Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:51.120><c> that</c><00:15:51.440><c> they</c> it's some Argentine type fish that they it's
• </c><00:16:29.759><c> or</c><00:16:30.000><c> something</c> that like Brazilian fish or something that
• So if they just put<00:17:24.559><c> Argentinian</c><00:17:25.600><c> fish</c><00:17:26.079><c> or</c
• ><00:17:26.319><c> whatever,</c><00:17:26.880><c> then</c> put Argentinian fish or whatever, then put
• Argentinian fish or whatever, then that<00:17:27.520><c> satisfies</c><00:17:28.640><c> labeling</c>

Committee: Joint Ports and Marine Resources

Keywords: Ports and Marine Resources - Room 216, 2 March, 2026; 3:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Caltrans, Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability
• to present Senate Bill 1021, which establishes a narrowly tailored program through the California Fish
• conducted in accordance with the science-based conservation principles under the oversight of the Fish
• Allowing youth to practice fishing and hunting under proper guidance provides children... ...with more
• Today is to hopefully get something together with your Department of Fish and Wildlife, get a strong

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several measures focused on conservation, wildlife access, and coastal protection. SB 1108 would create the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in Merced County to coordinate land, water, habitat, and wildlife corridor protection in the largest remaining wetland/grassland complex west of the Mississippi. Supporters, including the Grasslands Water District and Audubon California, emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, groundwater sustainability, and voluntary conservation easements; there was no opposition. The committee members generally praised the bill’s regional coordination and ecological significance. The committee also heard SB 1021, which would direct the Fish and Game Commission to create a program allowing youth with physician-certified life-threatening illnesses to participate in hunting and fishing opportunities under structured supervision. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate, tightly limited program with conservation safeguards, hunter education requirements, reporting, and a sunset. There was no opposition, and members expressed support for the bill’s intent. SB 949 would designate the Santa Cruz Mountains as a resource of statewide significance, with an emphasis on biodiversity, watershed protection, wildfire resilience, public access, working lands, and collaboration with tribes and private landowners. Support came from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Sempervirens Fund, and several local and conservation organizations; no opposition was heard. The committee also considered SJR 12, which urges the federal government to remove California from proposed offshore oil and gas leasing plans and calls for stronger environmental review and public engagement. Supporters cited spill risks, coastal economic harm, and prior local and state opposition to offshore drilling. All measures were approved by the committee, with the bills and resolution moving forward on recorded votes, and the consent calendar items were also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Caltrans, the Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability
• to present Senate Bill 1021, which establishes a narrowly tailored program through the California Fish
• and Game Commission to expand access to hunting and fishing... to expand access to hunting and fishing
• Allowing youth to practice fishing and hunting under proper guidance provides children... ...with more
• You know, my goal today is to hopefully get something together with your Department of Fish and Wildlife

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, remind me of what on the fish hatchery properties and the uh the game wardens houses.
• </c> Rusty Bell, uh game and fish Rusty Bell, uh game and fish commissioner.<00:02:32.560><c> So,</c>
• </c><00:03:58.720><c> hatchery</c> what on the on the fish hatchery what on the on the fish hatchery
• It's not about game and fish engaged in.
• </c><00:26:10.799><c> was</c> had no idea that the game and fish was had no idea that the game and fish

Bills: SF0024

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it helps with our fish. And, you know, right now we... ...12 homes, and it helps with our fish.
• And, you know, when you look at that, you know, these come at... ...when it comes to our fish.
• around 9 million fish a year, and half that goes to the state.
• Food sovereignty: We have a unique fish distribution program.
• Food sovereignty: We have a unique fish distribution program.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2554 is regarding treaty reserved fishing rights.
• Washington, the treaty fishing rights case, for 21 years.
• I represent fish and wildlife and the state in that capacity.
• Washington, the treaty fishing rights case, for 21 years.
• I represent fish and wildlife and the state in that capacity.

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on several House bills. ESHB 2238 would require the Department of Agriculture to develop a statewide food security strategy, monitor food system performance, and report on agricultural regulatory costs and competitiveness; the sponsor and many stakeholders from agriculture, food banks, school nutrition, counties, and advocacy groups supported it as a coordinated response to food insecurity and farm viability, while one requested amendment was addressed on the House floor. HB 2199 would expand the derelict vessel removal program by changing the definition of derelict vessel to allow earlier intervention when vessels are unregistered for two annual periods; ports, local officials, and environmental advocates testified in support, and the bill had no fiscal impact noted. HB 2104 would remove the sunset from the Aviation Assurance Funding Program for wildland fire response, with support from fire chiefs and the sponsor emphasizing its value for rapid initial attack and cost savings. HB 2554 would repeal statutes from Initiative 456 that conflict with treaty fishing rights; the Attorney General’s Office, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the sponsor supported repeal as necessary to remove unenforceable anti-tribal language, while testimony comments showed substantial opposition. HB 2619 would create a legislative task force to review regulatory stress in agriculture and recommend changes; the sponsor linked it to farmer mental health and suicide prevention, and there was no public testimony. HB 2343 would require public game farms operated by Fish and Wildlife to obtain water discharge permits and meet manure/runoff controls; staff noted it would apply to the known public facility and carry modest compliance costs, with no public testimony. The committee also unanimously waived the five-day notice rule for HB 2104, 2554, 2619, and 2343, and closed the hearings without taking final votes, planning to consider all six bills in executive session at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• What it does is it changes the requirement for somebody who wants to buy a lifetime hunting or fishing
• Fish and Game was actually looking at doing agency legislation on this one next year, but I figured why
• On behalf of the Fish and Game Commission, thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of House
• For these reasons, the Fish and Game Commission supports House Bill 855 and asks that you send it to
• Chairman, Senator Hart, so we do that when someone has a hunting and fishing lifetime license.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fishing, which is deep-sea trawling, emits more carbon than all the airplanes in the world combined.
• And just say that, you know, when it comes to the conventional fishing industries, there was a moment
• And the stories that they told were of their childhood when so many fish would come back every year.
• Yeah, I don't want to speak for the fishing industry.
• And that's something that just occurs with greater concentration of fishing.

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its first informational hearing to examine the state of alternative protein research, industry growth, and policy needs in California. The chair opened by noting California’s $5 million public investment in UC research in 2022 and framed the hearing around three panels: the climate, environmental, and security potential of alternative proteins; industry scaling and commercialization; and university-led research and workforce development. Members emphasized that the committee will continue with site visits and additional hearings across the state. The first panel focused on the case for alternative proteins as a climate, land, water, biodiversity, and food-security solution. Shana Fertig of the Good Food Institute argued that plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated proteins can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use while helping California meet its climate and conservation goals. Zane Swanson of CSIS added that alternative proteins could reduce risks tied to zoonotic disease, antimicrobial resistance, supply-chain disruption, and broader national security concerns. In questions, members discussed the role of pharmaceuticals in animal agriculture and how alternative proteins might complement, rather than replace, traditional farming by creating new markets for California crops and helping farmers diversify. The second panel featured industry leaders Ethan Brown of Beyond Meat, Myra Passick of Upside Foods, and Arye Elfenbein of Wildtype. Brown highlighted plant-based meat’s health and climate benefits, criticized misinformation campaigns against the sector, and urged better labeling, reduced subsidies for factory farming, and more plant-based food in public institutions. Passick described cultivated meat as a scalable food-production technology, said Upside Foods has already produced millions of pounds annually at its Emeryville facility, and asked for grants, low-interest loans, and possible participation in cap-and-trade or similar revenue programs. Elfenbein described cultivated seafood as a way to address overfishing, contamination, traceability problems, and the heavy import dependence of the U.S. seafood supply, while also noting conservation benefits and the need for California to remain a hub for the industry. The final panel centered on research and workforce development. UCLA’s Amy Rowat described state-funded work on technical bottlenecks such as growing fat cells and creating edible scaffolds, along with a Future Food Fellows program that trains students across science, engineering, law, and policy. UC Santa Cruz economist Galina Hale argued that alternative proteins are necessary to meet future protein demand while reducing food-system emissions, and said California must support the sector through grants, loans, procurement, and research centers to avoid losing leadership to other states and countries. The hearing ended with the chair thanking the witnesses, noting that all materials would be posted online, and saying the committee would continue building policy and budget proposals to support the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it will also authorize the Department of Fish and Wildlife to allow tag and to report a harvest.
• Fish and Wildlife.
• It authorizes Department of Fish does.
• </c><00:16:04.600><c> And</c> the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• And the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:30 HB 571 Discussion 01:29 HB 571 Roll Call Vote 04:02 HB 542 Discussion 06:01 HB 542 Roll Call Vote 10:21 HB 142 Discussion 13:30 HB 142 Roll Call Vote 22:47 HB 212 Discussion 24:00 HB 212 Roll Call Vote 25:40 HB 658 Discussion 27:01 HB 658 Roll Call Vote 32:02, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've hiked, hunted, and fished across nearly every corner of New Mexico, and I can say with...
• You know, they need to—the state needs to get that land, give people a place to go fishing.
• You know, they need to—the state needs to get that land, give people a place to go fishing.
• You already fish there. You can go there and zip line. You can do all kinds of stuff.
• You can't go trout fishing on the Rio Ruidoso.

