Transcript Highlights:

• The appointment power of the governor, I think, is what they particularly cited.
• <c> the</c><03:18:22.800><c> governor</c><03:18:23.200><c> I</c> The appointment power of the governor
• I The appointment power of the governor I think<03:18:23.840><c> is</c><03:18:24.080><c> what</c><03
• Currently, the Executive Council has no power to prevent the governor from deploying our forces.
• to prevent the council has no power to prevent the governor<03:36:26.640><c> from</c><03:36:26.880><

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] We had an opportunity to meet with the governor again today.
• The governor and the different target.
• This is a good place for us to governor.
• to</c><00:14:49.360><c> not</c><00:14:49.600><c> include</c> power sharing agreement to not include power
• </c> part of the power sharing agreement. part of the power sharing agreement.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of other industries that, when they build a new center, they draw large amounts of power
• So, we're talking a whole different level than what we've ever seen in state history of power.
• And so, we're trying to create a class to handle that significant power that we've never seen in state
• Industrial companies that have this type of power need may have thousands of jobs and versus maybe 100
• So, in light of uhpresentative Maynard's question about large entities that use a whole lot of power.

Bills: HB2059 , HB3920 , HB2992 , HB3267 , HB4457 , HB3800 , HB3818 , HB4425 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4333 , HB4340 , HB4343 , HB4344 , HB4363 , HB4229 , HB4230 , HB4236 , HB4246 , HB1979 , HB3431 , HB3052 , HB3047 , HB3048 , HB4092 , HB4302 , HB3261 , HB3704 , HB3312 , HB3546 , HB3849 , HCR1021 , HB4105 , HB4159 , HB4304 , HB3835 , HB3619 , HB4490 , HB3710 , HB4201 , HB3907 , HB3748

Keywords: health care, medication, inmates, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, reimbursement, county jails, medical expenses, sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, procurement, transplant research, Oklahoma Tax Code, HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of other industries that when they build a new center, they draw large amounts of power
• So we're talking a whole different level than what we've ever seen in the state history of power.
• Industrial companies that have this type of power need may have thousands of jobs versus maybe 100 jobs
• Industrial companies that have this type of power need may have thousands of jobs versus maybe 100 jobs
• So in light of Representative Maynard's question about large entities that use a whole lot of power,

Bills: HB2059 , HB3920 , HB2992 , HB3267 , HB4457 , HB3800 , HB3818 , HB4425 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4333 , HB4340 , HB4343 , HB4344 , HB4363 , HB4229 , HB4230 , HB4236 , HB4246 , HB1979 , HB3431 , HB3052 , HB3047 , HB3048 , HB4092 , HB4302 , HB3261 , HB3704 , HB3312 , HB3546 , HB3849 , HCR1021 , HB4105 , HB4159 , HB4304 , HB3835 , HB3619 , HB4490 , HB3710 , HB4201 , HB3907 , HB3748

Keywords: health care, medication, inmates, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, reimbursement, county jails, medical expenses, sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, procurement, transplant research, Oklahoma Tax Code, HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers

Summary: The House met in session with prayer, the Pledge, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Jake Searock, Doctor of the Day Dr. Nicole Bowden, Psychologist of the Day Dr. Amy Cherry, Nurse of the Day Eileen Cooper Grubbs, and a presentation for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day. Members also welcomed student and community guests in the galleries. The chamber then moved through a long calendar of House bills, with most measures advancing on unanimous consent or broad bipartisan votes. Among the major bills discussed, lawmakers passed measures on county jail medication reimbursement (HB 2059), a sales tax exemption for LifeShare (HB 3920), ratepayer protections for large data centers and crypto mining facilities (HB 2992), a felony offense for breaking and entering an occupied dwelling without intent to commit another crime (HB 3267), PBM access protections for specialty pharmacy patients (HB 4457), adjunct teacher guardrails in K-4 tested subjects (HB 4427), malpractice coverage for state-employed nurse practitioners and physician assistants (HB 4430), and several higher education, water, and state government cleanup bills. The House also approved bills addressing the 988 mental health lifeline, juvenile oversight disclosures, school support employee tracking, a federal education tax credit opt-in, firearms education curriculum development, AI personhood restrictions, child safety reviews related to fentanyl, and expungement relief for trafficking victims. Debate centered most heavily on HB 2992, where supporters argued data centers should pay their share of infrastructure costs so residential and other ratepayers are not burdened, while some members questioned why the bill singled out data centers instead of all large-load users. HB 3267 drew questions about how the new offense would affect people with cognitive impairments, and HB 3312, the firearms education bill, prompted concerns about who would teach the curriculum. HB 3546 on artificial intelligence personhood also generated discussion about accountability and future regulation. Several bills were amended on the floor, including HB 492, HB 4302, and HB 4105. The House recorded numerous final passage votes, with many bills passing overwhelmingly and some by narrower margins, including HB 3800, HB 4333, HB 3704, HB 4159, and HB 3619. Emergency clauses were adopted on some measures, including HB 4427 and HB 3312, while others were passed without emergency action. The chamber also reconsidered and then passed HB 1979 after a motion to reconsider a prior failure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our case, you don't work for the governor, right?
• Are you the governor is a unique case?
• He is the governor, so, you know, that's, you know, that's. are you the governor is a unique case.
• He is the governor. So, you know, that's that.
• And, Madam Chair, would we have to leave the governor in since the governor already has a... Yeah.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee reconvened and reviewed the status of several bills. The chair said bill 1377 could not be acted on until the House finished work on campaign finance bill 2156, and bill 1535 likely would not be ready because of unresolved concerns from Representative Davis and planned meetings with Highway Patrol and BCI. The committee therefore focused on bill 1601, which dealt with when the Attorney General may refuse or revoke special assistant attorney general appointments for certain state offices and entities. Members debated the policy and constitutional implications of the bill, including whether it was solving a real problem or creating a potential conflict, and whether statewide elected officials and independent bodies should have their own counsel. After testimony from the Chief Deputy Attorney General clarifying current law and the appropriations process, the committee amended the bill to add the Ethics Commission to the list of entities and to narrow the affected offices to the Governor, State Auditor, and Ethics Commission. The committee also changed one provision from “and” to “or” to clarify the standard for refusal or revocation. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a 6-0 vote and designated Senator Braunberger as the carrier. The chair said the committee would not meet the next morning and would instead reconvene the following week at the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the governor should get to appoint us. the governor should get to appoint us.
• </c><01:00:00.200><c> This</c> the governor to be voting on. This the governor to be voting on.
• </c> power to change it. power to change it.
• We're going to have a new governor, and after that we'll have a new governor in a few years.
• Sincerely, Jared Polis,<01:11:54.280><c> Governor.</c> Polis, Governor. Polis, Governor.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got Worker Power. We've got Unite Here. Jobs with Justice. We've got Worker Power.
• We've got worker power. We got Unite here, jobs with justice. We've got worker power.
• Communications from the Governor.
• The governor vetoed the Turning Point Charlie Kirk license plate.
• But let us be clear, there is no place ever for abuse or exploitation of power.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor then has an opportunity to review our work and veto items.
• The Legislature has the power to reinstate an appropriation.
• The Legislature has the power to reinstate an appropriation.
• Thank you. ...of the governor by 70% over the last six years.
• The veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding.

