Transcript Highlights:

• I really like the outdoors. I go to school at Meridian Academy.
• I really like to photograph the outdoors. That's the main thing.
• So I also like the outdoors. I think it's fantastic.
• So what are your... what are some activities that you like to do in the outdoors? Grace: Go ahead.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• kids today, all they do is get on their iPhone or their iPad, and we want to introduce them to the outdoors
• Outdoor recreation and tourism bring $15 billion a year to our economy.
• Outdoor recreation and tourism bring $15 billion a year to our economy.
• Outdoor recreation and tourism bring $15 billion a year to our economy.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to consider confirmation appointments, beginning with Rodney Barreto’s reappointment to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Barreto described his background and defended his record, saying the commission has expanded public access, conserved land, supported youth conservation programs, and maintained strong law enforcement and wildlife management. Senators questioned him about public opposition to his confirmation, his role in supporting Amendment 2, a proposed use of submerged land near Singer Island, the Split Oak land swap, and whether FWC may reopen a bear hunt. Barreto said he saw no conflict in his Amendment 2 involvement, denied that any condo application existed for the Singer Island property, defended the Split Oak deal as a conservation and land-acquisition tradeoff, and said bear-hunt options would be presented later by staff and biologists. Several members of the public spoke against Barreto’s reconfirmation, arguing that FWC needs reform, term limits, and more scientific leadership, and criticizing his real estate and lobbying ties as conflicts of interest. Speakers also objected to his positions on development, habitat protection, trap use, herbicide spraying, and the handling of bear management and public notice at FWC meetings. Senator Avila spoke in strong support of Barreto, citing FWC’s role in Biscayne Bay restoration, juvenile redfish releases, invasive species control, and community involvement. The committee then voted to recommend Barreto’s confirmation favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. The committee next considered tabs 2 and 3, the reappointments of Kathy Chapman and Michael Kennedy to the Florida Inland Navigation District. With no separate vote requested and no public opposition, the committee recommended both confirmations favorably by voice roll call. The meeting concluded with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the training in particular is really geared towards our Adult Protective Service workers, and it's
• training in particular this training is training in particular this training is really<00:06:44.800><c> geared
• </c><00:06:45.120><c> towards</c><00:06:45.400><c> our</c><00:06:45.560><c> Adult</c> really geared towards
• our Adult really geared towards our Adult Protective<00:06:46.199><c> Service</c><00:06:46.479><c> workers

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, passed over House Bill 291, and took up House Bill 479, an act related to dementia training. Rep. Derek Lewis, joined by Rep. Adriel Camel and Mackenzie Wallace of the Alzheimer’s Association, explained that the bill would provide free dementia-specific training for Adult Protective Services workers and help them better recognize and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation, and the needs of people with dementia. Testimony emphasized the personal impact of dementia on families, the difficulty of navigating diagnosis and care, and the need to connect families to services. A senator asked about the bill’s data and scope, and Wallace explained that the county-level figures reflected Adult Protective Services referrals and diagnosed cases of Alzheimer’s or other dementia among people 65 and older. She also noted broader public health efforts related to brain health and a federal grant effort tied to those issues. Several members spoke in support, including Sen. Denine, who described his father’s recent death after a difficult period with dementia and said the training would help families and workers identify and respond to the disease earlier. After discussion, Sen. Heron moved the bill, the motion was seconded, and the committee voted 6-0 to pass House Bill 479 with favorable expression. The chair said it should pass on the Senate floor. Afterward, the committee briefly reviewed administrative regulation 921 KAR 2:100 and found it reviewed with no questions. A child care block grant item was also presented for information only, with no questions raised. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the recommendations from the Outdoor Heritage Council.
• You'll see in that last column the adjustments made by the Outdoor Heritage Council.
• </c><00:07:54.639><c> Heritage</c> the uh Lassard Sands Outdoor Heritage the uh Lassard Sands Outdoor
• The total amount for the Outdoor Heritage Fund is $162.9 million.
• The total amount for the outdoor itself.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It will require those who are doing this work and using scuba gear to be trained, um, to get certification
• who are doing this work and<00:02:28.319><c> using</c><00:02:28.640><c> scuba</c><00:02:29.040><c> gear
• be</c><00:02:29.599><c> trained</c><00:02:30.560><c> um</c><00:02:30.720><c> to</c> and using scuba gear
• to be trained um to and using scuba gear to be trained um to uh<00:02:31.200><c> to</c><00:02:31.360
• There are some other occupations that do use scuba gear.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• important projects throughout every one of the 87 counties, including clean water, parks and trails, outdoor
• This bill, the area that we cover is an Outdoor Heritage Fund protecting over 160,000 acres of land for
• We had in Outdoor Heritage, we've got, well...

