Video & Transcript Research : 'parish council'
Page 170 of 476
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing none, we do have written testimony and support from Koi County Council, Council Member Addison
- Bosan, Maui Police Department, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, County of Hawaii Police Department
- The Insurance Council, I talked to them on Sunday.
- Seeing none, members, we do have written testimony and opposition from the Hawaii Insurance Council.
- Okay, seeing none, we have written testimony in support from the Hawaiian Insurers Council, and that's
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And the same thing for Children's Services Council. They don't have an...
- Our councils work very hard to recruit and retain police officers and firefighters.
- Chris Doolin, Small School District Council, Consortium, and Small County Coalition.
- The Children's Services Council can't assess fees. Who are you going to assess your fee on?
- The Children's Services Council can't assess fees. Who are you going to assess your fee on?
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- ,<01:12:17.040>
the the natural resources council, the the natural resources council, the - Next is House Bill 46, which is an act relating to the rare disease advisory council.
- This bill establishes a rare disease advisory council, or ARDAC, which is an advisory body that gives
- This bill establishes a rare disease advisory council, or ARDAC, which is an advisory body that gives
- Section 2B shifts almost all appointments of council members to the commissioner of health.
Summary:
The House returned to Senate Bill 325 on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction and first took up Representative Charlton’s amendment to extend the interim housing exemptions in tier one areas from 2028 to 2030. Charlton argued the change would better align the exemptions with the state’s 2030 housing targets and give rural communities and smaller developers more realistic time to plan and build. Committee members opposing the amendment said the exemptions would no longer be needed once 1A and 1B areas are established, and Ways and Means reported an unfavorable straw poll. After debate, the House rejected the amendment by roll call, 66-76.
During debate, members discussed whether the extension would help or hinder housing production, with supporters emphasizing rural Vermont, achievable timelines, and the need for certainty for developers, while opponents stressed that the temporary exemptions were meant to bridge the transition to the new tier system. The House also heard questions about whether any communities had actually adopted 1A or 1B status yet, and it was noted that future land use maps were not yet complete. The chamber then moved to a second amendment from Representative Dobervich, which would extend certain interim Act 250 exemptions for designated village centers and nearby areas through January 1, 2031, including projects of 50 units or fewer or mixed-income/mixed-use projects meeting specified infrastructure criteria, with municipal bodies able to opt out.
Dobervich said the proposal would expand access to the interim exemptions for rural communities that lack permanent zoning or subdivision bylaws but otherwise meet the criteria, helping more towns build housing in already developed areas. Opponents argued the amendment could allow too much development in small towns without local review and questioned how many municipalities would actually qualify. The debate continued with members discussing the relationship between Act 181, the temporary exemptions, and the ongoing work to create future land use maps and tier designations.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee, February 17, 2026
Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Outdoor Council and I'm going<00:25:47.520>
to <00:25:47.640>hand <00:25:47.840>it< - Any questions for Wyoming Outdoor Council? Uh, with either Anna or Jonathan. Seeing none.
- Donna Birkholz, the executive director of the Powder River Basin Resource Council.
- I'm the energy associate for the Wyoming Outdoor Council.
- the Wyoming Outdoor Council. the Wyoming Outdoor Council.
Keywords:
driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, motor vehicle, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers, vehicle fees, public records, license plates, replacement cycle, vehicle registration, motor vehicles, state fees, 916, all
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology (9-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- At the Kentucky Chamber, we have seven policy councils that help set our legislative agenda each session
- At the Kentucky Chamber, we have seven policy councils that help set our legislative agenda each session
- Chamber, we have seven policy councils Chamber, we have seven policy councils that<00:03:04.400>
- of Commerce's Small Business Council. of Commerce's Small Business Council.
- small business council and our uh<00:08:47.839>
new <00:08:48.160>small <00:08:48.480><
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:13
Kentucky Small Business Update 00:01:50
Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit Program Update 00:14:16
State of the Tourism Industry 00:38:03, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August minutes, then moved to an update from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on small business conditions. Chamber representatives John Hughes and Amit Patel said Kentucky has benefited from pro-growth policies such as lower income taxes, regulatory modernization, and workforce development, but they emphasized ongoing challenges including workforce shortages, child care access, housing availability, rising insurance costs, and inflation. Patel, speaking as a hotel operator, said recruiting and retaining staff has become difficult and that his company is considering child care stipends and other benefits to help employees. Members asked about child care benefits, community involvement, and health care costs; Patel said the business is discussing additional support for employees and noted that health care costs have tripled over three years. The chamber said it will prioritize child care and housing policy in the upcoming session.
