Transcript Highlights:

• For kind of the entirety of California, for ports coming in.
• Fish and Wildlife Service, who we work closely with in the ports of entry.
• And of course, our ports of entry officers as well.
• If we are able to catch it at the port, it is.
• And I have had multiple bear visits in 27 years as well.

Summary: The hearing focused on human-wildlife conflict in California, especially predator management involving bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. The chair and Assemblymember Hadwick framed the issue as a balance between protecting people, livestock, and property while preserving wildlife and biodiversity, citing habitat loss, development, drought, wildfire, and climate change as drivers of conflict. Department of Fish and Wildlife officials described their conflict-response work, including public education, depredation permits, wildlife incident reporting, and coordination with sheriffs, counties, and other agencies. They also noted that wildlife sightings and conflicts are increasingly common in both rural and urban areas, including recent mountain lion activity in San Francisco and ongoing bear conflicts in places like Tahoe and Sierra Madre. CDFW staff outlined the department’s human-wildlife conflict program, including the WEIR reporting system, a public toolkit, limited-term staff, and regional response efforts. They said the program grew out of drought-related incidents and later state funding, but that one-time money has expired, creating service gaps. Officials also discussed specific management approaches such as Tahoe’s trap-tag-haze bear program, DNA-based incident tracking, and the use of nonlethal deterrents before lethal action. For wolves, they explained that the species is protected and managed differently from bears and lions, that there is no general depredation-kill process for wolves, and that the department is working on data-sharing agreements, county liaisons, compensation programs, and improved coordination with ranchers and local law enforcement. Members pressed the department on underreporting, trust in state agencies, the need for sheriffs to participate in investigations, and whether more authority should be given for public-safety removals or hazing. Assemblymember Gonzalez also raised wildlife trafficking and border enforcement issues in Southern California. The panel repeatedly emphasized that more resources, technology, and local partnerships are needed. Officials gave budget context, saying roughly $17 million in one-time funding over several years supported conflict response and wolf compensation efforts, but that staffing and program capacity remain limited. The chair concluded by noting interest in further work on technology, funding, and institutionalizing collaboration, and the hearing then moved to a second panel of university researchers who presented on wolf and mountain lion conflict, habitat planning, trust, and the need for flexible, science-based, locally tailored mitigation strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Port, um what I'll suggest is Senator Port, um what I'll suggest is you<00:00:37.120><c> walk
• Senator Port, on the amendment. us. Senator Port, on the amendment.
• Senator Port. Senator Port. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair and members.
• </c> thank you, Senator Port. thank you, Senator Port.
• </c> Is there a port in your last comments? Is there a port in your last comments?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So please go visit her. Um, and we're really happy to see you here today. Thank you. >> Excellent.
• So please go visit her. Um, and we're really happy to see you here today. Thank you. >> Excellent.
• So please go visit her. Um, and we're really happy to see you here today. Thank you. >> Excellent.
• <00:31:13.600><c> of</c><00:31:13.680><c> Baltimore</c> Port of Baltimore Port of Baltimore TradePoint
• </c> businesses small and big, for our Port businesses small and big, for our Port of<00:31:30.240><c