Transcript Highlights:

• and health benefits of the coast and live near their transit, or expanding coastal amenities like outdoor
• That was impossible for the restaurants to afford, so this role resulted in the shying down of outdoor
• And then housing and then outdoor dining. It's a limited number of things.
• And then housing and then outdoor dining. It's a limited number of things.
• We'll build more bike lanes, we'll build more housing, there'll be more outdoor dining—all the things

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills focused on environmental policy, public infrastructure, housing, and energy. AB 1812, dealing with compostable plastics and compost contamination, drew strong support from farmers, composters, counties, cities, and waste companies, while manufacturers and compostable-product companies opposed it unless amended, arguing it would undermine compostable packaging and SB 54 goals. AB 2216 to expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area also received broad support and no opposition. AB 2481, which would allow leftover glass quality incentive funds to support recycled glass used in fiberglass insulation and other products, was supported by insulation manufacturers, recyclers, and waste advocates and passed with no opposition. AB 2152, streamlining fire station construction and tying CEQA relief to project labor agreement requirements, was supported by firefighters and construction trades but opposed by contractors and wildlife groups over the PLA mandate and environmental review provisions; the committee discussed amendments and sent it forward. AB 1536, the Save Our Shores Act, aimed at offshore oil and gas safety and decommissioning, was supported by coastal and environmental groups and opposed by the petroleum industry, with members debating pipeline safety, drilling risks, and carbon intensity before advancing the bill. AB 1849, a study bill on decarbonized gaseous fuels, split supporters from hydrogen, bioenergy, and propane interests against environmental and justice groups who said it favored biomethane and hydrogen without clear definitions; the author said it was only a study measure, and it moved ahead. AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and community college housing projects, was backed by students, UC representatives, housing advocates, and labor, with no opposition heard; members raised concerns about environmental impacts and evacuation planning, but the bill was approved. Several measures were taken on consent and others were held open for absent members or quorum issues, with multiple bills receiving due pass recommendations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• and health benefits of the coast and live near their transit, or expanding coastal amenities like outdoor
• That was impossible for the restaurants to afford, so this role resulted in the shutting down of outdoor
• And then housing, and then outdoor dining. It’s a limited number of things.
• We’ll build more bike lanes, we’ll build more housing, there’ll be more outdoor dining, all the things
• We’ll build more bike lanes, we’ll build more housing, there’ll be more outdoor dining, all the things

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• They need movement, they need heavy joint exercise, they need outdoor activities, they need these things
• And so, as they're gearing up, the reason why they're likely leasing equipment is because, again, right

Transcript Highlights:

• We gave away thousands of air purifiers, protective gear, cleaning supplies, diapers, clothing, backpacks
• Some providers lost everything from toys and books to cribs and outdoor play equipment and had no financial

