Transcript Highlights:

• to harm their their rights to to hunt to harm their their rights to to hunt gather.<00:14:42.800
• turkey seasons.
• turkey season.
• We were firearms turkey season.
• also hunting during the archery season. also hunting during the archery season.

Bills: HF624

Keywords: HF624, Minnesota fishing law, game and fish, walleye stamp, walleye stamp validation, angling, angler, fishing lines, two lines, four lines, open water fishing, ice fishing, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, fishing regulations, fish harvest, conservation, Minnesota Statutes 97C.315, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• public<00:13:40.880> land, increase hunting on public land, increase hunting on public land
• archery, hunting. archery, hunting.
• property and hunting. property and hunting.
• because at one time we had no turkeys because at one time we had no turkeys and<00:21:14.560>
• turkey when I first turkey I ever first turkey when I first turkey I ever saw<00:21:25.560> in

Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 18 March, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Wildlife, Fisheries Committee met to consider several Senate nominations to the Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund board. The nominees included Richard Webster, Peyton Locky, Josh Ragio, and reappointee Van Ray. Each nominee briefly described his background and connection to the outdoors, conservation, or related business experience. Committee members repeatedly emphasized that the board should focus on projects that improve public access and advance conservation, while also considering projects across all regions of Mississippi, including north Mississippi. Members also raised concerns about the use of trust fund money for land purchases, noting that buying land can remove property from county tax rolls. Several senators urged the nominees to favor projects that maximize public benefit, avoid overemphasis on city parks or ball fields, and consider leasing land instead of purchasing it when possible. The nominees generally agreed that projects should be judged on merit, public access, and conservation value. One nominee, Webster, was reminded to file a statement of economic interest with the Mississippi Ethics Commission before floor consideration. The committee voted to advise and consent on Senate Nominations 2, 51 and 52, 53 and 54, and 89, moving all of them to the floor. The votes were taken by voice vote with no opposition recorded. Van Ray also discussed the committee’s earlier work creating procedures for the program and said the board had already supported many projects statewide, with a moratorium on land purchases currently in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• We we set limits for a uh turkey?
• The the charging you to hunt them.
• hunt have a place to go. hunt have a place to go.
• Uh it's the Wild Turkey Stout Bill. Uh Uh it's the Wild Turkey Stout Bill.
• into a special fund, the wild turkey into a special fund, the wild turkey stamp<00:38:09.359>

Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 3:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2664, which would amend the lifetime hunting license program so anyone under age 18 could buy the license for a $500 fee. After a brief explanation and no questions, the committee adopted a motion for title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported. Members then considered Senate Bill 2436, described as a step toward establishing a black bear hunting season in Mississippi beginning with the 2027-28 season. The bill would require the department to set rules based on black bear population data, use a lottery system for tags, create one annual governor’s tag, delay nonresident tags until at least 2032-33, cap those tags at 10%, and add penalties for violations. The committee again moved title sufficient and do pass with a committee substitute, and the bill was reported. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2420, which would clarify last year’s hunting-season extension so that if a season ends on Friday or Saturday, it would continue through Sunday. That bill received a do-pass motion and was reported. Senate Bill 2659, creating a voluntary lifetime conservation legacy license for Mississippians over 65 for a one-time $250 fee, also passed the committee and was reported. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2660, the catfish bill, with testimony from a guest and department officials. Supporters argued the bill was needed to curb commercial harvesting of trophy catfish from the Mississippi River, protect the resource, and support tourism and events such as the Vicksburg catfish tournament. Department staff said a possible approach would be to prohibit transporting live catfish over 34 inches, which they said could help stop the practice without affecting farm-raised catfish. Members discussed concerns about impacts on local fishermen and clarified that the bill was aimed at Mississippi River waters; the committee did not reach a final vote on this bill in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have friends that I hunt with that are natives, and we go in there and hunt, so on school trust land
• I have friends that I hunt with that are natives, and we go in there and hunt, so on school trust land
• I have friends that I hunt with that are natives, and we go in there and hunt, so on school trust land
• hunting as well.
• Similarly with turkeys, we have seen less of an effect on the turkey harvest.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I assume it's hunting and fishing. Uh, yes, it is hunting and fishing.
• Um in my particular case, I happen to be a bear hunting guide. We hunt over baits.
• Um in my particular case, I happen to be a bear hunting guide. We hunt over baits.
• Um in my particular case, I happen to be a bear hunting guide. We hunt over baits.
• or hunting or money from hunting or hunting or trapping<00:56:21.839> license<00:56:22.240>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:09:30.080> or form of ethical Fair Chase hunting or form of ethical Fair Chase hunting
• I'm a fisherman, and I have no problem with hunting, but crow hunting is very different.
• hunting but Crow hunting no problem with hunting but Crow hunting is<03:37:39.840> very<03:37:
• Turkeys are the biggest one.
• I'm not hunting. I don't have a horse in this race. A bunch of my friends hunt.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, if I bring a young guy hunting with me and uh we can't find any land to hunt on, he's not
• Um, you know, if I bring a young guy hunting with me and uh we can't find any land to hunt on, he's not
• Why'd you take turkey out?
• c><00:31:55.600> off<00:31:55.799> because turkey out we took turkey off because turkey
• He could no longer bow hunt.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are many of the roads that many people enjoy using to get to their favorite cabin on a lake, hunting
• transportation of our commodities in the state of Minnesota, such as corn, soybeans, pork, beef, turkeys
• <00:02:30.239> a<00:02:30.360> way<00:02:30.480> to hunting spots on hunting
• spots a way to hunting spots on hunting spots a way to get<00:02:30.680> to<00:02:30.800>
• and forestry Products and beef turkeys and forestry Products and more<00:02:51.239> importantly

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These are not hunted in small... pets. These are not hunted in small enclosed areas.
• What about turkeys? There's wild pond? What about turkeys?
• There's wild turkeys, but a turkey on a farm, who does he belong to?
• for people to hunt.
• If you get caught with bait on your hunt lease, you lose your hunt lease.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the future of hunting, you know, from now on?
• So the, um, hunting over, hunting over any kind of food...”
• To harvest them and hunt them.
• it without having to pay to go to a private club to hunt.
• And D-MAP program for deer, turkey, quail.

Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas State Police leadership about the agency’s role in federal immigration enforcement. Colonel Mike Hager said State Police has completed 287(g) training for all but 12 officers and is authorized to assist ICE in limited circumstances, but is not an immigration enforcement agency. He emphasized that troopers only make immigration-related notifications after lawful stops or arrests for other offenses, and that the agency uses discretion and chain-of-command approval for any planned operation. Members asked about how immigration status is determined, whether stops are tracked, whether local agencies are participating, and whether there are costs or reimbursement mechanisms; Hager said the agency began tracking encounters in September and had 48 detentions since then, most tied to other criminal violations such as DWIs or domestic violence. He also said there were no current planned immigration operations beyond assisting federal partners. The committee then received an update from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Doug Schoenrock on wildlife management areas, waterfowl habitat, and related infrastructure. He reported that most moist-soil units and green tree reservoirs were flooded or near normal, with one new pump not yet operational and a vandalized Ed Gordon/Point Remove pump back in service since December. He also said the Lake Conway dam and water-control work were progressing, with a public meeting scheduled at Mayflower High School. Questions followed about dock removal notices, maintenance on other water-control structures, and a recent fatal boating accident at Baumito WMA, which Schoenrock described as a high-speed collision in flooded timber and said the agency was working on a safety memorial effort with the victim’s widow. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on duck season, drought conditions, and criticism of the Flyway Federation’s push to restrict hunting over standing corn. Schoenrock said Arkansas remains the nation’s top duck-hunting destination, but drought and warm weather have reduced water availability and caused ducks to move north; he cited survey numbers showing 1.4 million ducks in the state at the end of December but a much lower January count. He argued that standing corn is legal and that federal habitat and water policy, not Arkansas law, drives long-term duck populations. Members raised concerns about changing migration patterns, the role of private clubs, federal regulation, and the possible effects of wind turbines and solar panels on waterfowl; Schoenrock and Commissioner Chris Caldwell said the commission is studying those issues, including a University of Arkansas at Monticello project on avoidance behavior, and that no immediate regulatory changes were announced. The committee took no formal vote and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• the ability to issue an annual hunting the ability to issue an annual hunting or<01:44:14.240>
• , sorry, not wild turkey, or deer.
• ticket or the $23 ticket for wild turkey or<01:49:18.400> turkey,<01:49:18.840> sorry,
• wild turkey, or turkey, sorry, not wild turkey, turkey, turkey, turkey, or<01:49:21.360> deer.
• their domestic turkey in the barnyard. their domestic turkey in the barnyard.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reflection on Nowruz, the Persian New Year, emphasizing renewal, spring, and the challenges facing Iranian families amid conflict. The speaker connected the holiday’s themes of hope and responsibility to Vermont and democracy, then the chamber moved to routine business, including first readings and referrals of five House bills: H.945 on hemp products, H.946 on utility advertising and costs in rental agreements, H.947 on a residential universal design building code, H.948 on membership of the Retired Employees Committee on Insurance, and H.949 on homestead and non-homestead property tax yields and technical education finance changes. Three Senate bills were also read and referred: S.189 on hospital service reductions, S.203 on penalties for repeat DUI offenses, and S.313 on transforming Vermont’s career technical education system. The House also recognized several guests and announcements, including family members of members, airport employees, a UVM student intern, and visitors from Brazil. A House concurrent resolution, HCR 168, was read and congratulated Girl Scout Troop 60336 of Milton on earning the Bronze Award for a community garden project that improved accessibility through rain barrels and raised beds. The resolution highlighted the troop’s leadership and the role of its co-leaders, and the chamber applauded the guests in attendance. The main floor action centered on House Bill 642, relating to youthful offender proceedings, where Representative Booton of Barre City offered an amendment to stop the scheduled expansion of Raise the Age to 20-year-olds. Supporters argued the change would preserve current treatment of 18-year-olds while preventing an automatic expansion they said could strain the system and raise public safety concerns; opponents, including the Judiciary Committee, urged waiting for required Department for Children and Families reports due in 2026 before making changes. After debate, a roll call vote was taken on the amendment, with members calling the roll as the vote proceeded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for turkey hunting, archery hunters account for only about 15 to 17% of the total spring harvest.
• <00:23:06.559> And<00:23:06.799> for<00:23:07.039> turkey<00:23:07.440> hunting
• And for turkey hunting, the expansion.
• And for turkey hunting, archery<00:23:08.960> hunters<00:23:09.440> account<00:23:09.760
• family went hunting. family went hunting.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, pledge, and roll call, confirmed a quorum, and then moved through routine business including first reading and referral of Senate File 5019 to the Health and Human Services Committee, along with referral of Senate resolutions 73 to 75 to Rules and Administration. Senator Westrom’s motion to withdraw Senate File 3893 from Finance, give it a second reading, and place it on general orders was adopted. The chamber then took up House File 3556, which renames Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden Program as the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. Senator Hoffman presented the bill as a tribute to Speaker Melissa Hortman’s role in creating and advancing community solar in Minnesota, with Senator Marty and others supporting the recognition. The bill was read a third time and passed on final passage by a vote of 59-7, with the title agreed to. Senate File 1251 followed, a bipartisan bill to remove the June 2026 sunset on crossbow use during archery season and make the allowance permanent. Senator Pa and supporters cited a DNR study showing no negative impact on deer or turkey populations and argued the change would improve participation among women, youth, and older hunters. An A3 technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 67-0. The Senate then considered Senate File 3868, a bill to ban cryptocurrency kiosks in Minnesota due to fraud concerns. The author and supporters described widespread scams targeting seniors and others, citing losses in Minnesota and national fraud data. An A2 amendment requiring lawful-presence verification for foreign remittance transfers was ruled not germane, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on a 34-33 appeal. Debate then began on an A3 amendment related to cash transfers through airports, with members arguing over germaneness and the scope of the fraud-prevention bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we recognize that there's a whole lot of people that like to target turkeys in the spring.
• Um, so we do rules on a biennial basis just so that we're not changing hunting seasons every year and
• Um, so we do rules on a biennial basis just so that we're not changing hunting seasons every year and
• Um, so we do rules on a biennial basis just so that we're not changing hunting seasons every year and
• Guilford, Weldon at the at the hunting Guilford, Weldon at the at the hunting club<00:44:25.280>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the consent calendar and the minutes. It then took up a Department of Employment Security rule, 24193, where the only issue was that a form had not been incorporated by reference. The department submitted an oral conditional approval request with revised language, and the committee approved the rule conditionally. A second Employment Security rule, 195, raised concerns that the notice language was too broad and vague and could amount to oral rulemaking; because the agency had not yet finalized revised language, the committee granted a one-month waiver so the rule could return next month with a conditional approval proposal. The Department of Safety’s contact person notification program rule, 24237, drew comments about Social Security number collection, unclear drafting on one section, and ambiguity about which application needed a signature. The agency agreed to remove Social Security number references from the rules and forms and to adopt the suggested clarifying language with minor edits. After discussion about why the identifiers were needed, the committee approved the rule conditionally with the oral changes. The committee then moved a previously consent-calendar item, OPLC rule 2547, off consent after Representative Maguire objected that the renewal application form was too health-care-focused and user-unfriendly for other professions; the agency said it would revisit the form, and the committee postponed action until next month without needing a waiver. The final major item was Fish and Game’s HB 2548, which changes licensing and permit rules for taking deer, bear, moose, turkey, and furbearing animals. Staff noted extensive public testimony, including a coalition submission, and said the main dispute was over what data the agency should rely on in setting seasons and take limits. Fish and Game explained that declining trapper participation made capture-per-unit-effort data less reliable, so it also uses hunter surveys and UNH research projects funded in part by federal money; the agency said current trapping removals are very low and do not appear to threaten populations. Committee members and public witnesses questioned whether the agency’s responses to comments were sufficiently specific under the new public-comment law, but no final vote on the Fish and Game rule was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jason Hunt would like to, is present and would like to speak. Mr.
• Hunt, but that's the reason, at least in our judgment and based on our information.
• Hunt, but that's the reason, at least in our judgment and based on our information.
• So we mentioned Turkey. Were there pilings that came from... Did we mention Turkey?
• Were there pilings that came from Turkey? Why did we mention Turkey?

