Transcript Highlights:

• I reserve the balance of my time. >> Reserves.
• reserve.
• I'm ready to close and I reserve. reserve. reserve.
• </c> it and I reserve. it and I reserve.
• </c> her reserve. her reserve. &gt;&gt; Gentleman<05:41:39.920><c> reserves.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> an acre of forest or a forest ownership an acre of forest or a forest ownership or<00:18:16.480>
• . forest. forest.
• , is that you can keep those forests as forest. which is keeping forest as forest.
• </c> those forests as forest. those forests as forest.
• Well, conservation forest as forest.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance was led, and the clerk called the roll, establishing a quorum. The committee approved the prior minutes after correcting the date and changing a reference so that a draft-legislation note attributed to Representative Wlette was corrected. After that, the chair introduced a carbon presentation by Mr. Charlie Lebec and invited members and guests to move closer to view the slides. Mr. Lebec’s presentation focused on forest carbon science and forest carbon offset markets, with emphasis on how forests store, sequester, and emit carbon. He explained greenhouse gases and the relationship between atmospheric CO2 and temperature, then defined key terms such as carbon storage, sequestration, flux, sinks, and sources. He also described forest carbon pools, noting that soils contain a large share of forest carbon, and discussed how forest age affects storage and sequestration, arguing that younger forests often sequester carbon faster while older forests store more carbon overall. He also addressed how harvested wood products can continue to store carbon, responding to a question from a member about mass timber and carbon sinks. The presentation included regional comparisons showing New Hampshire’s forest density, carbon storage, and sequestration relative to other New England states, and noted that New Hampshire forests offset more than 30% of the state’s annual greenhouse gas emissions from nonforest sources, while Maine and Vermont offset even larger shares. Mr. Lebec said eastern forests are generally carbon sinks, unlike some western forests affected by wildfire, and stressed that forest management, soil protection, and forest age all influence carbon outcomes. No votes or substantive policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• We established our Forest Reserve Program in the 1950s.
• </c> to the late 1800s recognizing Forest to the late 1800s recognizing Forest role<00:34:01.080><c>
• </c> irrigation we established our Forest irrigation we established our Forest Reserve<00:34:05.159><
• Are there any reservations or no vote? Seeing none, Chair, your recommendation has been adopted.
• Are there any nos or reservations? Seeing none, Chair, your recommendation has been adopted.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Davina Duerr from the First District, which includes Woodinville-Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park
• She's literally burning up, as we've seen in our cities and forests.
• This is a bill that treats the imposition of real estate excise tax a little differently when forest
• With the definition of timberland and forest land being basically the same, I recommend a yes vote.
• And this just clarifies that, yes, it does qualify as forest land.

