Transcript Highlights:

• I care, Florida Fish and Wildlife.
• and commercially important fish species like snappers and groupers.
• These habitats create fishing hotspots and important scuba diving locations. Thank you.
• These habitats create fishing hotspots and important scuba diving locations.
• You mentioned that some of the funding sources is from the saltwater fishing license revenue.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard a series of presentations focused on coral reef restoration, artificial reefs, biosolids management, and a proposed biosolids processing facility. Mote Marine Laboratory described the severe decline of Florida’s coral reefs, its restoration methods using microfragmentation, genetic banking, selective breeding, nurseries, and outplanting, and asked for a long-term state commitment to help restore reef areas. The Keys Marine Laboratory and Florida Institute of Oceanography highlighted their role as a hub for coral rescue, holding, propagation, and research, including emergency response during the 2023 bleaching event. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed the scale of reef loss, the state’s coral rescue and propagation efforts, and the economic and habitat value of artificial reefs, while noting permitting delays and material-selection concerns for reef projects. The committee then received a DEP update on the Osborne Reef tire cleanup. DEP explained that the original tire reef was a failure, that nearly 500,000 tires had been removed by 2024, and that the current effort is funded at $5 million for the fiscal year, with cleanup now shifting from large tire clusters to more difficult individual tires and coral relocation. Members asked about the future of the site after cleanup; DEP said that phase two decisions, such as whether to restore or monitor the area, have not yet been made. DEP also presented on biosolids rules, explaining that the 2021 rule tightened nutrient management, groundwater, and surface water protections, reduced the number of active land-application sites, and contributed to a shift away from Class B land application toward Class AA, landfill, or out-of-state disposal. Senators raised concerns about PFAS, nutrient loading, and the loss of disposal options, and a public speaker warned of a statewide septage disposal crisis. Finally, Sedron Technologies presented its VARCOR system and a planned Indiantown facility that would process dewatered biosolids into clean water, ammonia, and a dry Class AA product or fuel, with the company saying the process can destroy PFAS and help relieve regional disposal pressure. Senators expressed support for the technology as a potential solution to Florida’s biosolids challenges. No formal votes were taken on the presentations themselves, and the only action at the end of the meeting was adjournment after Senator Polsky moved to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even the fish and game department, law enforcement does not keep a round chambered.
• Even the fish and game department, law enforcement, does not keep a round chambered.
• Even the the fish and extremely unsafe.
• That hasn't happened in many years, and I believe the Fish and Game has got a hold of that.
• criminal in the laws is in a fishing criminal in the laws is in a fishing game<00:50:09.440>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Fish. >> Fish. >> Fish.
• >> Fish food sales. Fish food sales. >> Fish food sales. Fish food sales.
• fishing game department through fish fishing game department through fish food<00:55:07.200>
• fishing gear. fishing gear.
• Other questions on fishing<01:35:31.120> game. fishing game. fishing game.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review inactive and dedicated accounts, note prior legislation that had passed, and begin its annual review of agency funds. Members discussed several inactive funds, including some HHS-related accounts, a law enforcement memorial fund, and possible cleanup of accounting references where funds had been reorganized or merged. Staff noted that some newer funds may simply not have started receiving revenue yet, and the committee agreed to follow up on specific accounts later rather than address everything immediately. The committee then heard from Fish and Game on its dedicated funds. Topics included the statewide public boat access account, which is used for boat ramp and access-site maintenance and is supported by boat registration fees and federal funds; the ORV education, training, and enforcement account, which has declined over time and may need attention because revenue depends heavily on weather and snowmobile use; and the search and rescue account, which is funded by Hike Safe cards, a $1 fee from boat and OHRV registrations, and court-ordered fees. Fish and Game also explained that the conservation license plate fund had been merged into the non-game species management account, which is supported by donations, federal funds, and a statutory general fund transfer, and that pheasants are treated as game species under a separate program. The committee spent considerable time on the lifetime license account, an off-book Treasury-held account that collects lifetime license sales and returns funds to Fish and Game based on annual sales plus 9% of the fund balance. Members questioned why the account’s presentation did not clearly show the transfer as a revenue reduction and suggested the reporting format needed cleanup so the flow of money would be easier to understand. Fish and Game said the account is operating properly and that the transfer to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund exceeded $400,000 in the most recent year. The committee also reviewed the publications and fundraising revolving fund, which keeps a $100,000 balance for inventory purchases and transfers excess year-end funds to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund; members again raised concerns that the reporting format did not clearly show the transfer, and staff said they could add a note or other clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm pleased to present SB 1021, a bill that directs the California Fish and Game Commission to adopt
• We have the utmost respect for our fish and game and, most importantly, our wildlife.
• So we always base our hunts on our fish and game and, most importantly, our wildlife.
• So when we get a young person that wants to go hunting or fishing, we've taken—we have 10 fishing trips
• this year, deep-sea fishing, river fishing, whatever we can with these kids that we can get them in

