Transcript Highlights:

• Our high school fishing team, NGM, is now fishing on Lake Tuscaloosa, which is a public water reservoir
• I've fished in 14 different states, in Canada, and in Mexico, but my best memories are fishing at Big
• , or at least to public fishing.
• Our fishing teams can't go... Our MGM fishing teams can't go there to practice anymore.
• We've got the MGM fishing team right there, 5 minutes from the lake, and they can't even fish it.

Bills: HB471, HB473

Keywords: water authority, sewer management, fire protection, local governance, board of directors, local officers, water recreation, public access, water bodies, recreational use, water commissions, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that was filed that required fishing that was filed that required fishing game<00:41:34.000><c>
• </c> the bill when I was chair of fishing the bill when I was chair of fishing game<00:41:46.839><c>
• </c> game two terms ago um that gave fishing game two terms ago um that gave fishing game<00:41:50.079
• > has</c><00:44:09.319><c> a</c> for fishing game fishing game has a for fishing game fishing game has
• </c> made from the depart from the fishing made from the depart from the fishing game<01:17:04.159><c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, Project Interspace had been basically chartered and helped us draft this extensive report—
• buildings; in other words, ground source heat pumps, direct use, where you are heating a greenhouse. and fish

Transcript Highlights:

• This respects the deep importance of family-run fishing operations.
• Fishing permits are ultimately not private property.
• and Fish On.
• to ensure and manage our fish.
• They're out fishing, exactly. Okay. Okay, let me bring it back to the committee.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of water, parks, transportation, species protection, and fisheries bills. AB 430 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to publish an economic and environmental impact study when emergency water regulations are extended over multiple years; the author and supporters from agricultural and water groups said it would add transparency without limiting emergency authority. AB 1139 would expand a CEQA exemption to let county park agencies open existing roads and trails for non-motorized recreation, with supporters emphasizing access to nature and opponents warning about impacts to sensitive habitat, tribal resources, and fire risk. AB 929 would temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain SGMA pumping reductions and fines; supporters said it would protect vulnerable communities and wetlands, while farm and water coalition opponents argued it would undermine basin-wide groundwater management and shift burdens to other users. AB 1225, creating an Accessibility Advisory Committee for State Parks, drew broad support and passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 514, which would encourage local water suppliers to develop emergency water supplies for drought and service interruptions; it passed with broad support, though one member cautioned against using scientific research as a loophole. AB 550 would let developers seek incidental take permits for species under consideration for listing, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects; environmental groups supported the goal but asked for clearer standards, limits on using research as mitigation, and a fee provision, and the bill passed as amended. AB 697 would authorize an incidental take permit for the State Route 37 interim project in Solano and Marin counties, balancing congestion relief and habitat restoration; supporters stressed long commutes and urgent restoration deadlines, while opponents raised climate, sea-level-rise, and tribal concerns. The bill passed, with some members noting they would continue to work on the measure. Other measures discussed included AB 975, which would give Sutter County a narrow, temporary exemption from streambed alteration agreements for certain damaged small bridges and culverts; county officials described repeated flood damage and long permitting delays, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1056 would phase out transferability of set gillnet permits after 2027, allowing only a final family transfer; supporters framed it as a gradual response to bycatch concerns, while fishing industry opponents said it would unfairly target an existing fishery and set a bad precedent. The committee also took up AB 1146, described by the author as a response to politically motivated water releases; supporters from conservation and water organizations backed the bill. Several bills were voted out to Appropriations, some were left open for later action or add-ons, and the committee repeatedly noted it was working through the agenda without a quorum early in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• To date, they have taken over 1,000 veterans on fishing trips. Trips.
• I'm the Director of Operations for Fishing with Vets.
• I've been part of Fishing with Vets since 2018.
• So, Jeremy Colson, president of Fishing with Vets.
• one fishing trip for them.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up Tab 2 first: the appointment to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
• the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
• The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida did make a contribution.
• of conservation, fishing, and hunting in the state of Florida.
• It's promoting fishing. It's promoting hunting.

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first considered the appointment of Joshua Kellam to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellam described his background with Garcia Companies, emphasized his conservation interests and land stewardship work, and addressed concerns about his development ties, the commission’s composition, the recent black bear hunt vote, and a prior Yes on 2 campaign supported by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Supporters said he is a conservation-minded landowner and good steward of large acreage, while opponents argued the commission is already overrepresented by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend his confirmation, with Senators Smith and Arrington voting no and the rest of the members present voting yes. The committee then received an FWC implementation update on recently enacted boating and waterways legislation. FWC staff reviewed five laws: the Boater Freedom Act (SB 1388), Vessel Accountability (SB 164), Lucy’s Law/Boating Safety (HB 289), Disposition of Migrant Vessels (SB 830), and Water Access Facilities (HB 735). The presentation covered new rules on vessel stops, safety decals, Springs Protection Zones, derelict and at-risk vessel enforcement, long-term anchoring permits, tougher boating penalties, removal of migrant vessels, and grants for boating access infrastructure. Staff said rulemaking and officer training were underway, with some provisions already effective and others scheduled to take effect later in 2025 or January 2026. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and the new Springs Protection Zone standard. FWC explained that responsible owners must reimburse removal costs and can lose vessel registration privileges if they do not pay. On Springs Protection Zones, staff said the new law raises the threshold from any harm to significant harm and requires vessel activity to be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make that determination. Senator Smith questioned whether the higher standard makes protections harder to establish and asked about Silver Glen Springs; FWC said that proposal was paused and would be revisited under the new criteria. The committee took no further action and adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up Tab 2 first: the appointment to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
• It's an honor to stand before you today for this Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission appointment
• And so serving on the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, I've done it before.
• The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida did make a contribution.
• It's promoting fishing. It's promoting hunting.

