Transcript Highlights:

• THERE IS NO APPLICATION IN PALM BEACH COUNTY.
• PALM BEACH COUNTY WANTED ME TO GIVE THEM THE LAND I'M NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF BUYING AND GIVING LAND TO
• WE WORK WITH EVERY CITY, EVERY COUNTY HAVE DIFFERENT ISSUES OWN THEY WANT TO HANDLE IT DIFFERENTLY SO
• MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IS BLESSED GEOGRAPHICALLY TO BE IN BETWEEN TWO NATIONAL PARKS.
• I CAN TELL YOU HE IS INVOLVED WITH MULTIPLE ORGANIZATIONS IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND IN SOUTH FLORIDA IN

Transcript Highlights:

• In any of the counties that I serve. Okay. Or I'm sorry, especially not Houston County.
• The bill expands the SCR law from 33 to 74 counties, allowing a landowner in these counties to file a
• And I wanted to mention one specific case, which is in Belton County.
• This bill simply allows the county judge to fill a vacancy of which...
• the vacancies filled by those same county judges.

Bills: HB937 , HB2078 , HB2080 , HB3322 , HB3350 , HB4212 , HB4630 , HB4896 , HB4951 , HB5348 , HB5675 , SB565 , SB971 , SB1662 , SB2124

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• These forests act as our nature's water factory, capturing rain, filtering pollutants, and ensuring a
• Mountains Watershed Partnership has worked tirelessly to combat invasive species, restore native forests
• the significance of the Alawā Watershed, a key component of this system which connects our upland forests
• These forests act as our nature's water factory, capturing rain, filtering pollutants, and ensuring a
• act as our Nature's water forests act as our Nature's water Factory<00:21:06.200><c> capturing</c><00

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• </c> respective county respective county state's<00:23:58.080><c> attorney</c><00:23:58.720><c> and</
• The defender general will county.
• It's about operating logging or forest products operations on tracks of forest.
• It's about operating logging or forest products operations on tracts of forest.
• </c> Washington County, or Southeast Vermont. Washington County, or Southeast Vermont.

Transcript Highlights:

• FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES I ASSUME? WAIVES IN SUPPORT.
• HOUSES THAT HAVE POPPED UP OVER IN HAMILTON COUNTY.
• MOST OF THAT PRIVATELY OWNED FOREST LAND HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR ANOTHER SOURCE OF WOOD.
• IT'S NOW MERGING ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS WITH FORESTERS.
• FOR EXAMPLE THE ATTORNEYS CAME FROM MY DISTRICT IN MY COUNTY AND COUNTY TO THE SOUTH OF ME IN A SUBSTANTIAL

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill grants the four counties, Whatcom County, where I represent being one, the option that other
• So to me, this is about providing Whatcom County and other counties the same options that other counties
• As you heard, Whatcom County is one of four counties that owns and operates a vehicle ferry, and we are
• This bill gives county ferry districts the same authority that counties already have, allowing them to
• and Wahkiakum County.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation-related bills. On Substitute House Bill 2251, staff explained changes to Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, including new operating and capital accounts and a revised split of auction proceeds among transportation, capital, operating, and air quality accounts. Members asked about the bill’s effect on CERA funding, the air quality account, and whether the bill responded to projected revenue declines. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the bill’s goal of clearer, more predictable budgeting; tribal testimony requested clearer protections and a dedicated tribal set-aside, while other witnesses supported the bill for its transparency and climate/transportation benefits. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2588, which would allow county ferry districts to operate and finance vehicle ferries, not just passenger-only ferries. The prime sponsor and county officials from Whatcom and Pierce described the bill as a local option to help fund aging ferry systems without raising taxes, and public testimony from island residents, county representatives, and advocacy groups strongly supported it as a way to stabilize essential ferry service. The committee also heard House Bill 2722, which would raise the vehicle weight threshold for Transportation Benefit District fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds. Staff said the change would modestly increase TBD revenue statewide, and the sponsor argued the current law unfairly exempts heavier trucks while lighter vehicles pay the fee. Cities and local officials supported the bill, while the trucking association said it would support a compromise at 9,000 pounds instead of 10,000. The committee also heard House Bill 2727, creating an Educational Transit Access Grant Program for transit agencies and community and technical colleges to pilot free or reduced fares for students; the sponsor and transit advocates said it would improve affordability and access, and testimony emphasized equity and student retention benefits. In executive session, the committee considered Second Substitute House Bill 1923, which would expand who can form passenger-only ferry service districts and where they can be formed, with added intent language related to southern resident orcas and a revised effective date. After discussion, the committee voted 23-4 to pass the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The chair also announced a deadline extension for amendment requests on bills heard that day and thanked staff before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• on both sides of the road, all you're going to see is forest upon forest upon forest.
• ><c> forest</c><00:18:34.799><c> upon</c> upon forest upon upon forest upon forest.<00:18:36.720><c>
• the forest.
• the forest.
• With that, forest would be very good. We got a forest would be very good.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Mine Road, which is one of the most popular OHV roads in the Payson area and on the Tonto National Forest
• Area and on the Tonto National Forest. Total lost cost from property taxes: $3,100 a year.
• enforcement on these lands, they still have to work with the chief law enforcement officer of the county
• You said it would not affect federal law enforcement getting approval from counties.

