Video & Transcript Research : 'forestry'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Apr 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Additional testimony: Brittany Varn with the Florida Forestry Association.
- I'm the Director of Forestry and Regulatory for the Florida Forestry Association.
- For the past three to six years, I would say, the forestry industry has really taken a big hit.
- We've been able to do tours teaching our architect students about forestry.
- We've been able to do tours teaching our architect students about forestry.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 80, the Parks Preservation Act, which would define state park purposes around conservation-based recreation and public access, prohibit uses such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and hotels, require more public notice and advisory input on land management changes, and mandate reporting on park spending and maintenance backlogs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with conservation groups, youth advocates, and other members of the public backing stronger protections for state parks. The bill was reported favorably.
Members then approved SB 200, directing DEP to develop a statewide waste reduction and recycling plan, and CS for SB 496, which clarifies that timeshare facilities are governed by Chapter 721 and only need annual board meetings. CS for CS for SB 1404, dealing with illegal gambling, was amended to add reporting requirements, tighten penalties, preempt local gambling legalization, and create a process for vetting certain machines and veteran-service-organization gaming questions; the bill drew significant concern from veterans groups and others over vague machine definitions and the need for clearer standards, but it was still reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 622 to allow pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities across horse-racing classes.
The committee next approved CS for CS for SB 712 after adopting a strike-all and amendment that covered synthetic turf rules, change-order timelines, public works scoring, elevator and alarm contractor issues, mass timber code updates, pool and spa contractor scope changes, spaceport building-code exemptions, and solar/energy-storage inspection provisions. Support came from timber, construction, and industry groups, while pool contractors objected to parts of the scope changes. The committee also reported favorably CS for CS for SB 1742, a major condominium reform bill that pauses reserve funding after milestone inspections, expands financial flexibility, adds disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, and increases data collection and oversight; members from both parties praised the sponsor’s work on condo issues.
Finally, the committee approved SB 1574 on renewable natural gas infrastructure and SB 1580 authorizing DEP coastal resiliency public-private partnerships. It also passed CS for SB 1760, which requires certain public officials and agency leaders to meet Florida residency or proximity requirements. The last bill, SB 820, would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office; while supporters said it would permanently support faith-based and community organizations and improve coordination, several senators raised concerns about church-state separation, the office’s ties to Hope Florida, and whether codifying it could make the program more political. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus Taxes Bill - Part 1 - 05/22/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The first has to do with forestry.
- So on the next page, on line 40, is where you will see our sustainable forestry, the SFIA payments.
- order to provide sustainable forestry. order to provide sustainable forestry. uh<00:53:10.480>
- c> uh sustainable forestry that provides uh sustainable forestry that provides for<00:53:12.800>
our - recreation, and maintain our forestry recreation, and maintain our forestry industry<00:54:13.040
- c> uh sustainable forestry that provides uh sustainable forestry that provides for<00:53:12.800>
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force (9-10-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- division of forestry. division of forestry.
- division of forestry when called upon. division of forestry when called upon.
- >
is <01:46:15.199>is Historically forestry has not is is Historically forestry has not - Um, so our recommendation here is to direct the Division of Forestry and the Forestry Best Management
- and the Forestry Division of Forestry and the Forestry Best<02:08:13.280>
Management <02:08:14.000
Summary:
The task force met with a quorum, approved the August meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Jerry Brosky of the Kentucky Mesonet and Kentucky Climate Center. He described the Mesonet’s statewide weather network, now with 84 stations in 78 counties, real-time data used by the National Weather Service, mobile apps, and more than a billion observations. He said recent legislative funding has allowed upgrades such as soil temperature and moisture sensors, cameras at every site, and improved communications and power systems, and has enabled expansion into new counties. He also highlighted products used for flooding, drought, and heat safety, including a wet bulb globe temperature tool being developed with the Department of Public Health. In response to questions, he said counties interested in a station should contact his center, that a station typically costs about $50,000, and that the program is already considering a second Pike County site.
