Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment also delays the imposition of the scheduled tax on natural gas fuel from January 1, 2026
• The amendment also delays the imposition of the scheduled tax on natural gas fuel from January 1, 2026
• Members, this concludes the Ag and Natural Resources budget recommendations. Thank you. Thank you.
• Might I add, the BMPs are voluntary in nature. Representative Eskamani. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• By appropriation, Senate Bill 2506, a bill to be entitled an act relating to natural resources.

Summary: The House convened on the final day of session, observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and for Representative Rosenwald’s father, then swore in and seated new members Boyles and Hodgers. The Speaker also outlined the chamber’s end-of-session priorities, including action on the budget and related conforming bills. The House then took up H.J.R. 5019, a constitutional amendment to expand Florida’s budget stabilization fund by raising the cap, requiring annual transfers, and allowing withdrawals for critical state needs. After sponsor explanations and questions about what would qualify as a critical need and how the fund might respond to possible federal funding cuts, the House adopted an amendment that added more flexibility for suspending transfers and withdrawals. The joint resolution then passed on final passage. Members next considered HB 7031, the tax package conference report. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or extends several sales tax exemptions and holidays, and makes changes affecting property taxes, local taxes, pari-mutuel taxes, and revenue distributions. Debate focused heavily on the new permanent exemption for ammunition and hunting-related items, the elimination of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related distributions, and the shift of some funding from recurring to nonrecurring status. Supporters argued the package provides tax relief and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents criticized the ammunition exemption and the reductions in recurring housing and transit support. The conference report was adopted and the bill passed. The House then passed HB 5017, which creates a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer from general revenue to retire state bonds early, and HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment. Finally, the chamber began explanation and questions on the General Appropriations Act conference report for fiscal year 2025-26, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major budget areas, including K-12 education, health care, transportation and economic development, agriculture and natural resources, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology, highlighting funding for school choice, Medicaid, housing, transportation infrastructure, Everglades restoration, workforce programs, cybersecurity, and technology modernization.

Transcript Highlights:

• I asked you to talk about natural disaster. Oh, sure.
• Yes, so what are the risks to California of natural disaster that you were referring to?
• Sea level rise is another, I would call it a natural disaster, pressure on the system.
• I'm Brian Cash with the Natural Resources Agency.
• I'm deputy secretary for water at the California Natural Resources Agency.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Natural Resource Disaster Subcommittee CS for...
• This will help protect the natural ecological and the natural archaeological history of these parks and
• People love coming into Florida because of our natural ecosystems.
• Representative, natural disasters are state of emergencies.
• Eighty percent of these diseases are genetic in nature.

Bills: SB 2, HB 2, HB 2000, HB 2196, HB 213, HB 222, HB 645, HB 1458, HB 1022, HB 141, HB 502, HB 643, HB 3093, HB 1700, HB 117, SB 503, SB 2, HB 120, HB 20, HB 150, HB 6, HB 100, HB 210, HB 215, HB 1393, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB 142, HB 451, HB 124, HB 2, HB 2000, HB 2196, HB 213, HB 222, HB 645, HB 1458, HB 1022, HB 141, HB 502, HB 643, HB 3093, HB 1700, HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Natural Resources will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
• We don't have natural rivers or elevation to carry the water away.
• Teaching about nature.
• We all admire your diligence in protecting Texas's natural resources.
• That's human nature. It happens.

Bills: HB 1520, HB 1525, HB 1530, HB 1535, HB 2068, HB 2091, HB 2347, HB 2372, HB 2805, HB 2815, HB 2867, HB 3154, HB 3482, HB 3483, HB 3663, HB 3781, HB 3901, HB 3915, HB 4135, HB 4153, HB 4158, HB 4329, HB 4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• asking that the commissioner of Natural asking that the commissioner of Natural Resources<01:45:
• Nature is a huge part of my life. I did have my boys up here earlier today.
• Nature is a huge part of my life. I did have my boys up here earlier today.
• would say the commissioner of Natural would say the commissioner of Natural Resources<01:57:44.639
• would do these natural would do these natural burials<02:07:34.800> and<02:07:35.440>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources will now come to order.
• With a quorum being present, the Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources will now go into executive
• and added that Smokey Bear is a good example of bears doing the right thing and getting outside in nature
• Bear is definitely a great example of bears in general doing the right thing and getting outside in nature
• But, you know, bears are part of nature.