Summary: The Florida House convened in Special Session 2025B after recording a quorum and reading the joint proclamation calling the session from January 27 to January 29, 2025. Speaker Perez outlined the special-session process, including canceling regular committee meetings, distributing notebooks with the call, the bill to be filed by Representative McClure, and the bill analysis, and creating three select committees on illegal immigration to hear HB 1B later that day. He also announced a new process for reviewing vetoed appropriations through combined workgroups, beginning with legislative budget vetoes. The House then took up the governor’s veto of portions of HB 5001, the 2024 appropriations act. After reading the governor’s communication, Representative Kennedy moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2802 and its related proviso on page 412, describing it as legislative services support funding needed for IT, forecasting, auditing, and accountability functions. The motion passed 111-0. Kennedy then moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2803 and its related proviso, described as the second line item for legislative support services, and that motion also passed 111-0. No Senate messages, committee reports, reconsiderations, or bills on the calendar were reported. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn and reconvene Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., or upon the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Messages from the Governor. Messages from the Governor will be deemed read.
• The state government does not have the power to add...
• It would power data centers—thousand hours of battery storage.
• This legislature and the governor have recognized that.
• We were talking about the beginning of both this governor, I think the prior governor as well.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your word tells us that power is made perfect through our weaknesses.
• The motion from the Governor and the Senate at the Fourth Order of Business. Mr.
• It regulates water, electric, natural gas, power transmission, telephone.
• A couple years ago, Idaho Power was coming in and putting in new power lines through my area, and so
• They said go talk to Idaho Power. I talked to Idaho Power. They said go talk to Intermountain Gas.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's beyond our state power to prevent that. That's a federal issue to me.
• It's beyond our state power to prevent that. That's a federal issue to me.
• There's no power given to the federal government to enforce it.
• There has to be centralized power, not individuals in 50 different ways.
• Why, if we, I mean, to me, we don't have that power.

Summary: The committee heard three bills. SB 73 by Senator Cervantes would bar county registrars from allowing federal agents to inspect voting machines, framed by the author as a response to federal interference in California elections. The Secretary of State supported the concept and asked for amendments to clarify procedures for inspection requests. Senator Choi opposed it as unnecessary and beyond state authority, arguing federal subpoena rules already govern such inspections. The bill passed on a 4-1 vote to Appropriations after the call was lifted. SB 401 by Senator Hurtado, presented by Senator Allen, would authorize the FPPC to extend filing deadlines for statements of economic interest during declared emergencies. Testimony from the FPPC said the commission had no formal position but could administer the extensions, while members raised concerns that the bill was too open-ended and lacked a defined extension period. The author and committee members agreed to work on narrowing the language, and the bill passed 5-0 to Labor, Public Employment and Retirement. SB 46 by Senator Umberg would give the Secretary of State authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential or vice presidential candidates from the California ballot, with the author focusing on preventing a third presidential term. Supporters argued the Secretary of State already has a role in enforcing ballot qualifications and that the bill is constitutional. The Secretary of State’s office raised concerns about turning the office into an investigatory body and suggested alternative language limiting the measure to the 22nd Amendment or using an independent special counsel. Members debated whether the state should make such determinations, and the bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. The chair also used the end of the hearing to thank staff and note it was her final hearing as committee chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that made me feel powerful. I didn't know that people could... And that made me feel powerful.
• since I've been governor.
• It is the governor.
• It's the governor.
• It's the governor.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for CS for CS for SB 462 on transportation. A substitute amendment was adopted that would require counties receiving transportation surtax proceeds to report how the money is used to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, prohibit certain airport fees tied to collegiate aviation flight training, create a Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority pilot program, and dedicate $10 million annually for a traffic signal modernization program. The amendment also removed several provisions from the bill, including a sales-tax transfer to the State Transportation Trust Fund, a bid-protest-related contracting requirement, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. A late-filed amendment was tabled, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS for CS for CS for SB 628, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties for leaving the scene of a vessel accident and reckless operation. After the sponsor withdrew a pending amendment, the committee heard emotional testimony from Lucy’s parents and others in support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee next considered CS for CS for SB 700, the Florida Farm Bill, under a strike-all amendment. The bill’s major provisions included removing non-purity additives from public water systems, requiring clearer labeling for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, criminalizing drone harassment over farmland, updating agriculture disaster recovery programs, creating an honest services registry for charities tied to countries of concern, expanding FFA-related scholarships and school infrastructure, and allowing the state to repurchase certain former agricultural lands converted to solar fields. Testimony included strong support from agriculture and related groups, opposition from the Florida Bankers Association over a private right of action related to financial discrimination, and criticism from speakers opposed to fluoride removal. The bill was amended and then reported favorably despite some opposition. The committee also reported favorably SB 796, which authorizes DEP general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems to replace failing septic tanks. The committee then took up a large strike-all for CS for SB 1618, a K-20 education package. The amendment combined provisions on VPK flexibility, early grade success, agriculture education, financial literacy, reading intervention, teacher assignment transparency, restrictions on spending public funds for political or social activism, emergency opioid antagonists, corporal punishment consent, teacher certification pathways, and other higher-education and workforce items from SB 1624, including guardrails for certain private religious postsecondary institutions. Members questioned the new prohibition on using public funds for political or social activism, with the sponsor saying it was intended to keep public schools from being a battleground for ideology; Equality Florida and the ACLU opposed that section. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee began extensive debate on CS for SB 7016, a major initiative-petition reform bill. The sponsors said the bill responds to fraud and abuse documented in a large Office of Election Crimes and Security report and would impose tighter rules on petition circulators, including Florida residency and U.S. citizenship requirements, training, shorter submission deadlines, stronger penalties, new identification requirements on petitions, and a 25% invalid-signature trigger for investigations by election-crimes officials. Senators raised numerous questions about due process, public records, penalties, the treatment of volunteers and former felons, the verification process, and the practical effect of the new deadlines and thresholds. The discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended, and no final vote on SB 7016 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• supplier to supply power for years.
• So your clean energy standards, is that a gas-powered or gas-fired power plant? Yes or no, please?
• So your clean energy standards, is that a gas-powered or gas-fired power plant? Yes or no, please?
• Sincerely, Matt Meyer, Governor. Mr.
• Even though it delegated that power to counties, it has the power to reclaim it and need not defer to

