Video & Transcript : 'wild birds' :
Page 86 of 163
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And a duck, like many other birds, never leaves a flock behind. They never separate.
Committee:
Senate Senate Rules
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And a duck, like many other birds, never leaves a flock behind. They never separate.
Committee:
Senate House Rules & Order Of Business
Summary:
The committee held confirmation hearings for Don Walters as New Mexico’s first State Child Advocate and for two New Mexico Highlands University regents, Elaine Luna and Grace Margaret Herrera. For Walters, the sponsor and selection committee chair described her extensive child welfare background, including work as a guardian ad litem, CYFD attorney, and director of CYFD’s Office of Advocacy. Multiple supporters testified, including former colleagues, a foster parent, and CYFD Acting Secretary Valerie Sandoval, all praising her integrity, child advocacy experience, and commitment to collaboration and transparency.
Committee members focused heavily on the new Office of the Child Advocate’s startup needs, especially staffing, access to CYFD records, and funding. Walters said she expected the office to need roughly $4.5 million to $5 million to launch and envisioned about 26 to 27 staff, with regional presence across the state. Members urged the legislature to fund the office through House Bill 2 and discussed possible legislation to ensure timely access to records. The committee then voted unanimously to advance Walters to the full Senate.
For New Mexico Highlands University, Senator Campos introduced Elaine Luna for reappointment, highlighting her background in social work, hospital administration, and community service. Luna said she would focus on student support, basic needs, and mental health, and the university president testified in support. The committee asked about campus safety and student issues, including how the board would respond if students were affected by ICE actions. The committee voted to advance Luna unanimously.
The final confirmation was Grace Margaret Herrera, presented as a student regent candidate for Highlands. Supporters described her as a former foster youth, small business owner, and current student success center employee who mentors students and brings lived experience to the role. Members praised her resilience and connection to students, and the committee unanimously advanced her to the full Senate as well.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, next up, we've got our secretary from the Department of State, Secretary Bird.
Bills:
S0048
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard presentations on the Governor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and then considered one bill, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, with transportation and economic development receiving about $18 billion statewide and $601 million in general revenue. Agency heads then presented priorities for Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, State, Transportation, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard, emphasizing workforce development, housing, tourism marketing, aviation and space infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, emergency preparedness, and military readiness.
In the Commerce presentation, Secretary Kelly highlighted funding for housing programs, the Hometown Heroes program, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, rural infrastructure and workforce grants, Reconnect and Florida WINS systems, law enforcement and firefighter recruitment bonuses, defense support, Visit Florida, Space Florida, and SelectFlorida. Senators asked about Visit Florida’s private match requirements and whether the agency fully leveraged prior appropriations; Visit Florida’s CEO said the match was met and exceeded, though it is difficult but important. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles presentation focused on trooper pay, pursuit vehicles, aviation assets, and enterprise data systems, with questions about immigration enforcement and body cameras. Military Affairs requested funding for readiness centers, training facilities, education and health benefits for Guardsmen, and maintenance of existing armories; members discussed Guard deployments, staffing levels, and a proposed firing range project. The Department of State requested funds for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and defended its arts grant process and rule changes. Transportation’s budget emphasized a $14.3 billion work program, road and bridge maintenance, aviation and aerospace, safety initiatives, and seaport investments, while Emergency Management requested funding for preparedness, flood mitigation, WebEOC, grants management, and alert systems; senators also asked about the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility.
For CS/SB 48, Senator Gates explained that the bill would require local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs would be allowed by right without a separate hearing. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, saying ADUs could help provide long-term housing for service workers. After questions about local government and HOA authority, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 48 favorably by roll call vote.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, next up, we've got our secretary from the Department of State, Secretary Bird.
Bills:
S0048
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard the Governor’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget for the TED silo and presentations from Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, the State Guard, State, Transportation, and Emergency Management. The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, including $18.3 billion for TED agencies, with major allocations for FDOT, Commerce, emergency management, tourism, military affairs, and state operations. Agency heads emphasized priorities such as housing and disaster recovery, workforce and rural infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, defense support, tourism marketing, aerospace and spaceport investment, election audits, historic preservation, road and bridge maintenance, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness systems.
Members asked several questions about the use and effectiveness of funding. Visit Florida officials said the public-private match is essential and that they exceeded the required match last year. Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles discussed trooper pay, vehicle replacement, aviation support, and transparency tools such as vehicle camera systems, with senators praising the department’s recruitment efforts. Military Affairs and the State Guard described readiness, recruiting, facility construction, and support for domestic missions, including hurricane response and perimeter security at the Everglades detention site; questions focused on deployment tempo, staffing, and costs. The Department of State explained funding for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and said its arts grant changes were intended to standardize scoring rather than cut programs. Transportation highlighted a $15.4 billion total budget, major work program funding, safety initiatives, seaport and aviation investments, and the elimination of Florida Rail Enterprise funding due to reduced documentary stamp revenues.
The committee also heard and passed CS/SB 48 by Senator Gates, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units on a voluntary basis, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs are allowed by right without separate hearings. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and several industry and business groups supported the bill, citing the need for long-term rental housing for workers. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably by roll call vote.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- But, you know, the whole Lady Bird Johnson, like, 'Oh, we got to make America prettier.'
Committee:
House Transportation
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Nov 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And so, I'm excited to work with our launch providers to get those birds in the sky.
Summary:
The committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and heard a series of presentations focused on Florida’s space and aerospace industry. Blue Origin’s Anna Spencer described the company’s Florida operations at Rocket Park, including New Glenn manufacturing and launch activities, Blue Moon lunar lander work, workforce development, and recent booster recovery and launch milestones. Amazon’s Beth Cooley presented an update on Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), outlining the satellite broadband network, customer terminals, dark skies mitigation efforts, Florida facilities and jobs, and launch plans; members asked about RV/mobile applications, satellite counts, and the role of fiber, but no action was taken. Starcatcher Industries CEO Andrew Rush then described his company’s effort to create an orbital energy grid that beams power to satellites to extend mission life and increase available power, citing demonstrations in Jacksonville and Cape Canaveral and plans for a first satellite launch next year.
Space Florida CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace sector, citing billions in private investment, hundreds of projects in the pipeline, the leverage of state spaceport funding, workforce and university programs, and the need for additional tools and infrastructure to keep Florida competitive. He emphasized growth in launch activity, manufacturing, research, and military support infrastructure, and said Space Florida would bring forward legislative proposals. Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro delivered the strongest policy message of the meeting, warning that KSC’s aging infrastructure and relatively smaller NASA budget share could cause Florida to lose aerospace leadership to states like Texas unless the state strengthens its partnership, research investment, and infrastructure support. Members questioned her about federal restrictions on commercial investment in common-use infrastructure, the need for more state-federal alignment, and how Florida can preserve its role as the launch capital of the world. After the presentations and questions, Senator Burgess moved to adjourn, there was no objection, and the committee adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Nov 18th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- And so I'm excited to work with our launch providers to get those birds in the sky.
Summary:
The Committee of Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security heard a series of informational presentations focused on Florida’s aerospace and space ecosystem. Blue Origin described its Florida operations at Rocket Park, Launch Complex 36, and Port Canaveral, highlighting New Glenn and Blue Moon development, recent launch activity, workforce development efforts, and major capital investment in the state. Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) outlined its low-Earth-orbit broadband network, customer terminals, satellite and gateway architecture, dark-sky mitigation efforts, and Florida investments including a payload processing facility and launch support infrastructure. Starcatcher Industries presented its concept for an orbital energy grid that would beam power to satellites, discussed demonstrations in Florida, customer interest, and plans for a first satellite launch next year.
Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace industry, citing billions in private investment, growth in aerospace establishments and projects, spaceport infrastructure investments, workforce and university partnerships, and the importance of maintaining Florida’s competitiveness against other states. NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro then emphasized Artemis II preparations, rising launch demand, aging infrastructure, and the need for stronger state-federal coordination and investment in research, workforce, and common-use infrastructure. She compared Florida’s support structure with Texas and argued that Florida must act to avoid losing aerospace leadership.
