Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, I'll use my time to put a face to the devastating and long-lasting impact of gun violence on
• Why are they allowed to profit while ignoring the devastating impact of their product?
• This issue directly impacts both residents and non-residents who value our outdoor traditions.
• Since 2004, I've run the Mass Wildlife Youth Hunt Program for the Carver Club.
• The Mass Wildlife Youth Hunt Program targets young men and women ages 12 to 17.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The hearing focused heavily on firearms legislation, especially bills to repeal Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 (including H. 2618/S. 1671 and related repeal measures) and bills on firearm industry accountability (H. 2672/S. 1653). Supporters of repeal, including Senator Peter Durant, Rep. Ken Sweezey, gun owners, instructors, sportsmen, and women’s gun-rights advocates, argued that Chapter 135 overreaches, creates confusion in licensing and training requirements, burdens lawful gun owners, restricts pepper spray and semi-automatic firearms, and is being enforced in ways they said criminalize responsible conduct. Committee members defending the law said it was the product of years of work, public listening sessions, and multiple drafts, and argued that Massachusetts remains the safest state for gun violence and that implementation issues, such as live-fire training, had been delayed to allow time for regulations and infrastructure. Several witnesses also testified on H. 2672/S. 1653, which would create firearm industry standards of conduct and allow civil actions against manufacturers, distributors, and dealers that engage in unsafe or unlawful practices. Supporters from the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown, Brady, Giffords, and survivors described the bill as a way to hold the industry accountable, reduce the flow of crime guns, and give victims and the Attorney General a path to sue bad actors. They cited data on crime-gun traces, disproportionate impacts on communities of color, and examples from other states that have enacted similar laws. Opponents, including gun dealers and industry representatives, argued that existing law already punishes illegal sales, that most crime guns are stolen or diverted after lawful sale, and that the bill would improperly target manufacturers for the actions of others. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to remove the non-resident ban on semi-automatic firearms for hunting (H. 2710/S. 1676), with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers supporting the change as a way to restore access for returning residents, veterans, and hunting programs that had been displaced. Later testimony returned to repeal and related gun-law bills, with sportsmen’s groups arguing Chapter 135 was rushed, confusing, and harmful to youth hunting and lawful ownership. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; it was a public testimony session with extensive questioning by committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• All are welcome, and we will have Jason Bachelder from the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife speaking
• </c> fish and wildlife uh speaking with us. fish and wildlife uh speaking with us. Thanks. Thanks.
• Forestry operations and provide a source of relief funds to farms and forestry operations impacted by
• And in subdivision 4C, after "operations impacted by" and before the period, by striking out "climate
• by and before the period by impacted by and before the period by striking<00:41:38.319><c> out</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• So from that experience, I just want to attest that it is essential to have an impact if you're going
• to have an impact on a community health outcome, that it's essential to have data to focus efforts.
• </c><00:43:47.640><c> of</c><00:43:47.800><c> gun</c> witnessed firsthand the impact of gun witnessed
• Thank you very much. emotional and financial impact of crime emotional and financial impact of crime
• Thank you very much. that there's significant impact um from that there's significant impact um from

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• taking those things that we already do and making sure that we're coordinating them for the best impact
• we're able to test them and really pull data out from now into the future so we can see what the impact
• Because it does impact a big amount of that area.
• So as you can see, that's a pretty significant change, and that is definitely going to impact how much
• Moving on to page 4, the department also received $50 million for wildlife crossings. ...locations on

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I mean, there are impacts there.
• Uh this would impact important thing.
• </c><00:30:16.880><c> So,</c> mean, there are impacts there. So, mean, there are impacts there.
• c><00:47:10.560><c> and</c><00:47:11.040><c> fund</c> to impacted communities and and fund to impacted
• ><c> pair</c><01:20:33.440><c> of</c> wildlife, like the nesting pair of wildlife, like the nesting pair

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Brad's leadership and advocacy for neighborhood, city, and state policies leaves a lasting impact on
• whole family to the Ben Avery facility this weekend to partake in a variety of shooting sports, meet wildlife
• whole family to the Ben Avery facility this weekend to partake in a variety of shooting sports, meet wildlife

