Transcript Highlights:

• Nature Conservancy, waving in support. Thank you so much.
• We have Chief Conservation Officer George Wharton here from FWC.
• So the management plan and the permitting guidelines go hand in hand with tortoise conservation.
• The management plan provides the conservation actions needed to conserve tortoises.
• To date, 149 sites have been enrolled in the program, conserving 97,000 acres across the state.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 200, which would implement recommendations from DEP’s 2020 Recycling Goal Final Report by creating a technical assistance group to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026. The bill focuses on recycling education and outreach, evaluating the former recycling grant program, and developing markets for recyclable materials. Supporters from the waste and recycling industry and counties said the bill would finally create a real plan to help Florida move toward its recycling goals. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, which would promote green, gray, and hybrid infrastructure, direct USF’s Flood Hub to develop guidelines, require DEP rulemaking on erosion and mangrove protection, and study whether nature-based flood reduction could help lower insurance costs. Supporters appeared in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7000 as a committee bill to continue a public records exemption protecting site-specific location information for threatened and endangered species. Members next took up SB 56 on weather modification activities. The bill would prohibit the release of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere to affect weather or sunlight, define geoengineering, increase penalties through an amendment, and create a DEP reporting hotline with possible referral to DOH or emergency management. The sponsor and several supporters argued the bill was needed to address public concerns and lack of oversight, while several senators questioned the evidence, the role of state agencies, and whether the bill was ready for passage. Despite opposition from some members, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 62 creating a resilient building tax credit program, after amending it to shift agency references from DEP to DBPR and add university advisory members, and CS for SB 80 to clarify state park management as conservation-based, require public notice and advisory input for plan changes, and improve reporting on park repairs; both bills were reported favorably after testimony from supporters and conservation groups who sought tighter language to prevent incompatible uses. Finally, the committee received presentations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on gopher tortoise relocation, wildlife disease surveillance, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. FWC described tortoise relocation and recipient-site programs, ongoing monitoring of wildlife diseases such as chronic wasting disease and feline leukomyelopathy, and efforts to address fish die-offs and update sanctuary agreements amid state-federal jurisdiction issues. No votes were taken on the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the private sector, as we'll see, the effort has failed.
• This bill balances conservation and economic benefit with industry interest.
• The Hudson River is coming back after millions of dollars and a lot of efforts going on there.
• The Watch Association and Port Aransas Conservancy. Porter-Rands Conservancy? Conservancy, yes.
• All right, we have Eric Allman, attorney, Coastal Watch Association, Port Aransas Conservancy.

Bills: HB4568, HB5458, HB4543, HB2703, HB3728, HCR113, HCR126

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a team effort.
• Conservatives argue government works best when it’s closest to the people.
• Because just like I received Jane Madison, the conservative perspective of this.
• I come from an area that's very fiscally conservative. It has done a great job.
• And devoting this much time, this much effort, our staff, And devoting this much time, this much effort

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's been a more conservative approach to the estimate generally.
• I think there's been a more conservative approach to the estimate generally.
• Innovation is a collaborative effort.
• Innovation is a collaborative effort.
• It's also not conservative, because we know WSDOT has done previous investment-grade analyses.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the League does not work on those individual efforts on behalf of those projects, but we do work
• not work on those individual uh efforts not work on those individual uh efforts on<00:02:10.239>
• Um, next we have Nells Pollson, policy director at Conservation Minnesota. Welcome, Mr. Pollson.
• My name is Nells Pollson, and I serve as the policy director at Conservation Minnesota.
• My name is Nells Pollson, and I serve as the policy director at Conservation Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Assembly Member Glick, chairing the Assembly's Environmental Conservation Committee.
• I'M ASSEMBLYMEMBER GLICK CHAIRING THE ASSEMBLY'S ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMITTEE.
• the Adirondack Park Agency, the Department of Ag and Markets, the Department of Environmental Conservation
• forward to working with our colleagues to make sure every voice is heard with regard to this next effort
• forward to working with our colleagues to make sure every voice is heard with regard to this next effort