Bills: HB1163, HB1168, HR252, HR253, HCR103, HCR108, SB80, SB131, SB251, SB254, SB279, SB384, SB414, SB468, SB469, SB496

Keywords: fireworks, retail sales, fire safety, legislation, holiday celebrations, construction standards, precast concrete, DOTD, building regulations, minimum requirements, public projects, private projects, consumer protection, credit card fees, cash transactions, rounding practices, transparency, low-income, economic impact, residential construction

Transcript Highlights:

• TPWD currently offers this option for deer, turkey, and red drum.
• Currently, Texas offers multiple types of non-resident hunting licenses, including separate permits for
• general hunting, special hunting, and... spring turkey hunting.
• This change will streamline the non-resident hunting license system while keeping Texas... hunting opportunities
• ensures fair pricing and strengthens the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's ability to manage hunting

Keywords: wildlife corridors, animal-vehicle collisions, HB5259, licensing, concurrent resolutions, cultural significance, Senate Bill 1247, public safety, environmental conservation

Summary: The meeting of the committee centered around significant legislative measures, including several bills aimed at enhancing wildlife safety through the establishment of wildlife corridors and licenses for outdoor activities. Key discussions highlighted House Bill 5259, led by Vice Chair Flores, which proposes a wildlife corridor action plan to reduce animal-vehicle collisions in Texas. This bill is crucial given Texas's alarming rate of wildlife-vehicle accidents, and testimonies from supporting members emphasized the need for action to protect both wildlife and public safety. Furthermore, Senate Bill 1247 was brought forward, simplifying the non-resident hunting license system to improve compliance and conservation funding. The committee also addressed multiple concurrent resolutions recognizing towns for their cultural significance, reflecting a broader commitment to community identity and heritage.

