Video & Transcript : 'Texas Parks and Wildlife Code' :

Page 55 of 500
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We urge you to protect and expand energy efficiency strategies like the state energy code rather than
  • I currently chair our new form committee of the Energy Committee, Fish and Wildlife, Legislative Law
  • We have failures in Hawaii and failures in Texas where resources were built, and in both of those cases
  • and solar imports from Wyoming and Montana.
  • And folks who oppose this often sue and sue and sue. ...who oppose this often sue and sue and provide
Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5821, which would direct the Department of Commerce, if funded by gifts or grants, to develop a nuclear power strategic framework and integrate it into the state energy strategy. Supporters, including Sen. Braun, Energy Northwest, public power representatives, and several pro-nuclear advocates, said Washington needs to keep advanced nuclear on the table to address rising electricity demand, reliability concerns, and clean energy goals. Opponents, including the Sierra Club, Columbia Riverkeeper, tribal representatives, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill gives nuclear special treatment, lacks sufficient guardrails on waste, safety, cost, and public process, and was rushed without adequate tribal consultation. Several tribal testifiers said the bill should require early, meaningful government-to-government consultation and stronger protections for treaty rights and cultural resources. The committee then held a work session on a Washington State Institute for Public Policy report reviewing state policies supporting small modular reactors. Staff and researchers explained that the report surveyed 79 policies in 35 states and found most states are still in preliminary planning stages, with policies focused on feasibility studies, siting, workforce development, permitting, financial support, and market integration. Members asked about water use, waste, footprint, and whether the report covered fusion; the researchers said it was limited to fission and that water needs vary by reactor design. Some senators noted the need to consider lifecycle impacts and compare nuclear with other energy technologies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6010, which would change FSEC tribal consultation procedures by exempting most government-to-government consultations from the Open Public Meetings Act when there is no deliberation or commitments, requiring all FSEC members to participate in consultation, and giving tribes a chance to review and correct the consultation summary before it goes to the governor. Tribal witnesses and environmental groups supported the bill as a way to improve confidentiality and meaningful consultation, while the Association of Washington Business opposed it, saying it could add delays and suggesting timelines. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6004, which would update contracting statutes so public entities can contract for renewable or non-emitting generation capability under CETA definitions; utilities supported the update as a modernization, while consumer and environmental opponents warned it could shift financial risk to ratepayers, especially for nuclear projects. No votes were taken in the transcript.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Feb 12th, 2026