Members asked questions about mobile and aviation applications for Amazon Leo, dark-sky impacts, satellite counts, Starcatcher’s power transmission losses and storage approach, and NASA’s funding and infrastructure constraints. Petro also discussed limits on commercial investment in common infrastructure under federal rules and suggested that state investment and better alignment among partners could help. No bills were considered and no votes were taken beyond adjournment; the committee concluded by adopting a motion to adjourn.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 18th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And from Southern California, we will join the intertribal bird singers from Southern California.
Summary:
The Assembly met on June 4, 2025, after a quorum call and opening prayer led by Assembly Member Ramos, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural actions. Members handled several motions on bill referrals and file management, including disputes over SB 280 and ACA 8. The Speaker’s rulings were repeatedly appealed and sustained, and the body ultimately approved re-referral and notice waivers related to ACA 8 and SB 280, along with related committee hearing notices and shortened file notice requirements. Several bills were also removed from consent, moved to inactive file, or withdrawn from committee as nonfiscal measures.
The chamber then held a Native American Day ceremony centered on ACR 102 by Assembly Member Ramos, recognizing California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Multiple caucus leaders and members spoke in support, emphasizing California’s Native history, past state harms, and recent legislative efforts affecting tribal communities. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 71 coauthors were added. The ceremony also honored Native leaders and students, including Judge Abby Abinanti, Councilwoman Catalina Chacon, Rosemary Salgado, Chairman Frederick Massetti, and Clovis Unified students who defended their right to wear regalia at graduation.
Later, the Assembly took up concurrence votes on several Senate-amended bills, all of which passed unanimously: AB 829 on Parkinson’s disease, AB 463 on emergency medical services, AB 493 on mortgage escrow interest, and AB 1387 on behavioral health coordination for justice-involved individuals. The body also adopted ACR 100 honoring India’s Independence Day and H.R. 44 recognizing homeless service providers, both by voice vote after substantial support from members and coauthors. Guest introductions highlighted the music industry, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and visiting officials from Pakistan.
The session concluded with adjournments in memory of Joel Nilsen and Grace Akiko Kojima, followed by announcements of upcoming session dates and adjournment under the call of the Speaker.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee May 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It is the first step to reverse habitat loss and our bird population loss.
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 14, 2025, for a regular order hearing with a large consent calendar and many individual bill presentations. The committee first approved numerous bills on consent, then heard a series of measures spanning reproductive health, child care eligibility, transportation, mental health diversion, county recorder fees, groundwater management, election deadlines, parking enforcement, consumer protections, housing, immigrant and student protections, and utility/CPUC oversight. Several bills were taken up only for presentation because they were on suspense, including ACA 4 on long-term housing funding, and the committee later approved a very large suspense calendar as a whole.
Among the bills discussed, AB 260 would protect medication abortion access and providers; AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility during family leave or job search; AB 1014 would give Caltrans more flexibility on speed limits in rural highway segments; AB 46 would clarify judicial discretion in mental health diversion; AB 1413 and AB 929 addressed groundwater adjudication and SGMA-related protections for small community water systems and wetlands; AB 930 would count vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days; AB 1022 would end towing solely for unpaid parking tickets; AB 290 and AB 302 dealt with automatic payments for the California Fair Plan and medical data protections; AB 1303 would remove the need for a Social Security number for California Lifeline eligibility; and several housing bills, including AB 920, AB 956, AB 1470, AB 893, and AB 1021, sought to streamline approvals or expand housing options. AB 1318 and AB 49 focused on immigrant-serving nonprofits and keeping immigration enforcement out of schools, while AB 1532 extended telecommunications and transportation access programs and added CPUC accountability measures.
Testimony was generally supportive for the bills heard, with authors and sponsors emphasizing low or absorbable fiscal impacts, consumer protection, housing production, public safety, and protections for vulnerable communities. Opposition appeared on a few measures, including concerns about ADUs, towing authority, charter school-related issues, and the scale of proposed housing funding in ACA 4. Several members also commented in support of the housing and immigrant-protection measures, and some bills were voted out with recorded no votes or not-voting members noted. After the suspense calendar was deemed approved, the committee opened public comment on bills not presented that day, heard a long list of supporters and opponents on various measures, and then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The most, let's see, there's one Tyrone Bird. T-Y-R-O-N-E. And this story was dated June 26, 2024.
Bills:
HB5621 , HB4904 , HB5067 , HB5076 , HB5081 , HB5354 , HB4862 , HB3847 , HB4088 , HB4157 , HB2966 , HB2287 , HB4203 , HB4803 , HB4737 , HB5093 , HB783 , HB5411 , HB4281
Committee:
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 10, 2025 - 08:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- As the non-early bird, so, hmm, so I was, I've had several discussions about this bill, and I was persuaded
Summary:
The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee heard and voted on four bills. HB 587 on self-storage spaces would let rental agreements include an alternate contact person and allow default notices to be published online instead of only in newspapers, while keeping existing notice timelines and servicemember protections. Newspaper and press witnesses opposed the online-notice change, arguing it could reduce public reach and transparency, especially in rural areas; the sponsor said newspapers could still be used and the bill was only adding another option. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to October 1, 2025, and then reported the bill favorably 12-2.
HB 6033 would repeal the Florida Labor Pool Act. The sponsor argued the act duplicates other state and federal protections, while opponents said it contains unique safeguards for day laborers, including limits on fees, transportation charges, and deductions, and a private right of action. Testimony from labor advocates and workers warned repeal would reduce protections for vulnerable workers; the sponsor and supporters said other laws already cover the issues. The committee reported the bill favorably 11-3.
HB 897, dealing with timeshare plan management, was presented as a clarification of conflicts created by recent condominium legislation and would require faster records responses, more disclosure of contracts, and clearer remedies for mismanagement. Support came from industry groups, and the bill passed unanimously, 14-0. The final measure, PCS for HB 1385, created a civil remedy for parental abduction or unlawful withholding of a child in violation of a timesharing order. Family law attorneys opposed it over concerns about added litigation, child involvement, and overlap with existing remedies, while the sponsors and supporters said it would provide needed deterrence and compensation in serious cases. The committee adopted the PCS and reported it favorably 13-0.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Mar 20th, 2025
Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- PCA launched this program in August of 2024 with Partners Prosperity Works, ofBuouertas and Money Bird
Committee:
Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The Bird Mafia, the Beard Caucus here.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Summary:
The Transportation Committee heard and acted on a series of transportation, licensing, and memorial bills. The first major item was CS/SB 462, the Department of Transportation agency package, which included provisions on transportation trust fund revenue for electric vehicles, county project reporting, speed limits, workforce grants, procurement and utility relocation procedures, airport participation, metropolitan planning, and related DOT administration. The committee adopted a substitute amendment after extensive discussion, especially over utility relocation reimbursement, penalties, and whether the bill was too rigid while stakeholders continued negotiating. Testimony came from industry and utility representatives both supporting the need to address delays and opposing the bill’s prescriptive approach. The bill passed 8-3.
The committee then approved several specialty license plate and memorial measures. CS/SB 1024 added a United States Military Academy plate alongside the Naval Academy plate. CS/SB 824 created a Florida Highway Patrol specialty plate. CS/SB 666 created a Miami Northwestern Senior High School alumni plate, with supporters emphasizing the school’s history and scholarship uses for the revenue. CS/SB 916 authorized indemnification and insurance arrangements for commuter rail operations on the Brightline corridor, modeled on SunRail law, and was reported favorably after technical amendments. CS/SB 1290 updated DHSMV rules to conform to IFTA and federal motor carrier standards, raised the crash-damage reporting threshold, and made other registration and email-notification changes; CS/SB 1292 created a public-records exemption for certain email addresses used in motor vehicle and vessel notifications. CS/SB 1408 designated memorial highways for fallen officers Jesse Madsen and Elio Diaz, and CS/SB 1502 authorized FDOT blanket permits for mobile cranes to travel at night under specified conditions. All of these bills were reported favorably.
The committee also received a lengthy informational presentation from FDOT on aggregates and the state’s construction-material supply chain. The witness described aggregate sources, transportation methods, recycling efforts, the importance of the Lake Belt and out-of-state imports, and the department’s supply-chain grant program. Senators asked about long-term reserves, stranded reserves, pricing, and the impact of regulation on future supply, and requested the study and a summary of regulatory impacts for members. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 Mar 17th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Farmers hit by bird flu—the emergency account is not there.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Commerce and Tourism Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That's exempt from a lot of what is happening, I guess, with the Farm Bird Bureau. >> I'm not clear on
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Paul Lawrence, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Feb 19th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- They're trying to rehire people who are responsible for containing bird flu, which is the price of eggs
Committee:
Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs
Keywords:
veterans affairs, VA modernization, employee layoffs, mental health, suicide prevention, transparency, senate committee, bipartisan support, oversight
Summary:
The meeting involved detailed discussions on various veterans' issues, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amidst a backdrop of significant staffing changes. Members expressed deep concerns over the recent layoffs of over 1,000 VA employees, emphasizing the crucial nature of these positions in the context of mental health support for veterans, particularly amid rising suicide rates. Senators articulated the need for transparency and effective communication between the VA and Congress to avoid further breakdowns in services. The session also spotlighted the ongoing modernization of VA systems and the urgent need to streamline processes to benefit veterans effectively.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Mississippi River Parkway Commission 6/18/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And then, of course, there are winter activities you can do, whether it's bird watching or ice climbing
- There might be an early bird registration deadline. There is an early bird deadline.
- It's like August 8th is the deadline for early bird. Members to let them know in a couple of weeks.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 12, February 23, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He can shoot clay bird bustest machine in the world. But he's 11 people.
- /c><00:41:24.560><c> can</c><00:41:24.880><c> shoot</c><00:41:25.359><c> clay</c><00:41:25.760><c> bird
- He can shoot clay bird He can do it.
- He can shoot clay bird bustest<00:41:26.560><c> machine</c><00:41:26.880><c> in</c><00:41:27.040><c>
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (03/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- This provides a little bit more usage than just for the birds that they release out. include raffles
- than</c><02:13:43.040><c> just</c><02:13:43.280><c> for</c><02:13:43.520><c> the</c><02:13:43.760><c> birds
- </c> bit more usage than just for the birds bit more usage than just for the birds that<02:13:44.320>
Summary:
The committee first revisited HB 781, the cell phone bill, after previously retaining it. On reconsideration, members moved to OTP the bill, and it passed unanimously. The committee then moved into the budget tracking packet and adopted an amendment to HB 2 to add the same cell phone policy language, also unanimously, and separately reduced HB 1 by $1 million to match the policy change. Members noted the cell phone language had already been stripped of grant funding language in the House version and that the policy and funding pieces were being aligned across the budget bills.
The committee then took up a Department of Education technical amendment to HB 2 on charter school grants, which made timing and administrative changes without altering grant amounts, and adopted it unanimously. Members also discussed but held other education-related items, including adequacy grants, pending broader decisions on overall education funding. Another HB 2 item concerning E-911/state police radio communications prompted a longer discussion about whether E-911 surcharge funds were being used for purposes that should instead be general-funded. After debate over whether to leave the current practice in place or split the funding 50/50 between E-911 and general funds, the committee adopted a joint HB 1/HB 2 change to shift the funding source to a 50/50 split and delete the HB 2 language authorizing the prior use; the motion passed 7-0.
The committee also discussed but did not act on several lottery-related provisions, including the video lottery terminal amendment, the increase in maximum ticket price from $30 to $50, and related tax split changes, with members planning to hear from the Lottery Commission on Monday. The meeting ended with the committee beginning review of new amendments in the tracking packet, including a Department of Education request related to Public School Infrastructure Commission grant administration, but no action was taken on that item in the portion provided.