Video & Transcript Research : 'forestry'

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NM
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Land Grant Jul 15th, 2025

House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Again, we entered into a contract with New Mexico State Forestry to take on this project.
  • We worked closely with the State Forestry Department and...
  • There is some great work by State Forestry on the thinning portion.
  • So they've been working closer with State Forestry.
  • We're working closely with State Forestry and Los Alamos.
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

Government Contract Review Committee (1-14-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chris Swedan, Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator with the Kentucky Division of Forestry
  • okay Chris swedan Urban and of Forestry okay Chris swedan Urban and Community<01:41:49.760> forestry
  • of Forestry with the Kentucky division of Forestry good<01:41:53.800> morning<01:41:54.119>
  • We in the Division of Forestry follow the mandates with given grant programs.
  • <01:42:49.159> funding eligible for this urban forestry funding eligible for this urban forestry
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it. The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward. The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection. Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 51 May 4th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma House Floor Meeting

WY
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Appropriations Committee, June 23, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • State Forestry helped to coordinate...
  • State Forestry helped to coordinate updates with local agreements.
  • One of my favorite topics is forestry, wildlife, water.
  • One of my favorite topics is forestry, wildlife, water.
  • Um, with that, state forestry did commit to two pilot programs.
Keywords: 916, all
HI
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

PBS/WAL Public Hearing - Wed Mar 19, 2025 @ 10:30 AM HST

Transcript Highlights:
  • Wildland Fire Protection Forester for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry
  • > Wildlife<00:18:24.240> and<00:18:24.360> the<00:18:24.440> department forestry
  • and Wildlife and the department forestry and Wildlife and the department has<00:18:24.960> divided
  • So the fire program is a part of the forestry program, and the forestry program managers at each branch
  • forestry um program and the forestry forestry um program and the forestry program<00:26:49.399><
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee met on March 19, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures before taking up decision-making. Senate Bill 1381, relating to the Hawaii National Guard, received support from the Department of Defense and other testifiers and was recommended to pass as is. Senate Bill 422, relating to education and high school diplomas for veterans, also drew support from the Department of Education, the Military Affairs Council, and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and was recommended to pass as is. Senate Bill 414, relating to restoring access to disaster-affected areas in Lahaina, was discussed with testimony from HHFDC and others; members agreed to amend the bill to refer to the Department of Transportation as the acquiring agency, and the measure was recommended to pass with amendments. The committee then considered Senate Bill 223, relating to fire prevention. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the bill but recommended changes to make the wildland-urban interface code a matter for the State Fire Council/State Fire Marshal rather than statute, and noted it lacked authority to mandate fuel reduction work on lands outside its control. Members also discussed community fuel reduction funding, with DLNR indicating that $10 million would be an effective amount and describing current funding for equipment, outreach, and positions. The chair proposed amendments to make fuel reduction on non-set-aside lands permissive rather than mandatory, to allow the State Fire Council to amend the state fire code to include easement holders, and to note a defective date and the funding request in the committee report. The bill was recommended to pass with amendments, with one member voting with reservations. In a later decision-making session, the committee considered Senate Bill 1379, relating to emergency preparedness and Community Readiness Centers, and Senate Bill 371, relating to property damage of critical infrastructure facilities. For SB 1379, the chair proposed an HD1 incorporating the Hawaii Advisory Council on Emergency Management and county emergency management in site-selection criteria, adding geographic resilience considerations, changing the defective date, and noting $10.8 million for site design plus $1.2 million for contract support; the bill passed with amendments, with reservations from some members over county input and funding. For SB 371, the chair amended the bill to remove recklessly/negligently causing damage and require intentional conduct throughout, while leaving other issues for Judiciary review; the bill passed with amendments, with at least one member voting with reservations.
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (3-6-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm Steve Cole, environmental scientist consultant with the Division of Forestry. Good morning.
  • Neelon, also with the Division of Forestry. I'm a section supervisor for our forest health program.
  • uh good morning I'm a neelon Forestry uh good morning I'm a neelon also<00:02:27.760> with<00
  • :02:27.879> the<00:02:27.959> division<00:02:28.239> of<00:02:28.360> Forestry
  • <00:02:28.920> I'm<00:02:29.000> a also with the division of Forestry I'm a also with
Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:04 Introduction of Guests 00:54 HB 640 Discussion 01:15 HB 640 Roll Call Vote 05:16 HB 641 Discussion 06:11 HB 641 Roll Call Vote 11:49 HB 790 Discussion 12:47 HB 790 Roll Call Vote 14:23 Chair Comments regarding SB 89 16:04, 958, all
Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up House Bills 640, 641, and 790. HB 640 would authorize the Energy and Environment Cabinet to adopt regulations to control invasive non-native plant species, with testimony focusing on the threat posed by species such as callery pear/Bradford pear to native plants, forest health, and the economy. Members asked whether the bill itself would ban Bradford pears; the sponsor clarified that it would not directly ban them, but would give the cabinet regulatory authority. The bill received a favorable expression by roll call. HB 641 addressed coal combustion byproducts, explaining that the bill would help preserve landfill space by allowing these materials to be reused as special waste in places such as abandoned strip mines or underground mines, and would clarify that reclaimed land could qualify for agricultural use such as pasture, hay, or crop production. Members raised concerns about groundwater and runoff; the sponsor and another member argued that placing the material under cover would reduce exposure compared with open piles currently sitting at power plants. After discussion, the bill passed with favorable expression, with a few members passing on the vote. HB 790, as amended by committee substitute, was described as substantially narrowed from its original form. The substitute removed setback requirements and instead required construction certificate holders for solar merchant electric generating facilities to report federal and state incentives used for siting, construction, and operation, with the cabinet compiling and submitting an annual report to the General Assembly. The committee approved the substitute and the bill passed with favorable expression. At the end of the meeting, members were also reminded of a later TVA energy update meeting and the chair noted ongoing work on Senate Bill 89, with possible future action and a special meeting if revised language is ready.
LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs May 28th, 2026

