Video & Transcript Research : 'tree canopy'
Page 20 of 122
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- limbs that are hanging over the house, and because of the size of the tree and the height of the tree
- <00:20:10.280>
it <00:20:10.400>is tree and the height of the tree it is tree and the - If they do fund the position, and this person goes out to say, oh, look, the tree came down, the tree
- >
been <00:37:27.760>removed came down the tree has been removed came down the tree has - tree.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants.
Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It establishes a special study committee to assess the impact of fallen trees on residential properties
- This is a fallen-tree issue. You should be on your fallen trees one. Fallen trees, yes, sir.
- Basically, north of Bunkie, Louisiana, is nothing but trees.
- And most of the damage that happened in hurricanes in recent years is because trees split houses.
- People who take the initiative and go clean trees up out of their yard have no incentive at all to do
Bills:
HR118, HR196, HR237, HR285, HCR85, HB442, HB443, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR63, SB25, SB202, SB319
Keywords:
water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, fallen trees, property damage, insurance, property values, hurricanes, storm damage, local government, homeowners, risk management, committee study, census, military population, Department of Defense, representation, federal funding
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- we're going after whether it's CRB, LFA or cookies, those are our top priorities along with the brown tree
- we're going after whether it's CRB, LFA or cookies, those are our top priorities along with the brown tree
- we're going after whether it's CRB, LFA or cookies, those are our top priorities along with the brown tree
- along<00:11:04.800>
with <00:11:04.959>the <00:11:05.120>brown <00:11:05.360>tree - along with the brown tree snate. Okay. along with the brown tree snate. Okay.
Summary:
The joint AEN-HRE hearing focused on HCR 130, HD1, which urges increased and sustained funding for the island invasive species committees and the Hawaii Ant Lab within the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. The Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent and noted that ISC funding flows through the Hawaii Invasive Species Council budget item via DLNR, while also describing ongoing collaboration with DLNR and efforts to support ant control work. Testifiers from CAPS, the University of Hawaii, the Oahu Invasive Species Committee, and CARES all supported the resolution, emphasizing that invasive species work is underfunded, that the island committees and Hawaii Ant Lab do critical control, research, outreach, and eradication work, and that sustained resources are needed to plan effectively and respond to priority pests such as little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frog.
A lengthy exchange followed over whether the resolution was meaningful, since it would be urging the state to fund work the Legislature itself controls. Several members argued that a resolution alone has no legal effect and that funding should come through bills and appropriations instead. In response, the Department of Agriculture said its top biosecurity needs are personnel and chemicals, and noted it is building up its plant quarantine and plant pest control divisions with prior funding and HB 427. Oahu Invasive Species Committee representatives said they rely heavily on Hawaii Invasive Species Council grants, have limited soft funding, and need more stable resources; they also pointed to annual reports and prior testimony as documentation of their work.
After a brief recess, the chairs announced they would pass the resolution with amendments to make it more relevant. The amendments changed the title and text to urge the counties, Congress, and other relevant agencies—not the state alone—to provide increased and sustained funding, and added language urging all of those bodies to seek federal grants. The AEN committee then voted to pass HCR 130, HD1, as amended, and the HRE committee also voted to pass it with amendments. The motion was adopted in both committees.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This addresses criminal destruction of trees on state or county property, except for fire, with a misdemeanor
- Thank you for this amazing bill for our trees. Yes. This concludes this conference committee.
- amazing<00:14:12.720>
bill <00:14:12.920>for <00:14:13.040>our <00:14:13.160>trees - you for this amazing bill for our trees. you for this amazing bill for our trees.
Keywords:
immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen, migrant rights, local police cooperation, law enforcement cooperation, hold request, judicial warrant, probable cause, civil immigration enforcement, county police, state police
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Local government cybersecurity grant bill, HF140, heard in state government committee 2/27/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Obviously, we would like the legislature to wave a magic wand and fix this with the giant money tree
- 10:46.079>
money to fix this with with the giant money to fix this with with the giant money tree - 10:47.800>
we <00:10:47.959>we're <00:10:48.079>sure <00:10:48.240>you tree - uh you know that we we're sure you tree uh you know that we we're sure you all<00:10:48.519>
have - Well, I’ve looked around here for 11 years, and I’ve not seen that tree.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/16/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/29/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- they put<00:16:22.760>
up <00:16:22.880>the <00:16:23.000>Pine <00:16:23.360>Tree - Riot's<00:16:24.120>
flag <00:16:24.640>and <00:16:24.800>all put up the Pine Tree - Riot's flag and all put up the Pine Tree Riot's flag and all of<00:16:25.040>
the <00:16:25.160 - And like I said, we just recently— I think it was the Pine Tree Riot's flag flying was the last one,
- We I think it was the Pine Tree Riot's We I think it was the Pine Tree Riot's flag<00:17:17.240>
flying
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 18th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He brought me a small fruit tree to be planted.
- As a remembrance, we could hope that you plant this orange tree in his memory that will produce the most
- We have since planted that very tree and now that beautiful fruit tree is not just a reminder of my nephew
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Land Grant Oct 7th, 2025
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- That is post-fire treatment, primarily removing hazard trees, and then we are in the process.
- How many trees on an acre would you say is the maximum for that to be considered a healthy acre of forest
- tells us that in the ponderosa pine and dry mix conifer forest types, we would be looking at 20 to 80 trees
- per acre, depending on the tree age and size.
- Some of the larger trees, how do we engage them?
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 01/21/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- The environment connection is that I planted a tree there together with the governor there for the state
- That's where our Minnesota tree is in Thailand, with our name Minnesota on it.
- Senator Hoffman also had a chance to plant two trees too at, uh, at Col...
- my my my opportunity to go plant a tree my my my opportunity to go plant a tree in<00:15:42.079>
- Senator Hoffman also had a chance to plant two trees too at, uh, at Col...
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.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/24/2026)
Public Works and Highways
Transcript Highlights:
- Trees grown north of the political boundary are graded as SPF, while trees grown south of this is graded
- So they all produce the same trees that.
- Prior to 1991, lumber was strength graded based on the value of the tree.
- We looked at the strength of a spruce tree, the strength of a Doug fir tree, or the strength of a southern
- yellow pine tree.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/19/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- So, it killed the surrounding trees.
- it killed the surrounding trees. it killed the surrounding trees.
- It doesn't grow on trees. So, just wanted to say thank you.
- It doesn't grow on trees. So, just wanted to say thank you.
- It doesn't grow on trees. So, for. It doesn't grow on trees.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (01/21/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- That's the same species of trees as SPF, same trees, um, but harvested in the United States.
- That's the same species of trees as SPF, same trees, um, but harvested in the United States.
- answer the question, how does a tree answer the question, how does a tree know<04:04:36.960>
- And uh same species of trees right here.
- determined by the strength of the tree. determined by the strength of the tree.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance May 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- , varieties that are better in, in water use efficiency, um, and, and, uh, be able to breed better trees
- Uh, I had a cottonwood tree, a huge, beautiful, I don't know, 100-foot cottonwood tree just fall over
- And it was a perfectly healthy tree, and I called him up and I said, are cottonwood trees just falling
- Can you tell me, is this tree diseased because it looked perfectly healthy.
- It just fell over what looked like a perfectly beautiful, healthy 100-foot tree.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/16/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- and so you'll and can weigh down trees and so you'll have<00:13:18.360>
trees <00:13:18.720>- It's a beautiful tree.
- It's a beautiful<00:18:45.240>
tree. beautiful tree. beautiful tree.- It's a really anything about that tree? It's a really big<00:47:06.160>
tree. - big tree. It's dying. big tree. It's dying.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 562, which would create a home damage mitigation and resilience grant program aimed at helping homeowners make property improvements that could reduce insurance costs and non-renewals. Commissioner DJ Bettencourt of the New Hampshire Insurance Department explained that the program is modeled in part on Alabama’s safer homes program, but tailored for New Hampshire hazards such as floods, microbursts, heavy snow, ice, and falling trees. He said the grants would be limited to primary residences, subject to a means test, capped at $10,000, and intended to help homeowners make targeted improvements such as roof fortification or tree removal that could improve underwriting outcomes and lead to premium discounts.
Bettencourt said the program would not use state taxpayer funds and would instead rely on philanthropic donations, possible federal or regional housing-bank funding, and other outside sources. He said the department would not need new staff, and that a current position could be reconfigured to help administer the program part-time. Committee members asked about the funding language, the meaning of “loans” in the bill, whether there were any other states using a similar no-state-funds model, and how many homeowners could be helped. Bettencourt said Rhode Island and Connecticut were moving forward in a similar way, and that the number of beneficiaries would depend on how much money is raised.
Members also questioned how the grant program would actually lower premiums, whether savings would apply only to participants or more broadly, and how the IBHS evaluation process would work. Bettencourt and department staff said the direct benefit would be to the homeowner whose property is improved, though neighbors could also benefit in some cases. They explained that IBHS is a building-safety organization that certifies contractors and inspectors and that its standards can qualify homes for insurer discounts. Questions were also raised about confidentiality provisions, first-come-first-served grant awards, rollover of unused applications, and possible tax treatment of donations. The sponsor said those details would be addressed through rulemaking or existing tax rules, and no vote was taken during the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- People are allowing bow hunting from a tree stand.
- This isn't just about protecting trees or wildlife.
- These isn't just about protecting trees or wildlife.
- What happens is trees get blown.
- First of all, focusing solely on mature trees for reserves is short-sighted.
Summary:
The committee hearing covered a wide range of animal, wildlife, hunting, and environmental bills. Early testimony focused on deer management, with Rep. Markey urging creation of a deer commission to address crop damage, vehicle collisions, and Lyme disease, and Sen. Durant supporting bills to allow Sunday bow hunting, expand crossbow use, and reduce the 500-foot dwelling restriction for archery hunting. Supporters framed these measures as practical wildlife-management tools, while questions centered on how they would differ from existing Fish and Wildlife authority and whether they would allow hunting closer to residences. Later, Rep. Sena also spoke in support of a bill to increase protected wildlife management areas and another to require non-lead ammunition, arguing both would benefit biodiversity and reduce environmental harm.
A substantial portion of the hearing addressed animal welfare and commerce. Multiple witnesses supported bills to ban or phase out the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops, arguing that pet stores rely on puppy mills and obscure the source of animals, while opponents said the bills would hurt responsible breeders, small businesses, and consumer choice. The committee also heard strong testimony for bills to ban the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops, with supporters citing sick animals, consumer deception, and the need to cut off the puppy mill supply chain. In a separate animal-testing segment, witnesses backed bills requiring non-animal testing methods for cosmetics and household products, saying alternatives are more accurate and humane; biomedical research representatives opposed those bills and a related research-animal measure, warning of unintended restrictions on research institutions and arguing animal models remain necessary for many studies.
The committee also heard testimony on horseshoe crab conservation, with supporters of H. 898 urging an end to taking horseshoe crabs for bait because of population declines, shorebird impacts, and the species’ importance to biomedical science. On wildlife trafficking, witnesses backed bills to ban intrastate sales of ivory and rhino horn, saying Massachusetts should close loopholes that aid poaching and align with federal law and other states; one antique dealer testified in support, saying he avoids such items and still sees them in the marketplace. Additional testimony supported bans on fur products from factory farms and on force-feeding birds for foie gras, with advocates emphasizing cruelty, public health, and environmental concerns. The hearing was lengthy and heavily attended, with the chairs repeatedly limiting testimony to three minutes and inviting written submissions; no committee votes or final actions were taken during the transcript excerpt.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, February 27, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and tree branches and such with power lines.
- A healthy-looking tree, a perfectly healthy-looking tree that had been inspected and deemed to be okay
- trees and tree branches interaction of trees and tree branches and<02:39:17.359>
such <02:39:17.560 - a tree a healthy<02:39:46.160>
looking <02:39:46.479>tree <02:39:46.880>a <02:39: - looking tree a perfectly healthy looking<02:39:48.120>
tree <02:39:48.439>that <02:39:48.760
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (02/04/2026)
Resources, Recreation and Development
Transcript Highlights:
- , icons in this state like the state tree, icons in this state like the state tree, the<01:15:55.360
- Timber owners have allowed tree harvesters, 40,000-pound tree harvesters, as we heard, and the 120,000
- , 40,000lb tree tree harvesters, 40,000lb tree harvesters,<04:00:23.279>
as <04:00:23.520>we - Trees grown to the north of that political boundary are graded as SPF, while trees grown to the south
- I have a hard time believing that a tree I have a hard time believing that a tree growing<05:20:
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Governor, legislative leaders honor Melissa and Mark Hortman 2/17/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In recent years, one of Melissa's top legislative priorities was trees. Melissa loved trees.
- Melissa loved trees.
- If you visited her home, you were very likely to get a tour of all the trees she had planted.
- And as speaker, she sprinkled money throughout many different budgets for tree planting.
- There are whole forests of trees in Minnesota because of Melissa Hortman.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I have fruit trees and other things like that, so I think it's very important to try and keep an ecosystem
- We need them to pollinate our fruit trees that are growing in the state. We have apple orchards.
- A lot of trees were devastated by bark beetles.
- We didn't have enough water, and the trees were not as strong and healthy, didn't have the sap to prevent
- the bark beetles from getting in, and so there are a lot of dead trees.
Keywords:
insurance, wildfire, flood damage, natural disasters, property coverage, water projects, appropriation, New Mexico, finance authority, infrastructure, New Mexico Finance Authority, funding, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law