Video & Transcript : 'forest counties' :
Page 14 of 500
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- and Development, the County of Hawaii Planning Department, Council Member Pelton from the Maui County
- ,</c><01:38:24.640><c> the</c><01:38:24.760><c> County</c> County uh from Hawaii County, the County County
- uh from Hawaii County, the County of<01:38:25.120><c> Hawaii</c><01:38:25.400><c> Department</c><01:
- </c><02:44:23.960><c> of</c> in collaboration with the County of in collaboration with the County of
- </c> and save money, whether it is county and save money, whether it is county dollars<05:53:52.080><
Bills:
HB2459 , HB1616 , HB1799 , HB1604 , HB1732 , HB1736 , HB1931 , HB772 , HB2153 , HB2122 , HB2009 , HB2012 , HB1779 , HB2296 , HB2397 , HB2398 , HB1596 , HB2233 , HB1976 , HB1563 , HB815 , HB1655 , HB1851 , HB1941 , HB2037 , HB1635 , HB2201 , HB1943 , HB1163 , HB2452 , HB2429 , HB2148 , HB2306 , HB2007 , HB2049 , HB2616
Committee:
House Finance
Keywords:
food innovation, agribusiness, food safety, market access, branding, economic diversification, performance indicators, agriculture, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, housing development, commercial projects, county authority, public works, construction standards, exemption, zoning, housing
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Should cities and counties have a public process to adopt their legislation?
- of the County Court of Law.
- That's not controversial in the House and Senate representation for that county.
- I knew Bruce Elephant, who was the former Travis County clerk.
- I feel that each polling location I've worked, whether it's been in Travis County, Harris County or in
Bills:
SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB 6 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Keywords:
SB 6, Woman and Child Protection Act, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, pro-life, pro-choice, Texas abortion law, civil liability, qui tam, private enforcement, bounty hunter law, attorney general, parens patriae, abortion litigation, anti-SLAPP, Texas Citizens Participation Act, fee shifting
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Ty Mentor, Chair of the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners.
- My name is Ty Mentor, Chair of the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners.
- forest lands in the Niswally watershed and continuing to operate them as working forests.
- The Nisqually Community Forest, Carbon Canyon Community Forest, and Green Mountain Community Forest will
- The Nisqually Community Forest, Carbon Canyon Community Forest, and Green Mountain Community Forest will
Bills:
HB2295
Committee:
House Capital Budget
Keywords:
Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 02/26/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- How can you grow a forest and have solar panels in the same spot?
- On Staten Island, we had this wonderful forest, pretty old growth.
- When I was county executive in Chautauqua County, we had a company that wanted to put solar panels on
- When I was county executive in Chautauqua County, we had a company that wanted to put solar panels on
- WHEN I WAS COUNTY EXECUTIVE IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and then recognized several guest groups, including the Shenendehowa High School girls varsity cross country team and tennis champion Jolie Chichak, as well as the Downsville Central School Student Council. Senator Tedisco introduced the Shenendehowa athletes, highlighting their state and federation championships and strong academic records, and Senator Oberacker introduced the Downsville students. The chamber extended courtesies to the guests.
The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills and resolutions. Among the measures approved were a bill designating Overdose Awareness Day, a real property tax bill, a public authorities bill, several education-related bills, a private housing finance bill, a workers’ compensation bill, and a labor law bill. Some items were laid aside before later being taken up, including the cannabis bill and the environmental conservation bill. Votes were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with a few recorded negatives on certain bills.
The most extensive debate centered on Calendar 261, Senator May’s environmental conservation bill concerning renewable energy installations and transmission on state reforestation lands. Senator Walczyk and others questioned whether the bill would allow solar, wind, battery storage, tree cutting, herbicide use, and reduced environmental review, while supporters argued the bill was mainly about transmission corridors, climate goals, and preserving flexibility for DEC oversight and mitigation. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed 42-13.
