Transcript Highlights:

• So think forest fire, think flood, think winter storm response.
• So think uh<00:50:15.359> forest<00:50:15.760> fire,<00:50:16.480> uh<00:50:16.720
• > think<00:50:16.960> flood,<00:50:17.440> think uh forest fire, uh think flood,
• think uh forest fire, uh think flood, think winter<00:50:18.000> storm<00:50:18.319> response

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• goals set does hold us to accountability, and we are currently up to 22% protected of our watershed forests
• up to 20 22% protected of our currently up to 20 22% protected of our watershed<00:45:52.720> forests
• > that<00:45:54.079> was<00:45:54.240> one<00:45:54.560> of watershed forests
• Um that was one of watershed forests.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 643, House Draft 2, which would create short-term management initiatives and appropriate funds for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Committee discussion focused on biocontrol efforts, including fungus and virus-based treatments, the need for a biosecure facility, and the timeline for testing and range studies. Department of Agriculture officials said initial testing is underway at the University of Hawaii, but full testing requires a higher-biosafety facility that is not yet available on island. Members also discussed funding levels, the possibility of a mobile facility, and whether the work could be accelerated. The committees later voted to pass HB 643 unamended. The committees also heard House Bill 736, House Draft 1, which would establish a three-year wastewater system and individual wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center. Supporters said the bill could help certify new, lower-cost decentralized wastewater technologies and reduce the cost of cesspool upgrades while improving water quality. University of Hawaii witnesses explained that the center would test technologies, collect samples, analyze results, and provide reports to the Department of Health for certification. Members raised concerns about whether the program would help communities facing immediate wastewater issues, the length of the testing timeline, and whether technologies like the Genki ball could be included. The committee was told the pilot would likely test one technology at a time over about nine months each, though multiple tests could run in parallel later. The committees voted to pass HB 736 unamended. After those measures, the joint committee moved to an AEN-only agenda and began hearing STR 111 / SR 92, which declares a public health emergency relating to climate change and calls for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Testimony in support came from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others. Supporters said climate change affects public health through heat, wildfire risk, invasive mosquitoes, and other impacts, and argued that the response should involve agriculture, planning, transportation, and emergency management, not just the Department of Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• fringe of the metro area, requiring people to drive the longest possible distances and destroying more forests
• additional housing built into this is additional housing cannot<00:42:26.880> be<00:42:27.200> Forest
• > an<00:42:27.800> area<00:42:28.079> that<00:42:28.200> would cannot be Forest
• on an area that would cannot be Forest on an area that would impact<00:42:28.760> flood<00:42

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Now Daria Forester, Deputy Public Defender.
• mados design oh with comments<00:18:26.440> now<00:18:26.679> Daria<00:18:27.000> Forester
• <00:18:27.520> Deputy comments now Daria Forester Deputy comments now Daria Forester Deputy

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on SB 284, which would remove the requirement that wiretapping applications to a designated judge be accompanied by a written memorandum from the Department of the Attorney General. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill as drafted and instead proposed a new emergency-wiretap procedure allowing county prosecutors to seek immediate judicial authorization in exigent circumstances, followed by AG review and a follow-up application within 48 hours. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office supported creating an emergency exception, citing a kidnapping case involving a missing material witness and the need to obtain live phone location data quickly, but asked that the AG be required to respond clearly within the follow-up period. The AG said the current wiretap process often arrives incomplete and noted a prior Honolulu application that was returned for more information and then abandoned. The committee also heard public testimony, including one speaker in support and another in opposition, and discussed whether the proposed emergency process should include imminent danger findings and what happens if the follow-up application is not approved. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up SB 295, which increases penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and makes related changes. The Deputy Public Defender opposed the bill’s higher penalties, arguing that not all restraining-order cases involve domestic violence and that the measure could affect family disputes, property conflicts, custody battles, and other non-domestic situations. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney supported the bill, saying it would create a more uniform and efficient charging framework and that violations of court orders can be serious even when the conduct appears minor in isolation. Domestic violence advocates also supported the measure, emphasizing the need for meaningful enforcement and deterrence; one witness cited statewide data showing thousands of TRO petitions but relatively few convictions and fines. A representative from the Domestic Violence Action Center supported the bill but requested amendments to reduce unintended consequences for survivors. During discussion, the committee focused on the proposed minimum sentence, with the Domestic Violence Action Center recommending reducing it from 15 days to 5 days. The witness explained that longer minimums can create hardships such as job loss, housing instability, and child care problems, while still allowing time for survivors to access shelter and services. The committee chair indicated support for amending the bill to reflect that recommendation. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney also clarified that the bill is intended to address violations of already-issued protective orders after judicial review, not the initial issuance of restraining orders, and said the office supports eliminating the distinction between domestic and non-domestic protective-order violations because charging decisions are often made under time pressure. Multiple individuals and organizations signed up in support, and one witness testified in opposition. No vote or final committee action was announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The working forest easement allowed Blandon to continue to use the land for timber production and retained
• The working forest easement allowed Blandon to continue to use the land for timber production and retained
• While the 2013 law attempted to address impacts of large industrial forest easement transactions, the
• :29:05.840> of<00:29:06.080> large<00:29:06.720> industrial<00:29:07.200> Forest
• impacts of large industrial Forest impacts of large industrial Forest easement<00:29:08.240>

