Transcript Highlights:

• to coastal wetlands that we see, like Batiquitos Lagoon, we should also be thinking about the kelp forests
• So as sea level rises, while kelp forests can help provide some buffering effects from storm surge, as
• the water warms, it won’t support the kelp forests that we’ve taken for granted and that provide many
• So when we lose our kelp forest, it’s quite devastating to marine habitats and can also impact the severity
• And so when we lose our kelp forest, it's quite devastating to marine habitats and then also can impact

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on infrastructure, pollution, climate resilience, public health, access, and economic impacts of sea level rise in California, with an emphasis on San Diego and the Bay Area. Chair Tasha Boerner Horvath opened by describing the committee’s purpose, the state’s sea level rise action planning, and the need for better monitoring and early warning systems. She also referenced her prior bills AB 66 and AB 72, which supported Scripps research on coastal bluff collapse warning capabilities. Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza later joined and emphasized that sea level rise affects not only coastal communities but inland areas as well, and that the issue should inform future legislative and budget decisions. In the first panel, Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps Institution of Oceanography described observed sea level rise of roughly 0.8 to 0.9 feet since the early 1900s, with acceleration expected by mid-century and potentially much greater rise by 2100 depending on emissions. He highlighted flooding, groundwater rise, beach and cliff erosion, salinization, and risks to transportation, sewage, ports, and national security. Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board discussed how sea level rise affects wastewater systems, stormwater, contaminated sites, wetlands, and coastal groundwater basins, and said the board is requiring climate adaptation planning, updating stormwater permits, and seeking more flexible state permitting and mitigation tools. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better mapping, more monitoring, and more state funding, especially if federal support from NOAA and other agencies declines. The second panel addressed public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described how sea level rise, pollution, and access barriers threaten the Tijuana River Valley and Imperial Beach, especially for underserved communities and youth programs that rely on safe, welcoming access to the ocean. He stressed the cultural and spiritual importance of coastal access and the need for water safety and environmental education. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission explained that the Bay Area faces major economic exposure from sea level rise, citing a regional estimate of $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses from inaction, and said BCDC is working with local governments under SB 272 on shoreline adaptation planning, funding, and regulatory innovation. Members discussed the tension between environmental permitting and the need to move projects faster, including the possibility of planned retreat in some areas and the use of simultaneous permitting and longer-term state authority to streamline adaptation work. In the final panel, Philip Gibbons of the Port of San Diego described the port’s climate adaptation efforts and its vulnerability assessments under AB 691. He said the port manages state tidelands, supports maritime commerce and recreation, and is already seeing flooding at king tides and during El Niño events, including storm-drain backflow and damage to bikeways and parks. He explained that future sea level rise could inundate major port areas and disrupt operations, underscoring the need for continued planning, mitigation, and infrastructure investment. The hearing did not take formal votes, but it concluded with a clear call for more science, funding, coordination, and regulatory streamlining to prepare California’s coast and nearby communities for worsening sea level rise impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• ramifications in terms of loss of jobs and loss of economic viability as well as the health of our forest
• And yes, we’re all part of the forest product sector, which is critically important.
• which means they’re sold by the state and that money is essentially held in a bank account that’s reserved
• And once the company submits a decarbonization plan— Bank account that’s reserved for the company.

Bills: HB2537, HB2245, HB2296

Keywords: emissions, climate commitment act, environmental regulation, trade regulation, facility compliance, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Hampshire is the second most forested state in the country right now.
• And almost two-thirds of all that beautiful forest that you see out there is privately owned.
• So, you have forest rangers with the Division of Forest and Lands.
• >> Be happy to. >> Um, the chair recognizes Representative Elward. forests. forests.
• ><c> with</c><03:27:25.279><c> the</c> you have forest rangers with the you have forest rangers with

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so a lot of times those funds aren't available for something else they would only be building up reserves
• So something else they would only be building up reserves.
• As well as the urban forest program that's administered by Cal Fire.
• Land Trust, Renewal Institute, Pacific Forest Trust, and Power Nature.
• Paul Mason, Pacific Forest Trust.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have Darcia Forester, Office of the Public Defender, in support. jurisdiction.
• </c><00:39:27.119><c> Defender</c><00:39:27.599><c> in</c> Forester, Office of Public Defender in Forester
• Anybody who is present here voting with reservations or no? Good. All right.
• Anybody else voting with reservations or no? Seeing none, your recommendation has been adopted.
• Anybody else voting with reservations or no?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS, Agriculture, Environment, Energy, and Intergovernmental Affairs hearing focused first on SB 2262, a pollution and illegal dumping measure. The Department of Health said it stood on its written testimony, and public testimony included support from CARES with suggested amendments to involve the counties in standardized response planning and to address pollution caused by individuals. Members questioned the bill’s fines, where they would go, and how the department would handle carcasses and illegal dumping enforcement. DOH said administrative fines go to the general fund, criminal fines are collected by the Attorney General, carcasses are generally buried by the landowner under existing rules, and DOH mainly regulates solid waste and coordinates with counties and other agencies when violations arise. After discussion, the chair recommended SB 2262 be passed with substantial amendments. The proposed amendments would add DLNR to the task force, deposit all fines into a special fund to support enforcement, allow fines below $5,000 for littering and higher fines for excessive or chronic illegal dumping, and include a January 30, 2050 effective date. The committee adopted the recommendation, with members voting aye. The hearing then moved to the HHS calendar. On SB 2087, relating to health insurance, agencies including DHS, DCCA, the Attorney General, and Labor stood on written testimony, while several advocacy and medical groups testified in support. One Medicaid recipient opposed the bill, arguing the coverage should be immediate rather than phased in over three years. Angela Melody Young supported the bill but urged amendments to prioritize people with disabilities, kupuna, and mothers. Members questioned whether the rural health transformation program could support the bill’s deductible structure; the Department of Human Services said it was unlikely CMS would allow that level of coverage, though rural funds might help in other ways. The committee then moved on to SB 2089, which would expand services eligible for Medicaid prospective payment system reimbursement, hearing support from OHA, DHS, and others, along with testimony about mental health access and training. The transcript also began SB 2106, relating to health and eating disorder prevention, with a student testifying in support and citing youth eating disorder harms, but the discussion was cut off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• reservations and resell them for profit without the restaurant's consent.
• reservations and resell them for profit without the restaurant's consent.
• Assembly Bill 2494 by Assembly Member Rogers and an act relating to the State Forest.
• And a lot of it is due to the shifting definitions of what we've done to forest management.
• and to work through proper forest management techniques.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not have the financial reserves to fund this, nor do we have a population that can support a levy
• </c><00:12:07.400><c> to</c> We do not have the financial reserves to We do not have the financial reserves
• </c><01:33:16.840><c> The</c><01:33:17.040><c> Gunflint</c> Superior National Forest.
• The Gunflint Superior National Forest.
• for canoeing, hiking, fishing, Forest for canoeing, hiking, fishing, snowmobiling,<01:34:16.400><c>

Bills: HF4710, HF4055, HF3848, HF3989, HF4599, HF3767, HF3592, HF3575, HF3574, HF3543, HF4606, HF4489, HF3891, HF3438, HF3811, HF3400

Keywords: capital investment, water infrastructure, sewer systems, public funding, municipal development, Eveleth, wastewater treatment, state bonds, environmental compliance, infrastructure, bonds, economic development, local government, transportation, intersection improvements, Lake Elmo, HF4599, St. Joseph, Minnesota bonding bill, bond proceeds fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Colorado State Forest Service at 6114,38414,384. Colorado State University 7.
• Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program: 8 million.
• Healthy Forests and Vibrant Communities: 102,245,64245,640.
• </c> Colorado State University 7 Forest Colorado State University 7 Forest Restoration<04:59:07.760><
• </c><04:59:11.360><c> and</c><04:59:11.520><c> vibrant</c> healthy forests and vibrant healthy forests

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• continually increases with state tuition, and it sets the Minnesota National Guard apart from other reserve
• Like the reserves? Terrible. And you're talking about re-enlistment bonuses and stuff.
• piece of that is gathering everyone in that space, from non-profits to the National Guard, to the Reserve
• Now, for those of you who don't know, as a Reserve soldier, every day that I put on a uniform is a day
• But it really defines what those events are, so think Forest fire, think flood, think winter storm response

Transcript Highlights:

• Joseph James, Chairman of the Urock Tribe of the Urock Reservation in California, which I believe he'll
• We are deeply invested in forest, removal of dams. We are introducing condors to the wild.
• We are deeply invested in forest, watershed, and wildlife management.
• I will be supporting the bill out of committee to let you keep working this bill, obviously reserving
• But I think collaboration... ...obviously reserving the right that I could change that position on the

Summary: The committee began with an informational hearing on the second amendment to the Yurok Tribe’s 2006 tribal-state gaming compact. Governor’s office staff and Yurok Tribal Chairman Joseph James explained that the amendment is a narrow, technical one that extends the compact’s expiration to December 31 of this year to preserve the status quo while the parties negotiate a long-term replacement. Members asked about the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ role, and staff explained that because the change is only a deadline extension and not a substantive compact change, it does not require BIA approval. No vote was taken on the informational item. The committee then heard AB 2156, which would designate March 31 as Farm Workers’ Day in California. The authors and supporters said the bill is intended to honor the farm worker movement and shift the holiday away from any one individual in light of recent allegations, while recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of farm workers. Several members spoke in support, including personal reflections on family histories in farm labor and on the need to center victims and farm workers’ dignity. The bill was moved to the floor, with the roll held open for absent members. Next, the committee heard SB 1044, which would raise the small business procurement cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and index it to inflation. The author and supporters from the Hispanic and Asian Pacific chambers of commerce argued the current cap is outdated and limits opportunities for small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises. Some support was qualified, with one coalition noting concerns about access to capital for microbusinesses but still leaning in favor. The bill passed to Appropriations, with the roll held open. The committee also heard SB 1114, which would restrict state agencies from sharing LGBTQ-related data with federal agencies except where legally required. The author and Equality California said the bill is meant to protect sensitive data from misuse and preserve trust in voluntary state data collection. Support came from Planned Parenthood affiliates and Health Access California, with no opposition. The bill passed to the Privacy Committee, with the roll held open. Finally, the committee heard SB 1248 on automated decision systems in state government, SB 1273 on short-form video advertising for winery instructional events, and SB 917 on allowing more small wineries to sell at farmers’ markets. SB 1248 drew the most debate: the author said it would create baseline guardrails for automated systems, require human review for adverse decisions, and help state agencies use automation responsibly, while labor groups opposed it as authorizing use before meaningful stakeholder engagement and collective bargaining input. Several members supported moving it forward but stressed the need for labor participation in future negotiations; it passed to the Privacy Committee with the roll held open. SB 1273 and SB 917 were both presented as modest measures to help the wine industry adapt to current marketing and sales conditions, and both passed to Appropriations with roll calls held open. The hearing then moved on to SB 1240, which would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement and grant processes; the author described nonprofits’ economic importance and the need for a liaison, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Joseph James, Chairman of the Urock Tribe of the Urock Reservation in California, which I believe he'll
• We are deeply invested in the forest, removal of dams. We are introducing condors to the wild.
• We are deeply invested in the forest, watershed, and wildlife management.
• I will be supporting the bill out of committee to let you keep working this bill, obviously reserving
• Obviously reserving the right that I could change that position on the floor.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• represent House District 27, which is parts of Volusia, Lake, and Marion County, including the National Forest
• I'm a Navy JAG officer by background, served on active duty and continued to serve in the reserves.
• We do, however, have expertise within our reserve soldier ranks, but we lack the authority to be able
• We do, however, have expertise within our reserve soldier ranks, but we lack the authority to be able
• We do, however, have expertise within our reserve soldier ranks, but we lack the authority to be able

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• wildfire risk. to steward over 2 million forested acres per year to reduce wildfire risk.
• California is facing a wood waste crisis where millions of tons of forest and agricultural biomass are
• being piled and burned or left to decay every year, causing... ...of forests and agricultural biomass
• Third, by supporting AB 1666, we can leverage federal matching funds and private investments in forest
• The scope of these qualifying projects... ...older, larger, decaying trees have for forest health.

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for recharge projects, codify long-standing CEQA exemptions for flood diversions to recharge, and add tribal consultation and other guardrails. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure as a way to capture high-flow water and reduce groundwater subsidence, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it, warning that the bill’s exemptions and broader diversion authority could harm rivers, Delta resources, and public trust values. The bill was discussed but not voted on because the committee lacked a quorum at that point. The committee then took up AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy-use data and permit-related estimates of energy and water demand. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and give regulators better information for grid planning. Data center industry representatives opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while local governments, environmental groups, and some utilities supported it or supported it if amended. The bill was later reported out with a due pass recommendation once a quorum was established. Members also heard AB 2245 on a producer responsibility program for lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental review protections for overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation and VMT mitigation, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, and AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects. Testimony was mixed on most of these bills: supporters emphasized affordability, local control, environmental justice, or project urgency, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA scope, regulatory duplication, costs, and environmental impacts. Several measures received due pass recommendations and roll-call votes, including AB 2170, AB 2059, AB 1808, AB 2182, and AB 2231, with some members voting no or not voting and some bills left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes coordination on sea level rise and coastal adaptation planning and projects, kelp forest
• protect, restore, and increase the resilience of beaches, bays, coastal dunes, wetlands, coastal forests
• We have lost our kelp forest ecosystem at that similar scale, in almost large degree, because of a 2014
• , one is in Monterey, and one is in northern Los Angeles County, actually in the Angeles National Forest
• We really want to stress the point of being able to help the kelp and the kelp forest, and as Director

