Transcript Highlights:

• The STEM network is a new program this year at NMSU whose purpose is to bring together best practices
• hubs in our urban communities and our rural communities to start to scale up some of those best practices
• In practice, this patchwork approach is often more expensive and more disruptive for families than a
• We've heard the story about, you know, don't feed the bear in the forest because the bear becomes dependent

Bills: SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• core team includes the Duwamish River Community Coalition, Climate Solutions, Defenders of Highline Forest
• It is provider practices and clinics, and ultimately it is our members that provide insurance to their
• It is provider practices and clinics, and ultimately it is our members that provide insurance to their
• It is provider practices and clinics, and ultimately it is our members that provide insurance to their

Summary: The committee began with a work session on aircraft fuel taxes, hearing from WSDOT Aviation about the FAA’s aviation fuel tax rules, Washington’s compliance history, and the potential consequences of noncompliance. WSDOT said the state has collected roughly $210 million in aviation fuel taxes since the federal compliance period began, and that FAA has questioned some of the state’s claimed offsets. Members asked about the federal authority behind the rules, who pays the taxes, and whether Boeing is affected. The committee then moved to public hearing on several bills tied to aviation fuel tax revenue. SB 5989 would redirect a small share of state sales and use tax on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account and require reporting on airport project funding. Supporters, including port, airport, and pilot groups, said it was a measured step toward FAA compliance and airport investment; the bill’s staff summary said it would reduce general fund revenue and increase DOR costs. SB 5898 would redirect hazardous substance, petroleum products, and oil spill-related taxes on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account. Supporters said it would bring Washington into compliance and help airports, while Ecology, counties, and ports warned it would significantly reduce MTCA and related environmental funding. SB 6240 would create a new noise and air quality mitigation account funded by a portion of hazardous substance tax revenue; airport and aviation groups opposed it as duplicative or noncompliant with FAA rules, while community and environmental advocates from Sea-Tac area cities supported it as a needed mitigation source. The committee also heard SB 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides used in Washington agriculture through 2038. Agricultural and logistics witnesses supported it as important for food security, storage, and competitiveness, and staff said it would have a small revenue loss and administrative cost. SB 6231, a governor-request bill, would repeal the sales tax exemption for data center refurbishments while keeping the exemption for original server equipment; OFM and local government groups supported it as a revenue-raising budget measure, while data center, labor, and business representatives opposed it, warning of lost investment, jobs, and competitiveness. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers; OFM supported it as an outdated preference, but pharmacies, wholesalers, and business groups argued the cost would be passed through to pharmacies, hospitals, insurers, and patients and could worsen pharmacy closures. The committee then heard SB 6220, which would narrow and clarify a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income homeownership property by allowing temporary community use and preserving the exemption when property is transferred to another exempt nonprofit. The sponsor said the bill was intended to let a community land trust host local performances without jeopardizing affordable housing plans. Finally, the committee heard SB 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by ISO/IEC 17025-certified labs, in addition to the state toxicologist process. Seattle’s city attorney supported it as a way to reduce a long toxicology backlog and speed DUI cases, while counties raised concerns about shifting costs to local governments and creating unequal access based on local resources. No votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It greeted the ships plying their trades in our waters and made the emerald forests of the Olympics glisten
• So we teamed up, and she just said, 'We're going to look at all the best practices.'
• And so we teamed up, and she just said, we're going to look at all the best practices.
• attorney, he graduated from UPS in 1973, got his law degree at Lewis and Clark College in 1976, and has practiced

Bills: SB5068, SB5109, SB5188, SB5223, SB5280, SB5420, SB5467, SB5581, SB5649, SB5705

Keywords: employment eligibility, firefighters, law enforcement, citizenship, legal authorization, public safety, mortgage lending, fraud, prosecution, financial regulations, consumer protection, broadband, infrastructure, loan assistance, economic development, technology access, criminal offense, fingerprinting, state regulations, SB 5280

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial items, approved the previous day’s journal, and referred committee reports and new introductions. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8669 recognizing National Blood Donor Month after remarks emphasizing the life-saving need for blood donations and the work of blood coalition partners. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8667 honoring Monica Alexander for her long public service with the Washington State Patrol and Criminal Justice Training Commission, with multiple senators praising her leadership, reforms, and mentorship. The chamber then took up a series of gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees, confirming Rosa Peralta to the Seattle College District, Stephen Zimmerman to Wenatchee Valley College, and Tara Lear to Walla Walla Community College, each by roll call vote. After caucus, the Senate returned to third reading and considered several bills, including SB 5068 on law enforcement, corrections, and prosecutors; SB 5252 on property tax exemptions for nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places; SB 5280 on consumer protections for virtual currency kiosks; SB 5124 on patient access and skilled nursing facility discharge coordination; and SB 5436 on interference with access to places of religious worship. Most of these measures were amended and then passed, with SB 5068 and SB 5436 drawing debate over immigration status and protest activity, respectively. Later, the Senate passed SB 5705, narrowing traffic safety penalties to focus on distracted driving in school zones; ESSB 5594, delaying implementation of biosimilar drug access provisions; SB 5169, expanding out-of-court testimony options for child victims and witnesses; ESSB 5098, expanding weapons restrictions to additional public buildings and outdoor public spaces, despite opposition over firearm preemption and self-defense concerns; SB 5188, allowing rural broadband repair loans; SB 5109, making the mortgage lending fraud prosecution account permanent with a fee increase; SSB 5240, authorizing schools to use available anaphylaxis medication in emergencies; SB 5420, ensuring veterans and uniformed service members access to benefits and opportunities; SB 5467, simplifying surplus property sales by water-sewer districts; SSB 5331, strengthening insurance enforcement and restitution authority; and ESSB 5071, updating child endangerment law to include fentanyl and synthetic opioids, with an amendment adding a parenting-alternative approach for child defendants. The Senate also adopted an amendment to SB 5581 to include public transportation providers in safe-system transportation infrastructure planning and then advanced the bill toward final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• take steps to be a leader in methane reduction while continuing to prioritize affordability and practicality
• the rulemaking that are prospective and preliminary and proposed, and as those of us who've ever practiced
• the rulemaking that are prospective and preliminary and proposed, and as those of us who've ever practiced
• expanding mitigation planning to include wildland-urban interface areas where homes are built near forest

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility rates, wildfire safety, carbon capture, methane reduction, large energy users, low-income energy programs, and clean energy supply chains. Early items included SB 613, which would direct state agencies to prioritize reducing methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, and SB 614, which would allow California to move forward with carbon dioxide pipeline safety rules and potentially lift the state’s moratorium on new CO2 pipelines. Both bills drew support from advocates and industry-related witnesses, with no opposition registered at the time they were presented, and the committee indicated it would vote once quorum was established. After quorum was called, the committee took up SB 57, which would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs for large energy users such as data centers to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers and address stranded infrastructure costs. Supporters argued the bill would protect affordability and encourage clean energy use, while opponents, including utilities and business groups, warned it could create uncertainty and interfere with existing regulatory processes. The committee also heard SB 256 on wildfire mitigation and emergency response, including undergrounding, PSPS communication, and removal of abandoned lines; supporters emphasized the need for stronger action after recent fires, while utilities raised concerns about duplicative requirements and public disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information. Both SB 57 and SB 256 were approved on roll calls. The committee then heard SB 647, which would expand and standardize oversight of low-income energy savings programs and performance metrics, with strong support from community advocates and some neutral or “tweener” positions from utilities that sought further work on data collection and implementation. SB 787 followed, proposing a state strategy to coordinate supply chains and workforce development for clean energy industries including EVs, building decarbonization, and offshore wind; it received broad support and no opposition. The committee also considered SB 332, a study bill on utility ownership models and affordability reforms, which drew strong support from consumer and climate advocates but opposition from utilities and business groups concerned about bias, investor signals, and executive compensation provisions. The consent calendar was later approved, and several bills were reported out with votes or held open for absent members to add on.