Revenue & Fiscal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • transactions pursuant to RS 49:316.1 and RS 47:532.4 for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
  • RS 49:316.1 and RS 47:532.4 for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
  • I'm Rebecca Dupree, Deputy Undersecretary at the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and I'm here
  • Stelzer, General Manager of Louisiana Interactive, the partner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry
  • Stelzer, General Manager of Louisiana Interactive, the partner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry
Keywords: 974, senate, all
LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs May 28th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • transactions pursuant to RS 49:316.1 and RS 47:532.4 for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
  • RS 49:316.1 and RS 47:532.4 for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
  • I'm Rebecca Dupree, Deputy Undersecretary at the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and I'm here
  • Stelzer, General Manager of Louisiana Interactive, the partner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry
  • Manager of Louisiana Interactive, the partner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, here to
Summary: The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs met on May 28, 2026, approved the May 19 minutes, and then considered three third-party convenience fee schedules for online payments. The first was for the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, presented by Rebecca Dupree with Louisiana Interactive; members confirmed the online payment option would be voluntary and approved the fee schedule without objection. The second was for the Department of Health’s Safe Drinking Water Program, presented by Karen Benjamin, and generated extended discussion about a $2.50 flat fee plus a 2.5% card-processing charge, especially whether that charge would violate recently passed Senate Bill 254 regarding debit card surcharges. Senators Mizell, Lambert, and Luneau questioned the structure, and department representatives said they believed the fee was not a surcharge and that ACH payments would avoid the percentage charge; the committee approved the fee schedule but urged the department to review it for compliance with SB 254. The third fee schedule was for the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal, presented by Lindsay Savoy and Garrett Lee, covering online payments for the conveyance program and the Fire Emergency Training Academy. Senators again raised concerns about the 2.5% card charge in light of SB 254, and the presenters said they intended to comply with the new law and would discuss the issue further. The committee approved this fee schedule as well, with a similar reminder to consider the bill’s impact going forward. The meeting then adjourned.
AL
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Confirmations Committee Apr 23rd, 2025

