Video & Transcript Research : 'fallen trees'
Page 32 of 167
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 27th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V
Transcript Highlights:
- what's happened is that our staff attorneys who do an excellent job, uh, have their pay has just fallen
- Um, the windfall of success in TDC's pushing back against crime in prison has now fallen on SPU's doorstep
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/10/26
State and Local Government
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/18/26
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- But by the early 2010s, that rate had fallen to about a half a percent per year.
- c><00:09:43.200>
to <00:09:43.440>about <00:09:43.600>a 2010s, that rate had fallen - to about a 2010s, that rate had fallen to about a half<00:09:44.000>
a <00:09:44.240>percent - for you is, looking at slide 8, it points out that between 2024 and 2025, immigration levels have fallen
- fallen about, uh by about a half fallen about, uh by about a half nationally<00:32:26.880>
and
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 18 February, 2026; 10:30 AM
Highways and Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- And so a lot of our crews were busy cutting trees out of two-lane highways to try to aid law enforcement
- Trees over every line. And it was ice, and as we mentioned beforehand, you can't plow ice.
- <00:09:37.600>
Uh <00:09:38.000>and power. uh trees over every line. - Uh and power. uh trees over every line.
- and try to remove get out and cut trees and try to remove ice<00:11:55.360>
and <00:11:55.519>
Summary:
The committee heard from Brad White, head of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, as part of his confirmation process. White said the department has improved staffing and funding over the last four years, citing support from the legislature, supplemental appropriations, ARPA funds, and fuel tax adjustments. He emphasized that MDOT is still rebuilding its engineering and maintenance workforce and needs continued salary flexibility to remain competitive and respond to disasters.
A major portion of the discussion focused on MDOT’s response to the recent severe ice storm. Several senators questioned whether the response was adequate and whether district lines, coordination with local governments, and emergency task-force planning should be changed. White said the storm was unusually severe, with freezing rain, flash-freeze conditions, widespread power outages, and more than 15,000 miles of highway impacted. He said MDOT crews were spread thin, but still logged more than 26,000 man-hours, worked with law enforcement and rescue units, and were aided by about 400 employees in the affected area plus 500 others from other regions. He said the department is reviewing lessons learned and expects winter-storm response to change going forward.
Senators also asked about comparisons with Tennessee and whether the storm response was a funding issue. White said it was not primarily a money problem, but that Mississippi’s budget and weather patterns differ from neighboring states, making stockpiling materials less practical. He said cities and counties could help in emergencies if coordinated with MDOT, and he supported properly funding agencies such as MDOT, MEMA, the National Guard, and public safety. Another senator raised long-delayed road projects, including Highway 61 and the Port Gibson bypass, and White said the capacity program remains active and that emergency response had not stopped project work.
The committee then considered several appointments to the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission and related boards. Kenneth Jeffrey Smith of Pontotoc, William J. Van Deender, and Ranatada Tracy McGawan of Jackson were each introduced, praised, and recommended by motion. The committee voted unanimously to advise and consent on each nomination, with no opposition recorded.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 28th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- clerk will read: Assembly Bill 1089 by Assembly Member Carrillo, an act relating to Western Joshua Tree
- Western Joshua Trees span across a large portion of California's desert.
- The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act allows the department to enter into an agreement with a county
- developer can use a city hall as a one-stop shop and need only deal with the state for the Joshua Tree
- We have a very diverse perspective on the Joshua Tree and last year's related bills posed a huge threat
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Members then handled several procedural motions, including suspending rules to allow committee hearings and guest access, re-referring bills, and removing one bill from the consent calendar. The chamber also observed Holocaust Remembrance Day with a lengthy ceremony and remarks from many members across caucuses, emphasizing the importance of remembering the Holocaust, combating antisemitism and other forms of hate, and supporting survivors and descendants. ACR 59, the California Holocaust Memorial Day resolution, was adopted by voice vote after 76 coauthors were added.
After the ceremony, the Assembly took up the daily file. AB 390, which strengthens California’s “slow down, move over” highway safety law, passed 64-0. AB 439, making small changes to the Coastal Act and reporting requirements, passed 44-11 after debate over Coastal Commission oversight. The body also approved a rules waiver to allow the Education Committee to meet on AB 1468. Later, AB 50, allowing Medi-Cal enrollees to access over-the-counter contraceptives without a prescription, passed 67-0 urgency and 67-0 overall; AB 55, streamlining alternative birth center licensing, passed 68-0; AB 596, protecting workers’ right to wear masks or respirators unless there is a direct safety hazard, passed 53-8; AB 631, requiring animal shelters to post intake and outcome data, passed 60-0; and AB 792, allowing consolidated negotiations for court interpreter contracts, passed 52-1.
The Assembly also passed AB 867, banning cat declawing, by 68-0 after bipartisan support; AB 1089, expanding local permitting authority for Western Joshua Tree projects, by 16-0; and AB 1154, clarifying ADU rules, by 63-1. SCR 57, proclaiming Dolores Huerta Day, was adopted 66-0. The second-day consent calendar was then adopted 71-0. The session concluded with adjournment-in-memory remarks for Mary Hammer, a longtime San Lorenzo Valley community leader and environmental advocate, followed by recognition of her family and friends in the chamber.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 4/25/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have 200 trees, and I believe we're going to start with Representative Vang to tell us about the trees
- <03:30:38.560>
So, preparing the trees uh for you. So, preparing the trees uh for you. - As you leave, you of trees in back.
- So, the first tree we have here is a northern red oak. It is an oak tree in the red oak group.
- The second tree is called the uh oak.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (02/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- tree that's kind of hanging over the house.
- It's a big tree; it's expensive to have it removed somewhere in the neighborhood.
- somebody out there and say oh tree somebody out there and say oh tree therefore<00:50:25.640>
- whereas the house next door no tree whereas the house next door no tree premium<00:50:34.520>
- oak tree, you'd fare better.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market.
A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending.
Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Because of the size of the tree and the height of the tree, it is expensive to get rid of it, and so
- large tree large tree that<00:19:59.960>
is <00:20:00.640>hanging <00:20:01.080> - <00:20:10.280>
it <00:20:10.400>is tree and the height of the tree it is tree and the - the fund would be able to get that tree the fund would be able to get that tree taken<00:20:23.240
- tree.
Summary:
The committee took up HB 297 with a non-germane amendment proposed by the Insurance Department to create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Commissioner DJ Beton explained that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce rising insurance premiums and avoid surplus lines coverage by funding proactive home and property improvements such as roof fortification, exterior and foundation work, flood protection, and tree removal. He said the proposal was developed after leadership asked for more statutory detail and for the idea to be vetted through policy committees rather than handled only in the budget process.
Beton said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. He described the program as modeled on similar efforts in other states, with means testing tied to the Department of Energy’s weatherization/home heating assistance criteria. He also said the department would administer the program using one existing staff position, with coordination through Treasury, and that unspent funds would roll over for several years before reverting to the general fund.
Members asked about the unusual use of a non-germane amendment and how the bill would be handled procedurally, since the underlying bill and the new insurance proposal were unrelated. The chair explained that the amendment was being used as a vehicle to move the department’s proposal through the committee process and that the committee could later accept one part, both parts, or neither. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting shown; the discussion ended with questions about administration, staffing, and the relationship between the underlying bill and the amendment.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Feb 11, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 13
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB2391, HB2294, HB2374, HB1997, HB2147, HB2185, HB1641, HB2195, HB2023, HB2031, HB2033, HB1937, HB2586, HB2575, HB2030, HB2115, HB2233, HB1801, HB1546, HB2132, HB2102, HB2356, HB2457, HB2292, HB2554, HB676, HB1528, HB2061, HB2094, HB2095, HB2181, HB2369, HB2578, HB2493, HB1642, HB1991, HB1652, HB2104, HB2593, HB1553, HB1823, HB1918, HB1860, HB2604, HB2605, HB2001, HB2437, HB1947, HB2384, HB2473, HB2140, HB1458, HB2603, HB2411, HB1611, HB2138, HB2141, HB2284, HB1568, HB1924, HB1928, HB2570
Keywords:
tax holiday, school supplies, general excise tax, Hawaii, consumer savings, education, land transfer, public schools, Department of Education, property conveyance, Act 307, Kauai, Maui, shade trees, fruit trees, educational program, climate change, tree canopy, environmental education, native plants
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, May 15, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Our veterans and our fallen gave their all for every American.
- Our veterans<00:10:39.279>
and <00:10:39.360>our <00:10:39.600>fallen <00:10:40.000 - >
gave <00:10:40.240>their <00:10:40.480>all veterans and our fallen gave their - all veterans and our fallen gave their all for<00:10:41.120>
every <00:10:41.440>American. - Today we honor North Carolina's fallen officers whose names will be added to the National Law Enforcement
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes proposed constitutional amendment to boost funding from Permanent School Fund May 4th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And that the management wasn't something that they had a say over, even though those were trees that
- And that the management wasn't something that they had a say over, even though those were trees that
- And that the management wasn't something that they had a say over, even though those were trees that
- And that the management wasn't something that they had a say over, even though those were trees that
- Those trees being cut would not actually go directly to the Bug Odizi school.
Summary:
House File 3900 proposed a Minnesota constitutional amendment to increase the share of permanent school trust fund earnings distributed to school districts, with the stated goal of providing more per-pupil funding without raising income or property taxes. Representative Igo, the bill’s author, described the history of the school trust lands and said the change would raise the payout from about 2.5% to 4.5%, producing additional unrestricted money for schools at no cost to taxpayers. He also read the proposed ballot question into the record, which would ask voters whether to amend the constitution to increase funding from the permanent school fund effective July 1, 2027.
The House adopted amendment A7, offered by Representative Long, which he said was a technical change to align the bill with Senate language and provide administrative funding for the State Board of Investment. Representative Igo agreed it was a good technical fix. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was given third reading and debated on the floor.
Several members spoke in support, including Representatives O’Driscoll, Scraba, Mueller, Bennett, Jordan, and Bakeberg. Supporters emphasized that the proposal would send more money to schools on a per-pupil basis, provide flexible local funding, and help districts facing budget pressures, staffing cuts, and other mandates. Some speakers also highlighted the historical purpose of school trust lands, the role of the State Board of Investment, and the need for better stewardship and government-to-government relationships with tribal nations where trust lands are located. The transcript ends during floor debate and does not include a final vote on passage.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 18, 2025 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- We're doing some aerial treatments outlook, which is invasive tree in South Florida.
- And that's little over 2.5 million tree seedlings will be planting Russell planning. 42,000 wiregrass
- We grow trees that we sell to the public.
- Again, we have some sandhill communities that that forest and the little oak trees kind of grow up and
- The ground cover is clear in trees or soften for wildlife habitat.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (02/10/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- keep snow from accumulating in the trees keep snow from accumulating in the trees and<03:21:00.720
- <03:21:27.359>
over There are some places where trees over There are some places where trees - <03:23:28.560>
canopy definition of average tree canopy definition of average tree canopy - We're the folks that grow the trees and harvest them.
- It's a it's a mean different trees.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture (10-16-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- This tree is a pain in the butt. It's sitting right in the middle of the field. It's a big tree.
- He said this tree was my haven that I went to.
- this tree. this tree.
- But I go back to my original statement about that tree.
- <00:59:08.360>
um tree um tree um and<00:59:10.120>petting <00:59:10.400>cows <00
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:24
Approval of September 18, 2025 Minutes: 00:02:03
Discussion on the Condemnation of Agricultural Land: 00:03:12
Discussion on the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative: 00:50:00
Adjournment: 01:19:10, 958, all
Summary:
The Joint Agriculture Committee met in October with a quorum present and approved the September minutes. The main presentation focused on condemnation of agricultural land and eminent domain, featuring testimony from Stephanie Barnett of a family-run livestock and farming business in Todd County, with support from Kentucky Farm Bureau. Barnett described a state road project that would take about 29 feet of frontage and affect entrances, fencing, a sign, drainage, a water well, and parking, saying the process involved poor communication, correspondence sent to the wrong address, and limited opportunity to negotiate changes such as a turning lane or relocated entrances. She said the business was not opposed to progress, but wanted the property restored and fairly compensated for the full impact on the operation, not just the land value.
Committee members broadly agreed that eminent domain is sometimes necessary but should be handled with more transparency, communication, and fairness. Several members said the issue affects both rural and urban property owners and raised concerns about fair market value, compensation for agricultural infrastructure improvements, long-term impacts on farm operations, and the cost and delay of litigation. One member asked about the firm involved and suggested hearing from the people responsible for the correspondence problems; Barnett said she would share names after negotiations conclude. Another member noted that the maps had already been drawn before the landowner was brought in and said local meetings and clearer public input could reduce conflict.
Chairman Dossett said he was interested in pursuing legislation for the upcoming session focused on property owner protection, fair treatment, and fair compensation, not just for agricultural land but for all Kentucky property owners. Members discussed possible ideas such as requiring better notice, more public transparency, and accounting for related costs like wells, fencing, drainage, and access changes. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the approval of minutes and the discussion of potential future legislation.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Mon Jan 13, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Once we identify the tree, the contractor will come in and remove at least 150 trees.
- Once we identify the tree, the contractor will come in and remove at least 150 trees.
- <06:09:10.798>
got course and I I watch as the trees got course and I I watch as the trees - <06:09:32.400>
but they've been treating the trees but they've been treating the trees but - Basically, you inject the tree with a chemical that stays within the tree.
Summary:
The House Finance Committee held an informational briefing with the University of Hawaiʻi, led by new President Wendy Hensel and Vice President for Budget and Finance Calbert Young. Hensel outlined the university system’s scope, student demographics, research activity, and campus missions, emphasizing four strategic priorities: serving Native Hawaiians and Hawaiʻi, student success, workforce development, and economic diversification through innovation and research. She highlighted the system’s enrollment, research funding, and the roles of Mānoa, Hilo, West Oʻahu, the community colleges, and specialized institutions such as JABSOM and the Cancer Center.
Young then reviewed the budget request, focusing largely on making prior one-time appropriations permanent and supporting recurring needs. Items included funding for Mānoa athletics, the Hawaiʻi Institute for Marine Biology, K-12 teacher education, Pamantasan Council support, Hilo programs, Windward’s mental health technician certificate, Maui’s practical nursing bridge program, and student support positions such as financial aid and admissions counselors. He also described workforce-related requests tied to nursing expansion at Mānoa and West Oʻahu, as well as facilities support at West Oʻahu.
A major portion of the testimony addressed the university’s two Kakaʻako medical facilities. Young explained that declining tobacco settlement and cigarette tax revenues are no longer sufficient to cover debt service for JABSOM and the Cancer Center, so the governor’s budget includes general fund support to supplement those obligations. He also described a regents-approved request not included in the governor’s proposal: expanding the Hawaiʻi Promise financial aid program to the four-year campuses, estimated at about $11–12 million. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Water, Parks, and Wildlife
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- let us commit not only to fixing what has been broken, but also to ensuring that the memory of our fallen
Bills:
SB 2, SB 10, HB27, HB18, HB17, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB18, SR 1, SR 2, SR 5, HB18, HB17, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SR1, SR2, SR5, SB2, SB10, HB27
Keywords:
HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance
TX
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WLA-HWN, WLA-HOU, WLA Public Hearings 04-17-2026
Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
Transcript Highlights:
- Natural Resources to identify state lands in East Oahu suitable for the planting of Native Hawaiian trees
- Moving on to HCR 166 requesting DNR to identify state lands in East Oahu for the planting of native trees
- Moving on to HCR 166 requesting DNR to identify state lands in East Oahu for the planting of native trees
- Moving on to HCR 166 requesting DNR to identify state lands in East Oahu for the planting of native trees
- Sounds like everybody loves trees.
Bills:
HCR31
Keywords:
rangelands, pastoralists, Hawaii, livestock, environment, sustainability, ecosystem services, Paniolo traditions, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Housing first heard HCR 85, which urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer parcels in the East Oahu area. DLNR, OPSD, HHFDC, and HCDA testified, and the chairs noted an intent to keep revenues from the lands with DLNR while agencies collaborate until parcels are ready for substantive transfer. Both committees then voted to pass the measure as is, with the recommendation adopted.
The committees also heard HCR 101 and HCR 166. HCR 101 was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted by both the Hawaiian Affairs and Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committees. HCR 166, which asks DLNR to identify state lands in East Oahu suitable for planting native Hawaiian trees, received no opposition in testimony and was also recommended and adopted unamended by both committees.
Later, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee took up several resolutions. HCR 36, establishing a sister-state relationship with Okayama, Japan, drew support from DBED, which highlighted educational, agricultural, and airport-related opportunities, and the committee moved it forward. HCR 19, designating March as March for Water Month, was supported by the Board of Water Supply. HCR 162, creating an arts data mapping task force, received support from DBED and arts advocates, including the Hawaii Youth Symphony. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, and nursery capacity, drew broad support from DLNR and multiple community testifiers emphasizing climate resilience, native forests, and storm recovery.
The committee also heard HCR 106 on designating Waikīkī as a world surfing reserve, with support from the University of Hawaii, and HCR 14 on a perpetual non-exclusive easement for existing drainage improvements at Waikīkī, which DLNR said had already been approved by the board and only needed legislative passage to execute. HCR 178, concerning a county set-aside for East Maui public trust water resources, drew testimony from the East Maui Water Authority and others supporting local control and public stewardship, while HCR 179, directing the Aamoku Advisory Committee to follow its rules and comply with Sunshine Law, drew testimony both in support and urging amendments to preserve Aamoku’s independent, semi-autonomous role. Because quorum was not available, decision-making on the later measures was deferred to the end of the 3 p.m. agenda.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 18th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- A foster home or are they winding up at Pinon or Pine Tree?
- So, on your last visit to Pine Tree, there seemed to be some serious security issues there.
- When was the last time you were at Pine Tree?
- Pine Tree? Madam Chair, they would be placed with a foster home.
- We try not to place infants at Pine Tree; we would typically do a foster home.