Transcript Highlights:

• don't have the stats to back it—but my 11 counties, I would guess, are the most affected and all forested

Summary: The committee met to hear four Senate bills, with SB 345 (Hurtado) and SB 793 (Arreguín) placed on the consent calendar and both approved without discussion. The committee then heard SB 326, presented by Assembly Member Calderon on behalf of Senator Becker, which would create a framework for evaluating wildfire mitigation investments and require the State Fire Marshal’s office to develop planning tools, risk baselines, and mitigation scenarios. The only testimony was in support from the League of California Cities, and the bill was moved and passed to the Committee on Natural Resources on a vote of 5-0, with two members not voting. The final bill heard was SB 629 by Senator DeRazo, also presented by Assembly Member Calderon, as part of the Senate’s fire response, recovery, rebuilding, and prevention package. The bill would apply WUI building code and defensible space requirements to areas burned in wildfires, require urban conflagration modeling in fire maps, and mandate annual defensible space inspections in fire-prone areas. Local government representatives said they had concerns but appreciated amendments worked out with the author, while Assembly Members DeMaio and Hadwick spoke in opposition, citing burdens on private property owners and local governments. Despite those concerns, the bill was moved as amended to the Committee on Natural Resources and passed 4-3, with no roll held open before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Corrigan's historical significance, economic contribution, and forward-looking stewardship of Texas forest

Bills: HCR75, HCR93, SB644, SCR2, SCR17, HB2703, HCR92, HCR7, HCR126, HB1615, HB1610, HB1620, HCR86, HCR7

Keywords: Hemphill, bass fishing, tourism, state recognition, conservation, recreational activities, Nacogdoches, Garden Capital, public gardens, sustainability, horticultural heritage, hospice, palliative care, awareness day, healthcare, patient care, state regulation, taxation, education, local authority

Transcript Highlights:

• gratitude for the people of Minnesota, diverse in heritage, resilient in spirit, united by lakes, fields, forests

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the way, if you want to go out in western Massachusetts, it's pretty much forested and farms and
• And by the way, if you want to go out in western Massachusetts, it's pretty much forested and farms and
• And by the way, if you want to go out in western Massachusetts, it's pretty much forested and farms and
• And by the way, if you want to go out in western Massachusetts, it's pretty much forested and farms and
• ,</c><01:10:42.560><c> our</c> and orientation, our forests, our and orientation, our forests, our fields

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• need to stop putting Americans retirement at risk with investments in the corrupt businesses and practices
• First, a scamming practice called pig butchering, which Senator Gillibrand just referenced.
• I guess I just wanted to start, based off of your experience, are there any best practices that you have
• Nobody hears that tree falling in the forest. It happens thousands of times.
• How do CCP state subsidies and the dumping practices that they regularly utilize distort our markets,

Keywords: Chinese Communist Party, retirement security, investment risks, SEC enforcement, Bipartisan action

Summary: The meeting primarily addressed concerns regarding the impact of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American investments and the financial security of retirees. The chair discussed legislation aimed at ensuring the protection of American investors against the risks posed by Chinese companies. There was a consensus among the members regarding the necessity to enforce existing policies that require compliance from foreign companies wishing to trade on American exchanges. The discussion included testimony from various stakeholders highlighting the urgent need to limit exposure to the CCP in retirement portfolios. Additionally, there were calls for increased accountability of regulatory bodies such as the SEC to better shield American investors from potential loss.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:39:07.920><c> Health</c><00:39:08.079><c> Council</c><00:39:08.400><c> and</c> the Colorado Forest
• Health Council and the Colorado Forest Health Council and in<00:39:08.720><c> connection</c><00:39:08.880
• For complaints and the ability to change a rule that is not really working well in practice.
• of translating sign would pose practice of translating sign would pose a<01:58:27.920><c> clear</c><
• This is for the small private<03:15:07.600><c> practices</c><03:15:08.239><c> because</c><03:15:08.560

