Video & Transcript Research : 'conservation'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Mar 17th, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Next, we have Stacey Gallagher with Sea Turtle Conservancy, and you are recognized. Thank you.
- I'm the policy coordinator at Sea Turtle Conservancy. Thank you all for your time.
- I'm the policy coordinator at Sea Turtle Conservancy.
- I’m going to move on to tab 9: Senate Bill 1142 regarding release of conservation easements.
- I’m curious about how many conservation easements you think might be impacted by this bill?
Summary:
The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met with a quorum present and considered a series of environmental, water, waste, boating, and land-use bills. SB 834 on recreational fishing vessel licenses was briefly explained as aligning licensure rules for freshwater and saltwater captains and was reported favorably. SB 1208 on service lateral assessment and rehabilitation would require periodic CCTV inspections, a seven-year assessment cycle, and a long-term public database for sewer laterals; county representatives opposed it over private-property and cost concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 978 on advanced wastewater treatments, as amended, would require DEP reports and a long-term prioritization plan for upgrading large wastewater facilities to advanced treatment; the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably.
The committee then took up SB 1822 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of certain packaging and define the term in statute. The sponsor argued it would reduce a patchwork of local rules and help businesses, while opponents from environmental groups, local advocates, and some local governments warned it would weaken plastic and foam restrictions, including in parks and coastal communities. Despite substantial opposition and several senators expressing concern, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 384 on notice for annexation of state-owned lands, after a technical amendment requiring written or email notice to legislative delegations, and reported it favorably.
SB 1008 on waste incineration would bar new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within a half-mile of residential, commercial, or school property. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at preventing another fire-related incident like the Doral plant and clarified it was intended to apply only to new facilities, not existing ones; waste-to-energy and county representatives opposed it as too restrictive, while several senators sought clarifying changes. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute amendment to CS for SB 594 on port channel and turning basin buffer zones, reducing the proposed anchoring setback from 5,000 feet to 2,500 feet and allowing ports to create buffer zones after public hearings and rulemaking; the bill was then reported favorably. Finally, SB 830 on lost or abandoned property, aimed at streamlining removal of migrant vessels that pose navigational and environmental hazards, was reported favorably after brief support testimony.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Brooke Rollins, of Texas, to be Secretary of Agriculture. Jan 23rd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- They want conservation programs to help with the issues they are facing on their farms.
- Stand up for conservation, nutrition, and food security.
- Very locally-led conservation programs and conservation technical assistance are essential to implement
- Inflation Reduction Act, giving more farmers access to popular conservation programs.
- Conservation program participation.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Committees' Committee Jan 20th, 2026
Senate Committees' Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Absolutely, so in Conservation Debbie O'Malley has been added to the committee, and Senator Harold Pope
- So we took Senator Townsend off of conservation and replaced him with Senator Thornton, and vice versa
- It's now conservation. It was held. No, it was Judiciary. Sorry, now conservation.
- Oh, off of conservation. Conservation. So what's his second? Health. Health is one committee.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Committees' Committee Jan 20th, 2026 at 04:27 pm
Senate Committees' Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So in conservation, Senator Debbie O'Malley has been added to the committee and Senator Harold Pope has
- So we took Senator Townsend was removed from conservation and replaced with Senator Thornton, and vice
- It's now Conservation. It was held. No, it was Judiciary. Sorry. Now Conservation.
- And then you moved Hope off of Conservation. Conservation. So what's his second? Health.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WTL, EIG-WTL Public Hearings 03-28-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the staff person for the Legacy Land Conservation Commission and a program specialist for Legacy
- Land Conservation in the Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
- But I just wanted to share a personal connection that I have with this legacy land conservation program
- program is that uh I land conservation program is that uh I think<00:13:58.399>
in <00:13:58.880 - land conservation uh commission as well. land conservation uh commission as well.
Summary:
The Committee on Water and Land heard two gubernatorial nominations and one resolution. Governor’s Message 585 nominated Stanley Ruidas to the Game Management Advisory Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR supported the nomination, citing his prior service as GMAC chair from 2020 to 2022 and his work on hunting and wildlife management issues. Ruidas said he hoped to continue as chair and focus on bringing meetings to hunters across the islands and advancing island-specific wildlife management plans. The committee later recommended advice and consent on GM585, and the motion passed unanimously.
Governor’s Message 550 nominated Alexandra Kelly Polo to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR and several supporters, including the County of Hawaii and community advocates, praised her experience with land acquisition, conservation easements, and county open-space efforts. Kelly Polo said her work has helped protect thousands of acres on Hawaii Island and emphasized the importance of preserving natural resources and working with community groups. The committee recommended advice and consent on GM550, and the motion passed unanimously.
The committee also considered SCR 19/SR 100, which requested DLNR to convene a Kīua Bay advisory working group. DLNR and the Hawaii Tourism Authority offered written support, and members said the working group could help address long-standing issues in the area. The committee recommended passage with technical and nonsubstantive amendments, and the motion was adopted unanimously. In a separate joint portion of the meeting, the committees also advanced SCR 75/SR 58, supporting historic preservation staffing for Lahaina rebuild efforts, with both technical and substantive amendments, and later advanced STR 24 with an amendment to include the 100th Infantry Battalion alongside the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We have Stacy Gallagher with Sea Turtle Conservancy and you are recognized. >> Thank you.
- So we at sea Turtle Conservancy place, a special emphasis on Florida because our waterways and our beaches
- Regarding release of conservation easements Chair Rodriguez, you are recognized to explain the bill.
- That's a conservation easement in the middle of an industrial park because many, many years ago, someone
- But you've got to put this land conservation and it's literally industrial parks for as long as far as
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Hi, Natalie Brown with the Planning and Conservation League.
- Conservation Board.
- The Central Valley in particular is a conservation state conservancy desert, and we think there might
- Natalie Brown with the Planning and Conservation League. We should.
- Natalie Brown with the Planning and Conservation League.
Summary:
The committee heard several climate, environmental, and housing bills. AB 1425, dealing with pit dewatering near the San Joaquin River Parkway, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued the bill was needed to protect the river, groundwater, floodplain conditions, tribal and cultural resources, and public access from a proposed mining project near the river. Opponents, including Cemex, labor representatives, and industry groups, said the bill would bypass the CEQA process before it was complete, threaten jobs, and create uncertainty for an existing operation. Members questioned both sides about hydrology, blasting, dewatering, and the adequacy of the ongoing environmental review. The bill was moved, but several members expressed concern about preempting CEQA and some did not vote or voted no.
AB 881, which would allow California to move forward with carbon capture and sequestration pipelines, was presented as a way to advance state climate goals and capture federal funding. Supporters, including SMUD, labor, and industry groups, said the bill would help deploy carbon capture safely and preserve jobs. Environmental justice opponents supported stronger safety direction and warned that CO2 pipelines pose serious risks and that the state should not move ahead without clearer standards. The bill received a due-pass recommendation to Appropriations.
AB 1207, on the cap-and-trade allowance price ceiling and the social cost of carbon, was presented as a science-based update to California’s climate policy. The author and EDF said the bill would keep the program aligned with current economic and climate data and protect it from federal political interference. It received broad support and a due-pass recommendation. AB 1106, creating a coordinated network of air quality incident response centers, was also approved after testimony about wildfire smoke, toxic emissions, and the need for better real-time monitoring during disasters. AB 28, the Landfill Fire Safety Act, focused on the Chiquita Canyon landfill fire and related health impacts in Castaic and Val Verde; residents described serious illnesses and contamination concerns, while landfill and county representatives warned about costs and asked for more study. The committee nonetheless advanced the bill with a due-pass recommendation. The committee also heard AB 357, which would speed Coastal Commission review of student and faculty housing projects, with supporters citing student homelessness and opponents urging caution but acknowledging the need for more housing; the bill was presented and discussed, with the committee emphasizing the need to balance housing production and coastal oversight.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 4th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Colorado, but In that case, do you know how many conservatives, Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia, voted
- Here, Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia, our conservative stalwarts, voted against it.
- Colorado was decided by a liberal majority and that the new conservative majority Has denigrated Hill
- Colorado was decided by a liberal majority and that the new conservative majority has denigrated Hill
- Not only is Clarence Thomas a conservative icon, he is brilliant and has a way with words.
Bills:
SB1519, SB1775, SB1900, SB1948, SB2080, SB1226, SB1456, SB1462, SB1463, SB1980, SB1479, SB1608, SB1923
Keywords:
municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- That is what we conservatively advise when we are asked.
- The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission nominee, Joshua Kellum, is pulled to be voted on separately
- And now we will take up the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission nominee, Joshua Kellam.
- And now we will take up the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission nominee, Joshua Kellam.
- So I have a lot of background when it comes to wildlife and habitat conservation. And I'm here.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Florida Commission on Ethics on several proposed legislative changes. The commission asked for changes to the Whistleblower Act to better cover ethics complaints, a public records exemption for commissioners’ and staff members’ sensitive personal information, an expanded gift-disclosure family definition to include foster relationships, and a first-time waiver of fines for late financial disclosure filers. Staff also requested technical fixes, including treating a timely postmarked appeal as filed on time, clarifying Form 6 filing requirements for appointees to elected seats, extending ethics-training requirements to municipal appointees filling unexpired terms, and clarifying where Form 10 gift disclosures are filed. Commission staff reported high electronic filing compliance rates, the rollout of automated fines, and an average of 92 days for completed preliminary investigations in 2025. They also updated the committee on two federal court challenges involving the in-office lobbying ban and the Form 6 requirement for elected municipal officers.
The committee then heard from Secretary of State Cord Byrd, who outlined preparations for the 2026 election cycle and several policy proposals. He discussed work with new supervisors of elections, ongoing election-crimes enforcement, cooperation with federal agencies on citizenship verification, and data-sharing agreements with other states. Byrd also proposed a statewide pre-certification audit system with grants for smaller counties, a more streamlined process for checking voter citizenship status after registration, and a modernization fix for voter records affected by randomized driver’s license numbers. Members asked about special elections, election-crimes investigations, returning-citizen voting determinations, chain-of-custody procedures, and interstate data-sharing agreements. Byrd said special election timing is controlled by the governor, the elections-crimes office investigates but does not arrest, returning-citizen applications are resolved within 90 days, and he is confident in current chain-of-custody practices.
The committee also considered gubernatorial nominations. By unanimous vote, members approved a block of nominees, then separately took up Joshua Kellum’s nomination to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The committee heard sworn public testimony from Robin Blevins, who urged rejection of Kellum’s appointment and criticized his background and past involvement in FWC-related advocacy. After brief discussion, the committee voted unanimously to approve Kellum’s nomination as well.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Apr 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Flamingos are not making a comeback in our state due to conservation efforts after Hurricane Michael
- It is about identity conservation and culture.
- The Nature Conservancy waiving in support.
- Conservancy waiving against Kerry break, Florida Home Builders Association wishing to speak, waiving
- We have Kareem gold of the Nature Conservancy wishing to waive in support waive in support.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- I also have 11 years on the Conservation Commission in my town in Arlington.
- This reflects our broader industry commitment to a ...site into a conservation sanctuary.
- So we can conserve more and waste less. Right now, we're wasting perfectly good water.
- So water conservation really becomes more...
- But it's really time for us... ...to have a serious conversation about conserving water.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing with testimony on a range of environmental bills. Early testimony focused on H. 1018, which would update management of the Commonwealth’s water resources and limit new conditions on historic water registrations. Water officials from Wellesley and the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission supported the bill, arguing that drought-related restrictions on registered withdrawals are difficult to administer, create customer confusion, and can undermine utility revenue needed for infrastructure upgrades. A Massachusetts Waterworks Association representative also backed the bill, saying registered systems have long operated within their allocations and should not have those withdrawals conditioned by regulation.
A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 1040, which would ban tire-derived materials on playgrounds and playing fields. The bill’s petitioner, environmental advocates, and an environmental chemist testified that crumb rubber and other tire-derived infill can release chemicals into soil and water and may pose risks to aquatic life and public health. Committee members asked about alternatives and costs; witnesses said natural grass and some organic infills are available, though more research is needed on some substitutes. Rep. Schwartz also testified on CSO-related bills, describing combined sewer overflows as a public health and environmental problem and saying the bills set deadlines but leave implementation methods to local and regional officials. Rep. Chacolo supported H. 909, a grant program for low-noise, low-emission landscape equipment, citing worker health, noise, and emissions concerns, and Sen. Cyr testified for bills addressing coastal and environmental acidification and nutrient pollution.
The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 4040, which would prevent discharge of radioactive materials from the Pilgrim decommissioning process. Speakers including a Sierra Club representative, a physician, and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association opposed Holtec’s plan to dispose of radioactive wastewater through evaporation or discharge, citing public health, transparency, and economic risks to fisheries and coastal communities. Another large block of testimony addressed CSO legislation, especially H. 1046 and related bills for the MWRA service area. Environmental groups, residents, and river users described sewage overflows into the Charles, Mystic, and Alewife Brook, impacts on health and recreation, and the need for a timeline to eliminate or sharply reduce overflows. Industry representatives opposed the CSO and waste bills, arguing they would be costly, duplicative, and disruptive, while waste facility operators said they already use continuous emissions monitoring and comply with existing regulations. No votes were taken during the hearing.
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- An act to amend the Education Law, the Local Finance Law, and the Environmental Conservation Law in relation
- of the Education Law, the Local Finance Law, the Public Authorities Law, and the Environmental Conservation
- Law and the Environmental Conservation Law in relation to removing references related to the electric
- of the Education Law, the Local Finance Law, the Public Authorities Law, and the Environmental Conservation
- Conservation Law relating to electric school buses. Senator Roy. Thank you. Yes.
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee met on May 5, 2026, and considered a series of bills, several of them brought up through motions for committee consideration. Chair Shelley Mayer said she would allow brief remarks but stated her opposition to those motioned bills, emphasizing her general practice of giving minority members’ bills consideration. The committee first took up S-16 (Jacob’s Law, on bullying and related school safety issues), which was moved out of committee on a majority vote, with Senators Jackson and Bynoe recorded without recommendation.
The committee then debated S-717, a local bill by Senator Rose to exempt the Wantagh Union Free School District from the state’s indigenous mascots/logos restrictions. Senator Rose argued Wantagh’s mascot and name are tied to local history and not intended to denigrate anyone. The bill was moved, but the committee vote was not favorable enough to advance it, and it was referred onward to the Investigations Committee. S-4496, Senator White’s bill to protect women’s sports from what supporters described as unfair competition by biological males, drew strong support from the sponsor and strong opposition from Chair Mayer, who said she opposed it as mean-spirited and unnecessary; the bill did not advance.
