Transcript Highlights:

• If someone is in possession of a dubbed bird, there's only one reason: cockfighting.
• These birds have a street value ranging from $500 to $2,500 per cock, plus winnings from the fights,
• DPD responded and they ended up getting search warrants that turned up nearly 3,000 birds dubbed and
• You may think that seizing birds used in cockfighting rings is not as important as taking down a drug
• If someone swerved in front of your lane, you might even shoot them the bird.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 454 will move the California Migratory Bird Protection Act sunset date, making it permanent.
• to act against the unauthorized take of more than 1,000 native bird species.
• that results from activities that are not explicitly meant to take birds.
• Unfortunately, the California Migratory Bird Protection Act expired in January, leaving our migratory
• Removing the sunset date from the California Migratory Bird Protection Act, ensuring that our state's

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• back through beginning of my career, is when you have trees and plants put in, and you see the first bird
• and plants put in, and you see<00:05:34.800><c> the</c><00:05:34.920><c> first</c><00:05:35.280><c> bird
• > and</c><00:05:35.920><c> land</c><00:05:36.280><c> on</c><00:05:36.440><c> the</c> see the first bird
• come and land on the see the first bird come and land on the plant<00:05:36.960><c> or</c><00:05:37.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:55:47.800><c> a</c> turbines that kill millions of birds a turbines that kill millions of birds
• I mean, we have to save the lives of these precious birds, right?
• </c> and this building kills a lot of birds and this building kills a lot of birds too<01:59:41.199><
• </c><01:59:44.360><c> from</c> in our effort to save the birds from in our effort to save the birds from
• I mean, we have to save the lives of these precious birds, right?

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our next order of business, we're going to ask Michelle Bird to come to the podium.
• Bird, go ahead and introduce yourself for the record and make your presentation.
• My name is Michelle Bird.
• Bird, just out of curiosity, we had quite a discussion at our last fee discussion.
• Bird. Mr. Chair and Representative Cheatum, I can give you that.

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been watching the birds fly out there, and that reminds me that even as tribal people, no matter
• And so, Other than that, if we can keep our wild lands and our wildlife wild, I think there's a lot of

Summary: The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock with tribal council members, state legislators, and agency representatives to discuss state-tribal coordination and local priorities. Early discussion focused on process concerns, including the short agenda time and the need for better communication, more advance notice, and more relevant state department staff at future meetings. Tribal leaders asked for lists of state tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes, and state members said they would follow up, share grant and deadline information, and plan another meeting in Bismarck with program experts and agency staff. A major portion of the meeting centered on health, child welfare, law enforcement, housing, infrastructure, and sovereignty issues. Tribal speakers said rural health transformation funding and other state programs often do not fit direct-service tribes or IHS-funded systems, and they raised concerns about Medicaid, ICWA, foster care delays, human service zones, housing shortages, and the placement of Native children off-reservation. They also discussed missing and murdered Indigenous people, search-and-rescue cooperation, cross-deputization, extradition and banishment ordinances, and the need for stronger law enforcement partnerships that respect tribal sovereignty. Other concerns included poor roads, water and sewer needs in Sioux County communities, census accuracy, and the impact of data centers and other development on water and health. Economic development and regulatory issues were also discussed. Standing Rock representatives raised concerns about charitable gaming and e-pull tabs, saying the machines function like Class III gaming and have harmed tribal revenue while spreading into local businesses. They also described problems with county-issued fireworks permits and state/county liquor licensing rules that they said undermine tribal authority within reservation boundaries. In response, legislators said the committee would continue to look at these issues, and one member suggested possible legislation such as limiting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also heard from Joseph McNeil of Sage Development Authority about a 235-megawatt wind project on tribal, allotted, and fee land; he said federal permitting delays have stalled the project and asked for state support to help move it forward. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Dave Archambo of Wojou, a nonprofit focused on land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, cultural programming, and youth wellness. He described the organization’s work on buffalo processing, gardening, fishing, hunting, language, and arts programs, and framed it as a response to historical trauma and community healing. The committee then broke for lunch and planned to resume with the Wojou presentation after the recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1306 by Representatives Duran and Sucla, also Senator Kip, concerning the creation of the Wild
• I will greatly miss this wild and crazy place, but I do promise to visit from time to time.
• I championed that legislation with then Representative Bird, and I've heard that phrase be thrown around

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our mission is to advocate for birds in the places they need today and tomorrow.
• I too care about birds.
• I have thaget trees in my house, and the little birds that make their lives there are amazing.
• I too care about birds.
• I have thaget trees in my house, and the little birds that make their lives there are amazing.

Bills: HB2103 , HB2388 , HB2316 , HB2006 , HB2224

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: renewable energy, nonemitting generation, public entities, contracting, electric generation, distributed energy, agricultural land, energy generation, renewable resources, siting regulations, land use, urban development, vegetation management, shrubsteppe, environmental regulation, economic development, sales tax, rural counties, industrial land banks, growth management

Transcript Highlights:

• A little bit of history on the account: it dates back to 2016, following the first outbreak of bird flu
• following the the first outbreak<00:00:36.960><c> of</c><00:00:37.200><c> of</c><00:00:37.320><c> bird
• back</c><00:00:38.160><c> in</c><00:00:38.800><c> 2015</c><00:00:39.800><c> the</c> outbreak of of bird
• flu back in 2015 the outbreak of of bird flu back in 2015 the account<00:00:40.800><c> received</c><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1101, which would add $1.5 million to the agricultural emergency account beginning July 1, 2026. Chair Anderson explained that the account was created after the 2015 bird flu outbreak, has been funded in the past, and currently has about $1.2 million remaining. He said the bill would strengthen the state’s ability to respond to livestock disease emergencies and support the Board of Animal Health and Department of Health. Representative Hansen offered the A1 amendment to shift $1.5 million from an unused $4 million dairy line item into the emergency account, arguing the funds were sitting unused, a federal farm bill was uncertain, and the money could help with immediate food testing and emergency response. Chair Anderson opposed the amendment, saying the dairy funds had been set aside for that purpose, he expected federal action in the coming months, and he was unsure the emergency account statute allowed the money to be used for food testing. He recommended a no vote. A roll call was taken on the A1 amendment, and it failed by a vote of 6-7. After brief additional comment in support of the bill, House File 1101 was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• created at those facilities, but you're talking hundreds of farmers that are supplying those poultry birds
• > of farmers that are supplying those of farmers that are supplying those poultry<00:05:21.919><c> birds
• those</c><00:05:22.840><c> facilities</c><00:05:23.280><c> to</c><00:05:23.400><c> be</c> poultry birds
• to those facilities to be poultry birds to those facilities to be processed<00:05:24.440><c> and</c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by guest Bob James of Barren County. The chair recognized visiting groups, including the Kentucky Leadership Program and the Kentucky Cattleman’s Leadership Program, before turning to the day’s only agenda item, Senate Bill 28. The committee adopted a committee substitute for SB 28 by motion and second, with no opposition recorded. The chair explained that the bill creates the framework and parameters for distributing $5 million in economic development funding included in the 2024 budget through the Department of Agriculture. Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell testified in support of the bill and described it as enabling legislation to help Kentucky attract more end users, processors, and further-processing operations. He highlighted the importance of existing agricultural processing in the state, especially poultry, citing growth in agricultural cash receipts from $3.1 billion in 1996 to $8.3 billion more recently, with poultry rising from 5% to 25% of the total. He also pointed to major processing facilities, job creation, and the broader impact on farmers and corn markets, including examples from Hopkinsville and other regions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Taylor and Wyatt's experience is a stark reminder that the beauty of California's wild places comes with
• April Bird, on behalf of the Sacramento Area Sewer District, in opposition.
• April Bird on behalf of the Sacramento.
• April Bird on behalf of the Sacramento area sewer district and opposition.

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wild that we haven't seen you yet tonight.
• Senator Lawson: So you're saying this is a wild goose chase?
• Witness: I'm not saying that this is a wild goose chase. I am saying that at times...
• Witness: I'm not saying that this is a wild goose chase.
• Suffice it to say, before I talk about the bill a little bit, it's a little bit of the Wild, Wild West

Summary: The Senate received communications from the House on numerous measures, including several bills and resolutions passed with amendments, committee reports on bills such as large energy use facilities, campaign finance, voting rights, and appropriations, and a list of pre-file legislation. The chamber then moved through a long floor session with confirmations, bill readings, and roll-call votes, ultimately confirming the nomination of Morgan T. Zern to the Delaware Supreme Court by a 21-0 vote. Among the major policy items considered were property tax and school tax measures tied to the statewide reassessment. The Senate passed House Bill 460, clarifying monthly municipal permit-data reporting to New Castle County; House Bill 461, granting temporary authority for New Castle County school districts to reset school tax rates for one cycle; and House Bill 462, making the split school tax rate permanent with a lower nonresidential cap. Members discussed the fiscal effects at length, including testimony from a school district finance officer that HB 461 would allow revenue-neutral rate setting and offset the fiscal note on HB 462. The Senate also passed House Bill 365 creating a Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, House Bill 458 on backflow requirements for low-hazard buildings, Senate Bill 27 establishing the Office of New Americans with a sunset and interagency coordination, and Senate Bill 315 on the Delaware Technical Innovation Program. The chamber also approved Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300, a firearms dealer regulation bill, after extensive debate over amendments, confidentiality, background checks, and the balance between public safety and burdens on lawful dealers. Several members raised constitutional and practical objections, while supporters argued the bill would reduce trafficking, straw purchases, and theft from dealers. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 305 creating a diabetes wellness pilot program, with supporters emphasizing the state’s diabetes burden and the program’s federal funding, and House Concurrent Resolution 157, which asks the State Lottery Office to report on iLottery’s impact on small businesses. Senate Bill 325, a fire prevention/background-check bill, was laid on the table after concerns about a late House amendment and requests for more time to consult stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• In July of 2025, parole agent Joshua Bird was shot and killed in the line of duty.
• Agent Bird was...
• Agent Bird was shot by a parolee who became agitated during a visit to the Oakland parole office.
• requested ambulance being unable to enter the scene or the area to provide transportation to Agent Bird
• But anyway, in January 2026, just six months after the death of Adam Bird, the California Department

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a large suspense-file agenda and established a quorum at the start. SB 1167 was announced as not being heard and will be rescheduled. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. Most measures on the agenda were taken up briefly with public testimony, then moved to suspense without objection. Two bills received fuller presentations. SB 872 by Senator McNerney would create a fund to support repairs to Delta levees and State Water Project canals, with testimony from Restore the Delta, State Water Contractors, and numerous water agencies and coalitions emphasizing flood protection, water reliability for 27 million Californians, protection of state assets, and long-term infrastructure costs. Committee members noted the importance of the investment and the likelihood it would be considered in the final suspense decision; SB 872 was moved to suspense. SB 962 by Senator Archuleta would authorize CDCR to use blue emergency lights on parole vehicles, with supporters from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association citing the line-of-duty death of a parole agent and the need for a low-cost, discretionary safety tool. The bill was also moved to suspense. SB 950, dealing with coverage for FDA-approved medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, was discussed as having a minimal near-term fiscal impact, though members noted costs could rise if new treatments emerge. The committee asked the author to consider a sunset amendment, but the bill received a do pass motion and was approved on a 7-0 vote, then placed on call for additional members. The remaining bills taken up, including SB 870, SB 1120, SB 888, SB 904, SB 986, SB 1029, SB 1186, SB 895, SB 1004, SB 1123, SB 909, SB 945, SB 1037, SB 953, SB 1001, SB 1188, SB 1407, SB 967, SB 1135, SB 1136, SB 988, SB 1069, SB 1000, SB 1024, SB 1179, SB 1025, SB 1040, SB 1081, SB 1091, SB 1131, SB 1138, SB 1146, SB 1279, SB 1158, SB 1401, SB 1162, SB 1293, SB 1334, SB 1382, SB 1397, SB 1178, SB 1414, SB 1214, SB 1218, SB 1257, SB 1265, SB 1286, SB 1322, SB 1337, SB 1340, SB 1276, SB 1358, and SB 1412, were moved to the suspense file without objection, with a few witnesses registering support or opposition on selected measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• we just willy-nilly throw—the reason it's yellow for you all in that column is if we, I think, the wild
• , wild west may not be the right approach given what we've seen with social media.
• The Wild Wild West may not be the right approach, given what we've seen with social media.
• The towers are killing our birds. The towers are killing our crops.

Summary: The committee met at Minot State to continue its study of artificial intelligence, with a focus on child safety, sexual exploitation, chatbot risks, and education policy. Members first approved the minutes and then received a Legislative Council overview of AI-related harms to children, including AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, extortion, and chatbot companion risks. The memo reviewed North Dakota and federal law, recent state enactments, First Amendment limits, and examples from other states, including Connecticut’s AI companion safeguards and federal efforts such as the Take It Down Act. Members discussed whether North Dakota’s existing 2025 laws on minors and harmful material are strong enough in light of recent court decisions, and Legislative Council indicated it would provide additional comparison material before the next meeting. Superintendent Levi Bachmeier then presented on AI in education, arguing that schools need guardrails but should not ban AI outright. He said AI should be treated as a tool that can support instruction, teacher efficiency, and digital literacy, while warning against passive use, academic integrity problems, and overreliance on machines. He suggested embedding AI and digital literacy across subjects rather than creating a standalone class, and said schools should provide basic instruction when students receive one-to-one devices. Members asked about parent concerns, local control, higher education partnerships, and how to balance access with safety; Bachmeier emphasized a “threading the needle” approach and said the department would likely seek more guidance on digital literacy and cybersecurity. Special Agent Hellseth of BCI followed with testimony on AI and child exploitation. He said AI is already being used in North Dakota to create explicit images from innocent photos, impersonate children and adults, and facilitate grooming, harassment, and extortion. He described several cases involving AI-generated sexual images and said victims often suffer lasting trauma even when the images are fake. Hellseth explained that investigators use AI tools themselves to process large volumes of data and identify synthetic images, but that the workload is growing and victim services need expansion. He urged stronger accountability for companies, more resources for law enforcement and victim support, and continued training and public education. Members asked about cyber tip volume, staffing, false accusations, and corporate reporting obligations; Hellseth said every tip is reviewed, the unit is small but expanding, and current federal reporting laws are not proactive enough. Representative Porter suggested combining the Legislative Council memo and Bachmeier’s recommendations into a comprehensive bill draft for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schelling, Jermaine Wild, and Marcelle Koons.
• Chelsea Bumgarner, Emmett Schelling, Jermaine Wilde, Marcelle Kuhns. It's called Sebastian Taus.
• Germaine Wild, and I want to thank the committee for allowing me to testify and for the opportunity to
• We're over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all wild animals, and

Bills: SB7 , SB14 , SB 7 , SB 14

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, abortion, civil liability, abortion-inducing drugs, qui tam actions, Texas Citizens Participation Act, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, healthcare regulations, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Roford, you were there with me, and yeah, Senator Birds, a little, even though I'm not the chair
• Senator Roford, you were there with me, and yeah, Senator Birds, a little, even though I'm not the chair
• c><00:13:56.160><c> a</c><00:13:56.240><c> little,</c><00:13:56.399><c> even</c> and yeah, Senator Birds
• a little, even and yeah, Senator Birds a little, even though<00:13:56.639><c> I'm</c><00:13:56.800><
• So, Senator Birds, would you, again, like I said, this is buried in my packet. can hold on to this if

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and you have created such an imbalance in that ecosystem, you'll have toxic algae blooms, and then birds
• that land on that water in the area—there's algae toxic allergy issues with bird flocks around the Great
• consistently—and you have, we don't have any pictures of it here, but you will have shores of dead birds
• have, I mean, you would continue to have natural introduction of pathogens or bacteria because of birds
• , if you'll come up here and state your name for the record and proceed with your presentation. of birds

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a Audubon Society has dedicated itself to protecting birds and the places they need today. and
• is an especially important place for the Audubon society and their work because we are one of the bird
• We lie upon from agriculture to outdoor recreation and beyond birds help our communities thrive, and
• Audubon, Texas is proud to celebrate the people and places is undertaking bird conservation work across
• House District 45. is the Bird City capital of Texas with Dripping Springs and San Marcos as well as

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I, before you mentioned the confined, I was worried that my bird feeders were maybe against the rules
• 00:04:45.840><c> uh</c> the confined I was worried that my uh the confined I was worried that my uh bird
• 47.840><c> uh</c><00:04:48.400><c> maybe</c><00:04:48.800><c> against</c><00:04:49.120><c> the</c> bird
• feeders were uh maybe against the bird feeders were uh maybe against the rules<00:04:49.759><c> too.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 4295, described by the author as the “Chicken Shift Bill,” which would address an unintended consequence of state feedlot regulations affecting backyard chicken coops. The bill would allow counties to adopt ordinances exempting small chicken coops, up to 24 chickens, from feedlot designation, while leaving counties free to set a lower limit or decline to act. The author and Wright County Administrator Greg Kryser testified in support, saying the measure would give local governments flexibility and resolve confusion for county feedlot officers. Kryser also explained the issue using animal-unit calculations to show how chickens in a coop could be treated differently from chickens at pasture. Representative Coulter raised a question about how a county ordinance would interact with a city ordinance on backyard chickens, and the chair said he did not know the answer but would look into it. Representative Grieman expressed support and noted the bill’s relevance to backyard chicken owners. The chair said the bill would be referred to the Environment Committee and suggested the jurisdictional question be clarified before further hearing. The author closed by reiterating the purpose of the bill and the phrase “the chickens come home to roost.” The committee then voted unanimously in favor of re-referring House File 4295 to the Environment Committee, and the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I too love Hawaii's birds and animals and want us to increase their safety with this spay-neuter
• Now, I too love Hawaii's birds and animals and want us to increase their safety with this spay-neuter
• Now, I too love Hawaii's birds and animals and want us to increase their safety with this spay-neuter
• Now, I too love Hawaii's birds and animals and want us to increase their safety with this spay-neuter
• </c><00:41:35.720><c> and</c> today now I too love NY birds and today now I too love NY birds and animals

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 29, 2025, and heard testimony on HB 108, which concerns intoxicating liquor and would expand direct-to-consumer shipping for beer and spirits. Supporters included representatives of Koloa Rum Company, Maui Brewing Company, and Ola Brew, who argued the bill would modernize alcohol laws, help small local producers compete, support jobs and local agriculture, and give consumers more access to Hawaii-made products. They also said Hawaii already has experience regulating direct wine shipments, with age verification and carrier-based delivery systems in place, and that direct shipping could help businesses reach visitors after they return home and diversify beyond tourism. Opposition came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, whose representative said the bill could increase access for underage drinking, especially because liquor commissions do not currently conduct compliance checks on alcohol shipments and may lack capacity to do so. The group also raised tax-enforcement concerns, saying the existing three-tier system makes excise and sales tax collection easier, while direct shipping would require additional auditing. They urged the committee to oppose the bill or defer it until more research is done, and suggested a common carrier reporting requirement to help reconcile shipments. Committee members questioned both sides about whether current law already allows some alcohol shipments, whether a Kentucky distiller could ship directly to Hawaii, and how reciprocity with other states would work. Supporters said the bill is modeled on wine-shipping language and could be amended to clarify reciprocity, while opponents said the bill lacks a common carrier reporting requirement and would place a burden on county liquor commissions. No vote or final action on HB 108 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.