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I rarely eat fish. I don't like baiting hooks. I don't fish. >> Thank you, Mr.
• I rarely eat fish. I don't like baiting hooks. I don't fish.
• These older, larger fish are much desired as trophy fish.
• <00:26:18.720> caught The bill does not apply to fish caught The bill does not apply to fish
• These are the fish that are going to create the next stock, and they're the fish that are creating the

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:05 HB 313 Discussion 02:16 HB 313 Roll Call Vote 04:33 HB 60 Discussion 05:30 HB 60 Roll Call Vote 20:12 HB 397 Discussion 21:18 HB 397 Roll Call Vote 31:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 313, which would shorten the required notice a city must give a utility provider before a contract expires from 18 months to 6 months. The sponsor and Kentucky League of Cities representative said the change would better reflect current market conditions and reduce the risk of leaving either cities or providers in a bad financial position. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 60, the geoengineering ban. A committee substitute was adopted to add exemptions for ground-level agricultural activities and certain energy-related equipment, while keeping the bill’s core prohibition on spraying pollutants into the upper atmosphere to block sunlight or modify weather. Supporters described the bill as a preventive measure against future weather modification experiments, while members asked about enforcement, federal notice provisions, and whether cloud seeding or ordinary jet contrails would be affected. The sponsor said the bill targets high-altitude geoengineering, not normal aircraft exhaust, and that cloud seeding is banned. The bill, as amended, passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 397, as amended by House Committee Substitute 2, to protect trophy catfish. The substitute reduced penalties from a felony to a Class A misdemeanor and added $500 restitution per violation. The bill would prohibit transporting live trophy catfish, defined as 35 inches or longer, for commercial purposes except by boat, while exempting personal fishing, tournaments, festival events, and smaller fish. Supporters said the measure would protect a slow-growing natural resource and preserve catfish populations, and a Kentucky Waterways Alliance representative testified in support. Members asked about the Butler County catfish festival, statewide application, and special lower Ohio River licensing provisions; the sponsor said the festival would not be affected and the special licenses would be phased out. The bill passed with favorable expression, with one member passing to seek more information before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• um so there's Recreation Hunting Fishing um so there's Recreation Hunting Fishing uh<01:11:37.360
• area the primary duty is uh by fishing area the primary duty is uh by fishing game<01:15:37.360>
• Fish and Game was opposed as well for some of those law enforcement reasons that Fish and Game, I think
• Fish and Game was opposed as well for some of those law enforcement reasons that Fish and Game, I think
• the fishing the fishing gang<02:26:02.840> a<02:26:03.040> thousand<02:26:03.399><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an orientation for the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, led by Chair Bob Harb. He reviewed committee procedures, including pink cards for witnesses, blue sheets for counts, use of drawers in the committee room, scheduling practices, and how bills would be posted and distributed. Members briefly introduced themselves and explained why they wanted to serve on the committee, with several citing interests in conservation, water quality, outdoor recreation, land use, and related local issues. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1113, relative to OHRV operation on certain highways within the town of Windsor. Representative Ré Colcombe, the sponsor, explained that the bill would allow local OHV/UTV access across a short section of state road in Windsor so residents on divided portions of town could travel legally between areas. He said the town selectmen were already allowing OHRV use on town roads, the route was paved, traffic impacts were expected to be minimal, and local police had no objections. He also said the town would hold public hearings and notify abutters as required, and that if the select board ultimately opposed the proposal he would recommend killing the bill. Members asked about the legal authority for the change, speed limits, traffic volume, winter maintenance, and whether the Department of Transportation or select board had to approve the route. Colcombe said the town must hold a public hearing and that the change would need to be incorporated into RSA 258:10, section 4. He said the road is maintained by the town in winter and by the state in summer. An opponent, Anne Davis, testified that she opposed the bill, saying ATV use should be treated as a tool for forest management rather than recreation, that law enforcement capacity in Windsor was a concern, and that she believed affected residents should be fully notified before any approval. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Joshua Hurst, Deputy Director of the Game and Fish Department, representing our statutory
• Good morning, Joshua Hurst, Deputy Director of the Game and Fish Department, representing our statutory
• The process is that ADOT, in consultation with the Game and Fish and the parks and with Game and Fish
• So, you know, we have the current Game and Fish test that owners have to use...
• Some of that would go to Arizona Game and Fish, and some of that would go to state land.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee met with a quorum and heard opening remarks from members and stakeholders representing OHV users, ranching, state agencies, land management, law enforcement, and industry. The committee reviewed Senate Bill 1519, which would raise the OHV/ATV weight threshold from 2,500 to 3,500 pounds, create an OHV Law Enforcement Fund, direct certain vehicle license tax revenue to that fund, and allow some OHV recreation on state trust lands under existing permit rules. Members discussed the fiscal and policy implications of changing the weight threshold and whether to keep the current Highway User Revenue Fund structure intact or redirect revenue for OHV enforcement and mitigation. Industry testimony estimated roughly 11,000 new off-road vehicles were sold in Arizona in 2025, with about 24% over 2,500 pounds, and committee members debated whether a flat sticker fee increase or a revenue-neutral adjustment would be cleaner than shifting VLT revenue. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 1567, enacted in 2024, which requires OHV owners to complete an online education course before receiving an OHV indicia, with a report due December 1, 2026 and repeal of the requirement in 2027. Game and Fish staff said the education requirement has already appeared to improve behavior, especially helmet use by children. Several witnesses supported expanding education to all operators, not just owners, and suggested a single statewide course for consistency and easier enforcement. A nonprofit representative described plans for an OHV ambassador/education program and said it would support a universal training requirement and self-policing efforts. A major portion of the meeting focused on funding needs for OHV law enforcement and resource mitigation. Based on prior committee direction, outside stakeholders presented estimates that county law enforcement needs could total about $3.5 million annually, while natural resource damage and road decommissioning needs could average about $7.5 million annually over time, for a combined target of roughly $11 million per year. The discussion emphasized that the estimate was intended as a broad target rather than a precise census, and that it did not include all possible costs such as fence repair, tank restoration, or environmental compliance. Members and witnesses discussed soft versus hard road closures, the need to prioritize resource protection areas, and the importance of pairing mitigation projects with enforcement and education so that repaired areas are not quickly damaged again. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, but the committee appeared to be gathering information to guide future recommendations on fees, funding channels, and education policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't It says any fishing on 45.
• but on the D it just says any fishing but on the D it just says any fishing tournament.<00:19:48.400
• says fishing tournament. says fishing tournament.
• with Representative Lee on fishing with Representative Lee on fishing tournaments<00:20:52.640><
• There are situations over fishing them.

