Transcript Highlights:

• There's also the public fishing pier, where a child catches their first fish, and the Fish Hatchery,
• There's also the public fishing pier, where a child catches their first fish, and the Fish Hatchery,
• There's also the public fishing pier, where a child catches their first fish, and the Fish Hatchery,
• There's also the public fishing pier, where a child catches their first fish, and the Fish Hatchery,
• There's also the public fishing pier, where a child catches their first fish, and the Fish Hatchery,

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I care, Florida Fish and Wildlife.
• and commercially important fish species like snappers and groupers.
• These habitats create fishing hotspots and important scuba diving locations. Thank you.
• These habitats create fishing hotspots and important scuba diving locations.
• You mentioned that some of the funding sources is from the saltwater fishing license revenue.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard a series of presentations focused on coral reef restoration, artificial reefs, biosolids management, and a proposed biosolids processing facility. Mote Marine Laboratory described the severe decline of Florida’s coral reefs, its restoration methods using microfragmentation, genetic banking, selective breeding, nurseries, and outplanting, and asked for a long-term state commitment to help restore reef areas. The Keys Marine Laboratory and Florida Institute of Oceanography highlighted their role as a hub for coral rescue, holding, propagation, and research, including emergency response during the 2023 bleaching event. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed the scale of reef loss, the state’s coral rescue and propagation efforts, and the economic and habitat value of artificial reefs, while noting permitting delays and material-selection concerns for reef projects. The committee then received a DEP update on the Osborne Reef tire cleanup. DEP explained that the original tire reef was a failure, that nearly 500,000 tires had been removed by 2024, and that the current effort is funded at $5 million for the fiscal year, with cleanup now shifting from large tire clusters to more difficult individual tires and coral relocation. Members asked about the future of the site after cleanup; DEP said that phase two decisions, such as whether to restore or monitor the area, have not yet been made. DEP also presented on biosolids rules, explaining that the 2021 rule tightened nutrient management, groundwater, and surface water protections, reduced the number of active land-application sites, and contributed to a shift away from Class B land application toward Class AA, landfill, or out-of-state disposal. Senators raised concerns about PFAS, nutrient loading, and the loss of disposal options, and a public speaker warned of a statewide septage disposal crisis. Finally, Sedron Technologies presented its VARCOR system and a planned Indiantown facility that would process dewatered biosolids into clean water, ammonia, and a dry Class AA product or fuel, with the company saying the process can destroy PFAS and help relieve regional disposal pressure. Senators expressed support for the technology as a potential solution to Florida’s biosolids challenges. No formal votes were taken on the presentations themselves, and the only action at the end of the meeting was adjournment after Senator Polsky moved to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for each sale of sporting goods and fishing equipment, that tax is paid.
• I've hunted and fished all my life.
• Missourians age 65 or older already fish or hunt for free.
• Disabled veterans... ...for free hunting and fishing opportunities.
• We're releasing fish. We don't know where they go, but they're going somewhere.

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources heard House Bill 2202, sponsored by Rep. Don Mayhew, which would allow active-duty military personnel, 100% disabled veterans, and youth during youth hunt seasons to receive certain hunting permits at no cost. Mayhew argued the bill would help recruit younger hunters, support military members and disabled veterans, and would not threaten conservation funding because the conservation fund has maintained substantial balances. Committee members questioned the bill’s fiscal impact, possible constitutional issues, effects on Pittman-Robertson federal reimbursements, and whether the bill duplicated existing Missouri Department of Conservation exemptions. Some members supported the concept of honoring veterans but suggested other funding mechanisms or clarifying language, and MDC said it would revise the fiscal note after misreading some figures. Testimony on HB 2202 was mostly opposed or informational. An Army veteran testified against the bill, saying current MDC rules already provide significant exemptions for veterans, active-duty personnel, and seniors, and warning the bill could reduce revenue and federal matching funds. MDC Deputy Director Aaron Jeffreys said the department already offers numerous veteran and military exemptions and supports veteran hunts through partnerships with NGOs, but also explained the agency’s fund balance is being used for major capital projects and is expected to decline. Several members and the sponsor debated whether conservation revenues are being held in reserve unnecessarily or are needed for ongoing projects and future obligations. The committee then heard House Bill 1734, sponsored by Rep. Colin Wellenkamp, which would create a Soil Erosion Control Fund Act to help homeowners associations finance erosion mitigation projects through assessments, state fund allocations, and matching local or grant dollars. Wellenkamp and supporters said erosion and flooding are causing major property damage, especially in water-rich and river-adjacent areas, and that the bill would give communities a practical tool to address problems that are too expensive for cities or counties to solve alone. Members from affected districts described severe flooding and erosion impacts, and the sponsor said the bill includes safeguards such as HOA nonprofit status, homeowner approval, and repayment terms to protect taxpayers. HB 1734 drew broad support from witnesses including the Community Associations Institute, a stream restoration business, the Missouri Municipal League, the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy of Missouri, and a St. Charles County lobbyist. Supporters said the proposal would help stabilize land, protect homes and property values, improve habitat and water quality, and reduce long-term public costs. No witnesses testified in opposition, and the hearing on HB 1734 concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I never went fishing.
• The forage fish will eat those particles, and then the forage fish will be eaten by the predator fish
• </c><00:59:22.200><c> is</c> fishing industry half 90% of our fish is fishing industry half 90% of our
• our fishing industry.
• </c> fish um but we do see that over fishing fish um but we do see that over fishing sometimes<04:34:

