Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:15:08.399><c> setup</c><00:15:08.800><c> to</c><00:15:09.600><c> strap</c><00:15:09.920><c> gear
• </c><00:15:10.240><c> to</c><00:15:10.480><c> and</c> kinds of of setup to strap gear to and kinds of
• of setup to strap gear to and stick<00:15:11.120><c> it</c><00:15:11.279><c> in</c><00:15:11.440><c>
• I<04:50:26.320><c> want</c><04:50:26.400><c> to</c><04:50:26.560><c> shift</c><04:50:26.798><c> gears
• and tell you why I want to shift gears and tell you why we<04:50:28.000><c> don't</c><04:50:28.160><

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, excuse me, the DNR has expensed considerable resources toward outdoor activities like off-highway
• It provides for an outdoor pursuit that is accessible without great expense.
• </c><01:54:30.400><c> engagement</c> regulations promoting outdoor engagement regulations promoting outdoor
• </c> considerable resources toward outdoor considerable resources toward outdoor activities<01:54:37.360
• </c> direct promotion of any many Outdoor direct promotion of any many Outdoor Pursuits<01:54:54.679>

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• decide what their policy is going to be on approving charities, and in that new strategy some of it's geared
• decide what their policy is going to be on approving charities and in that new strategy some of it's geared
• One is the Outdoor Recreation and Development Association up at the Turtle Mountain Reservation that

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as a homeowner, I have my neighbors who have their parties outdoors.
• Years later, Gilbert Police and a SWAT team in riot gear would find... in the cloud.
• Years later, Gilbert Police and a SWAT team in riot gear with firearms and drones surrounded our home

Bills: SB1012 , SB1099 , SB1234 , SB1392 , SB1489 , SB1535 , SB1570 , SB1609 , SB1627 , SB1634 , SB1661 , SB1709 , SB1723 , SB1725 , SB1743 , SB1829 , SCR1027 , SCR1040 , SCR1048

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we really thrive on innovation with our outdoor education during the troubled times of COVID.
• </c> only international bachelorette outdoor only international bachelorette outdoor education<00:41:
• :42:18.400><c> have</c><00:42:18.480><c> a</c> outdoor education program, we have a outdoor education
• They really dug into outdoor education. They really dug into the<00:42:36.720><c> research.
• </c> thing with our outdoor learning program. thing with our outdoor learning program.

Bills: HF3714 , HF4399 , HF4176 , HF2544 , HF60 , HF4231 , HF4232

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, education, school board, elections, local governance, school district, site-governed schools, education reform, local control, autonomy, interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, student eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• McLean loves to go outdoors and enjoys nature and the animals. He serves as Mr.
• learn to do their best while building character, confidence, leadership skills, and a love for the outdoors
• Well, let's switch gears.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 364 by Senator Strickland and others, relating to outdoor advertising.
• SB 364 will remove a barrier by allowing outdoor displays to be placed along a new freeway as soon as
• in the summer, this last summer, where they were training some of the young women with the entire gear

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance recognizing 9/11. Members then moved through a long daily file and concurrence calendar, with many items passed without debate or temporarily retained. The chamber also took procedural actions, including re-referring AB 1152 to the Public Safety Committee, suspending rules for guest access and file-item handling, and later taking a roll-call vote to allow a late-filed journal letter request. Among the major Senate bills taken up on third reading, the Assembly approved SB 385 on peace officers’ rights, SB 753 on shopping cart recovery, SB 838 on housing and hotel projects, SB 643 on carbon dioxide removal grants, SB 645 on jury peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 761 on CalFresh access for students, SB 774 on real estate licensing sunsets, SB 400 on renewable energy labor tax incentives, SB 24 on utility spending transparency, SB 37 on attorney advertising ethics, SB 258 on spousal rape involving disabled spouses, SB 364 on outdoor advertising near new freeways, SB 403 removing the sunset from medical aid in dying, SB 770 on HOA barriers to EV charging, and SB 22 on gift certificate cash redemption values. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition; SB 403 and SB 770 drew more divided votes, while SB 24 was briefly delayed by a call before passing. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on Assembly bills covering a wide range of topics, including service of process (AB 747), local clean energy planning (AB 39), firearms (AB 1078), workers’ compensation (AB 1336), public health (AB 1487), survivor leave protections (AB 406), solid waste (AB 70), water reporting for data centers (AB 93), Diwali recognition (AB 268), wildfire workforce recovery (AB 338), educational equity (AB 419), civic education (AB 422), office-to-housing conversions (AB 507), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), privacy/browser opt-out rules (AB 566), housing element transparency (AB 610), tenant appliance requirements (AB 628), code enforcement penalties (AB 632), homelessness and LGBTQ-related policy (AB 678), energy (AB 740), DEIA review in state government (AB 766), inmate firefighter wages (AB 247), children’s health (AB 798), real estate (AB 851), COVID-era rehiring protections (AB 858), hazardous materials (AB 961), real property and housing covenants (AB 1050), aging (AB 1069), health care facilities (AB 1172), endangered species protections (AB 1319), CalWORKs modernization (AB 1324), cannabis access for seriously ill patients (AB 1332), foreign labor contractors (AB 1362), and downtown revitalization financing (AB 1445). Several of these passed overwhelmingly, while a few drew notable opposition, including AB 93, AB 403, AB 770, AB 851, AB 1050, and AB 1319. The transcript also included extended debate on SB 34, which was presented as a compromise measure on air pollution and port operations in the San Pedro Bay area. Supporters said it narrowed the scope to protect union jobs while preserving AQMD authority, while opponents and supporters alike noted the underlying distrust between labor and environmental stakeholders. The Assembly passed SB 34, SB 515 on disaggregated demographic data collection, and then began taking up AB 495 on immigration, with the sponsor describing family separation and immigration enforcement trauma before the transcript cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our outdoor recreation works with DED, DNR, and ILR as well to grow the outdoor recreation economy.
• The grow the outdoor recreation economy.
• 19.200><c> big</c> outdoor recreation is really big outdoor recreation is really big business<01:01:19.680
• regional</c> outdoor recreation and regional outdoor recreation and regional attractions<01:04:40.880
• </c> release outdoor recreation numbers soon. release outdoor recreation numbers soon.

Bills: HF3004 , HF3663

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, internships, mentoring, job opportunities, digital platform, online portal, career pathways, youth workforce, employment and economic development, DEED, general fund appropriation, nonprofit grant, social media outreach, digital outreach, workforce opportunities, teen jobs, young adults, career exploration, Minnesota youth

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I'm here also today because I care deeply about children's access to learning outdoors, and I
• I really believe children deserve access to both nature and the outdoors and to child care options that
• , and the outdoors are the classroom.<00:40:53.200><c> The</c><00:40:53.520><c> state</c><00:40:53.920
• </c> including the benefits of time outdoors including the benefits of time outdoors on<00:41:01.359>
• for children and in turn outdoors for children and in turn negatively<00:41:16.960><c> impact</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• or the main concert that takes place in the afternoon in the Answers Center, but we also have an outdoor
• 48.320><c> an</c> that answer center, but we also have an that answer center, but we also have an outdoor
• venue where we'll have upand outdoor venue where we'll have upand cominging<00:19:51.200><c> artists
• is a big focus of our our the outdoors is a big focus of our our Kentucky<00:32:29.760><c> Department
• </c> know you take in the Kentucky outdoors know you take in the Kentucky outdoors for<00:42:09.760><

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call: 01:04 Approval of June Minutes: 02:35 Ark Encounter Impact: 10 Years: 03:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its second Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology meeting, approved the June minutes, and then heard a presentation from representatives of the Ark Encounter on its 10-year anniversary. Eddie Lutz and Anna Katherine Scalf described the Ark as a major tourism anchor in Kentucky, citing nearly 9.3 million total guests, about 1 million annual visitors, 16,871 bus groups, and a largely out-of-region audience. They emphasized that the Ark and the nearby Creation Museum together draw about 1.5 million visitors a year and have helped drive hotel development, restaurant activity, and other tourism spending in Northern Kentucky and surrounding areas. They also previewed future expansion, including a large first-century Jerusalem model in the welcome center and a 40-day Christian music festival with more than 120 concerts. Members asked about the project’s financing, location choice, and business structure. The witnesses said no taxpayer dollars were used to build the Ark, but the project did receive a Kentucky tax incentive/rebate program, which they said helped bring the attraction to the state. They said Kentucky was chosen in part because of the available land off I-75 and because the Ark and Creation Museum are close enough to encourage overnight stays. In response to questions, they explained that Answers in Genesis is the nonprofit parent organization, the Creation Museum is nonprofit, and the Ark Encounter operates as a for-profit entity owned by a nonprofit; revenue comes from ticket sales and events, while development was funded through private donations. They also said staffing can reach about 1,400 employees seasonally, though they did not know the occupational tax details. Several legislators offered supportive comments and personal observations about the Ark’s draw for out-of-state and international visitors, including license plates from many states and stories of travelers extending their stays to visit. The witnesses and members also discussed broader tourism collaboration in Kentucky, including partnerships with Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky attractions, and nearby hotels and businesses that benefit from Ark-related traffic. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the June minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we had discussed earlier, it establishes the outdoor growing limitation at 1 acre.
• As we had discussed earlier, it establishes the outdoor growing limitation at 1 acre.
• As we had discussed earlier, it establishes the outdoor growing limitation at 1 acre.
• As we had discussed earlier, it establishes the outdoor growing limitation at 1 acre.
• The core of the bill is the Outdoor Heritage Fund sections.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also parks and trails funding, um, and outdoor recreation opportunities in every corner of this
• ><00:05:14.680><c> funding,</c><00:05:15.640><c> um</c><00:05:15.960><c> and</c><00:05:16.240><c> outdoor
• </c> and trails funding, um and outdoor and trails funding, um and outdoor recreation<00:05:17.040><c

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3426, the annual LCCMR appropriation bill funding projects from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), which is supported by state lottery proceeds and does not affect the general fund. The bill was described as containing 108 appropriations totaling $102.036 million, including 11 extensions of prior appropriations, and a new community grants program funded at $28.18 million under the constitutional limit. The author noted the bill is the second year of funding after the 2024 voter-approved amendment renewing the ENRTF and community grants program. Members discussed the bill’s scope and purpose, including projects for scientific research, PFAS mitigation and testing, rapid testing for chronic wasting disease, parks and trails, outdoor recreation, and solid waste/recycling innovation. Co-Chair Heintzeman said the bill had involved many conversations, thanked the author for working with the caucus, and noted that a missing project issue had been addressed to improve the bill’s path forward. He also said statutory changes were being made to the community grants program to reduce fraud risk and incorporate suggestions from the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Co-Chair Koznick asked about whether lottery-funded ENRTF dollars had ever been considered for proportional returns to districts, but the author said he was not aware of such discussions and emphasized that the fund benefits all Minnesotans through projects across the state. After no further questions, the chair renewed the motion to recommend House File 3426 for placement on the general register, and the committee approved it by voice vote with no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to introduce the first: Kate Burgess, the conservation program manager; then Grant Gleni, outdoor
• <00:03:45.159><c> then</c><00:03:45.319><c> Grant</c><00:03:45.599><c> gleni</c><00:03:46.519><c> outdoor
• </c><00:03:47.000><c> policy</c> manager then Grant gleni outdoor policy manager then Grant gleni outdoor

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Together, we've uplifted this priority of helping all Californians get outdoors and recognizing not all
• The program was launched under the California Outdoors for All initiative as a third The program was
• launched under the California Outdoors for All initiative as a three-year pilot in 2021 and 2022, and
• Time spent outdoors and in nature is crucial for both mental and physical health and well-being.
• education and outdoor access program.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy convened for its first hearing and heard an overview from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Natural Resources Agency. The LAO emphasized California’s strong current revenues but warned of a structural budget problem, projected out-year deficits, and the need for a high bar on new spending. It generally supported the administration’s Proposition 4 spending plan as reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, while urging legislative oversight and caution about using special funds and adding ongoing commitments. Secretary Wade Crowfoot responded with an overview of climate, wildfire, water, coastal, and conservation challenges and highlighted progress under the Newsom administration, including clean energy growth, wildfire resilience investments, land conservation, tribal co-management, and outdoor access initiatives. He also discussed federal staffing cuts affecting California’s response capacity and said the state has had to fill gaps in flood forecasting, land management, and park access. Members then questioned the secretary about the Delta conveyance tunnel and broader water reliability issues. Crowfoot said the project remains important, is being pursued as a beneficiary-pays project, and is moving through the State Water Resources Control Board’s permitting process, while also stressing that it is only one part of a broader water strategy that includes levee strengthening, subsidence, groundwater storage, recycling, and conservation. Senators also raised concerns about permitting delays, invasive species, and the impact of position cuts on agency capacity; Crowfoot said streamlining is needed but that staffing remains essential. The committee then moved to the Department of Parks and Recreation, where Director Armando Quintero described the state park system, tribal agreements, wildfire and deferred maintenance work, and outdoor access programs such as the State Library Park Pass and Adventure Pass. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing $6.75 million General Fund transfer for the library park pass, arguing it did not meet the high bar for new ongoing spending, but several senators strongly supported the program as a low-cost way to expand access. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and campsite no-shows. Department staff said they are updating website guidance, working with the reservation vendor, and implementing new no-show and reservation-modification rules effective July 1, including penalties for repeated no-shows and immediate reopening of vacant sites. The committee then heard a low-cost accommodations proposal, which Parks said would fund planning and construction at several sites using Proposition 68, reimbursements, and donations; the LAO said it had no concerns. Finally, the new director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Megan Hurdle, introduced herself and outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 requests, including funding for salmon genetic tagging, hatchery repairs, and public access improvements. She said the department is focused on biodiversity, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict prevention, and noted that the agency is still updating its service-based budgeting analysis to identify gaps and priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• focus or mixed age environments, outdoor focus or mixed age environments, they<00:27:07.360><c> can<
• I really believe children deserve access to both nature and the outdoors and to child care options that
• , and the outdoors are the classroom.<00:43:12.880><c> The</c><00:43:13.119><c> state</c><00:43:13.520
• </c> Including the benefits of time outdoors on its own website.
• Outdoors for children and in turn negatively impact their healthy development.

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in Missouri, an outdoor state. We are blessed with lakes, rivers, tourism.
• We are an outdoor state.
• Supporting daylight saving time provides for outdoor recreation, exercise, and family activities.
• Farmers, along with construction workers, snowplow operators, anybody who's working outdoors, they prefer
• Farmers, along with construction workers, snowplow operators, anybody who's working outdoors, they prefer

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Summary: The committee met in executive session first and took up House Bill 2330, reconsidering a prior due-pass vote and then voting the House Committee Substitute due pass by roll call. It then considered House Bill 2291, where an amendment meant to clarify municipal building-code and zoning authority was discussed at length and ultimately withdrawn after members raised concerns that it would undercut the bill’s purpose; the bill itself then received a due-pass recommendation. House Bill 2336, dealing with state property conveyances and title issues, also drew questions about unclear title and the status of several properties, but the committee adopted the House Committee Substitute and voted the bill do pass. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bill 3136, which would remove the state prohibition on creating a Missouri-based health insurance exchange; the sponsor and a witness argued it could save money, keep exchange fees in-state, and give Missouri more control, while several members objected that it would reverse the 2012 voter-approved prohibition and could entrench federal health-care policy. No action was taken on that bill in the hearing. The committee next heard House Bill 1833, which would let certain state employees opt out of the state health plan and receive a partial cash payout if they have other coverage. The sponsor argued it could be cost-neutral or save money and give employees more flexibility, while members and the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan raised concerns about fiscal impact, adverse selection, administrative burden, and whether the proposal turns a benefit into an entitlement. The witness for the plan said the fiscal note was based on about 4,112 active employees who already opt out, warned the stipend would be taxable and could create a new benefit that is hard to remove, and said proof of outside coverage would need to be maintained. The hearing then moved to House Bill 2506, which would require DESE to post QR-code placards at licensed child care facilities linking parents to existing inspection and complaint records; supporters said it would help parents make safer choices at no fiscal cost, while DESE explained the portal already exists and complaints are investigated quickly, and a witness described serious problems at one facility to illustrate why the information matters. Finally, the committee opened public hearing on House Bill 1758, a proposal to move Missouri to permanent daylight saving time once federal law allows it. The sponsor argued it would improve safety, boost economic activity, and avoid the inconvenience of changing clocks twice a year, while members raised concerns about darker mornings for schoolchildren and commuters and questioned whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The hearing was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on House Bill 3136, 1833, 2506, or 1758 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And uniquely, we take place predominantly outdoors, primarily, except for meals and naps.
• And uniquely, we take place predominantly outdoors, primarily, except for meals and naps.
• With us being outdoors, if they came to my front door, it's very likely they wouldn't see...
• If you want to see a great place where kids just enjoy the outdoors and learn things... ...place where
• Good morning, Madam. place where kids just enjoy the outdoors, learn things, and you can get in there

Bills: SB5952 , SB5961 , SB5969 , SB5841 , SB5943

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: physical education, school districts, student requirements, education policy, high school, early literacy, childhood literacy, book distribution, Imagination Library, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, preschool, pre-K, reading readiness, school readiness, birth to age five, young children, nonprofit contract, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, DCYF

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we will review the Administration's Spending Plan for Extreme Heat Mitigation and Outdoor Access
• asphalt with green areas, including native trees, plants, and pollinators, and to have nature-based outdoor
• We'll go on to Issue 2, Outdoor Access Spending Plan. Thank you. Do you have a pen? No. Thank you.
• I'll be discussing two items under the Climate Bond and the Outdoor Access Spending Plan.
• If you look at page 6 of your agenda, which highlights the outdoor access package, it's really kind of

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also a member of the Minnesota Early Childhood Outdoors, representing nature-based preschools throughout
• 46.880><c> Childhood</c> I'm here today because I care deeply about children's access to learning outdoors
• So, we were all geared up for modernization.
• there, but then we met over break and really have, you know, it was break, so we weren't quite in our gear

Bills: HF4382 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child care, day care, child care center, family child care, family day care, group family day care, licensed child care, licensing modernization, early childhood education, preschool, infant care, toddler care, school-age care, drop-in child care, night care, sick care, community-based child care, provider training, staff ratios, group size

Transcript Highlights:

• a year in outdoor recreation funds contributed to the state's GDP.
• Outdoor rec is the second-largest contributor industry in Idaho.
• Idaho is at the top of outdoor recreation in terms of growth in the United States.
• Idaho's public lands are the backbone of our hunting, fishing, and outdoor economy.
• I had an outdoor organization, but I think I'll just represent myself.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all