Transcript Highlights:

• 10:04.160> amount<01:10:04.520> appropriated<01:10:05.160> last Moving on to Forest
• Moving<01:10:28.640> on<01:10:29.120> to<01:10:29.480> Forest<01:10:29.840> Parks
• <01:10:30.120> and Moving on to Forest Parks and Moving on to Forest Parks and Recreation,
• revocations, and the committee identified three additional opportunities, including 3 cents from Forests
• ,<01:19:54.520> parks, including 3 cents from forests, parks, including 3 cents from forests

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading by poet April Osmon, who read two poems focused on bridging political divides and shared humanity. Members then recognized the final day of service for the legislative pages, thanking them for their work during the 2026 session and presenting each page with a pin and a photo opportunity. The chamber then handled bill referrals: Senate Bill 193, creating a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons, was referred to Judiciary; Senate Bill 198, regulating tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, went to Commerce and Economic Development; Senate Bill 214, concerning pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts, went to Education; and Senate Bill 218, reducing chloride contamination in state waters and carrying an appropriation, was referred to Appropriations. The House also read and adopted two concurrent resolutions: HCR 237 congratulating Vermont-associated 2026 Winter Olympic medal winners, and HCR 238 honoring the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired on its 100th anniversary. Much of the remainder of the session consisted of tributes and guest recognitions tied to those resolutions. Members highlighted Vermont’s Olympic skiers and coaches, including Ben Ogden, Paula Moltzan, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Jessie Diggins, Mikaela Shiffrin, Barbara Ann Cochran, Bill Koch, and others, and read a note from Diggins thanking Vermont for its support and emphasizing teamwork and community. Speakers also praised VABVI’s century of service and its role in helping blind and visually impaired Vermonters, and several members offered personal remarks honoring retiring Representative Francis “Topper” McFaun for his long service, mentorship, and family legacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• We established our Forest Reserve Program in the 1950s.
• :58.559> late<00:33:58.799> 1800s<00:33:59.799> recognizing<00:34:00.399> Forest
• to the late 1800s recognizing Forest to the late 1800s recognizing Forest role<00:34:01.080>
• 00:34:03.519> we<00:34:03.679> established<00:34:04.159> our<00:34:04.320> Forest
• irrigation we established our Forest irrigation we established our Forest Reserve<00:34:05.159><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also got various state forests and nature preserves throughout the Commonwealth.
• Just to give you all a scale of what we deal with there, we have 10 state forests encompassing 49,000
• KRS Chapter 149 directs the cabinet to establish and maintain a statewide system of forest fire prevention
• <00:48:22.960> fire<00:48:23.359> prevention, system of forest fire prevention, system
• of forest fire prevention, detection,<00:48:24.880> and<00:48:25.319> suppression.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the year, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior year’s minutes, and welcomed new co-chairs and members. The board reviewed the capital planning timeline and a list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. Members were reminded to keep presentations brief because of a packed agenda. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure preservation, and preventive maintenance. Its requests included a $21 million maintenance pool, phase two funding for a new state public health laboratory, construction of an 18-bed children’s psychiatric hospital, and several projects at Western State Hospital and Western State Nursing Facility, including HVAC work, cooling tower repair or replacement, and chiller plant repiping. Additional projects covered elevator upgrades at Hazlewood and phased cottage renovations at Oakwood. Board members asked about vacant buildings, the cost per bed for the youth psychiatric facility, and the relationship between the CHFS youth facility and a separate DJJ facility; CHFS said the youth facility would serve DCBS-involved youth and be separate from the DJJ project. The Kentucky Department of Education then described its state-operated facilities, including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. Its priorities included additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building, a rewrite of the SEEK education finance application system, renovation and repair of the FFA swimming pool, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size and cost of the swimming pool project, and construction cost assumptions; KDE said it tracks student outcomes through special education staff and that current estimates reflect higher post-COVID construction costs. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would connect job seekers and employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility faces safety and code concerns. The cabinet planned to continue through the remaining priorities and answer questions at the end of its presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Guest Wi-Fi projects at Carter Caves, Paintsville Lake, Nolin, Delh Hollow, Penny Ralph Forest, and General
• Guest Wi-Fi projects at Carter Caves, Paintsville Lake, Nolin, Delh Hollow, Penny Ralph Forest, and General
• demo of the Lake Barkley pool. $5 million was appropriated for dam safety repairs for Penny Royal Forest
• ><00:20:20.400> for<00:20:20.559> Penny<00:20:20.960> Ralph<00:20:21.200> Forest
• safety repairs uh for Penny Ralph Forest safety repairs uh for Penny Ralph Forest Dam,<00:20:21.840

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Energy and Environmental Protection met at 9:00 a.m., approved the June 3 minutes, and heard a presentation from the Department of Parks and the Finance Cabinet on Kentucky State Parks capital projects. Commissioner Mark Keelin and Scott Baker described the scope of the state parks system, the ongoing coordination with DECA/Finance Cabinet, and the status of projects funded through House Joint Resolution 76, House Bill 553, House Joint Resolution 56, and House Bill 6. They said 36 of 44 state parks have received renovations or upgrades, with 66 projects completed and 17 under construction, and outlined work on campgrounds, utilities, wastewater systems, broadband, building systems, safety upgrades, ADA improvements, pools, golf courses, marinas, and lodge accommodations. The presenters highlighted several completed or active projects, including campground upgrades at Carter Caves, Ken Lake, and My Old Kentucky Home; utility and grid-resilience work at parks such as Kentucky Dam Village and Kincaid Lake; wastewater projects at parks including E.P. Tom Sawyer, Carter Caves, Dale Hollow, and Blue Licks Battlefield; and building and hospitality renovations at parks such as Lake Barkley, Baron River, and Cumberland Falls. They also noted completed playground upgrades, lock system replacements, beach refurbishment, and golf course improvements, and said the parks system is managing additional internal projects beyond those discussed. The department emphasized that parks often serve as sheltering locations during disasters and that infrastructure replacement is a high priority. Scott Baker then explained DECA’s role in managing the Commonwealth’s capital construction program, saying it oversees about 1,300 active projects across 28 cabinets and agencies, including 149 parks projects. He described DECA’s team-based approach, with dedicated project managers and field staff assigned to parks, and said monthly status meetings and more frequent check-ins are used to keep projects moving. In response to committee questions, Keelin and Baker said projects are assigned to DECA based mainly on the need for architectural or engineering services, while smaller or less complex work can be handled in-house by parks staff or the P11 construction crew. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you're looking at revenues only, exclusively, as this bill does, you're missing the forest through
• And if you're looking at revenues only, exclusively, as this bill does, you're missing the forest through
• I've said this on this dais before, and I represent the Fifth Forest District in the state.
• I've said this on this diet before, and I represent the Fifth Forest District in the state.
• Humboldt Center on Race Poverty and the Environment, Environmental Protection Information Center, Forest

Summary: The committee heard several energy and water affordability bills, with extensive testimony on SB 254 by Senator Becker, SB 541 by Senator Becker, SB 453 by Senator Stern, SB 292 by Senator Caballero, and SB 473 by Senator Padilla. SB 254 was presented as a broad utility affordability package addressing short-term climate credits, a Power Fund, tighter scrutiny of rate increases and utility profits, wildfire spending, securitization of future utility costs, and streamlining. Supporters, including TURN and several environmental and public power groups, said it could lower bills and reduce long-term costs; opponents from investor-owned utilities, labor, business, and local government raised concerns about market impacts, insufficient analysis, and the breadth of the bill. The committee approved SB 254 on a 6-3 vote and placed it on call. SB 541 focused on load flexibility and using existing grid capacity more efficiently. Senator Becker described it as a transparency and planning measure to identify cost-effective load shifting and reduce peak demand, while supporters said it could improve resiliency and save money. Several CCAs and utilities opposed the bill in print or unless amended, arguing that some language implied a mandate and that the concept needed more cost-effectiveness analysis; the author said amendments would remove language dividing the state goal among retail suppliers and clarify that the bill is not a procurement mandate. The committee passed SB 541 as amended to Appropriations on a 9-1 vote and left it on call. SB 453 by Senator Stern would return unspent ratepayer-funded microgrid program dollars and was described as a way to keep the lights on and redirect unused funds. It drew support from local government and environmental groups, with PG&E expressing concern about how the bill would affect its ability to spend awarded funds. The committee passed SB 453 as amended to Appropriations on a 12-0 vote. SB 292 by Senator Caballero would require more granular outage and reliability reporting, including census-tract-level data, to better inform resilience planning after PSPS events; utilities opposed unless amended, citing duplicative reporting and regulatory overlap, but the bill passed 12-0 to Appropriations. SB 473 by Senator Padilla would require or expand water utility decoupling to promote conservation and affordability. Supporters, including water utilities, labor, business, and local government groups, argued decoupling stabilizes revenue, supports conservation, and can keep rates lower for low-use customers. The Public Advocates Office opposed, saying prior pilot data showed no conservation benefit and about $1 billion in added costs, and that the CPUC had already rejected similar requests. Committee members questioned the conservation and capital-investment effects of the different rate structures; the author and supporters argued decoupling helps utilities fund infrastructure while allowing lower fixed charges for low-use customers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on SB 473 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest ISD, which was incidentally absorbed into Houston ISD in 2012, only 1% of students were. college
• North Forest. Feeder pattern, that's the one that was annexed by Houston ISD. Six.
• North Forest.
• I remember, and he had taken over North Forest.
• And without all the systemic reforms, North Forest had to merge. less than four years later, because

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas is a large state, 171 million. 81% of the state is a farm, a ranch, a farmhouse. family forest,
• state and that's going to raise and is raising the market value of our farms and ranches. and family forests
• And when you start losing those farms and ranches, those family forests that basically are the heart.
• you think about the fact that that it basically conserved 47,000 acres of farms and ranches. family forests
• It serves to protect the public benefits. that are derived from farms, ranches, and family forests.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate bill, and that is Senate File 4352, and that is a Senator Housley proposal for the city of Forest
• Uh, 4681, Nevatney, Elk River. 4053, Patty Anderson, Forest Lake. 4663, Glen Core, I notice we don't
• Nevatney Elk River. 40 53 Patty Uh 46 81 Nevatney Elk River. 40 53 Patty Anderson<00:37:19.000> Forest
• <00:37:20.080> 46<00:37:20.720> 63 Anderson Forest Lake. 46 63 Anderson Forest Lake

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is all up in the Gila; most of it was on federal forest service land.
• B-A-R-E, it's done by the Forest Service.
• Drought has weakened our ecosystems, it has shrunk our reservoirs, and it makes Forests more vulnerable
• Your forested watershed is your treatment barrier. If it is damaged, your entire system is at risk.
• Work with federal and state partners and invest in foresting, erosion controls, and post-fire recovery—not

Transcript Highlights:

• the Senate, that since the '60s, the state of Mississippi on state land and some federal national forest
• and some of Mississippi on state land and some federal federal federal national<00:18:46.919> forest
• <00:18:47.400> land national forest land national forest land have<00:18:48.960> done

Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 18 March, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Wildlife, Fisheries Committee met to consider several Senate nominations to the Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund board. The nominees included Richard Webster, Peyton Locky, Josh Ragio, and reappointee Van Ray. Each nominee briefly described his background and connection to the outdoors, conservation, or related business experience. Committee members repeatedly emphasized that the board should focus on projects that improve public access and advance conservation, while also considering projects across all regions of Mississippi, including north Mississippi. Members also raised concerns about the use of trust fund money for land purchases, noting that buying land can remove property from county tax rolls. Several senators urged the nominees to favor projects that maximize public benefit, avoid overemphasis on city parks or ball fields, and consider leasing land instead of purchasing it when possible. The nominees generally agreed that projects should be judged on merit, public access, and conservation value. One nominee, Webster, was reminded to file a statement of economic interest with the Mississippi Ethics Commission before floor consideration. The committee voted to advise and consent on Senate Nominations 2, 51 and 52, 53 and 54, and 89, moving all of them to the floor. The votes were taken by voice vote with no opposition recorded. Van Ray also discussed the committee’s earlier work creating procedures for the program and said the board had already supported many projects statewide, with a moratorium on land purchases currently in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are whole forests of trees in Minnesota because of Melissa Hortman.
• .<00:44:56.720> There<00:44:56.960> are<00:44:57.359> whole<00:44:57.839> forests
• There are whole forests of planting.
• There are whole forests of trees<00:44:59.920> in<00:45:00.160> Minnesota<00:45:01.200>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• worked for several years in marine benthic laboratory work, participating in scuba research of kelp forests
• <00:26:42.080> research<00:26:42.400> of<00:26:42.720> kelp<00:26:43.120> forests
• <00:26:43.600> and in scuba research of kelp forests and in scuba research of kelp forests

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration met virtually on January 6, 2026, and took up four administrative policy items. Darren Hoff, Senate Human Resources Director, presented updates to the Legislative Coordinating Commission benefit book, including insurance changes tied to SEGIP, mental health and substance use office visit cost sharing, dental plan updates, dependent eligibility clarifications, a new voluntary legal services benefit, a 17% increase in Medicare premiums, and multiple leave-policy revisions to conform with the new paid leave law and other employment rules. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the benefit book with the LCC’s November 10, 2025 changes and staff technical corrections, and the motion passed. Secretary Tom Bern described a proposed Senate Policy 1.56 allowing written rules of conduct for visitors in Senate spaces, aimed at setting clear expectations for behavior such as not blocking hallways or using shouting and profanity, while being developed with consultation to address First Amendment concerns. Senator Marty moved adoption, and the committee approved the policy. Council Lexi Stangle then presented a change to Senate Policy 2.47 on severe weather emergencies that would allow employees who work remotely on severe weather days to accrue compensatory time with supervisor approval; Senator Johnson moved adoption, and the motion passed. The committee also considered a modernization of the Senate information systems policy. Secretary Bern and staff explained that the policy had not been substantially updated in about 20 years and was being condensed and updated to reflect current technology and practices. The revisions reduced the policy from 29 pages to 10, removed obsolete references, added a purpose statement, clarified email inspection and hardware/software procedures, updated website rules and accessibility guidance, and removed the secondary member page option. Senator Coleman moved adoption of the Senate information systems update, and it was approved. After the Rules Committee adjourned, the Subcommittee on Committees met and approved two appointments: one public member to the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources through December 31, 2030, and Senator Gustafson to the Financial Crimes Advisory Board Task Force. Members asked about the task force’s scope and the public appointee’s background; staff explained the task force advises on identity theft and financial crimes, and identified the public appointee as Sha Lang of Preston, Minnesota. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the appointment list, and the subcommittee approved it before adjourning.

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
• Forest Service as a ranger. a firefighter. Literally back-breaking work. That's where I come from.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriations in this bill will benefit communities across California by investing in wildfire prevention and forest
• This bill will benefit communities across California by investing in wildfire prevention and forest resilience
• putting $181 million toward wildfire We're also putting $181 million toward wildfire prevention and forest
• Following her graduation, this passion led her to intern with a Forest and Meadows Conservation Program

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and prayer, then handled a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor actions. Members welcomed student groups from Hope International University and Vacaville High School, and later recognized several guests connected to public safety dispatch. The chamber also adopted multiple re-referrals and procedural requests, including moving bills between committees and taking up AB 100 on concurrence from the Senate. A major portion of the session was devoted to ACR 34, designating April 14 as Sylvia Mendez Day. Assembly Member Ta and several colleagues spoke in support of honoring Sylvia Mendez and the Mendez v. Westminster case as a landmark in civil rights and school desegregation. The resolution drew extended partisan debate over the framing of the measure and broader issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, but it ultimately passed on a roll call vote, with the resolution adopted. The Assembly also recognized Dolores Huerta on her 95th birthday through guest introductions and celebratory remarks, then moved through several bills and resolutions. AB 471 on air district board compensation, AB 677 on pupil records and access to screenings for housing-insecure students, ACR 31 designating California Public Safety Telecommunications Week, and AB 1150 on airport customer facility charges all passed. HR 30 recognizing Khmer New Year also was adopted with broad support. The most contentious policy action was AB 100, the early action budget bill. Supporters said it provided funding for wildfire prevention, hospital payments, Medi-Cal, and recovery in Los Angeles fire areas, while opponents criticized the bill for health care spending and high-speed rail. After a failed attempt by Assembly Member DeMaio to amend the bill and an unsuccessful appeal of the chair, the Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments and sent AB 100 to the Governor. The day ended with consent calendar approvals and adjournments in memory for several community members, including Larkin Carol Wells, Carmen O. Perez, and Oscar B. Ramos.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, also Director, or Chief Forester, Norris, thank you for your time as well to help me get up to
• uh also director or Chief Forester uh also director or Chief Forester Norris,<00:17:38.559> thank
• We use it for Black Hills National Forest, Teton Forest.
• <01:50:23.280> Forest.
• Hills National Forest, Teton Forest. Hills National Forest, Teton Forest.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In parts of New Mexico, we have, we need to thin our forests.
• And often, you know, what you do with that wood once you thin the forest is a problem it's a waste.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Forests Cole Daala Kerwin Martinez Fisher or the suit or Johnson.
• Forest Cole y'all. Kerwin. Martinez Fisher or Pursuit or Johnson. 71.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 78, sponsored by the Water, Forest Health Grant Program, an act relating to state forestry
• House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant Program, respectfully reports the same back to the House with the
• House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant Program, was re-referred to Committee No. 2, Appropriations. Mr.
• bill in particular, moves the forest bill in particular, moves the forest firefighters<00:17:22.880
• , the forester, the forester, the<00:31:08.799> slip<00:31:09.200> board<00:31:09.679

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a Department of Revenue statute, and it deals with a sustainable forest resource management incentive
• It is a Department of Revenue statute, and it deals with a sustainable forest resource management incentive
• It is a Department of Revenue statute, and it deals with a sustainable forest resource management incentive
• It is a Department of Revenue statute, and it deals with a sustainable forest resource management incentive
• It deals with a sustainable forest resource management incentive, so those payments are not to be part

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant Program.
• I'd like to re-refer House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant, to appropriations.
• I'd like to re-refer House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant, to Appropriations. >> There is an appropriation
• House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant to House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant to appropriations. appropriations
• fire uh wow forest fire uh wow wildland<00:37:31.520> firefighters<00:37:32.880> uh<00

Keywords: 916, all