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:

• It pertains to municipal and town forest, a community forest.
• They have 8,500 acres in their town forest, and they generate quite a bit of revenue each year.
• There's a board of three to five people on any town or community forest.
• Representative Davis responded that it depends on how a town forest is set up in the first place.
• </c><06:37:08.080><c> maintenance</c> a that the special Forest maintenance a that the special Forest

Keywords: 1189, house, all

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:

• We work with the Forest Service. We've got the weather network we have.
• I couldn't move into my reserved apartment in the university village because it burned down during semester
• So, and then lastly, the Forest Service, on this slide anyway, is a part of our system, those dollars
• So, and then lastly, the Forest Service, on this slide anyway, is a part of our system, The Forest Service

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We work with the Forest Service. We've got the weather network we have.
• We work with the Forest Service. We've got the weather network we have.
• I couldn't move into my reserve department in the university village because it burned down during semester
• So, and then lastly, the Forest Service, on this slide anyway, is a part of our system... that has been
• So, and then lastly, the Forest Service, on this slide anyway, is a part of our system, The State Board

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General reserves the right to seek legal action against the state, including, without limitation
• If the channel gets deeper, saltwater comes in and could potentially kill off the Davy Crockett forest
• My neighborhood, Greenwood Forest, has almost 1,600 families, and that neighborhood is nearly 50 years
• As a member of the Greenwood Forest Social Club, I help plan events for the entire neighborhood.
• Our swim team is also comprised solely of residents of Greenwood Forest and competes regionally.

Keywords: 997, house, all

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:

• Small items like this, we would put a cash reserve on it and pay it off.
• And a large percentage of New Hampshire is forested, and the timber industry is an important industry
• And a large percentage of New Hampshire is forested, and the timber industry is an important industry
• And a large percentage of New Hampshire is forested, and the timber industry is an important industry
• And a large percentage of New Hampshire is forested, and the timber industry is an important industry

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.

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:

• So for example, by increasing natural carbon sinks like forests or perhaps by Using tools like direct
• There is the possibility of expanding natural sinks through forests, and I don't know if Secretary Kenney
• We used to have beautiful forests in our state, used to.
• We saw what happened then because of the problem that there was with the devastating forest fires.
• This refers to the Emissions that come from the manufacturing of agricultural products or forest products

Transcript Highlights:

• Our school districts do usually have small reserve accounts, anywhere from 4% up to 12%, so, you know
• Our school districts do usually have small reserve accounts, anywhere from 4% up to 12%, so, you know
• So if one of our communities was hit by floods, that reserve account is not going to be there anymore
• </c><01:46:24.639><c> accounts</c><01:46:25.239><c> anywhere</c> have small reserve accounts anywhere
• </c><01:47:36.320><c> account</c> does refill the budget Reserve account does refill the budget Reserve

Keywords: 1183, house

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:

• We raise livestock on pasture and in the forest. We raise pigs, chickens, cattle, and sheep.
• pasture and County we raise Livestock on pasture and in<00:04:01.239><c> the</c><00:04:01.360><c> forest
• raised</c><00:04:02.280><c> pigs</c><00:04:02.760><c> chickens</c><00:04:03.760><c> uh</c> in the forest
• we raised pigs chickens uh in the forest we raised pigs chickens uh cattle<00:04:04.239><c> and</c><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Another piece of background is that in 2021, the Legislature created the wildfire response, forest restoration
• the State Treasurer must transfer the amount estimated by that department to the wildfire response, forest
• To the wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience fund.
• purpose of the bill that's in front of us is to restore funding to the state's wildfire response, forest
• to the fact that some of those data centers can contribute to adverse climate impacts that worsen forest

Summary: House Finance met on Friday, January 23rd, and heard three bills. On House Bill 2194, staff explained that the bill would allow a county and a city within that county to both impose the cultural access sales and use tax at the same time, with the county providing a credit for the city tax. Representative Parsley said the change would let more jurisdictions support cultural, arts, science, and school-related programs. Olympia and Thurston County officials testified in support, describing grant funding for cultural organizations, free programming, and school access benefits; a committee member raised a question about how the change could affect county bond obligations. The committee then heard House Bill 2089, which would narrow a B&O tax preference for first mortgage interest by removing the requirement that a financial institution be located in 10 or more states, and direct the resulting revenue to the wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account. Staff said the bill would raise significant revenue and have implementation costs for the Department of Revenue. Representative Scott said the bill was intended to restore wildfire funding and limit the preference to community banks, while opponents from the Washington Bankers Association and Community Bankers of Washington warned the bill could harm community banks and mortgage lending if not drafted carefully. The Department of Natural Resources and a public employee representative supported restoring wildfire preparedness funding. Finally, the committee heard a proposed third substitute for House Bill 1960, which would replace property taxation for new or repowered large renewable energy facilities and battery storage systems with a state and local excise tax structure, while also creating a local investment distribution account and a tribal capacity grant program. Staff and the sponsor described the bill as a way to reduce property tax shifts onto nearby taxpayers and provide more stable, predictable revenue for local governments and tribes. County officials, assessors, treasurers, and some clean energy and conservation groups supported the concept but asked for clearer definitions, payment timing, and rate adjustments; utilities and renewable developers said they supported the goal but opposed the bill as drafted because of concerns about the rates and the treatment of centrally assessed utilities. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings on all three bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• California's rocky reef ecosystems, from the Channel Islands to our northern kelp forests, support hundreds
• And let's ask that question and reserve your time for your opinion afterwards.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills focused on consumer transparency, environmental protection, education accountability, and privacy protections. AB 2143 by Assemblymember Irwin would prohibit online marketplaces from accepting payment for noxious weeds shipped into California; supporters said the bill would close an e-commerce loophole that helps spread invasive species, while TechNet opposed it unless clearer standards and safeguards were added. AB 1744 by Assemblymember Addis, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, would bar sunscreen products containing chemical UV filters from being marketed as “reef safe” or similar claims; supporters, including a Sacramento high school eco club and Surfrider Foundation, said the bill would prevent misleading greenwashing, while the Personal Care Products Council expressed concern about implications for the safety of those ingredients. The committee also heard AB 1861 by Assemblymember Lackey, which would require the California Department of Education to maintain a public, searchable database of special education complaint decisions with personal information redacted. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and help identify patterns of noncompliance affecting students with disabilities, while county education officials argued state resources should instead go toward filling special education vacancies. AB 2624 by Assemblymember Bonta would expand the Safe at Home address confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers and restrict online posting of their personal information when intended to threaten or intimidate; supporters described rising harassment, doxing, and threats against immigrant-serving organizations, while Assemblymember DeMaio raised First Amendment and public transparency concerns and Assemblymember Patterson questioned the bill’s limits on protest and publication. Because the committee initially lacked a quorum, several bills were heard and later voted on once quorum was established. Members generally praised the bills and, in some cases, requested to be added as coauthors. When votes were taken, AB 1861, AB 1744, AB 2143, and AB 2624 all passed out of committee, with AB 2624 receiving 11 aye votes and 2 no votes; the others were reported out on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• California's rocky reef ecosystems, from the Channel Islands to our northern kelp forests, support hundreds
• And let's ask that question and reserve your time for your opinion afterwards.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For those reasons, I have reservations, particularly in reference to the large expansions of scope for
• It's as though we're dealing with the proverbial tree that falls in the forest with no one to hear it