The committee then heard from Ryan Drain of Blue Skies and Chris McGee of the American Red Cross on long-term disaster recovery and a software platform called Darcy, short for Disaster Aware and Ready Communities Initiative. McGee explained the Red Cross’s long-term recovery work, including support for recovery groups, direct financial assistance, grantmaking, and coordination with local and federal partners. He emphasized that disasters are occurring more frequently and with repeated impacts, and shared examples from Kentucky and other states showing the need for organized recovery and storm shelter support. Drain said Darcy was developed after the 2021 Mayfield-Graves tornado recovery to replace fragmented spreadsheets and PDFs with a centralized, survivor-led system for preparedness, response, and recovery, designed to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and shorten recovery time. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine options to reduce catastrophic wildfire, including H.R.471, to expedite under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisd Mar 6th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- The input of local communities and forestry experts risks harming our economy, our sensitive habitats
- Bem formerly served as the regional forestry for the Rocky Mountain region where I had the pleasure of
- We need to streamline this process, and we must implement forestry policy. restoration projects at a
- I'm hearing that from the foresters on our district, they will not have the forestry technicians to go
- This project is a forestry and workforce development organization in Oregon and California.
Bills:
HB471
Keywords:
forest management, wildfire prevention, public lands, Tribal jurisdiction, Fix Our Forests Act, wildfire, forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, fuels treatment, prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, mastication, fuel breaks, fire breaks, wildland-urban interface, WUI, fireshed, fireshed management area, fireshed registry, Fireshed Center
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WLA-HWN, WLA-HOU, WLA Public Hearings 04-17-2026
Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the forestry manager for the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and we are going to stand on our
- <00:17:02.720>
I'm <00:17:02.880>the <00:17:03.040>forestry <00:17:03.519> - I'm the forestry manager Jennifer Grim.
- I'm the forestry manager for<00:17:04.160>
the <00:17:04.319>division <00:17:04.559> - of<00:17:04.720>
forestry <00:17:05.039>and for the division of forestry and for the
Bills:
HCR31
Keywords:
rangelands, pastoralists, Hawaii, livestock, environment, sustainability, ecosystem services, Paniolo traditions, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Housing first heard HCR 85, which urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer parcels in the East Oahu area. DLNR, OPSD, HHFDC, and HCDA testified, and the chairs noted an intent to keep revenues from the lands with DLNR while agencies collaborate until parcels are ready for substantive transfer. Both committees then voted to pass the measure as is, with the recommendation adopted.
The committees also heard HCR 101 and HCR 166. HCR 101 was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted by both the Hawaiian Affairs and Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committees. HCR 166, which asks DLNR to identify state lands in East Oahu suitable for planting native Hawaiian trees, received no opposition in testimony and was also recommended and adopted unamended by both committees.
Later, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee took up several resolutions. HCR 36, establishing a sister-state relationship with Okayama, Japan, drew support from DBED, which highlighted educational, agricultural, and airport-related opportunities, and the committee moved it forward. HCR 19, designating March as March for Water Month, was supported by the Board of Water Supply. HCR 162, creating an arts data mapping task force, received support from DBED and arts advocates, including the Hawaii Youth Symphony. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, and nursery capacity, drew broad support from DLNR and multiple community testifiers emphasizing climate resilience, native forests, and storm recovery.
The committee also heard HCR 106 on designating Waikīkī as a world surfing reserve, with support from the University of Hawaii, and HCR 14 on a perpetual non-exclusive easement for existing drainage improvements at Waikīkī, which DLNR said had already been approved by the board and only needed legislative passage to execute. HCR 178, concerning a county set-aside for East Maui public trust water resources, drew testimony from the East Maui Water Authority and others supporting local control and public stewardship, while HCR 179, directing the Aamoku Advisory Committee to follow its rules and comply with Sunshine Law, drew testimony both in support and urging amendments to preserve Aamoku’s independent, semi-autonomous role. Because quorum was not available, decision-making on the later measures was deferred to the end of the 3 p.m. agenda.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming
Transcript Highlights:
- And I would note, you mentioned the Climate Forestry Committee, and I know that one of its members is
- It's convenient for the forestry industry to claim that younger trees are growing faster because then
- So even harvesting—and let me just say at the outset, we will have a forestry industry because we will
- I just realized a couple of months ago that we are the largest urban forestry nonprofit, not only in
- The Mass Ready Act proposes $30 million in urban forestry and tree planting programs, and these funds
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on natural and working lands, carbon sequestration, and related provisions in Governor Healey’s $3 billion Mass Ready Act. EEA officials described the bill’s investments in flooding, land protection, tree planting, wetlands restoration, biodiversity, dams, seawalls, and coastal resilience, along with permitting reforms intended to speed ecological restoration projects. They also outlined current programs on resilient lands, healthy soils, forest climate solutions, forest reserves, and urban tree planting, and said the administration expects natural and working lands to offset up to 7 million metric tons of residual emissions by 2050, while acknowledging that additional strategies will be needed to close the gap to the state’s 10-million-ton offset target.
Committee members pressed EEA on the cost of reaching the 30% conservation-by-2030 goal, the loss of a federal USDA grant of about $22 million, the adequacy of current sequestration estimates, and whether the state should consider regional approaches or statutory changes. EEA said current state conservation spending has been about $35 million to $40 million annually, that the Mass Ready Act is intended to help double the pace of conservation, and that federal funding remains uncertain. Senators also raised concerns about PILOT payments for state-owned land, the management of state forests, and the proposed Chapter 91 general license for restoration projects. EEA said the bill’s forest reserve language is meant to create a more durable designation process while still allowing limited active management.
Advocates from The Nature Conservancy and Mass Audubon supported stronger investment in land conservation and restoration, saying natural and working lands are a cost-effective climate strategy that also provides biodiversity, water quality, and public health benefits. They urged passage of legislation to increase funding, improve PILOT equity, and strengthen land-use planning and mitigation requirements. They also backed removing Chapter 91 licensing requirements for ecological restoration, arguing that the current process adds cost and delay. In a later panel, a forest scientist and an urban forestry advocate emphasized the carbon and cooling benefits of mature trees, called for greater protection of older forests, and supported bills to expand municipal reforestation and modernize public shade tree law. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 3 March, 2026; 2:00 PM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Today at 5:00 to 7:00 out at the Spartman Museum, Mississippi, a forestry museum, will be the 100
- :16.960>
Museum, <00:31:17.679>Mississippi <00:31:18.159>a <00:31:18.640>forestry - Spartman Museum, Mississippi a forestry Spartman Museum, Mississippi a forestry museum<00:31:19.840
- You've invited over to the old capital in Forestry >> Before I put the motion, the gentleman >
- You've been invited over to the Old Capitol in the Forestry Ballroom.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then dispensed with the reading of the journal and introductions. The session included many gallery introductions recognizing Jackson State University Day and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Day, along with visiting university officials, alumni, students, community leaders, and other guests. Members also offered remarks honoring JSU achievements and several individuals, including a doctor of the day, a mayor, military personnel, and a legislative intern. One member asked for adjournment in memory of two West Bolivar students who died in a house fire, and the chamber observed that request.
On the calendar, the House took up several House resolutions in blocks. Items 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 were adopted without objection, and House Resolution 72 and House Resolution 75 were each adopted by voice vote. The chamber then considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 526, described as congratulating the Ole Miss Rebels; it was adopted by a recorded vote of 121 yeas and 0 nays. A request was made for immediate release on that resolution, and there was no objection. Members also discussed adding the full House membership as co-authors on House Resolution 78, which was noted as honoring an outstanding Jackson State baseball player.
Several announcements were made about committee meetings and events, including Medicaid, Judiciary, State Affairs, and Accountability, Efficiency, and Transparency meetings, though State Affairs was later announced not to meet that afternoon. Members also announced a legislative reception hosted by the Mississippi Tourism Association and Game and Hospitality Association, and a 100-year anniversary event for the Mississippi Forester Commission. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 10:00 a.m. the next day.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Natural Resources and Water
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the president and CEO of the California Forestry Association, or Cal Forests.