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items. Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting. In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The mismanagement of our forests and state lands were not...
• The root problem is we have all this timber, and there's so much field loading in these forests.
• It's an area where we think there's opportunity, not only in Lincoln National Forest and in state lands
• When I saw the Legacy Fund and I looked at the purpose—the conservation and improvement of our forests
• We are still holding in reserve some money for the 60 or so people who are doing reclamation. OK.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I would welcome any questions and reserve the right to close. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• OK, we'll reserve your right to close. This time Chair calls up Mr. Joe Morris.
• Happy to answer any questions and reserve the right to close. Thank you Mr. Chairman of the suit.
• Um, happy to answer any questions to the extent I'm able to reserve the right to.
• All right, there are, we're gonna reserve your right to close, Chairman suit, and we're gonna move into

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting on page one, City of Green Forest for the year ending December 31, 2024.
• I am appointed mayor of Green Forest, Jerry Carlton.
• And I failed to mention that these 10, including Green Forest, these next 10, are all deferred from the
• of a financial statement for the City of Caddo Valley needs to know that you've got $200,000 in reserves
• there, because the financial statements we were getting did not reflect that money as much. ...in reserves

Summary: The committee began with prayer and approval of the January 8 minutes, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that for the 2022 reports, 19 of 43 entities had had their turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reports, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five outstanding. The committee also filed a report on Adona, where staff said the city had made enough progress toward substantial compliance with municipal accounting laws to discontinue withholding turnback, and the committee adopted that recommendation. The bulk of the meeting focused on municipal accounting noncompliance cases. Gum Springs and Denning were presented with extensive repeat findings involving budgets not adopted by ordinance or resolution, missing or incomplete bank reconciliations, inadequate receipts and disbursement records, payroll issues, and improper handling of Act 833 funds or other city money. Both cities’ mayors and recorders-treasurers testified about efforts to correct records, obtain training, and work with the Municipal League; the committee voted to start the 60-day turnback-withholding clock for both and then filed the reports. Fargo was deferred because no city representative was present. Additional reports included Green Forest, Elaine, Strong, Brooklyn, Mineral Springs, Rondo, Waldo, Columbia County, and several private water and sewer entities. Strong drew significant concern over missing garbage-bag revenue, improper fund transfers, and deficit balances; the committee deferred that report to the March meeting. The committee also heard investigative or referred reports on the Faulkner County Fair Association, Brooklyn payroll direct-deposit fraud, and other entities with questionable disbursements or recordkeeping. In several cases, staff recommended filing the reports after responses were received; in others, the committee deferred action when responses were lacking or representatives were absent. The meeting ended with a motion to defer a Cross County Rural Water matter so the entity could appear at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting on page one, City of Green Forest for the year ending December 31, 2024, findings under the
• I am appointed mayor of Green Forest, Jerry Carlton.
• And I failed to mention that these 10, including Green Forest, these next 10 are all deferred from the
• of a financial statement for the city of Caddo Valley needs to know that you've got $200,000 in reserves
• there, because the financial statements we were getting did not reflect that money as being... ...in reserves

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That being said though, I need you to know that I support with reservations.
• them, and that if the author doesn't do and honor what they said they're going to do here, we all reserve
• This bill allows a very, an alternative way for public agencies to manage their forested areas, it's
• This allows public agencies to have the same tool to help manage their forest, so they're not waiting
• younger brother, much taller, not as handsome as me, but he started working on a hand crew with the Forest

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Vihill mentioned, we're growing our own forests.
• It's going to kill the forests that we're trying to grow.
• microdistricts, rural districts, the staff that we need and the ability to continue to grow our own forests
• sounded like I was listening to somebody that lived at a chapter house in the Navajo Nation or on the reservation
• The largest portion of what you will see is where I have tried to reserve our SB-9 funds as we come out