Video & Transcript : 'small city program' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Apr 13th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- Manager for the City of Livingston.
- SB 924 ensures that programs work across direct... ...residents.
- Without intentional design, programs risk reinforcing existing inequities.
- Manager for the City of Livingston.
- I'm Sylvia Aguilar, the Programs and Operations Manager for the Casita Coalition.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Joint General Fund Budget Hearings Jan 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> FMAP in the Medicaid program. FMAP in the Medicaid program.
- This is um a program that has program.
- and</c><01:25:02.719><c> ask</c><01:25:02.960><c> for</c> city councils and cities and ask for city councils
- </c> mental illness program is 32%. mental illness program is 32%.
- are on the program.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Jan 21, 2026, 10:00AM HST - Day 1 Opening Day
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- [applause] program. Lonni Ozaki the executive program.
- We received updates on upcoming federal funding cuts to critical safety net programs, innovative programs
- Cory Chun supported a neighborhood security watch program in Pearl City and educated his community in
- security watch program in Pearl City<01:30:15.280><c> and</c><01:30:15.600><c> educated</c><01:30:16.159
- </c> that city? This is troubling. that city? This is troubling.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- towns and just flyers because in small towns and just about<00:13:10.320><c> any</c><00:13:10.600><c
- </c><00:32:47.120><c> excuse</c> funds going directly to programs excuse funds going directly to programs
- It doesn't have ties back to the city, so not a lot of it's tracked and it's by your peers.
- But just wondering operationally kind of how to think about those programs.
- </c><00:49:08.760><c> um</c> how to think about those programs um how to think about those programs um
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Claire Sullivan on behalf of the City of Burbank and the City of Vernon in strong support.
- And this is something that cities, city... With our loans. And it does take too long.
- This is something that cities, city building departments, and city attorneys, and, as I mentioned, our
- Joining me today to testify in support are Bill Soroy, program director for the Dairdon Station Program
- Station program and Jessica Zank, Deputy Director of Transportation for the City of San Jose.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills, with SB 1350 by Senator McNerney presented first. The measure would expand California’s use of renewable hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with supporters emphasizing grid reliability, clean-energy goals, in-state investment, and construction jobs. Support came from labor, clean-energy, municipal utility, and local government representatives; NRDC Action Fund withdrew opposition after amendments, while a few groups remained opposed or neutral. The committee later took a roll call and SB 1350 passed out on a due pass recommendation.
The committee also heard SB 1180 by Senator Allen, which would set operational rules for the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund created under SB 54, including clearer eligible uses, transparency, technical assistance, and access for tribes and smaller community groups. Environmental justice, ocean, conservation, and local government groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would ensure the fund addresses plastic pollution’s public health and environmental harms. Industry and manufacturing groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill should stay tightly tied to plastic waste reduction and not broaden into source-reduction policy. After quorum was established, the committee approved SB 1180 on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations.
SB 1326 by Senator Wahab was then heard to strengthen tribal consultation and tribal cultural resource protections under CEQA by recognizing tribal registers and requiring feasible avoidance or mitigation measures when tribes identify resources. Tribal representatives and supporters said the bill would better protect sacred sites and tribal knowledge, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and rural county groups opposed unless amended, citing implementation concerns, possible litigation, and uncertainty for infrastructure and housing projects. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations.
Finally, SB 954 by Senator Blakespear was presented as a cleanup of last year’s SB 131 advanced-manufacturing CEQA exemption, narrowing eligible projects and adding guardrails such as setbacks, air-quality limits, tribal consultation, labor standards, and habitat protections. Environmental and labor groups supported the bill as a needed correction to an overly broad exemption, while business, manufacturing, housing, and local-government groups opposed, warning it could make the exemption unusable and slow investment. Members debated the balance between environmental protection and manufacturing competitiveness, and the committee voted SB 954 out on a due pass recommendation to the Labor and Employment Committee; the transcript then moved on to SB 1031 on compostable plastics, which was introduced but not acted on in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> ms25 it may even include adult programs ms25 it may even include adult programs because<01:59:58.320
- <02:12:48.119><c> and</c><02:12:48.400><c> HB</c> program and HB program and HB 675<02:12:50.960><c>
- </c> your grand list is uh relatively small your grand list is uh relatively small your<04:05:45.960>
- </c><04:11:45.239><c> school</c> it was weighted towards a small school it was weighted towards a small
- </c> formula um the cost of this program formula um the cost of this program bottom<04:26:14.319><c>
Summary:
The committee held a work session focused on school funding formulas, adequacy aid, and special education aid, with the chair outlining a schedule for the next several Tuesdays and noting that the committee would likely need multiple executive sessions to narrow down the bills. Members discussed the FY 26 formula, including base cost, differentiated aid, extraordinary needs grants, hold harmless provisions, and the roughly $28 million in excess statewide education property tax (SWP) funds that are not currently returned to the state under the existing formula.
