Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee is called to order.
• report on the In fact, I invite members to read the committee report on the joint ad hoc committee on
• Thank you, committee, Madam Chairman, and the rest of the committee for having me back up here.
• Thank you so much, members of the committee.
• Do you have any examples of significant instances where you've ruled, where OAH has ruled against the

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard several election, victims’ rights, family court, and probation-related measures. SB 1425, an emergency bill moving Arizona’s primary election date earlier and adjusting related election timelines, was amended to move the primary to the second-to-last Tuesday in July and to remove the proposed compression of cure/ID deadlines; county officials supported it, and it received a do pass recommendation. SB 1289 and SCR 1013/SCR 1014 focused on foreign money in election administration and ballot measure campaigns, with supporters arguing the bills would close loopholes that allow foreign-backed funding to influence elections; some members raised concerns about breadth and enforcement, but both measures advanced. SB 1402 would require probationers on certain sex-offense-related monitoring to pay the cost of electronic monitoring; supporters said it would improve accountability and child safety, while opponents warned it could punish indigent people and divert money from treatment. It also received a do pass recommendation. The committee spent substantial time on family court bills. SB 1330 would allow a parent with less than 35% parenting time or no legal decision-making authority to request a jury trial in custody-related disputes; supporters described severe financial and emotional harm in family court and argued juries would provide a neutral check, while county and legal representatives opposed the bill as costly, slow, and ill-suited to specialized child-welfare decisions. Despite those objections, SB 1330 passed with a do pass recommendation. SB 1328, as amended, declared Arizona public policy to include protecting parents and a child’s right to equal access to both co-parents; supporters said it would clarify legislative intent, while opponents called it duplicative of existing law. It also passed. The committee also heard SB 1329, which would let parents sue court-appointed professionals in custody and parenting-time matters if the professional deviated from licensing ethics or standards. Supporters argued that quasi-judicial immunity and weak oversight have allowed harmful, expensive practices in family court, while opponents said existing malpractice and licensing remedies already exist and warned against expanding litigation. The bill received a do pass recommendation. SB 1326, allowing courts to award attorney fees and costs to victims when a party violates or worsens a victim-rights violation, also passed after supporters said it would help pro bono and victims’ attorneys enforce rights, and opponents said the term “exacerbates” was vague and the need was unclear. The committee approved the minutes and held SB 1285 and SB 1392 without hearing them.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the committees to be reviewing and working on.
• All right, Madam Chair and members of the committee.
• Why is it important to this committee?
• Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, I know that there are members of this committee who are former

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• for action pursuant to Rule 12.7 of the Rules of the Florida Senate.
• As required by Rule 12.7, the committees conducted an inquiry into the qualifications, experience, and
• and the Appropriations Committee.
• As the chairs of the substantive committee and the Appropriations Committee dealing with K-12 education
• Madam Rules Chair, you recognized? Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• under the Produce Safety Rule.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, committee members.
• I just wanna note it came to our committee, Senate Judiciary Committee. It was 23 pages.
• Of the committee. Thank you.
• Thank you, Committee members.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, because of... ...and be sent to the Rules Committee. Is there a discussion? Mr.
• I move that the bill receive a due pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• Chair. because of and be sent to the Rules Committee. Is there a discussion? Mr.
• I move that the bill receive a due pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• All in favor say aye. ...be sent to the Rules Committee. Is there any discussion?

