Transcript Highlights:

• seeing none, we have a couple of appearance forms: Jeff Humphreys, waving in support, and also Mount Forest
• Even the county commissioner who testified under oath said that he has always reserved the right to remove
• He has always reserved the right to remove people from his beach, always been able to employ trespassing

Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain pre-existing genetic or medical conditions. Senator Sharif said the bill is intended to prevent children from being wrongly removed from their families when symptoms of conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, rickets, or vitamin deficiencies are mistaken for abuse. Several parents and advocates testified in support, describing long dependency cases and removals they said were caused by misdiagnosis. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language requiring certain medical personnel to provide differential-diagnosis analysis, and the bill then passed favorably with unanimous support. The committee then heard SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, sponsored by Senator Collins, who described the long effort by U.S. victims of the FARC to enforce a federal judgment and recover assets. The bill would clarify procedures for terrorism-related judgments, modernize intangible asset law, and help prevent terrorists from hiding assets or blocking wire transfers. After one supportive appearance form and no debate, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 96, a local claims bill for Jacob Rogers, and SB 382, an affordable housing rent bill that was amended to define base rent and apply to certain shorter-term rental agreements entered after July 1, 2026; SB 382 drew support from housing advocates and some opposition, but passed unanimously. Several claims bills were also approved: SB 4 for Patricia Armini, SB 6 for Jose Correa, SB 28 for Darlene Engerville and J.R., SB 30 for the estate of M.N., and SB 24 for Mandy Penny Lemon, each involving injuries or damages caused by local government or hospital district negligence and each reported favorably after brief testimony and roll calls. The committee also passed SB 658 on waiver or release of liens after discussion about form language and enforceability. SB 72, which would allow campaign funds to pay certain child care expenses incurred while a candidate is actively campaigning, prompted questions about definitions and safeguards; the sponsor said the bill would require the expense to exist only because of campaign activity, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, which would create a statewide process for releasing certain small, low-value parcels from conservation easements if mitigation credits are secured elsewhere. The bill drew support from the sponsor and a property representative, but environmental advocates and President Passidomo raised concerns about flood control, wildlife corridors, and whether the bill was too property-specific; the sponsor said he would continue working on the language. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 1622, which would repeal the 2018 customary use law and restore local authority over public beach access. Supporters argued the current law has privatized beaches, hurt tourism, and led to harassment and conflict, while opponents defended private property rights and warned against taking away owners’ ability to exclude others. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1622, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the early childhood family education reserve balance, if I remember right, that's a special levy
• <00:07:53.120><c> balance,</c> reserve balance, reserve balance, if<00:07:54.800><c> I</c><00:07:54.880
• that people are looking for on a straddle ATV machine, but they're driving down forest roads, minimum
• trails that people are looking for on a straddle ATV machine, but they're driving down forest roads,
• I don't have problems with it being used on certain forest roads and so on.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we added, which had asked for information about the use of prime agricultural soils as well as forested
• And then regarding Trees cleared or forests that were used for solar generation.
• state-significant natural communities to get us a little bit more specific data about what kinds of forests
• are... ...data about what kinds of forests are being cleared for solar.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are, of course, embedded throughout New York State with research farms and forests across the state
• We are, of course, embedded throughout New York State with research farms and forests across the state
• But when I talk to our maple producers, climate change, forest health and tree regeneration, and invasive
• species in our forests pose real risks.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture Committee met and first took up five bills. It reported S.593 (land used in agricultural production), S.879A (the Garden Protection Act), S.3277 (transfer-on-death beneficiaries for farming implements), and S.4754 (creating an Office of Urban Agriculture). S.1529A, the Carbon Farming Act, was moved to the Finance Committee. The committee briefly discussed S.4754, with Senator Borrello asking about its status and members noting strong support for urban agriculture and food-system resilience; the bill was then reported to Finance by voice vote. The committee then heard from Julie Suarez, Associate Dean for Land Grant Affairs at Cornell CALS, who described Cornell’s role in research, extension, and public service across New York agriculture. She highlighted Cornell’s economic impact, growth in FFA participation including new urban chapters, dairy investment, and the potential of the maple industry, while emphasizing the need for continued agricultural science funding to address climate change, invasive species, and market challenges. She also pointed members to Cornell programs supporting food entrepreneurs, soil health, small farms, veterans entering agriculture, and community integrated pest management. Members asked questions about tick increases, with Suarez attributing them to deer, rodents, climate change, and invasive species, and said Cornell’s community IPM program offers landscaping and prevention guidance. She also explained Cornell’s land-grant and contract-college structure, including its statutory mission and state support. The meeting ended after members expressed interest in further outreach and informational sessions, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• protections, strengthening market safeguards, and adding post-2030 allowances to our price containment reserve
• ... ...guards, adding post-2030 allowances to our price containment reserve, and maintaining free allowances
• last four auctions and look at the settlement price for the allowances, how it compares to the floor reserve
• So it's possible you could have a lot of entities come in right at go because they want to reserve their
• Good morning, Alex Limer on behalf of Pacific Forest Trust.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to spend that money, they required them to put $142 million in reserves.
• , potentially another $142 million after this year in reserves, where they would really be able to function
• rates in the bill, plus whatever they are able to generate off of potentially what they have in reserves
• and gas within rural areas of opportunity that are within 10 miles of national estuary research reserves
• It was on our beaches, in our forests, in Walton County, that young Bob Graham spent his summers with

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes related to the FSU campus shooting, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, John Thrasher, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and visiting student and community groups. The chamber then moved into special order bills and adopted a resolution honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim. A number of measures were taken up and passed, including child care and early learning provider regulation updates, false reporting/swatting penalties, health care billing and collection protections, hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren, young adult housing support for foster and homeless students, the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, trust fund interest rules for IOTA accounts, transportation-related changes, public records exemptions for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate court clerks, municipal water and sewer utility rates in Miami-Dade, motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonating law enforcement, trespass at large-scale ticketed events, refund of patient overpayments, stem cell therapy standards, insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, pre-arranged transportation services, and the Uniform Commercial Code update for digital assets. Several bills were amended before passage, often by substituting House companions and adopting late-filed amendments. The transportation bill was significantly revised to remove speed-limit increases and utility-related provisions while adding beach equipment removal, flood-wake enforcement, expectant mother parking permits, and local regulation of micromobility devices; it passed 37-0. The trust fund interest bill drew the most debate, with supporters arguing it right-sized a volatile funding stream for legal aid and opponents warning it would sharply reduce support for legal aid organizations; it passed 28-10. The municipal water and sewer rate bill also prompted extended debate over fairness, fiscal impact, and accusations of racism, but passed 36-2. Public records exemption bills for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate clerks passed with varying margins, with supporters emphasizing safety and anti-doxing protections. One bill on cardiac emergencies and another on education were temporarily postponed. Most measures were adopted by wide margins, often unanimously, after brief sponsor explanations and little or no debate. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the late USF coach Amir Abdur-Rahim and recognized several visiting groups in the gallery. After completing the day’s special order calendar, the Senate recessed for lunch until 1:30 p.m. or on call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Larry Forester.
• Forester, Mr. Tyer, for being here.
• Forester.
• </c><01:13:45.600><c> Forester.</c><01:13:46.159><c> But</c> So I'm coming to you, Mr. Forester.
• Forester.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony focused on barriers facing minority-owned businesses and on local programs intended to improve access to capital and contracting opportunities. A representative from the U.S. Black Chambers described disparities in minority spending, argued for more intentional and transparent investment in Black communities, and emphasized the need to disaggregate data, hold officials accountable, and expand tools such as the byBlack certification directory. He also stressed that businesses need technical assistance, resources, and opportunities to grow through mergers, consortiums, and joint ventures. The main presentation then came from Larry Forester and Tyrone of Commerce Lexington, who outlined what they called eight major barriers for minority businesses, including limited access to capital, weak mentorship networks, discrimination and bias, bureaucratic hurdles, branding and visibility challenges, stereotyping, generational knowledge gaps, and limited financial literacy. They described several Commerce Lexington initiatives: the Access Loan Program, which brings small businesses before a pool of 26 lenders; a Minority Business Accelerator to help firms scale and connect with prime contractors; and an Opportunity Exchange for business owners to share experiences and lessons learned. They said the Access Loan Program has funded nearly $26 million in loans with an average loan size of about $62,000. Members asked about bias in lending and how to make contracting and certification easier for minority firms. Forester said applications are vetted by a subcommittee before reaching the full lender group, with attention to completeness and readiness, and that only one lender needs to say yes. On contracting, the witnesses said certification can be burdensome and suggested more hands-on help from the state, relationship-building events that include decision-makers, and incentives rather than mandates. They also relayed policy ideas from a business owner, including culturally informed underwriting, public-private matching grants, supplier diversity enforcement, and mentorship tied to capital access. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This leaves us at 32%, well slightly over 32, 32.2% reserves.
• Could you tell me again, what are our reserves? After this expenditure, what will our reserves be?
• Our projected reserves are... $3.488 billion, at 32.3%.
• Speaker and gentlemen, of focusing on 30% reserves.
• , These reserves, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next report for the committee's review is Forest City School District, which had one finding.
• That concludes the findings for Forest City. $1,215 for the facility rental fee.
• That concludes the findings for Forest City School District. Thank you, Mr. Fink.
• All right, members, we're going to invite our guests from Forest City School District to join us at the
• I'm the Forest City School Board President. Thank you for being here.

