Video & Transcript : 'wild birds' :

Page 75 of 176
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • trying<00:42:25.320><c> to</c><00:42:25.440><c> create</c><00:42:25.840><c> the</c><00:42:25.920><c> wild
  • </c><00:42:26.240><c> west</c><00:42:26.520><c> of</c> trying to create the wild west of trying to create
  • the wild west of lawyers.<00:42:27.760><c> What</c><00:42:28.000><c> we're</c><00:42:28.120><c> trying
Keywords: 1183, house
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 087 Apr 11th, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • do is institute an optional fee at the time of car registration, very similar to the Keep Colorado Wild
  • do is institute an optional fee at the time of car registration, very similar to the Keep Colorado Wild
  • do is institute an optional fee at the time of car registration, very similar to the Keep Colorado Wild
Keywords: 981, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • What happens is that people, it becomes like the Wild West. People just start getting everything.
  • What happens is that people, it becomes like the Wild West.
  • It's kind of like the Wild West out there. And everybody wants to help.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS-HRE, HHS-EDT, HHS Public Hearings 03-19-2025

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Robin Keane, Maui Wild Game Management to Feed the Hungry, in support.
  • Robin Keane, Maui Wild Game Management to Feed the Hungry, in support.
  • Robin Keane, Maui Wild Game Management to Feed the Hungry, in support.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Higher Education hearing took up HB 441 HD2, a measure to increase cigarette taxes and dedicate the revenue to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. The Department of Taxation said it had no substantive objection but requested an effective date of January 1, 2026 if tax rates change so it can order new stamps. The Department of Health, the Deputy Attorney General/tobacco enforcement, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Hawaii Medical Association, and several other health organizations and youth advocates supported the bill, arguing that higher cigarette prices reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and help fund cancer research and care. Several supporters asked for a larger increase, including at least $1 per pack, while opponents from retail, wholesale, and tobacco-related groups argued the tax would be regressive, burden low-income smokers, and drive sales to the illicit market. The Tax Foundation and other opponents also criticized reliance on sin taxes and said smoking rates are already at historic lows. After testimony and questions, members discussed how the revenue should be used and whether higher taxes change smoker behavior or push people toward vaping or other alternatives. The chairs announced they would pass HB 441 HD2 with amendments, replacing the contents with SB 528 SD1 except for changes reflecting the Department of Taxation’s request and a provision directing all proceeds from the tax increase to the Hawaii Cancer Center’s debt reduction, with an effective date of December 31, 2025. The House Health, Human Services, and Higher Education committees then voted to adopt the recommendation; the Health, Human Services committee vote was adopted with Chair and several members voting aye and one member voting no in the Higher Education committee vote. The hearing also briefly covered HB 1334 on meat donation, which drew support from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, food industry, and community groups, though no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1098 on crimes against protective services workers. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying assaults on protective services workers can have chilling effects and deserve stronger deterrence; a committee question raised whether the bill should instead be part of a broader, more proactive approach to assault statutes. The Department of Human Services also described safety steps such as panic buttons and phone apps for social workers. The excerpt ends before any final vote on HB 1098.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • uh</c><00:20:26.720><c> it</c><00:20:26.799><c> was</c><00:20:26.960><c> named</c><00:20:27.200><c> wild
  • </c><00:20:27.559><c> cats</c><00:20:27.919><c> I</c> daughter it uh it was named wild cats I daughter
  • it uh it was named wild cats I didn't<00:20:28.120><c> know</c><00:20:28.240><c> the</c><00:20:28.320
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 1, which would create a Kentucky Film Office and a Kentucky Film Leadership Council to promote film production in the state. Sponsors said the bill is intended to expand Kentucky’s use of film tax incentives, improve marketing and infrastructure, and attract productions that could generate jobs, tourism, and broader economic development. They noted a committee substitute made two changes: adding a salary cap for the film office executive director and correcting a date. Members asked about whether the office should instead be housed in the Economic Development Cabinet, how Kentucky’s refundable credit compares with Georgia’s transferable credits, the bill’s obscenity language, the size of the current incentive cap, and whether there should be reporting on the program’s results. Supporters cited a University of Louisville study estimating about $200 million in industry revenue in 2022 and argued the state is not fully using existing credits; an outside witness, Andrew McNeel, opposed the bill, calling the incentives subsidies, warning that Georgia’s uncapped program could lead to pressure to raise Kentucky’s cap, and arguing the bill could subsidize films with little lasting local benefit. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and passed Senate Bill 1 as amended by House Committee Substitute 1 with an expression of opinion that it should pass. Several members explained their votes, including concerns about transparency, local hiring, and the need for further review. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 76, which would raise the threshold for a retainage/escrow requirement in certain real estate improvement contracts from $500,000 to $2 million. The sponsor said the change is meant to reflect construction cost inflation since the statute was enacted in 1990. The transcript indicates a motion and second were made, but the discussion was cut off before any final action on the bill is shown. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 162, a simplified bill on unemployment insurance fraud. The sponsor said it would require suspected fraud to be referred to the appropriate state or federal law enforcement authorities, including the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, county or Commonwealth’s attorneys, and, where applicable, the U.S. Department of Justice, to create a clearer process and accountability. The transcript ends during the presentation, before any vote or committee action on SB 162 is recorded.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • parts, eagle feathers, or other migratory bird parts.
