Transcript Highlights:

• uh those species and human activity. uh those species and human activity.
• phones are very active, too. phones are very active, too.
• But yes, it is an eligible<01:30:27.720> activity. eligible activity. eligible activity.
• are eligible and ineligible activities. are eligible and ineligible activities.
• activities as laid out. activities as laid out.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is outdoor recreation.
• So, we're working on developing a campus-specific guide to those outdoor resources and outdoor spaces
• <00:49:53.520> recreation, they they led with outdoor recreation, they they led with outdoor
• Uh the the outdoor recreation important.
• <00:50:22.960> as enjoying uh some of those activities as enjoying uh some of those activities

Bills: HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390, HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390

Keywords: liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, SNAP, food assistance, public assistance, income standards, Department of Human Resources, eligibility, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales

Transcript Highlights:

• We are actively trying to recruit them and walk them through the process.
• We have a very active program.
• and taking advantage of quality-of-life activities.
• So I just want to make sure. the outdoors and taking advantage of quality-of-life activities.
• activity and multiply it by 0.2, you come up with the same dollars that we have now.

Bills: SB36, SB88, SB92, SB97, SB48, SB55, SB58, SB76, SB93, SB89, SB60

Keywords: quantum technology, tax credit, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, foster care, income tax, guardianship, youth services, financial relief, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• These activities require trained personnel and are most effective when conducted consistently throughout
• These activities include removal of pre-existing hazards, cleanup from extreme weather events, invasive
• Who live alongside the Santa Ana River struggle to access recreational activities or open space.
• Excuse me, the 30 by 30 Outdoor for All initiatives as well.
• Excuse me, the 30 by 30 outdoor for all initiatives as well.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of natural resources and related bills, with several measures taken up as the committee reached quorum and many others moving on consent or with due-pass recommendations. Early items included AB 80 on carpet recycling, AB 452 creating a local process for state surf reserves, and AB 823 restricting microplastics in personal care and cleaning products. AB 80 drew broad support from recycling, labor, and environmental groups and was described as a follow-up to earlier carpet recycling reforms. AB 452 was backed by surf, tourism, environmental, and local government interests as a voluntary, community-driven way to recognize and protect surf breaks. AB 823 generated the most extensive debate, with supporters citing public health and environmental harms from microplastics and opponents warning the bill’s language could sweep in products such as sunscreens, cosmetics, and fragrance-encapsulation materials; the committee discussed possible ambiguity and EU comparisons before voting the bill out on a due-pass-as-amended basis to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. The committee also advanced AB 1046, which would create a narrow exemption from SB 1383 organic-waste requirements for certain crop preparers and tree nut processors that do not send organic waste to landfills. Agricultural witnesses said the bill would clarify that their operations already reuse byproducts and should not face duplicative reporting, and the measure passed with support from agricultural and rural county representatives. AB 252, the “Stop Laying Off Firefighters Act,” proposed year-round Cal Fire staffing; the author and Cal Fire supporters argued that wildfire conditions are now year-round and that maintaining trained crews would improve response and prevention, and the bill was sent to Appropriations. AB 571, a targeted CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim, drew strong bipartisan and veterans’ support and also passed out. Later, the committee approved AB 1455, which would authorize emergency rulemaking and streamline future updates for ember-resistant building regulations after recent wildfire emergencies, and AB 687, which would let public agencies use forest-practice rules and timber-harvest plans for certain publicly funded fuel-reduction projects; AB 687 drew some opposition over scope and enforceability concerns but was still advanced. The committee also moved AB 652, allowing alternate members on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District board to prevent quorum problems, and AB 317, a first-time homebuyer housing bill that would exempt certain small, lower-cost homes from CEQA and defer some property taxes; AB 317 prompted discussion about guardrails to avoid unintended use on larger subdivisions. Finally, AB 900, requiring the Natural Resources Agency to develop a stewardship plan for 30-by-30 lands, was heard with broad support from land trusts and conservation groups and advanced on a due-pass recommendation, and AB 738, a wildfire-rebuild bill easing solar requirements for certain disaster survivors, was introduced and discussed with questions about its narrow scope and the number of homes affected.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that was my thought, and that kind of narrows the definition, gives it more to the activities.
• And the bill is really tied to the operations activities of production agriculture.
• of a of of the operations activities of a of of production<00:24:57.720> agriculture.
• represents a broad consortium of outdoor organizations, outdoor organizations such as guides and companies
• contribute to maintaining our outdoor contribute to maintaining our outdoor spaces<01:02:13.520>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have that type of... activity going on in the campus anywhere.
• Activities Director, explicit control of how the RSO process works.
• Sometimes, alternatively, they'll decide, I'm a little shy, I'd rather They're doing activism hub in
• In our common outdoor areas, this is the space that isn't regularly dedicated. for certain university
• In a classroom environment. activities are protected.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's gonna include IPCC and other activities.
• So, really proud of that and seeing that work kind of translate into activity.
• infrastructure Around outdoor recreation and sporting events and activities.
• So we need to be actively supporting that growth as well.
• There is an amazing amount of activity already happening.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 616 promotes outdoor recreation and provides more equitable access to California's beautiful state
• own district, I go to Rio de Los Angeles State Park, and many of our constituents get to enjoy the outdoors
• This program helps break down these barriers, encouraging Californians to explore and enjoy the outdoors
• We love to call it the outdoor district.
• I feel like as our housing situation gets denser and denser, the opportunity to be outdoors becomes more