The first bill discussed was HB 137, which would allow excess SWP funds to remain with the local municipality for school and municipal purposes. Representative Spilsbury argued the issue is fundamental and suggested the state should require excess funds to be remitted back to the state, while Representative Damon said the bill appears to codify current practice and may be unnecessary, especially given possible court action. The discussion then shifted to a related bill from Representative Fellas that would redefine SWP as local money rather than state money and keep the current adequacy aid numbers revenue-neutral for now.
Representative Fellas explained that SWP was created in 1999 after the Claremont lawsuit as part of the state’s effort to show increased school aid, but that it effectively labeled part of the local property tax as state money without changing property tax bills. She argued the state should not be tapping local property tax revenue and said her bill would preserve the current distribution while removing the SWP tax label, with future work possible on a different measure of local capacity such as income, home values, or poverty rate. Members also referenced prior discussions of fiscal capacity aid, relief aid, and other formula changes as part of the broader effort to restructure school funding.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jul 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Right now, there are a couple of the cities that are a half cent away from reaching the maximum.
- There are seven cities in San Luis Obispo County that run the political gamut, right to left.
- And so I'm sure that there's some important programs that you'd like to fund.
- I want to, first of all, thank the committee for working with my staff and the small technical changes
- Ben Trivao with the League of California Cities aligning our comments with RCRC.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard a series of tax-related bills, with several measures referred to suspense and a few advancing. SB 284 would clarify Proposition 19 rules for inherited family homes in probate, including when the one-year residency clock starts and whether title consolidation among siblings triggers reassessment; supporters included the California Association of Realtors, while county assessors opposed the sibling-transfer language as creating ambiguity. The bill was sent to suspense. SB 863 was taken up on the consent calendar and passed 6-0 to the Assembly floor.
SB 333 would let San Luis Obispo County voters consider raising a local tax rate limit to fund transportation projects; supporters said it would help the county become self-help for major road needs, while opponents argued it would make it easier to raise regressive sales taxes. The committee approved the bill 5-2, as amended with a five-year sunset. SB 376, which clarifies that charitable remainder trusts are not treated as incomplete gift non-grantor trusts for California income tax purposes, drew support from the California Lawyers Association and no opposition, and passed 5-2 to Appropriations as amended.
The committee also heard SB 591, which would replace steep penalties for failing to use electronic funds transfer with fixed penalties of $100 for a first violation and $500 thereafter; supporters said current penalties can be excessive and out of proportion, and the bill was sent to suspense. SB 419 would partially exempt hydrogen fuel from the state sales and use tax while leaving the existing road fee in place; supporters said it would help hydrogen adoption and parity with other clean fuels, while one environmental group opposed unless amended, and the bill went to suspense. SB 587 proposed a state tax credit for local sales tax paid on manufacturing equipment to encourage investment and jobs; it had broad business support and no opposition, but was also sent to suspense. SB 710 would extend and update the property tax exclusion for solar installations, with broad support from clean energy and local government groups and some opposition from large energy consumers; it too was referred to suspense. Finally, SB 663 would extend deadlines and exemptions for wildfire victims and certain nonprofit and disabled veteran properties; it received support from assessors and committee members but was also sent to suspense for further work.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:16:11.279><c> that</c> otherwise known as Vets, a program that otherwise known as Vets, a program
- ,</c> and critical education programs, and critical education programs, enhancing<02:45:57.520><c> the
- . billion for rental assistance programs.
- </c> engineers, lawyers, teachers, small engineers, lawyers, teachers, small business<04:40:20.320><c
- </c> the most effective anti-hunger programs the most effective anti-hunger programs we<05:01:33.440>
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I serve on the Fresno City Council as the president and was a co-sponsor of our Council Resolution No
- My name is Dorothy Small, and I'm a registered, retired registered nurse, former advocate.
- Some counties are very small.
- Expanding this program is a common-sense move.
- Implementation challenges and ensuring the program works as intended across all counties.
Summary:
The committee heard AB 2255, which would require more detailed disclosure for certain large campaign expenditures made when a candidate is not on the next ballot. The author and the FPPC said the bill would improve transparency around campaign spending; there was no opposition, and the bill was later approved on a 5-0 vote. The committee also heard AB 686, extending California’s ban on election-related deepfake media from 2027 to 2031, and AB 1130, which would strengthen disclosure and liability rules for paid social media campaign posts; both measures were approved.
Members also considered AB 2281, which would have the Office of Election Cybersecurity assess whether additional resources are needed to replace lost federal support and consult with academic researchers, and AB 2604, which would create a statewide electronic signature-curing system for vote-by-mail ballots. AB 2281 was presented as a response to reduced federal cybersecurity support and was approved; AB 2604 was supported as a way to help voters, especially younger voters, cure signature issues more quickly, but faced opposition from the Secretary of State’s office over regulation and standards concerns, and it was also approved.
The committee heard AB 2753, which would bar registered sex offenders from running for or holding state or local office, and AB 2691, which would expand disqualifying felony convictions to include the most serious sexual assault and sex trafficking offenses. AB 2753 drew support from the author and Fresno officials but opposition over its breadth and registry concerns, and it ultimately failed on a 2-1 vote. AB 2691 drew strong support from survivors and education advocates but also opposition from groups objecting to amendments that excluded certain crimes involving minors; despite that dispute, the bill passed 4-1. The committee also approved AB 2573, clarifying the confidential voter registration program for elected officials and candidates, AJR 31 urging Congress to restore Voting Rights Act provisions, and SB 830 making election-administration cleanup changes for the Bay Area regional transit measure. The consent calendar was approved as well.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- state program to fill the gap.
- that can be adapted for a state program.
- Claire Sullivan here in support on behalf of the City of Roseville, the City of Santa Rosa, and the City
- Melissa Sparks Cranes with the League of Cities in support.
- Stormwater treatment costs cities hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Summary:
The committee heard a series of environmental safety and toxic materials measures, with several bills moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Early in the meeting, the consent calendar was approved, including AB 372, AB 455, AB 1096, AB 1102, and AB 754. AB 362 by Assembly Member Ramos, which would recognize tribal beneficial uses of water and strengthen consultation and protection for tribal water uses, drew strong support from tribes and environmental groups. Water agencies and local government representatives opposed unless amended, raising concerns about CEQA requirements, co-management language, and conflicts with existing water law. The bill advanced to Appropriations, with some members voting aye and others not voting or absent.
AB 728 by Assembly Member Lee would require age verification for the sale of certain anti-aging skin care products to minors. The author and a youth witness described social media-driven use of adult skin products by children and alleged skin damage, while supporters argued age checks are a reasonable consumer protection. Dermatologists and retailers opposed the bill, saying it could restrict legitimate acne and other medical uses of over-the-counter products, create compliance problems, and lacked a clear scientific basis. The committee discussed possible ambiguity in the bill’s definition of anti-aging products, but the measure still passed to Appropriations.
AB 532 on low-income water rate assistance, AB 773 on copper-based anti-fouling paint, AB 998 on household hazardous waste disposal of vape pens, AB 1031 on geothermal hazardous waste fees, and AB 864 on solar panel hazardous waste and recycling all received strong support and advanced to Appropriations. Supporters for AB 532 emphasized water affordability and local program authority; AB 773 supporters said conflicting state water and pesticide rules are creating confusion for harbors and cities; AB 998 was presented as a practical way to let schools and local facilities dispose of confiscated vape devices safely; AB 1031 was framed as reducing DTSC fee burdens on geothermal development in Imperial County; and AB 864 would ease recycling and reuse of end-of-life solar panels. The committee also began hearing AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals, with the author and supporters arguing it would phase out the most harmful ultra-processed foods from school meals by 2032, but the transcript cuts off before the full discussion and any action on that bill.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty - Monday, April 13
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That $1 to the Department of Agriculture Land Survey Program has been the same since the program was
- That $1 to the Department of Agriculture Land Survey Program has been the same since the program was
- program, making the total $5.
- I've got a city marshal.
- I've got a city marshal.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 127-2. Members then used points of personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize a new grandchild, President Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, Artemis II and Missouri’s role in space manufacturing, Line Worker Appreciation Day, a visiting mayor, and a former representative. The chamber then moved into third reading and perfection business.