Summary: The committee met to review education audit reports and adopted the minutes. Legislative Audit reported 103 education audits total, with 89 having no findings and 14 containing findings. The committee first heard from Camden Fairview School District, which had findings for spending operating funds on an end-of-year employee banquet and for unauthorized credit card charges. District officials said they had implemented stronger internal controls, stopped using the affected card, and would limit future events to comply with state law and constitutional requirements. Members questioned the district about prior practices, donated funds, and how teacher appreciation could continue without using operating funds; the report was filed as reviewed. The committee then reviewed Forest City School District, which had a finding for spending $33,000 in operating funds on an off-campus end-of-year celebration and entertainment event. District representatives said the money came from a long-standing Pepsi-related donation fund, but acknowledged confusion over whether it should be treated as operational funds and said they would stop using it that way and provide training to staff and the board. Members discussed whether the funds were private donations or operating funds, the lack of a formal board vote, and whether the event was intended to recognize staff and growth; the report was filed as reviewed. The committee also received notice of more serious findings that were referred to the prosecuting attorney and attorney general, including Conway School District for misuse of district funds and resources by former maintenance employees, Magnolia School District for undeposited activity funds, Westside School District for undocumented and personal credit card charges, and Boonville School District for paying a board member’s son in excess of the statutory limit without an approved exemption. The remaining eight reports with findings were filed en masse as reviewed, and the 89 reports with no findings were also filed en masse. The committee adjourned after noting that most districts reviewed had no findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next report for the committee's review is Forest City School District, which had one finding.
• That concludes the findings for Forest City School District. Thank you, Mr. Fink.
• All right, members, we're going to invite our guests from Forest City School District to join us at the
• I'm the Forest City School Board President. Thank you for being here.
• I'm the Forest City School Board President. Thank you for being here.

