Video & Transcript : 'retiree support' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Commerce committee hearing on HF2149, the 'Consumer Grocery Pricing Fairness Act' 3/26/25
Transcript Highlights:
- for</c><00:05:10.880><c> this</c> We urge your support for this We urge your support for this legislation
- Now, why should you support retailers. Now, why should you support us?
- </c><00:14:15.120><c> their</c> who continue to support their who continue to support their communities
- :15:50.800><c> lower</c><00:15:51.120><c> everyday</c> and support efforts to lower everyday and support
- </c> uh that would be required for my support uh that would be required for my support anyways.<00:29
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Mar 14, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 32
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you. you're here to support her B today you're here to support her B today please<00:15:10.600>
- Are you in support? In support, thank you.
- In support, thank you.
- </c><00:58:16.280><c> brief</c> Madame speaker in strong support brief Madame speaker in strong support
- The motion is carried. speaker representative Souza in support speaker representative Souza in support
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I'm Jim Donas, the mayor in Nashville, and I'm here in support of Bill 406 and in support of Senator
- Um, I'm Jim Donas, the mayor in Nashville, and I'm here in support of Bill 406 and in support of Senator
- Um, I'm Jim Donas, the mayor in Nashville, and I'm here in support of Bill 406 and in support of Senator
- And were two in support, 14 opposed.
- </c> people uh in support and one opposed. people uh in support and one opposed.
Committee:
Senate Finance
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Education K-16 Jan 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So we've tried to, in tandem, bring incredibly bold public school reforms and support, teacher support
- You know, I would be more than happy to support something innovative as this is after we fully support
- I'm here today in support of SB 2.
- We strongly support SB 2.
- That's why we're in support of SB 2.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits.
The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation.
Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 17th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's enjoyed bipartisan support. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
- This bill has had no opposition and has enjoyed bipartisan support.
- This bill is a support.
- It's a support recommendation. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
- This is a support bill. I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
Summary:
The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest and retirement recognitions, including tributes to long-serving Assembly staff Liz Foster and Teresa Trujillo. Members also made procedural motions, including placing SB 546 on the inactive file, re-referring SB 716 to the Local Government Committee, and rescinding prior actions on SB 1344 and SB 1273 to return them to the third reading file.
The body then took up a long series of concurrence and third-reading items, with most measures passing overwhelmingly. Among the bills discussed were AB 442 on working forest management plans, AB 2042 on civil actions, AB 1145 on vehicles, ACR 162 honoring Congressman Doug LaMalfa, AJR 17 on immigration registry renewal, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 1306 on controlled substances and semiconductor manufacturing, SB 1169 extending tentative map validity, SB 1211 on conviction integrity units, SB 971 on older adult education, SB 1193 on Alameda County discretionary funds, SB 1115 on public cemetery district trustee removal, SB 1187 removing language-access provisions from a Brown Act transparency measure, SB 505 on money transmitter security, SB 799 on the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, SB 994 banning NDAs for local officials and staff, SB 1405 on unclaimed retirement distributions, SB 881 extending food-bank-related tax incentives, SJR 18 on campaign finance reform, SB 1307 on forged real estate documents, and SB 1196 on utility hookup timelines. Most measures were approved with little or no opposition; SJR 18 passed 43-14, and several items required urgency or 54-vote thresholds and were adopted.
The Assembly also adopted HR 136 designating Home Hardening Week and the consent calendar, including ACR 228. The session concluded with adjournment-in-memory presentations for David and Lupe Navarro and Rachel Summers, followed by an announcement that the Assembly would reconvene the next day at 9 a.m. for a floor session recognizing departing members, and the House adjourned until Tuesday, August 18 at 9 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, seeing nobody else here in support. Is there anybody in opposition?
- I have my husband, Anton, who supports me in everything.
- Supports me in everything.
- We support her 100%. Thank you.
- Natasha Minsker, Smart Justice California, very happy to support Sarah Larson.
Summary:
The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments and routine agenda items. It first approved, on call, appointments not required to appear for Olivia May Assuncion to the Commission on Disability Access, William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors, and two California Law Revision Commission nominees, with one of the law revision appointments drawing a split vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments before moving to appointments required to appear.
Brian Bishop, nominated to lead the Division of Adult Parole Operations at CDCR, testified that he would emphasize public safety, accountability, rehabilitation, and staff well-being. In questioning, senators focused on risk assessment for higher-risk parolees, GPS monitoring, coordination with local law enforcement, victim protections, supervision of unhoused parolees, and oversight of private reentry/housing contractors. Bishop said DAPO uses data-driven supervision, risk tools, compliance sweeps with law enforcement, exclusion zones and administrative transfers to protect victims, and contract monitoring through invoices, site visits, and utilization reports. Public commenters from reentry and justice organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the nomination to the full Senate.
Sarah Larson, nominated to direct CDCR’s Facilities Management and Construction, described her CDCR background and said she wanted to help modernize the department’s aging infrastructure to support staff and incarcerated people. Senators asked about aligning facilities with a declining prison population, cooling and heat mitigation, safety during construction, prison closures such as Norco, disaster planning, and how closed facilities are maintained or could be reopened. Larson said CDCR has reduced its footprint, is piloting cooling upgrades at several sites, maintains closed facilities in cold shutdown with minimal upkeep, and uses emergency planning and mutual aid for disasters. She also said the department is exploring infrastructure master planning and more substantial, targeted improvements, and the committee again heard supportive public testimony before voting 5-0 to advance her nomination to the full Senate.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So as Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho support this bill.
- I'm here to stand in support of Senate Bill 1269.
- I am here to testify in support of this.
- I am here to support this bill because I support us continuing doing the cloud seeding.
- I am here to support this bill because I support us continuing doing the cloud seeding.
Committee:
Senate Resources and Environment
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs Feb 10th, 2026
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And I appreciate it because I'm supporting this.
- I will support it. I hope, literally to God, that we can get...
- So my long-winded rant is that I support the bill.
- But thank you for bringing this forward, and I support this.
- So maybe the support comes with a combination of repurpose of...
Keywords:
museum, cultural affairs, lowrider, Espanola, appropriation, feasibility study, broadband access, low-income, rural areas, Indian nations, affordable internet, employment opportunities, detention centers, immigration, economic development, repurposing facilities, job transition, rural development, housing, affordable housing
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 310, which would appropriate $1 million to continue planning and development for a Lowrider Museum in Española. The sponsor said the project had already received prior capital outlay support and that the new funding would help complete the study and planning phase for a future world-class museum. Members asked about the increase from prior funding levels and discussed the broader cultural and economic value of the museum. The bill received a do pass recommendation.
The committee then considered House Memorial 51, which addresses the economic and community impacts of ending civil immigration detention in affected rural counties. Sponsors said the memorial would call for planning around workforce retraining, economic diversification, community services, and possible repurposing of detention facilities. Testimony and discussion focused on the short-term harm to workers and local economies, the role of Workforce Solutions, and concerns about family disruption, housing, property tax revenue, and whether facilities might close or be repurposed. The memorial passed on a 7-0 vote.
Finally, the committee took up HB 194, which would expand the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code to support housing shortage areas and workforce housing through property tax freezes and related incentives. The sponsor and Apartment Association representative described the bill as a tool to increase missing-middle housing, with affordability requirements, voucher acceptance, audits, and reporting provisions. Members raised concerns that the amendment was very large and difficult to absorb in the committee timeframe, and several said they preferred to see it as a substitute bill. No motion was made to adopt the amendment, HB 194 was rolled, and HB 323 was also rolled because the sponsor was unavailable. The committee then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Feb 4th, 2026
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 488. ...as I support House Bill 488.
- I have provided written testimony for the fat men's bill 2636 in support.
- MassPack stands in strong support of House Bill 4597.
- MassPack has submitted written testimony that elaborates our further support and other items.
- Ryan Williams, who is here remotely, speaking in support. Can you hear me? Okay, yes, sir.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on late-filed bills and home rule petitions, with testimony taken both in person and virtually. The chairs reviewed hearing logistics and testimony limits, then heard a series of bill presentations covering public health, alcohol licensing, professional licensure, consumer issues, and automotive warranty reimbursement. Committee members asked questions throughout, particularly on interstate licensure compacts and the structure of proposed regulatory changes.
Representative John Barrett testified in support of H 4907, which would regulate the sale of nitrous oxide to curb recreational misuse and protect young people, and members echoed concerns about its health risks. Southbridge officials Peg Dean and David Adams supported H 488, seeking an extension of district liquor licenses to match delayed downtown revitalization and business development. Leslie Ross and Keith Buckout testified on S 2636, a cosmetology licensure compact, with Buckout explaining that compacts improve mobility for workers and military families; Melissa Willett of the Defense State Liaison Office also supported the compact for the same reason. Representative Mindy Domb testified for H 559, proposing a commission to study the effects of electronic textbooks and automatic textbook billing on students and affordability.
