Transcript Highlights:

• Conservation Corps.
• In fact, it's the largest and longest-serving conservation corps in the United States.
• So the Conservation Corps is amazing.
• Members, I also am happy to recognize the 50th anniversary of the California Conservation Corps.
• He and I served on many Italian-American organization boards.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several floor recognitions and ceremonial presentations. Senator Perez presented SR 81, declaring March 2, 2026, as Read Across America Day. Senators Choi and Rubio spoke in support, emphasizing literacy, libraries, volunteer reading programs, and the importance of diverse books and student engagement. The resolution passed on a unanimous roll call vote, 37-0, and Perez introduced guests from the California Teachers Association. The chamber then honored the 50th anniversary of the California Conservation Corps, with Senator Laird leading the recognition and several senators praising the Corps’ service, conservation work, disaster response, and job-training role for young adults and veterans. The Senate also welcomed the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agriculture Leadership Class and the College of San Mateo Bulldogs, including the 2025 state championship football team and a coach from the women’s softball team. Later, the Senate confirmed Dr. Chris Thayer as Director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and Dr. Gina Castro Rodriguez to the Board of State and Community Corrections, both by 29-0 votes. Senator Wahab presented SCR 125 recognizing the beginning of Ramadan, with Senator Becker offering supportive remarks about an iftar dinner and the meaning of the holiday. The resolution was adopted unanimously, 37-0. The Senate then took up several adjournments in memory, including Stephen Cassidy, John Joseph Zoria, Crystal Schoenfelder, and Belinda Baraghani, with multiple senators sharing personal tributes to their public service, community leadership, and mentorship. The session concluded with remarks on Ramadan and the Senate entering recess, with the next floor session scheduled for March 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we're going to take up tab number four, SB 546 on conservation lands by Vice Chair Mayfield.
• Leslie Reed, waiving in support on behalf of Conservation Florida. Thank you for being here.
• , we think, ...voters that are members of the Sierra Club and the organization as a whole.
• It's when the state consider selling or trading away land that was set aside for conservation.
• It's when the state consider selling or trading away land that was set aside for conservation.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard and approved several bills. SB 636 by Sen. Leek would create additional pathways for counties and municipalities to obtain critically eroded beach or area of critical state concern designations, with the sponsor and supporters describing it as a forward-looking beach management approach that could improve access to state and federal funding. Questions focused on whether the bill imposed an unfunded mandate and how it would affect existing designations; the sponsor said it was voluntary and not retroactive. Pepper Uchino of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association supported the proactive concept but stressed that funding remains the central issue. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 544 by Sen. Truenow, which transfers the Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification Program from DEP to FDACS. The sponsor said the move would improve continuity and encourage more golf courses to enroll in BMPs, while maintaining existing environmental requirements and enforcement through DEP if problems arise. Senator Smith and an opponent from the Florida Springs Council questioned whether golf courses are truly agricultural and raised concerns about water quality protections and possible tax or land-use implications; supporters from the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association said the bill does not change taxation or existing nutrient reporting requirements. After a technical amendment, the bill was reported favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. CS/SB 848 by Sen. Truenow, dealing with stormwater treatment and water quality enhancement areas, was also amended and reported favorably. The sponsor said the bill clarifies the difference between permanent, secured water quality credits and stormwater allocations, and the amendment would allow WQEAs to address new stormwater rule requirements until rulemaking is complete and make public-land reviews forward-looking only. A representative of Resource Environmental Solutions supported the measure and said it would help create a reliable market for water quality credits. The committee then approved CS/SB 546 by Vice Chair Mayfield, which strengthens public notice requirements for the sale or exchange of state conservation lands and extends similar notice requirements to water management districts; conservation groups and Sen. Smith supported the bill as a transparency measure. Finally, DEP presented its State Park Amenities Report, estimating nearly $759 million in repair and maintenance needs over 10 years and $1.39 billion in contemplated new construction and development across the state park system. The committee took no further action and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, the Council on American Islamic Relations, CAIR, is an Islamist organization that, according to
• Inadvertently, we did miss the soil and water conservation districts.
• You tell me what that new language does because I don't—is that all on the soil and water conservation
• Representative Mitchell, I'm just wondering if you can tell us on this, are soil and water conservation
• And I think we had to bring the clerks into this conversation and some of the soil and water conservation