The Senate also passed Calendar 353, Senator Ramos’s labor law bill addressing class action wage recovery and statutory damages. Supporters said it would clarify the law so workers can recover full wages in class actions, while opponents warned it could encourage litigation against small businesses over technical payroll errors. The bill passed 47-8. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until March 4, 2026, with intervening days as legislative days.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- So today, the State Forester, Ms.
- Their forest didn't burn because they took the time to thin and clean up their forest.
- Given by a New Mexico forester after years and years of research, that a healthy forest was a forest
- Forest Service.
- County Commissioner too, Senator.
Committee:
Senate Senate Conservation
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Tourism Mar 4th, 2026
Special Committee on Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- , and the surrounding counties.
- That is in Kansas City, Missouri, and it does encompass Jackson County, parts of Jackson County, and
- Without fungi, our forests would not thrive.
- ecosystem from canopy to forest floor.
- They're the managers of our forests.
Committee:
House Special Committee on Tourism
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Jul 2nd, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Harrington Forest Research Center.
- in New Mexico forests.
- Since I've been state forester, I was able using federal funding to put an additional forester on each
- Our county treasurers, county clerks, and the county commission, because as you all know, they are the
- If Santa Fe County is allowed to make its own map and it butts up against Rio Arriba County and they
Committee:
House Water & Natural Resources Committee
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee May 1st, 2025
Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- County Deputy CEO of Natural Resources Barry Bean.
- I'm Imperial County Supervisor, District 4, which encompasses Lithium Valley in Imperial County.
- So many of our water sources originate in national forest lands.
- I also represent Trinity County, which has nearly 90% of its acreage in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest
- This forest and other national forests in my district sustain tribal communities and thousands of rural
Committee:
House Natural Resources
Summary:
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee heard two items: AB 1016 by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez and AJR 10 by Assembly Member Rogers. AB 1016 would expand the local permitting pilot for geothermal power plants in Imperial County and other geothermal-rich areas, allowing larger projects through 2030. Gonzalez and Imperial County supporters said the bill would support clean baseload power, create jobs in a high-unemployment region, and generate local tax revenue for schools and other public services. The State Building Trades and the Independent Energy Producers Association testified in support, and there was no opposition.
Committee members praised geothermal energy and discussed ongoing amendments, including language related to project size and coordination with labor. After quorum was established, the committee voted the bill out on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations; the roll was held open and later additional members voted aye, bringing the total to 14 votes.
AJR 10 called on the federal government to oppose Forest Service staffing cuts, with Rogers arguing that reduced staffing threatens wildfire prevention, water resources, recreation, rural jobs, and forest health in California. No opposition was presented. The committee adopted the resolution on a motion to be adopted, and the roll was also held open before later votes brought it to 14 ayes. The hearing then concluded.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- If you look on page six, line 634, right at the bottom, the Itasca County Memorial Forest project is
- up there to be under county forest management.
- </c><00:09:00.160><c> Memorial</c><00:09:00.640><c> Forest</c> bottom that itasa County Memorial Forest
- bottom that itasa County Memorial Forest project<00:09:01.560><c> is</c><00:09:02.079><c> an</c><00:
- 00:09:10.000><c> forest</c> there to be under under County forest there to be under under County forest
Bills:
HF1250
Committee:
House Legacy Finance
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Tourism Mar 4th, 2026
Special Committee on Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- , and the surrounding counties.
- And you can actually find that in, according to the USDA Forest Service, forest inventory and analysis
- ecosystem from canopy to forest floor. ...completes the picture of our forest ecosystem from canopy
- to forest floor.
- They’re the managers of our forests.
Committee:
House Special Committee on Tourism
Summary:
The Special Committee on Tourism met with 11 members present, established a quorum, and first went into executive session, where House Bill 2796 was voted do pass unanimously, 13-0. The committee then moved to public hearings.
House Bill 2307, sponsored by Rep. Hayden, would designate the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico as the official military academy of the state. The sponsor and supporters said the academy is active, nationally recognized, and important to tourism, recruitment, and the local economy. The academy president testified that it brings an estimated $20 million to $22 million in economic impact and employs 122 people, and other supporters, including alumni and staff, described its educational value and statewide visibility. Members asked about the closure of other military academies and whether the bill would bring tourism and help recruitment.
House Bill 3264, sponsored by Rep. Johnson, would make Kansas City the barbecue capital of Missouri. The sponsor highlighted Kansas City’s barbecue history, meatpacking roots, signature styles, and major restaurants and events. Members joked about Kansas City versus St. Louis barbecue and discussed possible promotion, but no opposition was offered. House Bill 3074, sponsored by Rep. Fountain Henderson, would designate April 30 as William Lacy Clay Sr. Day. The sponsor and NAACP testimony emphasized Clay’s civil rights leadership, long congressional service, and legacy of public service and education, with support also noting plans for community and school observances.
House Bill 1960, sponsored by Rep. Peters, would designate the smooth chanterelle as Missouri’s official state mushroom. The sponsor and a long list of witnesses from the Missouri Mycological Society, educators, and children testified that the mushroom is native, edible, easy to identify, ecologically important, and tied to Missouri’s hardwood forests and outdoor education. Members asked about safety, look-alikes, and whether it was hallucinogenic; witnesses said it is not psychoactive and is generally safe when properly identified. The chair closed by praising the testimony and indicating support for advancing the bill, and the committee adjourned after concluding the hearing on HB 1960.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (02/18/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Hampshire the um Department of forest Hampshire the um Department of forest and<01:28:35.840><c>
- </c><01:29:40.800><c> Land</c> comes to state land or County Land comes to state land or County Land
- ...what the impact would be for state-owned forests and how that would impact the use of the forests
- It's only limited to counties or state forests. So does that help form your question?"
- It's only limited to counties or state forests. So does that help form your question?"
Committee:
House Municipal and County Government
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Emergency Management Committee and Natural Resources and Water Committee May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Forest sector economic stimulus, science, fuel breaks, resilient forest and landscapes.
- We say, oh, what about my county in my county?
- having a presence in that county.
- a presence in that county.
- Even within the tiny county that Marin County is, probably one of the smallest counties in the state,
Summary:
The joint Senate hearing focused on California wildfire resilience funding, the SB 254 report on natural catastrophe resilience, and how the state should better prioritize community hardening, recovery, and financing. Senators emphasized that catastrophic wildfires have driven major property losses, insurance cancellations, and affordability problems, and several members argued that prevention and home/community hardening should receive far more attention than they have to date. Members also raised concerns about CEQA and other permitting delays, the need for ongoing rather than one-time funding, and whether the state should rely more on the General Fund, utilities, or other sources such as polluter-pays approaches.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state has appropriated about $4.7 billion for wildfire resilience since 2018-19, with most funding going to forest health, fuels reduction, and related landscape work, while only about $65 million has been specifically targeted to community hardening. LAO also noted that future one-time funding is likely to decline, that GGRF revenues may be limited under the new cap-and-invest structure, and that maintenance costs for treated areas could be substantial over time. Senators pressed LAO on why wildfire resilience is not more often funded through the General Fund and on whether current spending matches the scale of the risk.
Cal Fire’s State Fire Marshal described the state’s community wildfire preparedness strategy, centered on home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation, and said the SB 254 report aligns with Cal Fire’s direction. He said California has roughly 4 million homes in the wildland-urban interface, most built before modern wildfire-resistant standards, and highlighted recent streamlining that approved 383 fuels-reduction projects in under 30 days during an emergency proclamation. Cal OES described the AB 38 pilot and FEMA hazard mitigation work, saying federal approval delays have been a major barrier and that the state has hardened 155 properties so far through the pilot, with many more in process.