Several bills were passed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2740, creating a pediatric disease task force in the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 139-1 after supporters described it as a limited, accountable way to coordinate research and report on outcomes. House Bill 2422, which raises a county filing fee to support the Department of Agriculture’s Land Survey Program, passed 131-6 after members said the program could not continue on the current fee. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 311, moving bail bond oversight under the Board of Private Investigators and Fire Investigators, passed 112-22. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3009, allowing nonprofit pharmacies to provide medications during emergencies, passed 133-6. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2474, authorizing progressive design-build project delivery for public construction, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3076, clarifying that common agricultural practices are exempt from non-point source permitting under clean water law, were both ordered perfected and printed.
House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize the state treasurer’s constitutional investment authority, drew the most debate. The sponsor argued it would update outdated restrictions, allow safer investment options, and generate an estimated $15.1 million without raising taxes. An amendment adding legislative, governor, and auditor approval for changes to the investment policy was adopted. Supporters called the proposal conservative and bipartisan, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could reopen questions about risky investments or conflict-of-interest issues. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the resolution perfected and printed.
The chamber also took up House Bill 2436, dealing with animal impoundment, return of animals when no charges are filed or a defendant is found innocent, and related animal neglect provisions. Members adopted a title amendment, then adopted an amendment creating penalties for malicious false reports of animal abuse and another amendment modernizing neglect and abandonment offenses, including provisions on adequate care and control and higher penalties for repeat or harmful conduct. Debate centered on whether the bill was necessary, how to define malicious reporting, and concerns from animal welfare groups versus law enforcement and agricultural interests. The bill remained under consideration as the transcript ended.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- and foremost be a jobs program for the employees.
- This program, which is identical to the tax credit, will be a jobs program for a stand-up.
- The City of Santa Monica is having a rough time.
- Senator Smalled Quavis. Aye. Smalled Quivus, aye. Senator Strickland, aye. Strickland, aye.
- SBA definition, a small business nationally is at 500 employees.
Summary:
The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime wage costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, and other agricultural groups, argued that California’s ag overtime law has reduced take-home pay by limiting hours and that the credit would help employers continue offering overtime while putting more money back into workers’ paychecks. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the bill would subsidize employers for complying with the law, shift costs to taxpayers, and set a precedent for industry-specific carve-outs. The bill was held in subcommittee and taken up later when more members arrived.
The committee then considered SB 1083, a follow-up to last year’s school employee misconduct database law. Senator Perez said the bill would add due process protections for classified school employees by requiring an administrative law judge review before placement in the statewide egregious misconduct database, require notice when an employee leaves during an investigation, and extend vetting to some contractors and non-permanent workers. Supporters, including the California School Employees Association and California Federation of Teachers, said the bill balances student safety with fairness for employees who could be wrongly accused. Opponents, including school business officials, joint powers authorities, administrators, and school employers, warned the bill could delay investigations, create conflicting timelines, and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved SB 1083 on a 3-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations.
SB 1089, authored by Senator Richardson, would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications for chronic weight management and direct CalRx to help make the drugs more affordable. The senator described the bill as a response to personal experience with coverage denials and high out-of-pocket costs, and said broader access could improve health outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The American Diabetes Association and other medical groups supported the measure, citing diabetes prevention and treatment benefits, while a pharmaceutical industry representative said there were still concerns but noted ongoing discussions. The committee passed SB 1089 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar.
The committee next heard SB 954, which would revise last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing by narrowing the definition and adding environmental, tribal, labor, and community protections, including prevailing wage, skilled-and-trained workforce requirements, and review for projects near disadvantaged communities. Support came from labor unions, environmental groups, and community organizations, which said the bill would restore oversight and prevent harmful projects from bypassing CEQA. Business groups and chambers of commerce opposed, arguing the bill would make the exemption too restrictive, discourage investment, and worsen California’s manufacturing job losses. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1299, which would codify training and certification standards for fire sprinkler fitters after a court decision invalidated prior regulations on procedural grounds; the author and supporters said the bill is needed to protect public safety and ensure qualified installation of fire suppression systems.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Health and Mental Health Feb 26th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Health and Mental Health
Transcript Highlights:
- What it identifies is that for the HealthNet program, which is, of course, the state program, and this
- And as we've heard, there's a lot of ways to fund programs.
- I'm a Missouri resident, born and raised in the Kansas City area.
- My husband and I, Aaron, own Oasis Senior Advisors of Kansas City.
