Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:32.360> on if if we're going to increase hunting on if if we're going to increase hunting
• public<00:13:40.880> land, increase hunting on public land, increase hunting on public land
• Didn't have any private land to hunt.
• archery, hunting. archery, hunting.
• property and hunting. property and hunting.

Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 18 March, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Wildlife, Fisheries Committee met to consider several Senate nominations to the Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund board. The nominees included Richard Webster, Peyton Locky, Josh Ragio, and reappointee Van Ray. Each nominee briefly described his background and connection to the outdoors, conservation, or related business experience. Committee members repeatedly emphasized that the board should focus on projects that improve public access and advance conservation, while also considering projects across all regions of Mississippi, including north Mississippi. Members also raised concerns about the use of trust fund money for land purchases, noting that buying land can remove property from county tax rolls. Several senators urged the nominees to favor projects that maximize public benefit, avoid overemphasis on city parks or ball fields, and consider leasing land instead of purchasing it when possible. The nominees generally agreed that projects should be judged on merit, public access, and conservation value. One nominee, Webster, was reminded to file a statement of economic interest with the Mississippi Ethics Commission before floor consideration. The committee voted to advise and consent on Senate Nominations 2, 51 and 52, 53 and 54, and 89, moving all of them to the floor. The votes were taken by voice vote with no opposition recorded. Van Ray also discussed the committee’s earlier work creating procedures for the program and said the board had already supported many projects statewide, with a moratorium on land purchases currently in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've hiked, hunted, and fished across nearly every corner of New Mexico, and I can say with...
• You guys like to hunt. You're probably pretty familiar with it.
• Because you already hunt there. You already fish there. You can go there and zip line.
• My grandfather knew, you know, we would hunt on public land.
• We would hunt on private land or folks that he had worked for for much of his adult life.

Bills: HB2, SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Transcript Highlights:

• for for hunting in the turkey<00:18:06.640> seasons.
• People that hunt in bow hunt, and I'd say if it was 300 people, maybe five people didn't like it.
• People that hunt in bow hunt forward.
• People that hunt in bow hunt and<00:27:09.279> I'd<00:27:09.520> say<00:27:09.760> if
• principles that define archery hunting. principles that define archery hunting.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the acts of hunting and fishing is going to buy the ammo for hunting and fishing.
• act of uh the hunting and fishing. act of uh the hunting and fishing.
• So, I could hunting and fishing.
• <00:18:44.880> Uh, the act of hunting and fishing. Uh, the act of hunting and fishing.
• part of my hunting and fishing activity. part of my hunting and fishing activity.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm joined by my colleague and House co-chair, Representative Dan Hunt.
• Good afternoon, and thank you, Chair Keenan and Chair Hunt.
• Thank you to the chairs, Keenan and Chair Hunt, and everyone Thank you to the chairs, Keenan, Chair Hunt
• Chairs Keenan and Hunt, members of the committee.
• Thank you, Chair Keenan and Chair Hunt.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a public hearing focused primarily on ranked choice voting (RCV) legislation and several local home rule petitions, along with one petition to authorize remote participation in Concord town meetings. Chairs Keenan and Hunt outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would hear both in-person and virtual testimony. The committee also took testimony on Concord’s request for remote participation in open and special town meetings, with supporters arguing it would make town meeting more accessible to residents with childcare, mobility, work, or disability barriers while preserving direct democracy. A large portion of the hearing centered on RCV local-option bills and municipal petitions from communities including Concord, East Hampton, Salem, Chelsea, Arlington, Revere, Amherst, and others. Supporters—among them local officials, legislators, election advocates, educators, veterans, and nonprofit leaders—said RCV would reduce vote-splitting, encourage more candidates, promote more positive campaigning, improve representation, and increase turnout. East Hampton officials described their existing use of RCV, saying it produced record turnout, was easy for voters to understand with education, and could be expanded to multi-winner races without major added cost. Concord and Amherst witnesses said their voters had already approved local steps toward RCV and urged the committee to let municipalities implement the system without further delay. Testimony in favor of the local-option RCV bill emphasized home rule and local control, with several witnesses arguing the state should not block communities that have already voted to adopt RCV. Speakers from MassVOTE, the AFT Massachusetts, Voter Choice Massachusetts, Progressive Massachusetts, the Boston Teachers Union, and Veterans for All Voters said the reform would strengthen democracy, broaden participation, and save money by avoiding low-turnout preliminary elections. Some witnesses also referenced examples from Cambridge, Maine, and Utah to argue that RCV is workable, nonpartisan, and familiar to voters. The hearing ended with no votes or final committee action taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Petuskey, seconded by Representative Hunt, moves to pass on Amendment 1579. tincture.
• Now the motion, Representative Petuskey, seconded by Representative Hunt, moves to pass as amended.
• Representative Hunt. Representative Hunt.
• Okay, Representative Hunt, seconded by Representative Petuskey, moves inexpedient to legislate.
• <00:40:52.600> Petuskey Hunt seconded by Representative Petuskey Hunt seconded by Representative

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• areas if we're hunting on the border<00:15:58.000> areas.
• So, as far as hunting, this only applies to waterfowl hunting because that is what happens on the bordering
• This does not have anything to do with non-resident hunting. >> Thank you.
• <00:17:16.240> to<00:17:16.400> waterfell hunting, this only applies to waterfell hunting
• . hunting. hunting.

Keywords: :54 – Board of Pharmacy 2:00 – Board of Social Work 3:44 – Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy 4:43 – Board of Registration for Professional Geologists 7:27 – Board of Imaging and Radiation Therapy 8:33 – Board of Emergency Medical Services 10:38 – Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources 17:37 – Transportation Cabinet 18:37 – Department of Education 25:00 – Department of Workplace Standards 27:06 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services, 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a series of agency regulations, most of which had staff-suggested amendments. The Board of Pharmacy regulation on remote prescription processing was amended to make grammatical and KRS Chapter 13A compliance corrections, and the Board of Social Work regulation on continuing education, telehealth training, waivers, and related fees was deferred at the agency’s request. The Occupational Therapy Compact rule update and the Professional Geologists fee increase regulation both received staff amendments and were approved, with the geologists’ board explaining the increases were driven by rising oversight costs and declining revenue. The committee also reviewed emergency regulations from the Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, the Board of Emergency Medical Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and the Department of Workplace Standards. The EMS package covered licensing classifications, compliance audits, ambulance service rules, and electronic forms; the Transportation Cabinet’s emergency rule established procedures for street-legal special purpose vehicles; and Workplace Standards’ emergency rules updated Kentucky requirements to align with federal standards and House Bill 398, including shortening the discrimination complaint filing deadline from 120 days to 30 days and adjusting appeal procedures. Staff amendments were approved where offered, and members asked several clarifying questions about the rationale and effect of the workplace and EMS changes. The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources explained rules on aircraft and drone use in taking wildlife and on reciprocal hunting and fishing agreements with neighboring states. The agency said the drone restriction was intended to align with federal law and address hunter complaints, while the reciprocal agreement rule was a cleanup of older agreements that had lapsed or been overlooked; the committee deferred the wildlife regulation 301 KAR 2:031 at the agency’s request. The Department of Education also presented multiple KHSAA-related and standards updates, including academic eligibility, sports timing, health and physical education standards, and career studies/financial literacy standards; staff amendments were approved, and members questioned the athletic forms and the designation of KHSAA as the state’s athletic agent. Finally, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented emergency regulations to support a pediatric teaching hospital expansion and related certificate-of-need changes, which the agency said were aimed at improving pediatric and neonatal access to care; staff amendments were approved, and the committee concluded by setting its next meeting for October 13 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Dan Hunt. I'm the House Chair, joined by my co-chair in the Senate, Senator Keenan.
• Hello to the honor of committee Chair Hunt, Chair Keenan.
• Good afternoon, Chair Hunt and Chair Keenan and honorable members.
• Good afternoon, Chairs Hunt and Keenan and members of this committee.