Washington House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Eastside Fire and Rescue.
  • And I remember my sister and I just saying, we're going to fill this bin before he does.
  • And thank you, Madam Speaker.
  • , and some...
  • Speaker, and good morning.
Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the chamber approved the previous day’s minutes. Members then caucused briefly before moving into second reading and third reading action on several bills, with the day also marking the start of the three-minute debate rule through House of Origin cutoff. The House passed House Bill 2338, which expands the low-income home weatherization program to support community-scale weatherization projects, especially for multifamily housing. It also passed House Bill 2353, raising the threshold for requiring predesign work on public projects from $10 million to $15 million, and Substitute House Bill 2363, a trailer bill allowing music therapy students to practice under supervision while exam scores are pending. Members described these as efficiency measures and consumer or workforce improvements. The chamber also approved Substitute House Bill 2525 to establish the Heritage Orchard Program and a registry at Washington State University to preserve rare and heritage apple varieties, with sponsors emphasizing the importance of Washington’s apple industry and agricultural history. Additional bills passed unanimously included Substitute House Bill 2420 on increasing small works roster thresholds, Substitute House Bill 2428 on preventing unintended lapses in life insurance by allowing third-party designees, House Bill 2604 allowing electronic signatures for transferring salvage vehicles to insurers, and Substitute House Bill 2107 making permanent a pilot requiring Labor and Industries to notify employers of identified job-site hazards within 10 days. Finally, the House adopted Amendment 1517 and passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2247, which updates veterinarian-client-patient relationship rules to allow telehealth between required physical visits and requires annual veterinarian oversight for certain animal production, commercial, and breeding operations. All of the listed bills received overwhelming support, with each final passage vote recorded at 94 yeas and 0 nays, except House Bill 2338, which passed 93-1.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 978 directs the CPUC to create a special rate structure for large-load data centers and hard-codes
  • Lifeguards and park rangers lack appropriate guidance, equipment, and training to minimize their exposure
  • With me today, I have in support Michael Verderber, a San Diego park ranger with SEIU Local 221, and
  • Supervising Park Ranger Mike Verderber, County of San Diego, and proud SEIU Local 221 union member.
  • , Tijuana River Valley, and Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge.
Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on workplace technology, labor protections, and data center oversight. SB 947, the No Robo Bosses Act of 2026, would require human review before automated systems are used in discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and would ban predictive behavior analysis in the workplace. Labor groups, worker advocates, and privacy organizations supported the bill, arguing AI can be biased and should not make life-changing employment decisions without human judgment. Business groups opposed it, saying it was broader than prior versions, could interfere with workplace safety tools, and should not include a private right of action or cover independent contractors. After discussion about due process and accountability, the bill passed the committee 3-1 and was sent to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act, would require data centers to pay upfront for new transmission or distribution infrastructure, create a separate rate structure so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers, and include skilled-and-trained labor standards for construction. Supporters said the bill would protect ratepayers, create good construction jobs, and encourage zero-carbon energy development. Opponents, including the Data Center Coalition and Silicon Valley Leadership Group, argued the CPUC already has ongoing proceedings on these issues and warned the bill could single out one industry and discourage investment. The committee members emphasized labor standards and community concerns, and the bill passed 3-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, would expand WARN-style notice requirements for layoffs caused by AI or automation, require reporting to workers, local government, and EDD, and give displaced workers first consideration for other openings. Supporters said the bill responds to rapid AI-driven layoffs and would provide needed transparency and data. Opponents said the definitions were too broad, the notice requirements too burdensome, and the bill conflicted with existing WARN law; they also objected to the private right of action and inclusion of independent contractors. The committee discussed amendments clarifying that an employee may still be discharged for reasonable and substantiated cause during the notice period. The bill passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. The committee also approved SB 1032, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for temporary staffing agencies, and SB 1046, which would direct Cal/OSHA to develop standards to protect lifeguards and park rangers from transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. SB 1032 drew support from labor and enforcement advocates who said it would help stop staffing fraud, while staffing firms argued the bill was vague and could burden legitimate small businesses; it passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. SB 1046 was supported by park workers and community groups describing health impacts from pollution and passed 4-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent item, which passed 4-0, and then adjourned.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Jan 22nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Some states like Wyoming and Texas dedicate a lot of their oil and gas severance funds to transportation
  • at five snow parks and 25 trail systems through sanitation, snow removal, and grooming contracts with
  • I pay $120 a year for my permit that allows me to park at a snow park and ski on groomed trails.
  • Parks numbers, to 19,000 and are continuing to decline.
  • He said enforcement is limited, and that the dollars available for Fish and Wildlife amount to about
Summary: The committee first received a presentation from NCSL staff on national transportation funding trends and alternative user-fee options as gas tax revenue declines. The presentation covered declining fuel-tax purchasing power, the effects of more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles, and a range of state responses including indexed gas taxes, EV and hybrid registration fees, voluntary and mandatory road usage charges, transportation network company fees, retail delivery fees, and per-kilowatt-hour EV charging fees. Members asked about Virginia’s mileage-fee program, enrollment rates, and whether states had reduced gas taxes alongside new fees; the presenters said they would follow up with additional information. Committee staff then presented a comparison of Washington’s transportation budget with Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, focusing on population, lane miles, road condition, fuel taxes, preservation spending, mega-projects, and governance structures. The discussion highlighted Washington’s unique transportation pressures, including ferries, fish-passage obligations, high debt service, and major capital projects. Members asked follow-up questions about debt service, interest costs, CCA impacts on fuel prices, and whether project costs differed by state. The committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2109 would allow vehicles being towed on trailers to use coverings to contain mud, rocks, or debris instead of requiring prior cleaning; the bill’s sponsor and construction witnesses supported it as a practical solution, and the fiscal note showed modest costs to WSP and WSDOT. House Bill 2139 would raise snowmobile registration fees to support snow park and trail grooming; State Parks, DNR, and several snowmobile advocates supported it, while some snowmobile users opposed it, arguing that enforcement of unregistered sleds should be addressed first. House Bill 2192 would expand the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s fatal crash review authority and allow it to collect certain health data; the sponsor and agency supported the bill as a public-health tool, while one attorney raised concerns about limiting civil discovery and evidentiary access in fatal crash litigation.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Jan 29th, 2026