Summary: The House met on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for two deceased community members. Members also adopted Consent Calendar 29, which included House Concurrent Resolutions 153, 154, and 156, and passed House Concurrent Resolution 157 directing the State Lottery to report on iLottery options to support traditional lottery retailers, as amended to set a February 15, 2027 reporting deadline. The chamber then considered several bills on agriculture, telecommunications, health, fire service standards, corrections, elections, and education. Among the measures passed were Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program, Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecom carriers, Senate Bill 339 clarifying advance health care directives, Senate Bill 235 extending manufactured home rent increase rules, Senate Bill 325 updating firefighter/EMS background check and membership standards, Senate Bill 309 discharging incarceration-related balances, Senate Bill 324 on constable-related handgun purchase exemptions, Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication access, and Senate Bill 293 creating a licensure pathway for summer camp providers in the Purchase of Care program. The House also passed Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry regardless of race or gender while explicitly preserving religious freedom. The bill drew extended debate, with supporters framing it as a safeguard against future rollbacks of marriage equality and opponents raising concerns about constitutionalizing an issue already in statute; several members explained changed votes and personal reflections before the final roll call, which passed 28-12. House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after amendment, despite some opposition over party-system effects. Two measures were tabled or amended after debate: Senate Bill 233 on removing snow and ice from vehicles was initially tabled to consider a truck-driver exemption amendment, then the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 19 on studying health care costs was tabled briefly pending legal clarification. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a three-year pilot program for AI and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, data privacy, and teacher oversight. The transcript ends as House Bill 478 is being read in, but no final action on that bill appears in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• of its most powerful elected official.
• It does not eliminate or weaken the governor's broader clemency powers.
• Power.
• And I believe the answer would be, then the next governor can do that.
• not abuse such a power for himself or immediate family members.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1056 by Senator Grayson, which would require courts to issue protective orders for sexually explicit material involving adult victims in criminal cases and limit copying or dissemination of that material. The author and survivors Aaron Quinn and Denise Haskins-Quinn testified that the bill is meant to prevent revictimization and protect privacy while preserving defendants’ access to discovery. Opposition from public defenders and criminal defense groups argued the bill was too vague, could interfere with defense preparation, and inappropriately modeled adult-material protections on child sexual abuse material. After committee amendments narrowing the bill’s scope and clarifying access, SB 1056 passed out of committee to Appropriations on a due-pass-as-amended vote, with some members voting aye and the bill kept on call. The committee then took up SB 937 by Senator Gonzalez, which would restrict law enforcement use of flashbang devices for crowd control and ban their use in immigration enforcement. Supporters, including the author, the mayor of Huntington Park, and advocacy groups, described injuries and fear caused by flashbangs and explosive breaching devices, especially in protests and immigration operations. Law enforcement organizations opposed the bill, saying the definitions were vague, the restrictions could hinder officers in fast-moving situations, and the immigration-enforcement language could conflict with existing task-force arrangements. Members discussed possible amendments to clarify definitions and exigent circumstances, but the bill was ultimately moved due pass to Appropriations and then failed on the roll call, with only one aye and several no votes. Next, SB 1070 by Senator Grove proposed making intentional disruptions of worship services a wobbler offense, allowing felony charges for more serious conduct. The author and faith leaders said the bill was needed to deter coordinated disruptions at houses of worship and protect religious freedom. Opponents, including the Friends Committee on Legislation, ACLU California Action, and public defender groups, argued the measure would criminalize speech, raise constitutional concerns, and impose excessive penalties for conduct that should be addressed through existing law or restorative justice. Several committee members also objected to elevating the offense to a felony, and the bill failed on a due-pass vote, though a motion to reconsider was granted. The committee also heard SB 1130 by Senator Reyes, which would update privacy law for wearable recording devices such as smart glasses by restricting covert recording in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy and limiting devices or technologies that disable recording indicators. Supporters said the bill responds to rapidly advancing wearable technology and surreptitious filming, while opponents from tech and business groups warned it could create liability for manufacturers and be too broad. After committee amendments reduced penalties, removed manufacturer provisions from the criminal section, and shifted them to civil enforcement, SB 1130 passed out of committee to Rules on a due-pass-as-amended vote, with some support and one no vote. Finally, Senator Troy presented SCA 2, a constitutional amendment to bar governors from pardoning themselves or immediate family members; with no opposition testimony, members briefly discussed the proposal, and the transcript ends before any final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• First category, Senate bills vetoed by the governor, they did not.
• The governor had two recommendations to SB 128.
• The bill is amended in accordance with the recommendation of the governor.
• The governor has made technical edits to SB 285. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• with the recommendation of the governor. Close the roll. 65, nose 33.