Summary: The committee heard several water, parks, and wildlife bills. AB 764 would expand the list of exotic non-game birds that can be managed in California to better control mute swan populations; the author and California Waterfowl said swans are invasive, aggressive, and rapidly increasing, while no opposition testified. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 616 would make the State Library Parks Pass program permanent by allowing state parks to transfer annual day-use passes to the State Library free of charge; supporters said it improves equitable access to parks, especially for low-income families, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 293 would require groundwater sustainability agencies to post board membership and a link to Form 700 filings online. Supporters, including the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, argued it would improve transparency and public trust, while opponents said the requirement was redundant and could discourage service on GSA boards. The bill passed, but with some no votes. AB 639 would narrow the definition of dams so certain weirs used for irrigation would not be subject to dam regulations; the author and technical witnesses said the structures pose no safety risk and are already closely managed, while members urged the bill be narrowed further to the Kings River area. It passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 679 would streamline land transfers for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks by exempting those acquisitions from the Public Works Board process. Supporters said it would speed conservation and park rebuilding after the CZU fire, while one member opposed it over cost and broader state land-management concerns; it passed as amended. AB 454 would remove the sunset on the California Migratory Bird Protection Act, making state protections for migratory birds permanent after federal rollback concerns; it passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved the consent calendar, and the meeting adjourned after add-on votes were taken for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• So like the common outdoor areas, these are also limited public forum areas.
• And they can't disrupt university events or competing expressive activity.
• So in a classroom environment, yeah, those types of activities are protected.
• So in a classroom environment, yeah, those types of activities are protected.
• Yeah, those types of activities are protected.

Summary: The joint Senate and House Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education convened for its first public hearing, adopted its proposed rules without objection, and framed the hearing as an organizational, invited-testimony-only session. Members repeatedly condemned political violence and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, saying the committee was created in response to concerns about civil discourse, intimidation, and hostility on college campuses. Several members emphasized that the goal was not to suppress speech but to protect open expression while maintaining order, due process, and institutional accountability. The first witness, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Wyn Rosser, outlined implementation of Senate Bill 37. He described the General Education Advisory Committee, which is reviewing broad core-curriculum knowledge and skills and may recommend reducing the current 42-hour core, while leaving review of specific courses to individual institutions. He also explained the new Office of the Ombudsman, the board’s role in supporting it, and existing training and certification requirements for governing board members. Members asked about enforcement tools, transparency, and whether the ombudsman would investigate complaints involving censorship, retaliation, or political bias; Rosser said some enforcement exists in certain laws, but he deferred on the exact scope of the ombudsman’s investigatory authority and on issues outside the agency’s role. University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis testified that UT Austin supports free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse, and he described three areas of focus: speech on campus grounds, classroom discourse, and how people treat one another. He said the university enforces time, place, and manner rules, expects professors to present alternative views on controversial topics, and has created internal reporting and appeal processes for students and faculty. Members questioned him about heckler’s veto incidents, protests, off-campus participants, complaints about professors, hate speech, and whether the university would protect speakers and students from disruption or unfair targeting. Davis said the university would not tolerate disruptions, would use due process and factual review, and is working to align campus practices with the new law and regents’ expectations. Ricky Adam Jr. of Turning Point USA’s Club America described the group’s campus and high-school organizing, praised Charlie Kirk’s approach to open debate, and said the organization is expanding in Texas. He raised concerns about school administrators and a counselor at an Early College High School in Killeen allegedly interfering with a student club and withholding footage, and committee members said they would seek information and, if necessary, use legislative process to investigate. Members from both chambers reiterated support for free speech, criticized political violence and campus suppression of viewpoints, and stressed that future hearings would continue examining implementation and enforcement issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• call an activity chair, so individuals who are chair users can have the same abilities and activities
• And stay active and on the move, and I'll turn this over to my expert witness.
• Like, we provide some really incredible programming that helps people get outdoors and stay active and
• The bill is for shade structures in rural parks and outdoor recreation.
• It's active care, resilience, and responsibility.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our outdoor recreation works with DED, DNR, and ILR as well to grow the outdoor recreation economy.
• regional outdoor recreation and regional outdoor recreation and regional attractions<01:04:40.880
• release outdoor recreation numbers soon. release outdoor recreation numbers soon.
• months uh federal immigration activity months uh federal immigration activity in<01:11:11.280>
• federal activity on our state. federal activity on our state.

Bills: HF3004, HF3663

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, internships, mentoring, job opportunities, digital platform, online portal, career pathways, youth workforce, employment and economic development, DEED, general fund appropriation, nonprofit grant, social media outreach, digital outreach, workforce opportunities, teen jobs, young adults, career exploration, Minnesota youth

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the result of such savings has led to the loss of economic activity of more than $100 million
• project, buying foreign steel, but a loss exceeding more than a half a billion dollars in economic activity
• However, the economic downfall from losing all of that activity, not just the building, but everything
• No activity was happening.
• , passive, organized, and drop-in activities.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several procurement-related bills. Senator Lovely and steel industry witnesses supported S. 2167/H. 3411, which would require preference for U.S. manufacturers on public construction projects using steel and other materials. They argued that Canadian and other foreign fabricators underbid Massachusetts firms because of exchange rates, subsidies, and different labor-cost structures, causing local job losses and economic leakage. Committee members asked about tariffs, market share, and whether the bill should be folded into broader municipal legislation; the witnesses said public work should stay in Massachusetts and that the bill would help preserve local industry and jobs. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2107, a bill to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in state and municipal contracting. Work Inc. testified that a preference for contractors employing people with disabilities would expand competitive employment, reduce reliance on public assistance, and generate net savings for taxpayers. Members asked about the estimated savings and whether recent federal changes to benefits would affect the numbers; the witness said the figures may need updating but that the underlying employment opportunity remains important. Another bill, H. 3339/S. 2187, would prohibit state and municipal contracts for new artificial turf fields containing zinc, plastic, or intentionally added PFAS. Sponsors and supporters cited health risks, heat retention, injuries, and PFAS contamination, while committee members discussed local bans, disposal problems, and whether indoor facilities or alternative materials could be used. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified in favor of H. 12 and H. 13, which would update Chapter 30B procurement thresholds and allow municipalities to bundle snow hauling and removal with plowing contracts. He said the changes would give local governments more flexibility, reduce confusion between school and municipal procurement rules, and make snow contracts more attractive to vendors. Members questioned whether quasi-public agencies and state entities should also be subject to 30B, and Shapiro said many public entities have their own procedures but that transparency and fairness should apply across the board. The committee also heard support for S. 2150, a software licensing bill aimed at preventing vendor lock-in by ensuring state agencies can run purchased software in the infrastructure that best fits their needs; the witness said restrictive licensing can drive up costs and create cybersecurity and modernization problems, and that similar laws have already passed in several other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have also on Zoom, Matthew Mungeretz, Impact Outdoors.
• My name is Matthew Manhattis, and I'm the founder and director of Impact Outdoors.
• And we have also on Zoom, Matthew Mungeretz, Impact Outdoors.
• My name is Matthew Manhattis, and I'm the founder and director of Impact Outdoors.
• They've also been declining because of artificial pesticides and other human activities.

