Transcript Highlights:

• to ensure that Mexico honors the 1944 Water Treaty.
• We all know that water is one of the main issues this session.
• I mean this is water that's that's owed to us.
• justice on the 1944 US-Mexico water treaty.
• Legally, any water in a Texas watercourse is the property of the state, including water that comes from

Transcript Highlights:

• How can we be water efficient but also water positive? How can we return more water? Mr.
• A lot of closed loop water systems, efficient energy and water systems.
• They have water usage goals, you know, returning water to the system.
• And that's the topic of water. Texas is no stranger to drought and water scarcity.
• Water cooling is only considered if local water sources are healthy and resilient.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other problem there is hot water.
• I'm sorry, it's State Water Board. State Water Board.
• The other problem there is hot water.
• I'm sorry, it's State Water Board. State Water Board.
• It's the differential across the northeast Pacific, so we have warm water here, we have even warmer water

Summary: The hearing opened with the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture’s annual Zeke Grader Fisheries Forum, where members and witnesses discussed the state of California’s commercial and recreational fisheries, the economic importance of the sector, and the pressures from drought, climate change, wildfire, warming oceans, and federal policy uncertainty. Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot and CDFW Marine Region Manager Craig Schumann described the state’s salmon strategy, including barrier removal, habitat restoration, flow protection, hatchery modernization, and new technology. They highlighted progress such as the Klamath River dam removals, floodplain restoration projects, and the reopening of a limited commercial salmon season after several years of closures, while warning that Sacramento River conditions, federal endangered species policy, and delayed disaster funding remain major concerns. A major panel focused on the Klamath River restoration. CDFW’s Crystal Robinson reviewed the dam-removal timeline and post-removal restoration, noting that fish returned to historic habitat within days of barrier removal and that revegetation, habitat work, and monitoring are underway. Yurok Chairman Joseph James, Karuk Chairman Russell “Buster” Attebery, Dr. Craig Tucker, and Golden State Salmon Association’s John McManus emphasized the cultural, ecological, and economic significance of salmon recovery. They praised the dam removal as a historic achievement but said continued work is needed on cold-water tributaries, hatchery operations, minimum instream flows, tribal consultation, and defense against federal efforts to weaken ESA protections and rewrite the Klamath biological opinion. Committee members asked about spring-run salmon recovery, the role of Fall Creek Hatchery, and how the state can support tribal and legal efforts going forward. The final panel addressed the outlook for the 2026–27 Dungeness crab season. CDFW’s Joanna Grable explained that the season is managed under the RAMP program, which weighs whale entanglement risk, domoic acid, meat quality, and fleet dynamics. She said whale migration patterns and warm ocean conditions suggest a conservative opening, and that domoic acid is a major concern given forecasts of a strong El Niño and the possibility of a prolonged bloom similar to 2015–16. She also noted that evisceration rules can help if domoic acid is confined to crab viscera, and that meat-quality testing will depend on whether domoic acid levels allow the fishery to open. The hearing did not include formal votes or committee actions in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cuz I think I'm going to give Senator Waters the next one. Waters the next one.
• Senator Waters, did you move ought to pass? I did. Senator Waters, I second it.
• Cuz I think I'm going to give Senator Waters the next one. Waters the next one.
• drinking water and ground water water drinking water and ground water trust<00:55:19.080><c> fund.
• Senator<00:56:07.400><c> Waters.</c> Senator Waters. Senator Waters.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for how to spend the water project.
• Um, water conservation or recycling, treatment and reuse of water.
• for water systems.
• Small water, water systems, mutual domestics are unable to actually complete a water project, because
• It was created about 10 years after the Water Trust Board in the, and in the likeness of the Water Trust

Transcript Highlights:

• The water agencies that benefit, that get water from the State Water Project, are those that are investing
• So they don't use more water, but they obstruct water. They obstruct water, correct.
• So they don't use more water, but they obstruct water. They obstruct water, correct.
• So they don't use more water, but they obstruct water. They obstruct water, correct.
• So do they operate in salt water? Do they live in salt water?