• Thank you, Representative Hunt. Thank you, everyone.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on ranked choice voting, focusing primarily on Boston’s home rule petition (H. 4262) and Bedford’s petition (H. 4916). Committee chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Keenan opened the hearing, explained the three-minute testimony limit, and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. The hearing featured testimony from a wide range of supporters, including advocacy organizations, community leaders, Boston City Council members, and Bedford residents. Witnesses generally argued that ranked choice voting would produce majority-supported winners, reduce vote-splitting and negative campaigning, encourage coalition-building, and give voters more freedom to rank candidates without fear of wasting their vote. Several speakers emphasized local control and said Boston and Bedford should be allowed to decide for themselves whether to adopt the system. Others highlighted potential benefits for women, historically marginalized communities, and voter participation more broadly. Boston councilors and supporters also described the city’s local approval process and said the proposal would still require voter ratification if enacted by the legislature. No opposition testimony was presented in the excerpt. The committee took no substantive vote on the bills during the hearing; after testimony concluded, the chairs thanked participants and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• you're in the process of considering opening up the bear hunt again.
• Is the public dialogue that you've started to solicit related to bear hunts?
• Is that a direct result of Amendment 2's past... ...related to bear hunts.
• He said, let's talk about a bear hunt. And Mr.
• It was completely inappropriate, and so that's what I can say about the bear hunt.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to consider confirmation appointments, beginning with Rodney Barreto’s reappointment to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Barreto described his background and defended his record, saying the commission has expanded public access, conserved land, supported youth conservation programs, and maintained strong law enforcement and wildlife management. Senators questioned him about public opposition to his confirmation, his role in supporting Amendment 2, a proposed use of submerged land near Singer Island, the Split Oak land swap, and whether FWC may reopen a bear hunt. Barreto said he saw no conflict in his Amendment 2 involvement, denied that any condo application existed for the Singer Island property, defended the Split Oak deal as a conservation and land-acquisition tradeoff, and said bear-hunt options would be presented later by staff and biologists. Several members of the public spoke against Barreto’s reconfirmation, arguing that FWC needs reform, term limits, and more scientific leadership, and criticizing his real estate and lobbying ties as conflicts of interest. Speakers also objected to his positions on development, habitat protection, trap use, herbicide spraying, and the handling of bear management and public notice at FWC meetings. Senator Avila spoke in strong support of Barreto, citing FWC’s role in Biscayne Bay restoration, juvenile redfish releases, invasive species control, and community involvement. The committee then voted to recommend Barreto’s confirmation favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. The committee next considered tabs 2 and 3, the reappointments of Kathy Chapman and Michael Kennedy to the Florida Inland Navigation District. With no separate vote requested and no public opposition, the committee recommended both confirmations favorably by voice roll call. The meeting concluded with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• to harm their their rights to to hunt to harm their their rights to to hunt gather.<00:14:42.800
• They've people hunting with crossbows.
• also hunting during the archery season. also hunting during the archery season.
• Crossbows do not replace skill or ethical hunting.
• To get 40 pounds by hunting season.

Bills: HF624

Keywords: HF624, Minnesota fishing law, game and fish, walleye stamp, walleye stamp validation, angling, angler, fishing lines, two lines, four lines, open water fishing, ice fishing, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, fishing regulations, fish harvest, conservation, Minnesota Statutes 97C.315, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You can hunt, you can fish, you things.
• For hunting and fishing.
• Um, it will be open to the public for hunting.
• Um, it will be open to the public for hunting.
• Um but that's public for hunting.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The only possible pushback would be hunting, and all the trails around this 10-mile approximate area
• the rest of the trails where hunting the rest of the trails where hunting comes<00:08:12.120>
• He said these dogs are very expensive and are a very expensive hunting tool.
• alone would definitely deter any birds that he might be hunting.
• deter any birds that I might be hunting deter any birds that I might be hunting I<00:12:26.519><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with housekeeping about report deadlines and bill scheduling, noting that reports should be submitted as soon as possible, ideally by Friday night, so they can be reviewed and filed on time. The chair explained the process for Democratic and Republican reports, reviewed the timing sheet for early bills, and said the committee was trying to stay on schedule to avoid hearings during vacation week. He also shared his contact information for questions. The committee then moved into executive session on 10 bills. On HB 13, relative to OHRV operation on certain highways in Windsor, the committee voted unanimously to retain the bill after the prime sponsor asked that it be held for possible local action. On HB 127, extending the closing date of OHRV trails on the Connecticut River headquarters property from September 30 to Columbus Day, members debated economic benefits for Pittsburgh versus concerns about local control, conservation easements, and hunting impacts. The committee voted 11-5 ought to pass; the chair noted it would not go on consent and would have a fiscal note. On HB 174, increasing the maximum weight of a utility terrain vehicle to 3,500 pounds unladen dry weight, supporters argued the change could help accommodate electric vehicles and heavier equipment, while opponents raised concerns about undefined terms, enforcement, private landowner rights, and unintended consequences. The committee voted 8-7 ought to pass. On HB 203, requiring C-COT approved personal flotation devices while on New Hampshire state waters, the committee heard a split between members who emphasized personal responsibility and those who said the bill would improve safety and education and could reduce drowning deaths. The motion to ITL failed 11-5, meaning the committee rejected the motion to kill the bill and advanced it instead. The transcript then moved on to HB 332, allowing for the establishment of a village district, but the discussion of that bill was not included in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Cenel 1247 simplifies and consolidates non-resident hunting license to make the system more efficient
• Currently, Texas offers multiple types of non-resident hunting hunting license, including separate permits
• for general hunting, special hunting, and spring turkey hunting.
• To adjust fees and categories as needed, this change will streamline the non-resident hunting license
• system while keeping Texas hunting opportunities affordable for out of state hunters.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 15, landowner hunting...
• Senate file 37, K quoted hunting areas.
• Landowner Hunting Licenses Limitation.
• the public hunting opportunity.
• Provided that not less than 40% of the hunting licenses in a limited quota hunting area shall be made

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also creates a nearly four-month hunting season tax holiday that includes items such as ammunition
• Just going to Section 41 of the bill regarding the hunting season tax holiday, Mr.
• So that certainly makes it a good time frame to have that tax holiday specific to hunting.
• I'm here today to urge you to vote no on a hunting season tax holiday and vote no on SPB 7034.
• In my opinion, this proposed holiday does not exist to encourage hunting.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee considered several tax-related measures. SB 674, allowing county property appraisers to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval, was supported by property appraisers and reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 318, as amended, would create a tangible personal property exemption for agricultural land used in agricultural production or agritourism; the amendment clarified the property’s location and allowed the Legislature to define conditions, and the resolution was reported favorably with support from Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber. The committee also advanced C.S. for SB 1664, as amended, which requires locally approved discretionary taxes to be reauthorized by voters when they expire and sets rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds. Local government and tourism-related groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, beach funding, transportation surtaxes, and long-term planning, while supporters argued voters should periodically reaffirm taxes; the bill was reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, were both amended to sharply narrow a proposed long-term lease property tax exemption to one qualifying property and to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominiums; counties and cities opposed the measures as tax shifts, but both were reported favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions for certain clothing and bullion, multiple tax holidays, a temporary motor vehicle fee reduction, a property tax study, corporate and insurance tax credit changes, a communications services tax freeze, and other tax provisions, with staff estimating $2.1 billion in total revenue reduction. Testimony included support for studying property taxes and strong opposition to the firearm and ammunition tax holiday from students and advocacy groups, who argued it was unsafe and inappropriate; others urged adding combined reporting or removing tourist development tax changes. After debate, the committee reported the package favorably and also approved a motion to submit it as a committee bill. The meeting ended after Senator Bernard recorded an affirmative vote on tab 5 and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• season beginning the 2027-28 hunting season.
• season beginning the 2027-28 hunting season.
• season beginning the 2027-28 hunting season.
• The the charging you to hunt them.
• hunt have a place to go. hunt have a place to go.

Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 3:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2664, which would amend the lifetime hunting license program so anyone under age 18 could buy the license for a $500 fee. After a brief explanation and no questions, the committee adopted a motion for title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported. Members then considered Senate Bill 2436, described as a step toward establishing a black bear hunting season in Mississippi beginning with the 2027-28 season. The bill would require the department to set rules based on black bear population data, use a lottery system for tags, create one annual governor’s tag, delay nonresident tags until at least 2032-33, cap those tags at 10%, and add penalties for violations. The committee again moved title sufficient and do pass with a committee substitute, and the bill was reported. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2420, which would clarify last year’s hunting-season extension so that if a season ends on Friday or Saturday, it would continue through Sunday. That bill received a do-pass motion and was reported. Senate Bill 2659, creating a voluntary lifetime conservation legacy license for Mississippians over 65 for a one-time $250 fee, also passed the committee and was reported. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2660, the catfish bill, with testimony from a guest and department officials. Supporters argued the bill was needed to curb commercial harvesting of trophy catfish from the Mississippi River, protect the resource, and support tourism and events such as the Vicksburg catfish tournament. Department staff said a possible approach would be to prohibit transporting live catfish over 34 inches, which they said could help stop the practice without affecting farm-raised catfish. Members discussed concerns about impacts on local fishermen and clarified that the bill was aimed at Mississippi River waters; the committee did not reach a final vote on this bill in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sam Hunt will be remembered for his steady leadership, his generosity, his spirit, and his unwavering
• <00:10:03.240> for<00:10:03.360> his Sam Hunt will be remembered for his Sam Hunt will
• Senate conclude our session today on a rising vote observing a moment of silence in memory of Sam Hunt
• Please join me in rising to observe a moment of silence in honor of the memory of Sam Hunt.
• I further move that memory of Sam Hunt.

Bills: SB2876, SB3253, SB2125, SB2781, HB549, HB1768, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB1515, SB2835, HB2282, SB3083, SB2031, SB2519, SB2667, SB2140, SB2544, SB2069, SB2697, SB874, SB2043, SB888, SB2721, HB2152, HB1334, HB2385, HB1643, HB2314, HB1688, HB1692, SB2568, SB2983, SB2108, SB3136, HB1959, SB3156, HB1511, HB1753, HB1824, HB2137, HB1810, HB2279, HB2309, HB1548, HB2078, HB2293, SB3262, SB2169, SB2607, SB2964, SB3255, HB2576, HB1481, HB1864, HB1550, SB2818, SB3067, SB2061, HB1728, HB1881, HB2361, HB2395, HB1823, SB2050, SB2397, SB2175, SB2852, SB847, SB3001

Keywords: natural hair braiding, hair braiding, braids, braider, braiding license, cosmetology, barbering, barber board, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, registration, licensure exemption, sanitation training, health and safety, hair extensions, cornrows, twists, locks, protective hairstyles, beauty industry, occupational licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• Are those in common usage hunting all over this nation?
• They've been hunting far longer than that.
• But they both hunt on their own, and they are big game hunters and hunt every single year.
• This state started out very ranching, farming, hunting.
• You know, this was for hunting sometimes.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Brad Hunt. In the gallery.
• Hunt County, please stand at this time.
• Hunt County is not just a place, but a community.
• What truly makes Hunt County stand out is its people.
• The citizens of Hunt County make it exceptional.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'M CURIOUS ABOUT FWC HISTORY WITH BEAR HUNTS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
• I THANK YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CONSIDERING OPENING UP THE BEAR HUNT AGAIN.
• I WAS GONE ON THE COMMISSION WHEN THEY VOTED THE PREVIOUS TIME TO DO A BEAR HUNT.
• HE SAID LET'S TALK ABOUT A BEAR HUNT. AND MR.
• IT WAS COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE AND SO THAT'S WHAT I CAN SAY ABOUT THE BEAR HUNT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all