  • the federal government that we can with the federal government that we can carry<03:55:48.000><c> bird
  • > eagle</c><03:55:49.239><c> feathers</c><03:55:49.680><c> or</c><03:55:49.920><c> other</c> carry bird
  • Parts eagle feathers or other carry bird Parts eagle feathers or other migratory<03:55:50.800><c> bird
  • feathers and the response was New bird feathers and the response was New Hampshire<03:56:10.640><c>
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 610, which would fold the Office of the Consumer Advocate into the Department of Energy rather than fully eliminate consumer advocacy functions. The prime sponsor argued the current office is small, funded by a special assessment on ratepayers, and duplicative of DOE work. He said moving the function to DOE would streamline energy policy review, reduce bureaucracy, and better focus the larger agency on lowering residential energy costs. He also disputed claims that the Consumer Advocate is independent, saying the office is appointed through a political process similar to DOE leadership. Committee members and the sponsor discussed whether the bill would actually relocate existing positions or replace them, and whether the Department of Energy would absorb the cost of the transferred staff. The sponsor said the fiscal note shows roughly a million-dollar reduction in both revenue assessment and spending, and that the bill would effectively reduce the office from five positions to three. He also defended his cost estimates for energy-code-related housing impacts and said the Consumer Advocate has sometimes supported policies he считает increase costs, such as energy-efficiency measures and building code changes. He argued the office should focus more on energy supply and generation, including natural gas and nuclear, rather than efficiency alone. Representative Wendy Thomas testified in opposition, saying the Consumer Advocate is an important, fair, and impartial voice for ratepayers and warning that the bill was fiscally irresponsible because the incumbent could still be owed salary and benefits if the office were repealed. She also said the bill’s drafting was confusing and that the Consumer Advocate’s role is to push back on utilities on behalf of consumers. Other members raised questions about whether the DOE would simply inherit the same political appointment structure and whether the bill would meaningfully lower bills. No vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair indicated additional testimony would follow, and the Department of Energy was present to answer questions.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Election Law (03/31/2026)

Election Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • Wild West.
  • </c><01:38:32.720><c> Wild</c><01:38:32.960><c> West.
  • Wild West. Um but not all rules, too. Wild West.
Committee: House Election Law
Keywords: 1189, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-22 (9:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Holy Presence, grant those gathered here your holy wild grace.
Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions recognizing the YMCA’s 175th anniversary, Youth and Government participants, and Dr. Thomas Clem as Doctor of the Day. Senators also noted the presence of guests from the YMCA and Lakeland Regional, and the chamber received a birthday acknowledgment for President Gates. The chamber then took up several bills on the special order calendar. Senate Bill 100 adopted the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 session’s enacted statute materials; Senate Bill 102 removed statutory provisions that had already been repealed or expired; and Senate Bill 104, the general reviser’s bill, deleted obsolete language and corrected cross-references and errors. Each of these bills passed 36-0. Senate Bill 320, relating to administrative efficiency in public schools, was explained as reducing district-level requirements, expanding teacher apprenticeship and certification flexibility, adjusting assessment and budgeting rules, and increasing district flexibility in VPK and facility planning; it also passed 36-0. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 7010, which authorizes Roth post-tax contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, by a 36-0 vote. Senate Bill 1720 on public school personnel compensation was withdrawn from further consideration. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify the passed bills to the House and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Jan 22nd, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Holy Presence, grant those gathered here your holy wild grace.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions recognizing the YMCA’s 175th anniversary, the Senate’s doctor of the day, and visiting guests. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar after confirming there were no committee reports, executive messages, House messages, or other pending motions. The Senate passed several bills unanimously: SB 100, adopting the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 session laws; SB 102, deleting statutory provisions that had already been repealed or expired; and SB 104, the general reviser’s bill, which removes obsolete language, updates cross-references, and corrects drafting errors. Senators briefly joked during debate on SB 104, but there was no substantive opposition. The Senate also passed SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools, which reduces district-level requirements, expands teacher apprenticeship and certification flexibility, streamlines assessment and budgeting rules, and adjusts VPK oversight and facility planning requirements. The chamber also approved SB 7010, allowing state and local deferred compensation plans to offer Roth post-tax contributions in addition to pre-tax options. In addition, SB 1720 on public school personnel compensation was withdrawn from further consideration. After passage of the day’s bills, the Senate adopted a motion to immediately certify the passed bills to the House, then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Labor - 04/16/26

Labor

Transcript Highlights:
  • Bird, with their walk-through of the amendment and spreadsheet.
  • Bird, with their walk-through of the amendment and spreadsheet.
Committee: Senate Labor
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Feb 23rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Sophia Bird-McSherry, Christine Cooley, are you here? And then Nicole Gomez? Please go ahead.
  • I'm Sophia Bird-McSherry with the Washington State Office of Public Defense.
Summary: The committee held a public hearing on the Senate operating budget proposal, beginning with a staff briefing from James Kettle. He described the budget as built on relatively flat revenue after multiple forecast updates, with substantial mandatory cost growth, especially in Health Care Authority, DSHS, and DCYF. He highlighted major policy-level additions and savings, including large tort liability costs, continued support for long-term services, reductions tied to child care and K-12 items, several assumed revenue bills, and major transfers from reserves and other accounts. Kettle also noted the four-year outlook remained positive overall, with about $1 billion ending fund balance in the final year and roughly $3 billion in total reserves. A committee member asked about a diagram showing the loss of federal