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy opened its first hearing with remarks from the chair and members emphasizing climate change, resiliency, clean energy, natural resources, and the need to make careful budget choices in a constrained fiscal environment. The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented an overview of the natural resources and environmental protection budget, warning that although current revenues are strong, the state faces significant out-year deficits and should apply a high bar to new ongoing spending, use special funds and fees carefully, and focus on critical health and safety needs. The LAO said the Governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan was generally reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, but urged legislative oversight and reporting, especially where bond funds interact with General Fund proposals. Secretary Wade Crowfoot then described the Natural Resources Agency’s recent accomplishments and priorities, including wildfire resilience, water reliability, coastal protection, outdoor access, biodiversity, tribal partnerships, and streamlining project delivery. He highlighted major investments in climate and resilience, the role of Proposition 4 in continuing those efforts, and the need to modernize water infrastructure, including Delta conveyance and other regional conveyance projects. Members asked about Delta conveyance, invasive species, permitting delays, and the impact of federal staffing cuts; Crowfoot said the administration is pushing projects forward, supports a beneficiary-pays approach for conveyance, and is filling gaps left by federal reductions where necessary. The committee then heard from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Director Armando Quintero reviewed the state park system, outdoor access programs, tribal agreements, wildfire and forest resilience work, and deferred maintenance funded by the climate bond. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing General Fund transfer for the California State Parks Library Pass program, saying it did not meet the high bar for new spending, while several members strongly supported the program as a low-cost, high-value access tool. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and no-show vacancies; staff said new rules and enforcement will take effect July 1 and that vacancies are being opened up sooner. The department also presented low-cost accommodation projects, which the LAO supported. Finally, the Department of Fish and Wildlife introduced its new director, Megan Hurdle, who outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 proposals for salmon tagging, hatchery improvements, and public access lands. She emphasized the department’s role in biodiversity conservation, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict outreach, and said the agency is working to close a service gap identified in its budgeting analysis. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. 2,000 breaths versus a couple of liters of water, and usually filter your water before you
• Imperial Beach deserves clean water.
• We also oversee drinking water regulation.
• We also finance a lot of water projects in the state, and importantly as well, we oversee water quality
• And within six months, we had really clean water. We had the cleanest water we could have.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly Environmental Quality/Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials informational hearing focused on the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis, with members from both parties emphasizing that the problem is long-running, cross-border, and severe enough to require federal, state, local, and binational action. Opening remarks described the crisis as an environmental and public health emergency affecting beaches, air and water quality, marine life, tourism, and residents’ quality of life in South Bay communities. Assembly Member Boerner and Senator Jones both stressed the need for continued funding and cooperation, while Senator Padilla said the issue is underappreciated because of where it occurs but has major public health, economic, and educational consequences. Congressman Mike Levin’s office reported more than $650 million in federal funding secured for infrastructure and cleanup, along with federal legislation and requests for CDC and EPA involvement. Supervisor Paloma Aguirre gave a detailed overview of county efforts and the scope of the crisis, citing decades of sewage flows from Tijuana, nearly four years of beach closures, and the county’s expanded water-quality monitoring. She said the county is pursuing warning signs, an air purifier distribution program, an epidemiological study, soil testing, an economic impact study, and a feasibility analysis to remove the “hot spot” near Saturn Boulevard, which she described as a key local source of airborne pollution. She also pointed to binational funding for treatment plant upgrades and said the county is seeking state support, including from Proposition 4 cross-border river funds, to expand relief and mitigation efforts. Scripps researchers Dr. Sarah Giddings and Dr. Kimberly Prather presented scientific findings on water and air transport. Giddings described a high-resolution forecast model that predicts wastewater movement and beach closure risk up to five days ahead, using real-time observations and showing about 72% accuracy against county measurements. Prather said the main exposure route is through air, not just water, and reported that turbulence at the river hot spot aerosolizes pollutants, with hydrogen sulfide and other gases spiking at night and dropping when river flow is diverted. She said the team has identified thousands of gases and linked measurements closely to odor complaints, while also noting that air purifiers can reduce indoor exposure but are not a permanent solution. Dr. Paula Stigler Granados added that community health surveys and CDC assessments show widespread symptoms, sleep disruption, anxiety, and daily life impacts, especially during nighttime odor events. She said her team has found more than 900 contaminants in river water and 106 chemicals uniquely associated with the Saturn Boulevard hot spot, with passive air sampling showing similar chemical fingerprints in nearby homes. The panel discussion ended with questions about standards and accountability, and witnesses and legislators agreed that the crisis requires updated air-quality standards, more health research, and continued coordination to reduce exposure and address the source of pollution.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's our water plant. Okay.
• We deliver the water.
• the water plant?
• That 10% that they charge on the water bill is for water utility.
• The water plant is not. Remember, the water plant is in Miami Gardens. The water plant's there.