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So maybe you are funding fewer Conservation Corps members, for example.
• organizations or tribal governments, local governments.
• Our biodiversity conservation — Senator, this will get to some of your question on permitting.
• This department is one of the oldest organizations in state government.
• Megan Cleveland with The Nature Conservancy.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy opened its first hearing with remarks from the chair and members emphasizing climate change, resiliency, clean energy, natural resources, and the need to make careful budget choices in a constrained fiscal environment. The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented an overview of the natural resources and environmental protection budget, warning that although current revenues are strong, the state faces significant out-year deficits and should apply a high bar to new ongoing spending, use special funds and fees carefully, and focus on critical health and safety needs. The LAO said the Governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan was generally reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, but urged legislative oversight and reporting, especially where bond funds interact with General Fund proposals. Secretary Wade Crowfoot then described the Natural Resources Agency’s recent accomplishments and priorities, including wildfire resilience, water reliability, coastal protection, outdoor access, biodiversity, tribal partnerships, and streamlining project delivery. He highlighted major investments in climate and resilience, the role of Proposition 4 in continuing those efforts, and the need to modernize water infrastructure, including Delta conveyance and other regional conveyance projects. Members asked about Delta conveyance, invasive species, permitting delays, and the impact of federal staffing cuts; Crowfoot said the administration is pushing projects forward, supports a beneficiary-pays approach for conveyance, and is filling gaps left by federal reductions where necessary. The committee then heard from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Director Armando Quintero reviewed the state park system, outdoor access programs, tribal agreements, wildfire and forest resilience work, and deferred maintenance funded by the climate bond. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing General Fund transfer for the California State Parks Library Pass program, saying it did not meet the high bar for new spending, while several members strongly supported the program as a low-cost, high-value access tool. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and no-show vacancies; staff said new rules and enforcement will take effect July 1 and that vacancies are being opened up sooner. The department also presented low-cost accommodation projects, which the LAO supported. Finally, the Department of Fish and Wildlife introduced its new director, Megan Hurdle, who outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 proposals for salmon tagging, hatchery improvements, and public access lands. She emphasized the department’s role in biodiversity conservation, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict outreach, and said the agency is working to close a service gap identified in its budgeting analysis. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, county public administrators, public guardians, and public conservators are granted
• Name, organization, if any, and a position on the bill? Thank you.
• Name, organization, if any, a position on the bill? Thank you.
• I know that is not necessarily in your organization, but what is driving that?
• Well, the national organizations, I mean, those are the standards.

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee met without quorum for part of the hearing and proceeded on several bills, with testimony focused on probate access, domestic violence protections, child support services, and an immigration resolution. On AB 1660, the author and county public administrators said financial institutions often delay or refuse lawful requests for account information and assets, causing harm to estates and vulnerable people; banks and credit union representatives opposed the new penalties, arguing the underlying statute may be outdated and that fraud concerns require more verification. The author agreed to amend the bill to make penalties discretionary rather than mandatory, and the bill ultimately passed out of committee to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and later add-on approval. AB 1657, by Assembly Member Rogers, would bar courts from requiring domestic violence survivors seeking temporary restraining orders to notify the alleged abuser before filing; the Sonoma County district attorney and others supported it as a safety measure, and it passed unanimously to the floor with multiple members requesting coauthor status. The committee also heard AB 1643, which would automatically enroll custodial parents in child support services after a support order is entered unless they opt out. The author and child support officials argued the bill would increase access to free enforcement and collection services, reduce child poverty, and help families who do not complete the current application process; some members raised concerns about fees, opt-out clarity, and whether automatic enrollment could interfere with amicable co-parenting arrangements. After discussion about the program’s funding and the need for a clear opt-out process, the bill was moved to the Human Services Committee, with some members voting no or not voting and later add-on action placing it on call and then advancing it. The committee also considered SJR 8, urging Congress to modernize the federal immigration registry so long-term undocumented residents could qualify for lawful permanent residency on a rolling basis; supporters described it as a long-overdue pathway for immigrant families and workers, and the resolution was adopted to the floor after a vote and later add-on action. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance enforcement, fraud prevention, and access to services. Several members supported the domestic violence and probate bills as necessary fixes to existing systems, while others urged continued work with stakeholders on standardized forms, clearer procedures, and modernized safeguards. The committee also took up consent items and add-ons, including AB 1597, AB 1651, and AB 1652 on consent, and later finalized votes on the measures discussed above.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Government Organization Committee will come to order.
• Please state your name, your organization, and your position.
• State your name, your organization, and your position.
• Sea lions are a conservation... City, bay, and river across California.
• Sea lions are a conservation success story and a part of our state's history and culture.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused largely on regulatory oversight, food insecurity, state symbols, immigration-related funding, and ethnic media outreach. SB 885 and SB 986 would require major regulations with estimated economic impacts over $50 million to come back to the Legislature for review; supporters said this would restore accountability and help address affordability, while opponents warned it would delay health, safety, and worker protections. SB 1025 would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across state departments, expand outreach, run a hunger hotline, and analyze service gaps; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight language. SB 1214 would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly, and SB 1178 would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp, with testimony emphasizing conservation, ecology, and agricultural benefits. SB 1286 would recognize the California sea lion as the state pinniped, with supporters citing its role as a sentinel species and conservation success story. SB 1171 would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded grants or loans; supporters framed it as a response to ICE conduct, while opponents raised concerns about unintended impacts on contractors providing essential services and possible federal retaliation. SB 1358 would create the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act to improve state advertising and outreach to ethnic and community media through a database and contracting requirements, with supporters arguing it would improve effectiveness and reach underserved communities. Several bills were advanced on committee votes, many with roll calls held open for absent members. SB 885, SB 986, SB 1025, SB 1214, SB 1178, SB 1286, and SB 1171 all received motions to do pass, with some members noting support but also urging amendments or guardrails, especially on timing, reporting, and oversight. The committee also took up a consent calendar of multiple items after quorum was established.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service has been a valued partner in this
• A lot of the money from the Natural Resources Conservation Service goes to on-farm work, so the state
• There are seven elements of the integrated plan, one of which is conservation.
• So Washington State has what's called, for our forest, a habitat conservation plan.
• And what that habitat conservation plan... ...for state forest, a habitat conservation plan.

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• How does your organization work with the judiciary?
• That's the Creative Support Organization grant.
• types, fellow conservation, and consumer services.
• The conservation values, basically maintaining national natural lands held in conservation, provide many
• conservation.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m not against conservation.
• Treating planned urban land like conservation land creates a fundamental contradiction within our state
• However, the conservation of some property that is not critical for habitat, or vital habitat, should
• Treating native shrubs and grasses as irrelevant to wildlife conservation... ...was once covered more
• Fire protection districts are one way that fire protection services can be organized in the state.

Bills: HB2103 , HB2388 , HB2316 , HB2006 , HB2224

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: renewable energy, nonemitting generation, public entities, contracting, electric generation, distributed energy, agricultural land, energy generation, renewable resources, siting regulations, land use, urban development, vegetation management, shrubsteppe, environmental regulation, economic development, sales tax, rural counties, industrial land banks, growth management

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not against conservation.
• Treating planned urban land like conservation land creates a fundamental contradiction within our state
• However, the conservation of some property that is not critical for habitat, or vital habitat, should
• conservation.
• It was published by the Nature Conservancy, American Farmland Trust, Washington State University, and

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several local government bills. HB 2006 would extend the deadline for certain rural counties that collect a sales and use tax for economic development to designate industrial land banks under the Growth Management Act. Supporters, including the sponsor and Kittitas County representatives, said the bill would help counties identify industrial land for job growth and economic development; Futurewise opposed it, citing concerns about large industrial land banks and impacts to agricultural lands. HB 2244 would let a city that forms a fire protection district after July 1, 2026, keep its levy rate without reducing it by the district’s levy, and would also allow online notice and interlocal contracting for fire services. City and fire officials supported it as a practical tool to fund fire service, while one witness opposed the broader trend of appointed taxing authorities. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 2316, which would limit shrub-step vegetation inside urban growth areas from being treated as wildlife habitat, critical area, or conservation area, and would bar related mitigation or replacement requirements. Tri-Cities officials, builders, housing advocates, and the sponsor argued the bill would reduce delays and costs for housing and development on already designated urban land, while conservation groups, tribal representatives, and some individuals opposed it as a broad rollback of habitat protections and a harmful precedent for ecosystems and wildlife. No vote was taken on the bills during the hearing. HB 2103 would expand public utility contracting authority so cities, utilities, and joint operating agencies could enter “capability” contracts for renewable or non-emitting generation projects, including nuclear, renewable hydrogen, and fusion, and repeal certain price-limit restrictions. Supporters said it would align older contracting law with the Clean Energy Transformation Act and help utilities plan for future power needs; opponents warned it would shift risk to ratepayers and revive concerns tied to the WPPSS nuclear debacle. The committee also heard HB 2388, which would classify pivot-corner solar and agrovoltaic facilities on agricultural land as distributed energy resources and accessory uses; the sponsor and supporters said it would help meet energy needs without harming productive farmland, while Futurewise asked for clarification to avoid unintended loss of agricultural land. The hearing then returned to HB 2103 for additional testimony, with the same basic split between utility and clean-energy supporters and ratepayer or anti-nuclear opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:21:14.799><c> honest</c><00:21:15.039><c> with</c> conservatives, we must be honest with conservatives
• </c><00:37:41.520><c> and</c> the world, people are organizing and the world, people are organizing and
• </c><02:23:45.600><c> through</c> 1973 to optimize conservation through 1973 to optimize conservation
• wildlife conservation on Incentivize wildlife conservation on private<02:23:51.520><c> lands.
• This includes partnering organizations.

Bills: HR1202 , SB1020 , HB2493 , HB5201 , HB3419 , HB2319 , HB6387 , HR1189 , HR1201

Keywords: H.Res. 1202, HR1202, House resolution, committee assignment, standing committee, House Committee on Homeland Security, Homeland Security Committee, committee membership, committee ranking, seniority, Ms. Mejia, Mr. Walkinshaw, House organization, procedural resolution, internal House rules, congressional committee, hydropower, construction, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, license extension

Transcript Highlights:

• > dedicated</c><01:40:36.960><c> to</c> nonprofit organization uh dedicated to nonprofit organization
• The Forest Society is a private nonprofit land conservation and forestry organization.
• The Nature Conservancy is a science-based nonprofit organization that works to conserve biodiversity.
• :23.680><c> a</c> the Nature Conservancy is a the Nature Conservancy is a science-based<05:00:24.480>
• nonprofit organization that<05:00:26.080><c> works</c><05:00:26.320><c> to</c><05:00:26.638><c> conserve

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Transcript Highlights:

• President Abraham Lincoln signed the Idaho Organic Act in 1863, creating the Idaho Territory during the
• Speaker, we, the Committee on Resources and Conservation, report that we have had under consideration
• House Joint Memorial No. 13, by the Resources and Conservation Committee, is a joint memorial to the
• Senate Concurrent Resolutions 116 and 115 are referred to the Resources and Conservation Committee.
• organizations—saying they can't give it to this religious organization just because they're religious—is

Transcript Highlights:

• Conservation and nature-based solutions, which is really quite important.
• Over 1.5 million acres of additional conserved lands in the last two years alone.
• It's a partnership with local organizations and agencies.
• Our conservancies, like the San Joaquin River Conservancy, are opening up new open space lands to Californians
• Isabella Gonzalez-Potter with The Nature Conservancy.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 774 was referred to the Resources and Conservation Committee.
• House Bill 774 was referred to the Resources and Conservation Committee.
• Speaker, the Committee on Resources and Conservation reports that it has had under consideration House
• That is the Office of Species Conservation and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources.
• And when they do that as a pooled organization, they obviously save money as far as being able to do