Summary: The committee heard several local government bills. Senate Bill 6181, sponsored by Senator Conway, would let county legislative authorities in certain large western Washington counties file a city incorporation petition without collecting resident signatures if the area is fully within an urban growth boundary and has more than 25,000 people. Supporters from Pierce County said the current signature requirement makes incorporation too difficult for large urban unincorporated areas like South Hill, while opponents argued the signature threshold is an important test of community support and raised concerns about boundaries, taxes, and the adequacy of the bill’s details. Senate Bill 6132 would give the Port of Moses Lake additional bonding authority tied to a tax increment financing area to help finish a rail project; the port said rising costs and a pending federal grant made the extra flexibility necessary. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6154, which would give local governments more flexibility in how they use hydraulic project approval permits for culvert replacement. Counties and cities testified that many emergency culvert repairs are expensive and that some sites provide little fish habitat benefit, so they want the option to redirect equivalent resources to higher-priority fish passage projects elsewhere in the watershed. A few commenters supported the bill as a practical way to improve habitat and flood resilience, while one remote witness objected to the broader legal framework for salmon habitat projects. Senate Bill 6189 would extend from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028 the deadline for creating an additional public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities; Olympia, Tumwater, and regional partners said they need more time to complete feasibility and coordination work for a proposed aquatic center. In executive session, the committee took action on several bills. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6037 to Ways and Means, adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5983 to Rules, and passed Senate Bills 5995 and 6013 to Rules without amendments. For Senate Bill 6066, the committee adopted an amendment into a new substitute and passed the bill to the Transportation Committee. The committee did not take action on Senate Bills 5820 or 6064.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you came in, you saw the rules.
• , Senate Bill 853, Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement, Senate Bill 860, Committee on
• Limon 521 Gonzalez. 619 Committee on Education. 673 Ochoabog. 853 Committee on Labor, Public Employment
• and Retirement. 860 Committee on Governmental Organization and 864 Committee on Governmental Organization
• Okay, any comments from the committee? Any second? Okay. Any comments from the committee?

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 2, 2025, to consider 25 bills. After opening remarks and quorum, the committee approved a consent calendar of unanimously supported measures, including several Senate bills and committee bills, and then moved to individual items. SB 391, which would authorize the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge reasonable fees for data requests from research partners, drew support from the author and the California Teachers Association, which withdrew its opposition after amendments; the bill passed on a roll call. SB 251, an annual appropriations bill to pay three state claims totaling a little over $1.2 million, was supported by the Attorney General’s office and the Department of Finance and also passed. The committee then deemed the suspense calendar approved, covering SBs 748, 329, 388, 439, 458, 454, and 563, and took public comment on suspense-file bills. Commenters voiced support for SB 88 on biomass and SB 80. The committee next heard SB 477, which would clarify the Fair Employment and Housing Act to help the Civil Rights Department investigate and prosecute discrimination and harassment cases more efficiently; the author described changes to deadlines, complaint definitions, and venue rules, and the bill passed. SB 831, which updates the definition of geological hazards to reflect climate-change-related risks and clarify the California Geological Survey’s duties, received support from industry and passed without recorded opposition. Finally, SB 450, which clarifies California’s jurisdiction over adoption proceedings, including confirmatory adoptions for families who have moved out of state and requires all legal parents to be listed on adoption orders, was presented with support from Equality California and related groups. The bill was described as having no significant state cost and passed on a roll call. Several measures were approved with Republicans not voting, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• pursuant to House Rule 35A.
• </c> as a bill and referred to the Committee as a bill and referred to the Committee on<00:03:24.080>
• Section one amends Rule 804A of the Vermont Rules of Evidence to apply to children under 16 years of
• ><c> testimony</c> During committee, we heard testimony During committee, we heard testimony from<00:
• our committee vote was 1001.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to clause one of rule one, the Journal stands approved.
• PURSUANT TO CLAUSE ONE OF RULE ONE, THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED.
• All members of the escort committee will exit the chamber through the lobby doors.
• The rule of law, the certainty of stable and accessible rules, an independent judiciary resolving disputes
• THE RULE OF LAW, THE CERTAINTY OF STABLE AND ACCESSIBLE RULES, AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, RESOLVING DISPUTES