Confirmations

Transcript Highlights:
  • I've worked in the forestry industry since then, and this is a huge honor and privilege that I come before
  • you and to be able to work with the Forestry Commission's capacity to help further that mission.
  • Any questions from the committee for Miss Eisenberg or anybody from the Alabama Forestry Commission?
  • Lots of people from the Forestry Commission. Any questions from the committee?
Keywords: 923, senate, all
VT
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-02-10 - 10:00AM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • agricultural workers, and that the same be committed to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
  • Housing of House Bill 403 and committed the same to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
  • /c><00:14:28.959> and agriculture, food resiliency, and agriculture, food resiliency, and forestry
  • :30.320> you<00:14:30.480> ready<00:14:30.639> for<00:14:30.800> the forestry
  • Are you ready for the forestry. Are you ready for the question? question? question?
Keywords: 926, house, all
Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Ken Wells, who reflected on his father’s approach to news and argued that reducing time spent watching it could improve people’s well-being. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the chamber took up five new bills: H.891 on the definition of harassment in Title 16, H.892 on school attendance requirements, H.893 creating a municipal emergency shelter program and reimbursing municipalities for emergency housing costs, H.894 prohibiting snowmobiles on the BB Spur Rail Trail, and H.895 on secondary enforcement of certain motor vehicle violations. Each was read for the first time and referred to the appropriate committee; H.566, concerning sealing postcharge court diversion records, was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A. The House also read H.C.R. 166, a congratulatory resolution honoring the Pick and Shovel in Newport City on its 50th anniversary. A member from Newport City spoke in support, describing the store’s history and the Hamlet family’s long service to the community, and invited the family to the chamber. Additional announcements recognized Vermont Law and Graduate School’s 50th anniversary and congratulated Vermont athletes, including Ben Ogden and Paula Moltzan, with one member correcting the record on Moltzan’s event. The House also voted to move H.403, relating to fair labor and housing standards for agricultural workers, from General and Housing to Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry. In the day’s only floor action on legislation, H.611, miscellaneous provisions affecting the Department of Vermont Health Access, was taken up on third reading and passed. The House then announced caucus meetings and other events, including a producer night hosted by the Agency of Agriculture, and adjourned by motion until Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Carbon Sequestration Programs Study Commission (04/17/2026)

Transcript Highlights:
  • U.S. examples that include forestry.
  • extending<00:19:58.800> their to sustainable forestry, extending their to sustainable forestry
  • 57.840> for<01:30:58.200> Forest the chief forestry officer for Forest the chief forestry
  • quite a significant amount of forestry quite a significant amount of forestry expertise<01:33:33.720
  • <02:10:53.680> and been consistently at forestry and been consistently at forestry and landowner
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The meeting began with introductions, approval of the March 6 minutes as amended to add an attendee list, and a brief overview of the day’s agenda. The committee heard two presentations from carbon project developers, with the first from Dylan Jenkins of Finite Carbon. He described Finite Carbon’s work in improved forest management projects, its role in developing carbon methodologies and protocols, and its experience with projects in New England, Appalachia, Alaska, and Canada. He also outlined the difference between compliance and voluntary carbon markets, the role of registries and intermediaries, and the types of buyers in the market, including large corporate buyers and long-term off-take partners. A major focus of the presentation was how forest carbon projects are structured and how credits are monetized. Jenkins distinguished between removals and reductions, explaining that removals come from new forest growth while reductions are tied more closely to baseline assumptions and standing stock. He said improved forest management projects can generate both types of credits, and that removals generally command higher prices because they are easier for buyers to understand and verify. He also emphasized that carbon project commercialization can occur before, during, or after credit issuance, and that landowners may be paid through a variety of structures, including leases, advance fees, per-unit payments, or off-take agreements. Jenkins then addressed the committee’s tax-related questions, saying House Bill 123 appeared intended to treat carbon credit sales similarly to timber sales for local tax purposes. He argued that carbon credits are a forest product and that taxing them can be reasonable in principle, but he stressed that lawmakers should distinguish between commoditization and commercialization when deciding what event to tax. He noted that credits may be created but never sold, and that in some programs landowners retain timber and carbon rights while in others the developer has deeper control over those rights. In response to questions, he said the industry uses protocols, verification, and third-party oversight to address baseline and quality concerns, but acknowledged that baseline setting remains a major point of debate in the market.
HI
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

