Bills: HB1952 , HB1951 , HB1929 , HB2497 , HB2208 , HB2572 , HB1953 , HB2551 , HB2549 , HB1737 , HB1628 , HB1769 , HB2493 , HB2264 , HB1997 , HB2168 , HB2427 , HB1805 , HB2180 , HB2184 , HB2219 , HB2469 , HB2233 , HB2519 , HB2141 , HB1904 , HB2201 , HB2410 , HB2007 , HB2385 , HB2444 , HB2349 , HB2235 , HB1872 , HB2416 , HB2291 , HB2292 , HB2263 , HB2359 , HB2455 , HB1509 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB1648 , HB2164 , HB2323 , HB1825 , HB2172 , HB1888 , HB2005 , HB2387 , HB2358 , HB2119 , HB2276 , HB2472 , HB1714 , HB2325 , HB1541 , HB1960 , HB2140 , HB2315 , HB2367 , HB2388 , HB1696 , HB2333 , HB2138 , HB2332 , HB2283 , HB2059 , HB2057 , HB2589 , HB2417 , HB2337 , HB1588 , HB2217 , HB2020 , HB1915 , HB1742 , HB2026 , HB1965 , HB1546 , HB2360 , HB1563 , HB1749 , HB2614 , HB1511 , HB1753 , HB1849 , HB1641 , HB2161 , HB2194 , HB1721 , HB2284 , HB2188 , HB1897 , HB1880 , HB1573 , HB1876 , HB20 , HB2137

Keywords: HB1952, Hawaii agriculture, University of Hawaii, CTAHR, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Kauai, agricultural research station, extension station, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, appropriation, ADA compliance, Americans with Disabilities Act, certified kitchen, greenhouse, laboratory, field research, cesspool decommissioning, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• It's controlled by SpaceX.
• spectrum first is essentially going to have a lot of control over what happens all over Earth.
• If you recall, SB 8 in its original form only had counties with With a population of 100,000 or more.
• The county with a population under 100,000 under the House version would be $5,000.
• The bill would basically allow the state to dictate how cities control their communities.

Bills: HCR158 , HCR159 , HCR160 , HCR161 , HCR162 , HCR163 , HCR164 , HR174 , HR427 , HR790 , HR810 , HR857 , HR866 , HR882 , HR883 , HR962 , HR966 , HR1001 , HR1045 , HR1085 , HR1097 , HR1127 , HR1138 , HR1141 , HR1150 , HR1152 , HR1292 , HR1296 , HR1304 , HR1305 , HR1306 , HR1308 , HR1309 , HR1310 , HR1311 , HR1312 , HR1313 , HR1315 , HR1317 , HR1318 , HR1320 , HR1321 , HR1322 , HR1323 , HR1324 , HR1325 , HR1327 , HR1328 , HR1329 , HR1330 , HR1331 , HR1332 , HR1333 , HR1334 , HR1335 , HR1338 , HR1340 , HR1341 , HR1342 , HR1343 , HR1344 , HR1345 , HR1346 , HR1347 , HR1348 , HR1349 , HR1352 , HR1353 , HR1354 , HR1355 , HR1358 , HR1359 , HR1360 , HR1361 , HR1362 , HR1363 , HR1364 , HR1365 , HR1366 , HR1368 , HR1369 , HR1370 , HR1380 , HR1383 , HR1384 , HR1385 , HR1386 , HR1387 , HR1388 , HR1389 , HR1390 , HR1392 , HR1393 , HR1396 , HR1397 , HR1398 , HR1399 , HR1400 , HR1402 , HR1403 , HR1404 , HR1405 , HR1406 , HR1407 , HR1408 , HR1409 , HR1410 , HR1411 , HR1412 , HR1413 , HR1414 , HR1415 , HR1417 , HR1418 , HR1419 , HR1420 , HR1421 , HR1422 , HR1424 , HR1425 , HR1426 , HR1427 , HR1428 , HR1429 , HR1430 , HR1431 , HR1432 , HR1433 , HR1434 , HR1435 , HR1436 , HR1437 , HR1438 , HR1440 , HR1441 , HR1442 , HR1443 , HR1444 , HR1445 , HR1447 , HR1448 , HR1449 , HR1450 , HR1452 , HR1453 , HR1454 , HR1455 , HR1456 , HR1458 , HR1459 , HR1460 , HR1461 , HR1462 , HR1463 , HR1464 , HR1465 , HR1466 , HR1467 , HR1469 , HR1470 , HR1471 , HR1472 , HR1473 , HR1475 , HR1477 , HCR132 , HCR154 , HR17 , HR49 , HR170 , HR275 , HR355 , HR356 , HR364 , HR369 , HR672 , HR690 , HR755 , HR756 , HR759 , HR762 , HR763 , HR781 , HR785 , HR848 , HR1240 , HR1265 , HR1303 , HR1307 , HR1314 , HR1316 , HR1319 , HR1326 , HR1336 , HR1337 , HR1350 , HR1351 , HR1367 , HR1371 , HR1372 , HR1373 , HR1374 , HR1375 , HR1376 , HR1377 , HR1378 , HR1379 , HR1382 , HR1391 , HR1395 , HR1451 , HR1457 , HR1468 , HR1474 , HR1476 , SB1637 , SB2878 , HB2885 , HB2017 , HB5246 , SB8 , SB2308 , SB1405 , HB 119 , SB3059 , SB15 , SB568 , SB2900 , HB3642 , HB3909 , SB268 , HB493 , SB2217 , HB2516 , SB650 , HB2963 , SB1610 , HB705 , SB2972 , SB1540 , HB40 , SB2753 , SB1660 , SB2024 , HB1545 , HB46

Keywords: World War II, V-J Day, Victory over Japan Day, Japan surrender, atomic bomb, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, USS Missouri, Douglas MacArthur, Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Potsdam Conference, Pacific Theater, Greatest Generation, veterans, military history, commemoration, concurrent resolution, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, this applies as mentioned, to populations over 200,000. thousand.
• And so that seemed like a logical. place to break off the population? Was it 200,000?
• Bill 9 uniformly across all counties in Texas, regardless of their population size.
• And so what you're asking the body is, where does this particular population fit?
• Also can be a very complicated population, but these are folks.

Bills: SB664 , SB40 , SB9 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB27 , SB207 , SB2938 , SB1901 , SB1227 , SB1248 , SB912 , SB1321 , SB2143 , SB2145 , SB1497 , SB1239 , SB2180 , SB1388 , SB1762 , SB1662 , SB1951 , SB1537 , SB493 , SB378 , SB1020 , SB1018 , SB992 , SB958 , SB920 , SB1350 , SCR25 , SB687 , SB1332 , SB2185 , SB552 , SB664 , SB40 , SB9 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB458 , SB482 , SB927 , SB984 , SB651 , SB1620 , SB2124 , SB2448 , SB841 , SB843 , SB402 , SB2662 , SB2053 , SB2332 , SB2112 , SB745 , SB1247 , SB1789 , SB27 , SB207 , SB2938 , SB1901 , SB1227 , SB1248 , SB912 , SB1321 , SB2143 , SB2145 , SB1497 , SB1239 , SB2180 , SB1388 , SB1762 , SB1662 , SB1951 , SB1537 , SB493 , SB378 , SB1020 , SB1018 , SB992 , SB958 , SB920 , SB1350 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HCR118 , HR559 , HCR59 , HCR135 , HCR141 , HCR46 , HCR109 , HCR10 , SCR25 , HB2525 , HB142 , HB140 , HB29 , HB451 , HB3809 , HB3307 , HB 1130 , HJR1 , HB9 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB2308

Keywords: Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A, bail training, Article 17.024, Article 15.17, local administrative judge, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Office of Court Administration, county courts, criminal justice, criminal jurisprudence, judicial qualifications

Transcript Highlights:

• And say, you now have the majority control.
• populations of people was through banning books.
• Front and center in this bill is local control.
• The entire population there in 2024 was 1,371 people.
• Why should we punish compliance with excessive control?

Bills: SB6 , SB30 , SB13 , SB2878 , SB2501 , SB66 , SB268 , SB331 , SB618 , SB414 , SB1394 , SB2425 , SB898 , SB993 , SB442 , SB735 , SB784 , SB2538 , SB1919 , SB1013 , SB2215 , SB2322 , SB626 , SB570 , SB747 , SB2183 , SB673 , SB1015 , SB1447 , SB1370 , SB1784 , SB1897 , SB2873 , SB2891 , SB2933 , SB2540 , SB2681 , SB2695 , SB1965 , SB2203 , SB872 , SB875 , SB1030 , SB1277 , SB1730 , SB1681 , SB1152 , SB2969 , SB2747 , SB2705 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB2080 , SB2721 , SB1986 , SB2392 , SB2539 , SB2857 , SB2799 , SB2785 , SB2782 , SB1531 , SB1927 , SB1263 , SB1098 , SB835 , SB3070 , SB22 , SJR27 , SB25 , SB7 , SB552 , SB1612 , SJR87 , SJR1 , SB6 , SB30 , SB13 , SB2878 , SB57 , SB127 , SB293 , SB441 , SB3059 , SB512 , SB241 , SB1718 , SB140 , SB2055 , SB2075 , SB2018 , SB1534 , SB1567 , SB785 , SB1233 , SB1580 , SB1663 , SB413 , SB447 , SB519 , SB467 , SB1579 , SB1191 , SB1021 , SB1838 , SB2807 , SB2835 , SB546 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2035 , SB2024 , SB1032 , SB1049 , SB1266 , SB1400 , SB1302 , SB401 , SB1596 , SB1281 , SB1242 , SB1343 , SB310 , SB1346 , SB2753 , SB2703 , SB2221 , SB1719 , SB2177 , SB800 , SB790 , SB748 , SB571 , SB1957 , SB1923 , SB1896 , SB1760 , SB1335 , SB2368 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB2965 , SB1563 , SB1467 , SB1164 , SB1137 , SB614 , SB705 , SB961 , SB918 , SB955 , SB869 , SB850 , SB863 , SB1610 , SB1055 , SB2206 , SB457 , SB2337 , SB1362 , SB926 , SB1494 , SB251 , SB456 , SB500 , SB1307 , SB2615 , SB2995 , SB2321 , SB973 , SB974 , SB865 , SB506 , SB781 , SB1522 , SB1558 , SB510 , SB667 , SB763 , SB2073 , SB1858 , SB1660 , SB505 , SB2900 , SB1433 , SB1540 , SB1964 , SB1300 , SB1644 , SB2217 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1758 , SB2480 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3073 , SB2920 , SB2781 , SB826 , SB766 , SB2460 , SB527 , SB1946 , SB2885 , SB1243 , SB2610 , SB2595 , SB857 , SB2501 , SB66 , SB268 , SB331 , SB618 , SB414 , SB1394 , SB2425 , SB898 , SB993 , SB442 , SB735 , SB784 , SB2538 , SB1919 , SB1013 , SB2215 , SB2322 , SB626 , SB570 , SB747 , SB2183 , SB673 , SB1015 , SB1447 , SB1370 , SB1784 , SB1897 , SB2873 , SB2891 , SB2933 , SB2540 , SB2681 , SB2695 , SB1965 , SB2203 , SB872 , SB875 , SB1030 , SB1277 , SB1730 , SB1681 , SB1152 , SB2969 , SB2747 , SB2705 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB2080 , SB2721 , SB1986 , SB2392 , SB2539 , SB2857 , SB2799 , SB2785 , SB2782 , SB1531 , SB1927 , SB1263 , SB1098 , SCR9 , HB5560 , HB762 , HB 107 , HB 114 , HB138 , HB4386 , HB2495 , HB581 , HB3348 , HB5323 , HB1584 , HB4341 , HB6 , HB171 , HB143 , HB449 , HB3486 , HB4263 , HB5246 , HB2 , HB2011 , SB17 , SB21

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school libraries, library advisory councils, parental rights, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, judicial branch, court security, expunction, pretrial intervention, youth diversion, record retention

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, 444 simply aligns state statute to federal regulations by allowing hospice personnel to control
• or to destroy controlled substances after the death of a patient.
• Allows distilleries firms the two locations controlled by the licensee to sell spirits.
• The committee just expands THC and a controlled substance to model federal guidelines.

Bills: SB1983 , SB444 , SB1503 , SB1561 , SB592 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB1567 , SB1833 , SB2026 , SB904 , SB2178 , SB1651 , SB1558 , SB1565 , SB1553 , SB1257 , SB65 , SB1749 , SB1242 , SB1642 , SB640 , SB667 , SB1436 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1794 , SB1644 , SB1533 , SB933 , SB1555

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Keywords: SB1983, foster care, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, child welfare, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention, private child-placing agency, Title 10A, Oklahoma

Transcript Highlights:

• It has become something that's being controlled by the PBMs, whether you're a part of a PBM or not.
• I think they have control of 80% of the drug market.
• There are three of them that control 80% of the market, but there are a whole lot of other ones out there
• does is it prohibits predatory pricing below market cost that's being forced by the three PBMs that control
• had, for instance, 20 years from now, and we had a massive switch to having this body entirely controlled

Bills: HR1051 , HR1048 , SB2074 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SB1983 , SB444 , SB1503 , SB1561 , SB592 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB1567 , SB1833 , SB2026 , SB904 , SB2178 , SB1651 , SB1558 , SB1565 , SB1553 , SB1257 , SB65 , SB1749 , SB1242 , SB1642 , SB640 , SB667 , SB1436 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1794 , SB1644 , SB1533 , SB933 , SB1555

Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly

Transcript Highlights:

• about the expansion population versus the Traditional population going back to the 90-year-old in a
• , the expansion population and the traditional population.
• So maybe there are some of that population, maybe the 25% of our population that's on the expansion or
• And having a population of 25% of our population that's on Medicaid, senator, we just can't afford to
• from the traditional population.

Bills: HB3312 , HB3700 , HB2981 , HB2961 , HB3016 , HB4478 , HB4326 , HB3025 , HB3710 , HB4125 , HB2951 , HB3082 , HB4142 , HB4106 , HB1752 , HB3268 , HB4440 , HJR1067 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1149 , SB1167 , HJR1024 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , HB3419 , HB3748 , HB4335 , HB3057 , HB3279 , HB4428 , HB3420 , HB3040 , HB4140 , HB1638 , HB3298 , HB4113 , HB1082 , HB4301 , HB3269 , HB3587 , HB4226 , HB4324 , HB4339 , HB4342 , HB3278 , HB3996 , HB4236 , HB4352

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Bills: HB3312 , HB3700 , HB2981 , HB2961 , HB3016 , HB4478 , HB4326 , HB3025 , HB3710 , HB4125 , HB2951 , HB3082 , HB4142 , HB4106 , HB1752 , HB3268 , HB4440 , HJR1067 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1149 , SB1167 , HJR1024 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , HB3419 , HB3748 , HB4335 , HB3057 , HB3279 , HB4428 , HB3420 , HB3040 , HB4140 , HB1638 , HB3298 , HB4113 , HB1082 , HB4301 , HB3269 , HB3587 , HB4226 , HB4324 , HB4339 , HB4342 , HB3278 , HB3996 , HB4236 , HB4352

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas Jake's goal is to provide support and therapy to the veteran population at the Veterans Affairs
• guess, would you believe, obviously, you mentioned the difference between those entities that are controlled
• House Bill 3907 addresses some workforce challenges we have with our vulnerable populations in Oklahoma

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

Bills: SB255 , SB199 , SB47 , HB605 , HB216 , HB621 , HB148 , HB389 , HB509 , HB248 , SB255 , SB199 , SB47 , HB605 , HB216 , HB621 , HB148 , HB389 , HB509 , HB248 , SB336 , SB293 , SB43 , HB420 , HB60 , HB188 , HB106 , HB105 , HB11 , SB336 , SB293 , SB43 , HB420 , HB60 , HB188 , HB106 , HB105 , HB11

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8, retail license, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture and Industries, testing and labeling, third-party laboratory, product safety, public health

Bills: SB1323 , SB1863 , SB1932 , SB1950 , SB1956 , SB1970 , SB1599 , SB1312 , SB1776 , SB1858 , SB1985 , SB1302 , SB1809 , SB1401 , SB2053 , SB1503 , SB1553 , SB1427 , SB1642 , SB1421 , SB1837 , SB1566 , SB1567 , SB1794 , SB1484 , SB1557 , SB1564 , SB1591 , SB1395 , SB1456 , SB1562 , SB1613 , SB1983 , SB1550 , SB2065 , SB2152 , SB2159 , SB2172 , SB2110 , SB2111 , SB2114

Keywords: memorial designation, highway, Sheriff Marty Grisham, transportation, Oklahoma Statutes, memorial highway, road designation, John Skelley, motor carrier, administrative hearing, legal representation, corporate liability, aviation, aircraft, surveillance, regulations, fees, Oklahoma statutes, memorial, highway designation

Transcript Highlights:

• As we were all growing up, but, you know, he was probably just trying to keep us all under control in
• Speaker and gentlemen, there are things sometimes out of the control of the folks who have asked for
• And the reason was outside of their control. The project hit a site.
• Speaker and gentlelady, do you realize you are taking away local control from school boards? Mr.
• So we are trying to keep control of involuntary commitment through this piece of legislation.

Bills: HB111 , HB61 , HB43 , HB156 , HB70 , SB3 , HB103 , HB109 , HB128 , HB247 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Bills: HB145 , HR1 , HB80 , SB29 , SB37 , HB206 , SB193 , SB58 , SB64 , HB153 , HB195 , HB234 , HB248 , HB255 , HB279 , HB287 , HB292 , HB303 , HB309 , HB371 , SB30 , SB35 , SB40 , SB43 , SB48 , SB96 , SB143 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County, public accountability, government oversight, impeachment power, children and vulnerable persons, public funds

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s not a way we can try and control the spread of the disease.
• It went from 8% to over 40% because they didn’t get it controlled.
• be able to control it, and it’s going to be out there.”
• entire deer population within just a few years.
• What is their population decrease?

Committee: House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1885, Representative VanSkoik’s bill. The committee moved the bill “do pass” and approved it by roll call vote, 22-0. After that action, the committee held a special presentation by the Grundy County R-5 FFA agriculture issues team. The FFA students presented a skit and discussion on chronic wasting disease (CWD) and the Missouri Department of Conservation’s targeted removal practices. Their presentation laid out competing concerns from farmers, deer hunters, families using venison, and conservation officials, including crop damage, hunting economics, deer population health, food safety, and the spread of CWD. Committee members asked questions about CWD prevalence in Grundy County, the Wisconsin and Kansas experiences, human health risks, Share the Harvest, testing practices, and the economic effects of deer hunting versus deer damage and collisions. Members praised the students’ preparation and presentation, and several offered suggestions about strengthening their factual support and economic data for competition. The committee also discussed the controversy around MDC’s CWD policies and the decision to pause targeted removals while more research is done. The meeting ended with thanks to the students and adjournment of the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would have a significant impact on Missouri's deer population.
• However, by the time just 5% of a deer population is infected, I fear the MDC wouldn't be able to control
• out our entire deer population within just a few years.
• What is their population decrease?
• I had a chance to have a control kill this time. I did not do it.

Committees: House Agriculture , House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And it just really stuck with me that his main point was you will never control rat population. ...with
• me that his main point was you will never control rat populations with poison.
• In order to really affect and control the rodent populations in our schools. Thank you. Thank you.
• Why are we poisoning the animals that can control the rodent population for us?
• Why are we poisoning the animals that can control the rodent population for us?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property. A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches. Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• Owned my own pest control company.
• We're controlling this problem.
• Yes, any public funds that were appropriated for rat control directly would go to private pest control
• Pest control goes to the homes. Who's calling pest control on behalf of public right-of-ways?
• districts or control authorities.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• rodent populations.
• I realize that our rodent population is out of control even today, and if we lose some of our tools today
• from growing out of control, which, if we do that, Their populations from growing out of control, which
• from growing out of control, which if we do that, their populations from growing out of control, which
• this and expect to appropriately control these pests.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on several bills, with most of the discussion focused on tribal representation and natural resource management. On HB 2117, which would add a tribal representative to the Board of Natural Resources, the prime sponsor and DNR officials said the bill would strengthen government-to-government relationships without replacing existing consultation duties. Tribal leaders from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation testified in support, as did the Commissioner of Public Lands and DNR’s tribal relations director. County and timber interests said they were not opposed to tribal representation but raised concerns about trust responsibilities, beneficiary interests, and whether the representative should come from a tribe with commercial forest management experience. The committee later closed testimony on HB 2117 and read into the record 192 pro, 124 con, and zero other sign-ins. The committee also heard HB 2516, which would impose a two-year moratorium on the use of certain anticoagulant rodenticides and bromethalin after a Department of Agriculture report and while the Washington State Academy of Sciences studies alternatives and impacts. The prime sponsor argued the bill balances rodent control with concerns about wildlife, groundwater, and human exposure, while opponents from the pest management industry warned it would remove effective tools and worsen rodent problems, especially for low-income and manufactured-home communities. Supporters included the Washington Poison Center, wildlife rehabilitators, Birds Connect Seattle, the Stillaguamish Tribe, and other advocates who cited poisonings in wildlife and children and pointed to non-toxic alternatives and integrated pest management. The committee read into the record 754 pro, 176 con, and five other sign-ins. For HB 2554, which would repeal RCW 77.110 and related language tied to Initiative 456 and tribal fishing rights, the sponsor and the Attorney General’s Office said the statute is unconstitutional and inconsistent with federal treaty law and court rulings. The Department of Fish and Wildlife also supported repeal, describing the measure as removing an unenforceable anti-tribal statute. The committee then moved on to HB 2327, a bill directing JLARC to audit the county forest board lands trust and DNR’s management of those lands. The sponsor, former Rep. Jim Buck, county representatives, and forest industry witnesses supported an independent review of the trust structure and performance; some asked for amendments to address reconveyance options, broader legal and ecological considerations, and consultation with tribes and the Board of Natural Resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• population in California.
• population in California.
• If the population gets too large and out of control, it may be beyond our ability then to really effectively
• So that was under the 1944 Flood Control Act.
• one-third of their population levels.

Summary: The committee heard several water, parks, and wildlife bills. AB 764 would expand the list of exotic non-game birds that can be managed in California to better control mute swan populations; the author and California Waterfowl said swans are invasive, aggressive, and rapidly increasing, while no opposition testified. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 616 would make the State Library Parks Pass program permanent by allowing state parks to transfer annual day-use passes to the State Library free of charge; supporters said it improves equitable access to parks, especially for low-income families, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 293 would require groundwater sustainability agencies to post board membership and a link to Form 700 filings online. Supporters, including the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, argued it would improve transparency and public trust, while opponents said the requirement was redundant and could discourage service on GSA boards. The bill passed, but with some no votes. AB 639 would narrow the definition of dams so certain weirs used for irrigation would not be subject to dam regulations; the author and technical witnesses said the structures pose no safety risk and are already closely managed, while members urged the bill be narrowed further to the Kings River area. It passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 679 would streamline land transfers for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks by exempting those acquisitions from the Public Works Board process. Supporters said it would speed conservation and park rebuilding after the CZU fire, while one member opposed it over cost and broader state land-management concerns; it passed as amended. AB 454 would remove the sunset on the California Migratory Bird Protection Act, making state protections for migratory birds permanent after federal rollback concerns; it passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved the consent calendar, and the meeting adjourned after add-on votes were taken for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is going to be population control.
• This is going to be population control.
• I think it's population control. Thank you.
• We're looking at population control.
• That's population-based control of local government.

Bills: SJR47 , SB1491 , SB1579 , SB1806 , SB1552 , SB483 , SB63 , SB137 , SB346 , SB514 , SB1344 , SB1360 , SB1380 , SB1437 , SB1189 , SB1217 , SB1221 , SB1262 , SB1272 , SB1325 , SB1339 , SB201

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, a ceremonial recognition of two Elgin High School students, Clayton Raoul and Leon Anderson, and bus driver Kevin McDonald for their heroic actions during a March 2 bus crash. A citation was read honoring their selfless efforts to evacuate injured students and assist first responders. The chamber also introduced several student pages and recognized visiting groups in the gallery, including Impact Oklahoma and the Ardmore Leadership Group. The Senate then considered several bills. Senate Bill 1491, requiring appointed presidential electors to take the same oath as other electors, advanced and passed. Senate Bill 1579, which requires assessors to mail taxpayers a statement of rights when property valuations increase, also advanced and passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1806, extending foster care eligibility to age 21 for those who opt in and meet program requirements, drew supportive debate about helping youth transition to adulthood; it advanced and passed as an emergency measure. A lengthy debate followed on Senate Bill 1552, which would allow certain large counties to pursue home rule charters through a voter-approved process. Supporters argued it would give populous counties more flexibility and local control, while opponents raised concerns about unequal treatment, population-based governance, rural representation, and possible constitutional issues. The bill advanced and then passed 26-18. Senate Bill 483, authorizing county-run relocation assistance programs funded by private donations for voluntarily relocating individuals, especially homeless persons, also prompted extensive questions about liability, trafficking concerns, accountability, and whether it could shift people between jurisdictions; it advanced and passed 39-6. Finally, Senate Bill 63, raising school board member stipends from $25 to $190 per meeting under permissive language, advanced over concerns about cost and then moved to final passage, with debate beginning at the end of the transcript.