Bills: SB104, SJR3, SM3

Keywords: wildlife commission, removal procedures, malfeasance, appointed officials, governance, education reform, public education, state board of education, superintendent, chartering authority, constitutional amendment, policy setting, insects, insect workshop, insect identification, ecology, monitoring, management, pollinators, pollination

Transcript Highlights:

• Improving processes for contracting and concession activities at our state park system.
• We have a... very active and robust archival online system, the Texas Digital Archive.
• We also have a very active imaging unit.
• for millions of Texans and those millions of of Texans spend money on outdoor recreation.
• RV, kayak, and otherwise enjoy the outdoors.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . outdoors. outdoors.
• Uh you can also see an outdoor Uh you can also see an outdoor basketball<00:09:30.440> court<
• rooms, outdoor courtyards, there's actually<00:12:23.240> multiple<00:12:23.720> outdoor
• the gym into that large outdoor the gym into that large outdoor um um um courtyard<00:16:10.680>
• therapy rooms, and there's outdoor therapy rooms, and there's outdoor courtyard<00:17:13.360>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: Division Three of the Finance Committee met in work session on April 20, 2026, to consider Senate Bills 481, 603, and 663, with the discussion focused primarily on SB 481, relative to the sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center property. The chair explained that the bill was advisory only and that the committee’s recommendations would go to full Finance on April 27. For SB 481, members reviewed conflicting provisions in the prior budget law about whether sale proceeds should go to the general fund or the Youth Development Center Claims and Administration Settlement Fund, and the bill was described as a compromise that would direct proceeds to the general fund before June 30, 2027, and to the settlement fund after that date. It was noted that the settlement fund had originally received about $20 million and had roughly $10 million remaining. The committee also received an extensive update from DCYF Director Marie Noonan on the new Youth Development Center in Hampstead. She reported that construction remained on schedule, with major structural and interior work complete, substantial completion expected in late summer or early fall 2026, and occupancy anticipated in early 2027. The presentation highlighted the facility’s design features, including single-occupancy bedrooms, sensory rooms, an education wing, medical and clinical suites, visitation space, a gym, and multiple outdoor courtyards, all intended to support a trauma-informed setting. Members asked about the facility’s funding, square footage, fencing, and scanner; staff said the building is about 34,000 square feet, funded entirely with federal ARPA state recovery funds to date, and that the scanner is on site but not yet operational pending policy and staff training. Committee members also raised concerns about the facility’s design and security. In response, DCYF said some concrete walls are required for structural and safety reasons, but they are being painted to maintain a brighter environment, and that the fencing will be about 15 feet high with privacy netting because the campus is shared with Hampstead. Officials said the new facility is legislatively limited to a maximum of 12 youth, while the current center can house 12 to 18, and emphasized that courts ultimately determine placements. No votes or final actions were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• from restructuring existing activities from restructuring existing activities to<00:07:59.280> qualify
• > one 51% of those business activities are one 51% of those business activities are one of<00:
• And they have activity all around it.
• <00:09:22.720> The have activity all around it. The have activity all around it.
• testifying for Outdoor Circle on Zoom. testifying for Outdoor Circle on Zoom.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2693 relating to capital improvement projects for aerospace infrastructure. Members had no questions, and the recommendation to pass the bill with a defective date of July 1, 2050 was adopted unanimously. The committee then deferred decision making on Senate Bill 26980 relating to transportation and Senate Bill 2374 relating to the blue economy until Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Room 229, pending additional information. In the joint hearing on Senate Bill 2816 relating to state enterprise zones, agencies and organizations including DBEDT, HTDC, Taxation, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Oceanit, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the Queen’s Health System testified in support or submitted written comments. One public testifier urged expanding enterprise zones around the Kakaako/Cancer Center area and combining them with the foreign trade zone to reduce taxes and attract business. A senator questioned whether the enterprise zone program had ever been comprehensively evaluated, noting DBEDT said it had not done a full study in recent years and cited annual report figures including about $221 million in company revenues and $460,000 in foregone state revenue in 2022. The discussion focused on whether the bill would subsidize existing activity or support new economic development, and on the broader policy question of whether enterprise zones should be used to revitalize depressed areas or to target strategic sectors like health care technology. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2900 relating to sports officials. The Department of Education supported the measure, saying the Attorney General is best positioned to represent employees in temporary restraining order matters and that elevating intentional bodily injury of a sports official to a class B felony would improve safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it would escalate conduct already covered by existing assault statutes and go beyond other protected classes. The Department of the Attorney General recommended narrowing the bill by inserting “substantial” before bodily injury in the criminal section and deleting a section that would make the AG’s office act like plaintiff’s counsel in civil matters, suggesting instead that departments adopt policies to help employees obtain TROs without creating an open-ended civil representation role. Several sports and school-related organizations testified in support, and members discussed whether the bill should be narrowed or coordinated with other measures before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bird watching is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities.
• In the country, activities like this contribute over $300 million annually to New Mexico's economy, and
• In essence, as we go forward, what we're doing is we're working to make New Mexico the outdoor Mecca,
• Because like you said, I think we are the Mecca in the Southwest for outdoor activities here.
• I mean, that would literally gut their existing management activity.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Rob Howell, Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer for Academy Sports. and Outdoors, and
• We were founded in 1938 in San Antonio, and today Academy offers a broad assortment of outdoor apparel
• They launch investigations, engage authorities and activate their mitigation teams.
• At Academy Sports and Outdoor, we pride ourselves in being a value retailer.
• Federal officials have linked this activity to a cartel operating out of Sinaloa.

Keywords: Committee, Transportation, aviation safety, confirmation, Lieutenant Commander, Deputy Secretary, Bradbury, Hafensteiner, aircraft incidents

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened to consider the promotion of Coast Guard Lieutenant Samuel Hafensteiner to Lieutenant Commander and the nomination of Stephen Bradbury as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. The meeting highlighted ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety, especially in light of recent aircraft incidents. Members discussed the critical need for knowledgeable leadership within the Department of Transportation to address these safety challenges effectively. Mr. Bradbury's background as a former General Counsel of the Department was presented as a strong asset for the role he seeks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allison Cruise from Canton, Mississippi, for the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship
• And I'm assuming you want to hear about me, for what I know about wildlife and outdoors. Outdoors.
• So, basically, I live to hunt and fish and spend time outdoors and take other people with me as much
• activity type things that you can hunt and fish.
• That's the heart of it is that we can get people out outdoors to actually hunt and fish and enjoy.

Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 25 March, 2026; 1:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard from Allison Cruise of Canton, Mississippi, a nominee for the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. Cruise described her personal background as an avid hunter and angler and expressed support for expanding outdoor access and conservation opportunities across the state. Senator Wicker, who said he was one of the authors of the legislation creating the fund, asked about her views on conservation and how the program could better serve the public. Cruise praised the board’s structure, said she valued the requirement for matching funds and project guidelines that emphasize hunting, fishing, and broad public access, and encouraged continued outreach so projects come from all regions of Mississippi. Wicker also stressed the need for careful attention to the application process, asking what applicants can do to make projects more feasible for consideration. Cruise responded that applicants should be audited entities with staff able to answer trust fund questions so the board can track money and ensure projects are sustainable. Wicker noted that many counties still have no funded projects and urged the board to remember that Mississippi is a large state and funding should not be concentrated only in certain corridors. A committee member later noted that Cruise’s portal looked good but mentioned a missing statement of economic interest, which Cruise said she had filed. The committee then moved to advise and consent, approved the motion without opposition, and reported the nomination to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the licensing modernization conversations, which I was very active in, I asked what felt like
• Including the benefits of time outdoors on its own website.
• Outdoors for children and in turn negatively impact their healthy development.
• So that's the idea: we want the supervision to be active and appropriate.
• be active and um appropriate. appropriate. appropriate.

Keywords: 1183, house