Video & Transcript Research : 'native plants'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Mar 25th, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- It is endemic, native, rare, and also endangered, and also a catalyst for conservation here in Florida
- American flamingo to become the state bird, given its long history, vibrant appearance, and how it is native
- In fact, waste-to-energy plants are actually cleaner than most natural gas-fired power plants.
- These plants avoid the landfilling of more than 5 million tons of municipal solid waste annually.
- As a native Floridian and growing up in Miami Shores, I've spent years on Biscayne Bay and cruising around
Summary:
The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of environmental and natural resources bills. It reported favorably SB 1784 on sewer collection systems, allowing municipal sewer revenues to be used for expansion; SB 1388 on vessels, which prohibits random vessel inspections without probable cause, creates a five-year safety decal, bars local fuel-type boat bans, and expands funding options for boat ramps and marinas; and SB 880, which designates the American flamingo as Florida’s state bird and the Florida scrub jay as the state songbird. SB 946, as amended, was also reported favorably; it restricts certain waste facilities and incinerators near the Everglades, with the amendment narrowing the focus to the Broward/Miami-Dade area near the C-9 impoundment project. SB 1792 on dry sandy beaches was reported favorably after amendment, creating a pilot and process to inventory beaches and explore voluntary public access or conservation arrangements with private owners. SB 866 on anchoring limitation areas was reported favorably despite opposition from cruisers and boaters who argued existing law should be used instead of new county-specific restrictions. SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands was reported favorably with amendments that removed language about the necessity of phosphate mining and clarified that landowners requesting a radiation study must pay for it. The committee also reported favorably SB 1326 on hurricane evacuation clearance times and permit allocations in the Keys, and SB 1580, after a delete-all amendment, which authorizes DEP to use public-private partnerships for coastal resiliency projects. Finally, SB 1300 on oil and gas drilling permits was introduced to require DEP to consider potential harm from accidents or blowouts to natural resources when reviewing drilling permits, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill. The committee also took up confirmations, temporarily postponing the vote on Rodney Barreto’s FWC reappointment after public criticism of his leadership, while recommending favorably the other listed appointments.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Eliseo Lee Alcon, and whereas Eliseo leaves behind his traditional Native New Mexican Hispanic family
- Preservation and enhancement of the Native New Mexican land-based Spanish land grant and the Secchia
- We also have Corporal Jonathan Sanchez, who's a native of Santa Fe, an Afghanistan combat veteran who
- Renewable, such as the building, like I said the other day, the building of a power plant that is energy
- Are we going to look at every single step of that power plant and see, okay, every single thing has to
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 May 7th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And so, if we're shutting down iron-producing plants in northern Minnesota, we accomplish that we will
- and implementations in our state, and frankly, the power grid with all of the small municipal coal plants
- legislative approval to expand dry cask storage of spent nuclear fuel at Prairie Island nuclear power plant
- So that's just to plant the seed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Representative Kraft. Thank you, Mr.
- I wish we could learn from our Native relatives to think seven generations.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Fish and Game and Marine Resources (02/12/2025)
Fish and Game and Marine Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- microscopic hitchhikers uh plant microscopic hitchhikers uh plant fragments<00:06:44.400>
invasive - Um, I'm a native to the state of New Hampshire.
- on Native on Native CAU<00:22:18.279>
at <00:22:18.480>this <00:22:18.640>time< - We do not allow non-native species.
- process regulatory to allow clean native process regulatory to allow clean native fish<00:33:12.720
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill, we heard previously, deals with the recovery of gas utilities' gross plant costs.
- There was a copay... ...a plant that's being repurposed, looking at trying to utilize certain aspects
- It is a byproduct that's used in many of these plants.
- So wherever your plant is, would you say? I always talk about mapping energy infrastructure.
- Native.
Keywords:
surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, July 22, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- species of fish, including 139 native species of fish, including 139 native species.<06:13:17.760
- A native of King George, Mr. Sison has dedicated his career to his community.
- A native of King George, Mr. Sison has dedicated his career to his community.
- A native of King George, Mr. Sison has dedicated his career to his community.
- A native of King George, Mr. Sison has dedicated his career to his community.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 9th, 2025
California Assembly Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Desert, a charismatic reptile native to our desert.
- This region boasts incredible biodiversity, including the desert tortoise, bighorn sheep, native plants
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee May 13th, 2026
Tribal and State Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So it's also a big educational curve: what is a Native American reservation?
- So the MHA is taking it upon themselves, and then also just some schools with a higher Native American
- population have also taken upon themselves to hire a Native American studies teacher and do that.
- They received a Native American grant, so we have three students placed there that are getting a full
- So we have about an 18% non-Native student body.
Summary:
The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and heard an extended discussion with Spirit Lake tribal leaders and program directors about government-to-government relations with the state. Chairwoman Street and others outlined a number of concerns and requests, including taxation of tribal and trust lands, state school support for non-beneficiary students, homelessness services, Indian-managed health care, gaming/e-tabs, the Feather Alert system, industrial farming near waterways, tourism and cultural issues, and the need for more consistent tribal consultation. Committee members responded that many of these issues had previously been passed along without direct action, and several members emphasized the committee’s role in education, communication, and preparing possible legislation or resolutions for the next session. Tribal representatives also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to help legislators better understand tribal jurisdiction and billing issues.
A major portion of the meeting focused on Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife concerns, especially jurisdictional “gray areas” around hunting and fishing on the reservation, recognition of tribal licenses, and the boundary of the reservation around Spirit Lake/Devils Lake. Tribal officials said they wanted a co-stewardship agreement or MOU with the state to clarify jurisdiction, improve cooperation, and address invasive species and aquatic nuisance species. Committee members discussed whether to draft legislation or a resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and they asked for further input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at a future meeting. The committee also discussed county involvement in land status changes and trust land issues, with Spirit Lake leaders describing a past Benson County resolution that tried to block fee-to-trust transfers and saying it was later rescinded.
The committee then heard from Benson County tax equalization director Randy Thompson, who explained how the county values land and handles tax-exempt, inundated, and fee-to-trust parcels. Members asked about the impact of tax-exempt lands on county services and discussed prior legislation that helped counties with large tax-exempt bases. The committee also received a presentation from Dr. Steven Smith of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, including support for non-beneficiary students and workforce training. Members asked about expanding tribal college education into correctional settings, and Smith said the idea was worth exploring through the tribal college system. Finally, HHS interim medical services director Christoph Framing presented remotely on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion, explaining current state funding mechanisms for inpatient and residential behavioral health services and the bill draft directing HHS to pursue a waiver for IMD payments.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 10th, 2026 at 11:16 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's great, except one of the things I noticed is that there is no Native American workforce.
- There's no codified Native American workforce, and I'm wondering why we aren't putting that first to
- Madam Speaker and gentlelady, the state, of course, engages with Native Americans.
- We have the statewide Native New Mexico Indian Affairs Department, for instance, that works with our
- I'm Native American, I'm here. I'm Hispanic, I'm here. I'm wherever you're from.
Bills:
HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47
Keywords:
water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In other words, we help them maintain and rehabilitate their levees, drain ditches, and pumping plants
- Gray wolves are native to California and belong here.
- But it is certainly not the chairman’s intention, the California Native American tribes’ intention, to
- “My family is Native. I truly try to represent. I have 13 in my district.
- Good morning, Kim Delphino, in support on behalf of Defenders of Wildlife, California Native Plant Society
Summary:
The committee heard several wildlife and water-related bills. SB 872, by Senator McNerney, would create a Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund and allow waiver of local cost-sharing for Delta levee repairs to protect the State Water Project and Delta infrastructure. Supporters from water agencies, environmental groups, counties, and agricultural interests said the bill is needed to address levee failure and canal subsidence; there was no opposition, and the bill was held open until a quorum was present, with broad support expressed.
SB 1108, by Senator Caballero, would establish the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in the Central Valley to coordinate conservation, habitat restoration, public access, and voluntary easements in a region described as the largest remaining wetland/grasslands complex west of the Mississippi. Support came from the Grasslands Water District, Audubon, conservation groups, and local stakeholders, who emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, wildlife corridors, and land-use transition under groundwater sustainability. There was no opposition, and the bill received favorable committee support.
SB 1135, by Senator Blakespear, would reestablish and strengthen the statewide wildlife coexistence program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal deterrence, education, and compensation for livestock losses. Supporters cited rising wildlife incidents, wolf depredation, and the need for proactive tools; opponents and some committee members raised concerns about rural impacts, funding, and the absence of law enforcement/public safety as a specifically named advisory role. After discussion and amendments that moved the cattlemen and Farm Bureau to neutral, the bill passed out of committee on a due-pass motion, though some members voted no or abstained.
SB 1305, by Senator Richardson, would direct CDFW to study the feasibility of grizzly bear reintroduction and prepare a roadmap, with tribal consultation and stakeholder engagement, but would not itself authorize reintroduction. Tribal sponsors and conservation groups supported the bill as a planning and cultural restoration effort, while hunting, ranching, and county groups opposed it, arguing California already faces major wildlife-management and funding challenges and that the proposal would create new conflicts. Committee members debated costs, appropriations, and whether the study should include funding estimates; the bill was amended and passed on a due-pass motion. The committee also heard SB 1250, by Senator Cortese, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning; supporters said it would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity, and the bill was presented in support as the hearing continued.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Transcript Highlights:
- In other words, we help them maintain and rehabilitate their levees, drain ditches, and pumping plants
- Gray wolves are native to California and belong here.
- But it is certainly not the chairman's intention, the California Native American tribe's intention, to
- My family is Native. I truly try to represent. I have 13 in my district.
- Kim Delphino, in support on behalf of Defenders of Wildlife, California Native Plant Society, Sonoma
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- and a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from MIT with qualifications as nuclear propulsion plant
- and then on board USS Enterprise where I operated and oversaw the operations of the nuclear power plants
- And being a native of Waco, that's a good thing. A couple of questions.
- A few words about myself, I am a native Texan, grew up in Dallas, ended up in Houston, have been there
- in these communities don't have the funding up front to to pay for $200 million of wastewater, new plant
Keywords:
Texas Water Fund, water management, infrastructure funding, local governments, workforce development, community colleges, educational programs, sustainability
Summary:
The meeting focused on several crucial issues, including the Texas Water Fund and its implications for development in the state. Various members highlighted the critical need for effective management of water resources, discussing the role of the Water Development Board and their strategies for outreach to local governments. The committee engaged in a thorough examination of funding projects and the sustainable financing necessary for communities facing challenges in meeting their infrastructure needs. Additionally, there was notable discussion regarding promoting workforce development and the alignment of educational programs with the demands of the job market as indicated by recent trends in community colleges.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee May 13th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Tribal and State Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So it's also a big educational curve: what is a Native American reservation?
- So the MHA is taking it upon themselves, and then also just some schools with a higher Native American
- population have also taken upon themselves to hire a Native American studies teacher and do that.
- bills... ...for Native tribes in North Dakota to be aware of what's being passed at the House level
- So we have about an 18% non-Native student body.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So it's also a big educational curve: what is a Native American reservation?
- the lake that has been adverse to taking on some of the zebra mussels or any type of those aquatic plants
- have also taken it upon themselves to hire a Native American studies teacher and do that.
- bills. ...on some of the House bills and Senate bills that are being passed on, for Native tribes in
- So we have about an 18% non-Native student body.
Summary:
The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and first heard welcoming remarks and introductions from tribal leaders and program directors. Chairwoman Street and other tribal representatives outlined a range of concerns and requests for state action, including taxation of reservation lands, support for non-beneficiary students at the tribal school, homelessness funding, Indian-managed health care, gaming and e-tabs, Feather Alert improvements, industrial farming near waterways, tourism, and better state-tribal consultation. Committee members responded that the meeting was intended to improve understanding and communication, and several members suggested future legislation or resolutions could be used to advance some of the issues. The tribe also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to legislators and staff.
A major portion of the discussion focused on Spirit Lake fish and wildlife jurisdiction and the lake boundary. Tribal representatives asked for an MOU or co-stewardship agreement with the state to clarify hunting and fishing rights, recognize tribal licenses, and reduce recurring disputes over “gray areas” on the reservation and lake. Committee members discussed whether to draft a bill or resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and asked that North Dakota Game and Fish be invited to a future meeting. Related concerns included aquatic nuisance species prevention, with both sides agreeing that more aggressive boat inspection and cleaning measures would be beneficial.
The committee also discussed taxation and county relations. Tribal leaders raised concerns about county resistance to fee-to-trust transfers and about property and vehicle taxation affecting members living on or near reservation lands. Committee members and tribal counsel reviewed federal treaty principles and court cases, and one member noted that the committee had previously taken no formal action on similar issues. Later, Benson County’s tax equalization director explained how the county values taxable land, handles inundated land applications, and tracks land coming off the tax rolls when the tribe repurchases acreage. The discussion ended with a presentation from the president of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, followed by an HHS presentation on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion as the committee moved to its next topic.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- HP 2549 establishes a clean plant HP 2549 establishes a clean plant program<00:09:02.880>
to< - When we this clean plant initiative?
- thinking of now. 1.7 was clean plant. thinking of now. 1.7 was clean plant.
- On HP 2549 related to a production new plant program.
- On HP 2549, related to a production new plant program. >> Let's see.
Keywords:
cesspool, wastewater systems, public health, environmental protection, affordable upgrades, coral reefs, water quality, Hawaii legislation, cesspools, wastewater, environment, pollution, Hawaii, sustainable development, sewerage system, real estate, disclosure, environmental impact, wastewater management, housing
Summary:
The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. HB 1953 would create a two-year conservation and environmental stewardship pilot program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB); testimony from Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii supported investing in conservation agriculture and farm practices that protect waterways and native species. HB 248 would establish a climate-resilient food systems grant program, with DAB explaining the types of equipment and processing investments such grants could support, such as coffee roasting, packaging, harvesting equipment, and other value-added infrastructure. HB 2246 would create a grant administration program and revolving fund to help DAB manage grants; DAB said the bill would help leverage federal, state, county, and private funding by retaining part of the indirect cost recovery to meet matching requirements. HB 2549 would create a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material, and reforestation advocates said it would support large-scale reforestation efforts. HB 2551 would fund an area fruit fly suppression program; DAB described sterile fruit fly technology and said the program could help reduce fruit fly populations statewide. HB 2216 would authorize DAB to package and sell part of its loan portfolio to third parties, and HB 2152 would clarify liability and penalties for dog attacks on livestock, with the Hawaii Sheep and Goat Association discussing proposed language and the Hawaiian Humane Society’s suggested amendment on euthanasia procedures.
Testimony was largely supportive across the measures, with DAB, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and other agriculture and conservation groups generally backing the bills. There was some discussion on funding levels and implementation details, including DAB’s estimate of about $750,000 for three clean plant stations and a question about the appropriations needed for the fruit fly suppression program. For HB 2152, the chair noted an amendment incorporating Hawaiian Humane Society language that would require surrender of a dog found to have caused livestock loss or damage for humane euthanasia within 24 hours.
In decision-making, the committee voted to pass all of the measures discussed, most with technical amendments or date-defect amendments to July 1, 2050. HB 1953, HB 2548, HB 2549, HB 2551, HB 2216, and HB 2152 were all adopted unanimously by the members present, and HB 2246 also passed with technical amendments. The chair’s amendment to HB 2152 was specifically adopted to include the humane euthanasia language.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Exotic animals is basically anything that's not native to Texas, basically, right?
- Those are more native. Those are more native.
- August 31st, we're sitting there with a full warehouse of seed. and fertilizer for people that are planting
- We will not be able to provide incentives to assist with job creation, plant, or factory expansion and
- Do they supply the GM plant over? Well, if they do, they're at risk.
Keywords:
sales tax, use tax, local tax, municipal tax, county tax, tax sourcing, place of business, principal business location, small business, retailer, marketplace seller, economic development agreement, Chapter 321, Chapter 323, Tax Code, Texas Comptroller, local sales and use tax, tax jurisdiction, order consummation, ship-to location
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/27/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- > management<00:18:28.440>
um <00:18:28.799>it <00:18:28.919>will aquatic plant - management um it will aquatic plant management um it will increase<00:18:29.720>
dnr's <00:18: - opportunity for motans to experience opportunity for motans to experience unique<00:23:34.600>
native - Landscapes with their wild unique native Landscapes with their wild life<00:23:36.919>
in life - <00:24:10.720>
freshwater stewardship restoring native freshwater stewardship restoring native
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 30th, 2026 at 12:05 pm
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And the framework of agroecology, Las Amelia Food Center tends soil, plants, and people in southern New
- For more than eight years, she has been writing children's books about her Native American heritage and
- It actually have come out of the state, whether it's the closure of coal-fired power plants, the lack
- We used to work in power plants.
- Because a power plant and a mine went down. That's the loss just in property taxes alone.
Keywords:
nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/26
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- or a coal plant, um, does it stop there?
- or a coal plant, um, does it stop there?
- or a coal plant, um, does it stop there?
- or a coal plant, um, does it stop there?
- A nuclear plant or a coal plant, um, does it stop there?
Keywords:
electric utilities, service areas, Tribal lands, Minnesota statute, energy regulation, utility rates, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, ratepayer, consumer protection, affordable energy, energy affordability, ability to pay, just and reasonable rates, rate regulation, electric rates, natural gas rates, energy conservation, renewable energy
Summary:
The committee approved the March 5, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3458, as amended, which would exempt tribes from utility exclusive rights and assigned service areas. The bill’s author and the Upper Sioux community chairman said the measure was prompted by a dispute over a solar project at the tribal casino and argued the issue is really about tribal sovereignty, not solar, citing tribal civil regulatory authority and prior court cases. The amendment A1 was adopted before testimony.
Testimony was split. Chairman Kevin Jensel of the Upper Sioux community strongly supported the bill, saying the tribe should not be forced to follow utility service territories and that the state should correct a long-standing omission in law. Derek Mo of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association opposed the bill, warning it would undermine the regulatory compact, reliability, long-term planning, and financing for electric service, especially in tribal areas. Justin Johns of East Central Energy also opposed the bill, but emphasized that many cooperatives have productive tribal partnerships and said his co-op has worked successfully with the Mille Lacs Band on solar, resilience, and workforce efforts; he cautioned that removing service obligations could leave difficult-to-serve areas underinvested.
Members discussed whether the Public Utilities Commission process already underway should be allowed to resolve the dispute and whether the bill’s scope could extend beyond the current solar issue. The chair responded that the bill was a legislative approach to a problem that had not been resolved and said the amendment addressed concerns about removing the obligation to serve. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted to re-refer House File 3458, as amended, to the General Register.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 11:34 am
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And also, as I look up there in the President's Gallery, I see another Point Pleasant native up there
- "I see another Point Pleasant native up there: Coach Louis Wickline, who coaches the Point Pleasant Lady
- Senate Bill 420 creates the West Virginia First Energy Act, which sets a goal for coal-fired power plants
- But when the Trump administration takes those away, if these coal plants aren't there, you always hear
- But I'm telling you right now, if we don't save these coal-fired power plants and even the playing field