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Conference Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Housing opened budget negotiations for the 2026-2027 enacted budget, with Senate and Assembly leaders outlining their one-house proposals and committee members giving brief remarks. The discussion covered environment, agriculture, housing, parks, and energy, with repeated emphasis on affordability, climate resilience, and support for rural and urban communities. Senate and Assembly chairs described the process and noted the agencies present, while minority members criticized the overall size of the budgets and urged more attention to housing affordability, building stakeholders, and energy costs. On the environment and energy side, the Senate highlighted proposals for $138 million in additional clean water infrastructure funding, a $75 million increase to the Environmental Protection Fund, $95 million in restored parks capital, $200 million for the Energy Affordability Program, and $1 billion for Sustainable Futures 2.0, including a proposed revival of the NY STUN program. The Assembly said it increased the EPF to $500 million, raised clean water infrastructure funding to $800 million, and included targeted amounts for cities, rural housing-related water projects, Cornell Ag Tech, and the Center for Sustainable Materials Management. Democrats argued that high utility bills are driven by natural gas costs rather than clean energy, while Senate and Assembly Republicans said the CLCPA and other energy mandates are increasing costs and should be reconsidered. Agriculture remarks focused on research, farm support, and resilience. Senator Hinchey described funding for Cornell’s COWS program, Farm to School amendments, $7 million for farm worker housing, and a new $20 million Farm Weather Resiliency Grant Program. Chair Lupardo said the Assembly added $16 million over the Governor’s proposal for educational research and outreach, restored support for beginning and disadvantaged farmers, and backed dairy, livestock, hemp fiber, and natural fibers initiatives, while also accepting $30 million in farmer tariff relief if guidelines are set. Minority Assembly Member Tague supported dairy infrastructure funding but criticized the farm labor overtime phase-down and the CLCPA’s impacts on farms. Housing discussion centered on major capital and assistance programs. The Assembly proposed $200 million more for the Housing Access Voucher Program, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama and NYCHA, $50 million for down payment assistance, $4 million for fair housing testing, land banks, and $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program. The Senate outlined similar priorities, including $500 million for NYCHA, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama preservation, $250 million total for HAVP, and additional funding for mixed-income rental development, vacant rentals, senior housing, and block-by-block infill. Chair Rosenthal said rent stabilization was not being changed in the budget, while Republican members argued that affordability requires lower taxes, lower utility costs, and fewer regulatory burdens. No votes were taken; the meeting was an opening round of budget negotiations and ended with closing remarks from both sides.

Transcript Highlights:

• In public education, the subcommittee made our best efforts to make decisions in a manner that ensures
• This decision was made with the robust starting point of the base bill in mind, largely focusing efforts
• I do not believe any true fiscal conservative can support this budget, and I respectfully implore every
• This is a budget that is very conservative and that does.
• I appreciate your efforts to reduce the unfunded liability of the...

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Natalie Brown from the Planning and Conservation League, sharing opposition. Thank you.
• Yes, we have to look at the conservation side of things, but we have to look at the cliff of reality
• And whether that's going to be through recycling water, increased conservation efforts, groundwater recharge
• In an effort to ensure these protections and a workforce pipeline for residents in Imperial Valley and
• have expended significant resources to restore this toxic body of water, and they have done so in an effort

Summary: The committee heard several water- and environment-related bills. SB 72, by Senator Caballero, would modernize the California Water Plan and set long-term water supply targets, including an interim goal of 9 million acre-feet of additional water by 2040. Supporters from water districts, local governments, business groups, and agricultural interests argued the bill is needed to address climate-driven shortages, protect the economy, and improve planning for droughts, flooding, recharge, recycling, storage, and conveyance. Opponents, including environmental and conservation groups, argued the bill could overstate demand, increase costs, and make it harder to protect instream flows and ecosystems. The committee discussed the science behind the 9 million acre-feet target and the need to balance water supply planning with fish and ecological needs. SB 72 passed on a do-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 369, by Senator Padilla, would require a local skilled and trained workforce for all Salton Sea restoration work. The author and sponsors said the bill would protect workers exposed to hazardous conditions at the Salton Sea, create good local jobs in Imperial County, and ensure long-term workforce standards for publicly funded restoration projects. Support came from labor organizations, contractors, and other regional stakeholders; no opposition testified. Members emphasized the region’s high unemployment and the importance of workforce development. The bill passed on a do-pass motion to Labor and Employment. SB 697, by Senator Laird, would update the stream system adjudication process by allowing the State Water Board to use modern technology, such as stream gauges and digitized records, when investigating water rights claims, while still allowing field investigations when needed. The author said the process has not been updated since 1976 and should be streamlined. After amendments addressed stakeholder concerns, there was no opposition testimony. The committee asked whether the bill would affect pre-1914 water rights, and the author said it would not. SB 697 passed as amended to Judiciary. The committee also approved consent calendar items SB 599, SB 609, and SB 765 earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• > District Senate File 43, Conservation District Supervisor Contracting, sponsored by Senator
• Senate File 85, Conservation Program. Senate File 85, Raven<01:24:59.600> Act.
• Senate File 85, Conservation Program.
• So far, our efforts have been focused on irrigation infrastructure.
• Um this is an effort to municipal side.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to establish English as the efforts to establish English as the official<00:09:25.279> language
• <00:29:50.640> and have to slow recruiting efforts and have to slow recruiting efforts and
• they've mocked House Republicans efforts they've mocked House Republicans efforts to<02:33:42.760
• It's a very coordinated effort. They deny it, but, you know, make no mistake: every U.S.
• energy relating to energy conservation energy relating to energy conservation program<03:35:21.800