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the doctor of the day. Members also introduced numerous guests and groups in the gallery, including the Dandy Project, Arizona Right to Life, Red State Reform, Reproductive Freedom for All, Somerton elected officials, Apache County Supervisor Alton Joe Shepard, and the family of the late Brad Brower. The chamber then adopted House Concurrent Resolution 2053 honoring Brower’s life and service, followed by a moment of respectful silence and remarks from members about his community leadership. The House considered several Senate bills in Committee of the Whole. SB 1020, relating to the Arizona Space Commission and a specialty license plate, drew debate over a proposed Villegas floor amendment to add a community college access and success plate; the amendment failed on a recorded division vote, and SB 1020 was then approved. SB 1127 and SB 1181 also received do-pass recommendations without controversy. The House later held an additional Committee of the Whole on SB 1426, adopted a floor amendment, and reported the bill as amended with a do-pass recommendation. On third reading, the House passed SB 1125 on child safety by a vote of 43-4 and SB 1415 on insurance adjusters by a vote of 46-1. The House also adopted the Committee of the Whole report, with a separate motion to include the defeated Villegas amendment in SB 1020 failing 19-28. The chamber announced upcoming committee meetings, made several brief personal and ceremonial announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we received quite Wildlife Committee.
• </c><01:28:40.159><c> uh</c> uh Travel, Recreation, and Wildlife uh uh Travel, Recreation, and Wildlife
• The large project funding bill is the wildlife funding bill and generally goes to TRW.
• . funding bill is the uh is the wildlife funding bill is the uh is the wildlife trust<02:08:14.800><c
• 60, K-12 school facilities appropriations is re-referred to Committee 6, Travel, Recreation and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on. 1904 Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Uh total action is $13,364,46.
• </c><01:00:07.839><c> Uh</c><01:00:08.240><c> total</c> wildlife, fisheries, and parks.
• Uh total wildlife, fisheries, and parks.
• We should be proud of<01:00:48.799><c> what</c><01:00:49.440><c> Wildlife,</c><01:00:49.839><c> Fishers
• ,</c><01:00:50.160><c> and</c><01:00:50.319><c> Parks</c><01:00:50.640><c> has</c> of what Wildlife,

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• support the efforts of Peace Over Violence and the YWCA to educate persons in our state about the true impact
• Michael Hillary to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. Senator Paxton, Mr.
• I would hope that you all would join me with the same concern again with the fact that this only impacts
• That the Oklahoma State Senate recognizes and celebrates agriculture's impact on our state's heritage
• And while that may sound Technical, the impact is very real.

Bills: HB2268 , HB3000 , HB3043 , HB3066 , HB3078 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3244 , HB3298 , HB3320 , HB3467 , HB3321 , HB3329 , HB3431 , HB3464 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3586 , HB3590 , HB3650 , HB3671 , HB3695 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3764 , HB3767 , HB3834 , HB3931 , HB3934 , HB3940 , HB3944 , HB3979 , HB3985 , HB4113 , HB4294 , HB4302 , HB4317 , HB4324 , HB4359 , HB4426 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4434 , HJR1077 , SR42 , SR35 , HJR1023 , HB1225 , HB1374 , HB1381 , HB1590 , HB1675 , HB2153

Keywords: HB2268, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, appropriation, General Revenue Fund, PACE, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, elderly care, aging Oklahomans, long-term care, Medicaid, health care funding, provider reimbursement, rate increase, low-income seniors, senior services, integrated care, emergency measure, cosmetology, barbering

Transcript Highlights:

• think unless they're actually working together intentionally, we sort of lose out on some of that impact
• But again, if you look at this, this is a 51% reduction in the impacted area with veligers.
• I know this is an impact in my area quite a bit, and I have several questions that I want to go and ask
• The Snake River through here has, I mean, is impacted by nearly 100% diversion at Milner.
• The other question that I kind of had with this is about the environmental impact of the chelated copper

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's huge impacts for us, huge impacts for cities, counties, and fire districts such as myself.
• There is no fiscal impact for this bill, and the Senate and House bills are identical.
• And I just have one question, Senator DeSigley, and that's just the impact to residents.
• SB 936, statewide study on automation and workforce impact.
• SB 936, statewide study on automation and workforce impact, establishes an automation impact study to

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice, health, and public safety bills, with several measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations and mostly no opposition. CS for SB 1782 on dangerous excessive speeding, CS for SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access, CS for SB 716 on mandatory minimums for certain sexual offenses by registered offenders, CS for SB 1084 on intimate image dissemination and digitally forged images, and CS for CS for SB 1604 on corrections-related litigation and sentencing changes all passed the committee. Members also approved CS for SB 1838, which increases protections for court officials from tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for SB 1252, which directs FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database. CS for SB 468 on fleeing or eluding, CS for SB 490 on off-duty concealed carry for certain officers, and CS for SB 890 on blood clot screening and treatment also received favorable votes, with SB 890 drawing supportive testimony from the bill sponsor, medical and patient advocates, and family members affected by blood clots. The most extensive debate centered on CS for CS for SB 1804, which would create a capital offense for adults trafficking children under 12 or mentally incapacitated persons for sexual exploitation. Senator Martin defended the bill as a response to especially heinous crimes and argued it fit within constitutional punishment principles, while several members raised concerns about the Eighth Amendment, the risk of lengthy and costly litigation, and the possibility of retraumatizing victims. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified in opposition, citing moral objections, due process concerns, and constitutional precedent; the bill nevertheless was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 572, the “Pam Rock Act,” which tightens dangerous-dog rules, adds enclosure, microchip, insurance, and penalty requirements, and allows stronger enforcement actions after serious attacks. The Rock family and animal control supporters testified in favor, describing the bill as a response to fatal dog attacks and urging stronger accountability for owners. For SB 572, members discussed insurance requirements, the role of local authorities in classifying dangerous dogs, and whether the bill would affect ordinary pet insurance or only liability coverage after a serious attack. The sponsor said the measure is not breed-specific and is aimed at dogs that have already caused significant harm. The committee also heard testimony from family members of Pam Rock and other victims, along with supporters from animal control and sheriff’s offices. All of the bills taken up in the meeting that were voted on were reported favorably, and no roll-call votes failed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had a bill that wanted a three-quarter-mile setback on wildlife areas, only state wildlife areas, so
• Now, these are climate impacts, and there are other things that impact these, but this is the Earth telling
• Now these are climate impacts these 70%.
• there are other things that impact and there are other things that impact these<00:36:59.839><c> but<
• The thing is, these impacts are change.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this could impact locally grown, California grown products.
• Assembly Bill 1520 by the Committee on Water, Parks and act relating to wildlife and act relating to
• And three, to address concerns around impacts to water inhibited prime farmland.
• Assembly Bill 1169 by Assemblymember Jeff Gonzales, an act relating to wildlife grants.
• Specifically, AB 697 will authorize the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Transcript Highlights:

• also second reading of bills on the consent calendar: House Bill 142, an act relating to pre-dating wildlife
• Bill 142, an act relating<00:08:01.200><c> to</c><00:08:01.520><c> pre-dating</c><00:08:02.240><c> wildlife
• </c><00:08:02.960><c> and</c> relating to pre-dating wildlife and relating to pre-dating wildlife and
• Resolution endorsing the Ohio River Restoration Program Act to support clean water, healthy fish and wildlife
• </c><02:12:04.040><c> management</c> component of modern wildlife management component of modern wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• There was one program, the fish and wildlife cluster, that ended up with an adverse opinion, and that
• </c><00:58:33.839><c> cluster</c> program the fish and wildlife cluster program the fish and wildlife
• the opinion and program it does impact the opinion and it<00:58:47.680><c> was</c><00:58:47.760><c>
• Um, it's as we mentioned, the Fish and Wildlife cluster had four findings starting on F-13.
• cluster had four findings wildlife cluster had four findings starting<01:08:01.520><c> on</c><01:08:

Summary: The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state. A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item. The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hunters and fishermen advance legislation supporting game and wildlife regulations, and nurses advance
• 27.640><c> and</c> advance legislation supporting game and advance legislation supporting game and wildlife
• regulations</c><00:14:28.880><c> and</c><00:14:29.000><c> nurses</c><00:14:29.400><c> advance</c> wildlife
• regulations and nurses advance wildlife regulations and nurses advance legislation legislation legislation
• Every detail with regards to sulfide ore copper mining and its impact to the Boundary Waters is lodged

Committee: House Ethics

Transcript Highlights:

• The crews, the Olympic crews, began constructing roads to the impacted areas to facilitate excavations
• That number will vary slightly because the outage impacted carriers in different ways depending on the
• That number will vary slightly because the outage impacted carriers in different ways depending on the
• Even if the port were to maximize, flights were most impacted.
• And investments in this infrastructure could reduce price surges impacting consumers, businesses, and

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• of dedicated sportsmen and sportswomen who are hunters, anglers, conservationists of the land and wildlife
• of<00:29:16.280><c> the</c><00:29:16.400><c> land</c><00:29:16.919><c> and</c><00:29:17.080><c> wildlife
• </c><00:29:18.159><c> And</c><00:29:18.440><c> they</c><00:29:18.600><c> are</c> of the land and wildlife
• And they are of the land and wildlife.

Transcript Highlights:

• to study the efficacy of planting mint along highways to mitigate motor vehicle collisions with wildlife
• to mitigate motor vehicle collisions to mitigate motor vehicle collisions with<00:14:45.839><c> wildlife
• </c> with wildlife. Representative Gordon. with wildlife. Representative Gordon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but it also impacts mule deer, the foraging base that the mule deer use in the winter.
• Um, but it also impacts mule deer, the foraging base that the mule deer use in the winter.
• Uh, Muley Fanatics, the Mule Deer Foundation, Fish and Wildlife Service, that's our partners for the
• Fish and Wildlife Program, the conservation district, NRCS, and private landowners.
• This is our large project funding bill for the Wildlife Trust.

Bills: SF0052 , SF0024

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources