Transcript Highlights:

• My question is going to be on page 7, your senior forester. So tell me about the senior forester.
• I also want to direct your attention to page seven in the senior forester position.
• to help them prevent forest fires.
• The grant Federal Grasslands works with the State Land Office, and of course, the Forest Service, U.S
• Forest Service, and the New Mexico Department of Forestry.

Transcript Highlights:

• trap-and-sort system that would remove invasive carp from the river and may have potential to help native
• the river and may have potential to from the river and may have potential to help<00:04:03.840> native
• help native fish pass the lock and dam. help native fish pass the lock and dam.
• recreation areas and a whole set forest recreation areas and a whole set of<00:13:17.680> water
• in the north, uh all those pine forests in the north, uh all the<00:14:11.040> way<00:14:11.199

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• represent landowners in the forest represent landowners in the forest products<01:51:34.040>
• Forest Service forest inventory data, where they have growth plots across the state and they measure
• Yeah, so if you look at US Forest Yeah, so if you look at US Forest Service,<02:00:05.640> they
• Service, they call it forest inventory Service, they call it forest inventory data,<02:00:07.640
• many forest fires because they're<02:01:04.760> being<02:01:05.000> forested.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Independent forest ecologists Independent forest ecologists, climate scientists, wildlife biologists,
• forests, because our forests in New England are naturally fire-resistant if we leave them alone, and
• So cut-down forests, degrade forests, and you cause droughts, which we are in right now.
• We represent forest landowners, foresters, timber harvesters, and forest products companies in Massachusetts
• We represent forest landowners, foresters, timber harvesters, and forest products companies in Massachusetts

Keywords: 995, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• I often find myself deep in the forest searching for that childlike wonder again.
• I found the true solace in the heart of the forest.
• Strategic urban forest expansion in Roxbury would remove 82,000 pounds of air pollutants annually.
• Japan integrates forest bathing into their national health care system.
• Canada has established healing forests nationwide. The evidence is clear: this works.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of health insurance and public health bills, with most speakers focused on expanding coverage for specific treatments and services. Bills discussed included H. 1187/S. 792 on rehabilitation counselors, H. 1173/S. 692 on patient navigation, S. 2600 on scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, S. 2599 on medically necessary treatment for port wine birthmarks, H. 1164 on licensed educational psychologists for child and adolescent mental health services, S. 754/H. 1254 on autism diagnosis and treatment by nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists, S. 714/H. 1137 on infectious disease response and coverage, and S. 791 on making nature a prescriptive therapeutic intervention. Speakers generally argued these bills would improve access, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and address gaps in current insurance reimbursement rules. Testimony in support emphasized personal stories and clinical evidence. Cancer patients and providers described the benefits of patient navigation and scalp cooling for dignity and quality of life during treatment. Boston Children’s Hospital staff and families said port wine birthmark treatment is medically necessary, can prevent complications, and should not be denied as cosmetic. Rehabilitation counselors and school psychologists argued their services are effective, cost-saving, and underused because they cannot bill insurance. Autism advocates said current insurance statutes are outdated because nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists already provide evaluations and should be recognized for reimbursement to avoid delays in early intervention. Public health and GLAD Law testimony supported stronger infectious disease coverage to remove barriers to testing, treatment, and PrEP access. The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 1172, a bill requiring insurance coverage for detransition-related care. Supporters said it would ensure coverage for medically necessary care for people who regret or reverse gender transition, while opponents argued it would legitimize anti-trans narratives or, conversely, that detransition care is needed because transition procedures can cause harm. The committee also heard strong support for S. 791 from advocates who described nature access as a health intervention that could help with trauma, anxiety, substance use recovery, and environmental justice, with claims that insurance coverage and reduced park fees would improve access. No votes were taken during the transcript, and the chair repeatedly thanked speakers and moved through the long list of public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• we spend our money, how much of it is on fuel breaks, how much of it is on this, that, you know, forest
• We've seen the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program do a wonderful job working with locals in the
• Outdoors for All, our programs are high priorities for us, as well as vegetation management and forest
• The climate, environmental, economic benefits and necessity of a thriving forest.
• One is 68 million for state parks, wildfire resilience, and the forest maintenance projects.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have Darcia Forester, Office of the Public Defender, or her representative, Mr. Bento.
• Forester, who submitted the written testimony. We're in very strong support of HB 103.
• who submitted the written Miss Forester who submitted the written testimony<01:35:47.600> uh<
• than a quarter of missing girls in Hawaii are Native Hawaiians.
• More than a quarter of missing girls in Hawaii are Native Hawaiians.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees heard HB 756 HD1, a measure on flavored tobacco products. Supporters included the Attorney General, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, youth advocates, public health groups, and Kaiser Permanente. They argued flavored tobacco and menthol are used to attract and addict young people, cited rising youth and young adult vaping rates, and pointed to public health harms and evidence from other states that flavor restrictions reduced e-cigarette sales. The Attorney General requested oral amendments to correct a statutory reference, repeal a county preemption provision so counties could enact stricter flavor bans, and restore appropriations, positions, and the original effective date. Opponents, including retail and wholesale businesses, argued the bill would hurt small businesses and state tax revenue, push sales to the black market, and remove a harm-reduction option for adult smokers; they urged stronger enforcement instead of a ban. After testimony, the committees took up amendments and recommendations. The chair proposed correcting the statutory citation to HRS 26-38, adopting a Department of Health amendment on disposal of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids as hazardous waste, and noting the appropriations, FTE, and effective date in the committee report. Members then voted to pass HB 756 HD1 with amendments in both committees, with the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee recording one member as supporting with reservations. The transcript then moved to HB 806, relating to fireworks, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying undercover enforcement is costly and additional funding is needed. A community testifier also supported stronger enforcement, citing illegal aerial fireworks, noise, and impacts on pets and kupuna. No final vote on HB 806 was shown in the excerpt. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee also heard HB 438, which would create a Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation in immigration court for income-qualified individuals. Support came from civil rights, legal aid, ACLU, and law school clinic representatives, who said counsel is needed to ensure due process and fair access to justice, especially because immigration proceedings can lead to deportation and family separation. Opposition testifiers argued taxpayer-funded counsel for people in immigration proceedings is inappropriate, unlawful, or unfair to citizens and legal residents. One law school representative suggested a technical amendment to broaden language about training and education. The excerpt ends before a final vote on HB 438 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes approximately $170 million in accelerated climate bond funding to conservancies for forest
• changes related to resources and environmental protection programs, most notably, it increases the forester
• we do have a tribal college here in the state of California, which has the highest population of Native
• we do have a tribal college here in the state of California, which has the highest population of Native
• we do have a tribal college here in the state of California, which has the highest population of Native

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the final three-party budget agreement and related trailer bills, with the Department of Finance outlining the major budget bill and omnibus measures. Finance described a package built around balancing the state budget amid economic uncertainty, preserving core health and safety-net programs, and making significant ongoing reductions in some state programs. The budget bill included major items such as shifting $1 billion from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for Cal Fire, funding universal transitional kindergarten, deferring some UC and CSU funding, supporting foster care and homelessness programs, providing Proposition 36 implementation funding, and achieving Medi-Cal savings through changes to benefits and eligibility. The committee also heard that votes on the budget bills were expected later in the week and the following Monday. Finance then walked through the trailer bills, including health, human services, early learning, education, resources, energy, transportation, labor, housing, tax, public safety, courts, general government, cannabis, and energy-related measures. Notable provisions included a Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for certain adults, new premiums and benefit changes for some immigrants, child care COLA changes, education funding for literacy, teacher support, universal meals, and community college student support, as well as resource and climate measures affecting Cal Fire staffing and energy permitting. The housing trailer bill drew the most discussion, with provisions on CEQA streamlining, a vehicle miles traveled mitigation banking program, a renters’ credit trigger, and a six-year moratorium on new residential building standards. Members also discussed a film tax credit expansion, cannabis enforcement funding, a tribal police pilot program, and changes to tax policy, including military retirement income exclusions and wildfire settlement payment exclusions. Committee members largely praised the staff and the budget process, but several raised concerns and asked detailed questions, especially about the housing trailer bill’s new wage standards, tribal consultation provisions, and possible effects on prevailing wage protections. Finance explained that the housing language was intended to set wage floors for market-rate projects receiving CEQA streamlining, with different county-based tiers and a notwithstanding clause preserving existing prevailing wage laws. Members also questioned the size and timing of funding for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Clean Cars for All, Proposition 36, and the film tax credit expansion. Other members highlighted support for public safety, veterans’ tax relief, child care providers, housing production, and higher education, while some expressed concern that the budget’s policy changes were being negotiated too quickly or without enough stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• significant habitat for endangered species, migratory birds of the Pacific Flyway, and many other native
• Its varied habitat, from kelp forest to deep-sea canyons to offshore islands, serves as critical breeding
• So any tool that we can use to help get these bears out of our community and back into the forest, I
• Living through this is hard enough for California's bears and the rest of our native wildlife.
• The California Endangered Species Act states that all native species and their habitats threatened with

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of water, parks, transportation, species protection, and fisheries bills. AB 430 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to publish an economic and environmental impact study when emergency water regulations are extended over multiple years; the author and supporters from agricultural and water groups said it would add transparency without limiting emergency authority. AB 1139 would expand a CEQA exemption to let county park agencies open existing roads and trails for non-motorized recreation, with supporters emphasizing access to nature and opponents warning about impacts to sensitive habitat, tribal resources, and fire risk. AB 929 would temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain SGMA pumping reductions and fines; supporters said it would protect vulnerable communities and wetlands, while farm and water coalition opponents argued it would undermine basin-wide groundwater management and shift burdens to other users. AB 1225, creating an Accessibility Advisory Committee for State Parks, drew broad support and passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 514, which would encourage local water suppliers to develop emergency water supplies for drought and service interruptions; it passed with broad support, though one member cautioned against using scientific research as a loophole. AB 550 would let developers seek incidental take permits for species under consideration for listing, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects; environmental groups supported the goal but asked for clearer standards, limits on using research as mitigation, and a fee provision, and the bill passed as amended. AB 697 would authorize an incidental take permit for the State Route 37 interim project in Solano and Marin counties, balancing congestion relief and habitat restoration; supporters stressed long commutes and urgent restoration deadlines, while opponents raised climate, sea-level-rise, and tribal concerns. The bill passed, with some members noting they would continue to work on the measure. Other measures discussed included AB 975, which would give Sutter County a narrow, temporary exemption from streambed alteration agreements for certain damaged small bridges and culverts; county officials described repeated flood damage and long permitting delays, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1056 would phase out transferability of set gillnet permits after 2027, allowing only a final family transfer; supporters framed it as a gradual response to bycatch concerns, while fishing industry opponents said it would unfairly target an existing fishery and set a bad precedent. The committee also took up AB 1146, described by the author as a response to politically motivated water releases; supporters from conservation and water organizations backed the bill. Several bills were voted out to Appropriations, some were left open for later action or add-ons, and the committee repeatedly noted it was working through the agenda without a quorum early in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• biomass utilization will still remain biomass utilization will still remain and<04:57:53.360> forest
• <04:57:53.760> treatment<04:57:55.040> economics<04:57:55.760> still and forest
• treatment economics still and forest treatment economics still remain<04:57:56.878> um<04:57:
• 04:58:00.240> through<04:58:01.280> the<04:58:01.520> state<04:58:01.920> forest
• be addressed through the state forest be addressed through the state forest service.<04:58:02.958

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a color guard presentation by Colorado Military Academy cadets and the pledge led by Olivia and Owen Curry. After roll call established a quorum, members approved the journal of Friday, March 6, 2026, as corrected. Several committees then announced upcoming hearings, including Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources; State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs; and Finance. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1020, designating March 8, 2026, as International Women’s Day in Colorado. The resolution praised women’s contributions across history and society, highlighted Colorado’s early adoption of women’s suffrage, and recognized trailblazing women in the General Assembly. Sponsors and supporters spoke at length about women’s leadership, economic and civic contributions, and the need to continue advancing equality. The resolution also drew recognition of women and advocacy organizations present in the chamber. Representative Bradley and other Republican members criticized the resolution as partisan and said Republican women were not included in drafting or sponsoring it. They argued the measure should have been more inclusive and should have better reflected women’s roles in the home and the broader bipartisan history of women’s history observances. Bradley announced she would vote no. In response, Representative Ricks said an amendment would be accepted from the minority caucus to address concerns about traditional roles of women, and he moved Amendment L002 for consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Has there been any data collected as far as Native American population within these areas?
• However, it does not break them up into Native youth.
• And what we're seeing from our data collection is about 1% Native.
• Within the Native American population, but also looking at different regions, regions where individuals
• I would encourage continuing to look at those areas as we know that the Native American population does

Summary: The committee heard a broad public safety budget hearing focused on youth justice funding, probation incentive grants, and disaster response and recovery. On the youth justice item, the Office of Youth and Community Restoration described a proposed change to the JJRBG funding formula that would shift resources away from a DJJ-based measure and toward county youth population, serious offenses, and step-down placements in less restrictive programs. Members asked about data on Native American youth; OYCR said statewide data are limited, but its SYTF data show about 1% of youth in secure youth treatment facilities were Native in 2024. The Department of Finance had no objections, and the item was discussed as a way to support alternatives to long-term incarceration. The committee then reviewed the community corrections performance incentive program for county probation departments. The Department of Finance proposed stabilizing the program with a maintenance payment, updating the performance baseline, and adding a growth factor; the LAO agreed the formula needed changes but recommended using 2022-23 data instead of 2021-23, using marginal rather than average cost assumptions, rejecting the growth payment and minimum guarantee, and adding stronger oversight through the BSCC. Finance said it was open to some technical changes but opposed a new BSCC audit framework, noting Judicial Council already surveys probation departments and that evidence-based practice use has increased over time. Members and staff indicated the proposal still needed further work. A major portion of the hearing focused on the January 2025 Southern California wildfires and state disaster response. A resident of Altadena gave emotional testimony about evacuation failures, loss of home, and the need for accountability. LAO and Cal OES outlined the disaster response and recovery system, including mutual aid, alert and warning, debris removal, FEMA and state funding streams, and the long timeline for reimbursement. Cal OES said it had pre-positioned resources, temporarily took over the county’s wireless emergency alert function for about three weeks, coordinated debris removal and recovery operations, and had already allocated more than $286 million in state funds. Officials also discussed the 100% federal cost share for emergency work for 180 days and the uncertainty created by changing federal processes and the cancellation of the BRIC resilience program. The committee also heard two smaller Cal OES items: a request to reappropriate about $22 million for the law enforcement mutual aid reimbursement program, which the LAO said should be placed in statute with clearer goals and reporting, and an update on Victims of Crime Act funding, where Cal OES said federal VOCA allocations have fallen sharply and that roughly $224 million would be needed to maintain current service levels if federal funding does not improve. Public comment included a request for funding to expand datacasting and emergency alert receivers for wildfire and earthquake warning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a forester and a forest entomologist with the Division of Forests and Lands, and I did work with
• I'm a forester and a Forest and Lands.
• c> lands forest management, and forest lands forest management, and forest lands within<00:54:58.960
• visitors, and forest industry. visitors, and forest industry.
• and pathogens damaging their forests. and pathogens damaging their forests.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wild pigs and other feral animals destroy native forests and spread diseases like rapid ʻōhiʻa death.
• Wild pigs and other feral animals destroy native forests and spread diseases like rapid ʻōhiʻa death.
• Wild pigs and other feral animals destroy native forests and spread diseases like rapid ʻōhiʻa death.
• As you already know, Indigenous people include Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans
• Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's for birds, it's for the endangered forest bird.
• birds, it's for the endangered forest birds, it's for the endangered forest bird.<01:55:04.800><
• The forester five position is part of our fire management program.
• 804 is our forest and outdoor recreation program.
• So, if it's like a project up in the forest, it's our civil folks and that kind of thing.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Association, as a forester and wood scientist by education. and trade.
• Texas forest lands are part of the water solution. They safeguard our rivers and aquifers.
• I urge the committee to keep forests in focus.
• Captured water is vital in forest products manufacturing, and there.
• There will be no working forest or healthy forest without markets.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It will threaten economic lifelines, especially in rural and Native American communities across our state
• There's an avenue currently in place for a manufacturer to sell direct: to partner with our Native American
• are destroying New Mexico's small businesses, as well as economic development opportunities for our Native
• I'm a born and raised native New Mexican.
• really cannot be separated from the Hermit's Peak-Calf Canyon fires of 2022, which devastated the forests

Bills: SB22, SB310

Keywords: motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't just protect Native people when we do that.
• what we have available from the tribes, the Mescalero Tribe, who does a phenomenal job with managing forests
• you know, we have a federal Government that has control over so much of our land and so much of our forest
• , and they're doing a horrible job managing the forest.
• to Water initiative report that we did in terms of identifying what we knew in the basin is that native

Transcript Highlights:

• compared to almost any other state in the nation, we are populated with a very high percentage of Native
• Today, they have 59 dementia care specialists, with workers placed in every sovereign Native community
• In Spanish and some native languages, Tewa and Navajo in particular.
• You talk about older Latinos and Native Americans and African-Americans.
• They've adapted well with the forest programs and the allied health programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a native Austinite.
• Very briefly, I am a native Texan, fifth generation.
• I am a native Texan. I was born and raised in Houston. My mother is a native of the region.
• My wife is a graduate of Sam Houston State University. native of Columbus, Texas.
• Texas Forest Service, Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory I mean, there are just a wide variety of

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A native of Blair County, Pennsylvania, John Franco recently announced his retirement from coaching.
• A NATIVE OF BLAIR COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, JOHN FRANCO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT FROM COACHING.
• is incredibly important for Americans who enjoy spending time in our beautiful natural parks and forests
• have jurisdiction over these 24 million acres, from the National Park Service to the United States Forest
• I RISE TODAY TO HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THOMAS EDWARD A Birmingham native and graduate of Ramsey

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 20, 2026, 1012, house, all