- So I'll align my comments with my colleague here with the Forestry Association.
- I'm the president and CEO of the California Forestry Association, or Cal Forests.
- So I'll align my comments with my colleague here with the Forestry Association.
- So I'll align my comments with my colleague here with the Forestry Association.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- The students delivered a compelling presentation on urban forestry, and their thoughtful ideas were certainly
- /c><00:05:26.000>
urban compelling presentation on urban compelling presentation on urban forestry - > their<00:05:27.919>
thoughtful <00:05:28.520>ideas <00:05:29.160>were forestry - and their thoughtful ideas were forestry and their thoughtful ideas were certainly<00:05:30.360>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House agriculture committee hears testimony on sustainable aviation fuel 2/10/25
Transcript Highlights:
- administration is extremely excited about the opportunities that SAF presents for our agricultural, forestry
- Municipal solid waste, forestry waste, clean hydrogen, and more—the problem is, at present, there isn't
- Municipal solid waste, forestry waste, clean hydrogen, and more—the problem is, at present, there isn't
- Municipal solid waste, forestry waste, clean hydrogen, and more—the problem is, at present, there isn't
- waste forestry waste Urban wood<00:14:49.959>
waste <00:14:50.959>biog <00:14:51.360>
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Minnesota’s efforts to build a SAF industry. Andrea Veble of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the Walz administration strongly supports SAF because it could benefit agriculture, forestry, clean energy, and rural economies. She highlighted the 2023 state SAF tax credit and sales tax exemption for facility construction, describing the credit as a nation-leading incentive designed to stack with federal IRA credits and attract producers and blenders to Minnesota.
Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines said aviation is difficult to decarbonize and that SAF is the airline industry’s best available tool to reach net-zero goals by 2050. He explained that SAF is a certified drop-in fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft and infrastructure, and he cited growing global demand and limited supply. He said Minnesota has many potential feedstocks, including used cooking oil, corn, soybeans, and camelina, and praised the state’s SAF tax credit and the Minnesota SAF Hub as important steps toward making Minnesota a leader in the sector.
Peter Fros of Greater MSP described the Minnesota SAF Hub as a public-private partnership aimed at building an industrial-scale SAF value chain in Minnesota. He said the state has key advantages, including airport demand, corporate partners, research institutions, and agricultural inputs, and estimated that three SAF biorefineries could create tens of thousands of jobs and significant emissions reductions. He also said the Hub is working on blending infrastructure, private demand commitments, a winter camelina expansion study, and efforts to secure additional refineries before 2030. Members raised questions about how sustainability is measured, and Fros said the Hub relies on the federal GREET model but wants a clearer, transparent, and standardized national method that also accounts for issues like water quality and biodiversity.
Amanda Bellik of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association said corn-based ethanol is a strong fit for SAF production through the alcohol-to-jet pathway because it is abundant, affordable, and supported by existing infrastructure. She said SAF development could create a new value-added market for corn without requiring new acres, but emphasized the need for significant capital investment, stable tax policy, and efficient permitting. She also said the group has worked with a consultant on third-party sustainability assessments of corn production practices to help fill data gaps and support the carbon-intensity requirements tied to SAF incentives.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 10, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH, I AM PRESIDENT AND CEO OF F4 TECH, A LOCAL FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCE
- DOING FORESTRY THAT CAN BE PLANTING TREES, HELPING THEM GROW TREES, CUT TREES.
- FRUIT THAT MY COMPANY HAS BEEN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF BUT THE MORE WE LOOK INTO IT AND I WAS JUST TODAY FORESTRY
- THE MEMBERS, THE ASSOCIATION I AM HERE ALSO REPRESENTING THE FLORIDA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION INCREASINGLY
- THEY ARE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO OUR CASH FLOW. >> Chair Salzman: ABSOLUTELY. >> SIMILARLY IN FORESTRY
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Outside of that, this one will move our forestry conservation program employees into the law enforcement
- Outside of that, this one will move our forestry conservation program employees into the law enforcement
- This bill helps the Wyoming State Forestry be competitive in our community. So, thank you.
- And outside of that, State Forestry assumes all firefighting positions will be filled and firefighters
- And outside of that, State Forestry And outside of that, State Forestry assumes<00:04:24.960>
Bills:
SF0052
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- From the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, House Bill 38 receives a favorable report
- From the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Senate Bill 124 receives a favorable report
- From the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Senate Bill 123 receives a favorable report
- , call the next committee. from agriculture, conservation and from agriculture, conservation and forestry
- Senate bill number 125 forestry.
Summary:
The Senate began with a resolution honoring Special Agent Senior Josh Taylor for his long service in state law enforcement, including work as a traffic homicide investigator, field training officer, SBI major crimes investigator, and later on the Lieutenant Governor’s protective detail. The resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then received a series of gubernatorial confirmations and House messages, including multiple Alabama Army National Guard promotions, appointments to state boards, and several House bills referred to Senate committees.
Committee reports followed, with favorable reports on a number of bills from Finance and Taxation Education, Judiciary, State Governmental Affairs, County and Municipal Government, Agriculture, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Children and Youth Health, and Local Legislation. The Senate confirmed Leon M. Nash to the Board of Pardons and Paroles by a 33-0 vote, and also confirmed several State Textbook Committee appointees by unanimous votes. The chamber also adopted several resolutions, including memorials for John David Williams and William Grant Lynch Jr., a commendation for Sandra Thompson, and a resolution urging federal action on sextortion and child exploitation.
During local legislation, the Senate passed or certified several county-specific measures, including bills involving Pickens, Colbert, Marshall, Blount, Fayette, Franklin, and Walker counties; one Marshall County bill was later indefinitely postponed after word that its House companion had passed. In the special order calendar, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 30 and then passed Senate Bill 95 extending the sunset on the “call before you dig” law, Senate Bill 42 addressing municipal election tie situations, Senate Bill 9 adding vaping to the Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act, and Senate Bill 41 on elder abuse and exploitation after adopting two amendments. The session ended with adjournment until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 2nd.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Nov 6th, 2025
Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- This goes along with the long-standing 25-year effort in forestry towards restoring forest health, which
- organizations then begin to implement across the state that are related to the environmental or forestry
- things like this—we do try to share them with Soil and Water Conservation Districts, with State Forestry
- And so that is something that we're working on, trying to encourage landowners, State Forestry, or the
- The Service has some nurseries, State Forestry has, and there are other smaller nurseries around that
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (05/06/2025)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- So that type of forestry that so forth.
- We have always supported sustainable forestry.
- municipalities and some forestry municipalities and some forestry professionals<01:25:41.600>
- work closely with a leading forestry work closely with a leading forestry company<01:49:31.040><
- <02:54:13.520>
initiative sustainable forestry initiative sustainable forestry initiative
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- Jessica Adney Maher to be a member of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Board of
- Peter Smith to be a member of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Board of Trustees
- Steven Noble to be a member of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Board of Trustees
Summary:
The New York State Senate Finance Committee met to consider a slate of roughly 30 gubernatorial nominations to state boards, authorities, commissions, and advisory councils. The nominations included appointments to the Advisory Council on Agriculture, the Dormitory Authority, the Power Authority, NYSERDA, the Public Health and Health Planning Council, the Gaming Commission, the Thruway Authority, the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, SUNY and Cornell boards, and several other entities. Senator O’Mara introduced the list, and Senator Liu presided in place of Chair Liz Krueger.
During the meeting, Senator O’Mara asked whether Mark Schroeder listed for the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority was the same person nominated to the Convention Center Operating Corporation; Senator Liu confirmed that it was the same individual. No testimony on the merits of the nominations was presented, and no discussion of the nominees’ qualifications was recorded beyond that clarification.
Members were instructed to mark their vote sheets with aye, nay, or aye without recommendation for each nomination. After a brief period for voting, the committee adjourned. No roll-call results or final disposition of the nominations were announced in the transcript.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Our forestry division supports Emergency Support Function 4, which focuses on firefighting and provides
- The state forester, who will speak after me, will provide more detail on forestry operations and The
- Chair and Senator Woods, we, the Forestry Division, received quite a lot of money in FY26.
- The programs that house this difference between the two are in the agency's forestry and state parks
- Slide six: State Forestry Division.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Feb 12th, 2025
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- My family and I own forest land in Alabama, and we know the importance the forestry industry is to this
- Hopefully, you are aware of the Rural Bridge Grant initiative the AFA and the Alabama Forestry Commission
- basically just to give us a little bit more tolerance because our system is broken in a way for the forestry
- I know people who are in the forestry industry, so I'm... I'm sympathetic to that cause.
Keywords:
weight limits, trucking regulations, transportation, enforcement authority, portable scales, SB64, Alabama, state waters, public waters, aquatic plants, aquatic vegetation, lake management, waterway maintenance, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, commercial contractors, vegetation removal, mowing aquatic plants, uprooting plants
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance May 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And um Uh, Lindsay Kwam from the Forestry division, and I know we have some others, and I, uh, great
- I'm Lindsay Kuan, Deputy State Forester with the forestry division.
- Comparatively, you know, the New Mexico's Forestry division is about 146 people.
- I think they've got over 7 million from state forestry.
- Um, You know, you can factor that out in terms of, I mean, forestry is one of those things where.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Um and forestry and um reforestation.
- Um you mentioned forestry. Don't >> Yeah. Um you mentioned forestry.
- I was farmers, ranching, and forestry.
- Forestry is just saying mention it.
- "No, I'm still with Division of Forestry." "Okay.
Bills:
SB2606, SB3253, SB237, SB3252, SB1178, SB2322, SB2019, SB3043, SB3014, SB2972, SB1190, SB2488
Keywords:
wildlife sanctuary, environmental conservation, Hawaii, nonprofit corporation, freshwater preservation, community stewardship, biodiversity, ecological heritage, conservation, endangered species, wildlife preservation, native birds, sanctuary, nonprofit, DLNR, agricultural district, land use, chapter 195D, chapter 205, chapter 42F
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on several measures related to wildlife, conservation, shoreline adaptation, and climate governance. On SB 2606, which would establish the Freshwater State Recreational Area Wildlife Sanctuary Corporation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said it had concerns about employee eligibility and was not yet prepared to comment further on the bill’s ramifications. After testimony ended, a senator asked DLNR to follow up with more detail, and the department said it would relay the questions to leadership and respond later. No vote was taken on the measure during the excerpt.
On SB 3253, which would create the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity to work with DLNR, the department said it supported the bill. In discussion, DLNR said Hawaii has not done anything like this before, described a similar model in New Zealand, and estimated that developing such a sanctuary could cost millions of dollars. Members also discussed whether the concept would fit with existing efforts such as Hakalau, and DLNR said the bill could apply to private or state lands depending on the site. No action was taken.
The most extensive discussion was on SB 237, which would expand state and county authority to develop adaptation pathways for relocating infrastructure away from sea level rise and coastal flooding areas. DLNR supported the bill, saying it prioritizes public trust resources over economic development or private property. The Kahana Bay Steering Committee and the Shoreline Preservation Coalition opposed the measure, arguing it was too focused on managed retreat and should include a broader range of shoreline responses, such as erosion mitigation, groins, sand nourishment, and other interim protections. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it appreciated the bill’s intent but wanted broader language that would allow more tools in the toolbox. Members debated whether retreat is inevitable, whether different shorelines require different approaches, and whether the bill should be more flexible. No vote was taken.
The final measure discussed was SB 3252, which would amend the powers and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, create a coordinator position, and appropriate funds. The commission’s coordinator testified in support, while OPSD opposed the bill, saying it would remove the two cabinet-level co-chair positions, raise accountability concerns, and duplicate some of OPSD’s functions. In questioning, members debated whether the current commission structure has been effective, who would appoint or confirm the coordinator, and whether the bill would improve transparency and implementation. OPSD said it supported more statewide interdepartmental funding for climate planning and staffing, but had concerns about the proposed governance changes. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.