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first took up the appointment of Joshua Kellum to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellum described his background in diversified land, agricultural, materials, and real estate operations and said he views himself as a conservationist. Senators questioned him closely about his development background, the balance of perspectives on the commission, his vote supporting the black bear hunt, and the use of Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds for the “Yes on 2” campaign. Supporters argued he is primarily a land steward and conservation-minded landowner, while opponents said the commission is already dominated by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kellum’s confirmation, with Senator Smith voting no and the rest of the voting members in favor. The committee then received a presentation from FWC on implementation of recently enacted boating and vessel laws. Bill Holcomb outlined changes under SB 1388 (the Boater Freedom Act), including limits on vessel stops and boarding, a new Florida Freedom Boater Safety Inspection decal, and revised rules for Springs Protection Zones. He also reviewed SB 164 on derelict and at-risk vessels, including new enforcement tools, a long-term anchoring permit, and updated penalties; HB 289, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties and education requirements; SB 830 on the disposition of migrant vessels; and HB 735 on water access facilities and boating infrastructure. Holcomb said FWC is in rulemaking, training officers, and updating forms and permitting systems to implement the laws. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and whether penalties go back to the state, and about the Springs Protection Zone standard. Holcomb said the state can recover removal costs from responsible owners and that the new springs standard requires “significant harm” and that vessel activity be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make those determinations. He said Silver Glen Springs remains a proposed zone but was paused pending the new criteria and rulemaking. The committee took no further action on the presentation and adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Idaho Fish and Game undertakes season setting every other year.
• Fish and Game doesn't track every species of fish. Salmon, steelhead, yes; other fish, no.
• We talk to the Fish and Game biologists.
• We do have those cases where the Fish and Game themselves does not know... bearers, fish, but I'll concentrate
• We talk to the fish and game biologists.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from January 14, 19, 20, and 21, 2026. It then heard Senate Bill 1238, which would require Idaho Fish and Game to provide a 30-day public comment period for proclamation changes related to season-setting. Senator Foreman said the bill was intended to give sportsmen more time and had support from Idaho Fish and Game management and the Idaho Wildlife Federation, but outfitter representatives testified that the proposal could delay March big-game season setting and compress the time they have to sell hunts and secure tag information. Fish and Game staff said the change was doable but would require timeline adjustments and could create pinch points. After discussion, Senator Foreman asked that the bill be held at the call of the chair, and the committee voted to hold Senate Bill 1238. The committee then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, which supports consolidating the Soil and Water Conservation Commission with the Department of Water Resources while preserving the missions of both entities. Senator Harris said the resolution reflected stakeholder discussions and could improve efficiency and reduce administrative costs. Testimony from the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the Department of Water Resources supported the concept, emphasizing that the change would not alter the voluntary, locally led, non-regulatory mission of conservation districts. The committee voted to send SCR 115 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to informational presentations from Idaho mining companies and industry representatives. The Idaho Mining Association and several companies described major projects and permitting status, including Thompson Creek’s molybdenum restart near Challis, Liberty Gold’s Black Pine project in southeast Idaho, Perpetua Resources’ Stibnite Gold Project in Valley County, Integra Resources’ Delamar project in Owyhee County, and U.S. Silver Idaho’s Galena Mine in the Silver Valley. Speakers highlighted job creation, capital investment, critical and strategic minerals, environmental reclamation, and ongoing federal and state permitting processes. No votes or actions were taken on those presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• None of them had hunting or fishing licenses.
• I found these people fishing without any fishing licenses. Did they have permission to be there?”
• That landowner... ...found these people fishing without any fishing licenses.
• To fish isn't a crime.
• Michael Gibson said he had fished a long time in Idaho.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> requests and that we have good fishing requests and that we have good fishing and<00:32:15.120><
• </c><00:47:53.280><c> monitoring</c> assist with um fish monitoring assist with um fish monitoring um
• of invasive carp from native fish.
• </c> the bio acoustic fish fence in Kentucky. the bio acoustic fish fence in Kentucky.
• During the as native fish species.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council met on May 27, 2026, approved the January 7 minutes and the day’s agenda, and reported no conflicts of interest. The executive director gave staff updates, including introductions of new staff member Cara Castanza and DNR liaison Jason Co., both of whom were welcomed by the council. Members were also informed about three minor easement/conveyance matters in the packet, including a small Bowser easement impact with about $1,600 returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, a Minnesota Land Trust easement request involving a DNR trout stream easement, and an access easement revision in Itasca County. The council also noted several upcoming dedication events and a June field tour in southeast Minnesota beginning in Winona on June 16, with visits to Whitewater WMA, bluff prairie and stream sites, and a river segment if a boat is secured. A major agenda item was a legislative session recap on the Outdoor Heritage Fund portion of Senate File 2077, the omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy, and Lands bill. Staff reported that all council recommendations were incorporated into the bill, which passed both chambers on May 17 and was expected to be signed by the governor. The fiscal year 2027 Outdoor Heritage Fund recommendations covered 53 programs totaling about $188.9 million, with the February forecast increasing the appropriation slightly so the final total was about $191.16 million; eligible programs were proportionately increased. Staff also highlighted a few changes made during the legislative process, including adjustments to the Roso Lake rehabilitation phase three project, the conservation partners legacy grant language, and statutory provisions affecting the council. The recap also covered policy changes in the bill: a public member term limit of eight years, with a short vacancy exception and transition rules for current members; a revised executive director hiring process allowing the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide support while preserving the council’s final hiring authority and permitting closed meetings for candidate discussions; and an extension of the Upper Mississippi River invasive carp deterrent design deadline to June 30, 2027. Members discussed the Roso Lake amendment at length, with Senator Lang and Representative Burkel explaining that the added delay and injunction-related language were intended to address local concerns and preserve the council’s process while litigation proceeds. The meeting ended without any additional formal action beyond receiving the updates and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• water</c><00:04:04.239><c> can</c><00:04:04.480><c> get</c> Fish can get through, water can get Fish
• It is a tremendous loss of fish.
• ><c> down</c> will move those fish as they come down will move those fish as they come down the<00:13
• It is a tremendous loss of fishing.
• </c> all these problems and now these fish all these problems and now these fish are<00:14:23.920><c>

Bills: SF0052, SF0024

Keywords: wildlife management, environmental restoration, funding, invasive species, aquatic ecosystems, native fish, habitat conservation, lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up tab 2 0st, the appointment to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, fellow senators to not understand before you today for this Fish and Wildlife
• I said, I take this process very seriously and to be able to. >> One being nominated to be on the fish
• that that there has been a number of comments about real estate developers being appointed to the Fish
• And so serving on the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. I've done it before.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what this bill does is that, given the fish and wildlife has a contract with the state police, the
• Jeremy McQuary, Director of Law Enforcement, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
• </c><00:18:44.480><c> So,</c><00:18:44.720><c> is</c> in turn notify fish and wildlife.
• So, is in turn notify fish and wildlife.
• And thank you, Fish and Wildlife, for everything you do on a daily basis.

Keywords: Meeting start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:04 HB 168 discussion: 01:39 HB 168 vote: 21:04, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from their five-year predator-prey project to the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
• Salmon recovery, salmon fishing—these are the only places.
• are able to go salmon fishing.
• Are you fishing them? Are you actually—how do you make them smaller?
• Increasing fishing pressure—fishing tends to be size selective.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5838, which would add a federally recognized tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources commissioner and tribal leaders said the change would bring Indigenous knowledge and a voting voice to decisions on trust lands, while preserving existing tribal consultation. Some county and economic interests said they were not opposed to tribal participation but stressed the board’s fiduciary duty to trust beneficiaries and asked for more review of the board’s purpose; one witness questioned whether the beneficiaries had been consulted. The prime sponsor, Senator Claudia Kaufman, said the bill is about inclusion and equity and indicated openness to an amendment adding both eastside and westside tribal representation. The hearing closed with 142 written comments reported: 33 pro, 107 con, and 2 other. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5960, which would require Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and take predator mitigation actions when populations fall below specified benchmarks. Senator Shelley Short said the bill responds to declining deer and elk numbers and a lack of management, especially in northeast Washington. Supporters argued the bill would codify existing agency plans and restore balance in wildlife management, while opponents—including conservation groups, the Sierra Club, and several scientists and advocates—said the state’s predator-prey study found wolves were not the main driver of ungulate declines, pointing instead to habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions. Ranching and farm groups supported the overall goal but objected to the bill’s in-state wolf translocation provisions. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said it recognized the bill’s intent but opposed it because some directives were impractical, costly, or would require legislative approval. The hearing closed with 1,197 written comments reported: 843 pro, 352 con, and 2 other. The committee then held a work session on Lake Washington salmon predation. Larry Phillips and Muckleshoot Fisheries Director Jason Schaffler described a coalition effort to reduce predation on juvenile salmon in the Lake Washington system, saying invasive and predatory fish such as walleye, rock bass, American shad, northern pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass are harming sockeye and Chinook recovery. They said sockeye returns have fallen from hundreds of thousands to about 18,000 in recent years, ending tribal and sport fisheries, and argued that targeted predator removal, supported by prior state and county funding, could help restore runs. Senators asked about the methods and funding, and the presenters said fishing and netting are being used to suppress larger predatory fish and that more sustained investment is needed. Finally, the committee began public hearing on Senate Bill 1697, which would make federally recognized tribes eligible recipients for county conservation futures funds. Testifiers from the Washington Farmland Trust and the Tulalip Tribe said the bill would expand voluntary conservation partnerships, help tribes steward farmland and habitat, and make it easier to leverage county funds with other grants. They described past projects where tribal participation improved conservation outcomes but said tribes could not directly access conservation futures dollars under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• illegal fishing in the United States waters by Russia and others.
• estimated between $10 and $23 billion to fisheries that fish legally each year.
• And for Alaska, IUU fishing is a growing threat.
• Chairman, is foreign IUU fishing in the North Pacific and outside of Alaska's waters.
• fishing fleets which oh by the way use slave labor.

Transcript Highlights:

• from their five-year predator-prey project to the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
• Salmon recovery, salmon fishing—these are the only places.
• are able to go salmon fishing.
• Are you fishing them? Are you actually—how do you make them smaller?
• Increasing fishing pressure—fishing tends to be size selective.

Bills: SB5838, SB5960, SB6097

Keywords: tribal representation, natural resources, board of natural resources, environmental policy, community involvement, ungulate populations, wildlife management, habitat restoration, conservation, sustainability, Indian tribes, conservation futures program, federal recognition, environmental protection, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's like fish trafficking with smuggling because some of these yellow tanks fish stuff.
• </c> through it the commercial fishing through it the commercial fishing because<00:52:02.559><c> if<
• /c><00:52:14.720><c> cuz</c><00:52:15.040><c> some</c> fish trafficking with smuggling cuz some fish
• </c><00:52:16.559><c> I</c> of these yellow tanks fish stuff. I of these yellow tanks fish stuff.
• </c><01:19:34.000><c> for</c><01:19:34.159><c> my</c> fish fishery and I want to fish for my fish fishery

Bills: SB1406, SB521, SB3247, SB1654, SB1112, SB1301, SB2443, SB2996

Keywords: historic preservation, burial sites, DHHL, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, section 6E-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Hawaii Register of Historic Places, National Register of Historic Places, cultural resources, archaeology, land use review, environmental review, state historic preservation officer, Hawaiian home lands, project permits, consultation, concurrence, nonconcurrence

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures affecting Hawaiian affairs, historic preservation, water access, and land governance. SB 1406 would let the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands assume historic preservation review for projects on lands under its jurisdiction, except for properties listed or nominated for the state or national historic registers. DHHL supported the bill, while a descendant testifier strongly opposed it, arguing that burial and preservation review protects ancestors and should not be streamlined or reduced. No questions were raised and the bill was moved on after testimony. SB 521 would require DHHL to work with county water boards or water departments to provide potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian homelands, with agreements made public. DHHL said it already works with counties but objected to the bill’s mandatory language, saying it could undermine the department’s discretion and independence. A public testifier supported the measure, and committee discussion focused on how water requirements could affect subsistence lots and infrastructure decisions. The committee then took up SB 3247, which would create a Royal Mausoleum Commission within DLNR to oversee preservation, operations, and outreach at Mauna Ala. State Parks said it valued existing collaboration with the aliʻi trusts but wanted clarity on roles, coordination, and funding if a new commission is created. The Royal Order of Kamehameha strongly supported the bill as a culturally grounded way to protect the site, while several other testifiers opposed it, saying the real issue is the curator selection process and warning that a commission could add bureaucracy and delay. The committee also heard SB 1654, authorizing transfer of certain state lands to DHHL, and SB 112, which would add the DHHL chair or designee to the Hawaii Community Development Authority; the Attorney General and HCDA offered technical and policy comments, with HCDA opposing the board change and DHHL supporting participation to protect beneficiary interests. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It really is largely... members of the fishing game staff here members of the fishing game staff here
• fishing fishing game<00:07:54.720><c> good</c><00:07:54.879><c> morning</c><00:07:55.199><c> I'm</c>
• </c><00:10:21.640><c> restoration</c> River migratory fish restoration River migratory fish restoration
• </c> guiding people while hunting and fishing guiding people while hunting and fishing in<00:19:15.039
• on fish and game website<00:28:43.559><c> or</c><00:28:43.880><c> the</c><00:28:44.159><c> fishing</

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We legislation as the fish and day.
• The hunting, but fishing is different.
• </c> the fish in your lake do not move. Okay. the fish in your lake do not move. Okay.
• And I commend have here and fishing.
• </c> keeping all our hunting and our fishing keeping all our hunting and our fishing and<00:26:49.039

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, Fish and Game had their reasons.
• Fish and Game was there.
• </c> give you a figure for the fishing give you a figure for the fishing license<00:47:35.280><c> as<
• </c> I believe we have at least one fishing I believe we have at least one fishing game<01:20:35.679>
• The Fish and Game does... understood, we get... The Fish and Game does understand.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all