Bills: HF1698, HF632, HF1352, HF2197, HF618, HF1248, HF1697

Keywords: property tax, exemption, leased land, public use, commercial property, HF632, Minnesota property tax, conservation easement, conservation restriction, assessed value, property valuation, tax assessment, real property, land conservation, farmland preservation, natural areas, riparian buffer, water quality, water quantity, county assessor

Transcript Highlights:

• there, and they were able to look and see that it was on Coconino, Apache, and the Tonto National Forest
• How many do you foresee needing to cover all of our forests? Yeah, Mr.

Bills: SB1020

Keywords: special plates, Arizona Space Commission, transportation, funding, space exploration, 1182, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 1020, which would create Arizona Space Commission special license plates and direct a portion of the plate fee to the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund. The bill’s sponsor and the Arizona Space Commission chair testified in support, emphasizing Arizona’s growing space industry, the need for a funding stream for the commission, and the bill’s role in promoting aerospace jobs, education, and economic development. They noted a planned floor amendment to extend the implementation deadline from 2026 to 2027. Members expressed strong support and highlighted Arizona’s competitiveness in space-related activity. The committee then heard a presentation from Deloitte on artificial intelligence in government. Deloitte described how AI and predictive analytics can improve state services, but stressed concerns about accountability, data quality, privacy, workforce impacts, and responsible use. The presentation used examples from public-sector data integration and predictive modeling, including how AI can help identify veterans who may qualify for benefits or other outreach, while cautioning that such tools should not be used for yes-or-no eligibility decisions. Members asked about data sources, accuracy, minors, privacy protections, and safeguards, and Deloitte said it follows a trust-and-governance framework and could provide more information later. Finally, the committee heard from Pano AI on wildfire detection technology. The presenter explained that the company uses camera towers, AI, and human review to detect smoke early, provide location data to responders, and improve initial attack on wildfires. She said the system is already deployed across Arizona through utilities, state agencies, and local departments, with more installations planned, and described examples where early detection helped contain fires and support evacuation and jurisdictional response. Members asked about coverage, weather limitations, funding, and future capabilities, and the presenter said the technology is a tool that will continue improving through better prediction and integration with other fire-management systems. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aseque and our retired professor Silvio Rodriguez, and we also are the genesis of the Cerro Negro forest
• communities that have since The Hermann's Lake fire has really taken seriously the need for not just forest

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 706, Aguiar-Curry, forest and wildfire preservation funds: do pass as amended to prohibit ratepayer
• AB 706, Aguiar-Curry, forest and wildfire preservation funds: due pass as amended to prohibit ratepayer

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 23, 2025 suspense hearing and opened by emphasizing the difficult budget environment, rising costs for constituents, and the need to make tough choices. The chair said many bills would be held, amended to reduce costs, or made two-year bills because the state could not afford broad program expansions this year. The committee also noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later that day. The committee then acted on a large suspense file, taking up hundreds of Assembly bills across topics including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, climate, water, transportation, elections, and technology. Many bills were held in committee, while many others were approved with cost-saving, clarifying, or author’s amendments. Examples included measures on CalABLE, Covered California enrollment, wildfire and insurance issues, reproductive health, school and college programs, prison and juvenile justice matters, AI and data privacy, and local government and utility regulation. Several bills were converted to two-year bills to continue discussion. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly voted on bills by A roll call or B roll call, often with Republicans not voting on amended measures. Some bills were advanced with notable amendments, such as narrowing scope, removing appropriations, delaying implementation, or striking costly provisions. The committee also approved a number of committee bills and omnibus measures, including emergency management, judiciary, insurance, and water-related bills. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved 435 bills to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass as amended, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Randy, we got the whole forest present today, so thank you.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The school is located in Stokes State Forest on top. Partisan support.
• The school is located in Stokes State Forest on 240 acres, with 63 buildings, a 12-acre lake, and a dam
• So they're kids like I was growing up that get to see a forest and hear the birds for the first time.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• veterans, they can't afford housing, will go—sometimes they go homeless—and they will go live in the forest
• , not like a rabbit going to live in the forest, but they'll do that to find cover.
• We have, in fact, people who are working and living in the forests surrounding Flagstaff, so we have

Bills: HB2352, HB2388, HB2418, HB2499, HB2500, HB2579, HB2584, HB2804

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2584, which would prohibit public funds from being used for genetic sequencing equipment made by companies owned or controlled by entities domiciled in a foreign adversary. The sponsor said the bill is intended to prevent sensitive genetic data from being sold or used against the United States. There was little public testimony, and the committee approved the bill on a 13-5 vote for a do pass recommendation. Members then considered HB 2804, a rural development and housing tax credit bill that would let the Department of Housing allocate up to $2 million per year in credits for qualifying rural affordable housing projects, with the program set to expire in 2037. Supporters, including the sponsor, the mayor of Flagstaff, and housing investors and developers, said the credit would leverage federal LIHTC dollars, attract private capital, and help finance affordable housing for seniors, veterans, and low-income residents in rural Arizona. Opponents from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club argued state LIHTC programs are inefficient, costly, and hard to oversee. The committee passed the bill 13-4. The committee also heard HB 2388, as amended, which appropriates $100,000 to the Arizona Commerce Authority to study the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers, with a report due by June 30, 2027. Supporters said the study could help Arizona plan for future energy and data-center growth, while opponents argued the agency already has other funding sources and should not receive additional money for the study. The amended bill passed 10-7. After a presentation from Auditor General Lindsay Perry on county treasurer procedural reviews and the Santa Cruz County embezzlement case, the committee approved HB 2352, which provides $2,385,900 in FY 2029 for the Auditor General to continue county treasurer reviews, on an 11-7 vote. The committee then unanimously approved HB 2418, as amended, which directs $600,000 to be evenly distributed among five major incident task force counties and codifies the longstanding distribution practice. Finally, the committee took up HB 2499, the first of two ESA administration bills, which would appropriate $2.6 million and 12 FTEs to the Department of Education for ESA administration and oversight beginning in FY 2027; the bill drew extended debate about ESA growth, accountability, testing, and spending oversight, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• resilience across our islands by taking responsible actions to both protect critical pasture lands, native forests
• 41:02.160> pasture<00:41:02.560> lands,<00:41:03.040> native<00:41:03.440> forests
• , Critical pasture lands, native forests, and protect our hunting areas.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're industry stakeholders from the grain, fertilizer, forest products, river, all of those industries
• And more recently, the two other products, the fertilizer model and the forest products model.
• farmers, or anyone affected by the movement of grain for sure, and fertilizer too, less so maybe from forest

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state recognizes that as forest reserves, and those funds come through DFA out to schools and counties
• had a 3 million hit between their schools and their counties because Secure Rural Schools and the Forest
• These are payments for Forest Service.

Transcript Highlights:

• to 8:00 p.m., the Joint State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee will host the annual forest
• Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. So encourage everybody to come.
• > annual resources committee will host the annual resources committee will host the annual forest
• health briefing with the US forest health briefing with the US forest<02:58:27.600> service<02
• service and the bureau of land forest service and the bureau of land management.<02:58:29.920> So

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• debris equipment that's going to forest debris equipment that's going to be<00:10:11.920> used
• You mentioned construction would include farmers, foresters, that would it include uh people who have
• You mentioned construction would include farmers, foresters, that would it include uh people who have
• You mentioned construction would include farmers, foresters, that would it include uh people who have
• You mentioned construction would include farmers, foresters, that would it include uh people who have

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With an abundance of gifts, from field to forest to mine, from lakes to streams to rivers.

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you for the fresh air, the rich soil, the wide open prairies, the vast forests, the wild and

Transcript Highlights:

• Gratitude rises for Minnesota, its lakes and forests, its fields and cities, its diverse voices and shared

Transcript Highlights:

• We give thanks for the land that makes up our beautiful state: the prairies and the forests, the bluffs
• You couldn't go to a state forest. You couldn't go to a national forest. They didn't explain that.
• You couldn't go to a state forest. You couldn't go to a national forest. They didn't explain that.

Keywords: 1183, house