing opportunities under structured supervision. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate, tightly limited program with conservation safeguards, hunter education requirements, reporting, and a sunset. There was no opposition, and members expressed support for the bill’s intent. SB 949 would designate the Santa Cruz Mountains as a resource of statewide significance, with an emphasis on biodiversity, watershed protection, wildfire resilience, public access, working lands, and collaboration with tribes and private landowners. Support came from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Sempervirens Fund, and several local and conservation organizations; no opposition was heard. The committee also considered SJR 12, which urges the federal government to remove California from proposed offshore oil and gas leasing plans and calls for stronger environmental review and public engagement. Supporters cited spill risks, coastal economic harm, and prior local and state opposition to offshore drilling. All measures were approved by the committee, with the bills and resolution moving forward on recorded votes, and the consent calendar items were also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• together in the 1980s, and in the 1980s when I was in local government, our local government adopted a ballot
• ... ...our local government adopted a ballot measure with over 80% of the vote to oppose the then-proposed
• And the Santa Cruz ballot measure also authorized city money to educate other cities and counties on
• When that ballot measure passed, we on the city council hired Save Our Shores, and a witness you'll hear

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several conservation and wildlife-related measures. SB 1108 by Senator Caballero would create the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in the California Natural Resources Agency to coordinate protection and restoration of the Grasslands Ecological Area in Merced County. Supporters, including the Grasslands Water District, Audubon California, Defenders of Wildlife, California Waterfowl Association, The Nature Conservancy, and others, said the area is a major wetland and wildlife corridor facing groundwater-driven land retirement and needs a coordinated, voluntary, incentive-based framework. Senator Laird noted the bill followed prior conservancy models and moved it forward. The committee later approved SB 1108 on a 7-0 vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1021 by Senator Choi, which would direct the Fish and Game Commission to create a narrowly tailored program expanding hunting and fishing opportunities for youth with life-threatening illnesses. The author and supporters from Field of Dreams and the Angling Hunting Conservation Coalition described it as a compassionate, supervised program that would create meaningful experiences for families while maintaining hunter education and conservation safeguards. No opposition was presented, and the bill was approved 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 949 by Senator Becker would designate the Santa Cruz Mountains as a resource of statewide significance, with supporters from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Sempervirens Fund, Green Foothills, and others citing biodiversity, watershed protection, wildfire resilience, public access, and coordination across public and private lands. Some committee members raised questions about working lands, property rights, and fire responsibility, but the bill was moved forward and passed 5-0 to Appropriations. The committee also adopted SJR 12 by Senator Laird, which opposes the federal offshore oil and gas leasing plan for California waters; supporters emphasized spill risks, coastal economic impacts, and public opposition, and the resolution passed 5-1. File item 3, SB 1085, was pulled, and the remaining consent calendar items were adopted 7-0.