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee of &gt;&gt; House Bill 111 has passed. Committee of the<00:53:31.920><c> whole.
• Committee of House Bill 32 has passed. Committee of the<01:15:34.480><c> whole.
• </c> committee amendment read in? committee amendment read in?
• I move that the committee of committee I move that the committee of the<01:33:30.960><c> whole</c><01
• </c> &gt;&gt; Committee of the whole report. &gt;&gt; Committee of the whole report.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Have a great committee. All right.
• Good morning, Transportation Committee.
• Thank you for your time, committee members. Thank you, Mr. Chapman.
• That is why we get to have rules and regulations around it.
• A bright line is a clear rule. We know... A bright line is a clear rule.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and considered a series of bills, beginning with SB 266, which would exempt sales and use tax on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft sold from manufacturers to operators. Senator Harold said the measure is intended to help Florida attract an advanced air mobility industry and create jobs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of EVTOL aircraft and excluding drones, then reported the bill favorably. SB 350, by Senator DeSigley, was also reported favorably after a minor amendment; it allows local governments to permit vehicles to travel slowly on flooded streets without being treated as unlawfully impeding traffic. Supporters from the Florida PBA and Florida League of Cities waived in support. The committee next approved SB 706, designating part of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway. SB 628, Lucy’s Law, was heard with extensive emotional testimony from Lucy Fernandez’s parents and others. The bill strengthens boating safety by increasing penalties for reckless boating, requiring boating safety education after certain violations, and aligning some boating penalties more closely with motor vehicle laws. A substitute amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 872, dealing with county and municipal price controls for the removal and storage of electric vehicles, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from towing industry representatives about the added costs and storage constraints posed by damaged EVs; the Florida Insurance Council spoke in opposition. The committee then approved SB 650, which expands hazardous walking condition criteria for elementary school students to include walkways along freeways, ramps, and interchanges, regardless of speed limit. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated substantial testimony from safety advocates and families affected by distracted driving; it would rename Florida’s texting law as a hands-free driving law and prohibit handheld use of wireless devices while driving. The committee also passed SB 994, increasing driver education requirements for standard and learner’s licenses, and SB 662, designating a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street. Several senators recorded affirmative votes on bills after the roll calls, and the meeting adjourned after all listed measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• for action pursuant to Rule 12.7 of the Rules of the Florida Senate.
• As required by Rule 12.7, the committees conducted an inquiry into the qualifications, experience, and
• As required by Rule 12.7, the Committee on Ethics and Elections conducted an inquiry, at your direction
• and the Appropriations Committee.
• As the chairs of the substantive committee and the Appropriations Committee dealing with K-12 education

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then received and adopted, by a 39-0 vote, a committee report confirming 52 gubernatorial executive appointments to various state, regional, and local boards and commissions. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities, described as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package. Sponsor Senator Simon outlined provisions creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties facing population loss, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care support. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping grant language tied to new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties generally supported the bill, though some raised questions about eligibility for certain rural areas and how funds would be accessed. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then took up CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General findings by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance-based business plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including changes to the stabilization fund and documentation requirements. Senators from both parties debated transparency, accountability, and implementation concerns, with some also urging future attention to declining-enrollment school districts and the quality of scholarship providers. The bill passed 38-0. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House, welcomed Palm Beach County visitors in the gallery, and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Madam Chair, members of the committee. Ily Cato, committee staff.
• Pursuant to Senate Rule 49, as the committee has previously heard the official companion, Senate Bill
• I move that the bill receive a due pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• Pursuant to Senate Rule 49, as the committee has previously heard the official companion, Senate Bill
• I move that the bill receive a due pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several House education bills. HB 1796 would allow school districts, under existing debt limits and with voter-approved capital levies, to issue non-voted bonds for certain new construction projects. The sponsor and school district witnesses said it would let districts front-fund projects, speed construction, and reduce inflation-related costs; a member of the public opposed it as bypassing voters. HB 2317 would exempt school-day ECEAP and Head Start programs located in public school or community/technical college buildings from child care licensing. The sponsor and providers said the current licensing process is duplicative, delays services, and creates barriers to expanding early learning; no opposition was heard. The committee also heard HB 2594, which would codify McKinney-Vento homeless student protections in state law, require OSPI planning and reporting, and reinforce district responsibilities for students experiencing homelessness. The sponsor gave personal testimony about experiencing homelessness as a student, and advocates said the bill would improve coordination and accountability at no added cost. For HB 2557, which requires school districts to give parents a copy of special education evaluation reports by the 35th school day and hold the eligibility meeting at least five school days later, the sponsor said it would give families time to review reports; school psychologists and OSPI supported the substitute version, while some advocates asked for shorter timelines and clearer waiver language. After the hearings, the committee moved to executive session and advanced two bills: Substitute HB 2360, allowing schools to maintain and use stock albuterol under specified conditions, and Engrossed Substitute HB 2534, updating requirements for military families’ enrollment, records transfer, and related services. Both bills received due pass recommendations and were sent to Rules, with no recorded opposition in the executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're here for the LOFT oversight committee meeting.
• Goodwin, Senator Green, Senator Reinhardt, Vice Chairman Haste, Chairman Hall In accordance with Joint Rule
• That prohibits evaluators' ability to measure the application of those rules. Mr.
• So, we went to the rules and found that the number is 150.
• The decision-making is decentralized, and agencies are allowed to disregard rules by LOFT.

