Transcript Highlights:

• </c> statement. one procedural statement. one procedural notify<02:37:47.280><c> come</c><02:37:47.439
• So that also violates procedural and substantive due process.
• </c><02:40:59.200><c> due</c> violates procedural and substantive due violates procedural and substantive
• </c> subcommittees of that um, commission subcommittees of that um, commission about<03:01:13.520><c>
• /c><04:52:13.600><c> from</c><04:52:13.760><c> the</c> from a procedural standpoint from the from a procedural

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wyoming Ireland trade commission.
• </c><00:20:54.360><c> Senate</c> Wyoming Ireland trade commission.
• Senate Wyoming Ireland trade commission.
• This or procedure that actually happens.
• <01:31:44.200><c> being</c> relating to criminal procedure, being relating to criminal procedure, being

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These consistent zoning standards are paired with fast, consistent, and reliable permitting procedures
• , and California Walnut Commission, in support.
• The Public Utilities Commission has adopted safety measures.
• And the Blue Ribbon Commission went out and looked at models all over the country for rebuilding.
• But before I ever served on a city council or planning commission, I served on a civil grand jury.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 753, which would modernize California’s shopping cart recovery rules by allowing cities and counties to return abandoned carts directly to retailers, recover documented retrieval costs, and avoid the current impound-and-wait process. The author and supporters, including San Jose officials and the League of California Cities, said the bill would help clear streets, sidewalks, and waterways and reduce local costs. Grocers and retailers opposed the measure unless amended, arguing it would turn cart retrieval into a new cost burden and could create incentives for cities to charge too much for stolen property. After extensive discussion about notice periods, cost caps, and local ordinances, the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 6-0 as amended. The committee then took up SB 445, which would speed up permitting and approvals needed for high-speed rail by requiring early engagement, setting rules for third-party coordination, and creating a dispute-resolution process. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier, broader transit proposal and was intended to reduce delays caused by utilities, local governments, and other entities. Supporters said permitting bottlenecks add major costs and delays to infrastructure projects, while opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts raised concerns about safety, reliability, affordability, and the need to review the pending amendments. The bill passed 8-1 to the Utilities and Energy Committee. The committee also heard SB 9, a narrower housing bill focused on accessory dwelling units. The author explained that it would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards control if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the bill would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then began hearing SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops; the author and supporters framed it as a response to the housing shortage and transit underuse, and the hearing continued with extensive support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dental procedures are not just in the mouth.
• Dental procedures are not just in the mouth.
• Watch the procedures. Talk to the patients and the volunteers.
• Watch the procedures. Talk to the patients and the volunteers.
• Procedures as simple as tooth extractions require the administration of anesthesia by people who, in

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Utilities and Transportation Commission regulates the rates of privately owned water companies that
• As Matt described, the Utilities and Transportation Commission is required to adopt a variety of rules
• And this includes rules that establish procedures for elections where voters are in more than one county
• and procedures for tabulating votes.
• So we moved the substitute, procedurally. We moved the substitute, correct?

Summary: The committee began with a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 1592, which would change how state public defense funds are distributed and, in the substitute version, keep current law on state funding responsibility while revising the allocation formula. Staff explained the bill would shift county and city distributions to a pro rata, caseload-based model, allow very low-density counties to request OPD to provide some or all public defense services, require additional data collection and reporting, and direct OPD to study caseload reductions and retention. Representative Peterson said the bill is meant to create a better structure for future state support of indigent defense without the very large cost of the original proposal. Testimony from counties, cities, OPD, defenders, and local officials was strongly supportive, emphasizing a statewide public defense crisis, rising local costs, staffing shortages, and the need for a fairer funding model. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 1742 on environmentally sustainable urban design and Substitute House Bill 1906 on water system regulation and water rates. HB 1742 would create a center in Ecology to promote sustainable urban design, fund design competitions and grants, and establish an advisory council; the sponsor said the bill reflects a desire to support a pilot project through alternative funding, and there was no public testimony. HB 1906 would require more planning and notice for Group A water systems, add customer notice and right-of-first-refusal provisions for some ownership changes, and direct the UTC to consider external funding sources, capital planning, and rate smoothing when setting water rates. Water utility and PUD witnesses supported the goal of improving transparency and consolidation of failing small systems, while noting the substitute reduced some fiscal concerns. The committee also heard HB 2248 on Secretary of State corporate and charity filings, HB 2438 creating the SEED scholarship for early childhood education students, and HB 2515 addressing emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers. HB 2248 would redirect part of annual filing fees to the Secretary of State revolving fund, require initial reports from nonprofits and LLPs, and change trademark certificate procedures; the fiscal note showed modest revenue losses, and the division supported restoring the fee split for operational funding. HB 2438 would transfer $10 million annually from the GET account to fund scholarships and wraparound services for early childhood education degree seekers, with testimony from early learning advocates and a student describing workforce shortages and personal financial barriers. HB 2515 drew extensive testimony both for and against: supporters said it would protect ratepayers, water resources, and grid reliability by requiring tariffs, reporting, clean-energy requirements, and a fee on large energy users; opponents argued it singled out data centers, could hurt investment and jobs, and included unrelated labor and procurement provisions. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive-session briefing on several bills and amendments, including HB 1903 on statewide low-income energy assistance, HB 1909 on a court unification task force, HB 1982 on vacating certain convictions tied to treaty Indian rights, HB 2034 on LEOFF Plan 1 retirement changes, HB 2105 on employer notice of federal I-9 audits, HB 2210 on ranked-choice voting, HB 2215 on Climate Commitment Act fuel supplier obligations, and HB 2271 on post-consumer recycled content requirements. Staff summarized proposed substitutes and amendments, with several changes aimed at reducing or shifting fiscal impacts, narrowing agency duties, or striking provisions entirely.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 13, an act relating to planning commission membership. Senator Denine.
• Senate Bill 13, an act relating to planning commission membership. Senator Denine.
• </c> commission membership. Senator Denine. commission membership. Senator Denine.
• Senate Bill 30, an act relating to motor vehicle commission. Senator Higdon.
• </c><00:33:16.399><c> Senator</c> to motor vehicle commission. Senator to motor vehicle commission.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• radioactive waste protection program report to the General Assembly and the Appalachian Compact Commission
• This bill reforms and streamlines the administrative and application procedures related to the ignition
• This bill reforms and streamlines the administrative and application procedures related to the ignition
• I would ask for a no vote to recommit this bill on this procedural vote. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• I would ask for a no vote to recommit this bill on this procedural vote. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Summary: The House met in extended session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and a series of journal, committee, and Senate bill reports. Members also received several referrals and Senate messages, and the Speaker signed multiple bills already prepared for the Governor. The chamber then took up a long slate of measures, largely budget-related and conference/concurrence items, with repeated roll-call votes and several brief floor remarks for and against the bills. Among the major actions, the House passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills addressing fiscal code and budget implementation, abusive towing practices, telemarketing robocalls and caller ID spoofing, prostitution penalty changes, veteran notification procedures, the cosmetology licensure compact, solar decommissioning, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, E85 flex fuel definitions, local road transfers, civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and trailer sales. The House also adopted House Resolution 580 designating July 18, 2026, as Piping Plover Day. Most of these measures passed overwhelmingly, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most significant debate centered on House Bill 2400, the General Appropriations budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, and House Bill 1505, the education-related budget implementation bill. Supporters described the budget as a bipartisan compromise that funds adequacy and tax equity for schools, public safety, mental health, roads and bridges, veterans, seniors, and workforce programs while avoiding broad-based tax increases. Opponents argued the budget used accounting maneuvers, deferred spending, and was structurally unbalanced. After extended debate, the House concurred in the Senate amendments to HB 2400 by a 167-35 vote and to HB 1505 by a 172-30 vote. The House also considered House Bill 2559, which included Commonwealth property conveyances and a controversial provision affecting Penn State branch campus properties. A motion to recommit the bill failed, and the House ultimately concurred in the Senate amendments by a 105-97 vote after members debated property rights, labor effects, and the future use of the campuses. The session concluded with the Senate later concurring in several House amendments, the Speaker signing the final bills, and the House adjourning until September 9, 2026, unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• not required to appear is item 2E, David Galavis, as a member of the State Park and Recreation Commission
• the main ones, and one of the things that was called out in the audit, was a lack of policies and procedures
• They're training all their employees on every change and every policy and procedure.
• And then those revised policies and procedures will be posted on the department's website.
• Once the training, Those revised policies and procedures will be posted on the department's website upon

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• not required to appear is item 2E, David Galavis, as a member of the State Park and Recreation Commission
• the main ones, and one of the things that was called out in the audit, was a lack of policies and procedures
• They’re training all their employees on every change and every policy and procedure.
• And then those revised policies and procedures will be posted on the department’s website.
• Once the training, Those revised policies and procedures will be posted on the department’s website once

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and procedural items. It unanimously approved three appointments not required to appear: Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edger 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 (Health) to be heard past the policy deadline, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard testimony from Clint Kellam, nominee to lead the Department of Cannabis Control. Senators focused on illicit cannabis activity, consumer education, youth protection, labeling, and packaging that may be attractive to children. Kellam said the department’s goal is to shift consumption from illicit to legal sources, not increase use, and described efforts including the Real California Cannabis campaign, the SB 540 pamphlet, inspections, a package-review team, and an AI image analyzer for licensees. He also discussed enforcement against illicit cultivation, coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, and the department’s role in helping bring legal market compliance and access into balance. 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 Cal/OSHA audit findings, workplace safety, PAGA-related litigation, case backlogs, staffing shortages, and how her administrative background would help manage the department. Osborne said she would focus on fixing systemic issues, improving staffing and classification rules, modernizing IT systems, adding intake and investigative capacity, and addressing the Cal/OSHA audit recommendations. She also said DIR would continue working on worker safety, compensation, and apprenticeship programs, and would follow up on some questions about natural-disaster-related enforcement and backlog metrics. Public commenters from employer groups and labor organizations spoke in support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for consideration by the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bonnie Westlin, a member of the Advisory Committee on Capitol Security, about the latest safety procedures
• Bonnie Westlin, a member of the Advisory Committee on Capitol Security, about the latest safety procedures
• </c><00:04:46.800><c> and</c><00:04:47.120><c> the</c><00:04:47.280><c> new</c> latest safety procedures
• and the new latest safety procedures and the new ones<00:04:47.759><c> on</c><00:04:48.000><c> the</
• So the Axtell report was commissioned by the DPS, and they focused really on four buildings for the time

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Milner, chairman of the Conecuh County Commission, 38 years.
• I don't have a problem at all with the superintendent, but I do have a problem with the procedure that
• I want to see what procedure was being used. Someone asked a question, 'We can't hear.'
• </c><00:15:14.000><c> was</c><00:15:14.160><c> being</c> I want to see what procedure was being I want
• to see what procedure was being used<00:15:14.639><c> to</c><00:15:14.800><c> me.

Bills: HB180

Keywords: education, county superintendent, appointed, elected officials, Conecuh County, local control, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be processed concurrently with an application for preliminary plat approval to the extent that procedural
• provide a written determination to the applicant that must state either that the application is procedurally
• complete or procedurally incomplete.
• The bill is adding 'procedurally' there.
• The local government is encouraged to adopt procedures to allow an applicant seeking approval of a preliminary

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several land use and infrastructure bills. SB 5633 on subdivision of land drew the most discussion: staff described a broad rewrite that would move many subdivision decisions from legislative bodies to administrative personnel, limit or eliminate public hearings for preliminary plats, require notice to nearby landowners, set completeness and 100-day decision timelines, and streamline concurrent review of related permits. Builders, Realtors, and some cities supported the bill as a long-overdue modernization that could reduce delays and housing costs, while county and city representatives raised concerns about eliminating public hearings, implementation details, and local accountability. The committee also heard SB 6274 on street standards and frontage improvements, which would require jurisdictions to identify infrastructure barriers to infill and middle housing and periodically review street and frontage standards; supporters said frontage mandates can make housing infeasible, while local government witnesses warned about conflicts with safety, ADA, and transportation goals. SB 6309 on high-capacity transit permits would let Sound Transit apply for permits before acquiring property and before some land use decisions, and would allow certain development agreements and subdivision exemptions to speed transit delivery; Sound Transit and city representatives supported it, and the committee waived the five-day notice rule to hear it. The committee also took testimony on SB 6279, which would incorporate the wildland-urban interface code into the state building code after statewide wildfire maps are completed and require state and local coordination on defensible space and local amendments. Supporters framed it as needed wildfire resilience planning, while opponents from counties, builders, environmental groups, and local officials argued the bill was premature, too rigid, and potentially inconsistent with environmental laws, local conditions, and insurance realities; several asked for more local flexibility, clearer map processes, and changes to the timing and scope of adoption. SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the period during which local health jurisdiction staff may inspect on-site wastewater systems under supervision before certification; public health officials supported it as a workforce and training fix, saying the current timeline is too short and costly. The committee also heard SB 5903, SB 6016, SB 5820, SB 6132, and SB 6189 in executive session, adopted substitutes on some bills, and advanced SB 6016, SB 5820, SB 6132, and SB 6189 out of committee by due-pass votes, with SB 6016 receiving a substitute and a member noting support but remaining concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• And he shows our partners what true non-commissioned officer leadership looks like.
• Some of the things that we have gained as a military are, well, they're technical, they're procedural
• That's correct because I am able to rehearse these procedures both in the American system, I work very
• closely with General Cotton for instance from US STRATCOM, we can rehearse those procedures on a US
• basis, we rehearse the delivery procedures on on a native basis, and I and key American elements of my

Keywords: committee meeting, legislation, public testimony, SB4, HB2214, bipartisan support

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and hear testimonies related to legislative matters, including public concerns and implications surrounding the proposed legislation. Notably, the members engaged in a vigorous debate over SB4, where several representatives shared differing viewpoints on its impact on local communities and the environment. Public testimonies were heard, with advocates arguing for the bill's potential benefits, while opponents raised significant concerns regarding the fiscal implications and land use. Following these discussions, the committee moved to vote on HB2214, which passed without issue, illustrating the bipartisan support for certain initiatives tied to public welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> ethics commission ethics commission &gt;&gt; that<00:12:40.959><c> were</c><00:12:41.200><c> ultimately
• So, it's more of a procedural thing for me.
• So, it's more of a procedural to these.
• And the commissions and appointments.
• </c> energy regulation regulatory commission. energy regulation regulatory commission.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the June 9 minutes, then reviewed a deferred personnel contract involving workers’ compensation claims administration. Staff explained that the roughly $50 million figure included about $48 million for claims payments and up to $1.45 million per year for administrative services, with billing based on a fee schedule for specific services rendered. Senator Meredith raised concerns about the vendor’s history, the scoring and bid process, and prior allegations involving the company; the administration responded that the procurement had been conducted under 45A through open competition, with outside scorers and no finding of wrongdoing tied to this contract. Meredith moved to disapprove Contract 167, Hart seconded, and the committee voted 5-2 to disapprove it. The committee then deferred a Western Kentucky University personal services contract because the vendors were still not registered with the Secretary of State’s office. Hart moved to defer the contract until the August 2026 meeting, Meredith seconded, and the motion carried. The committee also approved the agenda covering the various contract lists and deferred items. Next, the committee heard from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on several personal services contracts for medical staffing and related services. Secretary Steven Stack and staff explained that staffing shortages often require outside vendors, that the contracts were competitively bid under 45A, and that the cabinet uses a streamlined vendor pool for specialized needs such as actuaries, auditors, and technical consultants. The committee approved Contracts 52 through 55 without objection. Discussion then began on Contract 61, with Meredith expressing concern that the committee lacked enough detail to judge whether the services could be performed in-house or whether the exchange of resources was appropriate; Stack said the contract was intended to provide efficient access to specialized outside expertise. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on Contract 61 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so one of the very first provisions in this statute says that in our racing commissions and in places
• Sherry Morris, who will address the legal and procedural implications of the bill in greater detail.
• They have only filed procedural motions, and they have...
• They have only filed procedural motions, and they have I don't know. procedural motions, and they have
• So it's a streamlined civil procedure and so on.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill sets up a procedure for people close to a decedent to petition the probate division of the
• The procedure calls for the petitioner to notify the medical examiner and the state's attorney within
• written testimony from the Vermont Department of Health and the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission
• 00:42:36.720><c> Review</c> Domestic Violence Fatality Review Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission
• Commission. Commission.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OF THE SARASOTA MANATEE AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ALTERNATIVE PERMITTING PROCEDURES
• RAILS FOR THE OPERATIONS OF PRIVATE RELIGIOUS POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS WHEN NOT LICENSED BY THE COMMISSION
• THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION UPON RELIEVING THIS COMPLAINT HAS PROBABLE CAUSE AND FORWARD IT TO THE STATE
• >> Senator Grall: YES IT IS CORRECT THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION COULD FIND PROBABLE CAUSE AND GO TO THE
• UP TO THE FACTFINDER THAT THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• also amend the exemption for certain non-insurer transactions by certain dealers to require the Commission
• The bill would amend the Florida Invest Local Exemption to allow the Commission to prescribe a form for
• It provides that the Financial Services Commission, when waiving the requirements for certain persons
• to submit fingerprints, may consider the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
• For this reason, this bill does not put any guidelines, any policy procedures, or supervision for those

Summary: The committee first took up HB 703 on utility relocation, as amended by a strike-all. The sponsor said the bill would require government authorities that order communication service providers to move infrastructure to pay the relocation costs, clarify expedited timelines, and align the House bill with the Senate version. Supporters argued the communication services tax should help cover these costs, while cities and counties warned the bill would shift major unfunded costs to local governments and taxpayers, especially in fiscally constrained counties. After public testimony from local government and industry representatives and debate over fairness, coordination, and the tax’s intended use, the committee adopted the strike-all and then passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard and passed CS/HB 379, a securities package updating Chapter 517. The bill and conforming amendment made several technical and policy changes, including expanding certain exemptions, updating foreign jurisdiction and exchange considerations, revising merger-and-acquisition broker rules, aligning fingerprinting requirements with FBI standards, and adding protections related to financial exploitation of specified adults. Industry and Office of Financial Regulation witnesses supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably without opposition. Next, the committee passed CS/HB 867 establishing the Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act to create a legal framework for commuter rail operations along Florida’s coastal corridor and to help Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties secure insurance and indemnification for service on the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way. The Florida Chamber supported the bill, and it was reported favorably without debate. The committee also passed CS/HB 1161, which revises Florida’s deepfake law to require covered platforms to remove altered sexual depictions and copies upon request by the victim; the bill drew emotional testimony from a student victim and broad support from members, and a severability amendment was adopted before the bill passed unanimously. The committee then passed CS/HB 453 on pool and spa contractors, which updates Chapter 489 terminology and scope-of-practice rules and, through amendment, limits certain equipment to commercially available products. Finally, the committee passed HB 955 requiring all private employers to use E-Verify for new hires, removing the small-employer exemption. Supporters framed it as workforce integrity and rule-of-law legislation, while opponents warned about labor shortages, burdens on small businesses, and impacts on immigrant workers. After debate, the bill passed 19-3. The committee then began hearing CS/HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow voluntary waivers of minimum wage for certain internships, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training; the sponsor presented an amendment limiting the duration and clarifying minor waivers, and the committee heard both support from small business groups and opposition from labor, immigrant, and worker advocates before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:09:43.920><c> Carlos</c> motor vehicle commission and Mr.
• Carlos motor vehicle commission and Mr.
• And so I'm the Motor Vehicle Commission.
• </c> with the Motor Vehicle Commission. with the Motor Vehicle Commission.
• </c> will be on the motor vehicle commission will be on the motor vehicle commission website website

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're working internally, and we'll make recommendations to our commission, and we'll work through that
• okay to be fair I think when procedure okay to be fair I think when the<00:14:47.680><c> department<
• I thought that you wanted to hear these so we can bring them to the Fish and Game Commission next time
• </c><00:15:57.199><c> next</c> them to the fishing Game Commission next them to the fishing Game Commission
• donations with commission, or maybe even going into a revolving fund or into the fishing game fund.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division II work session focused on Fish and Game’s budget-revenue proposals and several statutory changes the department said it needs to support its operations. The department recommended raising the fisheries habitat fee and wildlife habitat fee to $5 each, estimating additional annual revenue of about $640,000 and $144,000 respectively. Members clarified that these are habitat fees added on top of licenses, not reduced by senior or youth license categories, and discussed the need for RSA changes to allow the revenue to be transferred into the Fish and Game Fund. The department also said it would work internally on any broader license fee increases through the commission process. The committee then reviewed proposals to cap several dedicated accounts and transfer excess balances to the unrestricted Fish and Game Fund. Those accounts included the fisheries and wildlife habitat funds and the game management account, with the department proposing a $750,000 cap on each and transfer of amounts above that threshold. The department said the cap was based on several years of expenditures and the fact that dedicated funds are often used as match for federal funds. Members asked for reports on fund activity and questioned whether the cap and mandatory transfer language should be “shall” or “may,” with the department indicating it would prefer “may” for flexibility. The committee also discussed a Pheasant Management Program account, where the department said current law limits use of the money to buying and propagating pheasants and it wants authority to use it for broader program management. A substantial portion of the meeting addressed Fish and Game’s environmental review unit and the transfer of ARPA-funded positions to DEES under the governor’s initiative. The department said four positions are currently ARPA-funded, that DEES supports keeping them in place through the end of the year, and that the transition will require time because environmental review work is intertwined across the agency. The department explained that before the ARPA positions, biologists handled the work and that current staffing has helped eliminate a backlog and meet deadlines. Members also discussed a proposal to expand environmental review fees beyond private developers to state, federal, municipal, and local governments, with the department saying it would need rulemaking and stakeholder input. Additional requests included authority to conduct raffles to raise funds, creation of a revolving account for donations and raffle proceeds, and repeal of the obsolete fish food sales statute because the vending machines are no longer functional and the account generates no revenue.