The committee also considered several school bus and transportation bills. S-4748, by Senator Borrello, would repeal the electric school bus mandate and replace it with a feasibility study; he cited safety, cost, and operational problems with early adopters. S-8847, by Senator White, similarly sought to remove electric bus mandates and leave decisions to local districts, and S-9667, by Senator Ryan, would delay the zero-emission school bus mandate by five years. The committee advanced some of these measures to other committees or the floor, while others did not move. In addition, the committee approved S-7788 on special education reserve funds, S-8288A on reasonable rates for public school room use, S-8368 on records retention for Education Department proceedings, S-8370 on temporary resident placement of children with disabilities, S-8370 on release of student records to juvenile detention facilities, and S-1049 on updating the Dignity for All Students Act’s cyberbullying definition to include AI-related harassment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2495 relates to certain rights of the sole managing conservator of a child in relation to
- , independent, or exercised by agreement with the other conservators as applicable, such as the right
- When a sole managing conservator and a possessory conservator disagree on these issues, courts often
- Generally, then, House Bill 2495 would clarify that a sole managing conservator has the exclusive right
- I can tell you that this bill will be a tremendous help for both sole managing conservators and joint
Keywords:
HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Apr 10th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Once almost hunted to extinction, flamingos are now making a comeback in our state due to conservation
- It is about identity, conservation, and culture.
- Kareem Golden, The Nature Conservancy, waving in support. Thank you.
- It allows for the release of conservation easements on small, low, or non-functioning wetlands that are
- We have Kareem Golden of the Nature Conservancy, wishing to wave in support. No speaking?
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard and advanced a large slate of bills, beginning with SB 978, which directs DEP to report on large sewage disposal facilities, rank them for wastewater treatment upgrades, and provide progress reports; it was reported favorably without public opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and favorably reported SB 1388, which restricts vessel safety inspections without probable cause, creates a five-year safety decal, addresses spring protection zones, and bars FWC fishing licenses for commercial vessels owned by alien powers. Members raised some questions about spring protections and boating access, and one public witness urged further review of the spring-zone language. The committee then favorably reported SB 880, designating the American flamingo as state bird and the Florida scrub jay as state songbird, after testimony supporting both birds as symbols of Florida’s identity and conservation values.
Several other measures were heard and passed. SB 830, dealing with lost or abandoned migrant vessels and aligning with House language, was amended and reported favorably. SB 1326, which requires local plans to maintain hurricane evacuation clearance times and allocates building permits in Monroe County and nearby municipalities, was amended to spread allocations over at least 10 years and then passed. SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility to correctional officers and correctional probation officers and exempting certain public safety personnel from the waiting period for rifles and shotguns, was reported favorably after support from the Florida PBA. SB 26, an uncontested claim bill for injuries from a 2022 crash, also passed, with one member suggesting future consideration of health insurance coverage for victims in similar cases.
The committee additionally approved SB 98 on securities regulation and fingerprinting requirements, SB 1212 on firefighter health and safety, SB 196 on labeling food and cosmetics that contain vaccine materials or certain chemicals, SB 1300 restricting oil and gas drilling structures in sensitive areas, SB 1612 on financial institution assessment and stock offering timelines, and SB 492 on mitigation banking and wetland conservation easements. SB 1212 drew strong support from firefighters, while SB 492 drew both support and opposition from environmental and development interests, with concerns raised about wetland function, credit release timing, and conservation easement releases. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of 12 appointees to water management district governing boards and adjourned after members recorded individual votes on selected bills.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment May 26th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- and energy to look Urge the state and conservation and energy to look at producing policies that we
- Tanner McGee, Conservation Energy.
- Tanner McGee, Conservation Energy.
- because it was a conservation issue.
- Those are lands that fall under Wildlife and Fisheries conservation.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, July 14, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <04:31:20.960>
Conservation <04:31:21.600>and <04:31:21.920>Access wetland conserv - Conservation and Access wetland conserv Conservation and Access Improvement<04:31:23.040>
Act - The Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025 would extend critical wetlands conservation
- <04:34:48.561>
funding most successful conservation funding most successful conservation funding - Conservation Management and Jr. Conservation Management and Recreation<04:41:00.718>
Act.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Rodney Barreto, appointee to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, from the list.
- Barreto's development-over-conservation ideology How Mr.
- He is the chair of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
- His support for marine conservation cannot be overlooked or overstated.
- His support for marine conservation cannot be overlooked or overstated.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions recognizing interns, guests, and advocates. The Rules Chair added CS for CS for SB 622 to the special order calendar, and SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills when the measures were identical or nearly identical.
The Senate passed SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, requiring DEP to develop a recycling and waste diversion roadmap by 2026; SB 492 on land development and mitigation banking, after adopting amendments related to mitigation credit use and former phosphate mine lands; and SB 494/HB 255 on aggravated animal cruelty, which increases sentencing consequences and creates a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers, with an amendment clarifying the database language. The Senate also passed SB 500/HB 711 establishing the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, SB 524/HB 1089 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 592/HB 393 revising the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education, SB 936/HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment, and SB 1156 on a home health aid program for medically fragile children. Most of these bills were adopted after brief sponsor explanations, questions, and in some cases amendments or House-substitute motions.
Debate centered on several policy issues. Senators raised concerns about the constitutional and environmental implications of mitigation banking credits in SB 492, the scope and privacy implications of the animal abuse database in SB 494, the funding and eligibility details of the condo resilience program in SB 592, and the public-school/charter-school balance in SB 822, which drew extensive questioning about enrollment, governance, discipline, accountability, and data sharing before being placed on the third-reading calendar after amendments. The Spectrum Alert bill drew support from members who compared it to the Purple Alert and emphasized the risks faced by children with ASD. The medically fragile children home health aid bill also drew strong support, with senators describing it as a long-needed fix to help families provide in-home care without losing Medicaid coverage. Votes on the measures reported in the transcript were overwhelmingly favorable, with bills passing by margins such as 38-0, 35-3, 37-0, 36-0, and 35-0.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment May 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- and energy to look Urge the state and conservation and energy to look at producing policies that we
- We'll hear back from Conservatives for Clean Energy, Lindsay Cooper Phillips with Clean Air Task Force
- Tanner McGee, Conservation Energy.
- Tanner McGee, Conservation Energy.
- and Fisheries conservation.
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 480, which would allow anchoring in certain waterways, specifically Oyster Bayou, with restrictions to protect oyster leases and require a person to remain on board. After brief explanation from the sponsor, Representative DeWitt moved favorable and the bill was reported favorable without objection.
House Bill 510, which would have prohibited importation of captured carbon dioxide into Louisiana for sequestration, was discussed briefly. The sponsor said the proposal appeared to conflict with federal law and interstate commerce concerns, and he asked to voluntarily defer the bill. The committee agreed, and HB 510 was deferred. The committee also heard House Resolution 279, urging the state to study geothermal energy policy; after questions about geothermal technology and possible overlap with CCS infrastructure, the resolution was adopted on a 10-3 roll call vote and reported favorable.
The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 1152, as amended, dealing with the Carbon Dioxide Geologic Storage Trust Fund and a proposed injection fee for carbon sequestration projects. The amendment would set the fee at 19 cents per ton, with 12 cents going to the state trust fund and 7 cents going directly to affected parishes, while retaining existing fund caps and adding evacuation routes as an eligible local expenditure. Industry groups and local government representatives both testified: industry warned the proposal was rushed, could create uncertainty, and might hurt Louisiana’s competitiveness; parish officials argued locals need a meaningful revenue share, transparency, and bargaining power because they will bear emergency-response burdens. Members raised questions about the fee structure, exemptions for state lands and parish agreements, and whether the local share would continue for the life of a project. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript, with talk of creating an off-session task force or working group to continue negotiations for next year.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Sep 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm president of the Natchez and Trinity Valley Groundwater Conservation District.
- DFCs for individual groundwater conservation districts, right, as a water development board?
- It's three different counties, but only two counties in this groundwater conservation district.
- I don't have that here because it's not in the groundwater conservation district.
- Has always rested with the landowner under the oversight of local groundwater conservation districts.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Conservation
- new phenomenon, so what this resolution would do was create a task force with the Department of Conservation
- new phenomenon, so what this resolution would do was create a task force with the Department of Conservation
- Members, this creates the Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund.
- and Restoration Authority from one board to another, which is the Amite River Basin and Water Conservation