The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force said the state has coordinated more than $6 billion in state and federal investments, treated over 700,000 acres annually, and is shifting toward more regional, data-driven planning and block grants. Task force staff and Cal Fire both said they are moving beyond simple acreage metrics toward models that estimate avoided loss and community risk reduction, but acknowledged major data gaps on parcel-level home hardening and defensible space. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members discussing possible future legislation and budget changes, including home inspection reforms and continued CEQA streamlining.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Emergency Management Committee and Natural Resources and Water Committee May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- forest and landscapes.
- We say, oh, what about my county in my county?
- county.
- a presence in that county.
- Even within the tiny county that Marin County is, probably one of the smallest counties in the state,
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Riley Thompson, USDA Forest Service Deputy Director. Dr.
- Forests deserve active stewardship, not caution that results in inaction.
- How does that square with your claim that logging promotes forest health?
- Forest conditions have changed and so must our approach. Dr.
- and areas and to just prevent destruction in our forests.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (01/14/2026)
Resources, Recreation and Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Coös County is the largest county, and they have 635,000 acres of forest land or land in documented stewardship
- Kohas County is the largest County.
- landowners keep their forest as forest.
- And owners keep their forest as forest.
- forest as forest and to to manage their forest as forest and they<04:59:45.040><c> may</c><04:59:45.680
Committee:
House Resources, Recreation and Development
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Some... ...that separate out the 21 counties. Some counties have two counties.
- had within an 80% filing in Uinta County as Sweetwater County.
- And Lincoln County has noted deals with Teton County.
- So, county.
- Those funds that the state appropriates can't be used for county roads, the county clerk, the county
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House environment, natural resources committee considers HF1425 3/11/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, the forest in northern Minnesota, our forest has county, state, federal—everybody.
- in in northern Minnesota um the forest in in northern Minnesota our<00:04:52.120><c> forest</c><00:04
- c> our forest has County state federal our forest has County state federal every<00:04:55.440><c> everybody
- Forest lands.
- County when I County acquisition in wona County when I County Commissioner<00:23:31.840><c> government
Summary:
The committee took up HF 1425, which would prohibit the sale of state-owned school trust lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the federal government and instead require a land trade. Representative Skraba argued the federal wilderness law requires an exchange, not a sale, and said the state should trade Boundary Waters school trust lands for federal lands elsewhere, citing potential benefits for logging, mining, and school trust revenue. He said the current proposed sale price was too low and moved to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in a future bill. Later, he withdrew a DE1 amendment and instead moved to re-refer the bill to the Education Finance Committee, but that motion failed.
Testimony was largely opposed to the bill. Aaron Vandal of the Office of School Trust Lands said the exchange option was no longer viable, that the lands have produced no revenue for education for decades, and that selling them is the trust’s last opportunity to generate returns for schoolchildren. Bob Meyer of the DNR supported Vandal’s position and said the agency could not negotiate mineral rights in the way suggested. Aon Clems of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Amanda Hefner of Save the Boundary Waters both opposed HF 1425, though they emphasized different reasons: Clems argued a sale best fulfills the state’s fiduciary duty to maximize long-term returns for education, while Hefner said a sale would harm public education funding, align with the trust’s original purpose, and help consolidate federal ownership in the wilderness.
Members then questioned the valuation and the practical differences between a sale and an exchange. Representative Jacob challenged the low per-acre price and asked about the federal government’s set-aside amount, while Representative Fischer asked how the appraisal was determined. DNR lands and minerals director Joe Henderson explained the valuation came from an independent appraiser, was based on the wilderness restrictions and lack of development potential, and was from a 2020 appraisal that is now being updated. Representative Schultz supported the sale approach and said the state should not transfer the land at such a low price. The committee did not advance the bill to the Education Finance Committee.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 21st, 2025
Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- more resilient forests.
- more resilient forests.
- emissions, and we're contributing to the ability of the forest to sequester carbon. counties in support
- county that has been back-to-back the highest ag revenue county in the country.
- and Alameda County.
Committee:
House Natural Resources
Summary:
The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on large polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would shift costs from taxpayers to the companies most responsible for climate harm, while dedicating funding to disadvantaged communities, home hardening, school resilience, clean energy, and jobs. Supporters included environmental justice groups, health advocates, youth activists, labor-aligned climate groups, and many individual witnesses who described climate impacts in their communities and urged polluters to pay.
Opposition came primarily from the building trades, business groups, and petroleum-related organizations, who argued the bill would raise fuel and consumer costs, create uncertainty for business, and accelerate refinery closures and job losses. They said California already has cap-and-trade, which they described as a better tool for funding climate action and reducing emissions, and warned that retroactive liability for past emissions was legally and economically problematic. Committee members questioned both sides on consumer impacts, job effects, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses the problem.
After discussion, the committee voted 6-1 to pass AB 1243 to the Judiciary Committee, with Assembly Member Ellis voting no and Assembly Member Muratsuchi not voting. The chair and members noted the bill would continue to be discussed, and the author closed by emphasizing the need to fund climate resilience while holding polluters accountable. The transcript then began a separate presentation on a wildfire mitigation bill, with the author introducing committee amendments and describing wildfire prevention and recovery needs, but that item was not completed in the excerpt.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- My home county, out of Scroggins County, had a hearing on data centers, which the county judge had invited
- or Hudspeth County.
- Texas A&M Forest Service's 540 employees serve communities across all 254 Texas counties by advancing
- the Texas Forest Service, utilities, and landowners to create preparedness plans for every county.
- I have a business in Medina County. My father has one in Burleson County.
Committee:
Senate Natural Resources
Summary:
The committee heard introductory remarks from the new chair and members, who emphasized Texas’ energy leadership and the committee’s focus on natural resources, regulatory certainty, private property rights, and stewardship. The first agency update panel included the Railroad Commission, TCEQ, and the General Land Office. The Railroad Commission reported record oil and gas production, low flaring rates, progress on orphan well plugging, implementation of SB 1150 on inactive wells, new federal primacy for Class VI carbon sequestration permitting, and work on petroleum theft through the STOP theft task force. TCEQ described its broad environmental permitting and enforcement responsibilities, including air, water, waste, emergency response, and implementation of SB 1145 transferring land application permitting for produced water to TCEQ. The GLO discussed management of permanent school fund minerals, lease compliance, orphan well coordination, and emerging opportunities such as lithium extraction from brine and rare earth mining.
Members questioned the agencies about orphan wells, bankruptcy as a cause of orphaning, priorities for plugging wells, contested permits, data center oversight, water rights, and the division of authority between the Railroad Commission and TCEQ. A recurring issue was the need for clearer jurisdictional lines, especially for treated produced water and related treatment, discharge, and land application activities. TCEQ said it was using existing TPDES and T-LAP frameworks, conducting rulemaking, and relying on technical staff and consortium data to develop site-specific permits. The Railroad Commission said it wanted clearer legislative guidance on where its authority ends and TCEQ’s begins.
The committee then took up monitoring charges for SB 1145 and HB 49 on the treatment and beneficial reuse of produced water. Witnesses from the Railroad Commission, TCEQ, the Texas Independent Produced Water Association, the Texas Produced Water Consortium, and the Permian Basin Petroleum Association testified that produced water volumes are large and disposal capacity is tightening due to seismicity and pressure concerns. They argued that beneficial reuse, land application, and surface discharge could help sustain oil and gas production, but only if Texas creates prompt, predictable permitting pathways and liability certainty. TCEQ said it had received and was reviewing multiple discharge and land application applications, while consortium researchers reported that treated produced water can meet high water-quality standards and may be suitable for irrigation, river augmentation, and industrial use. Members pressed for faster permitting, clearer definitions, stronger standards, and more certainty about future capacity and agency roles.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 23rd, 2026 at 10:30 am
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- designated by the county.
- designated by the county.
- the county board trust lands.
- the county board trust lands.
- It'll help DOT, Forest Service, counties, because there are some areas in rural Washington that need
Committee:
House Agriculture & Natural Resources