George Cronin of MassPack supported H 4597, which would limit new alcohol retail licenses within 500 feet of another alcohol seller after 2026 to address oversaturation; he said the bill would not disturb existing licenses. Luke Van Horn testified for H 559 and also raised concerns about H 4719, describing the burden of costly course materials and access codes on students. Mike Capuccio and Ryan Williams supported H 4719, which would create HVAC construction supervisor licensing, arguing it would improve consumer protection, accountability, and clean-energy outcomes; no opposition was heard on that bill in the excerpt. On H 4019, the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association supported a change to warranty reimbursement rules, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and Subaru New England opposed it, warning it would raise costs and allow overpayment using aftermarket time guides. The committee concluded by reading the agenda items and then voted unanimously to adjourn.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Feb 4th, 2026
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 488. ...as I support House Bill 488.
- I have provided written testimony for the 'fat men's bill' 2636 in support.
- MassPack stands in strong support of House Bill 4597.
- Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of House Bill 4719.
- And so we support a concept of trying to solve the problem.
Keywords:
cosmetology, cosmetologist, beauty industry, hairdresser, esthetician, salon, licensure compact, interstate compact, multistate license, license reciprocity, professional licensure, occupational licensing, workforce mobility, license portability, military spouse, military family, background check, disciplinary action, scope of practice, consumer protection
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Jan 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- A very smart bill that I'm excited to support today and ask you all to support as well. ...bill that
- I'm excited to support today and ask you all to support as well.
- We support it for two different reasons.
- I'm here in support of House Bill 2205.
- So I'll read my text in that support.
Summary:
The committee began in executive session with staff briefing several bills and proposed amendments. House Bill 2206, concerning uniformed and overseas civilian voting standards, was discussed but ultimately pulled from consideration for the day. House Bill 2123, dealing with foreign national donor reporting, was amended to raise the certification threshold to $6,000 and then advanced from committee on a 5-2 vote. House Bill 2120, which would remove two JLARC reporting requirements, also passed unanimously. House Bill 2411, authorizing shared leave for state employees involved in immigration enforcement actions or who are victims of hate crimes, was amended and then reported out on a 5-2 vote after debate over eligibility and privacy-related language.
The committee then held hearings on House Bill 2309 and House Bill 2205. HB 2309 would bar state civil service classifications from requiring a postgraduate degree unless required by law, with the sponsor and OFM saying it would reduce barriers to state employment and expand the applicant pool. Testimony in support emphasized workforce access, equity, and skill-based hiring. HB 2205 would expand tribal sports wagering to allow bets placed at any tribal gaming facility and permit wagering on Washington college teams, while continuing to prohibit bets on individual Washington student-athlete performance. Tribal leaders and casino operators supported the bill as a way to bring existing illegal betting into a regulated tribal system and improve integrity monitoring, while the University of Washington and Washington State University opposed it, warning of harassment, student-athlete safety concerns, and broader gambling harms. A taxpayer advocacy witness urged broader online sports betting options, arguing that limiting access drives bettors to offshore markets. The hearing on HB 2205 was left open and HB 2309 testimony concluded without further action.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House OKs conference agreement on HF2563, the Legacy finance bill 5/18/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Those are some of the major differences within the conference committee report, and I ask for member support
- And I ask for<00:01:38.400><c> member</c><00:01:38.720><c> support.
- Ladies and gentlemen, this is a good bill to support. A good yes vote.
- to programs that this is supportive to programs that bring<00:12:29.839><c> in</c><00:12:30.399><c>
- And with that, I will ask members for your support and to vote green. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Summary:
The House considered a conference committee report on House File 2563, the legacy bill, and members described it as a bipartisan agreement with the Senate. Representative Vang outlined several major changes from the House version, including restoring funding for Peace in the Valley in parks and trails, moving Wilderness Inquiry funding to the arts and culture fund, increasing the Minnesota Zoo to $3.4 million, raising the Children’s Museum to $1 million, setting aside $1.5 million for a competitive grant pool for children’s museums statewide, and increasing the Science Museum to $700,000. Supporters said the bill invests in clean water, parks and trails, outdoor heritage, arts and cultural heritage, and a new community identity and heritage grant program for underserved communities.
Several members spoke in favor of the report, emphasizing the value of legacy funds for conservation, cultural programming, tourism, and community identity. Speakers highlighted specific beneficiaries and projects, including outdoor heritage groups, the Science Museum, Latino arts and mural projects, and competitive funding for creative arts and music. One member noted that some state agencies also received appropriations in the bill and criticized fee increases on Minnesotans, while another said the bill reflected a fair negotiation process and that some programs saw reductions because of a $33.1 million accounting-related shortfall.