Bills: HB274, HB287, HB301, HB157, HB254, HB88, HB274, HB287, HB301, HB157, HB254, HB88

Keywords: Crenshaw County, county board of education, school board, board of education, term limits, term length, elected officials, local constitutional amendment, Alabama Constitution, education governance, local legislation, November 2026 election, ballot measure, constitutional amendment, school board elections, law enforcement, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• We had active fish tracks.
• happened and where those fish go.
• Fish and wildlife are very resilient, particularly the fish that live in the Hill Country.
• With the tagged fish, what we observed was that Guadalupe bass, our official state fish, really thrived
• About 25% of the fish that we had tagged moved upstream, with some of the tagged fish traveling four

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Doc has... Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• A native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Doc dedicated his life to selfless sacrifice.
• , golfing, hunting, and making fishing, golfing, hunting, and making breakfast<00:42:23.920> for
• A Benton County native and a graduate of Purdue University, Chuck Connor served as the president and
• A Benton County native and a graduate of Purdue University, Chuck Connor served as the president and

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We manage 4,000 of our lakes actively for fishing. That's what we call the fishing lakes.
• We manage 4,000 of our lakes actively for fishing. That's what we call the fishing lakes.
• redevelop that facility um managing fish redevelop that facility um managing fish and<00:15:44.959
• one of those statutes that Miss fish one of those statutes that Miss fish showed<01:12:12.000>
• <01:35:52.679> thank that uh director jasy miss fish thank that uh director jasy miss fish