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session Part 2, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's beyond our state power to prevent that. That's a federal issue to me.
• There's no power given to the federal government to enforce it.
• There's no power given to the federal government to enforce it.
• There has to be centralized power, not individuals of 50 different ways.
• Why, if we—I mean, to me, we don't have that power.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Governor. Secretary? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Governor. Good morning.
• Thank you, Governor.
• Okay, I appreciate that, Governor.
• Good afternoon, Governor.
• We don't have subpoena power.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs and testimony from Governor Healey and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. The chairs emphasized fiscal caution amid choppy revenue growth, rising health care and education costs, and federal uncertainty, while the governor framed House 2 as a $62.8 billion budget that grows spending by about 1% without new taxes or fees and aims to protect core services while advancing affordability. The administration said the budget uses efficiencies, program integrity, and Fair Share surtax revenue to support education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety, and it also filed a supplemental Fair Share bill using surplus FY25 funds. Much of the questioning focused on the federal “OB3” tax law and the administration’s separate proposal to delay or phase in certain corporate tax changes, especially research and experimental deductions, to avoid in-year budget shocks. Members also pressed the administration on Fair Share allocations, with the governor and secretary explaining that operating-budget surtax spending is weighted more toward education while supplemental spending is more transportation-focused, and that combined spending is roughly balanced overall. The administration highlighted Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, rural school aid, local aid, child care, the MBTA deficit, regional transit authorities, and a new HHS transportation line item as part of the broader transportation strategy. Several members raised concerns about Chapter 70 equity, rural districts, municipal overrides, out-migration, housing affordability, public housing repairs, and the MBTA Communities Act. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion on school funding formulas, PILOT, and municipal aid, and stressed housing production, energy affordability, and workforce development as key responses to out-migration. On energy, the governor defended an all-of-the-above approach, including renewables, gas, and exploration of nuclear, while saying she would continue pushing utilities and regulators to reduce ratepayer costs. The governor also said fire safety grants would not be withheld for noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Act, and members discussed public safety, housing, and local grant impacts in that context. Other topics included the Bright Act and higher education capital investments, with the administration saying it is preparing to support campus infrastructure across the public higher education system and that the bill is intended to strengthen Massachusetts’ competitiveness and retain graduates. Members also questioned cuts to the PCA program and EAEDC, and the governor responded that the state’s PCA program remains strong but is under pressure from large federal health care reductions. No votes were taken; the session was a hearing on the governor’s budget proposal and related policy bills, with the administration taking questions and offering explanations of its recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• They called, emailed, submitted written testimony to express your outrage over this racist power grab
• To take that ability and power away is straight up intentional racial discrimination and a violation
• I asked repeatedly in this committee, Hey, have you talked to the governor?
• I bet today we asked the chair, Hey, have you talked to the governor about what he wants?
• That's what that letter told the governor to do.

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• When that initiative passed, it gave the governor the power to appoint the director of fisheries, created
• When that initiative passed, gave the power to the governor to appoint the director of fisheries, created
• The legislation did state that the governor was to... ...governor.
• I would note in Alaska, the commission... ...appointed by governors in Alaska and California.
• I would note in Alaska, the commission does provide a list of candidates to the governor.

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session with an update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Commissioner Dave Upthe Grove outlined DNR’s size and scope, previewed agency-request legislation, and emphasized budget priorities. He said DNR will seek authority to sell ecosystem service credits, better use underutilized water rights with tribal consultation, add a tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources, make minor timber-sales efficiencies, and include wildland firefighters in the LEOFF pension system. He also urged restoration of wildfire prevention and preparedness funding, warning that reduced funding would mean fewer firefighters, less forest health work, and less support for rural fire districts. He noted DNR’s wildfire suppression costs are rising and argued prevention spending can reduce larger, more expensive fires. State Forester George Geisler followed with a detailed wildfire season review. He said Washington now responds to fires year-round and also assists other states, including Texas. He described DNR’s use of 31 aircraft, 691 firefighters, and corrections-based crews, and said the agency’s success rate for keeping fires under 10 acres improved slightly from 93.7% to 94.1%. He highlighted increased arson activity, especially around Spokane, and described the Crescent Road Fire as an example of early detection, rapid response, and the use of bulldozers, aircraft, and hand crews to contain a fire to 182 acres with no structure losses. Senator Saldan praised the emphasis on prevention and the use of bulldozers as cost-effective tools. Assistant deputy supervisor Dwayne Emmons then reviewed the trust land transfer program, which was codified in statute in 2023 after being funded through the capital budget for decades. He said more than 130,000 acres of underperforming trust land have been transferred since the 1990s to other public or tribal entities for more appropriate use, while DNR acquires replacement lands to keep the trust whole. He described the current application and ranking process, including tribal input, and said DNR is requesting funding for remaining parcels from the last round, including portions of Tract C, Babcock Bench, and Middle Fork Snoqualmie. In questions, Senator Wagoner raised concerns about DNR’s decision to remove some acres from timber harvest rotation and its impact on local revenue and mills; the commissioner responded that current five-year harvest plans provide short-term stability and that any changes would be explored through the Board of Natural Resources process, not through immediate reductions in supply. The committee then received a history briefing from staff member Jeff Olson on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and agency structure. He traced the evolution from early fish and game commissioners to the current commission-appointed director model adopted by voter-approved Referendum 45 in 1995. Olson explained the commission’s statutory duties, membership requirements, and how Washington compares with other states. Chair Chapman said he had no plans to hear a bill this session changing the commission’s makeup, but he expressed personal interest in exploring reforms, accountability, and possibly a future broader coalition or referendum process. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair adjourned the session with holiday and New Year’s wishes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, I understand that the lieutenant governor is making her an honorary lieutenant governor.
• Lieutenant Governor, another one of your honorary lieutenant governors today, Nathan Gonzalez... ...one
• Gary Johnson and Lieutenant Governor Walter Bradley in 1994 and serving as Governor Gary Johnson's Secretary
• Messages from the governor.
• The message from the governor has been received. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor.

Keywords: 996, all