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 26, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with 39 members present and a quorum. The session opened with an invocation by Bishop Antonio Palmer of Kingdom Celebration Center, whose remarks were journalized. The President and members also welcomed several guests to the chamber, including former Delegate Sean Terrence, students from Charles H. Flowers High School and Garrison Forest School, Dr. Lee Snyder as doctor of the day, and Dr. Barbara Ann Palmer in recognition of Women’s History Month. The President also noted that the next day would be pro forma and that some scheduled items would be moved to the following week. The Senate considered Executive Nominations Report No. 6, covering gubernatorial nominees for boards and commissions including the State Board of Education, MEDCO, and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. On motion of the committee chair, the report was special ordered to Tuesday, with members asked to review the list for recusals or related issues. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 890, which concerns an insurance premium receipts tax exemption for captive insurance procured by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems. On SB 890, the Senate adopted the committee amendments and then adopted a floor amendment offered by the bill sponsor. The amendment was described as replacing the bill’s earlier approach with a two-year moratorium on collection of any related liabilities, followed by a Maryland Insurance Administration report back on ongoing investigations. One senator raised concern that the amendment’s language could require the state to refund taxes already paid by hospitals and others, potentially costing millions, and asked for more time to review it; the motion to special order the bill was defeated. After discussion, the amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. At the close of the floor session, committee and delegation announcements were made, including Finance, Triple E, Judicial Proceedings, Budget and Tax, Executive Nominations, and several county delegations. A senator from District 6 also spoke about the anniversary of the Key Bridge collapse and thanked colleagues for bipartisan work on related legislation and recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once the capital of the Republic of the Rio Grande, today Laredo is the largest inland port in the United
• members, some of you may know and some of you may not know Laredo is now the busiest international port
• Day at the Texas State Capitol and extend my best wishes to each and every one of you during your visit
• Residents of Wise County are visiting Austin on February 4th, 2025 to celebrate Wise County Day at the
• So UDD is awesome and please join me in welcom this group of wonderful folks to visit.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll be talking to one of our 30-year employees on our team there if you go visit the table today,
• And you'll be talking to one of our 30-year employees on our team there if you go visit the table today
• Ports were for a while—the smaller ports were—and then we had, I think, a race in Clark County... ...
• smaller ports were, and then we had, I think, a race in Clark County where large sums were raised, and
• then the legislature ended up putting ports into contribution limits.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:46:49.200><c> and</c> United States East Coast ports and United States East Coast ports and there's
• </c> and it would also signal that our port and it would also signal that our port is<00:47:02.880><c
• . port. port.
• </c> &gt;&gt; This first port is basically a study. &gt;&gt; This first port is basically a study.
• I mean I I was surprised because ports.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Kelly Driver, and I am the executive director of the Port of Ponderay.
• My name is Jonathan Eder, and I am the chief administrative officer for the Port of Vancouver.
• WPPA because it provides certainty for both PERS and port districts such as the Port of Vancouver in
• I'm here today on behalf of the Port of Tacoma, also in support of House Bill 2451.
• I'm here today on behalf of the Port of Tacoma, also in support of House Bill 2451.

Summary: The committee took up executive action on the capital budget, Proposed Substitute Senate Bill 6003, and several policy bills. Staff described amendments to the capital budget that shifted funding among behavioral health, local/community projects, irrigation projects, and juvenile rehabilitation capacity, plus a technical fix to the water pollution control revolving program. The committee adopted Senator Dozier’s budget-neutral amendment and a technical amendment, then advanced the amended capital budget to the Rules Committee. It also moved House Bills 2441, 2124, 2471, 2133, 2610, and 2338 forward with due-pass recommendations, and advanced Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251 on Climate Commitment Act accounts to the Transportation Committee after adopting two amendments and withdrawing three others. A major public hearing focused on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, which would terminate and restate LEOFF Plan 1 in 2029, transfer surplus assets, and direct portions to the Climate Commitment Account and the pension funding stabilization account. Staff said the plan is currently about 160% funded and explained the bill’s IRS-review process, statute of limitations, and estimated implementation costs. Testimony was sharply divided: some retirees, firefighters, counties, and cities opposed the bill as an improper use of pension assets and urged benefit enhancements or protection of local medical obligations, while others supported using the surplus for broader public purposes. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2179 on PERS coverage for certain port workers, with ports and the Washington Public Ports Association supporting clarification for railroad employees covered by the federal railroad retirement system. House Bill 1069, allowing Department of Corrections employees to bargain over supplemental retirement benefits, drew support from Teamsters and corrections workers, while House Bill 2091, expanding employee-information sharing with bargaining representatives, drew union support and privacy objections from Washington Policy Center. Finally, Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1210 on targeted urban area tax preferences drew support from labor, local governments, and project proponents, and opposition from contractor groups and environmental advocates over project labor agreement requirements and nuclear-related concerns; Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 on community preservation and development authorities and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1974 on land bank authorities for affordable housing were also heard, with both receiving supportive testimony from community and housing advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Port, if you are ready, please present your bill.
• </c> co-authors on this bill Senator Port co-authors on this bill Senator Port Senator<00:45:50.440><
• </c><01:02:53.119><c> I've</c> money it is clear from every visit I've money it is clear from every visit
• Good afternoon, Chair Port and members of the committee.
• </c><01:25:00.840><c> Senator</c> um thank you uh Senator Port Senator um thank you uh Senator Port Senator