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we doing predictions for cities and counties and jurisdictions? Nope, nope.
• From there, you might take a bike ride over the Bay Bridge and head into beautiful Marin County.
• bird species documented in these counties compared to the rest of the United States.
• bird species documented in these counties compared to the rest of the United States.
• bird species documented in these counties compared to the rest of the United States.

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on the impacts of rising seas on coastal infrastructure, pollution, public health, access, and local economies, with an emphasis on San Diego and broader statewide examples. Chair Tasha Boerner opened by describing sea level rise, flooding, bluff collapse, and the state’s sea level rise action planning, and noted her prior bills that helped launch a Scripps bluff-collapse early warning pilot. Panel one featured Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps and Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, who described accelerating sea level rise, groundwater rise, flooding, erosion, and risks to sewage, transportation, ports, and contaminated sites. Gibson stressed that agencies are already adapting through permits, climate resolutions, stormwater updates, and infrastructure planning, but said the work will require major funding, better mapping, and streamlined permitting. Members then discussed early warning systems, groundwater inundation, federal funding uncertainty, and how state authority might fill gaps left by changing federal clean water rules. Boerner and Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza highlighted that sea level rise affects inland communities too, and asked about local mapping, long-term planning, and the cost of protecting or relocating vulnerable infrastructure. Former Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina said the city had the maps and plans but needed money, and urged faster permitting and more investment in protective projects. The panel also discussed the tension between environmental mitigation and urgent adaptation, with Gibson suggesting expanded mitigation banks and state revolving fund support, while Boerner and others noted the need to prioritize projects that protect communities and public health over bureaucratic delay. Panel two shifted to public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described outdoor equity work that introduces children and families, especially from historically excluded communities, to the ocean and teaches water safety and stewardship. He said sea level rise, pollution, and access restrictions threaten cultural continuity and free community programs, especially in places like Imperial Beach and the Tijuana River Valley. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission described how sea level rise threatens Bay Area tourism, airports, roads, ports, and neighborhoods built on fill, estimating roughly $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses if no action is taken. She said BCDC is working under SB 272 on regional shoreline adaptation plans, local government coordination, and regulatory innovation, while emphasizing the need for sustained funding and science. In the final panel, the Port of San Diego’s Philip Gibbons began describing the port’s climate adaptation work, including vulnerabilities to king tides, storm drain backflow, and long-term inundation that could affect roads, buildings, terminals, and parks. He said the port is using climate planning to assess risks and prepare for sea level rise while maintaining maritime commerce, recreation, and environmental stewardship. The hearing ended with a shared call for more funding, better data, streamlined permitting, and coordinated state, local, and federal action to protect coastal communities and infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> &gt;&gt; Senate Bill 3386, Dotto County, &gt;&gt; Senate Bill 3386, Dotto County, authorize<00:
• Clerk, please read the title. >> Senate Bill 3407, Jackson County, Revised Powers and Duties of County
• Clerk, please read the title. >> Senate Bill 3407, Jackson County, Revised Powers and Duties of County
• Clerk, please read the title. >> Senate Bill 3407, Jackson County, Revised Powers and Duties of County
• John Fountain, a uh just real sweet lady from Forest, just real sweet lady from Forest, Mississippi.<

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• </c> Gapinsky, Benton County Commissioner. Gapinsky, Benton County Commissioner.
• Hornsby is in Anoka County, and we're located bordering Washington County.
• County.
• Lake in Washington city of Forest Lake in Washington County.<00:25:29.039><c> And</c><00:25:29.200><
• So we carry County.

Bills: HF1569 , HF460 , HF850 , HF707 , HF798 , HF852 , HF366 , HF365 , HF836 , HF866 , HF885 , HF959 , HF1196 , HF1788 , HF1349 , HF2272 , HF2652 , HF1251 , HF607

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: transportation, bond issuance, capital investment, infrastructure, road improvements, HF460, Sibley County, Highway 21, County State-Aid Highway, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, transportation grant, infrastructure improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, stormwater, public works, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to the state of New Hampshire and County to the state of New Hampshire and County governments<01
• </c><01:11:00.800><c> forest</c> quickly would be up in forest forest quickly would be up in forest forest
• top third of Grafton County.
• top third of Grafton County.
• top third of Grafton County.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Fremont County, Lincoln County were a couple of other counties that saw significant reduction.
• ><c> were</c><00:32:11.919><c> a</c> Fremont County, Lincoln County were a Fremont County, Lincoln County
• the county portion the county level for the county portion of<00:32:18.880><c> the</c><00:32:19.039>
• We remove these funds and you take counties like I live in that have national forests; there's a reasonable
• </c> Hills National Forest, Teton Forest. Hills National Forest, Teton Forest.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• So, they gave us in lie lands largely up in Cimarron County.
• Our forester gets with OSU, conservation, and looks at heat maps.
• I mean, meet at the various county centers to have our annual auctions.
• So if the land isn't in a county, that goes everywhere.
• Definitely set up a meeting with you and our forester, who will geek out about it.

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> municipal and county government, SB78. municipal and county government, SB78.
• lands, our timber industry, residents, especially Kowas County.
• :40.880><c> especially</c><02:08:41.520><c> Kowas</c><02:08:42.159><c> County.
• </c> residents in especially Kowas County. residents in especially Kowas County.
• </c> Bill 124 enabling a municipal forest Bill 124 enabling a municipal forest committee<02:10:20.800

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:14.080><c> and</c> programs to assist state counties and programs to assist state counties
• So maybe the counties as well.
• So maybe the counties as well.
• So maybe the counties as well.
• ,</c> ourselves that we urge the counties, ourselves that we urge the counties, Congress<00:25:49.760

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The joint AEN-HRE hearing focused on HCR 130, HD1, which urges increased and sustained funding for the island invasive species committees and the Hawaii Ant Lab within the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. The Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent and noted that ISC funding flows through the Hawaii Invasive Species Council budget item via DLNR, while also describing ongoing collaboration with DLNR and efforts to support ant control work. Testifiers from CAPS, the University of Hawaii, the Oahu Invasive Species Committee, and CARES all supported the resolution, emphasizing that invasive species work is underfunded, that the island committees and Hawaii Ant Lab do critical control, research, outreach, and eradication work, and that sustained resources are needed to plan effectively and respond to priority pests such as little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frog. A lengthy exchange followed over whether the resolution was meaningful, since it would be urging the state to fund work the Legislature itself controls. Several members argued that a resolution alone has no legal effect and that funding should come through bills and appropriations instead. In response, the Department of Agriculture said its top biosecurity needs are personnel and chemicals, and noted it is building up its plant quarantine and plant pest control divisions with prior funding and HB 427. Oahu Invasive Species Committee representatives said they rely heavily on Hawaii Invasive Species Council grants, have limited soft funding, and need more stable resources; they also pointed to annual reports and prior testimony as documentation of their work. After a brief recess, the chairs announced they would pass the resolution with amendments to make it more relevant. The amendments changed the title and text to urge the counties, Congress, and other relevant agencies—not the state alone—to provide increased and sustained funding, and added language urging all of those bodies to seek federal grants. The AEN committee then voted to pass HCR 130, HD1, as amended, and the HRE committee also voted to pass it with amendments. The motion was adopted in both committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• We consist of 12 state agencies and offices, all four county planning departments, and four legislative
• </c> agencies and offices all four County agencies and offices all four County Planning<00:02:55.120>
• </c><00:32:04.519><c> Agro</c> Agriculture so inclusive of forest Agro Agriculture so inclusive of forest
• Agro Forest<00:32:05.200><c> pasture</c> Forest pasture Forest pasture croplands<00:32:07.200><c> um
• We're doing that in partnership with the counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• cuts to county program aid.
• All 87 counties receive it.
• All 87 counties receive it. the state. All 87 counties receive it.
• County program aid county program aid.
• </c> statemandated spending for counties. statemandated spending for counties.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the city of La Habra, which is located in Orange County
• The county itself had to find places to build homes to meet their RENA obligations.
• Angeles County and spreading as we speak.
• Just the land remains and whatever value the county assessor assigns to that.
• We just had a fire start this week in my county, Riverside County. So this problem is ongoing.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant to House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant to appropriations. appropriations
• And then it also, on page two, section C, the county clerk shall notify the county chairman and each
• The county clerk shall<00:41:45.520><c> notify</c><00:41:45.920><c> the</c><00:41:46.160><c> county</
• clerk and the heirs uh with the county clerk and the county<00:42:49.599><c> clerk</c><00:42:49.920>
• </c> our county clerks. our county clerks.