Transcript Highlights:

• TPWD currently offers this option for harvested deer, turkey, and red drum.
• Currently, Texas offers multiple types of non-resident hunting hunting license, including separate permits
• for general hunting, special hunting, and spring turkey hunting.
• To adjust fees and categories as needed, this change will streamline the non-resident hunting license
• system while keeping Texas hunting opportunities affordable for out of state hunters.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't hunt anymore.
• lifetime license holder I have hunted lifetime license holder I have hunted fished<01:44:51.040>
• So would you purchase a hunting license that allows you to hunt with air rifles?
• period of time to hunt.
• hunting as an example, any hunting violation carries with it a one-year automatic loss of license.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Bills: SB 26, SB 28, SJR 36, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SB 28, SR 131, SR 168, SR 174, SR 175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28, SB28, SR131, SR168, SR174, SR175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• Hunt, but that's the reason, at least in our judgment and based on our information.
• Representative Deming and I were saying we're going to hunt down some free points. Thank you.
• Representative Domaine and I were saying, we're going to hunt down some free points. Thank you.
• So we mentioned Turkey. Were there pilings that came from... Did we mention Turkey?
• Were there pilings that came from Turkey? Why did we mention Turkey?

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and the chair noting it was the committee’s last meeting of the session. The committee first considered Senate Bill 254, which would prohibit certain excess debit card surcharges and authorize enforcement by the Attorney General. After adopting technical amendments and a committee amendment requiring written notice before a private right of action, the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up Senate Bill 80 on broadband administration fees and GUMBO program closeout. Members questioned the proposed increase in administrative and contractor fees, the timing of project completion, and how withheld reimbursements would work for utility damage. After adopting several amendments, including cleanup language and a provision to restore the reimbursement process, the bill was reported favorably as amended, though the Louisiana Telecommunications Association voiced concerns about the withholding language and lack of a clearer fault-determination process. The committee next considered Senate Bill 469, updating the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law. Technical amendments were adopted, along with amendments clarifying that the bill’s 30-day notice to utility owner-operators is separate from existing GUMBO notice requirements and creating a rapid dispute-resolution process involving the Office of Broadband, the utility operator, and the local governing authority. Testimony from broadband and municipal stakeholders emphasized the need for quicker responses to excavation damage and better enforcement, while some witnesses raised concerns about the late amendment and the need for clearer recourse and standards. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 468, dealing with fuel rewards programs and fuel discount limits, was also amended to allow such discounts while capping them at $1 below the advertised price; it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 131, concerning attorney’s fees and costs in professional licensing disciplinary proceedings, drew testimony from a cosmetology board representative and the Pelican Institute. Supporters argued the bill would curb incentives for boards to generate revenue through enforcement and give licensees a fairer opportunity to resolve cases; board testimony noted that some boards already have fee caps and that enforcement actions are relatively limited. After adopting an amendment clarifying when a licensee is the prevailing party, the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 251 on critical infrastructure protection also received technical amendments and several substantive changes, including adding ports and airports to the definition of critical infrastructure, clarifying “significant access,” adding a knowledge requirement, and adjusting exemptions and enforcement timing; it was reported favorably as amended after testimony from State Armor representatives about foreign adversary threats. Finally, House Resolution 253 was introduced to create a task force to study how post-2005 building code additions and inspection requirements affect residential construction costs, with the sponsor explaining the goal was to gather industry input and return recommendations next session.