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> committee of the committee to study fish committee of the committee to study fish and<00:03:45.560
• </c> on average across the northeastern fish on average across the northeastern fish and<00:04:03.200
• It would hit the fishing game fund, so the fishing game fund would have to make up that deficit, and
• That's the $1 on the fish license.
• That's the $1 on the fish license.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee heard an overview and budget presentation from New Hampshire Fish and Game, led by new Executive Director Stephanie Simi and Business Division Chief Kathy Leonti. The agency described its mission to conserve and manage fish, wildlife, and marine resources, and emphasized growing pressures from disease, climate impacts, habitat change, and increased public demand. Simi said the department is largely funded by hunting and fishing license revenue and federal grants, is reviewing staffing and internal processes, and faces critical needs including permanent funding for environmental review staff, infrastructure and IT modernization, and possible service reductions if additional support is not found. Members asked about specific program and policy issues, including chronic wasting disease in deer, hemorrhagic disease in rabbits and hares, moose population decline, and a proposed bait-disease bill. The department said it is actively monitoring diseases and did not see a need for the bait bill at this time. Legislators also discussed the Hike Safe program, which the department said has grown from an expected $100,000 annually to more than $300,000, and a possible boating version of that program, which the department said remains under consideration but would involve complex logistics and multiple agencies. Questions were also raised about rescue costs, out-of-state hikers, and whether boat registrations could be used as a revenue source; Fish and Game said boat registration is handled by the Department of Safety, though the department receives $5 per registered boat for the public boat access program. The budget discussion focused on revenue projections, use of unrestricted Fish and Game funds, and dependence on federal reimbursements. Leonti said the department met the governor’s general fund target but not the Fish and Game fund target without using surplus unrestricted funds, leaving only about $100,000 in the fund by the end of the biennium. She said the budget uses more than $18 million in Fish and Game funds annually against about $14 million in unrestricted revenue, and that five of 193 full-time positions remain unfunded. The department warned that if federal grants were halted, it could cost about $5 million over five months and force the Fish and Game fund to cover the gap. Committee members also requested that future presentations be sent electronically in advance, and the department agreed to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• But for me, one of the fun things about this committee is we get to deal with Fish and Game.
• So I do think the more controversial rules on Fish and Game probably we'll do a whole meeting on that
• I look at the Fish and Game budget or the Department of Lands budget or Parks and Rec, and it's kind
• But Fish and Game, I'll just go through as one of them because there was no rescission done within Fish
• Now, Fish and Game is one that doesn't take any general fund revenue.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know Fish and Game has talked a lot about that with this committee already.
• So I think we might need to let it play out a little bit and see exactly how this goes with Fish and
• Is there a penalty opportunity or a citation opportunity for a Fish and Game officer?
• Is there a penalty opportunity or a citation opportunity for a fishing game officer?
• Representative Petsky, if Fish and Game is here, they might be willing to address that.

