Transcript Highlights:

• The forested vegetation, we've got to help those areas rebound.
• Birdsong, thank you for your testimony regarding the forest vegetation, or I guess it'd be revegetation
• As camp professionals, working with you to provide the best practices and real camp experiences, uh,
• So that really is the best practice. Now, actually coming on property, I don't know what that is.
• I think that is the best practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just make one additional point in the hopes of endeavoring to not lose the forest for the trees.
• I'll just make one additional point in the hopes of endeavoring to not lose the forest for the trees.
• So these are primarily like some federal funds, federal forest reserves, grazing rights, mineral rights
• These support schools and charters that use specific research-based practices to help students who qualify
• for free or reduced Research-based practices to help students who qualify for free or reduced-price

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard an interim study proposal on Arkansas adult education and the Excel Center model, presented by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities. Witnesses argued that about 300,000 Arkansas adults lack a high school diploma or GED and described the Excel Center as a diploma-granting public charter option for adults 19 and older, with wraparound supports such as child care, transportation, tutoring, life coaching, and career services. They said the Arkansas campuses are not state-funded, highlighted growth in enrollment and graduation outcomes, and cited research showing improved employment, earnings, and reduced criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members discussed the role of Goodwill’s nonprofit mission, the need for multiple adult education pathways, and the relationship between adult education challenges and broader state efforts such as LEARNS and ACCESS. The committee then debated the interim study proposal procedure, including whether questions should have been taken before the vote. The motion to adopt the ISP passed, and members noted that the study would broadly examine adult education, GED testing, high school diplomas, charter schools, in-person adult education, and funding allocation. Several members asked for follow-up information on current adult education funding, the availability of Excel Centers, and the criminal justice study results. After that, staff from the Bureau of Legislative Research gave a detailed adequacy funding overview for Arkansas K-12 education. They reviewed national funding principles and then explained Arkansas’s revenue streams and distribution system, including general revenue, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, local property-tax revenues, and facilities partnership funding. They also walked through the state’s foundation formula, categorical aid, supplemental aid, and additional funding, including the per-student matrix amount of $7,771 for 2025 and how funds are allocated to districts and charters. Members asked about student support staff, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the Excel Center’s treatment in funding totals; staff said some of those questions would be addressed in a later spending presentation. The meeting ended after the committee was told the department was present mainly to answer questions and no further business remained.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing youth to practice fishing and hunting under proper guidance provides children... ...with more
• , a nonprofit conservation organization that has worked for 125 years to help protect the redwood forests
• In addition to being a biological hotspot, the region is also home to forests and coast redwoods that
• Mountains and tore through a tremendous amount of the landscape, reminding us just how vulnerable these forest

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several measures focused on conservation, wildlife access, and coastal protection. SB 1108 would create the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in Merced County to coordinate land, water, habitat, and wildlife corridor protection in the largest remaining wetland/grassland complex west of the Mississippi. Supporters, including the Grasslands Water District and Audubon California, emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, groundwater sustainability, and voluntary conservation easements; there was no opposition. The committee members generally praised the bill’s regional coordination and ecological significance. The committee also heard SB 1021, which would direct the Fish and Game Commission to create a program allowing youth with physician-certified life-threatening illnesses to participate in hunting and fishing opportunities under structured supervision. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate, tightly limited program with conservation safeguards, hunter education requirements, reporting, and a sunset. There was no opposition, and members expressed support for the bill’s intent. SB 949 would designate the Santa Cruz Mountains as a resource of statewide significance, with an emphasis on biodiversity, watershed protection, wildfire resilience, public access, working lands, and collaboration with tribes and private landowners. Support came from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Sempervirens Fund, and several local and conservation organizations; no opposition was heard. The committee also considered SJR 12, which urges the federal government to remove California from proposed offshore oil and gas leasing plans and calls for stronger environmental review and public engagement. Supporters cited spill risks, coastal economic harm, and prior local and state opposition to offshore drilling. All measures were approved by the committee, with the bills and resolution moving forward on recorded votes, and the consent calendar items were also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing youth to practice fishing and hunting under proper guidance provides children... ...with more
• , a nonprofit conservation organization that has worked for 125 years to help protect the redwood forests
• In addition to being a biological hotspot, the region is also home to forests and coast redwoods that
• Mountains and tore through a tremendous amount of the landscape, reminding us just how vulnerable these forest

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several conservation and wildlife-related measures. SB 1108 by Senator Caballero would create the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in the California Natural Resources Agency to coordinate protection and restoration of the Grasslands Ecological Area in Merced County. Supporters, including the Grasslands Water District, Audubon California, Defenders of Wildlife, California Waterfowl Association, The Nature Conservancy, and others, said the area is a major wetland and wildlife corridor facing groundwater-driven land retirement and needs a coordinated, voluntary, incentive-based framework. Senator Laird noted the bill followed prior conservancy models and moved it forward. The committee later approved SB 1108 on a 7-0 vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1021 by Senator Choi, which would direct the Fish and Game Commission to create a narrowly tailored program expanding hunting and fishing opportunities for youth with life-threatening illnesses. The author and supporters from Field of Dreams and the Angling Hunting Conservation Coalition described it as a compassionate, supervised program that would create meaningful experiences for families while maintaining hunter education and conservation safeguards. No opposition was presented, and the bill was approved 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 949 by Senator Becker would designate the Santa Cruz Mountains as a resource of statewide significance, with supporters from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Sempervirens Fund, Green Foothills, and others citing biodiversity, watershed protection, wildfire resilience, public access, and coordination across public and private lands. Some committee members raised questions about working lands, property rights, and fire responsibility, but the bill was moved forward and passed 5-0 to Appropriations. The committee also adopted SJR 12 by Senator Laird, which opposes the federal offshore oil and gas leasing plan for California waters; supporters emphasized spill risks, coastal economic impacts, and public opposition, and the resolution passed 5-1. File item 3, SB 1085, was pulled, and the remaining consent calendar items were adopted 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the montane forests that are at high elevation, you have the same issue: forests are too dense.
• We also represent about 50% of the state's forest carbon.
• It's restored that forest to a more historic state.
• Forest Service about consolidating their operations.
• United States Forest Service, California.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kennedy, on behalf of RCRC and our 40 member counties, we contain the vast majority of the state's forested
• installation and, importantly, maintenance of fuel breaks, fuel reduction, roadside fuel reduction, forest
• Kennedy, on behalf of RCRC and our 40 member counties, we contain the vast majority of the state's forested
• installation and, importantly, maintenance of fuel brakes, fuel reduction, roadside fuel reduction, forest
• It also creates some related. forest thinning and a handful of other types of projects but also creates

Summary: The committee heard AB 1603, which would restrict new PFAS pesticides from being registered in California and add transparency requirements for pesticide use reporting. The author and supporters argued PFAS are persistent, harmful chemicals that contaminate water, soil, and food, and said the bill would reduce future contamination and public health costs. Supporters included environmental and public health groups, water agencies, nurses, teachers, and local governments. Agricultural and chemical industry groups opposed the bill’s registration ban, arguing California already has strong pesticide review, that the measure could limit future safer formulations, and that it could raise costs and reduce farmers’ access to pest-control tools. Committee members raised questions about affordability, water contamination, and the role of state versus federal regulators; the author said the bill was needed because existing regulation is too slow and incomplete. No vote was taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard AB 2635, the Just Transition for Landscapers Act, which would create voucher programs and other support for landscapers transitioning from gas-powered to electric equipment, while limiting penalties and adding privacy protections. The author and supporters said many landscapers are low-wage immigrant workers who cannot afford the upfront cost of electric equipment and should not be punished for complying with local air-quality rules. Air district representatives and other opponents said the bill could be too prescriptive, could divert limited air district resources, and could create administrative and language-assistance burdens; one air district moved to neutral after amendments. Committee members discussed the health benefits of electric equipment and the need to avoid placing penalties on workers. The bill was held pending a quorum. The committee also heard AB 1732, which would extend CEQA streamlining to public university and community college housing projects. The author, UC student representatives, and the University of California said the bill would help address student housing insecurity and speed construction on already planned campus sites. There was no opposition. The committee then took up AB 1744, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as reef safe or reef friendly from containing certain chemicals that harm marine ecosystems. The author said the bill is a transparency measure, not a ban, and the committee expressed support; no opposition appeared. Additional bills discussed included AB 2152, which would streamline CEQA review for fire station projects and was supported by firefighters and local governments but opposed by contractors over a project labor agreement requirement; AB 2231, which would streamline two hospital projects in Santa Clara and Emeryville and drew broad support with no opposition; AB 2410, which would create temporary CEQA and Coastal Act exemptions for wildfire fuel-reduction projects and drew support from counties, cities, utilities, and fire officials but opposition from Sierra Club California over the breadth of the exemptions; and AB 2234, which would update geothermal exploratory project rules to reflect newer technologies, supported by clean power advocates and opposed or opposed-unless-amended by utility groups concerned about impacts on existing geothermal operations. Several of these measures were discussed with amendments, but votes were deferred where a quorum was not yet present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kennedy, on behalf of RCRC and our 40 member counties, we contain the vast majority of the state's forested
• installation and, importantly, maintenance of fuel breaks, fuel reduction, roadside fuel reduction, forest
• Kennedy, on behalf of RCRC and our 40 member counties, we contain the vast majority of the state's forested
• installation and, importantly, maintenance of fuel breaks, fuel reduction, roadside fuel reduction, forest
• It also creates some related... ...forest thinning and a handful of other types of projects, but also

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest Service does as far as our water quality goes throughout the state.
• Forest Service does as far as our water quality goes throughout the state.
• So as far as those that have been impacted through forest fires or flooding events, whatever the case
• got to do this, and I think we've got to continue doing this in perpetuity, just like we do with forest
• management practices that are careful with herbicides and overall impacts.

Bills: SB47, SB110, SB122, SB143, SB168

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, bosque management, Rio Grande, environmental protection, water resources, fiscal appropriation, drinking water, well owners, water testing, water treatment, public health, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• [applause] >> Lady from Forest, Miss McGee. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• </c> Lady from Forest, Miss McGee. Lady from Forest, Miss McGee.
• </c> Gentleman from Forest, Mr. Watson. Gentleman from Forest, Mr. Watson.
• County District 102, from Forest County District 102, District<00:27:07.200><c> 103.
• </c> support research and best practices support research and best practices related<01:16:00.560><c>

Keywords: MS House Floor - 5 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's also designating the primary purposes for our two national forests for being clear-cut by logging
• So we're trying to be really practical in our approach to the budget.
• this year and came up with a really good bill regarding data practices. request.
• Practice what you preach.
• At the end of the day, the bill is a good one; it's practical.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest Service just... ...being asked to participate in.
• In the montane forests at high elevation, you have the same issue: forests are too dense and need to
• It's restored that forest to a more historic state.
• Forest Service about consolidating their operations.
• United States Forest Service, California.

Summary: The subcommittee began by announcing a change in the agenda order, moving item 6 ahead of item 1 and then item 7, and noting there would be no votes taken on any items that day. Item 6 covered a proposed operational efficiencies control section for the Natural Resources Agency that would let multiple departments jointly fund landscape-scale or multi-jurisdictional projects and allow Finance to transfer climate bond funds to a lead state entity. The LAO said the proposal was reasonable but suggested the Legislature consider requiring summary notification on how it is used; Finance said it would consider that request. Item 7 focused on the 2026-27 biodiversity and nature-based solutions spending plan. Finance and the Wildlife Conservation Board described the climate bond funding for habitat restoration, wildlife crossings, public access, tribal nature-based solutions, and related work, including $111 million proposed for WCB and $30 million for Salton Sea habitat and public access projects. The LAO supported the overall approach but flagged the San Andreas Corridor Program as an area where the Legislature may want to specify geographic priorities. Members discussed the pace of Salton Sea work and whether the proposed projects would count toward disadvantaged community goals. Item 8 addressed Cal Fire’s aviation contract and staffing needs for wildfire response. Cal Fire said year-round fire activity, a larger and more complex aircraft fleet, and labor market pressures justified the proposed contract increase, including more mechanics, pilots, and maintenance support. The LAO recommended approval, saying the proposal addressed health and safety concerns. Members asked about contractor staffing, competition in the bidding process, and future technology for early fire detection and suppression. The committee then took up item 1 on golden mussel containment. Fish and Wildlife described the invasive species’ spread in the Delta, the task force and response framework, and a request for eight new positions funded by Prop. 4 to support control plans, outreach, monitoring, research, and coordination with partners and law enforcement. Members pressed the department on whether the state should fund more direct decontamination infrastructure and grants to local water managers, and on the realistic goal of containing the mussel. The chair and several members emphasized the urgency of the threat and requested an itemized breakdown of the $20 million request. The hearing then moved to a broader LAO overview of wildfire prevention and response funding, where the LAO summarized the state’s funding mix and warned that ongoing wildfire resilience funding will likely decline as one-time bond and GGRF funds are exhausted, prompting discussion of long-term funding options and the balance between prevention, suppression, and community hardening.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities must also document that they have achieved tangible progress toward implementing best practices
• ramifications in terms of loss of jobs and loss of economic viability, as well as the health of our forest
• And yes, we're all part of the forest products sector, which is critically important.
• ramifications in terms of loss of jobs and loss of economic viability, as well as the health of our forest
• over the last decade to decrease emissions associated with our product, as well as industry-leading practices

Summary: The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2537, which would change how energy-intensive, trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) are treated under the Climate Commitment Act. Committee staff and the bill sponsor explained that the measure would require Ecology to update its post-2034 report to include proposed allowance-reduction methods, leakage-risk adjustments, and consignment recommendations, and would add new reporting and decarbonization-planning requirements for EITEs to continue receiving no-cost allowances. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 2245, a separate Clean Energy Transformation Act bill, and later voted the proposed substitute out of committee on an 11-8 vote with 2 excused, after debate over exemptions for certain utilities and market customers. Supporters of HB 2537, including The Nature Conservancy, NRDC, Washington Conservation Action, Climate Solutions, Clean and Prosperous Washington, Ecology, and some utility representatives, said the bill would provide needed clarity, better data, and a path for long-term industrial decarbonization while helping prevent emissions leakage. They argued that EITEs receive substantial public value through free allowances and should be required to document emissions sources, energy needs, and feasible reduction pathways so the state can design a post-2035 policy consistent with climate goals. Ecology said it generally supports the bill, though it recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources not included in the governor’s budget. Opponents, including the Association of Washington Business, the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, the Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers, WISPA, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers, Food Northwest, Simplot, Kaiser Aluminum, and Newcor Steel, warned that the bill could increase compliance burdens, expose sensitive business information, and worsen leakage risks by making Washington less competitive. They said many facilities have already made major investments and face high capital costs, limited clean electricity supply, permitting delays, and technologies that are not yet commercially viable at scale. Several speakers pointed to recent plant closures and job losses in pulp and paper, food processing, and metals as evidence that leakage is already occurring, and urged the committee to preserve flexibility, protect confidentiality, and consider targeted funding or other incentives rather than new mandates alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• Present in the gallery with us today are CANA Incoming President Melanie Rowe, CRNA, CANA Practice Chair
• us, that the number one contributor to carbon emissions in the air is dead, decaying and burning forests
• something if we don't have the resources available to manage the over 200 million dead trees in our forest
• If an agency wanted to go in and manage their forest or manage their brush. first year I didn't get a
• administrators and I told them that we need to change our policies so that we implemented more restorative practices

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to fully fund our national forests.
• We need to fully fund our national forests.
• Muir Woods is a truly special place, preserving one of the last remaining ancient redwood forests, Muir
• Woods is a truly special place, preserving one of the last remaining ancient redwood forests in the
• Forest Service as a ranger and a firefighter, literally backbreaking work.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a long floor session focused heavily on budget trailer bills, labor agreements, housing, environmental review, and several resolutions. Members also introduced visiting guests, including family members, district staff, Mandela Washington Fellows, and UC Berkeley public policy students. Procedural motions were taken up early, including a successful roll-call vote to suspend rules so certain budget-related bills could be heard without reference to file. The chamber approved several major budget measures. SB 129, the labor trailer bill, passed 56-4 after supporters said it made technical budget adjustments, funded collective bargaining, supported In-Home Supportive Services, and addressed pension and project-related issues. SB 131, the public resources and housing trailer bill, passed 50-3 after extensive debate over homelessness funding, CEQA exemptions, advanced manufacturing, high-speed rail, rural access to funds, tribal consultation, and environmental protections; multiple members voiced support while also urging follow-up changes. The Assembly also adopted SB 139, implementing agreements for professional and operating engineers, by 69-1, and SB 140, implementing the correctional officers’ agreement, by 71-0. Later, AB 130, the housing trailer bill, was taken up on concurrence in Senate amendments after a successful rule suspension; members discussed tribal consultation protections, CEQA reform, prevailing wage, and vehicle miles traveled provisions, with debate continuing as the transcript ended. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 927, extending the Williams inspection window for certain school districts, which passed 70-0. In addition, ACR 16 naming the 10th Street Bridge the POW/MIA Bridge passed 70-0. AJR 9, urging full and consistent federal funding for the National Park Service, drew broad bipartisan support and passed 66-0 after members highlighted California parks’ economic and cultural importance. HR 47, recognizing the Fourth of July and the Declaration of Independence, prompted extended remarks on democracy, civics, immigration, military service, and community celebrations before being adopted by voice vote with 64 co-authors added. The consent calendar was also adopted 64-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assessing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions is aligned with the best practices of emissions accounting
• fund and manage the acquisition and protection of salmon habitat, multi-benefit farmland, and upland forest
• For example, tribes have been an important partner in conserving upland headwater forests for protection
• full advantage of, and it aligns with the step, with, pardon me, and helps us with aligning this practical
• that adds juice grapes as a covered agricultural product under the Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard public testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5971, which would create a green fertilizer incentive program to support low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer production in Washington. Committee staff and agency witnesses described the bill as implementing recommendations from a prior work group and said the Department of Agriculture and Ecology could develop the program, though Ecology recommended clarifying lifecycle emissions accounting, defining green fertilizer, and tying incentives to emissions reductions. Supporters, including a labor representative, Atlas Agro, NRDC, and TRIDEC, said the bill could reduce emissions, stabilize fertilizer prices for farmers, create jobs, and help Washington capture federal hydrogen tax credits. The committee also heard testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 6097, which would add federally recognized Indian tribes as eligible participants in the Conservation Futures Program; tribal, county, and land trust witnesses said the change would improve conservation partnerships, reduce transaction complexity, and better support stewardship of open space, farmland, and habitat. Public testimony tallies were read into the record for both bills, with strong support and opposition noted on each. After the hearings, the committee took up executive session on three bills. Senate Bill 5919, encouraging fire districts and insurers to create voluntary incentives for wildfire mitigation and agricultural activities, was moved out of committee with a due pass recommendation on a 10-0 vote with one excused. Senate Bill 5816, adding juice grapes as a covered agricultural product under the Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act, was also reported out with a due pass recommendation on a 10-0 vote with one excused. The committee deferred action on engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5838, which concerns membership on the Board of Natural Resources and includes tribal representation; staff explained a proposed amendment would reduce tribal seats to one and alternate east-west representation by term. The chair announced the next day’s hearing would start at 9 a.m. and reminded members to submit any amendments by 6 p.m. that evening.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest Service. Okay, Forest Service. It's part of the Dixie Forest.
• The program is focused on soil health and trying to foster use of good soil health practices within the
• They went through the audit findings and analyzed best practices across the country.
• There were four legal experts that brought different practice experience to this process.
• Perspective-wise, we have 54 million acres in the state of Utah. 27 million of it is in BLM and forest

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Two of these would be new community forests, and one would expand an existing community forest.
• Community Forest.
• Please take this opportunity to invest in the community forest program before this forest and others,
• commercial forest lands in the Nisqually watershed and continuing to operate them as working forests
• commercial forest lands in the Nisqually watershed and continuing to operate them as working forests

Bills: SB6003

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:53:03.920><c> Protection</c> from my own bill, the Forest Protection from my own bill, the Forest
• </c> a single spark can turn into a forest a single spark can turn into a forest disaster<00:53:10.880
• This unpredictability has been a practice of our federal government for too long.
• In fact, many of them are best practiced right in our family hometowns.
• In fact, many of them are best practiced right in our family hometowns.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, um, I have a feeling that maybe it's just forest land, and we value forest land at half a million
• The it is all forest land.
• </c> a feeling that maybe it's just forest a feeling that maybe it's just forest land<01:52:19.760><c
• </c> forest. All of them are in Kas County. forest. All of them are in Kas County.
• </c> So this bill would stop that practice. So this bill would stop that practice.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to restore our forests.
• We need to put in place husbandry practices, basic husbandry practices.
• That's why California must support community-wide adoption of proven practices.
• We also practice hazing, and that is to reestablish the natural wariness of people.
• And the reason is the practices I do to practice coexistence. It is possible to coexist.

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.