- We are a local referral agency in the Kansas City metro, serving the entire Kansas City population.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government Feb 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But then also in the HAP program, beyond that city and county, they're working with the whole region,
- We're grateful that we can participate in these programs, but we should not be aligned with cities and
- Cal Cities deeply recognizes how important the HAP program is to supporting our unhoused residents.
- Cal Cities deeply recognizes how important the HAP program is to supporting our unhoused residents.
- Dollars, and also an ongoing appropriation making HAP a permanent program that our cities can depend
Summary:
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee 4 met to hear an information-only agenda focused on homelessness. The chair and vice chair opened with remarks about affordability, accountability, and the need for flexible but effective state responses. The committee then heard an update from Dr. Ryan Finnegan of UC Berkeley’s Turner Center on homelessness trends, data limitations, and program impacts. He said homelessness remains high, with 2024 point-in-time counts showing about 187,000 people experiencing homelessness statewide, though unsheltered homelessness has declined somewhat as shelter capacity expanded. He emphasized that California’s high housing costs and shortage of affordable housing are the main drivers, while also noting persistent racial disparities, high chronic homelessness, and the importance of coordinated housing, health, and social services. He also warned that cuts or changes to federal programs and state funding streams like HAP could threaten progress.
Members questioned Dr. Finnegan about the 9% decline in unsheltered homelessness, the timing and methodology of point-in-time counts, how to interpret trends over time, and the role of policy changes such as Housing First, Proposition 47, and Martin v. Boise. He explained that the 9% figure came from 30 continuums of care that had completed 2025 counts, and that HUD’s eventual statewide number would likely differ because not all regions counted that year. He also discussed how different funding sources are layered in local programs, including HAP, local funds, philanthropic support, federal funds, and CalAIM reimbursements. Several members stressed the need for clearer, more comparable measures of effectiveness and outcomes, including whether programs reduce long-term homelessness and move people toward self-sufficiency.
The committee then heard from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness on statewide data systems, especially the Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS). Staff described HDIS as the first state-level integrated homelessness data system, built from local HMIS data and used to track demographics, services, outcomes, and program performance across all 44 continuums of care. They said HDIS has enabled statewide dashboards, system performance measures, and new accountability tools under AB 977 and AB 799. Cal ICH also said HAP Round 4 was highly cost-effective under the State Auditor’s methodology, estimating a cost of about $9,172 per person permanently housed, and that new AB 799 dashboards are intended to provide clearer public reporting on outcomes, fiscal data, and progress toward statewide goals. Members asked about measuring self-sufficiency, identifying the best local partners, detecting fraud, and whether the new dashboards will allow better comparisons among program types and funding uses. No votes were taken, and the one scheduled vote was postponed.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Brian Dolan: Because of small cities, we have limited income.
- We rely on city engineers and other city attorneys and other people, but being Brian Dolan: As small
- With us being a very small city, when Brian Dolan: I take it to my city engineer who also has 25 other
- We are a small city that has grown very rapidly.
- Small cities cannot possibly get plats approved in 30 days.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Since 1991, we've had a tribal relations program.
- So these county programs are near and dear to us.
- I've also overseen grants and loan programs for conservation acquisitions.
- Forest Service, land trusts, cities, and all types of community groups.
- Forest Service, land trust, cities, and all types of community groups.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5838, which would add a federally recognized tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources commissioner and tribal leaders said the change would bring Indigenous knowledge and a voting voice to decisions on trust lands, while preserving existing tribal consultation. Some county and economic interests said they were not opposed to tribal participation but stressed the board’s fiduciary duty to trust beneficiaries and asked for more review of the board’s purpose; one witness questioned whether the beneficiaries had been consulted. The prime sponsor, Senator Claudia Kaufman, said the bill is about inclusion and equity and indicated openness to an amendment adding both eastside and westside tribal representation. The hearing closed with 142 written comments reported: 33 pro, 107 con, and 2 other.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 5960, which would require Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and take predator mitigation actions when populations fall below specified benchmarks. Senator Shelley Short said the bill responds to declining deer and elk numbers and a lack of management, especially in northeast Washington. Supporters argued the bill would codify existing agency plans and restore balance in wildlife management, while opponents—including conservation groups, the Sierra Club, and several scientists and advocates—said the state’s predator-prey study found wolves were not the main driver of ungulate declines, pointing instead to habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions. Ranching and farm groups supported the overall goal but objected to the bill’s in-state wolf translocation provisions. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said it recognized the bill’s intent but opposed it because some directives were impractical, costly, or would require legislative approval. The hearing closed with 1,197 written comments reported: 843 pro, 352 con, and 2 other.