Summary: The committee heard several public hearings on tax and housing-related bills. HB 2451 on local tax increment financing was briefed as a negotiated trailer bill adding new limits and consultation requirements for increment areas, including restrictions on using areas that already have needed public improvements, earlier sunset rules, more detailed project analysis, and stronger notice, mediation, and arbitration procedures for affected taxing districts. Supporters from cities, ports, and fire districts said the bill rebalances the process and protects impacted jurisdictions; the hearing then closed. HB 2322 would change the alternative jet fuel tax incentive program by replacing the current production-capacity trigger with a fixed effective period beginning in 2031 and ending in 2046, while clarifying carbon-intensity requirements. The sponsor said the change adds certainty and supports cleaner aviation fuel. A refinery representative supported the program but asked for clarification to include Pierce County or define “blender,” while a climate-health opponent argued the bill subsidizes continued fossil-fuel combustion and should be rejected. HB 2590 would revise the limited equity cooperative definition and exempt such cooperatives from WUCIOA unless they opt in, while preserving the property-tax exemption requirements; supporters said it would reduce red tape and better fit cooperative housing, while members raised concerns about unintended restrictive membership rules and asked for fair-housing guardrails. HB 2655 would create a new sales and use tax exemption for construction and equipment at certain new data centers in eastern Washington, subject to labor, wage, apprenticeship, employment, and sustainability requirements. Supporters framed it as a jobs and clean-energy opportunity tied to hydrogen development and regional competitiveness, while opponents said it was a subsidy for large corporations and could strain water, power, and public revenues. The committee then moved to executive action and advanced HB 1983, the second substitute for HB 1974, the substitute for HB 2334, HB 2367, and the substitute for HB 2650, all with due pass recommendations. Amendments were adopted on HB 1974 and rejected on HB 2367; the other bills were advanced without amendment. Votes were recorded on each measure, with HB 1974 passing 10-4, HB 2334 passing 13-1, HB 2367 passing 11-3, and HB 2650 passing 14-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state parks and our state forests, our public lands, are second to none.
• Space, access to parks, state forests, and beyond. Thank you.
• Thank you. space, access to parks, state forests, and beyond. Thank you.
• Stretching from Ocala National Forest to the Osceola National Forest, O-2-O is 100 miles long with 1.6
• forest system once open to the public.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture convened with a quorum and heard presentations focused on land conservation and agricultural preservation in Florida. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services briefed the committee on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, explaining that it protects active agricultural lands through permanent conservation easements while keeping land in private ownership and on the tax rolls. The presentation emphasized eligibility for greenbelted active agricultural operations, required best management practices, and the program’s role in protecting food supply, water resources, habitat, and military buffering. Officials said the program’s 2025 ranked list includes 428 projects, with about 75 projects expected to start this year, and noted strong partnership funding from federal, local, and conservation partners. Committee members asked about eligibility, annual re-ranking, local government involvement, and the number of projects likely to receive funding. Tracy Dean of Conservation Florida testified in support of continued and increased funding for land conservation, arguing that Florida is losing agricultural and natural lands and that conservation easements and fee-simple acquisitions are complementary tools. She said land trusts work with willing landowners to protect ranches, wetlands, forests, and wildlife corridors, and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum so projects do not stall as land values rise. In discussion with senators, she said public access to conserved lands depends on the specific deal and the landowner’s goals, and that access is more commonly provided through lands acquired for parks, forests, and other public green space. The Department of Environmental Protection then updated the committee on the Florida Forever program. DEP said the program uses both conservation easements and fee-simple acquisitions, with about half of acquisitions done through easements, and that it provides benefits including water quality, habitat protection, recreation, and military readiness. Officials reported 60 projects on the 2025-26 work plan, most in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and said the state has invested more than $1.4 billion since 2019, acquiring over 374,000 acres. They highlighted recent acquisitions for Sandy Creek State Forest, Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, and a new state park in Walton County, as well as the program’s 200th conservation easement. The committee also discussed funding levels, payment in lieu of taxes impacts on small counties, and broader priorities such as citrus, roads, and support for agriculture; no votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest Service land. This is the Ocala National Forest.
• Forest Service land without a permit.
• Forest Service land. This is the Ocala National Forest.
• Forest Service land without a permit.
• Today's Gator Day in Ocala National Forest.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; I<01:18:32.480><c> reserve.</c> &gt;&gt; I reserve. &gt;&gt; I reserve.
• I reserve.<03:44:42.239><c> The</c> reserve. The reserve.
• &gt;&gt; I<04:50:34.320><c> reserve.</c> &gt;&gt; I reserve. &gt;&gt; I reserve.
• I reserve. Gentleman from Alabama reserves.
• &gt;&gt; I<05:18:20.878><c> reserve.</c> &gt;&gt; I reserve. &gt;&gt; I reserve.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• forest and landscapes.
• You have a Forest Service program. You have an NRCS program.
• All of that, of course, has to be core. that's coming off of all of our forests.
• We keep for years and years so that we can say we have reserve fire apparatus.
• Paul Mason with Pacific Forest Trust. I want to make three brief points.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This time focused on the wildfire and forest resilience chapter of Prop 4.
• Forest sector economic stimulus, science, fuel breaks, resilient forest and landscapes.
• You have a Forest Service program. You have an NRCS program.
• We keep for years and years so that we can say we have reserve fire apparatus.
• Paul Mason with Pacific Forest Trust. I want to make three brief points.

Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused on California wildfire resilience funding, the SB 254 report on natural catastrophe resilience, and how the state should better prioritize community hardening, recovery, and financing. Senators emphasized that catastrophic wildfires have driven major property losses, insurance cancellations, and affordability problems, and several members argued that prevention and home/community hardening should receive far more attention than they have to date. Members also raised concerns about CEQA and other permitting delays, the need for ongoing rather than one-time funding, and whether the state should rely more on the General Fund, utilities, or other sources such as polluter-pays approaches. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state has appropriated about $4.7 billion for wildfire resilience since 2018-19, with most funding going to forest health, fuels reduction, and related landscape work, while only about $65 million has been specifically targeted to community hardening. LAO also noted that future one-time funding is likely to decline, that GGRF revenues may be limited under the new cap-and-invest structure, and that maintenance costs for treated areas could be substantial over time. Senators pressed LAO on why wildfire resilience is not more often funded through the General Fund and on whether current spending matches the scale of the risk. Cal Fire’s State Fire Marshal described the state’s community wildfire preparedness strategy, centered on home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation, and said the SB 254 report aligns with Cal Fire’s direction. He said California has roughly 4 million homes in the wildland-urban interface, most built before modern wildfire-resistant standards, and highlighted recent streamlining that approved 383 fuels-reduction projects in under 30 days during an emergency proclamation. Cal OES described the AB 38 pilot and FEMA hazard mitigation work, saying federal approval delays have been a major barrier and that the state has hardened 155 properties so far through the pilot, with many more in process. The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force said the state has coordinated more than $6 billion in state and federal investments, treated over 700,000 acres annually, and is shifting toward more regional, data-driven planning and block grants. Task force staff and Cal Fire both said they are moving beyond simple acreage metrics toward models that estimate avoided loss and community risk reduction, but acknowledged major data gaps on parcel-level home hardening and defensible space. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members discussing possible future legislation and budget changes, including home inspection reforms and continued CEQA streamlining.

Transcript Highlights:

• With reservations. Reservations. With reservations.
• </c><01:29:33.520><c> Reservations</c> reservations? Reservations. Reservations reservations?
• Are there any nos or reservations? reservations? reservations?
• Are there any nos or reservations? reservations? reservations?
• Reservations.<01:40:09.280><c> Reservations</c><01:40:09.920><c> for</c> Reservations.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. SB 1296 HD1, relating to disaster recovery, would exempt reconstruction of lawfully constructed structures damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster from special management area permits under certain conditions. OPSD, DLNR, the County of Maui, Front Street Recovery, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, saying it would speed rebuilding after disasters like the Maui fires; one witness noted the bill would not cover shoreline parcels unless amended, and members asked about the five-year rebuild window, the meaning of “lawfully constructed,” and whether unlawful structures were excluded. Testimony was also heard on SB 1413, which would allow the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to dispose of abandoned property in federal public housing projects after notice and within five days; HPHA said the bill would help address illegal dumping and clarify procedures. SB 31 HD1, concerning discriminatory restrictive covenants, was briefly described and had support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and comments from the Uniform Law Commission, with no in-person testimony. The committee then heard SB 1341, which would add HEMA and the Office of Homeland Security to agencies allowed to review energy industry information and would expand the program’s emergency-management purpose. The Hawaii State Energy Office supported the measure, saying the data is important for emergency response and fuel-supply planning. SB 10008 HD1 would authorize counties to adopt ordinances enforcing accessible parking space requirements and clarify county enforcement of EV-related parking provisions; the Disability and Communication Access Board strongly supported the accessible-parking provisions, saying current enforcement is weak, while noting section three on EV spaces is already largely in statute and could be struck if the committee preferred. Tina Yamaki of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition. Finally, the committee heard SB 1028 SD1 HD1, which would eliminate fees, fines, and court costs for offenses committed by minors, discharge existing related debt, limit community service for minors to 72 hours, and repeal certain penalties tied to minors and their parents or guardians. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council, Community Alliance on Prisons, and DebtFree Justice Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that youth fines burden families, worsen poverty, and disproportionately affect Native Hawaiian youth. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments, raising possible constitutional title issues because the current draft incorporates material from HB 129 and includes sections that may relate more to restitution or curfew than to fines and fees; supporters responded that the title is sufficient and cited case law. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Sun I'm of my colleagues Miss Forester Sun I'm of my colleagues Miss Forester uh<00:45:29.200><c
• Of the members present, are there any no votes or reservations?
• The members present, are there any no votes or reservations? Reservations for Senator S. Wam?
• </c> there any no votes or reservations there any no votes or reservations reservations<01:38:51.719>
• If not, Vice Chair, on SB 1225, are there any no votes or reservations? Reservations for Senator S.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 114, which would create a presidential preference primary for the 2028 election. The Office of Elections said the bill would cost about $4.1 million. Supporters, including the Hawaii Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters, favored moving the process to a state-run primary, while several opponents, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women and multiple individual testifiers, argued it would be too expensive, would shift control away from the parties, and would replace volunteer-run caucuses with a mail-in system. Committee members questioned the chief election officer about election timing, certification, and how a primary might be scheduled with other elections. Testimony was recorded as 11 in support, 41 opposed, and 3 comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up SB 725, which would require judges to make findings about a defendant’s ability to afford bail. Judiciary and Attorney General witnesses asked that the bill be deferred or amended, saying the Judicial Council is already reviewing pretrial bail reform and that the bill’s language could create practical problems for police, sheriffs, and courts. Supporters, including the Correctional System Oversight Commission, the public defender, the Community Alliance on Prisons, the ACLU of Hawaii, and disability rights advocates, said cash bail disproportionately harms low-income defendants, increases pretrial detention costs, and should require clearer findings and records. Opponents included the Hawaii County prosecuting attorney. Members questioned how bail is initially set, what records exist, and whether the bill would change current practice; Judiciary witnesses said initial bail decisions are often made by police or judges and later reviewed on the record, while supporters argued the bill would strengthen front-end due process. The ACLU said it supported the bill with amendments, including clearer standards for ability to pay and written findings. The committee also began hearing SB 733, a proposed constitutional amendment to establish a continuous legislative session. Early testimony was strongly supportive, with advocates arguing that the current 60-day session limits public participation, makes it hard for working people to testify, and prevents lawmakers from collaborating effectively. Supporters said a year-round model could improve transparency, reduce duplicate bills, and better accommodate neighbor island legislators. The excerpt ends during the opening testimony on SB 733, before any committee action or vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the conclusion of both of our panels, of course, we always reserve time.
• Yosemite reservations, the restrictions on these are unknown at this moment.
• So reservations for international travelers book six months, normally in advance at least.
• Our forest is a different situation. But in Yosemite itself, we have...
• Our forest is a different situation. But in Yosemite itself, we are not fully staffed.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism held an informational hearing on the state of California tourism amid declining international visitation and broader economic and political headwinds. Visit California CEO Caroline Betetta said the industry remains a major economic driver, with 2024 visitor spending of $157 billion, 1.2 million jobs supported, and $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue, but warned that 2025 forecasts show the first post-pandemic decline in visitation, driven largely by a projected 9.2% drop in international travel. She cited concerns about the strong dollar, visa wait times, border and immigration rhetoric, and a proposed federal visa integrity fee, while emphasizing Visit California’s marketing campaigns and the importance of upcoming mega-events like the World Cup and 2028 Olympics. A second panel of destination leaders described local impacts and strategies. Visit Sacramento’s Mike Testa said the city has diversified beyond conventions into music festivals, sports, and food events, but noted that international apprehension is affecting events like Terra Madre Americas and that California should do more to incentivize major festivals to stay in-state. Santa Monica Travel and Tourism’s Lauren Salisbury said the city is seeing lower international visitation, especially from Canada, Australia, and Europe, and that wildfire coverage and later federal troop presence in Los Angeles hurt local sentiment and caused cancellations. Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau’s Rhonda Salisbury reported steep drops in international visitation to the gateway region, ongoing concerns about wildfire, reservations, insurance costs, and park access, and praised a new federal requirement for quarterly meetings between national parks and gateway communities. San Diego Tourism Authority COO Carrie Verbeck-Cappich said tourism is the region’s second-largest sector, but 2025 is softer than 2024, with spending down despite modest visitation growth. She pointed to weaker Canadian and Asian travel, government-related meeting cancellations, and the need for more support to bid on and host major events; she also highlighted border-crossing delays, insufficient federal staffing at ports of entry, and the Tijuana River sewage crisis as major regional issues. Committee members discussed the effects of federal rhetoric, infrastructure, and cross-border conditions on tourism, and several witnesses urged continued support for Visit California, Brand USA, event incentives, and efforts to present California as welcoming and open. Public comment then opened, beginning with testimony from the California Attractions and Parks Association.

Transcript Highlights:

• B, the first 20 minutes of the opening debate period shall be reserved.
• and the importance of the forest. economy here in our great state.
• Founded in 1914, the Texas Forestry Association has worked tirelessly to ensure that abundant forests
• The forest sector in Texas covers over 12 million acres, directly employs over 70,000 people and has
• Reserve Harris, Davila, voting aye. members voted? If all members voted...