Committee: Senate Oversight Committee for the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT)

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and members of the committee. Uh, John Blanton.
• Uh John members of the committee.
• So, the court ruling that retired out.
• </c><00:03:43.519><c> um</c> until the time of the court ruling um until the time of the court ruling
• >> I don't believe the same rules would apply.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:11 Legislative Proposal: Representative Blanton: 01:12 • House Bill 220 Approval of Minutes: 10:07 Legislative Proposal: Senator Nunn: 10:24 • Sick Leave Flexibility for School District Employees Adjournment: 34:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Representative John Blanton’s bill on pension spiking and Kentucky Public Pension Authority administration. Blanton said the measure would make a prior court-related pension-spiking fix retroactive to July 1, 2022, so employees who retired between that date and the court ruling would be treated the same as those covered by the earlier legislation. KPPPA staff said they did not think the bill would go beyond the Court of Appeals ruling, but noted it could prompt requests from people who retired before July 1, 2022. Members asked about how many retirees might be affected, whether the language was narrow enough, and whether the bill could open the door to additional claims; Blanton estimated roughly 1,000 retirees would need review, with fewer actually impacted. No vote was taken on the bill in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senator Matt Nunn and Scott County Schools Superintendent Billy Parker present a proposal allowing school districts to offer teachers and other employees a voluntary payout for unused sick days. Supporters said the idea could improve attendance, reduce substitute costs and classroom disruptions, help retain younger teachers, and potentially lower long-term retirement-related costs because the payout would not count toward pension compensation. They emphasized the program would be optional for districts and employees, would require teachers to keep at least 15 sick days in reserve, and would be district-funded rather than a state cost. Members raised questions about budget impact, tax treatment, pension effects, and whether the incentive would actually change behavior; the bill sponsor and witnesses said the payout would be taxed like other compensation and would not affect TRS or CERS benefits. One member requested reporting on how the program would be used, and the sponsor said he would be open to adding that. The sponsor also noted a later committee-substitute change would allow use of accumulated sick leave for observance of religious holidays not otherwise on the school calendar, with a personal statement from the employee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary, read and receive the resolution from the Committee on Rules.
• House Joint from the committee on rules.
• House joint from the committee on rules.
• President, I have a report from the committee on rules. All right.
• </c> from the committee on rules using the from the committee on rules using the previous<01:42:53.040

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber also recognized guests, including members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and employees of the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative. A senator then delivered a Black History Month-style presentation highlighting James Weldon Johnson, A. Philip Randolph, Jan E. Matzeliger, and Percy Lavon Julian for their contributions to civil rights, labor, industry, and science. The Senate received House messages referring two Archives and History board appointments to the Committee on Confirmations, then took up numerous committee reports. Several bills from Finance and Taxation, Judiciary, Education Policy, Agriculture, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Healthcare, Tourism, Veterans and Military Affairs, State Government Affairs, and Local Legislation received favorable reports, some with amendments or substitutes, and were advanced to second reading and placement on the next legislative day’s calendar. The chamber also recommitted Senate Bill 266 to the Tourism Committee. The Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Llaya McNair to the Alabama Trust Fund Board, several members to the Credit Union Administration Board, and Elizabeth Smithart, Leslie Sanders, and Wayne Sers to the Alabama State Board of Human Resources. It then adopted several resolutions, including commendations and memorials, such as resolutions honoring Mary Francis Holland, the Stanhope Elmore boys bowling team, and Alicia Cannon for more than 50 years of service to the Alabama judicial system. The Senate also adopted a resolution creating the Study Commission on Artificial Intelligence and Children’s Internet Safety, after discussion about its purpose, membership, and duties; an amendment to the commission resolution was adopted before the resolution itself was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Final rule that CMS passed in 2024.
• , the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services final rule, often known as the access rule.
• The rule, often known as the access rule.
• Hello, Madam Chair, Committee Member.
• Hello, Madam Chair, committee member.