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the administrator of the Natural Heritage Bureau within the New Hampshire Division of Forest and
• ,</c><00:43:25.280><c> uh</c><00:43:25.599><c> conservation</c> management practices, uh conservation
• management practices, uh conservation planning<00:43:27.040><c> and</c><00:43:27.520><c> land</c><00
• ><c> areas,</c> And within those practice areas, And within those practice areas, uh<00:43:33.920><c>
• The Natural Heritage Bureau within Forest and Lands receives a portion.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Across millions of acres of public land, seven national forests, and countless parks, these wild places
• 20:09.600><c> land,</c><00:20:10.480><c> seven</c><00:20:10.799><c> national</c><00:20:11.120><c> forests
• ,</c><00:20:11.600><c> and</c> public land, seven national forests, and public land, seven national forests
• This competition allows students to address the need for sustainable practices in space by developing
• </c><00:50:27.440><c> in</c><00:50:27.760><c> space</c><00:50:28.000><c> by</c> sustainable practices

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't know where they touch down; they could be in every forest on every island.
• <c> every</c><02:16:32.960><c> island</c><02:16:33.359><c> all</c><02:16:33.519><c> the</c> every Forest
• on every island all the every Forest on every island all the more<02:16:33.920><c> reason</c><02:16:
• No, but like you said, how many people are going to go through the forest and go figure this out?
• and go figure this through the forest and go figure this out<02:23:47.920><c> no</c><02:23:48.640><c

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony first from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson outlined short-term goals to reduce overcrowding, improve living and working conditions, fill vacancies, expand mental health services, and update the correctional master plan. He said the department is still dealing with severe overcrowding at facilities such as OCCC and HCCC, with 947 people at OCCC against a design capacity of 628, and noted 938 inmates are currently housed on the mainland because of temporary repairs at Halawa. He also reported progress on staffing, saying the correctional officer vacancy rate has dropped from 34.3% to 24% through expanded recruitment. The department’s major budget request was $30 million for planning and design for a new Old Triple C project, along with other requests for re-entry services, identification documents, security systems, radios, sink-toilet modules, and trauma-informed care. Members asked about the timing and scope of the OCCC project, courtroom space in new facilities, and the department’s plan to use the funding to improve re-entry and reduce recidivism. The committee then heard from the Department of Law Enforcement on a wide range of priorities. The department described requests to expand agricultural crime enforcement, traffic enforcement, illegal fireworks enforcement, and facilities such as a police building at the DKI airport, a state training center, and new police facilities in central and Leeward Oahu. It also discussed a major IT request for a statewide law enforcement and critical infrastructure notification platform, plus funding for grants management, the Wahiawa Civic Center and court complex, the prescription monitoring program, narcotics enforcement operations, and the narcotics lab. A significant portion of the discussion focused on a proposed traffic enforcement program for commercial vehicle inspections, speeding, and DUI enforcement, which the department said would be funded with federal dollars and would operate concurrently with county police. Committee members questioned whether the effort duplicated county jurisdiction and how the program would be trained and staffed. Members also pressed the department on salary disparities for deputy sheriffs and related vacancies, and the department said the administration was working on a supplemental agreement and placeholder funding to address the issue. Additional discussion covered agricultural crime staffing, the Silver Alert program, and expansion of the forensic lab to handle explosives, firearms, and related evidence. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the meeting moved from the corrections presentation to the law enforcement budget review with questions and answers throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:44:07.840><c> Service,</c> Management and the Forest Service, Management and the Forest Service
• </c><04:44:18.958><c> The</c> management plans and forest plans.
• The management plans and forest plans.
• I want to give a simple example of what that looks like in practice.
• </c> of what that looks like in practice. of what that looks like in practice.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The current practice of investing in coal and other fossil fuels violates this principle.
• I originally joined public service at the Department of Congress because I was horrified by the forest
• and highlights the necessity for the SIB to implement responsible guidelines in their investment practices
• to reduce the exposure of the holdings to companies that have refused to conform their business practices
• I serve as special counsel for criminal practice and policy with the King County Department of Public

Bills: SB5439, SB6109, SB6304

Keywords: investment, thermal coal, divestment, state investment board, fossil fuels, environmental impact, renewable energy, detention facilities, state funds, privatization, criminal justice reform, Washington State Investment Board, responsible investment, sustainability, corporate governance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gratitude rises for Minnesota, its lakes and forests, its fields and cities, its diverse voices and shared

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I take access to Grand Isle all the way up to Kisatchie Forest.
• others that aren't here in the room, the children through adulthood, because in my 40 years of practicing
• put into place to solve this problem, and they're using that as, in my opinion, an unfair trade practice
• This bill takes a practical, targeted approach to fix that.
• First, it defines acquisition costs... ...takes a practical, targeted approach to fix that.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 774, which would extend required hearing-aid coverage for certain individuals up to age 26. Representative Boyer said the bill helps young adults maintain access to hearing aids during school and early work years. The Louisiana Academy of Audiology supported the measure, and the committee adopted technical amendments and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 702, which would require transportation network companies to provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Representative Landry and supporters argued that current law and court rulings have left injured drivers and passengers without meaningful coverage in some cases, especially for riders who do not own cars and therefore lack personal UM coverage. Insurance agents and legal witnesses said they cannot currently find a product to cover the driver in certain ride-share phases, while Uber representatives opposed the bill, warning it would raise fares and noting that drivers already have optional occupational accident coverage and that passengers’ own UM coverage would generally apply. After debate over costs, coverage gaps, and whether the issue should instead be studied further, the committee voted to voluntarily defer the bill. The committee next considered HB 477, as substituted, which would require coverage for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices and associated services. Representative Ebert and witnesses described the bill as a modernization of existing coverage rules so people with limb loss can obtain more than one medically necessary device, including activity-specific prosthetics. Testimony from amputees and a physical therapist emphasized the impact on mobility, work, sports, and quality of life. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably by substitute. The committee also reported HB 76, which updates oral anti-cancer medication parity rules, by adopting amendments that clarify applicability and exempt certain limited-benefit and ERISA self-funded plans. HB 903, which increases the commissioner of insurance’s fine authority, was amended to set higher aggregate caps and then reported favorably. Finally, HB 291, which would prohibit health plans from penalizing hospitals when a member of the care team is out of network, drew support from the sponsor and the Louisiana Hospital Association as a preventative measure against insurer pressure tactics; Louisiana Blue opposed it, citing cost concerns and questioning the need for the bill. The transcript ends during that bill’s hearing, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not grow in dense forests.
• It does not grow in dense forests.
• It does not grow in dense forests.
• It does not grow in dense forests.
• It does not grow in dense forests.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know that forest fires are burning more than twice as much tree cover today as two decades ago
• Biomass is a solution to help us keep our forests more clear and clean so we don't have to worry about

Keywords: 1183, house

Bills: SB2350, SB2349, SB2178, SB2101, SB2373, SB2905, SB3231, SB3296, SB2704, SB3162, SB2885, SB2174, SB3256, SB2333, SB2713, SB2100, SB3012, SB2805, SB2102, SB2478, SB2103, SB3233, SB2678, SB2461, SB2645, SB3247, SB2005, SB2022, SB2083, SB2128, SB2130, SB2240, SB2306, SB2547, SB2603, SB2756, SB2782, SB2818, SB2944, SB2982, SB2986, SB3022, SB3031, SB3032, SB3035, SB3053, SB3288, SB2435, SB2970, SB2938, SB3110, SB3251, SB3322, SB2068, SB2268, SB3046, SB2526, SB2231, SB2448, SB2567, SB3095, SB3264, SB3131, SB3069, SB3180, SB2119, SB2137, SB2209, SB2180, SB2949, SB2431, SB2410, SB3199, SB3245, SB2274, SB2277, SB2175, SB2080, SB2799, SB2491, SB2310, SB2489, SB2925, SB2709, SB17, SB2227, SB2887, SB2006

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, industrial hemp, Hawaii, Native Hawaiian practices, regulation, cultural stewardship, economic development, organic waste