Transcript Highlights:

• The Conservation and Natural Resources Committee met on Monday, March 30th.
• I sit on the board of Which is an affiliate of the Conservation Federation of Missouri.
• My name is James Gordon, and I'm an organizer with Missouri Rural Crisis Center.
• The question I want to ask is your organization—tell me your organization again.
• I am the newly elected president of the Conservation Federation in Missouri.

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as conservation advisor to fund and manage acquisitions for the Natural and Cultural Resource
• Tulalip Tribes has completed collaborative conservation acquisitions with land trusts, counties, and
• Eligible for county conservation futures programs.
• Conservation futures is also a critical match for many state and federal grants.
• Last year's ESSB 5814 hit SOGO and other youth nonprofit arts organizations with a nearly 10% tax on

Summary: House Finance met in executive session on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, the proposed “millionaires’ income tax” package. Staff reviewed the bill and a long list of amendments affecting the new income tax, related business tax changes, and several exemptions and implementation provisions. The committee adopted amendments to exempt diapers from sales tax, allow certain tribal income treatment clarifications, create an advisory group to help implement the tax, move up the repeal date for some business tax changes, and require the measure to go to the voters; several other amendments on federal conformity, agricultural income, pass-through entities, and the marriage threshold were rejected or withdrawn. The committee then adopted the striking amendment as amended and advanced the bill on a 9-6 do pass vote, with supporters arguing it would fund education, health care, child care, and tax relief, and opponents warning about competitiveness, capital flight, and the state’s spending growth. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6097, which would add federally recognized Indian tribes as eligible entities for county Conservation Futures Program funding. Staff said the bill would not change the tax levy structure and would have no state revenue impact, while tribal witnesses said it would improve voluntary conservation partnerships for habitat, farmland, and open space. Members asked about the bill’s scope, and staff confirmed it applies only to federally recognized tribes. House Finance also heard Senate Bill 6162, a property tax reform measure that would consolidate the state school levy, expand senior and disability property tax exemptions, raise income thresholds, and simplify the application process with a standard deduction. The prime sponsor and county assessors supported the bill as a way to help seniors, disabled persons, and disabled veterans stay in their homes and reduce administrative burden, while several testifiers opposed it as a tax shift that would raise costs for others and potentially strain local revenues. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6113, an administrative and technical tax cleanup bill related to last year’s tax changes; the Department of Revenue supported it and noted a possible clarifying amendment, while nonprofits, schools, libraries, health care groups, workforce training providers, and trade associations asked for additional exemptions for live presentations and related educational activities. The chair announced that Senate Bill 6097 would be added to Monday’s executive session, Senate Bill 6114 was removed, and amendments for Monday’s bills were due by 5 p.m. that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of the recovery, we were in partnerships with the Soil Conservation District.
• We actually got funding from our Soil Conservation District to Clean that one out.
• We need an eligible entity to be able to organize that piece, organize the landowners, and go through
• Romero, who's the Manager of Tierra y Montes Soil and Water Conservation District.
• It's organizing, bringing people together, building relationships.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So was this funding already allocated to the California Tahoe Conservancy? Yes, that's correct.
• Because some of them—there's one, the Coastal Conservancy is having a board meeting on Thursday, and
• Some of them—there's one, the Coastal Conservancy is having a board meeting on Thursday, and they are
• Whether it's fire projects or land conservation, they weren't hinging on this for oversight or review
• I'm Megan Cleveland with the Nature Conservancy.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• And in any corporate organization, that's what you normally have.
• Senator West. in terms of the anti-conservative sentiment.
• That's the most important people in many ways in an organization.
• I would speak as a conservative. as a Republican.
• I am not representing anyone or any organization.

Bills: SB37 , SB1489 , SB452 , SB724 , SB1067 , SB1741 , SB1273 , SB 37

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16