funds, and staff said they would follow up. Public testimony then focused first on K-12 education, where school leaders, teachers, OSPI, PTA, and rural district representatives largely opposed the proposed cuts to local effort assistance, transition to kindergarten, bus depreciation, and related school funding items. Many argued the reductions would disproportionately harm rural and property-poor districts and weaken early learning access, while several students and educators spoke in favor of career and technical education and IT Academy funding. The committee also heard support for wildfire prevention funding from the Commissioner of Public Lands, who thanked the Senate for restoring those dollars but raised concerns about recreation program reductions. Higher education testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the Senate proposal compared with the governor’s budget. Community and technical college leaders warned that the budget still shifts compensation costs to tuition and reduces Running Start funding, while university representatives from Western, Eastern, Central, WSU, and UW thanked the committee for avoiding deeper cuts. Private vocational college students and administrators urged extension of Washington College Grant eligibility for students already enrolled, and others asked to preserve IT Academy and related certification funding. In early learning, child care and advocacy groups praised the decision not to cap Working Connections Child Care but warned that child care and transition to kindergarten still bear a disproportionate share of cuts; they also requested continued support for Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Pierce County early childhood programs, including Family Connects. The hearing continued with testimony on employee compensation, mental health, and human services. State employee and retiree groups supported the budget’s COLA and wildfire funding but objected to cuts in retiree health benefits. Behavioral health and public safety advocates supported mentoring, Trueblood-related funding, crisis stabilization, and the Recovery Navigator Program, while others opposed reductions to those programs and to community-based recovery services. In human services, witnesses thanked the committee for funding victim services, child welfare supports, health homes, adult day care, community health centers, energy assistance, and disability services, while urging the committee to avoid further reductions to skilled nursing, case management, and recovery navigation. No votes were taken during the hearing.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) May 26th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Migratory birds and their habitats deserve our serious attention as we consider how best to preserve
  • It was later found that the spill likely harmed or killed about 82,000 birds of 102 species, about 6,100
Bills: SB731 , SB801 , SB867 , SB2082 , SB2717 , SB2919 , HB4 , HB26 , HB103 , HB108 , HB117 , HB126 , HB144 , HB145 , HB186 , HB201 , HB223 , HB229 , HB272 , HB493 , HB521 , HB551 , HB621 , HB700 , HB748 , HB1106 , HB1234 , HB1403 , HB1500 , HB1661 , HB2017 , HB2026 , HB2035 , HB2038 , HB2073 , HB2080 , HB2221 , HB2253 , HB2294 , HB2306 , HB2313 , HB2427 , HB2512 , HB2516 , HB2593 , HB2674 , HB2761 , HB2818 , HB2820 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB2885 , HB3010 , HB3016 , HB3053 , HB3057 , HB3133 , HB3151 , HB3159 , HB3180 , HB3181 , HB3225 , HB3234 , HB3250 , HB3254 , HB3284 , HB3333 , HB3512 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB3689 , HB3711 , HB3732 , HB3749 , HB3812 , HB3833 , HB3866 , HB3928 , HB3940 , HB3966 , HB4063 , HB4112 , HB4157 , HB4264 , HB4281 , HB4384 , HB4454 , HB4486 , HB4488 , HB4520 , HB4530 , HB4666 , HB4690 , HB4743 , HB4749 , HB4751 , HB4795 , HB4848 , HB4903 , HB5081 , HB5115 , HB5138 , HB5149 , HB5154 , HB5247 , HB5308 , HB5394 , HB5436 , HB5659 , HB5671 , HB5674 , HB5680 , HB5696 , HCR40 , HCR108 , HCR118 , SJR5 , SJR59 , SB4 , SB8 , SB9 , SB10 , SB12 , SB22 , SB23 , SB25 , SB27 , SB34 , SB36 , SB37 , SB38 , SB40 , SB261 , SB650 , SB777 , SB924 , SB1188 , SB1318 , SB1333 , SB1398 , SB1448 , SB1566 , SB1621 , SB1723 , SB1862 , SB2405 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB17 , SB21 , SB260 , SB379 , SB509 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2308 , HB300 , HB2525 