Summary: The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources met in executive session and first took up House Bill 3193. The committee adopted a House Committee amendment that broadened the bill’s exceptions to include health, safety, and compelling human need, with members discussing access to water and concerns about limiting alternatives in state parks. After rolling the amendment into a substitute, the committee voted the House Committee substitute do pass by an 8-3 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 3366, sponsored by Representative Michael Burton, which would establish Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day. Burton described the history and growth of Missouri’s black bear population, argued that public education is needed to reduce human-bear conflicts, and suggested practical precautions such as using bear bells, securing food and trash, and not feeding bears. Members asked lighthearted questions about bear encounters, safety, and related wildlife topics, while generally expressing support for awareness and conservation. No one testified in favor, opposition, or for informational purposes on HB 3366 during the public testimony portion. The hearing on HB 3366 concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after finishing its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• they eat the wings the know naturally they eat the wings the know naturally they eat the wings the check
• I movies and things of that nature. I movies and things of that nature.
• difficult to ascertain due to the nature difficult to ascertain due to the nature of the injury.
• But moving on here and and this nature. But moving on here and and this nature.
• And you say, "No, but I'm a naturalized citizen." Well, but I'm a naturalized citizen."

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• things of that nature. things of that nature.
• But it was the homey natural name.
• Ian Bier and his team at Human Nature Natural Health in Portsmouth over many years have helped me to
• Ian Bier and his team at Human Nature<01:39:13.440> Natural<01:39:13.840> Health<01:39:
• natural is not going to be covered. natural is not going to be covered.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 562, which would create a home damage mitigation and resilience grant program aimed at helping homeowners make property improvements that could reduce insurance costs and non-renewals. Commissioner DJ Bettencourt of the New Hampshire Insurance Department explained that the program is modeled in part on Alabama’s safer homes program, but tailored for New Hampshire hazards such as floods, microbursts, heavy snow, ice, and falling trees. He said the grants would be limited to primary residences, subject to a means test, capped at $10,000, and intended to help homeowners make targeted improvements such as roof fortification or tree removal that could improve underwriting outcomes and lead to premium discounts. Bettencourt said the program would not use state taxpayer funds and would instead rely on philanthropic donations, possible federal or regional housing-bank funding, and other outside sources. He said the department would not need new staff, and that a current position could be reconfigured to help administer the program part-time. Committee members asked about the funding language, the meaning of “loans” in the bill, whether there were any other states using a similar no-state-funds model, and how many homeowners could be helped. Bettencourt said Rhode Island and Connecticut were moving forward in a similar way, and that the number of beneficiaries would depend on how much money is raised. Members also questioned how the grant program would actually lower premiums, whether savings would apply only to participants or more broadly, and how the IBHS evaluation process would work. Bettencourt and department staff said the direct benefit would be to the homeowner whose property is improved, though neighbors could also benefit in some cases. They explained that IBHS is a building-safety organization that certifies contractors and inspectors and that its standards can qualify homes for insurer discounts. Questions were also raised about confidentiality provisions, first-come-first-served grant awards, rollover of unused applications, and possible tax treatment of donations. The sponsor said those details would be addressed through rulemaking or existing tax rules, and no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• rates or establish a renewable natural rates or establish a renewable natural gas<01:16:39.880><
• Someone has to want to buy renewable natural gas.
• gas um and in that regard the natural gas um and in that regard the voluntary<01:17:18.080> nature
• My name is Yanes, Legislative Affairs Manager with the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas.
• Okay, we have the Department of Land and Natural Resources in support.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• gas and to generate electricity from natural gas.
• > na<00:20:01.120> natural<00:20:01.520> gas.
• A lot electricity from na natural gas.
• and changing uh increase in natural and changing uh increase in natural disasters<00:47:29.520><
• It is just the cost of all of these natural disasters.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] I call the meeting of the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee
• Colonel Rodman Smith, Director of Enforcement, Department of Natural Resources. Mr.
• commissioner Department of Natural commissioner Department of Natural Resources<00:17:41.120>
• Part of these appropriations went to the Department of Natural Resources.
• commission Department of Natural commission Department of Natural Resources<00:57:59.599> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• developing policies that capture methane from organic waste sources and convert it into renewable natural
• I'm Sam Wade, Vice President of Public Policy with the Renewable Natural Gas Coalition.
• I’ll be speaking on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
• Mark East Mason, Natural Resources Defense Council, support and concept. Thank you.
• Markese-Mason, Natural Resources Defense Council, support and concept. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of what was actually going to be nature of what was actually going to be uh<00:14:34.200> imposed
• <01:37:06.040> of<01:37:06.160> the given uh the chaotic nature of the given uh the
• chaotic nature of the world.<01:37:06.960> And<01:37:07.080> so,<01:37:07.200> the<
• Can you characterize the nature of your discussions with HECO if you've had them during this process?
• 41:41.600> your characterize the nature of your characterize the nature of your discussions<01

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered a long list of Governor’s messages for appointments to state boards and commissions, including the Board of Dentistry, Barbering and Cosmetology, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, Real Estate Commission, Board of Naturopathic Medicine, State Boxing Commission, Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Pharmacy, and the Public Utilities Commission. Most nominees and supporting agencies testified in support, and many nominees simply stood on their written testimony. Several nominees also answered questions about their experience and the issues facing their boards, including dental insurance and Medicaid concerns, condo and real estate disputes, pharmacy regulation and telepharmacy, boxing and MMA rule updates, and medical board service in rural areas. The committee discussed some contested or notable nominations in more detail. Richard Emery’s nomination to the Real Estate Commission drew opposition testimony tied to a condo management dispute, and he responded by emphasizing the need for factual evidence, mediation and complaint data, and better consumer education. Trinette Kahui and Andrea Ushijima were also nominated to the Real Estate Commission, with broad support. For the Boxing Commission, Robin Jumawan described ongoing statutory updates, MMA-related work, and delegation of amateur boxing rules. For the Hawaii Medical Board, Elizabeth Ignacio was strongly endorsed by state and industry witnesses as highly qualified and familiar with rural health issues, while Rebecca Sawai also received support from the board and Kaiser Permanente. In the decision-making portion, the committee moved to advise and consent to nearly all nominees on the agenda. Senator McKelvey stated reservations about Richard Emery due to opposition and possible conflicts, and also about nominees who were not present at the hearing, specifically Corrine Muldrow Soto and Stacie Kealoha Inouye; Senator Lamasao also noted reservations on those absent nominees. The chair disclosed personal acquaintance with Dr. Sawai and Andrea Ushijima. The committee then voted to adopt the recommendations, with the noted reservations and one no vote on GM 697 reflected in the record, and later reconvened to take up Governor’s Message 514/515 for John Etemura as chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, where additional support testimony was heard from the Governor’s office, DCCA, and former consumer advocacy staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have the Department of Land and Natural Resources providing comments.
• Luke Sarris with the Department of Natural Resources.
• Luke Sarris with the Department of Natural Resources.
• I'm a retired RN, 30 years in natural, nontoxic, so I quit hospital nursing.
• a retired RN 30 years in natural a retired RN 30 years in natural nontoxic<01:09:04.000> so

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees. In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees. Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.

Transcript Highlights:

• This joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water will come to order.
• This joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water and the Senate Committee on
• Wildfire is a natural and necessary feature of the state's landscape.
• Wildfire is a natural and necessary feature of the state's landscape.
• Michael Jerry with the Nature Conservancy.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, more wolves were not brought into Colorado because the Department of Natural Resources could
• The money that is still allocated to the Department of Natural Resources can still be used for conflict
• <00:09:39.840> Resources Department of Natural Resources Department of Natural Resources can
• And that's the deal that you have with nature.
• They're fighting it twice over, and they're fighting Mother Nature.

Keywords: Continuation of today's legislative session, beginning at 7:45 pm., 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, one of Hawaii's greatest visitor attractions is the unique natural beauty of our islands.
• One of Hawaii's greatest visitor attractions is the unique natural beauty of our islands.
• <01:19:44.480> resources<01:19:45.280> and families, when our natural resources and
• families, when our natural resources and cultural<01:19:46.239> identity<01:19:46.880> are
• Let's keep paddling together. leaps forward to preserve our natural leaps forward to preserve our natural

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In this amendment, again, technical in nature, cleans up writer language related to the Forever Green
• cleans up writer language related nature cleans up writer language related to<00:04:58.600> the
• The next amendment is the A5. which is technical in which is technical in nature<00:10:06.640> do<
• /c><00:10:06.880> other<00:10:07.079> members<00:10:07.720> have nature do other
• members have nature do other members have uh<00:10:11.040> questions<00:10:11.440> for

Bills: HF1704, HF2052

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• Resources The Agency of Natural Resources The Agency of Natural Resources attempted<00:17:29.320
• Resources, and the Natural Resources Board.
• <00:23:46.080> Resources, Equity, the Agency of Natural Resources, Equity, the Agency of Natural
• and the Natural Resources Board. and the Natural Resources Board.
• Resources, and the Natural Resources Board.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first passed H.953, an act approving an amendment to the charter of the town of Panton, on third reading by voice vote. It then took up S.325 on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, where a Lowell member offered an amendment to redefine conserved land for purposes of the conserved land inventory and Vermont’s conservation goals. The Speaker ruled that amendment not germane, and the House sustained that ruling. A separate Williamstown amendment to expand interim housing exemptions was then debated; supporters said it would help housing growth in already developed areas, including rural towns, while opponents from the Environment Committee and Ways and Means said it remained unfavorable and could affect towns that rely on Act 250 review. The House rejected that amendment by voice vote. A Barre City member then offered a wetlands amendment to limit Class 2 wetland buffers in targeted housing areas, arguing it would support housing in designated growth areas while still protecting most wetlands; after discussion, the member withdrew the amendment. The House then passed S.325 in concurrence with proposal of amendment by voice vote. The House next postponed action on S.208, relating to standards for law enforcement identification, for two legislative days. It then considered S.209, prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations. The Judiciary Committee explained that the bill expands existing civil-arrest protections beyond court proceedings to include schools, government buildings, DMV offices, libraries, polling places, social service sites, places of worship, camps, and health care facilities, while preserving exceptions for judicial warrants, court orders, contempt, and court security. The committee also described changes to remedies and definitions, including exclusions for temporary custody during a mental health crisis. Testimony cited included representatives from medical, immigrant justice, legal, library, municipal, faith, education, and civil rights groups; the bill was reported favorably by Judiciary on a 6-5 vote. A Bennington member offered an amendment to S.209 that would remove the governor’s statutory exemption to authorize 287(g) agreements, arguing such agreements can undermine due process, public safety, and trust in law enforcement. The Judiciary Committee had already found the amendment not germane, and the member withdrew it. Debate then continued on the committee-recommended bill, with a Sheldon member speaking from a law-enforcement perspective to argue Vermont already does not conduct civil immigration arrests and warning the bill could create confusion and liability for officers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before final action on S.209 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm calling the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water to order.
• We've been working for several years to open up the Mining, Mineral and Natural Resource Education Museum
• parents so that they know what the five Cs are for Arizona and why we are so successful with our natural
• Honorable Chair, ladies and distinguished members of the Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee
• “Madam Chair, I move that the Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee suspend its committee rule

Bills: HB2099, HB2263, HB2264, HB2330, HB2341, HB2492, HB2757, HB2782, HB2843, HB2889, HB2912, HB2915, HB2918, HB4025, HB4100, HCR2020, HCR2057

Keywords: water storage, long-term storage credits, groundwater management, drought contingency, Arizona water regulations, Colorado River, replenishment, groundwater savings facility, groundwater storage, underground water storage, active management area, irrigation non-expansion area, Arizona water law, water rights, water replenishment, recharge, water conservation district, multi-county water conservation district, CAP water, Central Arizona Project