GVO DEFER, WLA-PSM-GVO, WLA-GVO Public Hearings 02-19-2026

Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Historically uh forestry and wildlife has worked with Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization to produce
  • <00:03:33.920> The<00:03:34.159> department of forestry and wildlife.
  • The department of forestry and wildlife.
  • Historically uh forestry<00:05:26.240> and<00:05:26.479> wildlife<00:05:26.960> has<
  • /c><00:05:27.199> worked<00:05:27.440> with forestry and wildlife has worked with forestry
Bills: SB3294
Keywords: wrongful conviction, compensation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, innocence, legal process, burden of proof, case manager, medical coverage, judicial discretion, 912, senate, all
Summary: The committees first took up SB 3294, a controversial measure concerning post-release assistance for people pursuing reversals of prior court decisions where innocence is in question. Members discussed keeping the bill moving on the “human side” while a House companion addressed the legal issues. The adopted amendments removed advanced compensation language and instead required DCR, with DHS, to help petitioners prepare applications for financial and medical assistance, notify DHS upon release, assign a case manager to assist with a cell phone for one year, housing, employment, mental health counseling, and expedited benefits, and provide a state ID upon release. The measure also included technical amendments and a defective date, and it passed unanimously. The joint committees then heard SB 2237 on fire prevention, which would require state agencies to create and update hazard maps and direct DNR to adopt rules and clear brush. DLNR testified that a single lead agency should develop the maps with input from other agencies, that a five-year timeline would be more reasonable, and that assigning DNR all fuels management on state lands would create an unfunded mandate. Members discussed using the newly created fire marshal’s office as the lead, and the committees ultimately deferred the bill in favor of a broader wildfire mitigation measure already moving in another committee. The final agenda included SB 2596 on government leases, SB 30002 on the Hawaii State Planning Act and green infrastructure, and SB 3067 on records and filing requirements. SB 2596 was advanced unamended to Ways and Means. On SB 30002, OPSD explained that a 2025-2027 comprehensive review of chapter 226 is underway, with a report and draft legislation due in 2027, and members debated whether to move piecemeal changes now or wait for the broader review; the bill nevertheless passed unamended. SB 3067, which updates outdated filing formats and drawing scales, also passed unamended with DAGS supporting the measure in writing.
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture and Wildlife Feb 9th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Agriculture and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:
  • language: 'or a feral hog hunting facility operated by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
  • On page Three, it we added at the request of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
  • activities that are approved in writing, line 22, by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
  • would be a feral hog hunting facility operated by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
  • Jan Lee Owlett with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
Bills: SB2108, SB2121, SB2171, SB2061, SB2112, SB2138
Keywords: feral swine, nuisance control, wildlife management, hunting permits, agriculture, cultivated meat, food safety, public health, misbranding, advertising, food labeling, food distribution, state regulations, hunting licenses, fishing licenses, veterans, controlled hunts, deer population, wildlife conservation, food policy
AL
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Jan 20th, 2026

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Weaver move that Senate confirm Thornton Stanley to the Alabama Forestry Commission using previous role
  • Stanley to the Alabama Forestry Stanley to the Alabama Forestry Commission<00:18:02.240> using
  • President, I move that the Senate confirm to the Alabama Forestry Commission using previous role with
  • <00:18:37.520> Commission<00:18:38.000> using to the Alabama Forestry Commission using
  • to the Alabama Forestry Commission using previous<00:18:38.799> role<00:18:39.039> with
Keywords: 920, all
Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, and adopted the prior day’s journal. The chamber then handled a series of confirmations, including Thomas Ellis to the Agriculture Exhibition Center Board of Directors, Evelyn Vans Malden, Robert C. Brock, Mila Calhoun, and Elena Baranco to the University of Alabama or University of Montevallo boards of trustees, Chip Fugquay to the Alabama Workforce Board, and Thornton Stanley and Jemsticken Pum to the Alabama Forestry Commission. All of these confirmations were approved overwhelmingly, generally by 29–30 votes with no nays. Committee reports advanced several county and municipal government bills, including SB 23, SB 71, SB 105, SB 109, SB 115, SB 131, SB 148, and SB 165, with some receiving amendments. The Senate also adopted and passed multiple resolutions, including SJR 14 honoring Drew and Lauren Winland as America’s top young farm family, and resolutions mourning Mary Anne Peak Phelps and Sam Palmer Faucet III. A local bill package for Marshall and Walker counties was taken up, with several bills receiving BRs, final passage, and certification resolutions. The Senate also received numerous House messages referring local and finance-related bills to committees, including measures on county subdivision regulations, homestead exemptions, unclaimed property, sales and use tax, income tax, municipal audits, and other local matters. The Rules Committee report set a special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing SB 126, SB 33, SB 55, SB 102, SB 118, and SB 128. On that calendar, SB 126 extending the Alabama Private Investigation Board, SB 33 updating veteran license tag provisions, SB 102 extending the Board of Home Medical Equipment, and SB 128 reorganizing the Alabama Sickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission were passed; SB 55 on military spouses was amended and carried over; and SB 118 on the Alabama Justice Information Commission was amended and carried over. The Senate adjourned until 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21st.
FL
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Apr 15th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Additional testimony: Brittany Varn with the Florida Forestry Association.
  • I'm the Director of Forestry and Regulatory for the Florida Forestry Association.
  • For the past three to six years, I would say, the forestry industry has really taken a big hit.
  • We've been able to do tours teaching our architect students about forestry.
  • We've been able to do tours teaching our architect students about forestry.
Summary: The committee first took up SB 80, the Parks Preservation Act, which would define state park purposes around conservation-based recreation and public access, prohibit uses such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and hotels, require more public notice and advisory input on land management changes, and mandate reporting on park spending and maintenance backlogs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with conservation groups, youth advocates, and other members of the public backing stronger protections for state parks. The bill was reported favorably. Members then approved SB 200, directing DEP to develop a statewide waste reduction and recycling plan, and CS for SB 496, which clarifies that timeshare facilities are governed by Chapter 721 and only need annual board meetings. CS for CS for SB 1404, dealing with illegal gambling, was amended to add reporting requirements, tighten penalties, preempt local gambling legalization, and create a process for vetting certain machines and veteran-service-organization gaming questions; the bill drew significant concern from veterans groups and others over vague machine definitions and the need for clearer standards, but it was still reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 622 to allow pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities across horse-racing classes. The committee next approved CS for CS for SB 712 after adopting a strike-all and amendment that covered synthetic turf rules, change-order timelines, public works scoring, elevator and alarm contractor issues, mass timber code updates, pool and spa contractor scope changes, spaceport building-code exemptions, and solar/energy-storage inspection provisions. Support came from timber, construction, and industry groups, while pool contractors objected to parts of the scope changes. The committee also reported favorably CS for CS for SB 1742, a major condominium reform bill that pauses reserve funding after milestone inspections, expands financial flexibility, adds disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, and increases data collection and oversight; members from both parties praised the sponsor’s work on condo issues. Finally, the committee approved SB 1574 on renewable natural gas infrastructure and SB 1580 authorizing DEP coastal resiliency public-private partnerships. It also passed CS for SB 1760, which requires certain public officials and agency leaders to meet Florida residency or proximity requirements. The last bill, SB 820, would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office; while supporters said it would permanently support faith-based and community organizations and improve coordination, several senators raised concerns about church-state separation, the office’s ties to Hope Florida, and whether codifying it could make the program more political. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Working Group on Omnibus Taxes Bill - Part 1 - 05/22/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The first has to do with forestry.
  • So on the next page, on line 40, is where you will see our sustainable forestry, the SFIA payments.
  • order to provide sustainable forestry. order to provide sustainable forestry. uh<00:53:10.480>
  • c> uh sustainable forestry that provides uh sustainable forestry that provides for<00:53:12.800> our
  • recreation, and maintain our forestry recreation, and maintain our forestry industry<00:54:13.040
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force (9-10-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • division of forestry. division of forestry.
  • division of forestry when called upon. division of forestry when called upon.
  • > is<01:46:15.199> is Historically forestry has not is is Historically forestry has not
  • Um, so our recommendation here is to direct the Division of Forestry and the Forestry Best Management
  • and the Forestry Division of Forestry and the Forestry Best<02:08:13.280> Management<02:08:14.000
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The task force met with a quorum, approved the August meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Jerry Brosky of the Kentucky Mesonet and Kentucky Climate Center. He described the Mesonet’s statewide weather network, now with 84 stations in 78 counties, real-time data used by the National Weather Service, mobile apps, and more than a billion observations. He said recent legislative funding has allowed upgrades such as soil temperature and moisture sensors, cameras at every site, and improved communications and power systems, and has enabled expansion into new counties. He also highlighted products used for flooding, drought, and heat safety, including a wet bulb globe temperature tool being developed with the Department of Public Health. In response to questions, he said counties interested in a station should contact his center, that a station typically costs about $50,000, and that the program is already considering a second Pike County site. The committee then heard from Ryan Drain of Blue Skies and Chris McGee of the American Red Cross on long-term disaster recovery and a software platform called Darcy, short for Disaster Aware and Ready Communities Initiative. McGee explained the Red Cross’s long-term recovery work, including support for recovery groups, direct financial assistance, grantmaking, and coordination with local and federal partners. He emphasized that disasters are occurring more frequently and with repeated impacts, and shared examples from Kentucky and other states showing the need for organized recovery and storm shelter support. Drain said Darcy was developed after the 2021 Mayfield-Graves tornado recovery to replace fragmented spreadsheets and PDFs with a centralized, survivor-led system for preparedness, response, and recovery, designed to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and shorten recovery time. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.
US
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine options to reduce catastrophic wildfire, including H.R.471, to expedite under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisd Mar 6th, 2025 at 10:00 am

Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The input of local communities and forestry experts risks harming our economy, our sensitive habitats
  • Bem formerly served as the regional forestry for the Rocky Mountain region where I had the pleasure of
  • We need to streamline this process, and we must implement forestry policy. restoration projects at a
  • I'm hearing that from the foresters on our district, they will not have the forestry technicians to go
  • This project is a forestry and workforce development organization in Oregon and California.
Bills: HB471
Keywords: forest management, wildfire prevention, public lands, Tribal jurisdiction, Fix Our Forests Act, wildfire, forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, fuels treatment, prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, mastication, fuel breaks, fire breaks, wildland-urban interface, WUI, fireshed, fireshed management area, fireshed registry, Fireshed Center
Summary: The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.
HI
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WLA-HWN, WLA-HOU, WLA Public Hearings 04-17-2026

Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the forestry manager for the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and we are going to stand on our
  • <00:17:02.720> I'm<00:17:02.880> the<00:17:03.040> forestry<00:17:03.519>
  • I'm the forestry manager Jennifer Grim.
  • I'm the forestry manager for<00:17:04.160> the<00:17:04.319> division<00:17:04.559>
  • of<00:17:04.720> forestry<00:17:05.039> and for the division of forestry and for the
Bills: HCR31
Keywords: rangelands, pastoralists, Hawaii, livestock, environment, sustainability, ecosystem services, Paniolo traditions, 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Housing first heard HCR 85, which urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer parcels in the East Oahu area. DLNR, OPSD, HHFDC, and HCDA testified, and the chairs noted an intent to keep revenues from the lands with DLNR while agencies collaborate until parcels are ready for substantive transfer. Both committees then voted to pass the measure as is, with the recommendation adopted. The committees also heard HCR 101 and HCR 166. HCR 101 was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted by both the Hawaiian Affairs and Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committees. HCR 166, which asks DLNR to identify state lands in East Oahu suitable for planting native Hawaiian trees, received no opposition in testimony and was also recommended and adopted unamended by both committees. Later, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee took up several resolutions. HCR 36, establishing a sister-state relationship with Okayama, Japan, drew support from DBED, which highlighted educational, agricultural, and airport-related opportunities, and the committee moved it forward. HCR 19, designating March as March for Water Month, was supported by the Board of Water Supply. HCR 162, creating an arts data mapping task force, received support from DBED and arts advocates, including the Hawaii Youth Symphony. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, and nursery capacity, drew broad support from DLNR and multiple community testifiers emphasizing climate resilience, native forests, and storm recovery. The committee also heard HCR 106 on designating Waikīkī as a world surfing reserve, with support from the University of Hawaii, and HCR 14 on a perpetual non-exclusive easement for existing drainage improvements at Waikīkī, which DLNR said had already been approved by the board and only needed legislative passage to execute. HCR 178, concerning a county set-aside for East Maui public trust water resources, drew testimony from the East Maui Water Authority and others supporting local control and public stewardship, while HCR 179, directing the Aamoku Advisory Committee to follow its rules and comply with Sunshine Law, drew testimony both in support and urging amendments to preserve Aamoku’s independent, semi-autonomous role. Because quorum was not available, decision-making on the later measures was deferred to the end of the 3 p.m. agenda.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm

Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I would note, you mentioned the Climate Forestry Committee, and I know that one of its members is
  • It's convenient for the forestry industry to claim that younger trees are growing faster because then
  • So even harvesting—and let me just say at the outset, we will have a forestry industry because we will
  • I just realized a couple of months ago that we are the largest urban forestry nonprofit, not only in
  • The Mass Ready Act proposes $30 million in urban forestry and tree planting programs, and these funds
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee held a hearing on natural and working lands, carbon sequestration, and related provisions in Governor Healey’s $3 billion Mass Ready Act. EEA officials described the bill’s investments in flooding, land protection, tree planting, wetlands restoration, biodiversity, dams, seawalls, and coastal resilience, along with permitting reforms intended to speed ecological restoration projects. They also outlined current programs on resilient lands, healthy soils, forest climate solutions, forest reserves, and urban tree planting, and said the administration expects natural and working lands to offset up to 7 million metric tons of residual emissions by 2050, while acknowledging that additional strategies will be needed to close the gap to the state’s 10-million-ton offset target. Committee members pressed EEA on the cost of reaching the 30% conservation-by-2030 goal, the loss of a federal USDA grant of about $22 million, the adequacy of current sequestration estimates, and whether the state should consider regional approaches or statutory changes. EEA said current state conservation spending has been about $35 million to $40 million annually, that the Mass Ready Act is intended to help double the pace of conservation, and that federal funding remains uncertain. Senators also raised concerns about PILOT payments for state-owned land, the management of state forests, and the proposed Chapter 91 general license for restoration projects. EEA said the bill’s forest reserve language is meant to create a more durable designation process while still allowing limited active management. Advocates from The Nature Conservancy and Mass Audubon supported stronger investment in land conservation and restoration, saying natural and working lands are a cost-effective climate strategy that also provides biodiversity, water quality, and public health benefits. They urged passage of legislation to increase funding, improve PILOT equity, and strengthen land-use planning and mitigation requirements. They also backed removing Chapter 91 licensing requirements for ecological restoration, arguing that the current process adds cost and delay. In a later panel, a forest scientist and an urban forestry advocate emphasized the carbon and cooling benefits of mature trees, called for greater protection of older forests, and supported bills to expand municipal reforestation and modernize public shade tree law. No votes were taken during the hearing.