Video & Transcript Research : 'forest reserves'
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NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Commerce and Economic Development Feb 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- lands for open space, natural resources, biodiversity conservation, outdoor recreation, farmland, and forest
- It's agencies like the Agricultural Land Easements Program, the Forest Legacy Program, the wetlands reserve
- the state with more than 100 different landowners and projects, ranging from large landscape-scale forest
- and watershed protection projects to work in our... ...scale, forest, and watershed protection projects
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 186, which would update New Mexico’s Land Conservation Incentives Act by increasing the conservation tax credit cap from $250,000 to $2 million, raising the credit percentage, and making the credit refundable. The sponsor and conservation groups said the bill is intended to help land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve working farms, ranches, watersheds, habitat, and cultural resources, while also leveraging federal conservation dollars and supporting rural economies. Supporters from land trusts, Realtors, conservation organizations, and local landowners testified that current caps are too low to make easements feasible for smaller properties and that the bill would reduce pressure to sell to developers. Some members raised concerns about fiscal impact, whether refundable credits should be limited, and whether wealthy landowners could benefit; the sponsor said the bill is aimed at smaller landowners and that the fiscal estimates may be overstated. The committee voted 6-3 to do pass HB 186.
The committee then considered HB 92, which would phase out the state income tax on Social Security benefits over eight years. The sponsor argued that Social Security income should not be taxed and said the phase-out would help seniors, attract retirees, and support the economy. An amendment was adopted to strike language related to a prior date. Opposition testimony focused on fairness and revenue concerns, with one witness arguing the bill would mainly benefit higher-income filers and reduce funds for schools, infrastructure, and housing. Several members questioned the fiscal impact, the income thresholds, and whether the bill was ready without more data; the sponsor said the phase-out was designed to avoid a cliff effect and that the current estimates were uncertain. The committee then voted 5-3 to table HB 92.
Finally, the committee heard HJM 1, a memorial supporting stronger relations between Taiwan and New Mexico and the United States in trade, technology, education, and official exchanges. The sponsor and a representative from Taiwan’s economic office described the long-standing sister-state relationship and said the memorial would reinforce goodwill and people-to-people ties. Members spoke in support of the relationship, with one noting Taiwan’s importance in technology and chip manufacturing. One member questioned tariffs and the need for the memorial but still acknowledged the strong bilateral relationship. The committee approved HJM 1 on an 8-1 do pass vote.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- You can reserve any part of that as you want. OK? All right, you've got 10 minutes. Go ahead.
- And these horses roam on BLM and Forest Service lands also.
- This will give the BLM and the Forest Service the right to round them up as trespass livestock, so they
- Uh, the USDA Forest Service did the same thing to the alpine horses and publicly auctioned them.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Being in the reserves, I had a lot of Guard counterparts, and we talked to them.
- was as the commander of the Sixth, all of the Army Reserve in the six New England states.
- I led the Army Reserve in the six New England states from 2002 to 2006.
- I led the Army Reserve in the six New England states from 2002 to 2006.
- Sometimes it happens to all branches of service, both active duty and reserves.
Summary:
The committee held a hybrid public hearing on seven House bills and seven Senate bills related to the Massachusetts National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserves. Opening remarks covered hearing procedures, livestreaming, testimony limits, and expected reporting dates, and chairs noted the committee’s focus on Guard and Reserve issues. Testimony then moved through several bills, including S. 2465 to expand the National Guard welcome-home veterans bonus to all deployed Guard members regardless of residency, H. 3876/S. 2462 to authorize military-style headstones for long-serving or deceased Guard members, and S. 2482/H. 3833 to establish a Massachusetts National Guard Museum in Salem. Supporters of the bonus and headstone bills argued they would correct inequities and better honor service; Senator Lovely described the museum proposal as a way to preserve the Guard’s history in Salem and potentially support federal funding for the project.
A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 3829/S. 2471, the “Defend the Guard” proposal that would bar Massachusetts National Guard deployments into active combat absent a formal congressional declaration of war. Supporters argued the bill would restore constitutional war powers, reduce repeated undeclared deployments, and protect Guard members’ mental health and state readiness. Opponents, including retired Guard leaders and current service members, warned it could conflict with federal law and Title 10 authority, undermine federal funding and training, and harm readiness, force structure, and unique Guard capabilities. Committee members repeatedly questioned the bill’s legal authority, constitutional basis, and practical effects under the Supremacy Clause and Title 10, and several witnesses were asked to submit additional written legal support.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3831, which would extend Chapter 115 benefits to currently serving Guard and Reserve members who do not meet federal veteran-status thresholds, and on related proposals to clarify Guard command structure and the duties of the Adjutant General. Supporters said these changes would improve access to benefits, reduce confusion in the chain of command, and strengthen discipline and responsiveness. Separately, the National Guard Association of Massachusetts backed H. 3860/S. 2458, the Guard Enlistment Enhancement Program, as a recruiting tool, while opposing the Defend the Guard bills. No votes were taken during the hearing.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- ramifications in terms of loss of jobs and loss of economic viability, as well as the health of our forest
- And yes, we're all part of the forest products sector, which is critically important.
- ramifications in terms of loss of jobs and loss of economic viability, as well as the health of our forest
- which means they’re sold by the state and that money is essentially held in a bank account that’s reserved
- And once the company submits a decarbonization plan... ...bank account that’s reserved for the company
Summary:
The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2537, which would change how energy-intensive, trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) are treated under the Climate Commitment Act. Committee staff and the bill sponsor explained that the measure would require Ecology to update its post-2034 report to include proposed allowance-reduction methods, leakage-risk adjustments, and consignment recommendations, and would add new reporting and decarbonization-planning requirements for EITEs to continue receiving no-cost allowances. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 2245, a separate Clean Energy Transformation Act bill, and later voted the proposed substitute out of committee on an 11-8 vote with 2 excused, after debate over exemptions for certain utilities and market customers.
Supporters of HB 2537, including The Nature Conservancy, NRDC, Washington Conservation Action, Climate Solutions, Clean and Prosperous Washington, Ecology, and some utility representatives, said the bill would provide needed clarity, better data, and a path for long-term industrial decarbonization while helping prevent emissions leakage. They argued that EITEs receive substantial public value through free allowances and should be required to document emissions sources, energy needs, and feasible reduction pathways so the state can design a post-2035 policy consistent with climate goals. Ecology said it generally supports the bill, though it recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources not included in the governor’s budget.
Opponents, including the Association of Washington Business, the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, the Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers, WISPA, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers, Food Northwest, Simplot, Kaiser Aluminum, and Newcor Steel, warned that the bill could increase compliance burdens, expose sensitive business information, and worsen leakage risks by making Washington less competitive. They said many facilities have already made major investments and face high capital costs, limited clean electricity supply, permitting delays, and technologies that are not yet commercially viable at scale. Several speakers pointed to recent plant closures and job losses in pulp and paper, food processing, and metals as evidence that leakage is already occurring, and urged the committee to preserve flexibility, protect confidentiality, and consider targeted funding or other incentives rather than new mandates alone.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/13/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- We looked at it for forest management when the fires were... So it's been talked about.
- I'd like to have more information on this, and I'm willing to move it through committee but reserve my
- So although I'll change my vote to run it through committee today, but reserve my right to say no on
- into the federal government and draw down a lot of money to help private landowners, state land, Forest
- manpower, and so we separated from the State Land Department and set up, as we did with the State Forest
Summary:
The committee heard introductions from members and staff, then took up several water and natural resources bills. House Bill 2024 would expand Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) authority to include snowpack augmentation and related planning and permitting costs. Supporters, including a cloud-seeding company, argued the technology can increase snowpack and water supply at relatively low cost, while opponents raised concerns about weather modification, chemicals such as silver iodide, uncertainty in the science, and potential environmental effects. After debate, the committee passed HB 2024 on a 6-4 vote, with some members explaining they wanted more research but were willing to advance it for further consideration.
House Bill 2053 would appropriate $100,000 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources to update stormwater recharge mapping statewide, including private land, and the committee adopted an amendment extending the timeline and revising language about recharge sites and surface-water conflicts. ADWR said it could do the mapping but noted legal concerns about determining appropriable surface water rights. SRP and the Sierra Club opposed parts of the bill, arguing the language could affect existing water rights or exclude nature-based recharge areas. The bill passed as amended on a 6-4 vote.
The committee then heard a presentation from WIFA director Chelsea McGuire on the agency’s revolving funds, conservation grants, and long-term augmentation efforts, including seven proposed augmentation projects and a request for no budget cuts. House Bill 2097, which would cap groundwater pumping in irrigation non-expansion areas at six acre-feet per acre and add related reporting, exemptions, and substitution provisions, drew support from the sponsor as a conservation measure but opposition from ADWR and environmental advocates who said the cap was too high or could encourage pumping; it passed 6-4. House Bill 2116, appropriating $1 million to the Colorado River Litigation Fund, passed 8-1 amid comments that it was a precaution in ongoing Colorado River negotiations. Finally, House Bill 2117, a cleanup bill shifting environmental special plate fund authority to the new conservation district board and updating distribution rules, was presented as a technical correction and education-fund update; the transcript ends before a final vote on that measure.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 30th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- my district, we have Redwood National and State Park, which aside from being an incredible Redwood forest
- So I rise in full support of AJR 9, we need to fully fund our national forests.
- The Muir Woods is a truly special place, preserving one of the last remaining ancient redwood forests
- It's a really big parade on the fourth of July and people actually reserve a spot along this the main
- Forest Service as a ranger. a firefighter. Literally back-breaking work. That's where I come from.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 19th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It clarifies that HOA reserves are not expended on specific types of litigation that are not already
- The bill clarifies that HOA reserves are not expended on specific types of litigation that are not already
- that HOA managers can no longer exploit a loophole in current law that allows HOA managers to use reserve
- I want to thank our sponsor, the California Forest and Watershed Alliance, for their leadership on this
- The bill requires the Wildfire and Forest Resiliency Task Force to assess the health costs and impacts
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDT, EDT-AEN, EDT-CPN, EDT-GVO, EDT DEFER, EDT-CPN DEFER Public Hearings 02-11-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- President Ho, Forest Industry Association: In support.
- President Ho, Forest Industry Association: In support.
- </c> of Hoy and support G president ho Forest of Hoy and support G president ho Forest industry<00:48
- Senator Kaga, reservations. Senator Kim, aye. Senator Awa, no.
- I vote yes on SB 583. recommendations uh noted my reservations recommendations uh noted my reservations
Summary:
The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1061 on digital equity. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from Rosie Davis of the Maui County Area Health Education Center, who said Molokai and Maui need better digital access for telehealth and clinic services. Members discussed whether the bill should be consolidated with other digital broadband measures and asked about funding; the chair noted the draft used general funds but said federal money was now available for the navigator program. The committee later recommended SB 1061 be passed with an SD1, technical amendments, and an effective date of July 1, 2050, with members voting aye.
The committee then heard SB 135 on macadamia nut labeling. Hawaiian Host Group and several supporters argued the bill would help align the industry around a processing solution and support growers and jobs, while the MacNut Association and Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company opposed it, saying the state lacks enough processing infrastructure and that existing law already covers labeling. In questioning, members focused on the lack of a current processing facility and the timeline for a new one on Hawaiʻi Island. After hearing mixed testimony, the committee deferred the bill indefinitely.
The committee also considered SB 1657 and SB 1539 relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Testimony on both measures was generally supportive, with ADC describing the Wāhō water system as serving about 5,000 acres and over 70 farmers, mostly small and medium growers, and saying the proposal would help expand service without asking for more water. The committee later voted to pass SB 1657 and SB 1539 with SD1s, technical amendments, and a July 1, 2050 effective date.
Finally, the committee took up SB 891 on economic development and gaming. The hearing drew extensive testimony, including support from Boyd Gaming and Stanford Carr Development, and opposition from Native Hawaiian speakers who said Hawaiians must have a seat at the table and raised concerns about self-determination and outside control. Members questioned the scope of the proposed gaming working group, the number and makeup of members, and the need to review prior gaming bills and studies. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 891 with an SD1 and major amendments: adding tourism references, changing expense reimbursement rules so private gaming representatives pay their own expenses, expanding the working group to include Native Hawaiian, social services/behavioral health, DBEDT, law enforcement, and tax/professional expertise seats, deleting one proposed seat, and adding a July 1, 2050 effective date. The committee also reported that the recommendations were adopted by vote.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
PSM-JDC, JDC Public Hearings 03-13-2025
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:40:28.839><c> No</c> any not votes or reservations No any not votes or reservations No Reservations
- <00:40:30.560><c> for</c> Reservations for Reservations for s s s for for for no<00:40:38.079><c> the
- All members present, any no votes or reservations? Just a reservation for me.
- Next up is Dara Forester for the Public Defender.
- Any reservations? No. No. The measure passes.
Summary:
The joint committees heard testimony on several fireworks-related bills. On HB 550, which would allow law enforcement to use drone recordings to establish probable cause for fireworks arrests in public areas and appropriate funds for drones, the Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure. The Public Defender and some public testifiers opposed it, arguing that a statute cannot mandate probable cause and that the bill raises constitutional concerns. A prosecutor later explained that the bill is intended to address Hawaiʻi case law, especially State v. Kit, which limits aerial surveillance over homes under the state constitution, and suggested that changing “shall” to “may” could reduce constitutional problems. Members also questioned whether current law already allows video evidence of fireworks violations and whether the bill was necessary. Testimony included both support and opposition from individuals and organizations, and no vote was taken during the hearing.
The committees then heard HB 806, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The department and police supported the bill, while the Libertarian Party of Hawaiʻi opposed it, arguing that fireworks are already illegal and that the measure adds unnecessary enforcement powers and constitutional risk. Committee members asked what “sting operation” means and whether the term should be defined more clearly; the department said it refers to police or criminal investigations involving deception and agreed a definition would help guide use of the funds. The department also said the funding would support training, storage, and other operational costs for undercover investigations.
Finally, the committees heard HB 1483, a broader fireworks enforcement bill that would create an adjudication system for fireworks infractions, revise definitions and penalties, establish new offenses, and increase penalties when fireworks offenses cause injury or death. The Attorney General’s office strongly supported the bill, saying it would improve enforcement by clarifying definitions and allowing cases to be proven without particle testing or expert witnesses when fireworks leave no physical evidence. The Department of Law Enforcement also supported it. The Public Defender opposed the bill, focusing on the bill’s penalty enhancements for offenses that are rarely enforced and its concurrent trial provision, which it said raises problems because of the differences between civil and criminal proceedings. No final committee action or vote was reported in the transcript.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 5th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's go into helping forest management, for example, because I know some of the fires were caused by
- a lack of forest management. management on federal lands, and I know we can't really go on federal lands
- when it comes to, for example, Rio de Oso and the Lincoln National Forest.
- I'd rather be proactive and try to stop some of this, like, let's clean up forests.
- But I will reserve the right to maybe ask more questions later. Thank you, Madam Chair.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/09/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a cow-calf operator on national forest and state land in central and northern Arizona.
- In the past decade, forest recreational usage has gotten to the point that our cattle and wildlife are
- This creates unclear expectations for forest users. Campfire rings are built, areas...
- Expectations for forest users. Campfire rings are built. Areas become denuded of grass.
- So when water becomes scarce across the forest, these campsite choices might be a death sentence for
Summary:
The committee heard and acted on several wildlife-related bills. HB 2197, concerning camping near watering facilities, was amended to change the distance standard and remove language tied to domestic stock access; supporters said it would help protect ranch and wildlife water sources, while one member opposed it over expanded criminal penalties. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote.
HB 2497 would establish a statutory right to lawfully hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife and limit restrictions on those activities. Supporters described it as an affirmation of existing rights and wildlife heritage, while opponents argued it would weaken Game and Fish authority and conflict with the 2010 voter rejection of similar language. After a technical amendment, the committee approved the bill 5-3.
The committee also advanced HB 2147, which requires landowner deer permits under certain conditions to address crop damage and wildlife conflicts; Game and Fish said population management hunts are already being used, while opponents warned against privatizing wildlife. HB 2158, which would classify bears, cougars, mountain lions, and wolves as predatory animals, drew strong opposition from Game and Fish and conservation groups over science-based management and endangered species concerns, but was still recommended do pass 5-3. HB 2159, allowing landowner permits for Mexican gray wolves and a compensated trapping program, was likewise opposed as conflicting with federal law and the Endangered Species Act, but was approved 5-3. The committee then began HB 2162, which would require at least one Game and Fish commissioner to be a cattleman or rancher; Game and Fish opposed it, saying ranchers already have representation through the appointment process, and testimony continued as the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> your assistance we created Forest your assistance we created Forest classifications<01:24:18.520
- state Forest determining the number<01:24:26.199><c> of</c><01:24:26.320><c> Forest</c><01:24:26.719
- forests which Forest should should those forests which Forest should should uh<01:24:31.120><c> be</
- Forest Service, the U.S.
- </c> with the Minnesota DNR the US Forest with the Minnesota DNR the US Forest Service<01:26:43.719><
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We reserve your questions until we have finished hearing from the entirety of the panel.
- All right, members, we do have two resource witnesses: Jared Goodman from the Texas A&M Forest Service
- and Andy McCrady, also from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
- If we were to take the degreed foresters who have insurance burning east of I-45 and extrapolate that
- It is patterned after a system they already have administered by the Texas Forest Service that covered
Keywords:
Gulf Coast Protection District, navigation safety, special districts, state governance, Texas legislation, Gulf Coast, flood protection, storm risk management, coastal restoration, natural resources, prescribed burns, self-insurance, fire management, liability protection, rural land management, beverage container recycling, deposit return system, container deposit, bottle bill, recycling refund
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2025-03-25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- resources fund, which is made up of 20 different funds, each designated for different purposes, such as forest
- The General Fund is also one of the major sources of forest management funding, along with the Forest
- temporary and permanent frameworks will require programs to conduct permitting for the extraction of gas reserves
- The actual demand for these dollars and the program was able to successfully meet the needs of forest
- improvement strategies through technical assistance, maintaining lake, river, and aquifer data, supporting forest
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (8-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- One, we have a large budget reserve trust fund for which we invest.
- </c><00:12:59.519><c> Uh</c> we also do forest fire suppression.
- Uh we also do forest fire suppression.
- </c><00:13:19.040><c> trust</c> deposited to the budget reserve trust deposited to the budget reserve
- And because of the the reserve account.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
FY 2025 Budget Close Out 00:02:55
Impressions of H.R. – 119th Congress 00:28:15
SNAP Payment Error Rates 00:37:05, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first established a quorum, approved the July minutes, and recognized Jennifer Hayes of the Department of State Budget Director for her retirement and long service. Secretary Hicks then presented a review of fiscal year 2025 closeout for the general fund and road fund, explaining that the general fund ended with a $313 million surplus and the road fund with a $61 million surplus. He attributed the general fund result to strong corporate income and LLC tax receipts, investment income, and lower-than-budgeted spending, while noting that individual income tax and sales tax underperformed estimates. He also described how the general fund surplus was allocated, with $62 million used for necessary government expenses and $251 million deposited into the budget reserve trust fund, which remained at historically strong levels. For the road fund, he said the surplus would be deposited into the Department of Highways construction account, and he highlighted record motor vehicle usage tax receipts despite lower motor fuels tax revenue due to a rate decline.
Members asked questions about the pass-through entity tax, delayed filing deadlines, THC beverage sales, and income tax collection from undocumented workers. Hicks said the pass-through entity tax remains difficult to model because of timing issues and the first year’s unusual filing pattern, and that staff are still working with the Department of Revenue and other states to improve forecasting. He said the delayed filing deadline likely would not require a major restatement and that any related receipts would still be counted in fiscal 2026. On THC beverages, he said the issue would be considered in the next forecasting cycle. On the undocumented-worker question, he said withholding may capture some of the revenue but referred broader collection efforts to the Department of Revenue.
The committee then shifted to an overview of the federal reconciliation act’s potential impact on the next biennial budget, with Hicks and Commissioner Lisa Dennis focusing on Medicaid and SNAP. Hicks said the Congressional Budget Office estimated roughly $900 billion in federal savings over 10 years, driven in part by work or community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population and limits on state-directed payments. He emphasized that CMS still must issue regulations to define how the state-directed payment reductions will be calculated, making the exact fiscal impact uncertain. He referred members to a prior Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board presentation for more detail, and the discussion remained informational with no votes or formal actions taken on the federal changes.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I reserve.
- I reserve. I reserve. Gentleman reserves. Uh, the I reserve. Gentleman reserves.
- I'll reserve. side of the aisle. I'll reserve.
- So, I'll reserve. of Rights. So, I'll reserve.
- I reserve. The gentleman from Arkansas reserves.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Forest Friselle from Shifted Energy was in support. Paul Orum from Bon Works was in support.
- friselle also from shifted energy Forest friselle also from shifted energy in<00:55:38.400><c> support
- I vote reservations. Senator FLL I. You have three in favor. The measure is adopted.
- I vote reservations. Senator FLL I. You have three in favor. The measure is adopted.
- If not, Senator Richards, I vote yes. reservations uh Senator FLL I there you reservations uh Senator
Summary:
The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused.
The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments.
Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes proposed constitutional amendment to boost funding from Permanent School Fund May 4th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But not only that, a lot of our school trust funds' land is present on our reservation communities.
- Fond du Lac, Red Lake, Grand Portage, our northern reservations are home to a lot of our school trust
- But not only that, a lot of our school trust funds' land is present on our reservation communities.
- Fond du Lac, Red Lake, Grand Portage, our northern reservations are home to a lot of our school trust
- Fondelac, Red Lake, Grand Portage, our<00:24:02.960><c> northern</c><00:24:03.520><c> reservations</c
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HRE-AEN, AEN, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 03-17-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there anybody voting with reservations? What did I say? 736. Oh, 736. Apologies. Um, 736.
- Is anybody voting with reservations or anybody voting with a no vote? Hearing none. All in favor?
- :35:32.079><c> or</c> anybody voting with reservations or anybody voting with reservations or um<00:35
- Um that was one of watershed forests.
- </c> voting with reservations or nay hearing? voting with reservations or nay hearing?
Summary:
The joint committees heard House Bill 643, House Draft 2, which would create short-term management initiatives and appropriate funds for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Committee discussion focused on biocontrol efforts, including fungus and virus-based treatments, the need for a biosecure facility, and the timeline for testing and range studies. Department of Agriculture officials said initial testing is underway at the University of Hawaii, but full testing requires a higher-biosafety facility that is not yet available on island. Members also discussed funding levels, the possibility of a mobile facility, and whether the work could be accelerated. The committees later voted to pass HB 643 unamended.
The committees also heard House Bill 736, House Draft 1, which would establish a three-year wastewater system and individual wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center. Supporters said the bill could help certify new, lower-cost decentralized wastewater technologies and reduce the cost of cesspool upgrades while improving water quality. University of Hawaii witnesses explained that the center would test technologies, collect samples, analyze results, and provide reports to the Department of Health for certification. Members raised concerns about whether the program would help communities facing immediate wastewater issues, the length of the testing timeline, and whether technologies like the Genki ball could be included. The committee was told the pilot would likely test one technology at a time over about nine months each, though multiple tests could run in parallel later. The committees voted to pass HB 736 unamended.
After those measures, the joint committee moved to an AEN-only agenda and began hearing STR 111 / SR 92, which declares a public health emergency relating to climate change and calls for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Testimony in support came from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others. Supporters said climate change affects public health through heat, wildfire risk, invasive mosquitoes, and other impacts, and argued that the response should involve agriculture, planning, transportation, and emergency management, not just the Department of Health.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- forest fires we've had in the state of New Mexico?
- And we have an incredible state forester, Mr. Speaker, gentlemen.
- the effects of forest fires.
- That would have been about 8,000 acres of state forest lands. Now, Mr.
- Speaker, gentlelady, I know where I live because of the fuel load in the forest.