Video & Transcript Research : 'American Sign Language'
Page 160 of 500
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- That is everyone who signed up to speak. [00:10:00.000] That is everyone who signed up to speak.
- The leaner is not required to sign that.
- No trespassing signs lined up on the beach.
- Maybe some of the signs.
- Maybe some of the signs.
Summary:
The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of local, housing, education, construction, and claims bills. It first took up SB 1730 on affordable housing/Live Local changes, adopting an amendment that narrowed and clarified several provisions, including density, height, parking, attorney fees, and exclusions for certain protected areas, then reported the bill favorably. It also approved SB 1674, which clarifies that local investment restrictions cannot block Israel bonds, after a clarifying amendment. SB 140 on charter schools was reported favorably after significant debate over school conversion, teacher contracts, local control, and the use of surplus school property for housing or other public purposes; several speakers opposed it as harmful to public schools, while the sponsor said it preserved district authority and added options for municipalities and job creation. The committee also passed SB 96 and SB 4, two local claims bills, and SB 1714, which allows SHIP funds to help mobile home owners with lot rent and requires local housing plans to address mobile home park closures.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed May 6, 2026, 9:00AM HST - Day 57
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 41.920>
by <00:51:42.079>the language has been vetted by the language has been vetted by - This language gives the effect."
- <00:57:36.880>
before <00:57:37.119>us language in the amendment before us language - the financing language, this is language<01:38:55.040>
which <01:38:55.360>required <01 - There was no um language put in.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HOU-EDU, HOU Public Hearings 03-17-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- What you signed all these ECs in theory.
- inserting the language, notwithstanding inserting the language, notwithstanding any<00:49:00.720
- American Council of Life support.
- Does that language >> That's the intent.
- >
says This new proposed language says This new proposed language says for<01:14:51.120>credits
Summary:
The joint House committees on Housing and Education heard HB 1713, HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and transfer remaining balances in the school impact fee and certain fair share accounts to the school facilities special fund. The Department of Education testified in opposition, while the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Attorney General’s office (with comments and suggested constitutional amendments), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, NAP Hawaii, Avalon Development Company, Mark Development, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Landis Research Foundation, BIA Hawaii, and others testified in support. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The DOE said the bill would weaken a key tool for matching school facilities to residential growth, while supporters said the current program leaves funds unused or restricted in ways that limit their effectiveness.
A lengthy discussion followed about the difference between the older school impact fee program and the separate fair share agreements tied to land use entitlements and change-of-zone approvals. DOE Deputy Superintendent Jesse Suki explained that fair share funds are tied to the district where they were collected, may be too small to build a full school on their own, and are held until needed for projects such as Core Ridge, Central and West Maui, and other planned schools. Committee members pressed DOE on why funds had remained unspent for years, how much money was in the accounts, and whether the department had reviewed audit findings about the program. Members also questioned whether homeowners ultimately bear these costs through developers passing them along.
The committee did not take a vote during the portion of the meeting provided. The discussion ended with members and DOE debating whether the current statute should remain in place, whether past entitlements should be affected, and whether the bill should be amended to better address remaining construction-related obligations and the use of collected funds.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- One clarifying question Representative West, I read the new language in your bill on page two, lines
- As I stated in the previous committee meeting, several of the American Medical Associations associations
- lose their license for unprofessional conduct not only for performing or providing, is what the language
- I have a couple of questions and just hope that you might consider some changes to this language.
- That's why the language is how it is. I'm open to discussing options moving forward. Thank you.
Keywords:
government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, marijuana tax, public service impact tax, county funding, voter approval
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 097 Apr 21st, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:26:18.240>
anou point is the the governor signed anou point is the the governor signed - placement language across statute.
- <02:27:20.960>
this we're trying to get a bill signed this we're trying to get a bill signed - :37:05.200>
this appreciate the language in this appreciate the language in this amendment,<02 - Signing of bills, resolutions, and memorials. The speaker has signed.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill should exempt accessibility features, AI captioning, audio description, and sign language overlays
- Hello, Kelly Beck-Millan on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics, California in support.
- Kelly Macmillan, on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in support. Thank you.
- Kelly MacMillan, on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics, California, in support.
- Usama Ouddin, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, California, in support. Thank you.
Summary:
The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard a long agenda focused largely on AI-related consumer protection, child safety, and privacy bills. Members first adopted the consent calendar, then took up SB 1050, which would require disclosures when advertisements use AI-generated or synthetic performers. Supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, Common Sense Media, and labor groups, said consumers should know when an ad depicts a non-human performer and that the bill protects both consumers and workers. Opponents from TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and business groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked a deception standard, could burden accessibility uses and short audio ads, and created litigation risk. The committee voted the bill out on a party-line-leaning roll, with several members noting concerns but supporting continued work on the measure.
The committee also approved SB 1111, which creates liability and remedies for non-consensual digital replicas using a person’s voice or likeness, and SB 1146, which targets deceptive AI-generated health advertisements that depict synthetic health care providers. Both measures drew support from consumer, labor, medical, and child-safety advocates and faced no formal opposition. Members emphasized the need to prevent deepfake abuse, especially in health-related ads where consumers could be misled into trusting fake doctors or medical endorsements.
Several child- and privacy-focused bills were also heard and advanced. SB 867 would place a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys for children, with supporters warning about harmful content, addictive design, and privacy risks; some opposition raised definitional concerns and asked for clearer standards. SB 1247 would give child influencers the right to delete monetized content posted during their minority, and it moved forward without opposition. SB 1000 updated California’s AI Transparency Act to align content provenance rules with newer technology and international standards, with support from Google and Adobe and no opposition. Finally, SB 957 would require social media companies to notify users when the federal government seeks their data through administrative subpoenas, give users time to challenge the request, and report disclosures; supporters framed it as a First Amendment and due process protection, while one member opposed it as an overreach against federal law enforcement. All of the measures discussed were reported out of committee, with several rolls left open for absent members.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Social American Sea Trade Association.
- <00:03:51.640>
Social <00:03:52.520>American <00:03:53.080>Sea is the American - Social American Sea is the American Social American Sea Trade<00:03:53.720>
Association. - . language.
- language was unnecessary. language was unnecessary.
Summary:
The House took up Senate Bill 323, suspending the rules to consider it immediately. The bill was described as a broad agricultural measure with committee amendments and fiscal implications, and it was reported favorably by the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. Members outlined sections dealing with milk market corrections, farm-to-school language, repeal of the obsolete pest control compact, pesticide applicator licensing changes, seed law updates, the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program, hemp regulation, and CAFO-related provisions. The Agriculture committee reported the bill out 7-0-1, and the effective date was described as July 1, 2026, except for the hemp provisions, which would take effect upon passage.
Much of the discussion focused on the hemp sections. Supporters said the bill updates Vermont law to reflect federal changes and shifts hemp oversight from the Agency of Agriculture to the Cannabis Control Board. The hemp provisions would create registration and licensing requirements for hemp producers, processors, and certain hemp products; set fees; authorize testing, inspections, stop-sale orders, and administrative penalties; and allow rulemaking on product standards, labeling, insurance, additives, and age restrictions. Speakers said the changes were intended to help Vermont’s hemp industry maintain access to banking, insurance, and interstate commerce while improving consumer safety and regulatory clarity.
Other agricultural provisions were also explained in detail. The bill would clarify milk producer hearing rights, update farm-to-school grant/contract language, remove outdated pest-control compact language, and adjust pesticide applicator exam and fee rules, including removing the limit on retakes and eliminating certain government applicator fees. It would also modernize seed labeling and definitions, transfer the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program into a new statutory structure under VEDA, and make conforming cross-reference changes in tax and cannabis fund statutes. The final sections would add a CAFO permit working group and require consultant training for state agencies on CAFO inspections, with those provisions contingent on future funding. Ways and Means noted the bill’s fee changes could affect state revenues, including an estimated hemp-related impact of roughly $10,000 to $90,000, though the exact effect was uncertain.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The message was signed by Thomas S.
- She also spoke to us in Ojibwe language and shared some words.
- could have just adopted the language could have just adopted the language that<01:52:44.159>
- It's common sense, and that's why a vast majority of Americans agree.
- <02:07:19.400>
believe poll found that 79% of Americans believe poll found that 79% of Americans
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 14, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker. this day signed Mike Johnson speaker of this day signed Mike Johnson speaker of the<00:05:36.880
- <00:07:16.160>
It non-negotiable American priority. It non-negotiable American priority. - He has the American people behind him. He has the American economy behind him.
- <02:52:32.319>
It's the American public. Let's do this. It's the American public. - , African Americans, Hispanic Americans?
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 26, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a very simple bill, cleans up statutory language in Chapter 489, really to align with current practices
- And not providing a lot of disclosure to what you're signing up for.
- But overall, I'll be supporting the bill, and I do appreciate the language, too, around you can access
- know, if there's a small brewery that, frankly, isn't all that appealing, I don't know if I want to sign
- You know, but I also know that there's nothing more American than small business than beer.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and heard seven measures, including four bills and three proposed committee substitutes. HB 6033, repealing the Labor Pool Act, was presented as a cleanup measure to remove duplicative regulation; supporters argued workers would still be covered by OSHA, wage laws, workers’ compensation, and liability insurance, while opponents raised concerns about losing specific protections for day laborers. The bill was reported favorably on a 4-? vote, with several members voting no over concerns about worker protections.
HB 453, dealing with pool and spa contractors, was described as a technical update to Chapter 489 that would better align licensing scopes with current industry practice and allow contractors to perform related work without stopping for additional licensed trades. An amendment making only drafting changes was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. CS/HB 277 on veteran benefits assistance was also reported favorably unanimously after testimony focused on protecting veterans from predatory claims-assistance practices while preserving choice and requiring disclosures, fee limits, and data-security safeguards.
The committee then approved PCS for HB 291, which would require personal mobility device batteries sold in Florida to meet an IPX-7 certification standard, after the sponsor cited fire risks from lithium-ion batteries; the measure passed unanimously. PCS for HB 709, allowing valid pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities to nearby high-li permit holders, was amended to require a minimum of 59 live performances and then passed unanimously. CS/HB 4011, expanding who may serve as a building official on Palm Beach County’s Building Code Advisory Board, passed unanimously as a good-government fix to fill vacancies. Finally, PCS for HB 499, allowing small craft breweries under 31,000 gallons to self-distribute, drew extensive testimony from brewers and distributors about small-business growth versus the three-tier alcohol system; despite concerns about weakening distribution safeguards, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-2 vote. The meeting then adjourned with no further business.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Transportation Mar 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Next up, we have Peggy Matthews speaking for information from the American Watercraft Association.
- Peggy Matthews, American Watercraft Association.
- Just clarifying language. Are there any questions on the amendment? All right, seeing none.
- TV and she was like my 5 year-old 5 month-old daughter was killed by a man who blew through a stop sign
- We have been getting signed resolutions from counties and cities all across the state.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Vets Committee Meeting - 2025-03-12
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- The Chair: Signs are not allowed in the committee room. There will be no outbursts or clapping.
- Secondly, given that the language is without a corresponding appropriation, the MDVA understands the
- what we use these SOT funds for includes grants to veterans service organizations like the VFW, American
- Of the VFW, American Legion, and so forth. Our budget shortfalls as our membership declines.
- And I'm sure the American Legion and the other organizations would say the same thing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to move forward in sign-in order.
- We worked very closely with the signing member last year to ensure that we just have a few cities that
- And we just haven't heard these concerns in the past. ...in the language that's already there.
- They're clearly getting employment information and signing paperwork when they're being hired.
- You see pictures of oiled pelicans and fish washing up, and you see caution signs on the beach.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick.
The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support.
AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations May 20th, 2026
Labor & Industrial Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, I mean, if you sign up, if you, you know, see the St.
- Don't tell me, well, you told us that you signed up.
- No, show me where I signed the paper that I signed up. Like, these are no-brainers, right?
- Show me where I signed the paper that I signed up. Like, these are no-brainers right here.
- We send the prescribed language out once a year. All good.
Summary:
The House Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations met for its final meeting of the 2026 session and took up SB 312 by Senator Talbot, a bill concerning labor organizations, employee dues and fees, withdrawal from unions, annual notice requirements, and related reporting and notification provisions. The committee first adopted a technical amendment set, then debated a larger amendment set that shifted the cease-withholding request to the employer, required electronic confirmation, placed certain administrative costs on the labor organization, and added language about employer notification and authorization procedures. Members discussed whether the bill was needed, whether employees already have the ability to opt out, and whether the amendments would create confusion or unnecessary bureaucracy. Supporters said the bill protects employee choice and ensures dues stoppage happens at the nearest payroll period; opponents argued the added language was unclear and burdensome. The committee also adopted a separate technical amendment adding mass transit employees to the list of exemptions.
Testimony came from the bill author and several stakeholders. Senator Talbot said the bill is meant to ensure workers know they do not have to join a union, can revoke dues authorizations, and can stop deductions without waiting for a fixed annual window. Representative Eccles defended the amendments as employee protections and a way to shift administrative costs away from taxpayers. Jim Patterson of LABI supported the amendments, saying they protect public employers and taxpayers from administrative costs. After the amendments were adopted on a roll call vote, union representatives Matt Wood of the Louisiana AFL-CIO, Peter Robbins-Brown of the AFL-CIO, and Larry Carter of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees testified in opposition to the amended bill, saying they had worked in good faith on a simpler opt-in/opt-out framework and objected to the new cost and bureaucracy provisions. Several members also spoke in favor of the bill as a matter of freedom of choice and employee control over paycheck deductions.
At the end of debate, Representative Wilder moved to report SB 312 with amendments. The motion passed on a roll call vote, and the bill was reported from committee with amendments. The committee then adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It effectively removes the impound language.
- So how could the language, excuse me, let me go back. Okay.
- We have Derek Tabor Schofer from Americans for Prosperity, and you are waving in support. Derek?
- And people will say, oh, since Jeb, and it wasn't Jeb; Lawton actually signed the bill.
- If you want to look at the bill language itself, it starts on line 36 and goes to 46.
Summary:
The Transportation Committee heard and advanced several bills dealing with roadway safety, utility relocation, emergency vehicles, motor vehicle services, charter school siting, and specialty license plates. SB 1782 by Senator Pizzo, as amended, would expand reckless driving per se to include certain extreme speeding behaviors and retain mandatory court appearance while removing impound language; it was supported by AARP and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and reported favorably. SB 818 by Senator McLean would streamline utility relocation for road and rail projects and shift certain relocation costs to the authority in some cases; county groups opposed it as an unfunded mandate, while Charter Communications supported it, and the bill was reported favorably after amendment. SB 1644 by Senator Rodriguez, as amended, would expand warning-signal privileges for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and related vehicles responding to emergencies; it was reported favorably.
The committee also approved SB 1348 by Senator Trumbull, which revises Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and tax collector processes for title/document delivery, driver licensing, disabled parking permits, and related services; a strike-all removed penalties and some CDL retesting provisions, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 636 by Senator Martin would restrict use of the far-left lane on high-speed roads except for passing, exiting, move-over compliance, or traffic/environmental conditions, with a civil fine and DOT signage requirements; it was reported favorably. SB 1152 by Senator Arrington would raise the cost of the Florida Wildflower specialty license plate from $15 to $25 to generate more funding for wildflower research, education, and habitat programs; it was reported favorably.
SB 1188 by Senator McLean, which would limit local government authority over charter school siting and concurrency-related restrictions, drew the most debate. Supporters argued local ordinances were being used to block or delay charter schools, while opponents said the bill would tie the hands of local governments and could create traffic and public-safety concerns. After extensive discussion, the bill was reported favorably, with recorded no votes from Senators Arrington and Davis. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of multiple appointments to transportation-related boards and authorities, including the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority, Jacksonville Port Authority, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and Florida Transportation Commission.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislature, and it was signed by Governor Newsom, appropriated $130 million in new general fund
- “I stand here today because the American dream belongs to all of us or belongs to none of us.
- They are foundational American values.
- However, privilege can be antithetical to the American dream.
- We're putting up a big sign: Do not come into California to do business.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate of the 89th Legislature Feb 19th, 2025 at 11:00 am
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you very much. 271 272 273 Chair announces the signing of the following in the presence of the
- Our great mayor of the great city, all-american city, Edinburgh.
- She is board certified as a diplomat of the American. American Board of Family Medicine since 2014.
- He became the first African-American to chair the Public Education Committee during the 18th Congressional
- Chair, I announce the signing of the following of the press conference. Presence of the Senate.
Keywords:
bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House State Government Committee Jan 14th, 2026
State Government
Transcript Highlights:
- We have the list of everyone who has signed up.
- That's the wrong<00:03:08.239>
language. - It's changed to a bore wrong language.
- underage children to sign contracts. underage children to sign contracts.
- They can't even sign their should they.
Keywords:
firearms, possession, Class 1 municipalities, criminal penalties, federal law, stolen firearms, prohibited persons, HB114, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama, dental board, dental licensing, dentist regulation, professional licensing, occupational licensing, healthcare regulation, licensure board, state agency continuation, agency sunset review
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- We have many people signed up to provide testimony today.
- If you're here to testify in person and you're not signed up, either through the online form or the forms
- also have legislative aides Stephen Merrick and Grace Tierney, who can answer any questions about signing
- it goes on to mention definitions of special medical status, expansion of protections, inclusive language
- The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with much of the testimony focused on school discipline and student equity. Bills discussed included measures to address inequities in suspension and expulsion, clarify school exclusion rules, reduce discipline for dress and grooming violations, and expand protections related to fair educational practices. Committee members repeatedly reminded witnesses of the two-minute limit and asked for written testimony to supplement oral remarks.
A substantial portion of the hearing centered on the RAISE Act and related school discipline bills, including H. 730/S. 376 and H. 731/S. 380. Testifiers from advocacy groups, legal services, and the legislature argued that exclusionary discipline disproportionately affects Black and Latino students, students with disabilities, low-income students, and DCF-involved youth. They said current law is overly broad or unclear in areas such as “assault on educational staff,” indefinite suspensions tied to felony complaints, and definitions of weapons, leading to unnecessary removals from school. Supporters said the bills would add due process, clearer definitions, and better accountability, while one legislator testified in support of the discipline reforms and opposed several other bills on the agenda.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 576/S. 368, which would prohibit suspensions and expulsions for dress and grooming violations and require clearer, non-discriminatory dress code policies. Witnesses cited research and personal stories about disproportionate enforcement against Black girls, girls of color, non-binary students, and students wearing religious attire, and said the bill would prevent physical contact used to enforce dress codes. Another major topic was H. 641/S. 349, which would add “special medical status” protections in education; supporters said it would prevent exclusion based on medical decisions or conditions, though members questioned how it would interact with existing disability law and vaccination-related school requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 625, which would extend the ban on corporal punishment from public to private schools, with witnesses citing research on harm and disproportionate impact.
Additional testimony covered bills on accelerated learning and gifted education, with parents, educators, and advocates saying Massachusetts under-identifies advanced learners and lacks adequate acceleration pathways. A senator also testified for S. 406 on recovery high schools, saying the funding formula should be updated to better support students in recovery. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair closed testimony on several bill groups and noted that written testimony would remain open for a week.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Injustices faced by Native American tribes through colonization, different periods, and errors in the
- I will note that, as the author has deleted language in Section 2 of the bill relating to tribal water
- Would you believe I actually put up a sign to remind myself and I'm still not doing it?
- That's very important language: interfere with SGMA implementation.
- And they came up with some language that the judges say is a little too vague.
Summary:
The committee heard several water, wildlife, conservation, and local government bills. AB 362, by Assembly Member Ramos, would add tribal water uses as a statewide beneficial use and strengthen tribal consultation in water planning; tribal representatives and conservation groups supported it as a long-overdue correction, while water agencies, business groups, and agricultural interests raised concerns about CEQA, regulatory uncertainty, and impacts on existing water planning. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, with some members noting ongoing stakeholder discussions and one abstention.
AB 1089, by Assembly Member Carrillo, would expand local permitting authority under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act to include commercial and industrial projects. The author and the City of Adelanto argued it would speed housing and economic development in the high desert while preserving the overall conservation framework, but environmental groups opposed it as premature and potentially weakening protections for Joshua trees. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion to Appropriations. AB 1024, by Assembly Member Harabedian, would require a regional black bear mitigation plan for the San Gabriel Valley and related areas; Sierra Madre officials described rising bear intrusions and the need for state help, and the bill passed to Appropriations.
AB 846, by Assembly Member Connolly, would streamline permitting for local wildfire preparedness and vegetation management projects in local responsibility areas by creating a faster review process at Fish and Wildlife and improving mapping coordination with Cal Fire. Local government, fire service, and agricultural witnesses supported the bill as a common-sense wildfire prevention measure, and it passed to Natural Resources with no opposition. AB 263, by Assembly Member Rogers, would extend emergency minimum-flow regulations for the Scott and Shasta Rivers for five years or until permanent rules are adopted; supporters said it protects salmon recovery, tribal subsistence, and the fishing economy during a transition period, while opponents argued it bypasses normal regulatory process and harms farmers. The committee approved it on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations, with one abstention and two no votes. AB 1044, by Assembly Member Bains, would create a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency for undistricted lands after other local agencies split off; the bill passed to Local Government. AB 1426, by Assembly Member Arambula, began testimony on creating a Diablo Range Conservation Program to fund habitat protection and restoration across the range.