Summary: The committee met to review education audit reports and heard responses from several school districts with findings. Camden Fairview School District was cited for using operating funds for an end-of-year employee awards banquet and for unauthorized credit card charges that caused a small loss; district officials said the current administration had strengthened controls, stopped the banquet practice, and improved monthly credit card reconciliation. Members questioned whether the prior officials were still employed, whether the credit card issue was an outside hack, and how teacher appreciation could continue without using district funds. Forest City School District was cited for spending about $33,000 on an off-campus staff celebration and entertainment event; district representatives said the money came from long-standing Pepsi-related donation funds, that the event was intended to recognize staff and growth, and that they would change practices and receive training going forward. Members discussed whether those funds were private donations or operational funds, and staff said the district’s accounting treatment made them subject to the constitutional restriction at issue. The committee also reviewed several other findings. Conway School District was referred for an ongoing investigative report involving misuse of district funds and resources by former maintenance employees. Magnolia School District had undeposited activity funds totaling more than $21,000, tied to a resigned high school secretary and sponsor receipts not deposited. Westside School District had about $30,000 in credit card charges lacking documentation or business purpose, including charges by the superintendent, personal purchases, and items shipped to personal addresses; the matter was referred to the prosecuting attorney. Boonville School District was cited for paying a board member’s son more than the statutory limit for seasonal groundskeeping without the required exemption, and DESE later denied the exemption request. After discussing those cases, the committee filed the remaining eight findings en masse and then filed the 89 reports with no findings. Members noted that most school districts audited had clean reports and encouraged districts to continue good practices while learning from the findings discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next report for the committee's review is Forest City School District, which had one finding.
• That concludes the findings for Forest City $1,215 for the facility rental fee.
• That concludes the findings for Forest City School District. Thank you, Mr. Fink.
• All right, members, we're going to invite our guests from Forest City School District to join us at the
• I'm the Forest City School Board President. Thank you for being here.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AND IF YOU LOOK JUST HERE IN FLORIDA ALONE, HALF OF OUR STATE, ABOUT 16 MILLION ACRES IS FORESTED.
• UNFORTUNATELY FORESTS DON'T EXACTLY GROW THAT WAY EVEN WHEN WE HAVE PLANTATIONS WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER
• INVENTORY, IF YOU THINK ABOUT YOU CAN'T COUNT ALL THE TREES IN A FOREST.
• IT MAY MEAN SOME REDUCTION OF SOME FOREST BUT HONESTLY WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING PEOPLE SLOSHING
• WE FEED IT INTO IBM WATSON AND THE REASON WE USE IBM WATSON IS BECAUSE IBM OFFERED A RANDOM FOREST REGRESSION

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I will assure everyone that the bill clearly states that state parks, state forests, or other
• This bill also allows the Florida Forest Service to expand their training and education opportunities
• I come today on behalf of utilities, and we also have a lot of state forests.
• It could also mean the end of new state parks, forests, and WMAs.
• While it doesn't apply to state parks, forests, and WMAs after they are established, new conservation

Bills: S0050, S0054, S0176, S0178, S0198, S0290, S0420, S0502, S0538, S0706, S0834, S0936, S0962, S1004, S1080, S7022

Keywords: veterans, treatment court, nonviolent felony, probation, mental health, cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, campus safety, higher education, university safety, college safety, student safety, threat assessment, violence prevention, credible threat, campus security

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS for CS for SB 54, which requires district medical examiners to perform toxicology screenings for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of violent offenders and report findings to state agencies. It was reported favorably after brief discussion about how the data would be used. CS for SB 176 also passed, requiring public postsecondary institutions to make campus safety reporting and response procedures clearer and more accessible for students, faculty, and staff who receive threats. Both bills were approved without opposition in the meeting. The committee then took up the large Florida Farm Bill, CS for CS for CS for SB 290, which drew extensive testimony and multiple amendments. The bill includes changes to fair associations, a preemption on local restrictions affecting gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent authorization for Farmers Feeding Florida, expanded Florida Forest Service training, a ban on signal jamming devices, tougher CDL English-proficiency penalties, protections for food safety inspectors, biosolids provisions, and contractor payment enforcement. Amendments expanded veterinary loan eligibility to equine veterinarians, merged citrus research entities, made technical corrections, and revised contractor payment language; a late-filed amendment removed the bill’s disparagement clause after significant First Amendment concerns and public testimony. A separate amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Also approved were CS for CS for SB 834, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement; SB 936, allowing temporary door locking devices at any height above the floor and directing the Building Commission to add standards to the code; and CS for SB 50, expanding veterans’ courts statewide. Later, CS for CS for SB 1004 advanced with a strike-all regulating dog and cat sales, requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and consumer protections against deceptive pet sales; an amendment removed an appropriation section. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 178, which directs the FHSAA to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide limited good-faith support to student-athletes, and CS for CS for SB 198, regulating virtual currency kiosks with registration, warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections. Each of these bills was reported favorably by recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I will assure everyone that the bill clearly states that state parks, state forests, or other
• I come today on behalf of utilities, and we also have a lot of state forests.
• We've talked about how great our state parks, our state forests, and our wildlife management areas are
• It could also mean the end of new state parks, forests, and WMAs.
• While it doesn't apply to state parks, forests, and WMAs after they are established, new conservation