Resources and Conservation

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, as you recall, last session, we passed House Bill 14, and that was the Code Cleanup Act.
  • Last session, we passed House Bill 14, and that was the Code Cleanup Act.
  • and submit those recommendations for repeal of old, outdated, non-useful code.
  • RS 32890 deals with parks and recreation.
  • These pertain to the outdoor recreation enhancement and the Park and Recreation Fund.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 26th, 2025

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Missions and National Historical Park.
  • laws and Texas policies. parks.
  • World Heritage Site have changed significantly. ...its site, and all other national park sites in Texas
  • and the new T-Code.
  • Mayor of Lakeway, Texas, and yourself.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • As this bill has moved forward, we have worked with the Assembly, Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee
  • This is going to bring in the Business and Professions Code.
  • This is going to bring in the business and profession code.
  • And where that language came in with, let's focus on the burn area and the adjacent zip codes downwind
  • This bill also maintains protections for the environment, fish, and wildlife.
Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 2218, which would declare state policy to recognize and address water-related inequities affecting California Native American tribes and require several state agencies to incorporate that policy into water-related decisions. The author and tribal witnesses said the bill would codify a seat at the table for tribes and build on existing consultation and equity commitments, while supporters from environmental and tribal organizations backed the measure. Opponents from municipal utilities, water agencies, cities, counties, agriculture, and business groups argued the bill was too vague, could create uncertainty for water supply and project approvals, and might invite litigation. The chair signaled support, and the author said the bill was intended as a consultation measure rather than one that would usurp agency authority. The committee then took up AB 1795, a wildfire smoke-damage bill that would establish statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating smoke-damaged homes and create clearer insurance claim handling rules. The Department of Insurance supported the bill, saying it would bring consistency and accountability after major urban-interface fires, while wildfire survivors and advocates said current insurer practices leave families unable to safely return home. Insurance and local government groups opposed unless amended, warning about cost, implementation uncertainty, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed unresolved issues, including how the bill would interact with a separate wildfire health-and-safety bill, whether it would apply to existing policies, and how presumptions and testing standards should work. The committee voted AB 1795 out on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 1642, another wildfire-related bill, was also heard and focused on setting science-based testing and clearance standards for homes, schools, and businesses after urban and wildland-urban interface fires. The author and a Caltech scientist described contamination from lead and other heavy metals in fire-affected homes and argued for a presumption that certain contaminants found after a fire came from the wildfire, to reduce costly disputes. Survivors and many advocacy groups supported the bill, while insurers and other industry groups opposed, saying the testing regime was too broad, the geographic scope was unclear, and the presumptions could function like strict liability and raise insurance costs. Senators pressed both sides on how AB 1642 would overlap with the CDI smoke-claims task force and with AB 1795, and the author said the two bills were intended to be complementary and would continue to be reconciled. The committee also briefly heard AB 1976, which would create a CEQA exemption for pedestrian malls and limit certain local procedural delays for pedestrian and traffic-calming projects. Supporters said it would make it easier to create safer, more walkable, and more livable streets, and there was no opposition testimony. The chair described it as a narrow CEQA exemption for active transportation-related projects and indicated support. The committee then moved on to AB 2026, a groundwater recharge permitting bill, with the author explaining that it would streamline permitting so more recharge projects can capture floodwater and store it for drought years; testimony on that bill began as the transcript ended.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • And we’ve had many questions here about our state parks and our liabilities and how much money that costs
  • upkeep and parking lots and things of that nature.
  • and other wildlife that we need protection for?
  • and another wildlife that we need protection?
  • And any wildlife management areas or state parks that exist and provide habitat for those species allow
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 180, a disaster-funding measure that was amended with a substitute adding reporting requirements for the Natural Disaster Revolving Fund, creating a new funding “waterfall” that could draw first from the executive orders for disaster fund, then the appropriation contingency fund, and then the revolving fund, and removing language tied to the end of a fiscal year. The sponsor said the bill clarifies which disaster funds may be used for natural and non-natural disasters, limits and structures executive authority, and improves transparency. Supporters included the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts and the Village of Ruidoso; DFA raised concern that the transfer language could unintentionally create a deficit and threaten bond obligations. After questions about non-natural disasters, executive orders, and the fiscal impact, the committee voted do not pass on the original bill and do pass on the committee substitute. House Bill 158, dealing with the Government Results and Opportunity Expendable Trust, was amended with a technical change replacing “expendable trust” with “program fund” in several places. The bill would require agencies receiving GROW appropriations to submit accountability and evaluation plans to the state budget division director and LFC director. Sponsors said they had worked with DFA and tried to address concerns raised in a prior veto message. There was no public opposition, and the committee approved the bill as amended. House Bill 271 proposed a one-time $100 million general fund appropriation to the Office of Natural Resources Trustees for public land expansion and restoration, plus up to $30 million for state matching funds for political subdivisions with approved federal disaster assistance. Supporters from outdoor recreation, conservation, wildlife, and local government groups said the bill would help restore fire- and flood-damaged lands, expand access, and support rural economies; opponents or skeptics raised concerns about land management, tax base loss, tribal consultation, and whether the state should acquire more land given New Mexico’s already high public-land percentage. After extended debate, the committee tabled the bill. Finally, House Bill 246 was heard as a Lincoln County/Ruidoso floodplain mitigation bill. It would provide state matching funds so local governments can leverage federal Emergency Watershed Protection dollars to buy out and rehabilitate repeatedly flooded properties, with the goal of reducing future disaster risk. The sponsor and county officials said the program is voluntary, based on pre-disaster valuation, and intended to help residents relocate while restoring floodplains; supporters from conservation and recreation groups said it could become a model for disaster recovery. Committee members asked about property priority levels, voluntary participation, ownership after acquisition, and climate-related planning. The discussion ended with the sponsor describing the bill as a Lincoln County-specific effort tied to ongoing flood recovery and forest-management concerns.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Housing Jan 29th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Ds are in 102, and the R's are in B-15. All right, 102 and B-15.
  • rules and regulations and red tape.
  • And we really want to make sure our seniors have housing. in the air and not help in this area and we
  • And I think there's some space. We've done some work in this committee and others.
  • I know it was complicated and lots of back and forth and discussions over the interim, as well as this
Bills: HB1542 , HB2452 , HB2664
Committee: House Housing
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Jan 28th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • and thousands of acres of forest and... ...closest proximity to a national park and thousands of acres
  • Yes, our national parks,... closest proximity to a national park and thousands of acres of forest and
  • And we, who own this precious resource called Mount Rainier National Park, are locked...
  • national park, such as an inland temperate rainforest, the largest and deepest lake in the park, and
  • national park, such as an inland temperate rainforest, the largest and deepest lake in the park, and
Bills: HB2550 , HB2645 , HB2109 , HB2134 , HB2323
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • And welcome to the Zip Code settlement guidelines. Thank you.
  • This would be DPS and Texas Rangers, things like that?
  • Parks and Wildlife.
  • there's a thing called an E&M code. which is an evaluation and management code.
  • then the CBC rollouts for Central Texas. and South Texas.
Bills: SB1 , SB 1
Committee: Senate Finance
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/17/2026 - House Commerce

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • are identified as safe materials, and our concern is in states like, again, Texas, Tennessee, Florida
  • is miles away, and the city, town, or county has no money for new parks, with easy entrance for a variety
  • a park down the street and strict design standards, you can do that because there's ample of that.
  • The cities have building codes, and this bill does not touch the building codes concerning safety.
  • It has nothing to do with family parks or streets where fire apparatus can turn around and that kind
Bills: SB1254 , SB1431 , SB1478 , SB1566 , SB1787
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Commerce and Small Business Committee Feb 18th, 2026

Commerce and Small Business

Transcript Highlights:
  • Utah and they came and had a suggestion.
  • But then somebody comes in later and owns McDonald's and tells you you got to shut it down. and they
  • 00:09:12.160><c> and</c><00:09:12.399><c> the</c><00:09:12.720><c> only</c> and negotiated in Utah and
  • and owns McDonald's and comes in later and owns McDonald's and tells<00:10:47.839><c> you</c><00:10:
  • </c> business and they've not been open and business and they've not been open and they<00:11:34.399>
Bills: HB418 , SB138 , SB215 , HB418 , SB138 , SB215
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 28th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Labor & Workplace Standards

Transcript Highlights:
  • and the exposures and the carcinogens and just the job conditions.
  • And the exposures and the carcinogens and just the job conditions of both of these professions.
  • And I know we feel like we're crafting and chiseling away and trying to make this perfect economy that
  • He thanked the stakeholders and staff for their work, including O'Reill and Allison, and said, “It’s
  • I think it's a good practice so it's asking L and I to do that and then the last thing is and we've
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Jan 13th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • And as Mr.
  • to listen and how kindness and how far kindness goes.
  • And as we're thinking about prevention, and we're thinking about what we know about young people and
  • And I have found children that lived and died in between census records, and they're not connected to
  • And so this really starts to set some calendar expectations, and I like that part and promote that part
Bills: SCR8406 , SB5825 , SB5842 , SB5863 , SB5840
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 17th, 2026

Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:
  • I work for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and I urge you to support this bill.
  • Department of Fish and Wildlife, and I urge you to support this bill. Thank you. Good morning.
  • I'm a senior scientist with Fish and Wildlife and a proud member of CAPS UAW, and I strongly urge you
  • The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a proud member of CAPS UAW, and I ask for your support
  • I'm with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and an environmental scientist.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 17th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • O Allah, we pray for love and not hate, for peace and not war, for unity and not division.
  • and reenacting Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas.
  • And we share mutual respect and we share mutual values and celebration and traditions.
  • Kew and Drew, McEwen and Jim.
  • Devices must comply with building codes and safety standards and manufacturer guidelines.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 16th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • If this is so right and is going to magically justify our tax code into something more better and that
  • And we cannot keep up with the regressive tax code. Yes, my district pays more.
  • And I knew as a high school student that something was wrong with the tax code.
  • We have a tax code that picks winners and losers today, by the way. That was mentioned.
  • Our tax code picks winners and losers today. The winners are the wealthiest among us.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and the nation.
  • and purpose, grace and leadership, empathy and decision-making, kindness and community, and understanding
  • And whereas good governance depends on the curiosity, creativity, and insight of our youth, and nurturing
  • potential, and be inspired by the engagement, creativity, and contributions they have shown and will
  • And 40 years ago, when Shelley and I met, got engaged, and married in a reasonably short amount of time