Transcript Highlights:

• California Native American tribes are best positioned to identify their own TCRs and how to best protect
• SB 1326 empowers California Native American tribes to better protect their TCRs and preserve their culture
• United Auburn is proud to be co-sponsor of SB 1326, and we are honored to work with other California Native
• SB 1326 ensures that California Native American tribes have the authority to use our tribal cultural
• Alex Lumer, on behalf of the Environmental Defense Fund, Pacific Forest Trust, Leadership Council for

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, I rise on behalf of the California Native American Legislative Caucus to urge an aye vote on ACR
• He met his wife in Soviet Russia after she fled her native Romania and lost her parents to the Nazis.
• His family spent two and a half years hiding underground in the forest.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have Gene Kelly, Florida native plant society for informational purposes.
• You're recognized. >> Thank you again, Eugene Kelly, president of the Florida native plant society.
• Also wanted to mention that within the bill, we would like to see state forest and state while live.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:33:11.039> Her University in Forest Grove, Oregon.
• Her University in Forest Grove, Oregon.
• On Hawaii Island, feral pigs are tearing through farms and forest, spreading disease, and disrupting
• rural families,<00:44:05.520> subsistence,<00:44:06.240> hunters,<00:44:06.960> native
• families, subsistence, hunters, native families, subsistence, hunters, native foreign<00:44:07.720

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, he was elected to the Tuscaloosa City Council in 1985, a position he
• c> Tuscaloosa<00:15:55.199> Alabama<00:15:56.199> he<00:15:56.360> was a native
• of Tuscaloosa Alabama he was a native of Tuscaloosa Alabama he was elected<00:15:56.839> to<00
• Service not being ready to have the equipment that would be there in the forest and on and on.
• contracts for example with the forest contracts for example with the forest service<07:43:57.600

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The<01:05:43.599> forest<01:05:43.920> facilities<01:05:44.240> commission<01:05
• :44.480> is<01:05:44.640> a The forest facilities commission is a The forest facilities
• When we adopted e-pull tabs, we made a promise and a commitment to the Native American tribes of Minnesota
• When we adopted e-pull tabs, we made a promise and a commitment to the Native American tribes of Minnesota
• When we adopted e-pull tabs, we made a promise and a commitment to the Native American tribes of Minnesota

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• question on that is how will that determine where that's going to be going, both in rural and on our Native
• For, let's see, $5 million was requested for the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
• Initiatives to improve outcomes for Native American students in alternative, innovative school staffing
• and trying to pull timber out of our forest and stand up sawmills so we can get more affordable building
• private investors be able to come in here and buy local products from New Mexico right out of our forest

Transcript Highlights:

• And that means taking care of our ocean, our forests, our farms, and each other.
• that means taking care of our ocean, And that means taking care of our ocean, our<00:07:55.800> forests
• our forests, our farms, and each other. our forests, our farms, and each other.

Bills: HB1519, HB1541, HB1737, HB1782, HB1854, HB1860, HB2023, HB2104, HB2276, HB2335, HB2455, HB2468, HB2551, SB177, SB411, SB874, SB2053, SB2069, SB2108, SB2268, SB2360, SB2363, SB2405, SB2407, SB2530, SB2543, SB2568, SB2803, SB2818, SB2851, SB2907, SB2934, SB2969, SB2999, SB3097, SB3103, SB3233, SB3238, SB3245, SB3001, SB3138, HB1946, HB389, HB1510, HB469, HB1573, HB1705, HB1858, HB1875, HB1961, HB1962, HB2001, HB2093, HB2096, HB2097, SB888, SB2169, SB2367, SB2557, SB2575, SB2698, SB3082, HB344, HB939, HB1688, HB1853, HB2443, HCR103, HCR117, HCR180, HCR112, HCR18, HCR105, HCR173, HCR35, HCR98, HCR42, HCR53, HCR181, HCR101, HCR179

Keywords: campaign contributions, lobbyists, transparency, election funding, ethical regulations, HB1541, Act 057, Department of Health, Hawaii State Hospital, Developmental Disabilities Division, civil service, civil service exemption, HRS 76-16, HRS 334-4, mental health program, state hospital, secure psychiatric rehabilitation facility, associate administrator, project manager, security manager

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director and state forester. Um, so I don't have a position on the amendment.
• <03:36:16.239> products, forestry work, remove forest products, forestry work, remove forest
• That's the forester. Again, shows the cobbles.
• I have a fiduciary responsibility, you know, as a land manager, as a forester.
• growing<03:48:56.800> out and forest forest that are growing out and forest forest that are

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 163FN, dealing with requiring current, verifiable evidence of a species’ presence before land-use restrictions are imposed for habitat protection. Members discussed an amendment that had been worked on with agencies and stakeholder groups. Fish and Game testified that, while the amendment improved the bill, the agency still opposed it because of concerns about citizen science, how the proposal would apply to public versus private property, and how the transition to DES would work. Representative Darby argued the amendment was ambiguous, lacked a full hearing, and did not clearly address record verification or private-property access issues. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, with a minority report noted. The committee then moved to HB 1752FN, which would create a chain of custody for timber and carbon credits. Representative Davis presented an amendment saying it would help law enforcement investigate timber theft and add transparency to New Hampshire’s carbon registry by identifying buyers of carbon credits. Supporters said the change would impose little burden and align with practices in other states. Opponents, including Representative Darby, Representative Vale, and the state forester from DNCR, said the carbon market is complex, the amendment was not fully vetted, and a hearing with all stakeholders was needed; they also raised fiscal-note concerns. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, again with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on HB 1019, which would add an active water treatment professional to the state water well board. Representative Peter Petrino and Representative Wendy Thomas said the board should include expertise on contamination risks and treatment technologies, citing concerns about arsenic, radon, and PFAS in private wells. The chairman of the Water Well Board testified in opposition to the bill as drafted, saying the board supports the general idea of licensing water filtration work but does not currently have authority or rules to oversee that field and believes the proposal would put “the cart before the horse.” Members questioned whether the board’s current mandate even covers filtration systems, and the discussion ended with those concerns unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, I have been on the Board of Visitors for Wake Forest Law School for over 20 years, assisting
• I am a native Floridian, born in Miami Beach, and I have lived in Tampa since 1971.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard two bills and then moved through a series of confirmations for university and college boards of trustees. Senate Bill 176, by Senator Polsky, would require public postsecondary institutions to have clear, publicly available safety policies and reporting procedures for threats to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. An amendment clarifying the bill’s scope was adopted without objection, there was no public testimony against it, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Members spoke in support, emphasizing campus safety and the need for clear reporting paths. The committee also heard Senate Bill 116, by Senator Bradley, which would establish the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute to advance research, prevention, care, education, collaboration, and outreach on diabetes. Testimony included support from AARP and others, and members praised the institute’s research role and the growing public health importance of diabetes. The bill was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for trustees at FIU, UNF, UCF, USF, and Miami Dade College. Nominees and reappointees described their backgrounds and priorities, including student success, research growth, workforce development, engineering, health care, cybersecurity, and fiscal stewardship. Committee members asked several nominees about nursing NCLEX scores and university performance, and one public commenter raised concerns about campus climate and student safety. The committee then voted to report the confirmations favorably in a block and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Forest Service issued a request.
• And that is also native to our great state.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations, Forestry Conservation Program, Wildland Fire Module, an act relating to the state forester
• House Bill 78, sponsored by Water, Forest Health Grant Program, an act relating to state forestry.
• Five, Agriculture, State, Public Lands, and Water Resources, to whom was referred House Bill 78, Forest
• <00:03:00.319> Health<00:03:00.640> Grant House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant House
• Bill 78, Forest Health Grant Program,<00:03:01.920> respect<00:03:02.319> the<00:03:02.480

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're strong supporters of working lands and forests.
• We're strong supporters of working lands and forests. Our main concern is the...
• <01:09:04.440> introduced those are a non-native introduced those are a non-native introduced
• It runs through the White Mountain National Forest, and we view that rebuilding this line is certainly
• and we view Mountain National Forest and we view that<01:46:27.000> rebuilding<01:46:27.560><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• needed to do some upgrades to the forest needed to do some upgrades to the forest road<00:03:38.959
• and 3B, and that's the Northern Forest Legacy project, and that's in u by the The Northern Forest Legacy
• standard county forests.
• a state forest a state forest and<00:35:28.960> earlier<00:35:29.440> this<00:35:29.680
• Um but that's not or in county forest.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is actually within the United States Forest Service area, basically, but the land Itself, under
• the Mining Act of 1872, was basically now private property—the mine itself—but it's within Forest Service
• land and at the Grand Canyon National Monument and previously Forest Service land.
• from Energy Fuels to the White Mesa Mill, I guess, in Utah, and the lack of transparency within the Native

Transcript Highlights:

• As a native to the school district I represented, it was my honor to serve their diverse student population
• trustees, the trustees for the University of West Florida have always been from the region or as a native
• I'm also a 50-year resident of Pensacola and an eighth-generation native Floridian.
• I'm also a 50-year resident of Pensacola and an eighth-generation native Floridian.
• I'm also a 50-year resident of Pensacola and an eighth-generation native Floridian.

Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've looked at kind of detailed race and race in general, but we can look also at the nativity, or where
• or where the look also at the Nativity or where the parents<00:25:24.559> of<00:25:24.720>
• ><00:30:50.640> of districts with uh larger numbers of districts with uh larger numbers of native
• indigenous<00:30:52.679> children<00:30:53.440> where<00:30:53.559> you native
• or indigenous children where you native or indigenous children where you can<00:30:53.799> see

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 21 with a quorum present for the first meeting of the 2025 biennium. The co-chairs described the temporary power-sharing arrangement in the tied Senate, introduced committee staff and pages, and had members briefly introduce themselves and share what subject they would teach. After the introductions, the committee moved to a presentation from State Demographer Susan Brower. Brower reviewed Minnesota’s school-age population trends and projections, noting that the state had just under 1 million children ages 5 to 17 in 2023 and that, for the first time, the older adult population exceeded the school-age population. She said the school-age population is concentrated in the Twin Cities metro and other regional centers, and projected an overall decline of about 5% over the next 15 to 20 years, driven mainly by declining birth rates and long-running net outmigration of young adults. She also explained that growth is expected in some areas, especially along the I-94 corridor north of the metro, while northern regions are projected to see the largest declines. She clarified for members that her figures measure resident children, not school enrollment, and that boundary changes are not reflected in the district-level data. The presentation also covered demographic change among students. Brower said about 35% of Minnesota children ages 5 to 17 are children of color, with growing multiracial populations and increasing linguistic diversity. She reported that about 20% of school-age children have at least one foreign-born parent, and about 18% of enrolled students speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish, Somali, and Hmong the largest home languages. She also discussed child poverty, saying Minnesota’s rate is just under 10%, below the national rate of about 15%, and that poverty is concentrated in Minneapolis-St. Paul, some first-ring suburbs, and parts of northern Minnesota, including districts with larger Native populations. Members asked questions about whether the projections accounted for migration and whether open enrollment affected the figures; Brower said the data reflect where children live, not where they attend school, and that the projections are based on recent migration and birth patterns, with future changes more likely to come from international immigration than from domestic migration.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a fourth-generation native Arizonan, and I think we have access to amazing rare earth minerals, which
• The other monument that is called out is the Ironwood Forest National Monument, equally important to
• So after 61 years of the facility, those 3,000 shooters a month are now shooting in the National Forest
• Five eyes, three and a native, zero not voting.

Bills: HB2014, HB2055, HB2145, HB2150, HB2696, HB2755, HB2763, HB2781, HB2782, HB2787, HB2795, HB2889, HB2975, HB2985, HB2986, HCM2009, HCR2020, HCR2038

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, Arizona Revised Statutes, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, state land department, mineral lease, renewals

Summary: The Natural Resources Committee approved the March 17 minutes and then took up a long calendar of bills, holding HCR 2038. HB 2787, which would bar the state and its political subdivisions from using personnel or financial resources to enforce, administer, or cooperate with the Mexican wolf reintroduction program, drew opposition from Sierra Club and Humane World for Animals/Animal Defense League of Arizona, who argued it would hinder wolf recovery and undercut science-based wildlife management. The committee nevertheless gave HB 2787 a do-pass recommendation by a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2055 on a Brackish Groundwater Recovery Program Fund and HB 2782 on disclosure requirements for regulatory assets in utility rates. Testimony on HB 2055 raised concerns that brackish groundwater is still groundwater and that pumping it could cause localized impacts, but the bill initially received a do-pass recommendation before a later vote failed on reconsideration. HB 2782 prompted discussion about Corporation Commission authority and utility regulation, but it ultimately received a do-pass recommendation. The committee also heard HB 2781, a solar energy decommissioning and financial assurance bill, with testimony from environmental groups, industry representatives, and a local official; an amendment by Senator Sundareshan to strengthen financial assurance and remove the remediation fund failed, and the underlying bill also failed on a tied 4-4 vote. Later, the committee approved HB 2975, which would suspend use of solar scoring maps on state trust lands and require new mining and housing scoring maps, despite opposition from environmental groups and neutral comments from the State Land Department that the solar map is only a guidance tool. HB 2696, as amended, passed after the committee adopted amendments shifting the Arizona Commerce Authority’s fuel-price mandate and creating a fuel resiliency task force; testimony focused on fuel supply, pipeline capacity, refinery access, and whether the ACA was the right agency to lead the effort. The committee also passed HCM 2009 urging Congress to require legislative approval for new national monuments and to streamline mining and land-swap processes, and HB 2889, which funds ADEQ monitoring of uranium contamination and creates a statewide registry and tribal partnership program. Finally, the committee approved HB 2763, which would require legislative approval before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission could close a shooting range. Supporters said it was meant to protect facilities like Ben Avery and preserve safe shooting locations, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary because existing review steps already exist and there was no imminent closure threat. The committee also heard testimony on the bill from Game and Fish, which said the measure would add another layer to an already extensive closure process and that the department was neutral on the proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, what you're seeing on the y-axis is the amount of forest area burned, and the x-axis is
• workers, who make up over 60% of California's farm workers, do not speak English or Spanish, only their native
• collaborate with tribal and urban Indian health programs to ensure essential care and support for Native
• A forest or brush fire can be bad enough to human health, as wildfire smoke is ten times more dangerous

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on the health impacts of wildfires and the effects on health care systems and access to care. The first panel focused on public health consequences, with testimony from UCLA and UCSF physicians, a community organizer, and an Altadena recovery leader. Witnesses described acute and long-term physical harms from wildfire smoke and ash, including asthma and COPD exacerbations, cardiovascular and stroke risks, pregnancy impacts, infection risk, and possible added hazards from lithium-ion battery fires. They also emphasized mental health effects such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, “firebrain,” and the need for psychological first aid, trauma-informed community networks, and youth-focused resilience programs. Community advocates stressed that Latine, Indigenous, undocumented, and Black communities face disproportionate harm because of language barriers, unsafe work conditions, lack of insurance, and exclusion from disaster aid, and they called for stronger language access, worker protections, permanent disaster relief, and better outreach. Committee members asked about air monitoring, masks, wind events, lithium-ion batteries, and how to reach communities with translation and emergency information. Panelists said AQI is useful but incomplete, that N95s help for smoke but P100 masks are needed for ash/asbestos exposure, and that communities should be warned to stay indoors and avoid windy dust-ups after fires. They also discussed the importance of building relationships during non-emergency periods, using text alerts and trusted community organizations, and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate information. Several members and witnesses highlighted the need for more research on long-term health effects, especially for people with chronic lung disease, workers who cannot stay indoors, and residents exposed to repeated disasters. The second panel addressed health care system response and access to care. DHCS and DMHC described emergency flexibilities used during the Southern California fires, including federal waivers, extended Medi-Cal renewal deadlines, reinstated coverage for some disenrolled members, suspension of prior authorization and prescription refill barriers, out-of-network access at in-network cost-sharing, and communication through websites, toll-free numbers, and social media. Hospital and community health center leaders described major operational strain: emergency room surges, canceled surgeries, dialysis disruptions, staff displacement, temporary housing needs, and financial losses. Huntington Health and AltaMed reported using incident command systems, temporary care spaces, bilingual and culturally tailored services, mobile clinics, infection control measures, and community health workers to keep care going. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better disaster staffing pools, more flexible facility rules, stronger mental health coverage, child care planning, and statewide coordination for future emergencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then finally, looking to have clarification... ...if the Healthy and Resilient Forest Activities
• California Water Impact Network, Planning and Conservation League, Tolowa River Trust, California Native

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision, especially the proposed extension of the cap-and-trade program to 2045 as “cap-and-invest,” the related greenhouse gas reduction fund (GGRF) spending framework, and several trailer bill proposals. Department of Finance staff outlined budget solutions including a $1.5 billion annual General Fund-to-GGRF shift for Cal Fire that would grow to $1.9 billion by 2029-30, continued support for high-speed rail, climate bond implementation, and various environmental and water-related statutory changes. The administration also described proposals affecting the Delta Conveyance Project, water quality planning, groundwater bulletin timing, Exide cleanup funding, and other agency-specific items, though the chair repeatedly asked staff to keep the presentation high-level and save details for the next hearing. Members from both parties raised strong concerns about the cap-and-invest proposal, arguing that it could reduce or displace funding for transit, affordable housing, active transportation, wildfire prevention, zero-emission vehicles, and other previously committed programs. Several members questioned whether the administration was effectively shifting essential ongoing services like Cal Fire onto a temporary carbon market fund, how the General Fund backstop would work if auction revenues fall short, and whether the proposal would leave enough money for continuous appropriations and future awards. Members also criticized the inclusion of cap-and-invest reauthorization in the budget process and asked for clearer information on the impact to high-speed rail, transit, and other GGRF priorities. The Delta Conveyance Project and related trailer bill language drew significant opposition from members and public commenters, who argued the proposal would fast-track the project, weaken CEQA-related review, and authorize revenue bond financing without sufficient legislative oversight. Public testimony also included support for maintaining or expanding funding for transit, affordable housing, AB 617 community air protection, offshore wind infrastructure, and ignition interlock programs, while environmental and community groups opposed cuts to wildfire prevention, housing, and school climate-related programs. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and the chair said the committee would continue the discussion and receive more detailed responses at the follow-up hearing on Tuesday.