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Rules Committee heard and voted on a series of bills, beginning with SB 54 on toxicology screenings in autopsies of violent offenders, which requires medical examiners to screen for psychotropic and intoxicating substances, consult treating providers when possible, and report findings to state agencies; it passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 176 on public postsecondary campus safety policies, requiring colleges and universities to publish clearer reporting and response procedures for threats to students, faculty, and staff. Both bills were reported favorably without major opposition. The largest portion of the meeting was devoted to CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Florida Farm Bill. The bill covers a wide range of agriculture-related issues, including fair association rules, preemption of local restrictions on gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food and animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent Farmers Feeding Florida funding, forest service training expansion, signal-jamming device penalties, CDL English proficiency enforcement, no-solicitation protections, food safety inspector protections, biosolids regulation, and contractor payment enforcement. Members adopted several amendments, including changes to contractor payment language, expanded veterinary loan eligibility, citrus foundation consolidation, technical corrections, removal of outdated fair references, a nonprofit definition fix, and a late amendment deleting the bill’s disparagement clause after extensive testimony and debate about free speech and agricultural speech protections. A separate late amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill drew strong support from farmers, agritourism groups, food donation advocates, and some utility and wastewater interests, while conservation groups and biosolids operators raised concerns about land surplus provisions and biosolids restrictions. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then approved SB 834 on nonprofit religious organizations, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while an amendment added written disclaimer requirements; it passed favorably. SB 936 on temporary door locking devices also passed, directing the Building Commission to incorporate standards into the Florida Building Code. SB 50 on veterans’ courts was approved, allowing judges in all circuits to use veterans’ courts for cases involving service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse. Finally, SB 1004 on the sale of dogs and cats passed after amendments removed an appropriation and kept the bill’s disclosure, financing, and consumer protection provisions, and SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools passed with discussion about coaches providing basic support to student-athletes and possible parental-consent language. The committee also began hearing SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks, which would regulate crypto kiosks with registration, fraud warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections; an amendment to that bill was adopted, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Port Angeles, our cargo terminal that we use to export timber and forest In Port Angeles, our cargo
• terminal that we use to export timber and forest products has reached the end of its useful life, and
• In Port Angeles, our cargo terminal that we use to export timber in forest, In Port Angeles, our cargo
• terminal that we use to export timber and forest products has reached the end of its useful life, and

Summary: The committee held public hearings on two bills. Senate Bill 5420 would expand access to state benefits and preferences for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses by adding the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and NOAA Corps to various eligibility provisions, extending some employment preferences to military spouses, and updating related protections. Staff and the prime sponsor, Sen. John Lovick, described it as a long-worked-on measure that passed the Senate overwhelmingly. Tammy Pro of the Department of War supported the bill, saying it modernizes state law and better recognizes service members and military families. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5649, which would create a Washington State supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program to provide grants and loans for public and tribal port projects tied to freight mobility and supply chain performance. Sen. Marko Liias and port representatives testified in support, saying ports are critical to Washington’s trade-driven economy and that the bill would help fund needed infrastructure, including rail and terminal improvements, especially for smaller and rural ports. Testifiers said the program would fill a gap because ports lack a dedicated state grant program and could help leverage federal funding. An amendment to SB 5649 was explained as limiting eligible projects to those not already eligible for funding from the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, to avoid duplication. The committee paused and later closed the hearing on SB 5649, then returned to SB 5420 to hear additional testimony. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended after the public hearings were closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• here now with gratitude for the land, this beautiful state of Vermont with its mountains and lakes, forests
• Vermont with its mountains<00:07:33.039><c> and</c><00:07:33.280><c> lakes,</c><00:07:34.160><c> forests
• </c><00:07:34.800><c> and</c> mountains and lakes, forests and mountains and lakes, forests and streams

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to be hearing from the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council, the Colorado Forest Health
• 40.559><c> Colorado</c> Systems Advisory Council, the Colorado Systems Advisory Council, the Colorado Forest
• ><c> Council,</c><00:25:43.360><c> and</c><00:25:43.600><c> the</c><00:25:43.760><c> Veterary</c> Forest
• Health Council, and the Veterary Forest Health Council, and the Veterary Pharmaceutical<00:25:44.960

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So uh you mentioned Forest County Regional Jail.
• So uh you mentioned Forest County Regional Jail.
• So uh you mentioned Forest County Regional Jail.
• So uh you mentioned Forest County Regional Jail.
• </c> inmates to Forest. inmates to Forest.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be as simple as teaching lessons in gardens, parks, or forests, planting and sending gardens to
• when I was in the local school district, we were in elementary school, and we had to walk from the reservation
• land that we represent. school district, we were in elementary school and we had to walk from the reservation
• That's where I grew up, on the Indian Reservation in Idaho.
• One of the hardest things for us to do as Native people is get off the reservation, away from our family

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held a historic hearing at Table Mountain Rancheria focused on tribal education, culture, resilience, leadership, and trust. The opening prayer and remarks emphasized the significance of holding the first committee hearing on tribal land. Members said the hearing was intended both to hear testimony about ongoing problems in schools and to identify next steps for legislation and policy, especially as the session neared its end. The committee also referenced recent efforts supporting Native students’ right to wear regalia at graduation and broader concerns about representation in education and state institutions. The first panel centered on Native students’ experiences in public schools. Bella Garcia described a two-year fight with Clovis Unified over wearing tribal regalia at graduation, including a restrictive approval form and administrators who she said denied Native identity and made her feel invisible. Morningstar Ghali connected those experiences to the legacy of boarding schools, racial profiling, suspensions, and the “boarding school to prison pipeline,” and called for culturally responsive education, Native educators, counselors, Native studies, and restorative justice. Janet K. Bill, from the Attorney General’s Office of Native American Affairs, described her own path from tribal Head Start to Stanford, law school, tribal council, and state service, and said education, justice, and sovereignty are linked. Members asked about restorative justice, representation, and how to build pipelines into leadership and education roles. The second panel focused on solutions. Chairwoman Michelle Heredia Cordova urged a reimagined education system that is more personalized, experiential, culturally grounded, and balanced with land-based learning, while also recruiting Native teachers and creating stronger tribal partnerships. Chairman Leo Sisku said schools should educate educators, stop tokenizing Native students, and create accountability and consequences for discriminatory behavior; he also supported stronger tribal-school partnerships and more positive outreach. Chairman Fred Bean emphasized consistent engagement from tribal leaders at every level of schooling, stronger transitions from elementary to college, and programs that prepare Native youth for leadership, trades, and higher education. Chairman Shaineto of Tule River argued that schools and administrators should face consequences for violating Native students’ rights, and that Native people should not have to keep educating institutions about basic cultural respect. Committee members responded by discussing possible statewide solutions, including regional tribal boards, better enforcement of existing laws, stronger pipelines into teaching and leadership, and improved representation on boards and in state agencies. Several members raised the need to implement existing laws, fill vacant Native appointments, and consider broader protections for Native regalia and cultural expression. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but the hearing concluded with a clear call for continued collaboration, accountability, and legislation driven by Native voices.

Transcript Highlights:

• We wanted to go in there last year, but the Forest Service seemed to think they had a different idea
• River Reservation noted also the<00:51:49.000><c> concern</c><00:51:49.520><c> that</c><00:51:49.680
• But it got canceled this last year, this last summer, by the Forest Service.
• And I have not talked to the Forest Service, but I'm going to put some pressure on them.
• marker of the Forest Service and the<00:56:15.360><c> park</c><00:56:15.680><c> boundary.

Keywords: 916, all