The committee then held a work session on Lake Washington salmon predation. Larry Phillips and Muckleshoot Fisheries Director Jason Schaffler described a coalition effort to reduce predation on juvenile salmon in the Lake Washington system, saying invasive and predatory fish such as walleye, rock bass, American shad, northern pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass are harming sockeye and Chinook recovery. They said sockeye returns have fallen from hundreds of thousands to about 18,000 in recent years, ending tribal and sport fisheries, and argued that targeted predator removal, supported by prior state and county funding, could help restore runs. Senators asked about the methods and funding, and the presenters said fishing and netting are being used to suppress larger predatory fish and that more sustained investment is needed.
Finally, the committee began public hearing on Senate Bill 1697, which would make federally recognized tribes eligible recipients for county conservation futures funds. Testifiers from the Washington Farmland Trust and the Tulalip Tribe said the bill would expand voluntary conservation partnerships, help tribes steward farmland and habitat, and make it easier to leverage county funds with other grants. They described past projects where tribal participation improved conservation outcomes but said tribes could not directly access conservation futures dollars under current law.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- He serves primarily the city of Benton.
- He serves primarily the city of Benton.
- So there's this program being used in a dozen states right now called the Double Bucks Program.
- through a statewide grant program to provide the adoption of effective dual-use zoning. ...cities through
- help grow small businesses.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Press Conference 3/27/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The city of St.
- </c><00:04:30.000><c> uh</c> an affordable auto insurance program uh an affordable auto insurance program
- </c><00:04:38.919><c> would</c> a lowcost auto insurance program would a lowcost auto insurance program
- The Lifeline program will lower uninsured driving rates in Minnesota.
- The Lifeline program will lower uninsured driving rates in Minnesota.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I noticed that there's no fiscal impact and it says that TWC concurrently implement the program with
- the cost, well, concurrently implement the program with no new costs.
- of El Paso, City of Houston, um, but there are different levels of just, um, the publicly available
- Um, cities or counties who look at, you know, contractors safety records, things like how folks have
- MEs and death investigators are a relatively small number, uh, of individuals, probably about 500, uh
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Regulatory Division Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And then the city of Northwood received a small amount of funding because Valley City ended up not needing
- Again, this program was established in 1987. Again, this program was established in 1987.
- You may remember that there was a small grant program that was put in place for carbon capture utilization
- programs, to the special mission-based programs, to our core participation loan programs, provide a
- So it depends on the program.
Summary:
The committee received a compliance and budget update on Industrial Commission agencies and programs, including the Industrial Commission administrative office, the Oil and Gas Research Program, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the State Energy Research Center, the Research Technology Park grant program, and related funds. Staff reviewed spending and balances for items such as electric grid resiliency grants, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the salt cavern business case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members also discussed timing, carryover balances, matching requirements, and how some programs are structured to reimburse projects over several years rather than spend funds immediately.
Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described the agency’s administrative budget, the grant management system nearing completion, and the transition to standalone audits and staffing after separating from other agencies. She also outlined the status of active grant rounds across lignite, oil and gas, renewable energy, outdoor heritage, and clean sustainable energy programs. Members asked about the length of active grants, demand for clean energy funding, and the possibility of future grant rounds. Tyler and members also discussed the salt cavern study, the need to better define its commercial value, and the research technology park grant’s cash-match requirement.
Ron Ness then testified on enhanced oil recovery and broader oil and gas market conditions. He said North Dakota production remained steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, longer laterals, and better use of natural gas and carbon dioxide for EOR. He described the state’s EOR grant round, the use of federal DOE funding to replace part of a state-funded project, and the expectation of additional grant rounds. Members asked about CO2 supply, storage, and the economics of using legacy fields and pipelines to extend oil production and support agriculture and industrial uses.
The committee also heard from Bank of North Dakota President Don Morgan, who reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, lending verticals, disaster programs, and new initiatives. He said the bank is seeing deposit growth flatten and is responding to fintech competition by focusing on liquidity, risk management, and a new payment infrastructure initiative called Rough Rider Coin, which he emphasized is not crypto and not a public coin, but a banking payment rail for North Dakota institutions. Members asked about student loan rates, disaster lending, and how the bank’s lines of credit and balance sheet capacity are affected by deposit trends. Morgan said the bank remains profitable and continues to support agriculture, commerce, and industry through participation loans, student lending, and state-directed programs.