Summary: The hearing focused first on how wildfires and other disasters affect child care providers, families, and early education infrastructure. State officials from the Department of Social Services and Department of Education described disaster response and preparedness efforts, including shelter coordination, licensing outreach, emergency waivers, distribution of supplies, and the statewide child care disaster plan. Testimony from providers and advocates emphasized major gaps in recovery funding, insurance coverage, rebuilding support, mental health services, and coordination with local rebuild plans. Several witnesses urged more dedicated disaster-recovery funding for child care facilities and suggested statutory changes, including allowing greater flexibility for rebuilding costs and requiring early childhood programs to be included in local disaster planning. The second panel addressed immigration enforcement and its impact on child care. Advocates from the Children's Partnership, Every Child California, and CHIRLA said enforcement activity is causing families to keep children home, disrupting continuity of care, reducing enrollment, and creating fear and trauma for children and providers. They argued that immigrant and mixed-status families need clearer protections, privacy safeguards, legal support, trauma-informed guidance, and safe-haven policies for child care settings. Speakers also stressed that the child care workforce is heavily immigrant and that recent state laws such as AB 49 and AB 495 will require funding, training, and technical assistance to implement effectively. Public commenters, including child care providers, described personal experiences with fire damage, displacement, permit delays, lost income, and the emotional toll of serving families during crises. Others described how immigration enforcement has made parents afraid to attend events, drop off children, or remain connected to providers. Committee members repeatedly noted that child care is often overlooked in emergencies and asked state officials how child care systems are being integrated into disaster planning and how local and state agencies can better coordinate. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We gave away thousands of air purifiers, protective gear, cleaning supplies, diapers, clothing, and backpacks
• Some of the providers lost everything from toys and books to cribs and outdoor play equipment and had

Summary: The California State Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs held its second hearing focused first on disaster response, especially wildfires and flooding, and how they affect child care infrastructure. State agencies described their disaster preparedness and response work, including evacuation notifications, shelter coordination, emergency guidance, waivers, and support services. The Department of Education said wildfires have displaced tens of thousands of families and impacted thousands of preschool families, and recommended statutory changes to help rebuild programs, require early childhood programs to be included in local recovery plans, expand mental health supports, and review disaster, tax, and insurance policy gaps. Child care advocates and providers described major losses from the L.A. fires and San Diego flooding, including destroyed homes and businesses, lack of insurance, delayed permits, lost income, and the need for emergency grants, relocation help, and better disaster planning for child care programs. Several providers gave personal testimony about rebuilding after fires and floods, including one family child care provider from Pasadena/Altadena whose home and business were destroyed and who is still trying to reopen while paying rent, a mortgage, and permit costs. Another provider described flood damage, health impacts on children, and thousands of dollars in losses. Committee members emphasized that child care is often overlooked in disaster recovery and asked state officials what is being done to integrate child care into emergency planning and to improve coordination among state and local agencies. Officials said the statewide child care disaster plan exists and has been updated over time, but acknowledged more work is needed and that the hearing itself should inform future improvements. The second panel addressed immigration enforcement and its impact on the child care system. Advocates from the Children's Partnership, Every Child California, and CHIRLA said immigration raids and enforcement activity are causing families to keep children home, reducing attendance and enrollment, increasing fear and trauma, and destabilizing providers and the broader early learning workforce. They argued that child care settings are trusted spaces and that enforcement undermines continuity of care, child development, and program viability. They urged stronger privacy and safety protections, statewide training and technical assistance, trauma-informed guidance, legal support for families, transportation and subsidy protections, and emergency funding for providers. Speakers also highlighted recently enacted laws AB 49 and AB 495, but stressed that implementation will require funding and clear guidance. Committee members agreed that funding and implementation are critical and heard public testimony from providers describing fear, family separation, and the need to keep child care safe and stable for immigrant families.

Transcript Highlights:

• And tourism was one of those on the short list of those things, especially outdoor recreation.
• And maybe I might have one question that is really geared more toward Amy, but you may be.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are supporting projects at the Balloon Museum and outdoor recreation projects in collaboration with
• Outdoor Recreation's Trails Plus division, trying to get projects fully funded.
• But those big sort of outdoor recreation events that are gonna draw in international, I think, are gonna
• infrastructure Around outdoor recreation and sporting events and activities.
• They are putting out between outdoor recreation creative industries, healthy foods, so many grants, and

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• forest landowners, grants for timber and farming towns to be more sustainable, drought, water quality, outdoor
• are in communities that are disparately impacted by climate change opportunities to go out and have outdoor
• can do everything that we want to be able to do for our constituents, and I do worry that if we add outdoor
• can do everything that we want to be able to do for our constituents, and I do worry that if we add outdoor
• can do everything that we want to be able to do for our constituents, and I do worry that if we add outdoor

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met in executive session on three bills. For House Bill 2159, which creates the pre-K Promise account for ECEAP, the committee adopted Amendment Clark 333 to clarify that account funds may support any children enrolled in ECEAP, not just the entitlement population. Members spoke in support of the bill as expanding early learning access, and the substitute bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 29-0 vote, with two members excused. For House Bill 2251, dealing with Climate Commitment Act account structure and revenue distribution, staff briefed the proposed substitute and two offered amendments from Representative Dye. Both Dye amendments were rejected: one would have expanded allowable uses to include items such as buoys, trails, small forest landowner grants, drought and water quality projects, outdoor recreation, and marina support; the other would have restored annual rather than biennial reporting on CCA spending. Supporters said the bill would simplify and clarify CCA budgeting and better align spending with declining revenues, while opponents argued it did not sufficiently prioritize climate resiliency and accountability. The substitute bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by an 18-12 vote, with one excused. For House Bill 2521, which would let the Washington State Patrol set firearm background check fees to cover program costs, the committee considered seven amendments. All seven were rejected: proposals to cap the fee increase at $20, exempt low-income residents, people near least restrictive alternative placements, veterans and active military, domestic violence victims, and residents of counties with fewer officers per capita, and to delay the effective date until Washington no longer has the fewest officers per capita nationwide. Supporters of the bill said the fee should be cost-based to avoid subsidizing the program with general funds and to prevent delays in background checks; opponents argued the bill created an open-ended fee increase and financial barrier to a constitutional right. The bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by an 18-12 vote, with one excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then when they do opt in to it, they have to incur a new cost for all of the equipment and gear and
• , the nurseries, the home improvement stores like plastic storage bins and organizers, indoor and outdoor
• They're going outdoor recreation and a lot of different things.
• They're going outdoor recreation and a lot of different things.