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nature Conservancy, New Hampshire Audubon,<01:10:46.360> Conservation<01:10:47.200> Law
• ><01:10:47.400> Foundation, Audubon, Conservation Law Foundation, Audubon, Conservation Law Foundation
• Um you know, fellow conservatives had.
• Questions from the committee. bipartisan effort to pass something like bipartisan effort to pass something
• efforts efforts um<02:35:47.400> to<02:35:47.560> implement<02:35:48.160> the<02

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Occasionally it's for conservation. Occasionally it's for conservation.
• conservation effort of income place conservation effort of income place federal<00:51:09.520>
• So right now they consider conserving partial amounts, and this would make them conserve 100%.
• conserving 100%. conserving 100%.
• This is really effort into this.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session opened on February 13, 2026, with the chair outlining the committee’s advisory role and the possible motions available under House Rule 45. The committee then took up House Bill 1569, concerning the Philbrook Center/state hospital campus property, and heard extensive testimony from Commissioner Charlie Arlinghouse. He explained that the property is currently one parcel and state law prevents subdivision unless a separate Senate bill, identified as SB 572, is enacted to fix the legal issue. He said HB 2 directed the sale of the property but did not address subdivision or marketing details, and he characterized the $5 million revenue estimate as speculative. He also said the state would first offer the property to the city or county, which he viewed as the most practical buyer and potential partner for any subdivision work. Members asked whether the building should be retained for transitional housing or sold, what would happen after July 1, 2026, and whether other vacant state buildings could absorb the current occupants. Arlinghouse said there are no firm plans for the building if it is not sold, and that HHS would remain until a sale occurs. He described the building as not especially historic or attractive and noted plumbing issues, while also acknowledging HHS’s view that it could serve as transitional housing. He said there is no reserve stock of office space, that the state already rents substantial office space in Concord, and that some nearby state buildings are either under renovation or only partially usable. He also said the Executive Council would have to approve any sale and that moving costs are usually not budgeted in advance, leaving the using agency to absorb them. Several members raised concerns about relying on asset sales to balance the budget, citing past examples where projected real estate revenue did not materialize on schedule. Arlinghouse agreed that one-time revenue should generally be used for one-time expenses, but said the state sometimes has legitimate reasons to sell assets and that such decisions depend on the state’s needs. He estimated the state rents roughly 100,000 square feet of office space in Concord at about $25 per square foot, and said he would provide a more exact figure later. In response to a question about whether the state should include a right of first refusal if the property is later resold, he said that idea had not been considered but could make sense, especially if the buyer is the city or county. No votes were taken during this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses to expand their R&D efforts businesses to expand their R&D efforts leading<00
• I'm the government relations director for The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization working to
• While The Nature Conservancy is a landowner enrolled in the program, and whose payments are used
• toward forest management efforts, it would be negatively impacted by the proposal.
• and will ultimately impact conservation and will ultimately impact the<01:03:11.920> state's<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The American Bar Association supports these efforts in law education.
• Is there enough shared resources nationally for those efforts?
• We support wildlife services through water conservation programs. programs.
• As we move to slide number five on forestry, ... conservation.
• You know where I mean, we have a multi-year effort to put that dock in place.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You will be, in my assessment, without question, the leading, most conservative Chancellor. ...and the
• He will be the most conservative Chancellor.
• university in the world of non-... ...conservative universities.
• But with Brandon's leadership to finish up some of the conservative ideas that he's had and implemented
• I said, if you will ever just step out and trust the fact that if you will be the conservative answer

Bills: SB 8, SB 1, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB27, HB7, HB17, HB1, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB20, HB18, HB7, HB17, HB1, HB20, HB18, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SR85, SR87, SB8, SB5, SB2, SB10, HB27

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam

Transcript Highlights:

• We also know in this particular hearing today we're going to be hearing about the economic efforts that
• are before... ...about the economic efforts that are focused on our entrepreneurs, focused on bringing
• So with that, let me turn it over to Derek Kirk, who's led our efforts on this program, and we'll do
• Abigail Smet, representing the San Gabriel Valley Conservation and Service Corps, the Conservation Corps
• of Long Beach, Conservation Corps North Bay, and the San Jose Conservation Corps, all strongly in support