Bills: HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392, HB195, HB 13, HB143, HB135, HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• I come to you from my office at Dobbins Air Reserve Base just north of Atlanta, Georgia, where I work
• The USDA Forest Service says 53% of the nation's water supply originates on forested land.
• Disappearing forests can lead to significant decreases in local cloud cover and thus rainfall.
• When forests are cut down, land surfaces and the climate become drier and warmer.
• The water retention in many services of Earth's forests cannot be provided by solar panels.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused broadly on solar policy and several related bills, especially S. 2269, S. 2270, H. 3520, H. 3521, and related measures on distributed energy resources, municipal solar caps, permitting reform, and tax credits. Testimony from the Air Force supported S. 2232, which would exempt federal military installations from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits to support energy resilience at bases like Hanscom. Most other witnesses argued that Massachusetts needs to speed up rooftop, municipal, and community solar deployment to address high electricity prices, federal tax credit rollbacks, grid reliability, and climate goals. A major theme was streamlining permitting through automated or “smart” solar permitting, including a statewide platform managed by DOER. Permit Power, SEIA, Vote Solar, 350 Mass, and others said current local permitting is fragmented and costly, and that instant permitting could reduce soft costs and speed installations. Several witnesses also urged changes to interconnection rules, including flexible interconnection, remote inspections, and faster utility approval timelines. Some speakers raised concerns about small towns lacking staff to meet short deadlines and suggested a state-hosted platform to reduce the burden on municipalities. Another major topic was lifting caps on solar deployment. Municipal officials from Lexington and Cambridge said the 10-megawatt municipal cap and regional caps are blocking shovel-ready projects and should be removed, including for behind-the-meter municipal solar and MBTA-community housing. Other witnesses described additional limits on project size, net metering, and residential tax credits, and called for making the state residential solar credit refundable and larger. Several speakers also supported virtual power plants, distributed energy resource targets, solar canopies, microgrids, and expanded access for affordable housing, tenants, and low- and moderate-income customers. No votes were taken. Committee members asked questions about permitting timelines, grid modernization, the rationale for caps, balcony solar, and interconnection delays, and witnesses said they would follow up with additional information where needed. The hearing ended with broad support from industry, municipal, environmental, and advocacy groups for advancing the solar and distributed energy bills, while some witnesses opposed provisions they viewed as overly restrictive, such as mandatory SMART participation for all solar projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest Service, where we continue to provide a variety of urban forestry grants.
• to increase urban forest canopies.
• We'll track our success through tree planting and maintenance with urban forest management activities
• versus all the other things that you identified in terms of trying to manage the forest, etc.?
• , CAL FIRE Demonstration Forests, and the State Lands Commission Administered Lands.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One problem is that forest wires can cause fires.
• So, with the Forest Supervisor of the Gila, the Forest Supervisor of the Carson, they have pulled together
• I apologize for not having the State Forester here for you today.
• It is chaired by the state forester.
• The first is forest and watershed health.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without fungi, our forests would not thrive.
• Those actually only make up 7% of our Missouri forests.
• Those actually only make up 7% of our Missouri forests.
• ecosystem from canopy to forest floor.
• They're the managers of our forests.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Iron Range, up where we're at, the Fleet Reserve Association, a bunch of retired Navy chiefs that
• The idea was to house Forest Service employees, critical staff, firefighting individuals, and it only
• </c><00:22:32.360><c> service</c> I believe 78 and the forest service I believe 78 and the forest service
• I'm still currently serving as a chaplain in the Army Reserve. Good afternoon.
• I'm still currently serving as a chaplain in the Army Reserve.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:56:00.200><c> or</c><00:56:00.440><c> Farmland</c> current use as forest or Farmland current
• </c><00:58:58.000><c> Land</c> Farm your tree farm your Forest Land Farm your tree farm your Forest Land
• Matt Ley from the Forest Society is next. Please. Good morning.
• I'm Matt Ley, public policy director for the Forest Society. We opposed the bill.
• </c> public policy director for the forest public policy director for the forest Society<01:04:34.039

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the forecast tool, which is really a tool to help foresters and our forest-based industries
• Finally, the forecast tool, which is really a tool to help foresters and our forest-based industries
• Finally, the forecast tool, which is really a tool to help foresters and our forest-based industries
• Finally, the forecast tool, which is really a tool to help foresters and our forest-based industries
• </c><01:15:37.920><c> the</c><01:15:38.040><c> state</c> Forest uh Foresters here in the state Forest

Keywords: 1183, house