Summary: The committee began with a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 1592, which would change how state public defense funds are distributed and, in the substitute version, keep current law on state funding responsibility while revising the allocation formula. Staff explained the bill would shift county and city distributions to a pro rata, caseload-based model, allow very low-density counties to request OPD to provide some or all public defense services, require additional data collection and reporting, and direct OPD to study caseload reductions and retention. Representative Peterson said the bill is meant to create a better structure for future state support of indigent defense without the very large cost of the original proposal. Testimony from counties, cities, OPD, defenders, and local officials was strongly supportive, emphasizing a statewide public defense crisis, rising local costs, staffing shortages, and the need for a fairer funding model. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 1742 on environmentally sustainable urban design and Substitute House Bill 1906 on water system regulation and water rates. HB 1742 would create a center in Ecology to promote sustainable urban design, fund design competitions and grants, and establish an advisory council; the sponsor said the bill reflects a desire to support a pilot project through alternative funding, and there was no public testimony. HB 1906 would require more planning and notice for Group A water systems, add customer notice and right-of-first-refusal provisions for some ownership changes, and direct the UTC to consider external funding sources, capital planning, and rate smoothing when setting water rates. Water utility and PUD witnesses supported the goal of improving transparency and consolidation of failing small systems, while noting the substitute reduced some fiscal concerns. The committee also heard HB 2248 on Secretary of State corporate and charity filings, HB 2438 creating the SEED scholarship for early childhood education students, and HB 2515 addressing emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers. HB 2248 would redirect part of annual filing fees to the Secretary of State revolving fund, require initial reports from nonprofits and LLPs, and change trademark certificate procedures; the fiscal note showed modest revenue losses, and the division supported restoring the fee split for operational funding. HB 2438 would transfer $10 million annually from the GET account to fund scholarships and wraparound services for early childhood education degree seekers, with testimony from early learning advocates and a student describing workforce shortages and personal financial barriers. HB 2515 drew extensive testimony both for and against: supporters said it would protect ratepayers, water resources, and grid reliability by requiring tariffs, reporting, clean-energy requirements, and a fee on large energy users; opponents argued it singled out data centers, could hurt investment and jobs, and included unrelated labor and procurement provisions. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive-session briefing on several bills and amendments, including HB 1903 on statewide low-income energy assistance, HB 1909 on a court unification task force, HB 1982 on vacating certain convictions tied to treaty Indian rights, HB 2034 on LEOFF Plan 1 retirement changes, HB 2105 on employer notice of federal I-9 audits, HB 2210 on ranked-choice voting, HB 2215 on Climate Commitment Act fuel supplier obligations, and HB 2271 on post-consumer recycled content requirements. Staff summarized proposed substitutes and amendments, with several changes aimed at reducing or shifting fiscal impacts, narrowing agency duties, or striking provisions entirely.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill allocates about $779 million within the outdoor heritage funds, $160 million for this fiscal
• This bill supports our billion-dollar yearly outdoor recreation-based industry.
• I just want to speak quickly on the Outdoor Heritage Fund part of the bill.
• So there's a whole list of those projects in the outdoor heritage portion of the bill.
• heritage—preserving our outdoor heritage.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill still contained the resiliency project, water project, educational project, outdoor recreation
• project, water project, uh educational project, water project, uh educational project,<00:20:33.280><c> outdoor
• </c><00:20:33.679><c> recreation,</c><00:20:34.480><c> fish</c><00:20:34.720><c> and</c> project, outdoor
• recreation, fish and project, outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife<00:20:35.440><c> and</c><00:20:35.679

Transcript Highlights:

• decision-making factors and responded by highlighting the low cost of living, career opportunities, and other outdoor
• ... ...and other outdoor recreation.
• Alabama's strengths, including the low cost of living, great career opportunities, quality of life, and outdoor
• Quality of life, and outdoor recreation. Hello everyone.

Bills: SB278 , HB459 , HB61

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: SB278, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama Released Time Credit Act, church-state separation, First Amendment, school choice, parental consent, elective course, off-campus instruction, private religious entity, State Board of Education, local board of education, attendance credit, core curriculum, religious education, Bible class

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and I think there have been study after study that show outdoor... ...been study after study
• that show outdoor activities, trails, and things that are incredibly important to our future growth,
• They like that outdoor experience, and we have that to offer.

Bills: HB186 , HB185 , HB182 , HB183 , HB184 , HB312 , HB460 , HB405 , HB186 , HB185 , HB182 , HB183 , HB184 , HB312 , HB405

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: Alabama budget, general fund appropriations, fiscal year 2026, state budget, appropriations act, HB186, executive branch funding, legislative branch funding, judicial branch funding, debt service, capital outlay, corrections, Medicaid, public health, mental health, transportation, education, law enforcement, tourism, veterans affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Diesel exhaust in the apparatus bay, POS chemicals in our turnout gear and foams, chronic exposure to
• chemicals<00:05:03.440><c> in</c><00:05:03.600><c> our</c><00:05:03.759><c> turnout</c><00:05:04.160><c> gear
• </c><00:05:04.639><c> and</c><00:05:04.960><c> foams,</c> chemicals in our turnout gear and foams, chemicals
• in our turnout gear and foams, chronic<00:05:06.320><c> exposure</c><00:05:06.800><c> to</c><00:05:06.960

Committee: House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection