Video & Transcript : 'Fix Our Forests Act' :
Page 44 of 500
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming
Transcript Highlights:
- So this bill is going to ensure that our drinking water is clean, that our farms, forests, and fisheries
- All these efforts together are helping us better conserve our forests to benefit our climate and habitat
- I think, you know, Stephanie Cooper cited that we now have 3% of our forests in reserve.
- Undersecretary Cooper mentioned the 2025 forest carbon report, which says that our forests are currently
- Nearly three-quarters of it is forested, harboring some of the most intact and connected forests in our
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on natural and working lands, carbon sequestration, and related provisions in Governor Healey’s $3 billion Mass Ready Act. EEA officials described the bill’s investments in flooding, land protection, tree planting, wetlands restoration, biodiversity, dams, seawalls, and coastal resilience, along with permitting reforms intended to speed ecological restoration projects. They also outlined current programs on resilient lands, healthy soils, forest climate solutions, forest reserves, and urban tree planting, and said the administration expects natural and working lands to offset up to 7 million metric tons of residual emissions by 2050, while acknowledging that additional strategies will be needed to close the gap to the state’s 10-million-ton offset target.
Committee members pressed EEA on the cost of reaching the 30% conservation-by-2030 goal, the loss of a federal USDA grant of about $22 million, the adequacy of current sequestration estimates, and whether the state should consider regional approaches or statutory changes. EEA said current state conservation spending has been about $35 million to $40 million annually, that the Mass Ready Act is intended to help double the pace of conservation, and that federal funding remains uncertain. Senators also raised concerns about PILOT payments for state-owned land, the management of state forests, and the proposed Chapter 91 general license for restoration projects. EEA said the bill’s forest reserve language is meant to create a more durable designation process while still allowing limited active management.
Advocates from The Nature Conservancy and Mass Audubon supported stronger investment in land conservation and restoration, saying natural and working lands are a cost-effective climate strategy that also provides biodiversity, water quality, and public health benefits. They urged passage of legislation to increase funding, improve PILOT equity, and strengthen land-use planning and mitigation requirements. They also backed removing Chapter 91 licensing requirements for ecological restoration, arguing that the current process adds cost and delay. In a later panel, a forest scientist and an urban forestry advocate emphasized the carbon and cooling benefits of mature trees, called for greater protection of older forests, and supported bills to expand municipal reforestation and modernize public shade tree law. No votes were taken during the hearing.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 12th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So this bill fixes that.
- of forest land going from private... ...collected on these parcels of forest land going from private
- community, and keeping our kids and our communities safe?”
- This is one of our most vulnerable populations. These are our seniors, our elders.
- They keep our people able to work, our children able to be cared for.
Bills:
HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB1795 , HB2107 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2253 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB1170 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2360 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2525 , HB2605 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1710 , HB1750 , HB1903 , HB1941 , HB1974 , HB1982 , HB1983 , HB2006 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2215 , HB2223 , HB2239 , HB2247 , HB2297 , HB2303 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2334 , HB2338 , HB2345 , HB2348 , HB2350 , HB2353 , HB2355 , HB2363 , HB2367 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2418 , HB2420 , HB2428 , HB2441 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2505 , HB2534 , HB2539 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2554 , HB2557 , HB2575 , HB2577 , HB2588 , HB2594 , HB2604 , HB2636 , HB2714
Keywords:
design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU
Summary:
The House took up several bills on second and third reading, beginning with House Bill 2360 on expanding access to albuterol in public and private schools. A motion to recommit the bill to the House Health Care and Wellness Committee failed on a roll call vote, 38 yeas to 56 nays. Supporters said the bill would help school nurses respond to students in respiratory distress and reflected input from nurses, OSPI, and the Department of Health. Opponents raised concerns about training, drug interactions, follow-up care, costs to districts, and schools making medical decisions without a diagnosis. The bill then passed 60-34. House Bill 2467, clarifying measurement rules for fifth-wheel travel trailers, passed 94-0 after sponsors said it would help Washington dealers and consumers. House Bill 1983, relating to timberland tax treatment when land is sold to DNR, passed 68-26 amid debate over whether it would help forest management or make it easier for DNR to acquire timberland. House Bill 2531, updating ambulance transport fund quality assurance rules to align with federal regulations and preserve matching funds, passed unanimously 94-0.
The House also passed Substitute House Bill 1390, which phases out the Community Protection Program for certain developmentally disabled individuals with high-risk histories and transfers participants to other waiver programs. Supporters said the program was overly restrictive, out of compliance with federal law, and had trapped people in long-term confinement-like conditions; opponents argued it would weaken public safety and move dangerous individuals into community settings without adequate safeguards. The bill passed 52-44. House Bill 2367, eliminating a preferential treatment related to the former TransAlta coal plant in Centralia, passed 63-33 after supporters framed it as closing the book on coal and opponents warned about energy reliability, jobs, and an emergency clause. Substitute House Bill 2133, making a property tax exemption for certain senior centers permanent, passed 96-0. Substitute House Bill 2355, establishing labor protections for domestic workers, passed 57-39 after supporters emphasized dignity and long-standing worker abuse concerns, while opponents cited fiscal impacts.
The House then passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2534, with a technical amendment, to improve educational stability for children in military families; it passed 96-0. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1974, creating a land banking framework to support affordable housing, passed 59-37 after an amendment reduced fiscal impact by striking some tax preference sections. House Bill 2223, allowing certain irrigation district board service by farmers with spouses employed by the district, passed 93-3. Substitute House Bill 2239, allowing family burial grounds on private property, passed 96-0 after supporters cited rural needs, cultural traditions, and personal family stories. The session also included a brief congratulatory recognition for Representative David Stuebe after his first bill passed the House.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- fund three community forests across Washington, including $3 million toward our proposed Green Mountain
- By establishing a community forest here, we will enhance our region's climate resilience by safeguarding
- By establishing a community forest here, we will enhance our region's climate resilience by safeguarding
- The Squally Indian Tribe, along with our partner, the nonprofit Nisqually Community Forest, are purchasing
- The Squally Indian Tribe, along with our partner of the nonprofit Nisqually Community Forest, are purchasing
Bills:
SB6003
Committee:
Senate Ways & Means
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- are forested.
- Tribes like ours have served as a national example of forest resilience with quick, efficient, and responsible
- As the fiduciary of state forest lands, DNR is obligated to act in the county's best interests and no
- wildlife and our families.
- House Bill 2199 is needed because our current system often acts too late, after vessels become hazardous
Summary:
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on several bills, with most of the discussion focused on tribal representation and natural resource management. On HB 2117, which would add a tribal representative to the Board of Natural Resources, the prime sponsor and DNR officials said the bill would strengthen government-to-government relationships without replacing existing consultation duties. Tribal leaders from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation testified in support, as did the Commissioner of Public Lands and DNR’s tribal relations director. County and timber interests said they were not opposed to tribal representation but raised concerns about trust responsibilities, beneficiary interests, and whether the representative should come from a tribe with commercial forest management experience. The committee later closed testimony on HB 2117 and read into the record 192 pro, 124 con, and zero other sign-ins.
The committee also heard HB 2516, which would impose a two-year moratorium on the use of certain anticoagulant rodenticides and bromethalin after a Department of Agriculture report and while the Washington State Academy of Sciences studies alternatives and impacts. The prime sponsor argued the bill balances rodent control with concerns about wildlife, groundwater, and human exposure, while opponents from the pest management industry warned it would remove effective tools and worsen rodent problems, especially for low-income and manufactured-home communities. Supporters included the Washington Poison Center, wildlife rehabilitators, Birds Connect Seattle, the Stillaguamish Tribe, and other advocates who cited poisonings in wildlife and children and pointed to non-toxic alternatives and integrated pest management. The committee read into the record 754 pro, 176 con, and five other sign-ins.
For HB 2554, which would repeal RCW 77.110 and related language tied to Initiative 456 and tribal fishing rights, the sponsor and the Attorney General’s Office said the statute is unconstitutional and inconsistent with federal treaty law and court rulings. The Department of Fish and Wildlife also supported repeal, describing the measure as removing an unenforceable anti-tribal statute. The committee then moved on to HB 2327, a bill directing JLARC to audit the county forest board lands trust and DNR’s management of those lands. The sponsor, former Rep. Jim Buck, county representatives, and forest industry witnesses supported an independent review of the trust structure and performance; some asked for amendments to address reconveyance options, broader legal and ecological considerations, and consultation with tribes and the Board of Natural Resources.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 12th, 2026 at 08:33 am
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- What we have now is a massive problem, and that it's caused a tinderbox in our forests.
- forest... ...heard over the summer, which we know there's going to be renewed efforts to thin our forests
- Our folks that have homes in or around the forests are going to be in danger.
- Will forest management fix that risk? Walk us through the risk that you see. If I may, Mr.
- Will forest management fix that risk? We'll walk us through the risk that you see. If I may, Mr.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Capital Budget Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Our number one priority, compared with Climate Commitment Act, minor works, and intermediate works, is
- Our number one priority, compared with Climate Commitment Act, minor works, and intermediate works, is
- This project strengthens our families, stabilizes our neighborhoods, and roots our resources in our community
- We're requesting $700,000 in capital funding from the Climate Commitment Act to be funded for our rooftop
- The Climate Commitment Act was designed to prioritize communities like ours.
Summary:
The Capital Budget Committee held a hearing on Proposed Substitute House Bill 2295, the supplemental capital budget. Staff said the proposal totals nearly $911 million, including about $400 million in bonds and $511 million from other state and federal sources, with much of the increase over the governor’s proposal coming from Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funding. Major spending areas include housing and homelessness, K-12 construction, human services facilities, and CCA-funded clean energy, decarbonization, and habitat restoration projects. The chair said the committee would not take amendments at the hearing and planned to vote out the budget on Thursday, with a technical fix striker expected.
Testimony was largely supportive of the House proposal, with many witnesses asking the committee to preserve or increase specific items in final negotiations. Housing advocates urged support for the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and projects such as Alliance Place, Cloverdale Cottages, Cherry Street Village, Somos, and the Thrive Center. Education and public facility witnesses backed investments in school seismic safety, small district modernization, Healthy Kids Healthy Schools, community college and university maintenance, and projects at Cascadia College, WSU, CWU, and UW. Health and human services testimony supported behavioral health, Tubman Center, HealthPoint, pregnant parenting treatment, and the Yakima Behavioral Health Hub.
Natural resources, climate, and infrastructure witnesses praised funding for Flood Plains by Design, community forests, trust land transfer, salmon recovery, the Skokomish land purchase, and the Lower Columbia River dredging project. Several local governments and organizations requested additional support or Senate-level funding for specific projects, while Climate Solutions cautioned against using CCA dollars to backfill existing obligations. The committee heard no votes during the hearing, and the chair closed by saying the budget would be executed on Thursday.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 16, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We passed a very bipartisan bill in the House called the Fix Our Forests Act based off of the work we
- </c><04:12:53.040><c> off</c><04:12:53.200><c> of</c><04:12:53.280><c> the</c> Fix Our Forests Act based
- off of the Fix Our Forests Act based off of the work<04:12:53.640><c> we</c><04:12:53.760><c> did</c
- Forests Act.
- Representative Peterson for her work on this bill, as well as her work on the Fix Our Forests Act.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- And we'll do our best to try to keep things moving.
- You know, that university, all of our universities would not exist if my grandfather and our fathers
- I think that's all our cards. I think that's all our cards, Senator Andrews. Mr.
- Because when a parent says yes to care through our written consent process, our system should be able
- We develop a culture of disciples of Jesus Christ in our schools. We take care of our children.
Bills:
SR119 , SCR65 , HCR47 , HB196 , HB218 , HB256 , HB325 , HB352 , HB434 , HB448 , HB476 , HB608 , HB624 , HB626 , HB632 , HB749 , HB818 , HB1059 , HB1112 , HB1242 , HB1249
Committee:
Senate Education
Keywords:
SR119, Senate Resolution 119, D-D Breaux, Sara Breaux, LSU gymnastics, LSU Gymnastics Training Center, LSU Board of Supervisors, facility naming, honorary resolution, public buildings and grounds, women's athletics, Title IX, college gymnastics, SEC gymnastics, Louisiana State University, Tiger Athletic Foundation, women in sports, coach recognition, sports legend, campus naming
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee met with four members present and took up a long agenda of education-related bills. Early items included SCR 65, which would create a K-12 student success task force to study statewide career and academic pathway advising; the committee adopted a substantive amendment adding designees and then reported the resolution favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SCR 119, honoring Coach D.D. Breaux, after brief remarks about her LSU gymnastics legacy and the request that LSU study naming its gymnastics training facility in her honor.
Several bills affecting school operations and student support were heard and reported favorably, including HB 434 on probationary school bus driver employment and superintendent authority over dismissal; HB 484 expanding scholarship benefits for children and spouses of fallen or disabled firefighters and police officers; HB 749 and HB 1059 on savings accounts and TOPS math eligibility alignment; HB 218 adding food insecurity questions to student questionnaires, which was amended and reported favorably; HB 325 expanding TOPS Tech eligibility through dual enrollment and part-time use; HB 476 requiring Safe Haven law postings in middle and high school restrooms; HB 1249 clarifying access to school-based health centers, with an amendment adopted; HB 1242 allowing more than one early learning center license at the same location under certain circumstances; HB 632 improving data protections and functionality for LA First; and HB 352 on behavioral health services for public school students, which was amended to address IEP and dispute-process concerns before being reported favorably.
Two bills drew extended debate over transparency, privacy, and school autonomy. HB 608 would create confidentiality for intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing documents; LSU representatives argued the bill was needed to protect student-athletes and competitive information, while PAR and the Louisiana Press Association opposed it as an improper secrecy carve-out for state-generated revenue. Despite the opposition, the committee reported HB 608 favorably. HB 1112, which would exempt BESE-approved non-public pre-K programs from certain licensure and safety requirements and adjust related definitions, was amended and then heard with testimony from the Pelican Institute in support, arguing it corrects overreach from prior law and protects private school autonomy and parental choice.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- So in our U.S.
- Our state is our State Department of War. I'm sorry?
- Go fix family court next.
- I don't think this is the proper avenue to fix if you want to fix family court.
- Does our system need some fixing? It does all over the state. It does all over the state.
Bills:
HCR11 , HB153 , HB278 , HB424 , HB454 , HB455 , HB687 , HB816 , HB833 , HB942 , HB1053 , HB1097 , HB1147 , HB1148 , HB1190 , SB75 , SB85 , SB197 , SB200 , SB217
Committee:
House Judiciary
Keywords:
Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Youth Challenge Program, military affairs, Pineville, National Guard training, emergency response, youth development, alternative education, high school equivalency, GED, at-risk youth, leadership training, job skills, citizenship, veterans, state military operations, mobilization, logistics staging area, public service
Summary:
The committee first adopted a three-minute rule for the rest of the meeting by a 9-3 vote. It then took up SB 217, which would reorganize Orleans Parish courts by reducing judgeships in criminal, juvenile, traffic, and municipal courts and, through an adopted amendment, creating one civil district court with 13 judges and allowing hearing officers. Senator Morris argued the changes were based on caseload comparisons and population data; opponents from the Urban League and ACLU said the bill was driven by power rather than efficiency, relied on incomplete or inconsistent data, would strain the courts, and would reduce minority representation on the bench. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended by an 11-4 vote.
The committee next considered SB 197, which would reduce the number of judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal by two. Senator Morris again cited filings and caseload comparisons, while opponents argued the bill ignored the intensity and complexity of appellate work, could increase backlog and costs, and would disproportionately affect Black women judges. The bill was reported favorably by an 11-4 vote. The committee also adopted HCR 11, expressing support for the Louisiana National Guard at Camp Beauregard and the Youth Challenge Program, and reported favorably SB 85, creating an insurance fund for retired St. Charles Parish sheriff’s employees.
Several other measures were advanced with little or no opposition. HB 833 created the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force and was amended to add representatives from the coroners’ association, a survivor appointed by STAR, and a licensed clinical social worker; it was reported favorably. HB 816, with a technical correction, prohibited foreign adversaries from acquiring property near military installations and was reported favorably. HB 1053, dealing with definitions for dealers and retail dealers and allowing certain businesses to serve complimentary alcoholic beverages under agreed-upon floor amendments, was reported favorably. HB 153, as amended, removed the Office of Debt Recovery from the bill and limited it to prohibiting reporting certain criminal fines and fees to credit bureaus; it was reported favorably. SB 75, on cybersecurity reimbursement and baseline standards for local governments after cyber incidents, was reported favorably after testimony from GOSEP and others. SB 200, allowing expropriation of land near military bases owned by foreign adversaries when a court finds a threat to public health and safety, was also reported favorably after extensive testimony and discussion. Finally, HB 454, the Gracie Claire Rushing Act on chain of custody for human remains and internal organs, was converted into a substitute bill, adopted, and then introduced for further discussion, with the sponsor describing it as a transparency and accountability measure for grieving families.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It does a lot of things to prepare our soldiers and our men and women in the military for all sorts of
- I think many people discuss our local rules are good guides that our legislators should use, though they
- Acting Chair and the committee.
- Fix the bill? Justice Hughes, it's her close. You're not a member. Fix the bill?
- from the provisions of this act.
Bills:
HCR11 , HB153 , HB278 , HB424 , HB454 , HB455 , HB687 , HB816 , HB833 , HB942 , HB1053 , HB1097 , HB1147 , HB1148 , HB1190 , SB75 , SB85 , SB197 , SB200 , SB217
Committee:
House Judiciary
Keywords:
Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Youth Challenge Program, military affairs, Pineville, National Guard training, emergency response, youth development, alternative education, high school equivalency, GED, at-risk youth, leadership training, job skills, citizenship, veterans, state military operations, mobilization, logistics staging area, public service
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 23rd, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- Our legislative committee specifically works to strengthen fairness and justice in our criminal system
- And I have our family here; we like... of mine, a young woman who was a star of our community, and a
- And I have our family here.
- Our children, our families, or anyone in our community.
- Our children, our families, or anyone in our community.
Bills:
HB91 , HB123 , HB167 , HB255 , HB264 , HB321 , HB884 , HB955 , HB967 , HB968 , HB969 , HB978 , HB985 , HB994 , HB1005 , HB1104 , HB1107 , HB1109 , SCR3
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Keywords:
criminal procedure, disclosure, criminal records, witness protection, trial rights, electronic monitoring, GPS ankle monitor, ankle bracelet, pretrial release, post-conviction supervision, bail monitoring, house arrest, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecuting authority, court reporting, provider registration, LCLE, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> a</c><00:19:21.760><c> family</c> our Zoom testifier had a family our Zoom testifier had a family
- > but</c><00:30:20.080><c> we</c><00:30:20.280><c> have</c> in our in our community, but we have in our
- our But now that we have our department our agency<00:51:02.240><c> here,</c><00:51:02.600><c> you</
- > What have we done for our for our in my What have we done for our for our in my district<01:19:21.960
- </c><01:21:36.200><c> offices,</c> all of our doorsteps, of our offices, all of our doorsteps, of our
Keywords:
youth intervention, grants, community support, early intervention services, nonprofit, Minnesota human services, forecast adjustment, budget forecast, appropriations, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, Health Care Access Fund, general fund, behavioral health, housing support, General Assistance, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, MFIP, DWP, child care assistance
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Feb 25th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, will there be discussion in our debate?
- Members, will there be discussion in our debate?
- It's not going to correct our orphan and abandoned well issues, but if it gets To correct our orphan
- And so Section 4 talks about that nothing in this act shall... ...the Homemade Food Freedom Act.
- We think we fixed that.
Bills:
HB4338 , HB3977 , HB2100 , HB2975 , HB3056 , HB3406 , HB3720 , HB4316 , HB3405 , HB1907 , HB3142 , HB3173 , HB3270 , HB3728 , HB2440 , HB2596 , HB3466 , HB3469 , HB4338 , HB3977 , HB2100 , HB2975 , HB3056 , HB3406 , HB3720 , HB4316 , HB3405 , HB1907 , HB3142 , HB3173 , HB3270 , HB3728 , HB2440 , HB2596 , HB3466 , HB3469
Committees:
House Energy , House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight
Keywords:
HB4338, Oklahoma Brine Development Act, brine unitization, produced water, produced water unit, oil and gas wastewater, produced water recycling, reclaimed water, constituent elements, brine rights, solution gas, Corporation Commission, unitization, royalty interests, surface owner, oil and gas produced water, recycling and reuse, wastewater disposal, mineral extraction, lithium extraction
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Feb 25th, 2026
Energy and Natural Resources Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- And according to our staff writer, this is how the bill has to be written.
- Members, will there be discussion in our debate?
- And I appreciate our conversation on this subject yesterday.
- It's not going to correct our orphan and abandoned well issues, but if it gets... ...to correct our orphaned
- And so we kind of put our heads together and came up with this.
Bills:
HB4338 , HB3977 , HB2100 , HB2975 , HB3056 , HB3406 , HB3720 , HB4316 , HB3405 , HB1907 , HB3142 , HB3173 , HB3270 , HB3728 , HB2440 , HB2596 , HB3466 , HB3469
Committee:
House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight
Keywords:
HB4338, Oklahoma Brine Development Act, brine unitization, produced water, produced water unit, oil and gas wastewater, produced water recycling, reclaimed water, constituent elements, brine rights, solution gas, Corporation Commission, unitization, royalty interests, surface owner, oil and gas produced water, recycling and reuse, wastewater disposal, mineral extraction, lithium extraction
Summary:
The Energy Oversight Committee met for its first meeting of the session and considered a long agenda of House bills, mostly technical updates and agency request measures. Early bills included HB 438, which changes opportunities for Oklahoma’s iodine industry to extract iodine from brine/produced water, and HB 2975, a Department of Agriculture request bill amended to remove hauler licensing provisions. The committee also advanced HB 3056, which revises Oklahoma Milk Products Act language and, after amendment, removed donkey and horse milk, liability language, and restaurant provisions; members questioned raw milk advertising, pasteurization, and the scope of the bill. HB 3720, updating the Homemade Food Freedom Act to raise the sales cap and expand who may produce and sell food, also passed after questions about liability and food safety. Several other measures moved forward with little or no opposition, including HB 4316 on rural water districts, HB 3405 adding poison hemlock and kudzu to the noxious weed list, HB 1907 creating a battery storage framework, HB 3142 on LP gas industry issues after a prior veto, HB 2440 exempting the Water Resources Board from OMES hiring rules, HB 2596 speeding DEQ permitting, HB 3466 eliminating an unused Corporation Commission petty cash fund, and HB 3469 creating a three-year phase-in for a surety bond requirement.
The most extensive debate centered on HB 3173 and HB 3270. HB 3173 would allow orphaned and abandoned wells to be repurposed for geothermal or energy storage; supporters said it could reduce taxpayer plugging costs and create new value, while opponents raised concerns about landowner consent, compensation, and possible eminent domain issues. The bill passed 11-3. HB 3270, a major amendment to the Chronic Wasting Disease Act, would shift permitting and a $500 license fee from the Department of Wildlife to the Department of Agriculture and allow the program to proceed under Agriculture’s oversight. The author argued Wildlife had not complied with existing law and that the change was needed to move the pilot forward; opponents objected to the late amendment, the lack of Wildlife testimony, and concerns from hunting organizations about releasing captive-raised deer. After lengthy questioning, the bill passed 6-5.
The committee also considered HB 2100, which would protect state investment in Conservation Commission cost-share lands from eminent domain; members discussed whether the protection should apply only during the term of a conservation agreement and only to the specific acres enrolled. It passed 8-5. HB 3977, requiring the state veterinarian to have food-animal practice experience, passed 12-0. HB 3406 updating burn-ban statutes and giving county commissioners flexibility and liability protection passed 13-1. HB 438, HB 4316, HB 3405, HB 1907, HB 3142, HB 2440, HB 2596, HB 3466, and HB 3469 all received due pass recommendations, while HB 3728 was laid over. The meeting adjourned with notice that at least one more committee meeting would be held the following week.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's give them a warm<00:03:16.000><c> welcome</c><00:03:16.239><c> to</c><00:03:16.400><c> our</c><
- Today we have from Hilo, Hawaiʻi, our Wa High School students and W Intermediate.
- Today we have from Hilo Havayi our<00:04:20.000><c> Wa</c><00:04:20.799><c> High</c><00:04:21.040><c>
- I too am joined by some amazing kids from our west side, the west side of Maui.
- I recognize that our Ways and Means chair read them.
Bills:
SB874 , SB2098 , SB2110 , SB2126 , SB2154 , SB2160 , HB818 , SB2047 , SB2116 , SB2246 , SB2250 , SB2334 , SB2505 , SB2520 , SB2561 , SB2721 , SB2820 , SB2971 , SB3019
Keywords:
veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, Hawaii agriculture, plant propagation, conservation, soil health, climate change, food security, small farmers, technical assistance, Hawaii, grant program, small farms, midsize farms
TX
Bills:
HB 102 , HB 126 , HB271 , HB290 , HB300 , HB538 , HB718 , HB 1022 , HB1330 , HB2110 , HJR5 , HB102 , HB126 , HB271 , HB290 , HB300
Committee:
House Higher Education
Keywords:
military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, students with disabilities, disability rights, accessibility, accommodations, ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, Rehabilitation Act, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And as we know, about 90% of our Our restaurants, our small businesses, they usually don't have a legal
- Restaurants are a critical part of our economy, our food supply, and our care.
- Texas Restaurant Liberation Act, but our restaurants are on the ropes. over the state and they need champions
- installing solar panels because we have to fix the problems that they create for our customers and we
- Our four-year curriculum apprentices to become our next journey and master electricians.
Bills:
SB264 , SB542 , SB924 , SB1008 , SB1029 , SB1036 , SB1057 , SB1058 , SB1185 , SB1202 , SB1358 , SB1364 , SB1376 , SB1569 , SB1664 , SB1697 , SJR50
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
Keywords:
SB 264, Texas Workers' Compensation Act, group self-insurance, self-insured groups, workers' compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, certificate of approval, guaranty fund, trust fund, wind down, dissolution, labor code, insurance regulation, employer coverage, risk pool, business and commerce, trade workforce economic development, property owners' association, water conservation
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Geothermal Royalty Reform Act, introduced by Representative Kennedy, provides a much-needed fix to
- The Artist Act fixes that.
- Confronting<04:27:46.800><c> our</c><04:27:47.040><c> nation's</c><04:27:47.439><c> forest</c><04:27:
- 47.760><c> health</c> Confronting our nation's forest health Confronting our nation's forest health and
- I represent three national forests, some of the most beautiful parts of our country.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Our number one priority, compared with Climate Commitment Act, minor works, and intermediate works, is
- Our number one priority, compared with Climate Commitment Act, minor works, and intermediate works, is
- This project strengthens our families, stabilizes our neighborhoods, and roots our resources in our community
- We're requesting $700,000 in capital funding from the Climate Commitment Act to be funded for our rooftop
- The Climate Commitment Act was designed to prioritize communities like ours.
Bills:
HB2295
Committee:
House Capital Budget
Keywords:
Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Senate Resources & Environment Committee - 01/26/26
Resources and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- Our presenters, it looks like our last presenter just pulled in.
- “Your Honor, since 2001, the roadless rule has protected nearly one-third of our national forest system
- The roadless rule protected sacred watersheds, huckleberry meadows, and cedar forests that hold our stories
- We support renewable energy projects, forest restoration work, and science training that honor our sovereignty
- Forest conditions have changed, and so must our approach. Dr.
Committee:
Senate Resources and Environment