Bills: HB2 , SB193 , SB132 , SB35 , SB145

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
• </c><00:46:08.480><c> Kentucky</c> Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. Kentucky Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
• 09.760><c> Wildlife</c> Department of Fish and Wildlife Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources<00:
• , and ecological restoration. protect, and enhance Kucky's fish and protect, and enhance Kucky's fish
• </c> rates and based on overall fish health. rates and based on overall fish health.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:09 Approval of Minutes 00:01:10 Welcome New Members 00:01:26 Information Items 00:01:49 COT Special Report 00:02:38 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:07:41 A. Department of Military Affairs 00:08:07 B. Department of Veterans’ Affairs 00:20:34 C. Kentucky Infrastructure Authority 00:25:54 D. Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet 00:35:05 E. Transportation Cabinet 00:55:53, 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the May 21 minutes, and welcomed a new executive branch member, Secretary Keith Jackson of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. The board also received two informational items: agency responses to prior questions and amendments made to capital plans after the last meeting. It then heard the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s report on executive branch IT capital project scoring, which reviewed 16 IT requests totaling about $330.5 million. COOT said projects were ranked through an independent panel using standardized criteria focused on feasibility, statewide alignment, readiness, impact, and risk; the CIO recommended moving an enterprise application and artificial intelligence inventory system from rank 11 to rank 4 because of its enterprise-wide impact and connection to Senate Bill 4. The Department of Military Affairs presented its capital plan, describing 43 million in projects for the current period and 13 projects totaling $65 million for 2026–2028, with most funding coming from federal sources and restricted agency funds and no general fund request in the latter period. Its projects included maintenance pool adjustments, a statewide Army master plan, the Somerset readiness center, Shelbyville and Ashland armories, a future home for the Kentucky Army National Guard band, and other facility upgrades. Members asked about the Somerset project’s cost growth and federal delay; the department said the project remains in conceptual design, is awaiting federal MILCON action, and would require a state match of about $9.8 million against $29.6 million federal funding if it is approved. Members also asked about staffing levels, and the department said state employee and Title 32 numbers have been relatively steady, while technician positions have declined. The Department of Veterans Affairs outlined seven projects for 2026–2028, led by a Radcliff Veterans Center HVAC replacement that needs an estimated additional $16 million to finish phase two after phase one was already funded. Other requests included a maintenance pool increase, renovations and exterior upgrades at Eastern and Western Kentucky veterans facilities, a cooling tower replacement at Thompson Hood, and parking lot and lighting improvements. The department said some projects were already in the six-year plan and that the Radcliff phase two could be bid in June 2026 if funded. Members confirmed that a columbarium wall project at Grayson is federally funded. The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented its six-year capital plan, citing more than $3 billion in loan commitments since 1988 and over $5 billion in supported infrastructure projects. KIA requested $298.439 million in the first biennium, including $27.742 million in state match for federal clean water and drinking water revolving funds, $25 million for its state Infrastructure Revolving Fund, $185.697 million in federal capitalization grants, and $30 million in leverage bond authorization for each year of the two federally assisted loan programs. Members asked about drinking-water quality, and KIA said that function is handled by the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Water, not KIA. KIA also said its loan rates currently range from 0.5% to 2.25%, averaging just under 1%, and that its revolving loan programs have had no defaults. The Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet began its presentation at the end of the transcript, with staff identifying themselves, but no project details or board action from that presentation were included in the excerpt.

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.

Summary: The Resources and Conservation Committee met at 8:00 a.m. with a quorum present. Representative Petsky presented House Bill 939, which would restrict certain hunting technologies during big game season, including night vision, thermal devices, transmitting trail cameras, and drones, while adding carve-outs for predator control (wolves, mountain lions, and other predatory wildlife), agriculture, retrieving wounded animals, and monitoring traps. Petsky said the bill was intended to balance conservation and hunting opportunity with practical uses of the technology, though he acknowledged some enforcement questions may need to be revisited later. Representative Mickelson moved HB 939 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and Dexton Lake of the Idaho Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the organization appreciated the collaboration and supported the bill. Representative Manwaring asked to move the bill to second reading for time reasons, and the committee agreed by unanimous consent. The committee then voted aye to send HB 939 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also took up Fish and Game rule docket 13-0108-2401. Representative Boyle moved to adopt the docket except for sections 410(04)(G) and (H), citing concerns about conflicts with the Idaho Constitution’s right to hunt, fish, and trap, state law on taking wolves, the Fish and Game Commission’s authority, and administrative procedure requirements. The committee approved the motion and accepted the docket with those two sections rejected. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• warden covering their 1,000 square miles of territory, and they are on their own to protect their fish
• County Fish and Game Commissions can use revenue from Fish and Game Code violations to protect fish and
• They, too, are feeling the pain with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife being understaffed
• I served for 25 years as a warden, wildlife enforcement officer with the California Department of Fish
• …” “…offer educational opportunities and give the public access to hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, 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?
• They might actually be up in the above pages in the statute, but if Fish and Game is here, they might
• Is there a penalty opportunity or a citation opportunity for a fishing game officer?

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What it does is it changes the requirement for somebody who wants to buy a lifetime hunting or fishing
• Fish and Game was actually looking at doing agency legislation on this one next year, but I figured why
• What it does is it changes the requirement for somebody who wants to buy a lifetime hunting or fishing
• On behalf of the Fish and Game Commission, thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of House
• Chairman, Senator Hart, so we do that when someone has a hunting and fishing lifetime license.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced Senate Bill 1396, sponsored by Senator Lakey, which repeals Idaho Code 67-452 and removes Idaho’s obsolete membership in the Pacific Fisheries Task Force. Lakey said Idaho has not participated since 2022 and that the task force is no longer necessary. The committee had no questions and voted unanimously to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 855, presented by Representative Petsky, which changes the residency requirement for purchasing a lifetime hunting or fishing license from six months to five years. Petsky and Idaho Department of Fish and Game representative Ellery Tucker Williams said the bill is intended to close a loophole used by people moving to Idaho briefly to obtain lifetime licenses, then leaving the state while still benefiting from resident-style tag access and lower costs. After questions about how residency is verified and whether other approaches, such as grandfathering or revoking licenses after a move, might be better, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with one member requesting to be recorded as opposed. House Concurrent Resolution 34, sponsored by Senator Harris, was also introduced and advanced. The resolution supports Idaho’s rights under the Bear River Compact, calls for studies and feasibility work on storage and recharge projects, and directs investment in stream gauging to document water use and support future claims. Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association testified in support, emphasizing the need for better information and planning for the Bear River Basin. The committee asked about potential costs, and Arrington said the resolution concerns study work first, with project funding to be addressed later. The committee then voted to send the resolution to the floor with a due pass recommendation and approved the February 25 minutes before concluding with remarks to a departing page and a final statement that the committee’s work for the year was essentially finished.

Transcript Highlights:

• TAKE-UP TAP 1 APPOINTMENT OF RODNEY, FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION.
• EVERYONE LOOKS AT FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE.
• WITH THE LARGEST FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE IN THE COUNTRY.
• THAT CATER TO COMMERCIAL FISHING INTERESTS, DEVELOPERS AND TOURISM.
• KILL AFTER FISH KILL EACH AND EVERY SUMMER AND IT WOULD BE ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE HERALD.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Clint Hardin; Danielle Henderson, a daughter of Clint's; Jack Henderson, son-in-law; Donnie Fish
• Speaker, Natalie participates in shooting sports, fishing sports, welding, sewing, photography, canning
• She loves shooting sports, fishing sports, and entomology. Mr.
• So within a charter school, in the out-of-school time, there is now a 4-H urban club called the Kai..

Bills: HB111 , HB61 , HB43 , HB156 , HB70 , SB3 , HB103 , HB109 , HB128 , HB247 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and pledges, and spent much of the session on memorials and recognitions. Members honored former Senator Clint Hardin with a certificate and extended condolences, with several representatives sharing personal remembrances of his work on autism coverage, second chances for formerly incarcerated people, rural issues, and bipartisan dealmaking. The chamber also recognized Council of Governments Day, 4-H Day, NMSU Day, scouting groups, and several student and community guests, including youth from 4-H, NMSU CAMP, folklórico, and the La Cueva boys soccer team. The House received messages from the governor and Senate, including authorization for House Bill 320, the Industrial Carbon Reduction Act, and Senate passage of several bills. Committee reports were adopted on a long list of measures, including House Bills 145, 158, 180, 49, 164, 256, 287, 60, 120, 166, 306, 124, 314, 185, 253, 195, 259, 295, 296, 338, and others, along with several joint resolutions and memorials. The chamber also ordered certain bills germane and referred them to committees, and enrolled and engrossed multiple memorials. On third reading, House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill, passed 65-0. The House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 70, updating the Public Regulation Commission and hearing officer structure, passed 66-0 after brief debate. House Bill 247, which modernizes capital outlay procedures and limits reauthorizations, was then taken up; the sponsor explained it would send unspent general fund capital outlay money to a Capital Development and Reserve Fund and tribal project balances to the tribal infrastructure fund. An amendment was offered to redirect the reserve fund money to the state road fund, and debate began, with members discussing road conditions and the purpose of the reserve fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were chartered in 1873. The idea was established in 1865.
• hopefully we can immortalize your words because I think you hit the nail on the head of what I was fishing
• think it's important for this conversation for us to understand that at a deeper level. what I was fishing
• Um, one last what I was fishing for.

Keywords: This meeting is taking place on location at the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Building Room 238 using on site equipment., 958, all

Summary: The interim Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met at Kentucky State University and heard a presentation from President Kofi Aapo and Vice President Michael Dorsy on the university’s role as an HBCU and its current priorities. They emphasized Kentucky State’s impact on Black student outcomes nationally, its focus on workforce development, civic leadership, innovation, and economic mobility, and its efforts to grow enrollment, expand dual-credit partnerships, and launch a prison education program. They also described House Bill 250’s role in prompting program review and the creation or expansion of market-aligned offerings, including manufacturing engineering, agricultural engineering, biological and agricultural engineering, social work, criminal justice, and expanded online programs through “Thoroughbred Global.” A major topic was Kentucky State’s move toward STEM and applied programs. President Aapo said the university is diversifying beyond liberal arts to meet workforce demand and cited plans for a PhD in agroecology, which he said would help farmers adapt to climate conditions and would be federally funded. He also discussed the nursing program as the fastest-growing on campus, partnerships with health systems that pay tuition and guarantee jobs, and the need for a new nursing facility. He said the current nursing space is inadequate and that a new building could double or triple enrollment in the program. He also described a mobile health initiative intended to bring preventive care and health education to underserved areas of the state. Members asked questions about the nursing building, STEM strategy, teacher preparation, dual credit, prison education, and student readiness. Senator Bledsoe asked about the shift toward STEM, and Aapo said the strategy is based on student demand and data from House Bill 250. Senator Berg requested a list of dual-credit partners and encouraged long-term tracking of prison education participants to study outcomes such as recidivism; Aapo said the university has not yet begun that research but intends to. Senator Tidner asked about remedial needs, and Aapo said KSU found more than 100 students with zero GPAs when he arrived and is using co-requisite support and tutoring to address English and math deficiencies. Representative Brown and others highlighted the historical and ongoing value of HBCUs, and no votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• For Fish and Wildlife, we would note that the Governor's budget proposes retaining all of Fish and Wildlife's
• These would be the positions at Fish and Wildlife, the Water Board, DPR, DTSC, and CalRecycle.
• Yeah, so the Department of Fish and Wildlife is here.
• Dan Reagan, Deputy Director for Fish and Wildlife.
• Hi, Chief Arnold with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Summary: The subcommittee met to discuss budget issues related to vacant positions across several natural resources and environmental departments, with no votes taken and all items held open for a future hearing. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance explained the administration’s proposal to eliminate about 6,000 vacant positions statewide, including roughly 293 positions in the departments before the committee, as a way to capture salary savings and reduce flexible funding tied up in vacancies. The LAO recommended retaining special-funded positions, while noting that eliminating General Fund positions would reduce savings. Finance argued that vacancy levels have remained steady statewide, that departments need flexibility to manage operations and hard-to-fill jobs, and that some vacant positions can be reclassified to higher-priority work. Members raised concerns that many of the proposed eliminations would affect core public-safety, permitting, and environmental-protection functions. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said the cuts would affect permitting, environmental protection, and law enforcement, while State Parks said its proposed ranger reductions were chosen from historically vacant, hard-to-fill positions and would still leave many vacancies to fill through the academy. The Coastal Commission said its positions supported sea-level rise planning under SB 272. The Department of Pesticide Regulation and DTSC said the reductions would affect multiple program areas, though Finance said the special funds involved were not in structural deficit and the cuts could help avoid future fee increases. The State Water Resources Control Board said its proposed reductions were spread across programs, with public-health functions protected as much as possible. The committee then heard an overview from the State Water Resources Control Board on its responsibilities for water quality, water rights, drinking water, and funding for water infrastructure. Chair Joaquin Esquivel described ongoing work on the Bay-Delta Plan update, the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes voluntary agreements, and the need to actively administer water rights. Members also discussed the board’s response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision, which narrowed federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. The board requested $2.6 million and 12 permanent positions to address resulting permitting and enforcement gaps; the LAO said the request met its high bar for new proposals and was supported by the board’s data and reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fish impacts stem from not just low flows, but the way that lower flows lead to higher temperatures.
• One thing we know about fish, especially salmon, is that they do not like to migrate in warmer waters
• We are already working with DFW and tribes for barrier removal and to support fish passage this summer
• , a Washington conservation crew on the Dungeness River to support fish passage in coordination with
• However, annual needs in the Yakima Basin for irrigation and fish are 2.5 million acre-feet.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought

Keywords: 904, all