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Once the capital of the Republic the Rio Grande today Laredo is the largest inland port in the United
• members, some of you may know and some of you may not know, Laredo is now the busiest international port
• Residents of Wise County are visiting Austin on February 4th, 2025 to celebrate Wise County Day at the
• And extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. Wise County, welcome to your Texas Capitol.
• Um, this is home to over 200,000 people, 70. 500 businesses and includes the Port of Houston, y'all a

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• went a little too heavy-handed on and deemed some oversight master planning ability over office space ports
• little too heavy-handed on and deemed 49 some oversight master planning ability over office space 50 ports
• They still can finance 55 lease and space port facilities, strategic planning, 56 coordinate economic
• strategic statewide initiative to make sure that we weren't isolating our efforts, whether it be a port
• statewide initiative to make sure that we weren't isolating 194 our efforts, whether it be a port, whether

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met to consider several bills, beginning with HB 335 by Representative Kendall, which sought to recognize space as a fifth mode of transportation, give voting rights to ex officio Space Florida board members, and reduce what the sponsor described as unnecessary state oversight of spaceport operations. The bill was presented as a response to feedback from NASA, Space Force, and other federal partners about clarifying the state’s role at federally owned facilities like Kennedy Space Center. Members raised questions about terminology, authority over federal property, and the role of Space Florida; the sponsor said an amendment would remove the voting-rights provision and instead require spaceports to provide an annual list of shovel-ready projects. The amendment was adopted, and HB 335 passed favorably. The committee then unanimously passed HB 885, which designates a road in Baker County near the courthouse in honor of former Representative and Judge John Cruz, and HB 403, which names a portion of the road leading into NAS Pensacola as Warriors Way to honor the sailors killed in the 2019 Pensacola attack and the broader naval community there. Both bills drew brief supportive remarks and no opposition. The committee also considered HB 25, a bridge designation for Coach Wilks, a longtime local basketball coach, and adopted a Senate amendment adding the Dickey Betts Memorial Highway designation on U.S. 41 in Sarasota County. HB 25, as amended, passed unanimously. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all measures on the agenda were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Uh, Chair Port and Senator Nelson. Yeah.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Uh Chair Port and Senator Nelson. Yeah. &gt;&gt; Uh Chair Port and Senator Nelson.
• Sorry, Pete. >> Thank you, Chair Port.
• <c> and</c><00:35:30.480><c> Ranking</c> Thank you, Chairman Port and Ranking Thank you, Chairman Port
• &gt;&gt; Chair Port and uh Ranking Chair Nelson?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for visiting today, Mr. Kelly.
• MnDOT supports three active Lake Superior ports and four Mississippi River port systems.
• <c> Port</c><00:09:44.640><c> systems</c><00:09:45.640><c> we</c> Mississippi River Port systems we Mississippi
• public ports.
• </c><00:14:56.720><c> on</c> like I'm thinking of the cargo port on like I'm thinking of the cargo port

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• one of the big ones we've been working with is the U.S. 12 Safety Coalition, which is made up of the Port
• So, yes, the Port of Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, along with WSDOT, were co-applicants on a Rural
• So, yes, the Port of Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, along with WSDOT, were co-applicants on a Rural
• So I've been working with the Port of Walla Walla; they're back in D.C. trying to see what they can do
• So that's why we've been working with the Port for them to do some behind-the-scenes work with them,

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for work sessions, public hearings, and executive action. In the work session, WSDOT briefed the committee on the U.S. 12 corridor near Walla Walla and the North Spokane Corridor. Brian White said U.S. 12 is an eight-phase project with seven phases complete, and phase eight would finish the corridor, improve freight mobility and safety, and include a jurisdictional transfer of the old highway back to Walla Walla County. He said the project remains short of full funding, including a gap between the $350 million corridor cost and the $110 million federal Rural Surface Transportation grant, but WSDOT hopes to build smaller independent-utility pieces and begin construction in summer 2027. Charlene K. then reported that the North Spokane Corridor is seven of eight highway miles open, with major remaining work on the I-90 connection and related interchanges, bridges, and trail segments. She described the project as on track for design completion in 2027 and construction completion around 2030, while noting risks tied to federal approval, tight construction space, labor and contractor availability, utilities, and community impacts. The committee also heard from Karen Messmer of the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Council, who summarized the council’s 2025 report and 2026 priorities. She emphasized that pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities remain unacceptably high and urged a safe-system approach focused on safer speeds, roads, road users, vehicles, land use, and post-crash care. She highlighted recommendations including safety-based performance measures, better speed management, more local safety planning support, improved driver education, attention to micromobility and large vehicles, and faster toxicology and crash-data processing. In public hearings, the committee heard Senate Bill 6131, which would expand the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s fatal crash review authority, designate it as a public health authority for limited access to health information, and create a confidential fatality review committee. The sponsor and Traffic Safety Commission said the bill would help identify common contributing factors in all fatal crashes while protecting confidential information; a media representative testified that the bill preserves public access to records already open and supports the goal of improving safety. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6155, which would extend disability parking placard renewal from every five years to every 20 years and remove the need for a health care practitioner’s signature at renewal; supporters said this would reduce burdens on permanently disabled people, while opponents warned it could increase fraud and misuse of placards. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6238, which would raise the minimum tug escort horsepower for oil tankers in restricted waters to 3,000 horsepower or 5% of tanker deadweight, whichever is greater; the sponsor and Board of Pilotage said the change would align statute with current practice and newly adopted rules. Testimony was mixed, and the hearing closed with two people signed in pro and two con. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It passed Senate Bill 5746 on EV charging infrastructure property crime, Senate Bill 5824 on fifth wheel travel trailer length, Senate Bill 6110 on e-bikes and e-motos, Senate Bill 5839 on county ferry district passenger-only service, and Senate Bill 6148 on regional transit authority bond terms, all with due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee. An amendment to SB 6110 adding several state agency leaders to the e-moto work group was rejected. The committee adjourned after signing committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I know Senator Port has mentioned it to me, and I appreciate that.
• Um, and I know Senator Port has mentioned it to me, and I appreciate that.
• Um, and I know Senator Port has mentioned it to me, and I appreciate that.
• </c> Um, and I, and I know, uh, Senator Port Um, and I, and I know, uh, Senator Port has<00:48:29.520
• Um Senator Port was very process.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First on the agenda is Senate File 1035 from Senator Port.
• Thank you, Senator Port. Senator Cek moves the A3 amendment. Any discussion?
• </c><00:00:35.640><c> and</c> workable thank you Senator port and workable thank you Senator port and
• Senator Port, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• </c><01:04:13.200><c> one</c> that's what this is I just visited one that's what this is I just visited

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And his best friend was Carl Parker from Port Arthur.
• He got past lots of infrastructure in Port Arthur including expanding the port he understood big things
• We went over there and visited with the Senator, had a good visit for a couple of hours, and just thinking
• She loved people and they never left Port Arthur.
• I guess I need to go visit with my sources and check, so I'll review it.

