Video & Transcript Research : 'session length'

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NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/22/2025)

Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • as a legislator, we had to fight this issue in two contentious times during the 2010 and the 2016 session
  • Now, sad to say, we started out in a majority, and particularly the 2010 session, it was a supermajority
  • as a legislator, we had to fight this issue in two contentious times during the 2010 and the 2016 session
  • Now, sad to say, we started out in a majority, and particularly the 2010 session, it was a supermajority
  • <03:10:15.520> additional thrilled to read at length additional thrilled to read at length
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (04/22/2025)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're going to motion to go into executive session.
  • We do not want to hold animals at great length, but it happens.
  • animals at great length, but it happens. animals at great length, but it happens.
  • Motion to go into executive session. Okay.
  • Move to come out of executive session. Yes.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • And then last session, there was legislation, Senate Bill 20, And then last session, there was legislation
  • in here, but it did not make it to the special session.
  • specific special session for a specific purpose.
  • That's going to fill the requirements for that session.
  • And then monitor it throughout the legislative session.
Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 12th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we did discuss that length in the record there, that there were a lot of questions about these case
  • I would love to work with you on that next session. Okay.
  • And if you'd want to do something on those numbers, I'd be more than happy to work with you next session
  • That's what I mean and how the length of those trials.
Bills: HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, SCR30, SB57, SB157, SB202, SB237, SB276, SB450, SB465, SB501, SB525, HR3, HR80, HR197, HR243, SCR5, SCR35, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, SB398, HB646, HR84, HR188, HR205, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB302, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, HCR72, HB633, HB603, HB940, HB251, HB775, HB998, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, HB842, SB149, SB382, SB441
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate May 6th, 2025

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Sessions. Yeah. This adopted. Senator Sessions. Yeah. This adopted. Senator Sessions. Yeah.
  • Sessions, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shelnut, Mr. Shelnut, Mr. Shelnut, Mr. Singleton, Mr.
  • Senator Sessions. Mr. President, I have Senator Sessions. Mr. President, I have Senator Sessions.
  • Senator Sessions. We bring up uh back up House Sessions. We bring up uh back up House Sessions.
  • Sessions substitute is adopted. Sessions substitute is adopted. Senator Sessions. All right.
Bills: SB 66, SB 317, SB 393, SB 397, SB 456, SB 614, SB 628, SB 629, SB 636, SB 715, SB 731, SB 801, SB 872, SB 905, SB 986, SB 1012, SB 1013, SB 1015, SB 1032, SB 1113, SB 1181, SB 1212, SB 1241, SB 1250, SB 1278, SB 1285, SB 1376, SB 1444, SB 1449, SB 1524, SB 1525, SB 1528, SB 1556, SB 1588, SB 1660, SB 1704, SB 1708, SB 1802, SB 1833, SB 1844, SB 1854, SB 1863, SB 1957, SB 1959, SB 1965, SB 1999, SB 2035, SB 2056, SB 2082, SB 2119, SB 2138, SB 2165, SB 2199, SB 2201, SB 2203, SB 2245, SB 2284, SB 2419, SB 2422, SB 2452, SB 2487, SB 2523, SB 2529, SB 2533, SB 2541, SB 2586, SB 2595, SB 2605, SB 2615, SB 2675, SB 2690, SB 2717, SB 2753, SB 2778, SB 2835, SB 2841, SB 2891, SB 2929, SB 2933, SB 3016, SB 3039, SB 3044, HB 912, HB 2525, SJR 3, SB 5, SB 29, SB 326, SB 494, SB 530, SB 769, SB 783, SB 963, SB 1238, SB 1271, SB 1786, SB 1967, SB 2312, SB 72, SB 616, SB 1143, SB 1172, SB 1267, SB 1273, SB 1506, SB 1759, SB 2361, SB 1, SB 260, SB 1637, SJR 36, SJR 50, SJR 63, SJR 59, SCR 12, SCR 39, SCR 48, SCR 19, SB 2023, SB 1524, SB 2422, SB 2119, SB 2753, SB 1863, SB 62, SB 666, SB 847, SB 284, SB 854, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 1505, SB 583, SB 507, SB 1434, SB 1376, SB 1772, SB 2016, SB 1163, SB 1122, SB 731, SB 397, SB 508, SB 1436, SB 287, SB 261, SB 1882, SB 393, SB 1791, SB 209, SB 2429, SB 1999, SB 511, SB 2309, SB 510, SB 1085, SB 1975, SB 2717, SB 1262, SB 636, SB 2056, SB 884, SB 517, SB 1200, SB 1845, SB 2681, SB 2199, SB 2458, SB 801, SB 2533, SB 3014, SB 3013, SB 758, SB 1013, SB 2797, SB 2076, SB 2876, SB 2284, SB 2929, SB 2595, SB 715, SB 1640, SB 1241, SB 2538, SB 1449, SB 2529, SB 986, SB 1181, SB 1359, SB 2245, SB 410, SB 1234, SB 456, SB 1012, SB 2926, SB 2138, SB 2615, SB 2972, SB 2841, SB 3016, SB 1856, SB 2035, SB 1528, SB 1373, SB 672, SB 2891, SB 1854, SB 317, SB 2539, SB 2532, SB 1250, SB 2082, SB 2203, SB 1285, SB 1959, SB 1454, SB 2520, SB 2541, SB 1708, SB 1237, SB 1844, SB 1586, SB 3039, SB 2819, SB 66, SB 629, SB 1015, SB 2342, SB 2903, SB 2933, SB 1965, SB 2477, SB 3029, SB 2605, SB 2419, SB 1957, SB 375, SB 250, SB 777, SB 628, SB 2523, SB 2367, SB 2703, SB 2608, SB 2778, SB 3044, SB 2965, SB 2521, SB 865, SB 1032, SB 2165, SB 2501, SB 2675, SB 2452, SB 2835, SB 872, SB 1212, SB 1278, SB 1588, SB 1602, SB 1704, SB 1723, SB 1833, SB 1858, SB 1946, SB 2009, SB 2177, SB 2460, SB 2785, SB 2373, SB 1660, SB 614, SB 867, SB 1608, SB 1525, SB 905, SB 640, SB 2487, SB 1698, SB 383, SB 705, SB 748, SB 1113, SB 1117, SB 1802, SB 2340, SB 2586, SB 2680, SB 2690, SB 2994, SB 2747, SB 1950, SB 913, SB 1071, SB 1086, SB 1087, SB 1483, SB 1444, SB 1553, SB 1556, SB 1703, SB 2133, SB 2297, SB 2298, SB 2622, SB 2955, SB 3059, SB 2782, SB 2781, SB 2637, SB 2633, SB 2337, SB 2334, SB 1861, SB 2043, SB 1367, SB 946, SB 945, SB 2857, SB 128, SB 571, SB 1263, SB 3058, SB 612, SB 2221, SB 2587, SB 2044, SB 2363, SB 2713, HB 1109, HB 1392, HB 22, HB 2525, HB 3093, HB 517, HB 912, HB 1130, HB 142, HB 1689, HB 2018, SB 2311, SB 1986, SB 2565, SB 2943, SB 1888, SB 2417, SB 3048, SB 3052, SB 3053, SB 3036, SB 3057, SB 3056, SB 3043, SB 3037, SB 3050, SB 3063, SB 3047, SB 3035, HJR 98, HJR 99, HB 136, HB 2884, HB 1393, HB 2730, HB 1399, HB 1244, HB 467, HB 331, HB 2559, SB 66, SB 456, SB 628, SB 1012, SB 1015, SB 1032, SB 1241, SB 1376, SB 1708, SB 1959, SB 1965, SB 2035, SB 2199, SB 2245, SB 2284, SB 2419, SB 2523, SB 2529, SB 2541, SB 2595, SB 2605, SB 2778, SB 2933, SB 3039, SB 3044, SB 1524, SB 1863, SB 2119, SB 2422, SB 2753, SB 1844, SB 2533, SR 417, SR 500, SR 501, SR 502, HCR 128, HB 23, HB 45, HB 104, HB 519, HB 748, HB 791, HB 1056, HB 1481, HB 3181, HB 3211, HB 4044, HB 4290, HB 23, HB 45, HB 104, HB 519, HB 748, HB 791, HB 1056, HB 1481, HB 3181, HB 3211, HB 4044, HB 4290
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Part 2 Feb 12th, 2026 at 12:58 pm

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • of legislative sessions.
  • And before the 2019 legislative session, speaker, And before the 2019 legislative session, Speaker Egoff
  • I want to watch all their basketball games, which I miss every single session.
  • I want to watch all their basketball games, which I miss every single session.
  • Speaker, and I apologize for the length of it, I finally have an amendment. So with that, Mr.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education Apr 1st, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • My goal is for us to finish before the floor session so that we do not have to reconvene, but we do have
  • If this bill sounds familiar, it passed this committee unanimously last session and was passed on the
  • We filed it last session, and so we're doing it again this session. I do have some staff...
  • This bill is kind of a fix of a bill that we passed last session.
  • We passed a bill last session to make sure that these... ...students will be able to utilize that and
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Revenue Committee, February 17, 2026

Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • we get the wording right so we sessions we get the wording right so we don't<00:43:39.920> because
  • As you recall, last session I left today to go be with my family after an auto accident.
  • Uh, as you recall, last<00:48:20.079> session<00:48:20.800> I<00:48:21.040> left
  • I left today to go be with last session I left today to go be with my<00:48:23.440> family<00
  • <01:53:41.440> of for exceptions increasing the length of for exceptions increasing the length
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means Committee 2/10/25

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, second time, I believe, on Ways and um, second session, and I am the lead on Education Finance.
  • <00:07:24.440> it with you uh throughout this session it with you uh throughout this session
  • being brought forward into that session being brought forward into that session because<00:14:57.680
  • Again, this doesn't include all of the new money that we put in in the 2023 session.
  • And the other thing is rising health care prices. in uh in the 2023 session in uh in the 2023 session
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Ways and Means Committee began with member and staff introductions, including several new members and committee staff. Representative Zach Stevenson, the DFL lead, objected to the day’s presentation, saying he was disappointed the committee was starting with a group he viewed as aligned with Republicans rather than a nonpartisan budget presentation. The chair responded that the committee had a bipartisan agreement and that hearing a different perspective was appropriate. The committee then proceeded to a presentation from economists with the Center of the American Experiment, with questions held until the end. The presentation focused on Minnesota’s budget outlook, arguing that the state faces a structural imbalance and a projected $5.14 billion deficit in the 2028-29 biennium. The presenters said spending has outpaced revenues, highlighted a large increase in general fund spending since 2023, and argued that inflation-adjusted per-capita spending remains above pre-2024 levels through the forecast period. They said the biggest growth areas are E-12 education and especially Health and Human Services, with HHS projected to become the largest budget category and much of its growth tied to Medicaid and long-term care waivers. The presenters also argued Minnesota spends more than most states on welfare and Medicaid, citing comparisons showing the state near the top nationally in spending per person in poverty and in several Medicaid categories. They said some of the HHS growth reflects policy changes from the 2023 session, while other pressures come from enrollment growth, health care prices, federal debt, and an aging population. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting shown.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Senate Floor Session - 04/29/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , when we were getting ready for session, when we were getting ready for session, we<00:13:00.320
  • Here's why. them a grant the next the next session them a grant the next the next session or<01:05:53.440
  • And all throughout this session and previous sessions, you know, I have a headline here.
  • c> sessions,<04:22:46.159> you<04:22:46.239> know, session and previous sessions, you
  • know, session and previous sessions, you know, I<04:22:46.479> have<04:22:46.479> a<04
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, could you remind the body, are we in the 93rd session of the House or the 94th session of the
  • What the 94th session of the House learned from the 93rd session of the House is that whoever's sitting
  • session. We are at 6767. session. We are at 6767.
  • And this allows that money to session.
  • Swanson mid uh session to replace J.R.
Keywords: 1183, house
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee Apr 30th, 2025

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • We worked with Aaliyah on this bill last year and during the off-season, after we were out of session
  • Aaliyah was proactive after session last year.
  • I know a lot of times, especially later in the session, but even during the first part of the session
  • , or maybe it was the end of last session, we got a notice about procedures of what you need to do to
  • It was already session time before you found out she’d even done any of that.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate will be in brief session. Report of the committee.
  • And even with an honorable discharge, these veterans may not meet length of service or active duty requirements
  • President, I move that the Senate adjourn today's session in memory of the Honorable Judge Leslie E.
  • That's the end of the session.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate began with routine formalities, then took up several final-passage and engrossment matters. It adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Iwanek, and House Bill 1024, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer service to a parcel in Sharon. The Senate also passed to be enacted Senate Bill 2528, allowing Marblehead to establish fines related to parking violations, and adopted a pair of congratulatory resolutions. Later, it ordered several House bills to third reading, including measures for an additional off-premises alcohol license in Somerset and sick leave banks for David A. Russell and Jean McCarran, and concurred in a gubernatorial amendment to a vital statistics bill. The chamber then considered major committee reports and amendments on military and veterans issues. It advanced a Ways and Means substitute for a bill on free expression and a substitute for a bill on assault and battery upon a transit worker, placing both on the Orders of the Day. The Senate also debated and amended Senate Bill 2503, the EASE Act for military-connected families, with remarks emphasizing school stability for military children, special education continuity, juvenile justice transfers, and use of military protective orders in domestic violence cases. Several proposed amendments were withdrawn or rejected, including tax relief proposals for 100% disabled veterans, while an amendment requiring tracking of veteran suicides was adopted. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed by roll call, 39-0. Another major item was Senate Bill 2501, clarifying the duties of the adjutant general. The Senate adopted a Ways and Means substitute and considered multiple amendments, including one withdrawn proposal on entry by non-federalized armed forces from other jurisdictions and another adopted amendment requiring recruit training on lawful orders; other amendments were withdrawn. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also passed House Bill 3388, designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. Throughout the session, members also offered and adopted several adjournment motions honoring the lives and service of Judge Leslie E. Harris, former Newton Mayor Seyi Warren, and Anthony P. Dwingnan, and the Senate adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Rules - Legislative May 5th, 2026

Rules - Legislative

Transcript Highlights:
  • I could talk to you guys afterwards at any given time at length about this.
  • ideas for a personal conversation and also potentially for a couple quick comments before executive session
  • Executive session. I do plan on executing this probably Thursday, just so everyone knows.
  • With that said, we will not be having executive session on anything here this morning, like I had originally
Summary: The Missouri House Legislative Rules Committee held a rare public hearing on House Bill 2243, sponsored by Rep. Bryant-Wolfen, which would repeal a local sales tax exemption for certain industries that was enacted in a prior omnibus bill tied to the Wayfair-related tax changes. The sponsor argued the exemption shifted revenue away from counties and onto local residents, and said the bill would restore local tax collections that had been lost without a guaranteed replacement. Several members questioned whether the proposal amounted to a tax increase on manufacturers and whether it could deter investment or job growth; the sponsor responded that the tax burden had already been shifted to Missourians and that other pro-business reforms could address competitiveness. Supporters from Iron County, St. Genevieve County, and Adair County testified that the exemption had reduced local revenue for roads, law enforcement, ambulance, and 911 services. They described budget shortfalls, service cuts, and the impact on counties that had already approved local sales or use taxes by voter approval. One Iron County commissioner said the loss of revenue had forced higher property tax levies and reduced ambulance coverage, while St. Genevieve officials cited large drops in monthly sales tax receipts and rising costs. Adair County officials said the exemption affected revenue from large solar and wind projects and argued that the taxes were intended to support local infrastructure and schools. Opponents, including Associated Industries in Missouri, argued the exemption was originally adopted to keep Missouri’s tax system uniform and compliant with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair framework for out-of-state sellers. They warned that removing the exemption could create a $35 million annual burden on manufacturers and potentially jeopardize broader local use-tax collections if the state’s system were challenged again. Committee members also discussed the possibility of requiring local voter approval or a replacement revenue source before changing the exemption. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair said he planned to execute the bill later in the week.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • The House is now in session. The clerk will call the roll. Adam's here. Alonzo Sandoval.
  • It got like many of us during the end of session.
  • You expand, maybe during session, and then it You got it, thank you.
  • But the bill in front of you today just simply sets that standard as far as the length of instruction
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Other - PSCOC Dec 11th, 2025

Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chair, yes, so they became eligible for PSCOC funding generally after a bill that passed last session
  • to account for this boundary issue. and the school district is working diligently to increase the length
  • Are we going to pause during the session? Mr.
  • But yes, we do plan to meet once before the legislative session starts, which is this week.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Cap Committee Meeting - 2025-04-30