The committee then received an update from the Cabinet for Economic Development on the Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit program from David Brock of KY Innovation and Matt Wingate. Brock outlined the state’s broader innovation and entrepreneurship programs, including innovation hubs, SBIR/STTR matching funds, the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, SSBCI, and STEP, and said these programs have helped create jobs, raise capital, and support exports. He explained that the angel tax credit is intended to encourage private investment in innovative Kentucky small businesses with high growth potential. The credit is generally 25% of investment in non-enhanced counties and 40% in enhanced counties, with annual and per-investor caps and eligibility rules for both businesses and investors. Brock reported that 317 businesses have been certified, 117 have received at least one investment, 445 investors have made 750 investments, $57.2 million has been invested, $19 million in credits has been awarded, and 373 new jobs have been reported since 2021.
Committee members asked about the relationship between the program’s industry verticals and university research, the difference between enhanced and non-enhanced counties, and where investments are occurring geographically. Cabinet staff said the verticals align with the original Innovation Act framework, and that enhanced counties are defined by statute, including distressed and disaster-impacted areas. They said most investments and credits have been in non-enhanced counties, though some examples were cited in Bath County and Auburn. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting beyond approval of the minutes.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 23rd, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Have you registered as Tabitha Harrison, testifying on behalf of the Texas Council on Family Violence
- Members, the committee sub is just the legislative council draft.
- on behalf of the council and himself, and you're neutral on the bill.
- Mel Wright, Recycling Council of Texas. Thank you, Chairman.
- Mel Wright, Recycling Council of Texas. Thank you, Chairman Hefner, members of the committee.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support.
The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a legislative representative with AFSCME Council 5.
- with appsme Council 5 uh we're<00:15:03.320>
here <00:15:03.519>today <00:15:03.839> - I'm a legislative representative with AFSCME Council 5.
- Pat Benner, with AFSCME Council 5.
- So make sure you're in touch with your city council members, your engineers, your mayors, etc.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:37:44.800>
I <00:37:44.920>believe <00:37:45.280>for governor and Council - I believe for governor and Council I believe for approval<00:37:46.400>
whatever <00:37:46.680 - <00:49:59.400>
group <00:49:59.760>that <00:50:00.440>um Council group that um Council - <00:50:24.040>
to standards and training Council to standards and training Council to support - I'm really grateful to Commissioner Quinn and everyone else on that council who has gotten this up and
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We work with ethnic councils to distribute those, our own gov delivery lists.
- We work with ethnic councils to do.
- We work with ethnic councils to distribute<00:30:00.159>
those <00:30:00.559>our <00:30: - It's a second set of eyes before it comes to the opioid council for final decisions.
- before it comes to the opioid council before it comes to the opioid council for<00:33:54.559>
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Thu Feb 19, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- Next, we have testimony from Council Member Kagi, Hawaii County Council, offering testimony and support
testimony Hawaii County Council offering testimony Hawaii County Council offering testimony and- >
offering have council member Dupula offering have council member Dupula offering testimony<01 - We have testimony in support from Council Member Kagiada from Hawaii Island County Council.
- of Kano Healthu as a deputy corp council of Kano Healthu as a deputy corp council related<01:51:
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 2485, which would require cardiovascular screening for student athletes. The Department of Education and Department of Health said they support the bill’s intent but noted that many screenings are already part of existing school-entry and well-child exams. The Attorney General’s office asked for clarifying language on who performs the screenings, where results go, how “positive findings” are defined, how referrals would work, and whether funding would be appropriated if DOE must hire health professionals. The American Heart Association strongly supported the bill, citing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and arguing that sports physicals are an effective opportunity for early detection. No vote was taken, and the committee moved on after testimony.
The committee then heard HB 89, concerning a school psychologist working group and possible licensing or credentialing of school psychologists. The Department of Education and Board of Psychology supported the measure. The Hawaii Psychological Association said it supports licensing school psychologists but asked to be included in the working group, arguing it is an important stakeholder. The Hawaii Association of School Psychologists opposed including HPA, saying the issue is between school psychologists and DCCA and that HPA is not part of their organization. Testimony and discussion focused on the long-running disagreement over whether school psychologists should be regulated under the Board of Psychology or another mechanism, and on title protection and scope of practice. No action was reported during this portion.
The committee also took up HB 2445, relating to standardized emergency responses for immigration enforcement at or near schools. The Department of Education said it already issued internal law-enforcement guidance and questioned whether the bill was necessary, while also raising concerns about the bill’s 1,000-foot buffer language and the limits of school authority over activity off campus. The Board of Education echoed those concerns and suggested the bill may need clearer definitions. Supporters, including the White Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and an attorney testifying on Know Your Rights training, argued that recent federal changes have increased ICE activity near schools and that a law is needed to ensure clear, public protocols, staff training, and family protections. A student testifier said the measure was a top priority of the state student council. The transcript ends during testimony, with no vote or final committee action shown.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 11, February 21, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There are some boots on the council.
- <00:51:05.440>
has showing me what the business council has showing me what the business council - council came in and helped them. council came in and helped them. infrastructure<01:00:22.559>
- You know, on the business council.
- council estimates approximately The council estimates approximately two<01:27:14.960>
hearings
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (01/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It's still an RFP; it hasn't been awarded yet, and it would be going to Governor and Executive Council
- It's still an RFP; it hasn't been awarded yet, and it would be going to Governor and Executive Council
- It's still an RFP; it hasn't been awarded yet, and it would be going to Governor and Executive Council
- of folks here have heard before: every contract over $10,000 has to be approved by the Executive Council
- These may be federal funds, they may be general funds, or other funds; they may be Governor and Council
Summary:
Finance Division 3 met for a work session on House Bill 519, which concerns funding for Waypoint. The chair noted general support for the organization but said the bill would likely need to be suspended and folded into the budget process because the committee did not yet know available revenues or what amount, if any, could be committed. Kya Fox, director of the Division for Behavioral Health, testified that the department supports the bill and the program, explaining that it had been funded with other available funds, including $100,000 for 2024 and $400,000 for 2025, under a contract running through June 30 of this year. She said the shelter serves a unique population of young adults and is part of the department’s children’s system of care and Mission Zero efforts to reduce barriers to psychiatric discharge and emergency department use.
Members questioned Fox and Waypoint representatives about the budget placement of the request, the difference between the efficiency budget and prioritized needs, and whether state budget documents would show any internal Waypoint revenues. Fox said the request appears as a general fund item and that the state would not see Waypoint’s internal financial operations in the budget. A legislative member explained that prioritized needs are critical services already in place but not necessarily included in the efficiency budget, and another member said the distinction is not strictly applied. The committee also raised a separate question about how DHHS would handle any future state or federal restrictions on DEI practices; Fox said that was a question for department leadership and legal staff, but that the department follows state law and contract requirements.
Waypoint CEO Bor Alvare and Director Mandy Lancaster then described the shelter and related services. They said the shelter serves ages 18 to 24, is a 14-bed open-room facility with half walls, and is staffed overnight by two full-time workers. They said admission is first come, first served, with some vulnerability factors considered, and that they do not discriminate by race, gender, or sexual orientation. They reported no known incidents of sexual violence, though some youth are turned away each night because the shelter is full. They also explained that Waypoint provides broader services beyond the shelter, including outreach, drop-in centers, housing support, rental assistance, and family mediation, and said they serve about 400 youth and young adults in Manchester alone. The discussion ended with questions about whether lowering the upper age limit would affect the program; Waypoint said most residents are already in the 18-to-23 range, but that housing shortages make the current age span important for helping young adults avoid chronic homelessness.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Furthermore, the city council and the local chamber of commerce believes this will be an improvement
- as well as our the Anoka City Council as well as our Chamber<00:26:13.280>
of <00:26:13.360>- And in behalf of that organization and our other partners, the Minnesota Safety Council, our friends
- from the Advisory Council on Traffic Safety, I'd like to thank you for including Senate File 4435 in
- Friends from the Advisory Council on Traffic Safety, I'd like to thank you for including Senate File
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 04/09/26
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- So, my first question would be, Senator McEwen, we've got guidelines from the Technical Advisory Council
- /c> guidelines from the uh, Technical guidelines from the uh, Technical Advisory<00:12:26.360>
Council - and and so minutes get Advisory Council and and so minutes get guidelines.<00:12:29.440>
Did < - and number of the Senate Council and number of the attorneys<00:24:49.800>
looking <00:24:50.040 - ,<00:37:28.840>
the the Minnesota Family Council, the the Minnesota Family Council, the Minnesota
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/24/26
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- And in fact, the Met Council also has goals for the seven-county area. we're a 100,000 homes short.
- <00:19:15.120>
And <00:19:15.360>that that Met Council footprint. - And that that Met Council footprint.
- And I think I could include the Met Council on that also. Um, so we need comparative data.
- No, council assures me it does not.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (03/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, Council of State Governments.
- state governments and who are council state governments and who are here<02:07:49.400>
today < - doing excellent work um um now Council doing excellent work um um now Council of<02:09:52.679>
<02:10:04.159>of <02:10:04.280>state were part of Council of state were part of Council - So just a little background: Council of State Governments has been around since 1933.
Summary:
The committee opened a hearing on HR 18, a resolution urging New Hampshire’s congressional delegation to seek federal changes that would let very small slaughter plants use custom-exempt inspection criteria with a third-party inspector present, so beef, pork, lamb, and goat could be sold as individual cuts directly to consumers. Representative Judy Aron said the resolution was drafted in lieu of state legislation because the issue is governed by USDA rules, and she noted she was also working on an amendment to ensure the measure covered federal “very small” plants. Representative Miner asked for clarification about custom slaughter versus retail sales, and Representative Scully supported the resolution while suggesting language to make clear it applied only to local end consumers. Joyce Brady of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the state’s four USDA slaughterhouses and the bottleneck in custom cutting made the issue important. After no further testimony, the chair closed the hearing.
The committee then moved into a work session on several bills. For HB 616, members discussed an amendment that had been revised after public comments and Commissioner Jasper’s feedback; Representative Guber said it balanced the competing positions, and Representative Penza and Representative Ger said the language now addressed concerns about animal suffering by allowing euthanasia if a treating veterinarian determines the animal is in extreme suffering. The committee then discussed HB 77, with Representative Penza describing changes to landfill-related standards, including replacing aquifer references with drinking water wells, removing a penalty section, changing discretionary language to mandatory language for the department, and adjusting an in situ soils standard. Members praised the compromise, though Representative Scully raised concerns about the 1,500-foot setback and suggested engineering controls such as berms; Penza responded that current rules do not include such controls and that the setback was intended to address surface spills. Several members said the bill reflected a hard-fought balance and should not be rewritten at the last minute.
For HB 505, the freeze-dried food bill, Representative Aron explained that the amendment replaced a simple exemption with a requirement that homestead food operations selling freeze-dried foods from a farm stand, farmers market, or retail food store obtain a homestead food license under RSA 143-A:4. She said the amendment defines freeze-dried foods as fruits, vegetables, and commercially prepared dairy products, and delays the effective date 120 days to allow rulemaking. Members generally supported the approach as a light-touch oversight mechanism for potentially hazardous foods, though Representative Ktoa asked for clarification about how the amendment interacts with existing licensing and inspection exemptions, and Aron clarified that these products would not be exempt from licensing under the relevant law. The committee then turned to HB 250, concerning local authority over dog muzzling, where members broadly supported the amendment as a simple solution, while Representative Ktoa asked about the underlying definition of a vicious dog and whether all listed behaviors would warrant muzzling. The discussion noted that the amendment would allow towns to require muzzling for dogs meeting the statutory definition, while excluding hunting, working, herding, and similar dogs.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (02/19/2025)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- So it's a really important group, but it is a huge committee or council.
- The council has been meeting monthly.
- I work for the Council of State Governments Justice Center.
- I work for the Council of State Governments Justice Center.
- Then separately, you're adding two members to the Ports Advisory Council and the Harbor Advisory Council
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HED/EDN Joint Public Hearing - Wed Feb 5, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:06:24.360>
providing <00:06:24.800>comments Up next via Zoom is the Hawaii State Council - Paris, executive administrator for the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, testified
- <00:07:03.919>
state administrator for the Hawaii state administrator for the Hawaii state Council - <00:07:04.680>
developmental <00:07:05.400>disabilities <00:07:06.400>we Council - on developmental disabilities we Council on developmental disabilities we are<00:07:06.639>
in
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 707, which would create a state income tax deduction for contributions to Hawaii 529 college savings accounts and conform state law to federal changes allowing 529 funds to be used for K-12 expenses. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the bill as written. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure but asked that ABLE accounts be included and that the program title be changed; the Department of Taxation indicated the title issue could be a problem because the bill’s expanded purpose may not fit the current program name. No vote was taken.
The committee then heard House Bill 617, which would fund a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. UH Community Colleges supported the bill, and Maui nursing staff testified that faculty recruitment is challenging but manageable, clinical placements are available, and the campus already has a statewide RN-to-BSN pathway; they said the new program would create two tracks, including a four-year BSN option. Members also heard support from several organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, nursing groups, and health care associations. No action was taken.
Next were several UH-related measures. HB 718 would fund faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine; the dean and other supporters testified in favor. HB 1279 would create a medical education liaison position tied to Project ECHO; the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns about statewide concern and grant standards, while an individual witness supported the concept but suggested the bill should focus on liaison/support functions rather than program administration. HB 1169 would consolidate conference center revolving funds, and HB 1168 would authorize up to $800 million in UH revenue bonds; UH’s CFO said both were procedural/housekeeping measures and supported them. On HB 1168, members questioned debt service, possible uses, and whether deferred maintenance would be included; the CFO estimated annual debt service could be about $33 million to $41 million at current rates, said likely uses could include student housing and research facilities, and said deferred maintenance was not the current strategy. The CFO also explained that revenue bonds require both legislative authorization and a Board of Regents resolution approving the project and amount.
Finally, the committee heard HB 548, which would authorize revenue bonds and appropriations to acquire the St. Francis School campus for UH Mānoa. UH supported the bill but noted the property is privately owned and not known to be for sale. A supporter described the site as a unique 11-acre parcel contiguous to the main campus and urged the committee to seize the opportunity for future generations. No vote or final action was taken on the bills in the transcript.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The City of Dallas Council adopted their own plan.
- So, I have the privilege of serving on CPRIT's Childhood Cancer Advisory Council.
- So, I have the privilege of serving on CPRIT's Childhood Cancer Advisory Council.
- So, I have the privilege of serving on CPRIT's Childhood Cancer Advisory Council.
- So, I have the privilege of serving on CPRIT's Childhood Cancer Advisory Council.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 01/21/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- lard Sam's outdoor Heritage Council lard Sam's outdoor Heritage Council lccmr<00:20:43.559>
that's - Next we have the Met Council Metro Parks.
- The small portion of the Met Council is funded through this committee, dealing with Metro Parks.
- Next we have the Met Council Metro Parks.
- The small portion of the Met Council is funded through this committee, dealing with Metro Parks.
Summary:
Chair Foung Hawj opened the Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee meeting by welcoming members, agency staff, and constituents, and by outlining the committee’s shared-power arrangement for the session. Members introduced themselves and described environmental activities from the interim, including gardening, outdoor recreation, farming visits, Great Lakes work, and a tree-planting trip in Thailand that Hawj said symbolized cultural unity and environmental stewardship.
Ben Stanley, the committee’s nonpartisan counsel, then explained the co-chairs’ operating agreement: Hawj would chair the meeting, Senator John Hoffman would chair the next two meetings, then Hawj would chair the following two, with the chair rotating after each pair of meetings. Agendas would be set jointly, additional meetings would require both chairs’ approval, and passing a bill out of committee would require a majority of all committee members, or seven votes. At Senator Tory Westrom’s request, the agreement was to be emailed to members in writing.
Stanley also reviewed the committee’s jurisdiction, which includes environmental and natural resources bills, legacy funds, and agencies such as the Environmental Quality Board, Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, along with several related councils and boards. Fiscal analyst Dan Mueller then gave a budget overview of the committee’s agencies, noting that many current biennium appropriations include one-time general fund money that drops back in the 2026-27 base budget. He highlighted funding levels for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, Metro Parks, Conservation Corps, BWSR, the Minnesota Zoo, the Science Museum, and the Metropolitan Landfill Contingency Action Trust Account, and said the committee’s base-budget area totals about $2.2 billion. He also reviewed the Legacy funds, estimating available 2026-27 appropriations of about $327 million for Outdoor Heritage, $31.7 million for Clean Water, $133 million for Parks and Trails, and $185 million for Arts and Cultural Heritage. No votes or bill actions were taken at this meeting.