Summary: The hearing began with testimony from Let California Kids Hear and supporters urging action on pediatric hearing aid coverage. Advocates said California has repeatedly failed to enact a workable solution over the past eight years and argued that children need early access to sound to support development. The proposal discussed would limit the coverage mandate to the large-group market, which advocates said would cover roughly 70% to 80% of affected children and avoid the exchange-related cost issue that contributed to prior vetoes. Supporters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s health groups, backed the proposal, and the chair expressed sympathy and support while noting hope for a federal solution for exchange plans. The Department of Finance then gave opening remarks about the state’s structural deficit and the need to balance new investments against projected out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with a broad overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone initiatives, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, hospital seismic compliance, workforce programs, and the diaper access initiative. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, the behavioral health workforce pipeline, and the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, which HCAI said had reverted funds. The committee also discussed a proposed transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate to HCAI, new reporting on long-term care staffing and health coverage waiting periods, and a Behavioral Health Services Act workforce proposal that would use BHSA funds to support training, stipends, and technical assistance while offsetting $100 million in General Fund spending; members and LAO questioned the offset and asked for more detail, and the item was held open. HCAI also presented the Rural Health Transformation Program, explaining that California received $233.6 million in federal funds for the first year and had to revise its proposal so that $35 million in provider payments would be tied to specific transformative activities rather than general financial relief. The program will fund rural care model redesign, workforce development, and technology/infrastructure improvements, with grants to be rolled out on a tight timeline and subject to CMS approval. Members asked about the size of California’s award, the use of funds for maternity care, labor and delivery access, dialysis, tribal set-asides, and the role of a technical assistance contractor. The department said the program will use supply-and-demand workforce modeling to target funding and that all funds must be obligated by October 30. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined its budget and two major bill-related proposals: SB 41 on PBM reform and SB 306 on prior authorization transparency. DMHC said SB 41 would require PBM licensure, ban spread pricing, require rebate pass-through, and regulate pharmacy network practices, while SB 306 would require reporting on prior authorization and create a list of services exempt from prior authorization. DMHC requested additional positions and funding to implement both measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to a search committee, that search committee chose to enact various subcommittees.
• Good afternoon, committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• So tomorrow we'll do rules.
• So tomorrow we'll do rules.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee approved the January 20, 2026 minutes and then took up Senate Bill 1225, sponsored by Senator Den Hartog. The bill would codify a search committee process for public university president searches and add a 10-business-day waiting period before naming a sole finalist, with the stated goal of increasing transparency and allowing public engagement while also protecting candidates’ current jobs. Senator Den Hartog said the bill was prompted in part by the Boise State presidential search and asked that it be sent to the amending order so the waiting-period language would apply only to university president searches and not other government entities. After questions about student representation in the process, the committee voted to send SB 1225 to the amending order. The committee also heard a print request from Senator Carlson to rename Lewis-Clark State College as Lewis-Clark State University. The request was brief and was approved to print without objection. Later, Superintendent Debbie Critchfield introduced Idaho’s 2026 Teacher of the Year, Laron Johnson of Rigby High School. Johnson spoke at length about the importance of teacher-student relationships, mentoring, Holocaust and economics instruction, and keeping students connected to school. Committee members asked about growing school size, supporting new teachers, and rebuilding public respect for educators. Johnson emphasized relationships, administrative support, and staying focused on students. No formal action was taken on the Teacher of the Year presentation. Critchfield then presented an informational overview of proposed federal education waivers and an EdFlex-style request that would give Idaho more flexibility over reporting and assessment requirements. She said the state wants to reduce duplicative testing, especially for third graders, and allow students to choose from an approved list of high school assessments aligned to state standards and college/career readiness. Members asked about possible inclusion of ACT, NAEP, and other multi-measure assessments. Critchfield said the list is not final and that the State Board would evaluate options. The meeting ended with a reminder that the committee would take up rules the next day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, and welcome to the Friday, February 20th House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
• House Ag and Natural Resources Committee.
• I'm going to start by asking any members of the committee if they have questions.
• Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the committee. My name is Karina Allen.
• I will give the caveat to the committee that our team is very, very new.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on HEAL Act implementation, beginning with an orientation from Environmental Justice Council member David Mendoza. He described the law’s purpose as integrating environmental justice into agency decision-making, community engagement, tribal consultation, strategic planning, and environmental justice assessments, with the goal of reducing environmental health disparities and improving accountability to communities and tribes. He also discussed the council’s role, the interagency work group, challenges with limited volunteer and agency capacity, and concerns about inconsistent assessment formats and future funding pressures. Committee members asked about council composition, including the balance of tribal, community, business, and other representation, whether the HEAL Act increases permitting time or costs, how “overburdened” and “vulnerable” populations are defined, and whether the council should be refreshed or audited. Mendoza said the statute is not limited to racial categories and can include rural and low-income communities, that the council has not quantified permitting delays, and that there is no formal audit requirement, though the council is discussing how to improve its work. Members also raised questions about the relationship between the Environmental Justice Council and the Office of Equity, with Mendoza saying the bodies are complementary but should coordinate more closely. The Department of Agriculture then reported on its HEAL Act work. Director of Equity and Environmental Justice Nicole Johnson said WSDA conducts environmental justice assessments for significant actions, applies an equity lens to licensing, funding, rulemaking, and strategic planning, and has completed 11 EJ assessments to date. She highlighted pesticide regulation, animal health, and weights-and-measures work as examples of environmental and economic justice, and said the department recently hired a full-time tribal consultant and has only 1.5 FTE supporting HEAL implementation. Members asked whether WSDA’s assessments apply to its role on boards such as the Forest Practices Board; Johnson said the department’s current understanding is that assessments are conducted on agency work. The Department of Natural Resources then presented on its HEAL Act implementation, focusing on strategic planning, community engagement, tribal consultation, environmental justice assessments, and equitable funding. DNR officials said environmental justice is being embedded in the agency’s 2025-2029 strategic plan, in its Community Access and Impact Plan, and in its advisory committee and board representation efforts. They reported conducting EJ assessments for sustainable harvest calculations, agency request legislation, and a prescribed burn manager certificate program, and said DNR has invested about $130 million in overburdened communities and vulnerable populations in fiscal year 2025 through wildfire resilience, youth education, and urban forestry programs. Committee members pressed DNR on how it identifies impacted communities, why landowners were not more visible in the process, how agency-request legislation is being assessed, and whether assessments are required for actions taken through other boards and commissions. DNR said its current interpretation is that assessments apply to internal agency actions, that some notices may appear on OFM’s notices page rather than the completed-assessments dashboard, and that it would follow up on specific questions about its posted assessments and process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh please identify yourself committee.
• ,</c><00:04:43.440><c> it</c> or appearing before this committee, it or appearing before this committee
• I knew you were on the committee.
• committee is adjourned.
• committee is adjourned. committee and this committee is committee and this committee is adjourned.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome you here to our agriculture committee meeting.
• </c> committee might have. committee might have. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:04:34.560><c> you.
• Chairman, co-chairman, and members of the committee.
• Chairman, co-chairman, and members of the committee.
• Good work, committee. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. Good work, committee.

Bills: HJ0002 , SF0118 , SF0016

Committee: House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Keywords: mineral royalties, federal lands, Wyoming, revenue, education funding, transportation funding, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, eminent domain, water projects, legislative approval, state funding, land acquisition, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management, 916