Bills: HB 118, HB388, HB 114, HB205, HB2789, HB2791, HB499, HB2960, HB3163, HB3135, HB2427, HB1618, HB1672, HB1722, HB1338, HB787, HB2618, HB879, HB 1126, HB4134, HB3513, HB718, HB1536, HB1445, HB1640, HB1893, HB1734, HB3229, HB3306, HB 1276, HB3272, HB3276, HB3516, HB4145, HB1585, HB4810, HB2989, HB2558, HB3014, HB2742, HB1695, HB29, HB 125, HB145, HB171, HB255, HB50, HB363, HB 116, HB491, HB1495, HB368, HB 1285, HB1905, HB2002, HB917, HB2723, HB2067, HB 1238, HB745, HB 1188, HB1606, HB2003, HB2147, HB2355, HB2546, HB2495, HB2818, HB2249, HB3228, HB3240, HB1507, HB658, HB1748, HB1851, HB1922, HB2798, HB 107, HB1587, HB3684, HB 118, HB388, HB 114, HB205, HB2789, HB2791, HB499, HB2960, HB3163, HB3135, HB2427, HB1618, HB1672, HB1722, HB1338, HB787, HB2618, HB879, HB 1126, HB4134, HB3513, HB718, HB1536, HB1445, HB1640, HB1893, HB1734, HB3229, HB3306, HB 1276, HB3272, HB3276, HB3516, HB4145, HB1585, HB4810, HB2989, HB2558, HB3014, HB2742, HB1695, HB609, HB630, HB420, HB767, HB1708, HB1404, HB2457, HB140, HB227, HB913, HB2198, HB2763, HB 1261, HB 1135, HB1318, HB2358, HB2765, HB2735, HB3307, HB 1242, HB2842, HB333, HB201, HB694, HB2415, HB155, HB272, HB405, HB519, HB 1136, HB 1275, HB1437, HB1532, HB1675, HB1868, HB1888, HB1990, HB2286, HB2523, HB3129, HB3251, HB3354, HB3479, HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3887, HB4163, HB4238, HB 1240, HB1842, HB2029, HB2622, HB3255, HB654, HB4643, HB4945, HB3611, HB3724, HB3623, HB3810, HB4127, HCR78, HCR12, SB767

Keywords: HB 388, HB388, coordination of benefits, COB questionnaire, health benefit plan, health insurance, insurance commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance, uniform form, primary payer, secondary payer, multiple coverage, dual coverage, Medicaid, CHIP, managed care, HMO, small employer health plan, school district health coverage, self-funded plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Pratt. 55th District: Lindsey Port. 56th District: Aaron K.
• Port Port Pratt Pratt Pratt putam putam putam Ric Ric Ric rasmuson rasmuson rasmuson rest<00:26:26.279
• She was always so fun to visit with. She'd take your call.
• She was always so fun to visit with. She'd take your call.
• She was always so fun to visit with. She'd take your call.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, Friday, immediately after Transportation, Ports and Harbors will meet in Room 216.
• at uh immediately after Secondly, Friday at uh immediately after transportation,<00:27:40.880><c> ports
• and harbors will transportation, ports and harbors will meet<00:27:42.000><c> in</c><00:27:42.240><c
• </c><00:30:23.919><c> So,</c><00:30:24.080><c> we</c> died and his visitation is today.
• So, we died and his visitation is today.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 29 January, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I ask that everyone visiting for the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce in the Gallery, please stand and
• Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo, Port of Corpus Christi President Kent Britton, and Nueces County
• Additionally, the port of Corpus Christi itself is one of the strongest drivers of maritime commerce
• in our great nation, having the highest total revenue tonnage of any port in the country.
• Littlefield was one of the first to visit my office, and every year you can count on her to come and

Transcript Highlights:

• And I ask that everyone visiting for the Pasadena.
• Mayor Paulette Guajardo, Port of Corpus Christi, President Kent Britton, and Oasis County Committee.
• Additionally, the Port of Corpus Christi itself is one of the strongest drivers of maritime commerce
• in our great nation. having the highest total revenue tonnage of any port in the country.
• And then finally, representing Visit Frisco, Marla Rowe, the Executive Director.

Keywords: 1184, house, all