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of local, housing, education, construction, and claims bills. It first took up SB 1730 on affordable housing/Live Local changes, adopting an amendment that narrowed and clarified several provisions, including density, height, parking, attorney fees, and exclusions for certain protected areas, then reported the bill favorably. It also approved SB 1674, which clarifies that local investment restrictions cannot block Israel bonds, after a clarifying amendment. SB 140 on charter schools was reported favorably after significant debate over school conversion, teacher contracts, local control, and the use of surplus school property for housing or other public purposes; several speakers opposed it as harmful to public schools, while the sponsor said it preserved district authority and added options for municipalities and job creation. The committee also passed SB 96 and SB 4, two local claims bills, and SB 1714, which allows SHIP funds to help mobile home owners with lot rent and requires local housing plans to address mobile home park closures.

Transcript Highlights:

• These water supply assessments give communities, developers, and water agencies the information needed
• to align growth with available water resources.
• put into place the requirement for urban water management plans, which are long-term plans for water
• The water supply assessment, or WSA, focuses on identifying the water supply needs for large-scale developments
• Santa Clara Valley Water District, in support.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to wildlife access, groundwater enforcement, desert plant regulation, outdoor equity, and water supply planning. SB 1021 would direct the Fish and Game Commission to create accommodations for children with life-threatening illnesses to participate in hunting and fishing opportunities; supporters described the bill as therapeutic and family-centered, while an opposition group argued the state should focus on non-lethal outdoor activities. SB 997 would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to enforce fees and penalties under SGMA; the author and agency said the bill closes an enforcement gap for a special-legislation GSA, and it drew broad support from local government and agricultural groups. The committee also considered SB 1061, which would streamline relocation permits for Western Joshua trees on private property; the author and local officials said the current law creates burdens for homeowners and infrastructure, while supporters framed the bill as a balance between conservation and property rights. Members also heard SB 1268, which would codify the Outdoors for All initiative to expand park access and outdoor equity, especially in underserved communities; it received strong support from environmental, parks, local government, and community organizations, with members praising the effort to improve access. SB 1085 would restore water supply assessment requirements for large developments even when CEQA exemptions apply, so local agencies still receive early information about water availability; the sponsor and water agencies said the bill helps prevent “paper water” problems and supports planning in drought conditions, and the building industry indicated it would remove its opposition after amendments. The committee accepted amendments on several bills, took roll once quorum was established, and advanced the measures by vote. Votes taken included SB 997, SB 1021, SB 1061, SB 1085, and SB 1268, all of which were reported out of committee, with SB 1061, SB 1085, and SB 1268 later recorded as passing 11-0. SB 997 was approved on a due-pass motion to Judiciary, SB 1021 was sent to Appropriations as amended, SB 1061 and SB 1085 were sent to Appropriations and Local Government respectively, and SB 1268 was sent to Natural Resources. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning after completing the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• provided to all of the waters that were defined as waters of the United States under the Clean Water
• into the Clean Water Act's framework through backdating and the definition of nexus waters.
• Authority, West Valley Water District, and United Water Conservation District in opposition.
• under the Clean Water Act.
• The Water Board's authority to protect water that do not qualify as waters of the United States now is

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee without quorum at first, then later established quorum and continued hearing several bills. SB 27, the annual CARE Court cleanup bill, would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, allow limited data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and expand eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people receive treatment; opponents argued it would expand CARE Court too broadly, strain county resources, and divert attention from housing and voluntary services. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call. SB 82, dealing with so-called “infinite arbitration clauses,” would limit consumer contract arbitration provisions to disputes arising from the product or service actually purchased. The author and supporters said the bill would stop companies from forcing arbitration in unrelated claims and would not ban arbitration itself. Opponents from business and banking groups argued the language was too restrictive, could create litigation over related transactions, and should be clarified as prospective only. The committee approved the bill and placed it on call after a roll call vote. The committee then heard two reparations-related bills. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop a genealogical methodology and framework for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with oversight, reporting, and guardrails tied to recently allocated state funding. Supporters said the bill would create a fair, evidence-based process; opponents, including professional genealogists and reparations advocates, argued the work is already well understood, the bill is unnecessary, and it could delay action. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs. Supporters framed it as needed infrastructure to implement reparations recommendations; opponents objected to locating it in the Department of Justice, warned about data privacy and law enforcement control, and criticized the inclusion of broader communities. Both bills were moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would prohibit the use of algorithms to collude on and artificially inflate rental prices; the author and supporters described it as a response to AI-assisted rent fixing in California’s housing market.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of this is left up to the water board.
• to have an adequate water supply for its needs.
• And again, it's all up to the Water Resources Board.
• Again, it's all up to the Water Resources Board.
• And then the water. or the Department of Defense is paying for and then the water right is owned by the

Summary: The House Research and Conservation Committee met with a quorum and first approved four RSs for introduction and printing: RS 33353, RS 33344, RS 32090, and RS 33348. The committee then took up RS 33185 C1, sponsored by Representative Gannon, which would direct the Idaho Water Resources Board to seek a user or rental fee from foreign countries training at Mountain Home Air Force Base for use of the Snake River-to-base water pipeline funded by state general funds and ARPA money. Representative Gannon argued the bill was a simple request that wealthy foreign governments, such as Singapore and Qatar, help reimburse Idaho taxpayers for a project that now appears to support permanent foreign training facilities at the base. Opponents, including Representatives VanderWoude, Deiger, Pickett, and Nelson, said the pipeline and water-right arrangement were made in good faith to preserve the base’s viability and address water-quality and growth issues, and warned that reopening the agreement could undermine Idaho’s reliability in negotiated deals. Supporters of the bill also questioned whether foreign users should contribute to related costs. A substitute motion by Representative Church to introduce RS 33185 C1 failed on a voice vote. The committee then adopted the main motion to hold and return RS 33185 C1 to the sponsor, effectively not introducing the bill. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not a water supplier.
• Public education programs for water quality, so stream water quality monitoring.
• Water, you run the water side. What's y'all's revenue?
• The operation centers are both electrical and water. That is just the water part.
• On the water side, I got it.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's our water plant. Okay.
• We deliver the water.
• the water plant?
• That 10% that they charge on the water bill is for water utility.
• Remember, the water plant is in Miami Gardens. The water plant's there.

Summary: The committee first took up CS/SB 1730, a Live Local Act bill on affordable housing. The sponsor described it as a set of technical and policy adjustments to strengthen implementation, including changes to zoning, height, parking, moratoriums, attorney fees, and related land-use rules. An amendment by Senator Claudio was adopted, adding provisions such as a 10-story height limit near single-family neighborhoods, exclusions for certain protected areas, and changes to fee and use definitions. The committee then reported the bill favorably. Members next considered CS/SB 1674 on unrated bonds for Israel bonds, with a clarifying amendment adopted to make clear the bill applied only to Israel bonds. CS/SB 140 on charter schools was also approved after debate over parent-led conversion of public schools, municipal job-engine charter schools, and surplus school property; opponents warned about local control and impacts on teachers and communities, while the sponsor said the bill preserved district authority and created new school-choice and economic-development options. The committee also passed SB 96, a claims bill for Jacob Rogers, and CS/SB 954 on recovery residences, after strike-all amendments that addressed zoning, ADA concerns, bed caps, staffing ratios, and limits on operation in certain multifamily settings. Senators expressed support for expanding treatment housing but also raised neighborhood and staffing concerns. The committee then approved CS/SB 1714 on local housing assistance plans, which would allow SHIP funds for limited lot-rental assistance for mobile-home owners and require local plans to address mobile-home park closures. SB 658 on standardized construction lien release forms was reported favorably despite testimony from contractors and lawyers warning about possible effects on lien rights and the separate House proposal. The committee also reconsidered and then approved CS/SB 482 after a late-filed amendment addressing local government art fees and a key issue over defining “extraordinary circumstances,” with counties and cities saying more work remained. Finally, the committee passed SB 24 and CS/SB 4, both local claims bills, CS/SB 712 on synthetic turf and related construction rules, SB 952 repealing the emergency firearms/ammunition restriction, CS/SB 1164 allowing email notice delivery in landlord-tenant matters with opt-in safeguards, and SB 202 on municipal water and sewer rates, which drew extensive opposition from North Miami Beach and Miami Gardens officials over utility surcharges and revenue impacts. The meeting ended with SB 202 still under heavy questioning and testimony about the fairness and financial consequences of the surcharge structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Director of Government and Public Affairs with the Rancho California Water District, a water,
• wastewater, and recycled water provider. ...affairs with the Rancho California Water District, a water
• to water affordability.
• Alfredo Redondo on behalf of the Irvine Ranch Water District and San Diego County Water Authority in
• Hi, Mateo Kushner from Community Water Center on behalf of Clean Water Action, Physicians for Social

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard three main bills after initially lacking a quorum and deferring the consent calendar. SB 501 by Senator Allen would expand California’s battery extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries, such as those used in e-bikes, lawn equipment, and portable power systems. Supporters from local governments, recycling groups, environmental organizations, and battery stewardship interests said the bill would reduce fire risks, improve collection and recycling, and close a gap in existing law. One industry witness sought clarification about off-highway vehicles and a battery association requested guardrails for mixed battery formats; the California Retailers Association moved from opposition to neutral after discussions with the author. SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide, state-funded low-income drinking water rate assistance program administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, contingent on funding. The author and supporters said many Californians face water debt and that the bill would help address affordability while working around Proposition 218 limits on local ratepayer-funded assistance. Water districts, local governments, environmental justice groups, and conservation organizations testified in support, and there was no opposition. SB 1259 by Senator Blakespear, as amended, would require refineries to provide advance information on closure, cleanup costs, and timelines to help communities plan for refinery transitions and remediation. Supporters, including the City of Benicia, environmental justice groups, and advocacy organizations, argued that communities need transparency before closures occur and that other energy sectors already provide similar planning information. Opponents from labor, petroleum, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, burdensome, and could discourage refinery investment or signal premature decline of the industry. After extensive debate, the committee voted to pass SB 1259 as amended to the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee, and also approved SB 501 and SB 1125; the consent calendar items SB 1253 and SJR 13 were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• their water through our State Water Project.
• And this is safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience.
• quality, safe drinking water, water reuse and recycling, and dam safety.
• communities rely on the water from the State Water Project.
• and clean water.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• water is a basic human right.
• </c> probably needs to have their water probably needs to have their water tested.<00:24:09.520><c> Um
• </c> affordable water is a basic human right. affordable water is a basic human right.
• </c> water there. We're not moving there. water there. We're not moving there.
• . water. water.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll now have the Water, Idaho Water Resource Research Institute, Director Kendrick Kaiser, if you'd
• We'll now have the Water, Idaho Water Resource Research Institute, Director Kendrick Kaiser, if you'd
• Water professionals across the state.
• I'll focus on water quantity.
• Communities are concerned about drinking water.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee began by approving a motion to introduce and send several RS drafts to print. It then took up the gubernatorial reappointment of Dave Bobbitt to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. Bobbitt described his background in banking, hunting, and fishing, and said his priorities would include wolf and grizzly bear management, with a goal of reducing wolves to about 500 statewide. He also strongly supported recent Fish and Game rules restricting the use of thermals, time-lapse cameras, and similar technologies in big game hunting, saying they were inconsistent with fair chase and could affect future game populations. The committee asked about wolf monitoring and federal involvement, and the chair said the confirmation would be held for a later meeting without a vote that day. The committee then heard House Bill 502, which would move Idaho Forest Products Commission provisions from administrative rule into statute and clean up outdated language without making material policy changes. After brief questions, the bill was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. House Joint Memorial 9 followed, urging Congress to reaffirm FLPMA as the primary authority for federal land management and land exchanges in response to a recent Idaho court decision. Testimony from Senator Harris and Elizabeth Kreiner of J.R. Simplot Company emphasized the importance of FLPMA for land exchanges and Western land management. The memorial was also sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, Kendra Kaiser of the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute presented an update on the institute’s research priorities and projects. She said IWRI had distributed more than $500,000 to the state’s universities, identified over 90 research needs through a 32-member advisory committee, and prioritized about 18 projects, with a focus on water scarcity, technology, water quality, monitoring, and the East Snake Plain. She highlighted work on snowpack forecasting, flood forecasting, harmful algal blooms, managed aquifer recharge, weather and climate monitoring, seepage in canal systems, and lake level management in North Idaho. Members asked about curtailment forecasting, the Snake River Basin Study, and how the research would help water users and tributary basins; Kaiser said the work was for early planning and stakeholder information, not for issuing curtailment orders. The committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had to wait for the water to go down for high water vehicles to go in or boat teams.
• This is not the water.
• Public education programs, water quality, so stream water quality monitoring as in.
• Water supply.
• Existing surface water?

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• water supply systems that receive water from the Delta.
• their water control plans.
• Water managers are engaged now.
• And yet no water body wants us to tell them, make the major decisions for them about their water body
• work within our region—so you have a water agency, Placer County Water Agency, even the State Water

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And a water quality division really cut its teeth based on water quality monitoring, so for decades now
• Water also in the Panhandle, dealing with salt cedars, which are just maybe more water users, and it
• There's a water resources so we have pond cleanouts, water wells, tanks... ...pasture taps, pipes, to
• Well, we created these water resources of 3 billion, almost 4 billion gallons of water.
• So the water resources in those ponds alone is enough for 2.1... ...million days of cow water.

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide. Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.