After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report. The clerk then took the roll, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a vote of 113 yeas and 21 nays, with its title agreed to.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes environment and natural resources finance bill, SF2077 5/5/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the support of our staff. Thank you, Mr. the support of our staff. Thank you, Mr.
- I stand in support of this bill.
- Um, I also rise in support of the bill.
- I do plan on supporting the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do plan on supporting the bill.
- A bipartisan<00:15:34.959><c> supported</c> bipartisan supported bipartisan supported position<00:15:
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I do come before you in support of House File 912.
- We do support House File 912 and thank the authors for bringing it forward.
- Members should not support this bill. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
- I come before you to express support for House File 2006. The City of St.
- I appreciate your support. And thank you, Chair Swazinski.
Committee:
House Taxes
Keywords:
individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Apr 13th, 2026
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I just wanted to outline my support for the amendment.
- Has the senator expressed any support in order for this committee sub?
- but the support of adding him into his bill?
- And if he doesn't support those, then his bill unfortunately won't come out of committee.
- So it's been several years of support. All right.
Summary:
The Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs considered House Bill 3381 and Senate Bill 1351. For HB 3381, members adopted a committee amendment clarifying guidelines for forgiving late fees in unusual circumstances or situations beyond taxpayers’ control, then rolled it into a substitute and advanced the bill. The final roll call on the House Committee Substitute for HB 3381 was 12 ayes and 0 noes, and the bill was reported due pass.
The committee then took up SB 1351, which was amended through a committee substitute that expanded the bill to include several education-related provisions. Members discussed additions including a literacy-related effort to develop a plan for incorporating cursive into standards, a driver safety framework, and other previously heard education items. One member raised concern about whether the bill sponsor supported the expanded scope and said they would not support the bill because of the process, though the chair said sponsor support had been discussed with the sponsor’s office.
The committee also adopted a Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Act amendment, described as a pilot program and standards-development effort focused on student media literacy and critical thinking, especially in light of AI. After rolling the amendments into a new substitute, the House Committee Substitute for SB 1351 was advanced on a roll call vote of 11 ayes and 2 noes, with Representatives Smith and Wolfin voting no.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment Apr 8th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- You're waving in support, not wishing to speak. Chad Stevens in support, not wishing to speak.
- Scott McKnight with CCA in support, not wishing to speak. Micah Denisee, CCA in support.
- I appreciate your support.
- I appreciate your support.
- Those paychecks that come in support South Plaquemines. Support the biggest private industry.
Committee:
House Natural Resources & Environment
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Also, to share some DAs who's all in support.
- Also to share some DAs who's all in support.
- Just want to echo our strong support for this bill.
- What groups support this?
- Well, LDH can't support or not support the bill, but they've helped me promulgate things they need.
Committee:
House Health and Welfare
Summary:
The committee first adopted the minutes from several prior 2025 meetings, then took up HB 574 by Rep. Spell, which updates the names of two organizations on the Mental Health Advocacy Service Board of Trustees. Rep. Spell explained it as a technical cleanup bill to correct the names of the Louisiana Mental Health Association and the Louisiana State Medical Society so the board’s membership records match current organization names. With no objections, HB 574 was reported favorably.
The committee then heard HB 486, also by Rep. Spell, to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PsyPact) and allow Louisiana psychologists to provide telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state lines. Rep. Spell and PsyPact representatives said the compact would expand access to mental health care, especially in rural areas, while maintaining standards and disciplinary oversight. The committee adopted amendments on fees and the effective date, and HB 486 was reported favorably with amendments.
HB 198 by Rep. Eccles proposed a Medicaid reimbursement methodology for ambulatory surgical centers, using a Medicare-based rate to improve access for Medicaid patients needing specialty procedures. Amendments were adopted to add ophthalmology-related services and to cap reimbursement at the lesser of the outpatient hospital rate or 100% of the Medicaid rate, along with a technical amendment to address the fiscal note. Supporters from GI and ASC groups said the bill would improve access and lower long-term costs, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments.
The committee spent the most time on HB 182 by Rep. Travis Johnson, which would require hospitals to ensure access to sexual assault forensic exams and related training. Johnson, law enforcement witnesses, and the Attorney General’s office emphasized the need for timely evidence collection, especially in rural areas, and said the current system leaves victims traveling long distances or losing evidence. Hospital and coroner witnesses supported the goal but opposed the bill as written, arguing it could impose duties on hospitals without enough trained personnel, funding, or a workable statewide training and coordination system; they urged a statewide coordinator, mobile SANE units, and clearer implementation. The bill was not finally disposed of in the portion of the meeting provided, and members discussed continuing to work on amendments and timing before floor consideration.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- It's funded with general revenue, federal funds, and various program support.
- This supports the options counseling program. Sorry if I'm not close enough.
- It is in the various program support. That's where it's coming in.
- We can support those students and families.
- How are we supporting students with that? Can we do that more efficiently?
Committee:
All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Now I stand here today in support of this change.
- I fully support HB 2032. I appreciate being here today. I fully support HB 2032.
- She fully supports HB 233.
- I fully support HB 2032.
- We are in support of Representative Bliss's bill.
Committee:
House House Education Committee of Reference
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 2266, which would change school release-time policy for religious instruction from permissive to mandatory for school districts and charter governing bodies. The sponsor and supporters said the bill protects parental choice, religious liberty, and constitutional release-time programs, while opponents argued it would reduce local control, pull students from instructional time, and expose schools to constitutional and social harms. After public testimony and debate over liability, indoctrination, and academic impact, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2266 a due pass recommendation.
The committee then took up House Bill 2193, a cleanup measure related to student directory information and parent organizations. The bill would allow parents of enrolled students or representatives of nonprofit organizations supporting a school to receive directory information unless a parent or eligible student opts out. Supporters from PTO/PTA groups said the change is needed so parent organizations can continue communicating with families and building school community, while members raised concerns about whether the language should be narrowed to avoid political or other misuse of student data. The sponsor said he was open to an amendment, and the committee approved HB 2193 on a 10-1 vote, with one member present.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2075, which would require public school districts to submit superintendent and other top administrator contracts or attestations to ADE and create a searchable online database of compensation details, including salary, benefits, and car allowances. The sponsor described it as a transparency measure, and the committee discussed an amendment to add more specific filing deadlines and the online database requirement. Opponents from school administrators and rural districts argued that superintendent salaries are already public, that the bill should also apply to charter and private schools receiving public funds, and that it could add burdens or distort comparisons across different public-sector labor markets. Supporters said the bill would make total compensation easier to access and reduce public records requests. The sponsor closed by saying the bill would centralize compensation information and simplify disclosure for districts.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The second prong, as we call it prong two, is support for non-lethals.
- That's why California must support community-wide adoption of proven practices.
- We represent seven million supporters nationwide.
- And yes, I totally support that. Yeah. And I think that it needs to happen much sooner.
- I thank you for your support. Good afternoon, Madam Chair.
Summary:
The hearing focused on human-wildlife conflict in California, especially predator management involving bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. The chair and Assemblymember Hadwick framed the issue as a balance between protecting people, livestock, and property while preserving wildlife and biodiversity, citing habitat loss, development, drought, wildfire, and climate change as drivers of conflict. Department of Fish and Wildlife officials described their conflict-response work, including public education, depredation permits, wildlife incident reporting, and coordination with sheriffs, counties, and other agencies. They also noted that wildlife sightings and conflicts are increasingly common in both rural and urban areas, including recent mountain lion activity in San Francisco and ongoing bear conflicts in places like Tahoe and Sierra Madre.
CDFW staff outlined the department’s human-wildlife conflict program, including the WEIR reporting system, a public toolkit, limited-term staff, and regional response efforts. They said the program grew out of drought-related incidents and later state funding, but that one-time money has expired, creating service gaps. Officials also discussed specific management approaches such as Tahoe’s trap-tag-haze bear program, DNA-based incident tracking, and the use of nonlethal deterrents before lethal action. For wolves, they explained that the species is protected and managed differently from bears and lions, that there is no general depredation-kill process for wolves, and that the department is working on data-sharing agreements, county liaisons, compensation programs, and improved coordination with ranchers and local law enforcement.
Members pressed the department on underreporting, trust in state agencies, the need for sheriffs to participate in investigations, and whether more authority should be given for public-safety removals or hazing. Assemblymember Gonzalez also raised wildlife trafficking and border enforcement issues in Southern California. The panel repeatedly emphasized that more resources, technology, and local partnerships are needed. Officials gave budget context, saying roughly $17 million in one-time funding over several years supported conflict response and wolf compensation efforts, but that staffing and program capacity remain limited. The chair concluded by noting interest in further work on technology, funding, and institutionalizing collaboration, and the hearing then moved to a second panel of university researchers who presented on wolf and mountain lion conflict, habitat planning, trust, and the need for flexible, science-based, locally tailored mitigation strategies.