Transcript Highlights:

• So for those that may think that this is strictly, you know, a Jim Nash wild-hair idea, maybe Ms.
• So for those that may think that this is strictly, you know, a Jim Nash wild-hair idea, maybe Ms.
• So for those that may think that this is strictly, you know, a Jim Nash wild-hair idea, maybe Ms.
• So for those that may think that this is strictly, you know, a Jim Nash wild-hair idea, maybe Ms.
• So for those that may think that this is strictly, you know, a Jim Nash wild-hair idea, maybe Ms.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, please remain standing as John Deosmaker, the official anthem singer for the Minnesota Wild,
• official anthem singer for<00:02:53.920><c> the</c><00:02:54.160><c> Minnesota</c><00:02:54.640><c> Wild
• <00:02:55.440><c> will</c><00:02:55.760><c> perform</c><00:02:56.319><c> the</c> for the Minnesota Wild
• , will perform the for the Minnesota Wild, will perform the national<00:02:57.040><c> anthem.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next morning, the horse came back with three wild horses.
• The following day, his only son tried to ride one of the wild horses, got thrown, and broke his leg.
• tried to ride one of tame one of<00:01:16.479><c> the</c><00:01:16.560><c> the</c><00:01:16.880><c> wild
• </c><00:01:17.200><c> horses,</c><00:01:17.759><c> got</c><00:01:18.000><c> thrown,</c> of the the wild
• horses, got thrown, of the the wild horses, got thrown, broke<00:01:18.799><c> his</c><00:01:18.960>

Transcript Highlights:

• Wilding.
• So Wilding.
• Superintendent<01:20:47.840><c> Wilding,</c> Superintendent Wilding, Superintendent Wilding, is<01:20
• Superintendent Wilding, um, do you have just kind of a wild guess about what a new building would cost
• c> guess</c> do you have just kind of a wild guess do you have just kind of a wild guess about<01:23:

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• And they have let them out... ...that have been let out into the wild.
• These animals are not out in the wild getting wild prey. They are going after people's property.
• The... that have been let out into the wild.
• These animals are not out in the wild getting wild prey. They are going after people's property.
• How many creatures will that wild animal have to take out in order to survive?

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism and Family Law Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first considered HB 2908, which would require any approved U.S. constitutional amendment to be ratified by a bill passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, and would impose oaths, reporting duties, civil penalties, and felony liability on “faithless” constitutional convention delegates. The committee adopted a Fincham amendment changing recall to disqualification and giving the Senate President and House Speaker authority to determine disqualification. Supporters argued the measure would add guardrails against a runaway Article 5 convention, while opponents said the safeguards would be ineffective and could falsely reassure the public. The bill, as amended, passed 4-3. The committee then took up HCR 2047, a resolution recognizing Judea and Samaria as the proper terms for the West Bank and rejecting that label in official state communications. Supporters framed it as a matter of historical and biblical accuracy, while opponents argued it injected the state into foreign policy and raised First Amendment concerns. The resolution passed 4-3. The committee next heard HCM 2006, urging Congress to reform the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Conservation Act and to reduce burdens on ranchers affected by Mexican gray wolves and related federal rules. The sponsor and supporters said wolf recovery goals had been exceeded and that ranchers were suffering livestock losses, while opponents said existing compensation already exists and that the memorial mischaracterized endangered species protections. The memorial passed 4-3. HB 4042, dealing with paternity actions in termination-of-parental-rights cases by requiring service of the mother within the 30-day timeframe, drew no testimony and passed unanimously 7-0. The committee also approved HCM 2005, which urges Congress to consider restricting foreign ownership of U.S. real property by communist or authoritarian governments; supporters said it was a national security and land-use issue, while opponents criticized the measure as discriminatory. It passed 4-3. HCM 2001, urging the President and Congress to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and directing Arizona law enforcement to identify linked groups, drew testimony from civil rights advocates and community members who said the measure stigmatized Muslims and exceeded state authority; supporters said it was a legitimate federal-policy memorial. It passed 4-3. Finally, HCM 2002, urging Congress to review CAIR for possible terrorist designation, prompted extensive opposition testimony from CAIR representatives and supporters who described the organization’s civil-rights work and warned the memorial would fuel discrimination; supporters argued it was a proper federal request and a response to concerns about CAIR. The memorial passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wild Horse Observers Association. Please unmute yourself. You'll need to unmute yourself.
• Wild horses on the deeded land— we're a livestock state. We fence them out on the Navajo Nation.
• It is a grazing area; there are no fences and stuff, and the wild horses create havoc.
• Wild horses on the deeded land, we're a livestock state. We fence them out on the Navajo Nation.
• no fences and stuff and the wild horses create havoc.

Bills: HM45 , HB276 , HB300

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Summary: The committee first heard House Memorial 45, which asked the Water Quality Control Commission to promptly hear a petition seeking consideration of the beneficial reuse of treated produced water. The sponsor and supporters argued that produced water could help conserve freshwater, support agriculture and rural communities, and potentially aid compact obligations with Texas and industrial users. The committee also heard extensive opposition from acequia leaders, environmental groups, and residents who said the science is not yet sufficient, the water contains unknown or proprietary contaminants, and the memorial could pressure regulators or shift pollution burdens to other communities. After questions focused on the meaning of a memorial, the status of the petition, and the role of the Produced Water Research Consortium, a motion to table HM 45 passed, with members explaining they wanted the petition in hand before acting. The committee then took up House Bill 276, which appropriates $3.3 million to NMSU for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to support celebration of the 400-year anniversary of winemaking in New Mexico. Supporters described the bill as a statewide agritourism and economic development effort tied to New Mexico’s long wine history, with marketing, signage, and tourism promotion intended to benefit wineries across the state. Members asked about the funding source, the anniversary date, and whether the effort would include wineries outside the south; the sponsor said the campaign would highlight wineries statewide. The committee voted do pass on HB 276. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 300, which would appropriate funds for the care and management of free-roaming horses and related domestic horse management, with an emphasis on tribal and local herd-control efforts using fertility control and trained community members. Supporters said the program would help address overpopulation, grazing impacts, and roadway safety, while opponents questioned relocation plans and whether the money should be spread across more counties. The sponsor and expert witness said trained personnel were already in place and the funds would support implementation. After discussion, the committee voted do pass on HB 300. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again Saturday to hear House Bill 207.

Transcript Highlights:

• On average, 100,000 wild animals are received by rehabilitation facilities every year.
• can learn how to focus our efforts and tackle that, and leave the other 99% to be available in the wild
• Mom is spoiling them for too many months, 24 months, and it's hard to take on wild prey.
• In 1999, I started working in Yosemite National Park and worked on the Keep Bears Wild program.
• In Yosemite National Park and worked on the Keep Bears Wild program.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So today, the Nashua River is a federally designated wild and scenic river.
• I'm the director of Wild Care in Eastham.
• We treat over 1,800 wild animals per year.
• We treat over 1,800 wild animals per year.
• And let's let the carnivores and the raptors do their jobs in the wild. Thank you.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hearing on several late-file bills and home rule petitions, with testimony focused mainly on coastal access and wildlife management, rodenticide restrictions, and a local land-use request. Rep. Scarsdale testified for H.5113, which would name an accessible trail in Groton’s J. Harry Rich State Forest the Marion Stoddard River Walk in honor of the activist who helped restore the Nashua River. Groton Trails Committee chair Paul Fung also supported the bill, describing the trail, educational signs, and DCR’s involvement. Rep. Sweezey presented a package of Duxbury Beach bills—H.5141, H.5140, and H.5139—intended to align state shorebird protections more closely with federal standards, create parity in beach management tools, and require periodic review of outdated recreational-use guidelines; he said the bills were developed with local and agency input and aimed to balance conservation with beach access. A large portion of the hearing concerned local petitions to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides and other pesticides. Supporters from Mass Audubon, Sierra Club, Animal Defenders International, wildlife rehabilitation groups, and residents from towns including Grafton, Billerica, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Eastham, and Truro argued that these poisons harm raptors and other non-target wildlife through secondary poisoning, persist in the environment, and are increasingly ineffective. Several speakers said local town meetings had approved the restrictions and urged favorable reports on the petitions. Opponents, including a representative of the New England Pest Management Association, argued that regulation should remain at the state level under MDAR to avoid a patchwork of local rules and noted that the agency was already reviewing rodenticide regulations. Committee members asked questions about agency consultation, the relationship between state and federal bird listings, and how local beach rules would work in practice. The committee also heard testimony on H.4700 and related local pesticide-reduction petitions for Eastham and Truro, with witnesses describing groundwater concerns, pesticide drift, and wildlife impacts. Finally, the committee took testimony on S.2961, a Dighton bill authorizing the use of a small portion of conservation land for public way purposes to replace the Pleasant Street Bridge and add pedestrian and bicycle accommodations; the witness said the affected area was limited and necessary for safety improvements. The hearing ended after testimony concluded, with the chair turning the gavel over and the committee adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• farm cervidae by removing the requirement related to preventing physical contact between farm and wild
• that there is a compelling argument that it need that it is spread through physical contact between wild
• /c> is spread through physical contact is spread through physical contact between<00:26:38.679><c> wild
• </c> between wild and farmed cervidae. between wild and farmed cervidae.
• Anderson continued: Most of the cases we've seen so far, at least this year, have all been in the wild

Bills: HF3548

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: farm assistance, down payment, agriculture, state funding, loan modification

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> raccoons should not be pets they're wild raccoons should not be pets they're wild animals<01:03:
• wild and lived some percentage of their life in the wild, are they suitable for domestication?
• that are wild and were born<01:08:07.319><c> in</c><01:08:07.480><c> the</c><01:08:07.640><c> wild</
• </c> somebody who re rehabilitates a wild somebody who re rehabilitates a wild animal<01:08:18.640><c
• </c><01:11:22.159><c> it's</c> it in the wild it's it in the wild it's euthanasia<01:11:23.880><c> uh

Summary: The committee met in a work session on several environmental bills, beginning with HP 152, which would prohibit the sale and use of adhesive-based rodent traps. Members discussed whether the bill should be amended to allow professional pest control use while restricting retail sales to the public. Testimony and member comments focused on animal welfare concerns, the relative humaneness and effectiveness of glue traps versus snap traps, consumer education, enforcement difficulties, and whether the bill should instead be limited to professionals. No vote was taken on HP 152 during the discussion. The committee then turned to HB 171, establishing a moratorium on new landfill permits. Representative Gruber distributed an amendment shortening the proposed moratorium from five years to three years as a compromise. Members supporting the moratorium said it would give the Department of Environmental Services time to update rules and reflect recent landfill-siting reforms, while opponents argued that three years was too long, could tie the hands of a future legislature, and might be difficult to pass in the Senate. Others noted the House, Senate, and governor had each discussed different lengths of moratorium, making the bill a likely bargaining position in later negotiations. Throughout the landfill discussion, members emphasized that the three-year version was intended as a middle ground between a one-year proposal associated with the governor and a six-year Senate bill. Several members said the moratorium reflected years of bipartisan work on solid waste and landfill policy and would help create time for new rules to take effect. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or other action on HB 171 during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2023, and it allowed a coordinated, proactive approach to the inevitable conflicts that come when wild
• and pets, keep a safe distance, implement methods proven to actively deter conflicts, and promote wild
• animals' instincts to stay wild.
• preying on livestock for over a year, is a failure in our efforts to coexist peacefully with these wild
• Some of that wildness in California.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it a wild west?
• Is it a wild west?
• Is it a wild west?
• Is it a wild west?
• Is it a wild west?

Transcript Highlights:

• 2023, and it allowed a coordinated, proactive approach to the inevitable conflicts that come when wild
• animals' instincts to stay wild.
• Do we want to have some of that wildness in California?
• Do we want that have some of that wildness in California?
• I certainly do, but we do. some of that wildness in California.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal strategies such as deterrents, conflict reporting, and outreach. The author and supporters said the program had been effective but lost funding in 2024, and they argued it would help communities, ranchers, and wildlife by preventing conflicts before they escalate. Support came from conservation, animal welfare, local government, and county groups, while the California Cattlemen’s Association and California Farm Bureau opposed unless amended, saying the bill needed clearer limits on when nonlethal measures are practicable and protections so compensation funds for livestock losses are not reduced. Members discussed wolf-livestock conflicts, compensation, and the need for continued collaboration. The committee voted 2-0 on call to send the bill to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large housing and development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA. The author and sponsor EBMUD said the bill is needed to keep water planning tied to land-use planning and avoid “paper water” problems, especially as climate and drought conditions worsen. Supporters included water agencies, environmental groups, labor, and local governments. The California Building Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that current law already requires verified water supplies, that the bill could add unnecessary process and litigation risk, and that it could slow housing production. Members raised concerns about duplication in cities that also operate their own water systems, but the author said the goal was better coordination, not more bureaucracy. The committee voted 4-1 on call to send the bill to Local Government. The committee also heard SB 1270, which would expand the state wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot to the top 10 counties by wildfire risk and social vulnerability, adding Riverside, Calaveras, Los Angeles, and Tehama counties and prioritizing future funds for those areas. The author said the bill responds to recent destructive fires and aims to extend home-hardening assistance to more high-risk communities. There was no opposition, and members discussed how to scale funding, whether the program should be broader than the listed counties, and how to focus on cost-effective mitigation. The committee voted 5-0 on call to send the bill to Emergency Management. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major science funding measure that would place a $23 billion bond on the ballot and create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research to support research in the state. The author and supporters said California’s research sector is a major economic engine and that federal funding cuts and instability threaten jobs, talent retention, and scientific progress. There was broad support from UC, CSU, labor, health, and research organizations, with no formal opposition. Some members raised concerns about the role of sponsoring unions and the potential for politicization, but the author said the new foundation would operate under California law and that the measure is meant to protect science funding and collaboration. The committee discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on SB 895.

Transcript Highlights:

• On average, 100,000 wild animals are received by rehabilitation facilities every year.
• can learn how to focus our efforts and tackle that, and leave the other 99% to be available in the wild
• Mom is spoiling them for too many months, 24 months, and it's hard to take on wild prey.
• In 1999, I started working in Yosemite National Park and worked on the Keep Bears Wild program.
• In Yosemite National Park and worked on the Keep Bears Wild program.

Summary: The hearing focused on human-wildlife conflict in California, especially predator management involving bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. The chair and Assemblymember Hadwick framed the issue as a balance between protecting people, livestock, and property while preserving wildlife and biodiversity, citing habitat loss, development, drought, wildfire, and climate change as drivers of conflict. Department of Fish and Wildlife officials described their conflict-response work, including public education, depredation permits, wildlife incident reporting, and coordination with sheriffs, counties, and other agencies. They also noted that wildlife sightings and conflicts are increasingly common in both rural and urban areas, including recent mountain lion activity in San Francisco and ongoing bear conflicts in places like Tahoe and Sierra Madre. CDFW staff outlined the department’s human-wildlife conflict program, including the WEIR reporting system, a public toolkit, limited-term staff, and regional response efforts. They said the program grew out of drought-related incidents and later state funding, but that one-time money has expired, creating service gaps. Officials also discussed specific management approaches such as Tahoe’s trap-tag-haze bear program, DNA-based incident tracking, and the use of nonlethal deterrents before lethal action. For wolves, they explained that the species is protected and managed differently from bears and lions, that there is no general depredation-kill process for wolves, and that the department is working on data-sharing agreements, county liaisons, compensation programs, and improved coordination with ranchers and local law enforcement. Members pressed the department on underreporting, trust in state agencies, the need for sheriffs to participate in investigations, and whether more authority should be given for public-safety removals or hazing. Assemblymember Gonzalez also raised wildlife trafficking and border enforcement issues in Southern California. The panel repeatedly emphasized that more resources, technology, and local partnerships are needed. Officials gave budget context, saying roughly $17 million in one-time funding over several years supported conflict response and wolf compensation efforts, but that staffing and program capacity remain limited. The chair concluded by noting interest in further work on technology, funding, and institutionalizing collaboration, and the hearing then moved to a second panel of university researchers who presented on wolf and mountain lion conflict, habitat planning, trust, and the need for flexible, science-based, locally tailored mitigation strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico to capture the wolves that remained in the wild,
• And it's from that handful of wolves that we have Mexican wolves in the wild today.
• lands, and we would like to see them stay. that handful of wolves that we have mexican wolves in the wild
• We now have 286 in the wild, but we have an additional 300, close to 400 in captivity, so we have over

Bills: HB2013 , HB2292 , HB2334 , HB2349 , HB2350 , HB2845 , HCM2011

Committees: House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs , House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Keywords: air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, forest fire, brush removal, defensible space, community hardening, vegetation management, fire-resistant construction, wildland urban interface, WUI, insurance premium tax, property insurance, homeowners insurance, commercial property insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• But wild hogs, would you agree that wild hogs generally carry more parasites, and their meat quality
• So, was your point when you mentioned that wild hogs carry more parasites?
• Generally speaking, wild animals will carry more parasites than animals that are in captivity, that have
• They are not releasing these in the wild.

Bills: SB2108 , SB2121 , SB2171 , SB2061 , SB2112 , SB2138

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Keywords: feral swine, nuisance control, wildlife management, hunting permits, agriculture, cultivated meat, food safety, public health, misbranding, advertising, food labeling, food distribution, state regulations, hunting licenses, fishing licenses, veterans, controlled hunts, deer population, wildlife conservation, food policy

Transcript Highlights:

• CEO CONSERVATION FLORIDA IS A SIX GENERATION FLORIDIAN WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT PROTECTING FLORIDA'S WILD
• WE WILL LOSE WILD FLORIDA IF WE DO NOT HAVE THESE RANCHES. >> THE RANCHLANDS IN OUR STATE ARE SOME OF
• WE WORK ACROSS THE STATE FROM PENSACOLA THE FLORIDA KEYS PROTECTING WATER AND WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES
• SOME OF THE MOST STUNNING LANDSCAPES IN THIS ROLE I AM LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXPLORE A LOT OF WILD
• AGRICULTURE THOSE POLLINATORS BEES AND OTHER POLLINATORS COULD PROVIDE POLLINATION SERVICES NEEDED FOR THE WILD

Transcript Highlights:

• This is encouraging them to go ahead and prepare in case we have to stop this totally cold turkey at

Bills: HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3403 , HB1907 , HB3175 , HB3986 , HB3466 , HB3411 , HB4246

Committee: Senate Energy

Summary: The committee took up several measures dealing with environmental regulation, waste management, and energy. Early on, it passed sunset-extension bills for the Oklahoma Climatological Survey and several environmental advisory councils. It then heard extensive debate on HB 1907, the Battery Stewardship Act, which would create a battery recycling system for small and medium batteries through DEQ. Supporters argued it would reduce landfill and garbage-truck fires, protect the environment, and create recycling value, while opponents raised concerns about added regulation, costs shifted to producers and retailers, and the creation of a new state FTE. Despite those objections, the bill passed 8-3. The committee also considered HB 3403, a pilot study on biosolids and sewage sludge applied to farmland. Members debated a committee substitute that shortened the study timeline from five years to three years and added a phased rollback of land application. Supporters said the study was needed because of unresolved questions about PFOS, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other contaminants, while critics argued the timelines conflicted and the bill could be hard to implement. The committee substitute was adopted, an amendment to delete key rollback provisions failed, and the bill ultimately passed 8-2 after testimony from Oklahoma City utilities officials and multiple rounds of questions about testing, health risks, and disposal practices. The committee then passed HB 3175 to establish the Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, with members noting it would have minimal fiscal impact and could help Oklahoma build nuclear expertise and jobs. It also passed HB 3986, expanding a gross production tax exemption for wells completed with recycled water, and HB 3466, which removes the statutory requirement that the Corporation Commission maintain a petty cash fund. Finally, HB 3411, another biosolids-related bill to buy testing equipment and provide information to landowners, and HB 4246, a rural water transparency/lowest-bid bill, both passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The meeting ended with the chair thanking members and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This young bride who was doing the Thanksgiving turkey cut the wings and cut the legs off, the drumsticks

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee approved several non-appearing gubernatorial appointments and routine agenda items by 4-0 votes, including Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Eddger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. The committee also approved bill referrals, a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 to be heard after the policy deadline, and floor acknowledgments. The committee then heard the appointment of Clint Kellam as Director of the Department of Cannabis Control. Members focused heavily on cannabis regulation, especially illicit market activity, consumer education, labeling, and youth protection. Kellam said the department’s goal is to shift consumption from illicit to legal sources, not increase use, and described efforts such as the Real California Cannabis website, the required educational pamphlet for new users, inspections, and package review. Senators raised concerns about attractive-to-children packaging, high-dose beverages, and the need for tighter labeling rules; Kellam said the department is open to legislative changes, is working on an AI tool to help licensees review packaging, and uses recalls, citations, and administrative actions when products violate rules. He also described enforcement efforts against illegal cultivation and retail, including the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies. The committee voted 4-0 to advance the appointment. The committee next heard Jennifer Osborne’s appointment as Director of the Department of Industrial Relations. Osborne described her background in state administration and said she aims to remove barriers, improve systems, and support workplace safety, wage enforcement, workers’ compensation, and apprenticeship programs. Senators asked about PAGA enforcement, Cal/OSHA audit findings, backlogs, staffing shortages, and complaint handling. Osborne said DIR’s role in PAGA is limited, but the department is working on Cal/OSHA policy revisions, training, additional investigation staff, centralized intake, IT modernization, and possible use of outside administrative law judges to reduce delays. She also said the department is addressing vacancy and backlog issues through classification changes and new hiring strategies. Public commenters from employer groups and labor organizations spoke in support, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for full Senate confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This young bride who was doing the Thanksgiving turkey, and she cut the wings and cut the legs off, the

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Eddger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission, each by 4-0 vote. The committee also approved a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 (health) to be heard after the policy committee deadline, and took up floor acknowledgments before moving to appointments requiring testimony. The committee then heard from Clint Kellam, nominee to lead the Department of Cannabis Control. Members focused heavily on cannabis labeling, youth protection, attractive-to-children packaging, the SB 540 educational pamphlet, and the department’s efforts to steer consumers from illicit to legal products. Kellam said the department’s role is not to promote increased consumption but to move existing consumption into the regulated market, and he described enforcement against illicit cultivation and retail, consumer education efforts, and a possible AI tool to help licensees review packaging. He also said the department would consider tighter packaging rules, including one-serving packaging, but emphasized the need for research and legislative collaboration. The committee voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate. The committee next heard from Jennifer Osborne, nominee to direct the Department of Industrial Relations. Questions centered on DIR’s handling of Cal/OSHA audit findings, labor commissioner backlogs, PAGA enforcement, staffing shortages, IT modernization, and how her administrative background would help address those issues. Osborne said DIR is working on revised Cal/OSHA policies and procedures, additional staffing and intake changes, new IT systems, and possible use of outside administrative law judges to reduce delays. She also clarified that the Civil Rights Department is not under DIR, but said she would follow up on concerns raised. Public commenters from employer groups, labor, and industry largely supported her nomination, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 to move to the full Senate for confirmation.