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are your neighbors when you are in session at the Capitol, and we are your cyber security center.
  • The one thing, and I know you talked about this yesterday, I watched the session online.
  • I thought, you know, sessions are going to get long, so I'm actually disappointed that more of my colleagues
  • The new County State Aid Highway 142 will be approximately 1.5 miles in length.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Taxes - 03/12/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • 00:27:00.760> this that resources are a bit tight this that resources are a bit tight this session
  • 02.399> that<00:27:02.640> I'm<00:27:02.799> hoping<00:27:03.080> you session
  • having said that I'm hoping you session having said that I'm hoping you can<00:27:03.360> find
  • This length of time for an extension of the knockdown rule is pretty unusual.
  • of time for an extension of this length of time for an extension of the<00:42:22.800> knockdown
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25 - Part 1

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Having it at DEED, I would argue, puts this advocate at arm's length from the MPCA, and the mission would
  • Having it at DEED, I would argue, puts this advocate at arm's length from the MPCA, and the mission would
  • Having it at DEED, I would argue, puts this advocate at arm's length from the MPCA, and the mission would
  • He also said the agency has been implementing the coordinated project plan legislation passed last session
  • , and processing have chosen other states over Minnesota, including our border states, due to the length
Keywords: 1183, house
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture Oct 1st, 2025

Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • This includes the ability to revoke a permit for certain violations, a trap limit program, vessel length
  • This includes the ability to revoke a permit for certain violations, a trap limit program, vessel length
  • This includes the ability to revoke a permit for certain violations, a trap limit program, vessel length
  • priorities with a unified voice in a West Coast Ocean Science Action Agenda developed through listening sessions
Summary: The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture held its annual State of the Fishery forum, focusing on salmon, Dungeness crab, kelp, ocean conditions, and related aquaculture and committee reports. Opening remarks from committee leadership emphasized climate impacts, reduced federal NOAA support, state investments through Proposition 4, coastal resilience funding, and the importance of fisheries to rural economies and tribal communities. Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot described a decade of drought and climate stress, highlighted progress such as Klamath River dam removal, wetland restoration, and the state’s salmon strategy, and warned that federal funding uncertainty and staffing cuts could undermine restoration and fishery recovery efforts. Senator Cortese raised concerns about illegal cannabis cultivation damaging riparian habitat and water flows, and both Crowfoot and Fish and Wildlife Director Bonham said enforcement against illicit grows remains a major environmental priority but is constrained by resources. Director Bonham provided a broad update on California fisheries, reporting encouraging signs for salmon after several difficult years, including improved ocean conditions, stronger returns in some runs, and successful short recreational openings in 2025. He also noted major challenges, including reduced federal hatchery production at Nimbus, ongoing uncertainty around winter-run and spring-run recovery, and the need for continued habitat restoration, monitoring, and hatchery investment. On Dungeness crab, Bonham said the fishery remained valuable but constrained by whale entanglement risk, warming ocean conditions, and domoic acid concerns; he described new marked-line distribution, ropeless and alternative gear trials, and ongoing aerial and vessel monitoring. He also said the department’s unified cannabis enforcement task force had served numerous warrants and seized large amounts of illegal cannabis, but more funding is needed for sustained operations. In the salmon panel, Yurok Tribe fisheries director McCovey said the Klamath still faces low run sizes, climate-driven warming, wildfire impacts, and federal uncertainty, but he pointed to dam removal, restoration work, and AB 263’s river-flow protections as major advances. PCFFA president Bradshaw stressed that the three consecutive salmon closures have devastated coastal communities and argued for major reinvestment in aging Central Valley hatchery infrastructure and better broodstock management at Fall Creek. CalTrout’s Schneider said salmon remain at risk statewide, but cited Prop 4, habitat reconnection, floodplain restoration, improved water management, and monitoring as the main tools for recovery. In the crab panel, CDFW’s Schumann reported that the 2024–25 season produced record prices per pound and about $55 million in value despite delays and trap reductions, but he warned that three confirmed whale entanglements and elevated whale presence could force a conservative opener for 2025–26. PCFFA’s Domrash supported marked line, alternative gear, and a new gear-recovery network, while also criticizing the current ramp system as a response to a problem not fully grounded in science.