Transcript Highlights:

• resources. resources of Texas and to promote hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreational. opportunities
• Fish are stocked in both coastal and inland waters each year, and in fact, last summer we released the
• And with the game wardens in our area.
• I know we've visited, and I'm a big outdoorsman. Love to hunt. Hunting fish and all that.
• along with the fish and wildlife that inhabit our water and woods.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have posted on our website the Highway Fund and Fish and Game, which are also both balanced.
• then Fish and Game about $3 million.
• I know Division Two really worked on ensuring that the Highway Fund, as well as the Fish and Game Fund
• then Fish and Game about $3 million.
• > about</c><00:16:12.600><c> $3</c> bayum and then fishing game about $3 bayum and then fishing game

Summary: The House Finance Committee met for final approval of HB 1 and HB 2, with legislative budget staff Michael Kain reviewing the final amendment documents and surplus statements. Kain explained that HB 1474H and HB 1484H incorporated the committee’s prior votes and the Governor’s recommended sections, and he walked through the budget math for the general fund, education trust fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He said the committee’s proposal remained balanced overall, though the current-year general fund showed a projected deficit that HB 2 would address by allowing a possible rainy day fund transfer if needed. He also noted that the committee’s revenue estimates were below the Governor’s, requiring reductions and adjustments to appropriations and lapse assumptions. Members discussed the rainy day fund provisions, including a section in HB 2 that suspends existing restrictions so a transfer can be made if the deficit materializes. Kain said the committee’s approach differed from the Governor’s because the state was not below the overall revenue plan, and the fiscal committee would retain a role in determining any transfer. He also summarized that the Highway Fund would end with about a $13 million balance and Fish and Game with about $3 million, both without additional general fund support. The committee then adopted two amendments to HB 2 unanimously: Amendment 1473H, a technical cleanup to the Group 2 retirement seven-year rule, and Amendment 1482H, a technical correction to the recreational services language. Amendment 1484H, which incorporated those changes into HB 2, was adopted on a 14-1 vote after minority members objected to the bill’s broader cuts and policy changes, including reductions to state agencies, health and human services, and education-related provisions. The committee also adopted Amendment 1474H to HB 1A on a 14-1 vote after similar debate over budget reductions, vacancies, university funding, and school spending limits. Finally, the committee voted 14-1 to report HB 1A and HB 2 as amended as ought to pass, with the minority voting no and the committee planning a full House presentation the following week.

Bills: HB 109 , HB136 , HB694 , HB 1201 , HB1716 , HB2071 , HB2216 , HB2358 , HB2807 , HB2886 , HCR78 , HB109 , HB136

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: mental health, inpatient psychiatric facility, juvenile treatment, residential treatment facility, emotionally disturbed juveniles, Department of State Health Services, Health and Human Services Commission, state grant, facility construction, facility expansion, facility operations, Waco Center for Youth, education services, school district, Texas Health and Safety Code, youth residential care, behavioral health, state appropriations, Medicaid, lactation

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm open to... to come in and close.
• I'm going to let Miss Gags speak for me right now on the stage ruling from Game and Fish.
• we don't do that unless it's a public body of water for folks to be able to fish and recreate on. folks
• to be able to fish and recreate on it.
• However, the ducks and wild game around the lake can bring it... game around the lake can bring it in

Bills: HB352 , HB366 , SB272 , SB296

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Keywords: HB352, cotton, cotton bale assessment, cotton levy, cotton producers, agriculture, forestry, Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, per bale fee, commodity assessment, producer referendum, cotton sales tax, Alabama Code 2-8-199, cotton commission, agricultural funding, HB366, Lakyn Canine Act, police dog, K9, K-9

Transcript Highlights:

• and Behavioral Health and Rehabilitation Administration.
• Health, and recombine them into two new administrations, Home and Community Living, and Behavioral Health
• And Secretary of Home and Community Living Administration, DSHS, and O'Meara did a really thorough read
• And thank you for hearing this bill today. And Mr.
• DSHS and along with early learning and JR, and we put them into DCYF.

Bills: HB2455 , HB2468 , HB2529

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: housing assistance, youth, foster care, pilot program, social services, terminology correction, healthcare, regulatory compliance, department reorganization, Washington, DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, accountability board, oversight board, child welfare, juvenile rehabilitation, juvenile justice, early learning, family preservation, children and families

Transcript Highlights:

• , and Jeff Endermark.
• We do allow them to go out and engage in prosocial and positive community and recreational activities
• Continued need for additional capacity and standard for pre-designed design and construction, and then
• And then either removing or revising subsections A and B to avoid those unnecessary restrictions and
• and lawyers.

Bills: HB1544 , HB2219 , HB2253

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, risk assessment, investigation, child abuse, neglect, HB 2219, child care licensing, early learning, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families, Washington child care, preschool licensing, family child care, child care centers, nature-based child care, outdoor preschool, mixed-age ratios, staff-to-child ratio, group size, zero tolerance

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them is the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• trustees and the people of California's trustees for fish and wildlife.
• Fish and Wildlife Service.
• specifically from Fish and Wildlife.
• , longstanding, and chronic underfunding of the Department of Fish and Wildlife must be addressed.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy convened for its first hearing and heard an overview from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Natural Resources Agency. The LAO emphasized California’s strong current revenues but warned of a structural budget problem, projected out-year deficits, and the need for a high bar on new spending. It generally supported the administration’s Proposition 4 spending plan as reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, while urging legislative oversight and caution about using special funds and adding ongoing commitments. Secretary Wade Crowfoot responded with an overview of climate, wildfire, water, coastal, and conservation challenges and highlighted progress under the Newsom administration, including clean energy growth, wildfire resilience investments, land conservation, tribal co-management, and outdoor access initiatives. He also discussed federal staffing cuts affecting California’s response capacity and said the state has had to fill gaps in flood forecasting, land management, and park access. Members then questioned the secretary about the Delta conveyance tunnel and broader water reliability issues. Crowfoot said the project remains important, is being pursued as a beneficiary-pays project, and is moving through the State Water Resources Control Board’s permitting process, while also stressing that it is only one part of a broader water strategy that includes levee strengthening, subsidence, groundwater storage, recycling, and conservation. Senators also raised concerns about permitting delays, invasive species, and the impact of position cuts on agency capacity; Crowfoot said streamlining is needed but that staffing remains essential. The committee then moved to the Department of Parks and Recreation, where Director Armando Quintero described the state park system, tribal agreements, wildfire and deferred maintenance work, and outdoor access programs such as the State Library Park Pass and Adventure Pass. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing $6.75 million General Fund transfer for the library park pass, arguing it did not meet the high bar for new ongoing spending, but several senators strongly supported the program as a low-cost way to expand access. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and campsite no-shows. Department staff said they are updating website guidance, working with the reservation vendor, and implementing new no-show and reservation-modification rules effective July 1, including penalties for repeated no-shows and immediate reopening of vacant sites. The committee then heard a low-cost accommodations proposal, which Parks said would fund planning and construction at several sites using Proposition 68, reimbursements, and donations; the LAO said it had no concerns. Finally, the new director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Megan Hurdle, introduced herself and outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 requests, including funding for salmon genetic tagging, hatchery repairs, and public access improvements. She said the department is focused on biodiversity, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict prevention, and noted that the agency is still updating its service-based budgeting analysis to identify gaps and priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they can go on at any time. Again, without probable cause, to stop you if you're fishing.
• again, you know, being in a fishing location and have a boat just pull up and board you.
• getting stopped and, again, you know, being in a fishing location and have a boat just pull up and board
• They were just coming in to check to see what they were fishing for and what they had.
• They were just coming in to check to see what they were fishing for and what they had.

Committee: Joint Ports and Marine Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And right now, we've got a motion and a second for a... ...a motion and a second for a favorable report
• paroles, and you think that... ...pardons and paroles, and you think that they are receptive to looking
• And so my reasoning behind this is to protect human dignity and individualism and to prevent life from
• And sometimes it's one of those things—talking about going to a committee hearing and sitting in and
• Sometimes it would be good to go get in a patrol car and do a ride along and... car and go ride and do

Bills: SB324 , HB395 , HB222 , HB310 , HB285 , HB144 , HB251 , HB380

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: parole, pardons, paroles board, board of pardons and paroles, Alabama criminal justice, sentencing reform, prison reform, reentry, recidivism, risk assessment, validated risk and needs assessment, supervision, probation, parole denial, parole reconsideration, medical parole, violent offense, nonviolent offense, law enforcement member, board appointments

Transcript Highlights:

• , fishing, and hiking.
• WMAs are managed for the benefit of game and non-game species.
• WMAs are managed for the benefit of game and non-game species.
• WMAs can serve fish and wildlife for future generations, ensuring a rich and diverse fish and wildlife
• On our WMAs, people can learn and practice outdoor skills and actively enjoy fish and wildlife resources

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened with a quorum present and took up SB 302 by Senator Garcia, which would promote nature-based solutions for coastal resilience. Garcia said the bill would direct DEP to adopt statewide guidelines, encourage local restoration projects through existing grant programs, streamline permitting for green and hybrid infrastructure, support workforce training, and require a study on flood-risk and insurance benefits. Senator Harrell asked about implementation, existing statutory authority, and possible fiscal impacts. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying that hybrid infrastructure need only combine green and gray elements, not prove superiority over either alone. The committee heard supportive testimony on SB 302 from Katie Bauman of Surfrider Foundation, who said nature-based approaches such as dunes, wetlands, and mangroves are cost-effective and protective, and several organizations waived in support, including the Environmental Defense Fund of Florida, the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, and 1,000 Friends of Florida. Senator Harrell said she supported the concept but remained concerned about the breadth of rulemaking and the fiscal implications of workforce funding. After closing remarks from Garcia, the committee voted to report CS for SB 302 favorably. The remainder of the meeting consisted of informational presentations on land management. Brian Bradner of DEP reviewed Florida State Parks management, including prescribed fire, invasive species removal, hydrologic restoration, cultural resource preservation, visitor use, and budgeted land-management activities. Melissa Tucker of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission described wildlife management areas, emphasizing habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, ranch infrastructure, public access, and the economic value of the system. Rick Dolan of the Florida Forest Service outlined state forest management funded through a $20 million appropriation, including road and facility work, recreation upgrades, invasive species control, reforestation, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, and boundary marking. Senators praised the agencies’ work and noted the ongoing cost of managing state lands. The committee then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there was a biological mail on the Volleyball coach, and we had a game, and there was a biological
• Members, tomorrow is the legislative day for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
• Tomorrow, members, is the legislative day for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, whose staff will
• This year, the Game and Fish Department will highlight the importance of Arizona's six fish hatcheries
• Please take time tomorrow to visit Game and Fish Department down at the Wesley Bolin Plaza to enjoy some

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day and several guests and community groups, including correctional officer Jacob Polanco, Pima Community Land Trust representatives, student interns, and Arizona PTA members. Members also adopted a proclamation recognizing Kosovo’s Independence Day in Arizona, with remarks highlighting the Kosovo American community’s contributions to the state. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole on a calendar of bills and resolutions. HB 2307 and HB 2758 were considered first; HB 2307 received committee amendments and was recommended do pass, while HB 2758 drew extensive debate over groundwater transport in La Paz County. Supporters argued the measure preserved a transportation-basin framework and added protections, while opponents warned it would facilitate water export for private investors and harm rural residents. After a division and recorded vote, HB 2758 failed to receive a due-pass recommendation. The House also considered HCR 2003, a referral related to transgender athletes in sports, where supporters framed it as a fairness and women’s sports issue and opponents argued it targeted a small population and should be left to athletic associations; it received a due-pass recommendation. HCR 2047 and HCR 2002, both relating to Judea and Samaria, also received due-pass recommendations after remarks citing biblical and historical references. After the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the House referred the approved measures to engrossing and noted HB 2758 failed. The chamber then took up third-reading votes on several bills, passing HB 251, HB 262, HB 272, HB 296, and HB 2459, with brief explanations on some votes, including support for a Buffalo Soldiers monument, AHCCCS-related changes, water infrastructure authority, and mobile home park utility billing protections. The House also heard personal privilege remarks and announcements, including comments on antisemitism after vandalism at a University of Arizona campus center, a request to wear pink or green in support of a murder victim’s mother testifying on a bill, tributes to Jesse Jackson and Bishop Peter Bowie, and committee meeting notices before adjourning until February 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re going to go down there and watch an Aggie football game.
• Not only because he liked to fish, but because there was an air of mischievousness about him, and he
• Everyone who knew Walter would feel his love of the game and knew his laugh.
• Not only because he liked a fish, but because there was an air of mischievousness about him, and he let
• Everyone who knew Walter would feel his love of the game and knew his laugh.

Transcript Highlights:

• so no funds are being requested from Fish and Game.
• , the Fish and Game wildlife plan, and it kind of goes on and on, right?
• c> and</c><01:09:39.920><c> it</c> the fishing game Wildlife plan and it the fishing game Wildlife plan
• We talked with DOT, Fish and Game, and the Bureau of Economic Affairs.
• ><c> and</c> Bureau of trails and fishing game and Bureau of trails and fishing game and then<01:49:22.840

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• permits and reviews, and go through your fire marshal inspection and whatnot.
• We played a game with our children, and that's how they learned cash management.
• And it was amazing to play this game with my kids and their friends.
• It was because of playing that game that they understood the real workings of money and how money works
• It is always unannounced, and they come in and ask all the questions and review the files, and it all

Bills: HB2510 , HB3589 , HB4611 , HB4655 , HB4665 , HB4666 , HB4670 , HB4700 , HB4730 , HB4798 , HB4838 , HB5136 , HB5243 , HB5302 , HB5539

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• and Consent.
• be printed and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent.
• He was having falls and was losing his ability to eat and dress. ...toilet, shower, and other skills.
• and staff.
• with self-administered medications, and routine hair and skin care. ...and transfer or ambulation.

Bills: HB2510 , HB3589 , HB4611 , HB4655 , HB4665 , HB4666 , HB4670 , HB4700 , HB4730 , HB4798 , HB4838 , HB5136 , HB5243 , HB5302 , HB5539

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• So the way that this legislation is written gives the Fish and Game Commission the latitude to set those
• community engagement coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
• community engagement coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
• On behalf of the Fish and Game Commission, thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of House
• For these reasons, the Fish and Game Commission supports House Bill 678 and asks that you send it to

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Roblox is an online gaming platform that allows users to upload created content and also play in games
• And then also from April 1st to June 30th each year is a fish spawn season.
• And then also from April 1st to June 30th each year is a fish spawn season.
• and to work on those, and you mentioned a couple of months through the fish spawning season.
• I'm a former Fish and Wildlife employee, but I just wonder was that Fish and Wildlife, but that comes

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met without a quorum at first, then heard an update on child exploitation enforcement efforts from the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Criminal Investigations. The presenters described the specialized investigation and prosecution unit funded in House Bill 6, saying the added resources allowed them to hire four staff members and expand work on cyber tips, search warrants, arrests, forensic processing, victim advocacy, and training for local law enforcement. They highlighted a recent rescue of a 5-year-old victim from a Discord-related case and said the office had also filed a civil lawsuit against Roblox, alleging the platform lacked adequate age verification and allowed predators access to children. Senators asked about the lawsuit, and the presenters said Kentucky was one of only two states to sue Roblox and that the complaint was based on evidence collected by the office. The committee then received an update from the Kentucky River Authority on lock and dam repairs funded in the 2024-2026 budget. The authority reported progress on three capital projects: upper guide repairs at Locks 2 and 3, design and repair work at Dam 7, and design work to reopen Lock 5 for navigation. Officials explained that river construction is limited by flooding and fish-spawn restrictions, and they described the engineering and safety issues involved in replacing guide walls and repairing Dam 7’s spillway. They also said the authority had demolished three obsolete lockmaster houses and filled a fifth lockmaster position, while continuing to work on pay retention for those employees. Members asked about the transfer of the lock and dam properties from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the permitting process through the Division of Water, and the timeline for reopening navigation. The authority said the Corps had transferred the properties to Kentucky, that permits for river work are handled through the Division of Water and the Army Corps, and that Locks 1 through 4 are open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. Officials said Lock 5 would add 14 miles of navigation if reopened, but that it would still take a few more years before that project is complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we’re working with the Game and Fish Commission to have that open for the residents of Perry County
• “You also happen to mention that Arkansas Game and Fish was going to be involved in this.
• How is Arkansas Game and Fish going to be involved in this?”
• We lease our acreage around Lake Maumelle to the Game and Fish Commission at a reduced rate.
• If it doesn’t touch the lake and can’t get to the lake on it, how would this land with Game and Fish

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of appropriation, reserve transfer, and grant requests. Early items included temporary appropriations for the Department of Education’s Educational Freedom Account program ($32 million), the State Crime Lab ($476,000), and DFA Assessment Coordination ($90,000), along with a $1 ARPA return from the Department of Health. The committee approved these items after brief questions, including a discussion about contract cost increases at Assessment Coordination and a clarification that the $1 ARPA item was simply an unused-funds return. The most extensive discussion centered on the Department of Education’s EFA funding. Members questioned the growth in participation, the use of one-time funds and restricted reserves, and safeguards against fraud or improper purchases. Agency officials said about 44,000 students were being funded, that purchases are reviewed and flagged for unusual activity, and that homeschool students are not required to buy a curriculum so long as purchases are eligible and approved. The committee approved the EFA appropriation and related reserve transfer, and officials said the governor’s proposed budget would include the program in the RSA going forward. The committee also approved a DHS reallocation request and reviewed a building authority loan for a data center power supply replacement. In the federal grant section, members discussed a Department of Agriculture request for Central Arkansas Water to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed. Debate focused on the environmental benefits versus local property-tax and development concerns in Perry County, with testimony from the agency, Central Arkansas Water, and Potlatch about watershed protection, public access, and potential development impacts. After extended discussion, the committee adopted a motion to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and asked the department to remove the Perry County portion from the request, limiting the grant-funded purchase to Pulaski County property. The committee then reviewed remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay-plan appropriation, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Fish and Game has the responsibility under Idaho Code to preserve, protect, perpetuate
• , and manage all wildlife, including wild animals, wild fish, and birds within the state of Idaho.
• The Department of Fish and Game does not receive general funds.
• I move for FY 2027 for the Department of Fish and Game an additional $14,945,400 from dedicated funds
• Fish and Wildlife Service, as part of the Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation Act.

Summary: The committee met to review the general fund update and several budget-setting items, with staff explaining how to track the latest “green sheet” online and how JFAC actions were affecting the FY 2026 and FY 2027 bottom lines. Members also discussed whether work group progress should be summarized more broadly, but leadership emphasized that work groups were intended to remain independent and that members should consult analysts directly rather than have a running public summary of each group’s internal deliberations. The committee then acted on a series of agency budgets. It approved the Idaho State Tax Commission enhancement package after revising it to remove the chief operating officer personnel item and adopted language limiting use of $550,000 for fast tax collection vendor payments, with any unused amount reverting to the general fund. It also approved supplemental and enhancement requests for the Office of Information Technology Services, including Chinden campus furnishings, E-Core grant staffing and funding, enterprise security/firewall upgrades, the IT modernization transfer of 58 positions from Health and Welfare, and a one-time cash transfer language item to cover transition-year health insurance costs. The Military Division’s request for $120,000 for Office of Emergency Management indirect cost recovery was approved, but an alternate motion to also add $190,800 for the state education assistance program failed, and the original motion was later held in committee. The Industrial Commission and Public Utilities Commission budgets were both advanced with dedicated-fund increases for IRIS maintenance, training, disability fund needs, OITS hardware, and replacement laptops. The Department of Fish and Game budget was also advanced, with approval of a large package of dedicated and federal funds for fishery habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, hatchery and laboratory inflation, temporary employees, wolf depredation response, communications, and replacement items, along with reappropriation authority for prior-year funds. The committee then took up the Department of Health and Welfare Division of Public Health Services, where competing motions focused on the Idaho Home Visiting Program, immunization assessment fund restoration, laboratory testing, HIV and hepatitis prevention, suicide prevention, and moving the home visiting program to Early Learning and Development. Both the substitute motion and the original motion failed after split votes in the House and Senate committees, leaving that budget held for later action. Finally, the committee considered new language for the State Controller and State Treasurer to require monthly reconciliation of cash balances between Luma and TARS from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, with a report due by the fall interim JFAC meeting and documentation retained for audit. Members discussed the need for accurate cash reconciliation and the resources available to the Controller’s office, but no final action was taken before adjournment. The chair announced upcoming budget-setting meetings and reminded members to complete work group motions by the end of the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Game and Fish Fund changes: there's only a couple here.
• The operating adjustment is carried on lines 132 and 133. $782,000 from the Game and Fish operating account
• c> account</c><00:16:08.040><c> and</c> the Game and Fish operating account and the Game and Fish operating
• So, the total changes for the Game and Fish Fund is just about $1.3 million in 2026-27 and just over
• Sections 9 through 11 reduce the cost of certain game and fish licenses for disabled veterans.