Summary: The committee met without the chairman, with Senator Phil Hart presiding as vice chair, and considered four measures. House Bill 887, by Representative Mark Sauter, would allow water skiing with a driver and skier on open water rather than limiting it to a slalom course, while still requiring a mirror and a 9 a.m. cutoff. Sauter said the bill would align Idaho with several other states and help reduce congestion on the water. The committee took no public testimony and sent the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation on a voice vote. House Bill 895, by Representative Britt Raybould, would restrict new data centers beginning construction after July 1, 2026 from using water for cooling as a consumptive use unless supplied by an existing water district under contract. Raybould described the bill as a response to growing water and energy concerns, explaining the difference between evaporative, hybrid, and closed-loop cooling systems and noting the large water use of some facilities. The Idaho Conservation League testified in support, saying the bill was a proactive step to protect water resources. The committee advanced the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. House Bill 939, by Representative James Petsky, codifies Fish and Game’s proposed hunting technology rules on thermal night vision, transmitting trail cameras, and drones, while adding exemptions for hunting wolves, mountain lions, and other predatory wildlife, agriculture uses, retrieving wounded animals, and monitoring property or traps. Petsky said the measure was a compromise supported by agriculture groups, Idaho sportsmen, and Idaho Wildlife Federation, though he acknowledged possible enforcement challenges and future revisions. Fish and Game and the Idaho Conservation League both testified, with the latter supporting the process but warning about enforceability and the need for continued consensus-building. The committee sent the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee also considered House Joint Memorial 21, which urges action to support reopening a past-producing tungsten mine on private land near Patterson, Idaho, citing the mineral’s importance to national defense and concerns about foreign supply, especially from China. The sponsor said the mine is the only tungsten mine in the United States and that permitting is underway. After brief discussion, the committee approved the memorial and sent it to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• youth, prosecutor training grants, uh, critical armor or emergency radio infrastructure, um, and uh charter
• youth, prosecutor training grants, uh, critical armor or emergency radio infrastructure, um, and uh charter
• youth, prosecutor training grants, uh, critical armor or emergency radio infrastructure, um, and uh charter
• </c><00:28:05.000><c> school</c><00:28:06.159><c> uh</c><00:28:06.559><c> fire</c> um and uh charter
• school uh fire um and uh charter school uh fire inspection<00:28:08.080><c> fees.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I rarely eat fish. I don't like baiting hooks. I don't fish. >> Thank you, Mr.
• I rarely eat fish. I don't like baiting hooks. I don't fish.
• These older, larger fish are much desired as trophy fish.
• </c><00:26:18.720><c> caught</c> The bill does not apply to fish caught The bill does not apply to fish
• These are the fish that are going to create the next stock, and they're the fish that are creating the

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:05 HB 313 Discussion 02:16 HB 313 Roll Call Vote 04:33 HB 60 Discussion 05:30 HB 60 Roll Call Vote 20:12 HB 397 Discussion 21:18 HB 397 Roll Call Vote 31:35, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hey, boy, catch any fish today?”
• We fished together a ton, which is interesting because I don’t think he cared if he actually caught fish
• Hey boy, catch any fish today?
• We fished together a ton, which is interesting because I don't think he cared if he actually caught fish
• We can't wait to go fishing with you when I get there.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fish and Wildlife easement land.
• Fish and Wildlife easements.
• Fish and Wildlife.
• And that department, is that the Fish and Game that you're talking about, or Game and Fish?
• Fish and Wildlife. Fish and Wildlife. Yeah, it's federal. Okay.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a series of statutory reports from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Water Resources. Chair Hauck noted that Legislative Management had denied the committee’s earlier request for a fertilizer capacity study, and that the committee would also revisit the proposed Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger later in the day. Commissioner Doug Goring reported on several agriculture topics, including uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, irrigation expansion potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and usage in North Dakota. He emphasized that fertilizer supply depends heavily on natural gas and water, that most nitrogen fertilizer is imported, and that large-scale fertilizer plants require very large capital investments. Members discussed fertilizer storage, natural gas pipeline capacity, water availability, and the role of state infrastructure in supporting value-added agriculture. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the tool was created under 2017 legislation to help evaluate projects expected to cost $1 million or more, and that the department is proposing adjustments to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and changing hydrologic data. He said the changes would remain focused on direct, demonstrable costs and benefits, not indirect impacts, and would be implemented through guidance and operating procedures rather than statutory changes. Committee members and water users discussed whether the revisions would better reflect real-world conditions, including deferred maintenance, changing rainfall patterns, and downstream effects. A representative from the Water Resource District Association said the group was working with DWR and hoped to review test scenarios before the June meeting. The committee then received a detailed presentation on Devils Lake, its outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. State Engineer John Paskowski reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow constraints, and the purpose of the Tolna Coulee structure in limiting head cutting and preventing uncontrolled downstream releases. Members questioned whether the structure was effectively a dam, whether the lake would naturally overflow without it, the last time the outlets ran, and whether water quality in Devils Lake has improved over time. Paskowski said the outlets last operated in August 2025, that sulfate levels still limit operations, and that the lake has freshened somewhat but not enough to eliminate water-quality concerns. The discussion also touched on whether water from flooded areas or closed-basin systems could be reused for irrigation, and on the broader implications of wet cycles, inundated land, and drainage management across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had active fish tracks.
• happened and where those fish go.
• Fish and wildlife are very resilient, particularly the fish that live in the Hill Country.
• With the tagged fish, what we observed was that Guadalupe bass, our official state fish, really thrived
• About 25% of the fish that we had tagged moved upstream, with some of the tagged fish traveling four

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Joshua Hurst, Deputy Director of the Game and Fish Department, representing our statutory
• Good morning, Joshua Hurst, Deputy Director of the Game and Fish Department, representing our statutory
• The process is that ADOT, in consultation with the Game and Fish and the parks and with Game and Fish
• So, you know, we have the current Game and Fish test that owners have to use...
• Some of that would go to Arizona Game and Fish, and some of that would go to state land.

Committee: Joint Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Fish. &gt;&gt; Fish. &gt;&gt; Fish.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Fish food sales. Fish food sales. &gt;&gt; Fish food sales. Fish food sales.
• </c> fishing game department through fish fishing game department through fish food<00:55:07.200><c>
• </c> fishing gear. fishing gear.
• Other questions on fishing<01:35:31.120><c> game.</c> fishing game. fishing game.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review inactive and dedicated accounts, note prior legislation that had passed, and begin its annual review of agency funds. Members discussed several inactive funds, including some HHS-related accounts, a law enforcement memorial fund, and possible cleanup of accounting references where funds had been reorganized or merged. Staff noted that some newer funds may simply not have started receiving revenue yet, and the committee agreed to follow up on specific accounts later rather than address everything immediately. The committee then heard from Fish and Game on its dedicated funds. Topics included the statewide public boat access account, which is used for boat ramp and access-site maintenance and is supported by boat registration fees and federal funds; the ORV education, training, and enforcement account, which has declined over time and may need attention because revenue depends heavily on weather and snowmobile use; and the search and rescue account, which is funded by Hike Safe cards, a $1 fee from boat and OHRV registrations, and court-ordered fees. Fish and Game also explained that the conservation license plate fund had been merged into the non-game species management account, which is supported by donations, federal funds, and a statutory general fund transfer, and that pheasants are treated as game species under a separate program. The committee spent considerable time on the lifetime license account, an off-book Treasury-held account that collects lifetime license sales and returns funds to Fish and Game based on annual sales plus 9% of the fund balance. Members questioned why the account’s presentation did not clearly show the transfer as a revenue reduction and suggested the reporting format needed cleanup so the flow of money would be easier to understand. Fish and Game said the account is operating properly and that the transfer to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund exceeded $400,000 in the most recent year. The committee also reviewed the publications and fundraising revolving fund, which keeps a $100,000 balance for inventory purchases and transfers excess year-end funds to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund; members again raised concerns that the reporting format did not clearly show the transfer, and staff said they could add a note or other clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they also allow hunting and fishing easements for those enthusiasts that love to hunt and fish and
• And they also allow<00:04:09.720><c> hunting</c><00:04:10.440><c> and</c><00:04:10.600><c> fishing</c
• hunting and fishing easements for those<00:04:11.959><c> enthusiasts</c><00:04:12.560><c> that</c><00
• </c> fish and be part of Mother Earth. fish and be part of Mother Earth.
• , fish, fish, hunt,<00:04:40.680><c> and</c><00:04:40.880><c> enjoy</c><00:04:41.360><c> this</c><00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• County Fish and Game Commissions can use revenue from Fish and Game Code violations to protect fish and
• Fish and Game Code and for wildlife conflict prevention.
• That could be from poaching to illegal fishing to wildlife-human conflict to wildlife... ...poaching,
• to illegal fishing, to wildlife-human conflict, to wildlife-livestock conflict.
• They too are feeling the pain with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife being understaffed,

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to parks, wildlife, water, and veterans. AB 1592 would authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation to partner with the California Indian Heritage Center support organization; supporters said it would help move the long-planned center forward with Native-led governance. AB 2216 would expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area and update its authority to better support watershed-scale conservation, climate resilience, workforce, tribal grants, and related projects. AB 1702 would expand state parks access for veterans, National Guard, reservists, and active duty service members by broadening eligibility for the Distinguished Veterans Pass and creating a discounted parks pass. AB 1673 would allow county fish and game commissions to use certain revenues to reimburse sheriffs for fish and wildlife enforcement and wildlife-conflict prevention, especially in rural counties with limited state enforcement presence. The committee also considered AB 1912, which would allow archery deer hunters to carry concealed firearms while hunting, aligning deer hunting rules with those already in place for other big game archery hunts. Supporters argued it would improve hunter safety in remote areas without harming wildlife enforcement, while opponents were not present. AB 1987 would dedicate revenues generated from state wildlife areas back to those areas for operations, maintenance, and habitat management; supporters said the areas are underfunded and need a stable funding source. All of these bills received due pass recommendations and were later approved by the committee, with AB 2216 passing 11-1 and the others passing 12-0. The most contested measure was AB 2630, which would give the State Water Resources Control Board emergency-style authority to make measurement and reporting changes for water diversions and use, with a five-year sunset. The author and supporters said the board needs flexibility to update the CalWATRS reporting system quickly as technology and conditions change. Water agencies, farm groups, and business groups opposed the bill, arguing it would bypass public input and could allow repeated emergency regulations affecting compliance and operations. After extended debate, the committee passed AB 2630 on an 8-4 vote. The committee also approved two consent items, AB 1804 and AB 2260, both unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't It says any fishing on 45.
• </c> but on the D it just says any fishing but on the D it just says any fishing tournament.<00:19:48.400
• </c> says fishing tournament. says fishing tournament.
• </c> with Representative Lee on fishing with Representative Lee on fishing tournaments<00:20:52.640><
• There are situations over fishing them.

Bills: HB274 , HB287 , HB301 , HB157 , HB254 , HB88 , HB274 , HB287 , HB301 , HB157 , HB254 , HB88

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: Crenshaw County, county board of education, school board, board of education, term limits, term length, elected officials, local constitutional amendment, Alabama Constitution, education governance, local legislation, November 2026 election, ballot measure, constitutional amendment, school board elections, law enforcement, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• They grow the fish.
• They grow the fish.
• They grow the fish.
• They grow the fish.
• They grow the fish.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that also brings this legislation back into more in line with what the HAT Committee recommended to Fish
• And that's a concern that Fish and Game has had, and that's why they wrote the rule.
• And that's a concern that Fish and Game has had, and that's why they wrote the rule the way they did.
• It's just going to be difficult for Fish and Game to determine definitively if somebody is retrieving
• the state in accordance with the provisions of the Idaho Fish and Game Code.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um so there's Recreation Hunting Fishing um so there's Recreation Hunting Fishing uh<01:11:37.360
• </c> area the primary duty is uh by fishing area the primary duty is uh by fishing game<01:15:37.360>
• Fish and Game was opposed as well for some of those law enforcement reasons that Fish and Game, I think
• Fish and Game was opposed as well for some of those law enforcement reasons that Fish and Game, I think
• </c> the fishing the fishing gang<02:26:02.840><c> a</c><02:26:03.040><c> thousand</c><02:26:03.399><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an orientation for the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, led by Chair Bob Harb. He reviewed committee procedures, including pink cards for witnesses, blue sheets for counts, use of drawers in the committee room, scheduling practices, and how bills would be posted and distributed. Members briefly introduced themselves and explained why they wanted to serve on the committee, with several citing interests in conservation, water quality, outdoor recreation, land use, and related local issues. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1113, relative to OHRV operation on certain highways within the town of Windsor. Representative Ré Colcombe, the sponsor, explained that the bill would allow local OHV/UTV access across a short section of state road in Windsor so residents on divided portions of town could travel legally between areas. He said the town selectmen were already allowing OHRV use on town roads, the route was paved, traffic impacts were expected to be minimal, and local police had no objections. He also said the town would hold public hearings and notify abutters as required, and that if the select board ultimately opposed the proposal he would recommend killing the bill. Members asked about the legal authority for the change, speed limits, traffic volume, winter maintenance, and whether the Department of Transportation or select board had to approve the route. Colcombe said the town must hold a public hearing and that the change would need to be incorporated into RSA 258:10, section 4. He said the road is maintained by the town in winter and by the state in summer. An opponent, Anne Davis, testified that she opposed the bill, saying ATV use should be treated as a tool for forest management rather than recreation, that law enforcement capacity in Windsor was a concern, and that she believed affected residents should be fully notified before any approval. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.