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration heard presentations from Go-Biz and the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation on the Governor’s budget proposals. Go-Biz described California Jobs First, the state’s 10-year economic development strategy, and emphasized support for small businesses, workforce development, and targeted investment in sectors such as ag tech, life sciences, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. Members raised concerns about federal policy changes, tariffs, tourism, housing, child care, and whether state incentives are truly additive; Go-Biz responded that it tracks federal actions closely, works with chambers and advocates, and uses programs like California Competes to target jobs that would not otherwise come to California. The committee then reviewed the proposal to restore the California Competes grant program with $60 million. Go-Biz said the grant would help businesses that cannot use the nonrefundable tax credit, and explained the program’s five-year contracts, milestone-based awards, and recapture provisions. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the grant could be effective but recommended stronger oversight and clearer eligibility criteria, while also noting the 30% cap in trailer bill language may be too restrictive given the smaller funding level. Public testimony supported the grant and suggested considering refundability or transferability for the tax credit to broaden access for smaller and startup businesses. Members also heard the CHIPS-related proposal for $25 million to support Natcast’s semiconductor design and collaboration facility in Sunnyvale. Go-Biz and public witnesses argued the state investment would help secure a major federal research facility, retain engineering talent, and leverage billions in broader investment, while the LAO recommended rejecting the item because of its dependence on uncertain federal funding and the state’s budget condition. The committee also considered a $17 million continuation of CA RISE, which supports employment social enterprises; Go-Biz and several grantees cited strong job placement and workforce outcomes, while the LAO recommended rejection absent a more rigorous evaluation, noting prior LA RISE evidence did not show long-term employment gains. Finally, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented budget requests for IT security and rent increases, and a trailer bill to raise fees across several programs. DFPI said decades-old fee schedules, inflation, and new regulatory responsibilities have created a structural deficit and warned the department could face insolvency without adjustments. The LAO recommended approving the fee increases only on a three-year limited-term basis and asked for more detailed revenue plans for programs not covered by the proposal, so the Legislature can assess actual collections and market impacts before making the changes permanent.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:36.720> committee should and the conservation committee should and the conservation
• forest committee or conservation forest committee or conservation commission.<00:09:27.440> It's
• So, it's just conservation commission.
• But typically, most municipalities honestly have a conservation commission.
• And same with conservation timber there.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll defer to the hospitals, but it takes quite a bit of time and effort on Medicare to change their
• <00:13:05.839> emphasis quite a bit of time and effort emphasis quite a bit of time and effort
• These attacks started in conservative states years ago and now go all the way up to the White House.
• those conservative states. those conservative states.
• We need safeguards them in that effort.

Bills: SB2936, SB2850, SB2851, SB2521

Keywords: accessible parking, disability, kupuna, public accommodations, small business exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, parking permit, blind, deaf, accessibility, deafness, traffic safety, law enforcement, vehicle registration, communication, emergency services, commercial driver's license, first responders, public safety, authorized emergency vehicle

Summary: The joint hearing covered House Bill 251, which would require hospitals to report costs associated with Medicare and uninsured patients, and House Bill 1875, which would expand protections for gender-affirming health care services. On HB 251, the Department of Health said it supported the intent but described the bill as complicated and potentially impractical as drafted because the department lacks the expertise to produce the required analyses without outside help. Hawaii Health Systems Corporation echoed those concerns, while the Queen’s Health System said it was willing to work with the department to provide the information. In committee discussion, officials explained that hospital support in Hawaii includes public hospital appropriations and the provider tax program, which uses hospital and nursing home contributions to draw federal matching funds; a department witness estimated the net benefit at about $150 million for hospitals and $20 million for nursing facilities, though exact figures would be provided later. On HB 1875, the Insurance Division testified with concerns that the bill’s language on prohibited actions by malpractice insurers was broad and vague, and that a rate-increase prohibition could conflict with actuarially based insurance pricing. The division also noted it was not the primary enforcement agency for the statute. In contrast, many testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, PFLAG Oahu, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, the Hawaii County Democratic Party, and others. Supporters argued that gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and protected by privacy and bodily autonomy principles, and that the bill would protect patients and providers from outside political interference. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This can be a huge jobs and investment engine for Minnesota, and I think this effort can should be a
• We invested $3 million in this effort, and it's working.
• It's working to attract outside money to the participants and to the effort, and it's on the path to
• of our visitors and the greater community through formal and informal education efforts.
• <00:52:46.200> across planning and feasibility efforts across planning and feasibility efforts

Bills: HF1013, HF1598, HF1656, HF2162

Keywords: energy, economic development, funding, renewable resources, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, air ventilation, geothermal, school financing, Minnesota Climate Innovative Finance Authority, geothermal energy, renewable energy, construction funding, Como Zoo, energy efficiency, HF2162, Minnesota, planning grants, renewable development account, clean energy, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're talking potentially here, picture there's a lot of land and potentially conservation use or
• So we're talking potentially here, picture there's a lot of land and potentially conservation use or
• So we're talking potentially here, picture there's a lot of land and potentially conservation use or
• recreation, and wildlife conservation. recreation, and wildlife conservation.
• However, they made the effort to come to Concord to present in person.

Keywords: 1189, house, all