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HJR7 , HB2674 , HB3556 , HB26 , HB4384 , HB748 , HB5652 , HB3395 , HB2516 , HB180 , HB1306 , HB3966 , HB4112 , HB322 , HB126 , HB5650 , HB4894 , HB1629 , HB5698 , HB3171 , HB2694 , HB5664 , HB4751 , HB4690 , HB4464 , HB4063 , HB3623 , HB3016 , HB2520 , HB2221 , HB2213 , HB700 , HB252 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB3619 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5670 , HB5665 , HB5437 , HB5679 , HB5699 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5654 , HB5672 , HB5656 , HB4743 , HB4666 , HB3812 , HB3595 , HB3057 , HB2035 , HB721 , HB346 , HB2512 , HB5695 , HB5694 , HB5671 , HB5674 , HB2038 , HB3185 , HB2761 , HB2593 , HB2348 , HB2073 , HB1871 , HB108 , HB2306 , HB2017 , HB1135 , HB144 , HB3689 , HB5308 , HB101 , HB5666 , HB5677 , HB5682 , HB5680 , HB5658 , HB5696 , HB4144 , HB3159 , HB3254 , HB3866 , HB3010 , HB4520 , HB3642 , HB3928 , HB3815 , HB2686 , HB2012 , HB1960 , HB227 , HB654 , HB1690 , HB2128 , HB4158 , HB4530 , HB4630 , HB5659 , HB1523 , HB2078 , HB2427 , HB145 , HB1973 , HB3333 , HB3697 , HB3546 , HB3225 , HB3181 , HB3133 , HB3053 , HB2885 , HB2820 , HB2294 , HB2253 , HB1661 , HB1506 , HB1234 , HB640 , HB621 , HB551 , HB521 , HB493 , HB272 , HB229 , HB223 , HB201 , HB186 , HB119 , HB2080 , HB2818 , HB5394 , HB4795 , HB4466 , HB4454 , HB3940 , HB3749 , HB3151 , HB3284 , HB1403 , HB1106 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB1500 , HB4488 , HB4264 , HB4 , HB4170 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4157 , HB4281 , HB4285 , HB4463 , HB4749 , HB4995 , HB5081 , HB5115 , HB5138 , HB5624 , HB1449 , HB3711 , HB2598 , HB3629 , HB4361 , HB824 , HB1868 , HB4848 , HB2243 , HB40 , HB117 , HB2313 , HB3686 , HB500 , HB3793 , HB112 , HB104 , HB1056 , HB42 , HB4486 , HB3000 , HB100 , HB2240 , HB718 , HB27 , HB4904 , HB4202 , HB2853 , HB5129 , HB5093 , HB4765 , HB4748 , HB4559 , HB4350 , HB4214 , HB3388 , HB3112 , HB5196 , HB4211 , HB3516 , HB3092 , HB4233 , HB4687 , HB705 , HB1094 , HB2037 , HB3005 , HB3848 , HB1105 , HB121 , HB3372 , HB367 , HB783 , HB3336 , HB3441 , HB4449 , HB5616 , HB2407 , HB2854 , HB3425 , HB5294 , HB1178 , HB4623 , HB14 , HB3963 , HB1211 , HB5646 , HB5629 , HB3783 , HB4236 , HB46 , HB4638 , HB1052 , HB4070 , HB5509 , HB5435 , HB4134 , HB3923 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB2517 , HB2488 , HB5663 , HB2731 , HB3073 , HB2655 , HB2399 , HB541 , HB4099 , HB111 , HB1532 , HB3483 , HB2963 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB713 , HB632 , HB426 , HB4730 , HCR141 , HCR118 , HCR40 , HCR59 , HCR76 , HCR108 , HB26 , HB108 , HB144 , HB145 , HB201 , HB272 , HB493 , HB551 , HB621 , HB700 , HB1500 , HB1661 , HB2017 , HB2038 , HB2073 , HB2080 , HB2221 , HB2253 , HB2294 , HB2306 , HB2313 , HB2427 , HB2516 , HB2593 , HB2761 , HB2818 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB2885 , HB3010 , HB3016 , HB3133 , HB3151 , HB3159 , HB3254 , HB3284 , HB3595 , HB3689 , HB3711 , HB3866 , HB3928 , HB3940 , HB3966 , HB4063 , HB4112 , HB4264 , HB4281 , HB4384 , HB4454 , HB4486 , HB4488 , HB4520 , HB4530 , HB4666 , HB4743 , HB4749 , HB4751 , HB5081 , HB5308 , HB5394 , HB5659 , HB5671 , HB5680 , HB5696 , HB2674 , HB3556 , HB223 , HB1403 , HB3053 , HB5115 , HCR108 , HCR118 , SB20 , SB33 , SB75 , SB213 , SB269 , SB458 , SB528 , SB647 , SB648 , SB681 , SB740 , SB840 , SB843 , SB1061 , SB1120 , SB1121 , SB1150 , SB1202 , SB1253 , SB1423 , SB1535 , SB1574 , SB1709 , SB1789 , SB2037 , SB2078 , SB2268 , SB2544 , SB2570 , SB1198 , SB2601 , SB2778
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House passes HF2442, the omnibus climate and energy finance bill 5/7/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's a note that three-quarters of the bird species in North America are in decline.
  • Um, you know, what is projected to happen is that our state bird will be extinct in Minnesota over the
Keywords: 1183, house
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's also an important stopover for migratory birds on the Pacific flyway.
  • It's also an important stopover for migratory birds on the Pacific flyway.
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items. Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting. In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HWN-WTL Public Hearing 02-11-2025

Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Mamu Crowny Bird.
  • /c><00:11:49.880><c> the</c><00:11:50.000><c> clerk</c><00:11:50.279><c> has</c> James Mamu Crowny Bird
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint hearing focused on Senate Bill 4, which would transfer stewardship of Mauna ʻAla from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Committee chairs opened the meeting with housekeeping and noted the hearing was live-streamed, with a two-minute limit for testimony. Director Don Chang of the Board of Land and Natural Resources said DLNR had been working with OHA and had agreed to transfer certain lands subject to due diligence, including Kahana Valley and a parcel in Waimānalo, but urged the committee to finalize those mutually agreed parcels before taking on something new. He also described the current arrangement at Mauna ʻAla as a collaborative one involving the state and the royal trusts, with the state handling routine maintenance and the trusts contributing to larger repairs and improvements on a project-by-project basis rather than through direct annual appropriations. Testimony was mixed. Supporters argued that OHA is better positioned to steward the site because of its cultural mission, Native Hawaiian governance, and ability to protect sacred places with greater cultural competency and accountability. Several speakers emphasized that Mauna ʻAla is not a state park and should be cared for by those with direct cultural ties and experience, and some cited OHA’s recent financial reforms and partnerships as reasons for confidence. Others, including representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors Makakoa, opposed the bill, citing concerns about OHA’s past financial management, transparency, and the need for more public information and testimony before any transfer. One testifier also argued the land transfer itself was unlawful and rooted in the history of the overthrow and annexation. Members and testifiers also discussed the historical role of the royal trusts and family caretakers at Mauna ʻAla, with one descendant describing a long family stewardship and supporting OHA only if amended language preserved checks and balances and protected iwi and burial grounds. Another speaker said the family recognized James Mayo as kahu of Mauna ʻAla and supported the bill because prior DLNR efforts had not sufficiently protected traditional and customary rights. The hearing ended after public testimony and committee questions, with no vote or final action taken in the portion provided.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • This wild— Thank you. the state who are currently witnessing a market failure, not a free market success
  • This wild Thank you.
  • This Wild West atmosphere means that fans feel cheated before the lights even go down.
  • passed, it's now been in effect, and we've identified gaps, as we do when our bills go out into the wild
  • software in a closed environment because we’ve talked about what happens when you put it out in the wild
Summary: The committee heard AB 1988, which would require AI companion chatbots to respond to credible self-harm or violence-related crisis expressions by displaying the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, warning users, and pausing the chat for human review after repeated crisis signals. The author and supporters said the bill is a measured safety standard to redirect vulnerable users to human help, citing research and cases where chatbots worsened suicidal ideation or violent behavior. Support came from crisis and medical advocates, while no opposition testimony was offered. The chair and members expressed strong support, and the bill was held pending quorum before later action on the agenda. The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for users to create or maintain accounts on social media platforms with harmful addictive features and would create an E-Safety Advisory Commission in the Attorney General’s office. The author argued the bill targets product design, not speech, and is intended to curb compulsive features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds while allowing safer or non-addictive platforms to remain available. Supporters, including a psychologist and the Organization for Social Media Safety, described cyberbullying, predation, compulsive use, and mental health harms; opponents, including EFF, ACLU-Cal Action, TechNet, and youth advocacy groups, warned about privacy, First Amendment, and access-to-community concerns, especially for LGBTQ youth and other marginalized groups. Committee members debated whether the bill is a ban or a delay, how age assurance would work, and whether the proposal would be effective or could push youth to less safe spaces. Several members said they would support the bill as a first step, while others raised concerns about enforceability, privacy, and constitutional issues. The author emphasized that the bill is limited to specific harmful design features, not content or general internet access, and that the new commission would monitor evolving technology and recommend future updates. No final vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Commerce (03/31/2026)

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, not everyone enjoys beer, which is wild to me.
  • </c><01:39:02.639><c> Um,</c><01:39:03.360><c> as</c> enjoys beer, which is wild to me.
  • Um, as enjoys beer, which is wild to me.
  • So, um, if we, for example, do a collaboration with another brewery such as Wild Bloom in Littleton,
  • So, um, if we, for example, do a collaboration with another brewery such as Wild Bloom in Littleton,
Committee: Senate Commerce
Keywords: 1191, senate, all