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Hey, boy, catch any fish today?”
• We fished together a ton, which is interesting because I don’t think he cared if he actually caught fish
• Hey boy, catch any fish today?
• We fished together a ton, which is interesting because I don't think he cared if he actually caught fish
• We can't wait to go fishing with you when I get there.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had active fish tracking studies, so we had, we had tags on fish during those floods, and we had an
• Where do those fish go? A lot of anglers are concerned that those fish get blown out downstream.
• And, and You know, fish and wildlife are very resilient and particularly fish that live in the hill country
• So with the tagged fish, what we saw was that guadalipe bass, our official state fish, really recreationally
• important fish found in central Texas streams, about 75% of those fish.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
• <00:46:08.480> Kentucky Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. Kentucky Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
• 09.760> Wildlife Department of Fish and Wildlife Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources<00:
• , and ecological restoration. protect, and enhance Kucky's fish and protect, and enhance Kucky's fish
• rates and based on overall fish health. rates and based on overall fish health.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:09 Approval of Minutes 00:01:10 Welcome New Members 00:01:26 Information Items 00:01:49 COT Special Report 00:02:38 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:07:41 A. Department of Military Affairs 00:08:07 B. Department of Veterans’ Affairs 00:20:34 C. Kentucky Infrastructure Authority 00:25:54 D. Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet 00:35:05 E. Transportation Cabinet 00:55:53, 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the May 21 minutes, and welcomed a new executive branch member, Secretary Keith Jackson of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. The board also received two informational items: agency responses to prior questions and amendments made to capital plans after the last meeting. It then heard the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s report on executive branch IT capital project scoring, which reviewed 16 IT requests totaling about $330.5 million. COOT said projects were ranked through an independent panel using standardized criteria focused on feasibility, statewide alignment, readiness, impact, and risk; the CIO recommended moving an enterprise application and artificial intelligence inventory system from rank 11 to rank 4 because of its enterprise-wide impact and connection to Senate Bill 4. The Department of Military Affairs presented its capital plan, describing 43 million in projects for the current period and 13 projects totaling $65 million for 2026–2028, with most funding coming from federal sources and restricted agency funds and no general fund request in the latter period. Its projects included maintenance pool adjustments, a statewide Army master plan, the Somerset readiness center, Shelbyville and Ashland armories, a future home for the Kentucky Army National Guard band, and other facility upgrades. Members asked about the Somerset project’s cost growth and federal delay; the department said the project remains in conceptual design, is awaiting federal MILCON action, and would require a state match of about $9.8 million against $29.6 million federal funding if it is approved. Members also asked about staffing levels, and the department said state employee and Title 32 numbers have been relatively steady, while technician positions have declined. The Department of Veterans Affairs outlined seven projects for 2026–2028, led by a Radcliff Veterans Center HVAC replacement that needs an estimated additional $16 million to finish phase two after phase one was already funded. Other requests included a maintenance pool increase, renovations and exterior upgrades at Eastern and Western Kentucky veterans facilities, a cooling tower replacement at Thompson Hood, and parking lot and lighting improvements. The department said some projects were already in the six-year plan and that the Radcliff phase two could be bid in June 2026 if funded. Members confirmed that a columbarium wall project at Grayson is federally funded. The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented its six-year capital plan, citing more than $3 billion in loan commitments since 1988 and over $5 billion in supported infrastructure projects. KIA requested $298.439 million in the first biennium, including $27.742 million in state match for federal clean water and drinking water revolving funds, $25 million for its state Infrastructure Revolving Fund, $185.697 million in federal capitalization grants, and $30 million in leverage bond authorization for each year of the two federally assisted loan programs. Members asked about drinking-water quality, and KIA said that function is handled by the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Water, not KIA. KIA also said its loan rates currently range from 0.5% to 2.25%, averaging just under 1%, and that its revolving loan programs have had no defaults. The Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet began its presentation at the end of the transcript, with staff identifying themselves, but no project details or board action from that presentation were included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fish camps around as well.
• Tyler Carter, I'm a full-time fishing guide based in Fort Myers.
• I am a full-time fishing guide.
• because you're going to die from the fish you get from there.
• They protect our fish and exceed the realities.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they also allow hunting and fishing easements for those enthusiasts that love to hunt and fish and
• And they also allow<00:04:09.720> hunting<00:04:10.440> and<00:04:10.600> fishing
• hunting and fishing easements for those<00:04:11.959> enthusiasts<00:04:12.560> that<00
• fish and be part of Mother Earth. fish and be part of Mother Earth.
• , fish, fish, hunt,<00:04:40.680> and<00:04:40.880> enjoy<00:04:41.360> this<00:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House received a message from the Senate announcing concurrence in the conference committee report on Senate File 2077, an environment and natural resources appropriations bill. Representative Heintzeman explained that the report incorporated language from the Legacy and Lands bill, an extension of unemployment insurance benefits for miners, and an $80,000 appropriation for the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. Representative Vang urged adoption, noting the bill had already passed earlier in the day with strong support. Several members spoke in favor of the conference report and the bill, emphasizing its outdoor heritage and conservation provisions, support for the Iron Range miners’ UI extension, and the related land and water protection measures. Representative McDonald and Representative Gilman highlighted the bill’s legacy and conservation benefits, while Representative Fischer and Representative Igo praised the work of the authors and the inclusion of the miner unemployment insurance extension. The House adopted the conference committee report and then took up third reading of the bill as amended by conference. After further supportive remarks, the clerk called the roll and the bill was repassed as amended by conference by a vote of 111 ayes and 22 nays, with the title agreed to. The chamber then adopted a motion to recess to the call of the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, remind me of what on the fish hatchery properties and the uh the game wardens houses.
• Rusty Bell, uh game and fish Rusty Bell, uh game and fish commissioner.<00:02:32.560> So,
• <00:03:58.720> hatchery what on the on the fish hatchery what on the on the fish hatchery
• It's not about game and fish engaged in.
• <00:26:10.799> was had no idea that the game and fish was had no idea that the game and fish

Bills: SF0024

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:51.120> that<00:15:51.440> they it's some Argentine type fish that they it's
• <00:16:29.759> or<00:16:30.000> something that like Brazilian fish or something that
• So if they just put<00:17:24.559> Argentinian<00:17:25.600> fish<00:17:26.079> or
• ><00:17:26.319> whatever,<00:17:26.880> then put Argentinian fish or whatever, then put
• Argentinian fish or whatever, then that<00:17:27.520> satisfies<00:17:28.640> labeling

Keywords: Ports and Marine Resources - Room 216, 2 March, 2026; 3:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several bills related to marine and airport matters. One measure would amend an existing prohibition on using a “pane” in parts of the Mississippi Sound to add Jackson County back into the restricted area. Another, House Bill 735, would authorize the Department of Marine Resources to pay reserve marine patrol officers for special events using existing federal or local funds rather than new state money. Both were presented as straightforward updates, and HB 735 received a title sufficient do pass motion and was reported out. House Bill 1441 on airport authorities drew more discussion. The bill would give airports authority similar to other property owners to deal with abandoned vehicles on airport property, including notice and abandonment procedures. Members asked about notification requirements, the abandonment timeline, and whether the authority could retain vehicles for official airport use; the sponsor said the existing process and state law notice requirements still apply. An amendment was offered to clarify the 90-day notice language, and the bill was advanced after that amendment. The committee also considered House Bill 1466, a seafood labeling strike-all bill. The sponsor said the Department of Marine Resources and stakeholders were still working on the language, including where labels may be affixed on menus and how grocery store labeling should work. Members discussed the use of “imported” versus country-of-origin labeling, and a representative explained that the language was intended to let restaurants identify specific foreign products by country rather than simply marking them imported. The committee also adopted a grammar correction in the short title and restored a reverse repealer before reporting the bill out. At the end of the meeting, the committee said it was pressed for time and recessed before taking up one remaining bill related to reef issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it will also authorize the Department of Fish and Wildlife to allow tag and to report a harvest.
• Fish and Wildlife.
• It authorizes Department of Fish does.
• <00:16:04.600> And the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• And the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:30 HB 571 Discussion 01:29 HB 571 Roll Call Vote 04:02 HB 542 Discussion 06:01 HB 542 Roll Call Vote 10:21 HB 142 Discussion 13:30 HB 142 Roll Call Vote 22:47 HB 212 Discussion 24:00 HB 212 Roll Call Vote 25:40 HB 658 Discussion 27:01 HB 658 Roll Call Vote 32:02, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've hiked, hunted, and fished across nearly every corner of New Mexico, and I can say with...
• You know, they need to—the state needs to get that land, give people a place to go fishing.
• You know, they need to—the state needs to get that land, give people a place to go fishing.
• You already fish there. You can go there and zip line. You can do all kinds of stuff.
• You can't go trout fishing on the Rio Ruidoso.

Bills: HB2, SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects