Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:39.520><c> The</c><00:07:39.759><c> additional</c> capacity and resources.
• The additional capacity and resources.
• </c> festivals and for museums, exhibits and festivals and for museums, exhibits and collections<00:18
• c> losers</c><00:45:43.440><c> and</c><00:45:43.920><c> and</c> And there's winners and losers and and
• c> Fund and the and the work they do and uh Fund and the and the work they do and uh uh<01:11:04.560>

Bills: HF4148

Keywords: Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Outdoor Heritage Fund, executive director, natural resources, conservation, wetlands, prairies, forests, wildlife habitat, fish and game, bipartisan hiring, interview panel, legislative branch, Minnesota Statutes 97A.056, administrative expenses, nonpartisan staff, council governance, environment and natural resources, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Natural Resources Committee of the Senate. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
• on many of our waterways. ...the resources and strategy in place to address invasive species like giant
• and drawdowns and weevils.
• So I'm just looking for ways to provide the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries more resources to...
• Provide the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries more resources to address this problem with invasive

Bills: HCR54, HCR79, HCR87, HCR94, HCR104, HB1209

Keywords: migratory waterfowl, hunting regulations, flooded crops, wildlife management, environmental impact, hunting, Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, deer hunting, dogs, conservation, hunting heritage, federal regulations, Senator Kennedy, wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, legislative support, environment, protective measures, boating safety

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee met on March 27 with a quorum present, approved prior minutes, and then took up several resolutions and one bill related to wildlife, water resources, and conservation. H.C.R. 79, as amended, urged the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to work together to allow the use of dogs for hunting in Kisatchie National Forest; supporters described it as a traditional hunting practice that has been restricted for years and could benefit local hunters and businesses. H.C.R. 104, as amended, asked the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study and modernize the collection, retention, and access to subsurface data, with members emphasizing the need to avoid sharing company-specific information. H.C.R. 87 was reported favorably to support correspondence from U.S. Sen. Kennedy regarding duck flyway management, H.C.R. 54 was reported favorably to study the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl and restore an enforcement mechanism related to hunting over intentionally flooded crops, and H.C.R. 94 was reported favorably to require annual boating safety reports to legislative committees. The committee then heard HB 1209, which would have paused new cooperative endeavor agreements for surface water withdrawals while allowing existing agreements to continue and be renewed through December 31, 2036. The author said the bill was intended to give the state time to develop a more comprehensive, data-driven surface water strategy and to address invasive species such as giant salvinia, which he said has severely affected waterways in his district. Members and witnesses acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, but there was concern that the bill was too complex to move quickly in the session. The committee discussed converting it into a study resolution instead, and the bill was deferred without objection. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Natural Resources Committee of the Senate. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
• out there, and they came and met with us and visited with the hunters and kind of came up with this
• The resources and strategy in place to address invasive species like giant salvinia, which has had a
• and drawdowns and weevils.
• So I'm just looking for ways to provide the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries more resources to address

Bills: HCR54, HCR79, HCR87, HCR94, HCR104, HB1209

Keywords: migratory waterfowl, hunting regulations, flooded crops, wildlife management, environmental impact, hunting, Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, deer hunting, dogs, conservation, hunting heritage, federal regulations, Senator Kennedy, wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, legislative support, environment, protective measures, boating safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I call the Environment, Natural Resources, Finance, and Policy Committee to order. It is March 3rd.
• that funding comes from the state's environment and natural resources trust fund.
• So, the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is a permanent fund in the state treasury.
• the state's environment and natural resources<00:04:33.520><c> trust</c><00:04:33.840><c> fund.
• c> Natural</c> So, the Environment and Natural So, the Environment and Natural Resources<00:05:05.440

Bills: HF3426, HF3428

Keywords: natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, land acquisition, real property, trust fund, commissioner approval, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, conservation easement, land purchase, state land, public lands, property acquisition, value assessment, tax assessed value, Metropolitan Council, Board of Water and Soil Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Fees and fines and licensing and permits have totaled nearly $140 million from FY 2018 to FY 2025.
• local pot store and he took one and couldn't move, and for 30 minutes was completely...
• And he took one and couldn't move.
• People are overdosing on marijuana because of the potency of these edibles and the lack of resources
• to be people who have a lot of money and resources who do not want to see a legal, regulated market

Bills: H5005

Keywords: environment, water conservation, natural resources, public funding, environmental justice

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a hearing on Initiative Petition 25-10 / House Bill 5002, “An act to restore a sensible marijuana policy,” which would repeal Massachusetts’ adult-use cannabis legalization framework. The chair explained the Article 48 initiative process and noted that, if the Legislature does not enact the measure as written, additional signatures would be needed for it to qualify for the 2026 ballot. The committee heard testimony from an expert, proponents of the petition, opponents, and members of the public, and accepted written testimony through March 27 at 5 p.m. Jessica Trow of MassBudget testified first, focusing on cannabis revenue and spending in Massachusetts. She said legalization has generated nearly $2 billion for the Commonwealth and municipalities since FY 2018, including excise tax, sales tax, local option taxes, fees, and community impact fees. She described how revenues are distributed to public health, the Cannabis Control Commission’s social equity efforts, the cannabis social equity fund, the MBTA, the School Building Authority, the general fund, and local budgets, and argued the industry has supported social equity and community investments. Opponents of the petition argued that repeal would harm public health, consumer safety, jobs, tax revenue, and social equity programs. Wendy Wakeman, speaking for the ballot committee, said legalization has increased potency, addiction, and mental health concerns, and that the state lacks sufficient data on harms. In contrast, business owners, clinicians, and advocates including Caroline Pino, Kristen Rogers, Drudus Ledbetter, Armani White, Lucas Thayer, and Jeff Rawson said the regulated market provides tested products, jobs, tax revenue, and pathways for people harmed by prohibition, while repeal would push consumers back to the illicit market and undermine equity goals. Committee members questioned witnesses about the evidence base, the role of out-of-state funding, the petition’s impact on existing businesses, and whether narrower regulatory fixes might address concerns instead of repeal. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed after testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have fees and fines. These include licensing and permit fees, fines, and penalties.
• local pot store and he took one and couldn't move.
• And for 30 minutes was completely... And he took one and couldn't move.
• People are overdosing on marijuana because of the potency of these edibles and the lack of resources
• And so for that reason, it feels and appears to be people who have a lot of money and resources who do

Bills: H5005

Keywords: environment, water conservation, natural resources, public funding, environmental justice, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it's done with sound natural resource and conservation management principles in that the recipient of
• The program requires an advisory council to work with and advise the Department of Natural Resources
• pass-through grants from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
• in accessing Environmental and Natural Resource Trust Fund dollars.
• enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call the meeting of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee to
• > trust</c> environment and natural resources trust environment and natural resources trust fund.<01:
• organizations in accessing environment and natural resource trust fund dollars.
• organizations in accessing environment and natural resource trust fund dollars.
• organizations in accessing environment and natural resource trust fund dollars.

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:55.200><c> the</c> without the natural gas and you have the without the natural gas and you
• How do we protect that investment and the environment and the people around it?
• We share ideas and resources. We share the visibility of other people's programs and resources.
• We share the ideas and resources.
• And um others programs and resources.

Bills: HF2103, HF4508

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, elk, cervidae, cervid importation, chronic wasting disease, CWD, animal health, livestock, wildlife disease, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, state veterinarian, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA

Transcript Highlights:

• I call the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee together March 17th,
• And it also adds two St.
• ><c> yourself</c><00:08:40.960><c> and</c> ahead and introduce yourself and ahead and introduce yourself
• For the record, Bob Myers, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.
• Uh and make sure critical and emerging.

Bills: HF3643, HF3426, HF4222, HF4224

Keywords: Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, environment

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this meeting of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee to order.
• ,<00:03:18.640><c> infrastructure,</c><00:03:19.360><c> and</c> resources, infrastructure, and resources
• It does not break down in the environment, and it accumulates in our water resources across Minnesota
• It does not break down in the environment, and it accumulates in our water resources across Minnesota
• fresh water is our most precious natural resource that we have in this state and um I firmly believe

Bills: HF3793, HF3699, HF793, HF3322, HF3426

Keywords: groundwater, water use permit, data centers, public health, environmental regulations, municipalities, state park license plate, specialty license plate, Minnesota DNR, Department of Natural Resources, license plate design contest, North Shore, Lake Superior Agate, AI-generated art, artificial intelligence, Minnesota resident, state parks, specialty plates, vehicle registration, contest requirements

Bills: SB 2122, SB 2050

Keywords: oil and gas waste, application fees, permit amendments, environmental regulation, Texas natural resources

Bills: SB 410, SB 795, SB 2510, SB 728, SB 2689, HB 143

Keywords: Gulf Coast Protection District, navigation safety, special districts, state governance, Texas legislation, Gulf Coast, flood protection, storm risk management, coastal restoration, natural resources, prescribed burns, self-insurance, fire management, liability protection, rural land management, recycling, environment, sustainability, economic development, Texas Recycling Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• And I, it, Mhm.
• </c> airports and other transportation modes. airports and other transportation modes.
• </c> farm dwelling and farm employee housing. farm dwelling and farm employee housing.
• And<00:05:17.919><c> it</c><00:05:18.080><c> still</c><00:05:18.640><c> has</c> And it still has And
• </c> And will still have a bad date. And will still have a bad date.

Bills: HB2592

Keywords: Mauna Kea, MKSOA, Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, University of Hawaii, UH, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 195H, land management, transition period, management plan, administrative rules, rulemaking, lease extension, sublease, public lands, Native Hawaiian rights, cultural stewardship

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met on several decision-making agendas and first considered HB 1696, which would lower the minimum age for commercial driving in-state from 19 to 18 and adjust qualifying criteria. The committee agreed to accept amendments, including changes suggested by the Operating Engineers Union, and voted unanimously to pass the bill with amendments. HB 2333, which would authorize airport special districts and increase penalties for certain aeronautics violations, was deferred after concerns were raised about treatment of people outside airport security perimeters. On the next agenda, the committee passed HB 1710 with technical amendments only. That bill would allow the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct phase reviews of certain private-property projects and revise concurrence deadlines. HB 1737, clarifying allowable agricultural district uses related to farm dwellings and farm employee housing, also passed with technical amendments only. HB 1823, dealing with coastal zone management and excluding certain state- or county-funded infrastructure projects in Lahaina from the definition of development, passed with amendments from the Attorney General’s office. The committee then took up HB 1897, an alternative dispute resolution measure for condominium-related disputes, including facilitated mediation, evaluative mediation, and binding arbitration. Despite noting broad opposition and a reservation from Senator Buenaventura, the committee adopted the measure and moved it forward as is. Finally, HB 2576, which streamlines background check requirements for health care facilities and workers, passed with amendments reflecting input from OHA, HAH, and DOH. The meeting concluded with notice of a later joint agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, and thank the committee for being here and considering this.
• Alabama's been blessed with oil and gas in many ways and forms, and we have gone after those energy sources
• And this would allow a geothermal company to come in and open that under the authority of the Oil and
• ><c> in</c><00:04:01.360><c> that</c> and use for water and such in that and use for water and such in
• </c> produce steam and heat and pull it out. produce steam and heat and pull it out. Geothermal.

Bills: SB174, SB174

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, SB174, alternative energy, alternative energy wells, alternative energy facility, geothermal, geothermal energy, subsurface energy, energy storage, energy capture, energy generation, hydropower, solar energy, oil and gas well conversion, well conversion, plugging and abandonment

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:28:14.960><c> and</c><01:28:15.199><c> Natural</c><01:28:15.520><c> Resources</c> Environment and
• Natural Resources Environment and Natural Resources Finance<01:28:16.480><c> and</c><01:28:16.719><c
• and Natural Resources Finance and Policy.
• <01:37:23.199><c> and</c><01:37:23.360><c> natural</c><01:37:23.679><c> resources</c> environment and
• natural resources environment and natural resources finance<01:37:24.560><c> and</c><01:37:24.800><c

Bills: HF3579, HF3549, HF3548, HF4388, HF3566

Keywords: eggs, donation, quality assurance, food assistance, charitable programs, agriculture, grain indemnity, financial security, crop insurance, Minnesota agriculture, farm assistance, down payment, state funding, loan modification, rotational grazing, grazing management, livestock, pasture management, soil health, erosion control

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have Patrick Chi, Department of Land and Natural Resources in support. Yes.
• Natural Resources until 2030.
• </c><00:05:49.840><c> Natural</c><00:05:50.160><c> Resources</c> Department of Land and Natural Resources
• Department of Land and Natural Resources until<00:05:51.680><c> 2030.
• Those conservation districts have at least a body of people involved in natural resource management and

Bills: HB1601, HB1828, HB1616, HB1603, HB1606, HB1604, HB1605

Keywords: biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii

Transcript Highlights:

• grant the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
• can</c><00:37:17.760><c> give</c> the natural deterrence and I can give the natural deterrence and I
• , and naturally rights to exist, flourish, and naturally evolve.<00:38:22.160><c> Establishes</c><00:
• Um, similarly to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, we appreciate the bill's intent and um
• </c><00:40:25.920><c> Natural</c> the Department of Land and Natural the Department of Land and Natural

Bills: SB2489, SB2310, SB2372, SB2426, SB2334, SB2925, SB3323

Keywords: invasive species, agriculture, biosecurity, lease provisions, environment, natural resources, flood management, vegetation removal, Kainahola stream, Hawaii legislation, trees, exceptional trees, significant trees, urban forestry, arborist advisory committee, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, county planning, tree preservation

Summary: The committee heard several measures related to agriculture, invasive species control, trees, reef protection, and land use. SP 2489 would require Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity leases to include access, invasive-species control, and termination provisions; DAB and DLNR supported it, as did several outside groups, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council raised concerns about notice, cooperation with lessees, and placing penalties on leaseholders for preexisting infestations. The chair noted six testifiers in support, one opposed, and three with comments. SP 2310 would appropriate funds to remove overgrown vegetation from the Kohola stream. DAB supported the bill but explained that the work already completed by its contractor stopped at a DOT boundary, and that the affected parcel appears to be a DOT highway segment on ceded lands; the committee discussed whether the appropriation should instead go to DOT. SP 2372, on exceptional and significant trees, received support from DNR and Outdoor Circle, with testimony describing trees as critical infrastructure and suggesting technical amendments to committee membership and the process for recommending trees to county councils. SP 2426, which would authorize DNR to contract with private parties to maintain sunscreen dispensers at state beaches and promote mineral-based sunscreen as reef-protective, drew support from DNR and reef advocates, while another witness questioned the science behind claims about mineral versus chemical sunscreens and urged broader environmental solutions. SP 2334 would impose a land conversion fee on agricultural land converted to other uses, create a fee fund for programs including healthy soils, and require state agricultural lands to use a conservation metric. DAB offered comments, and testimony from climate and farm groups generally supported the conservation goals but questioned references to programs not yet in place and objected to language excluding solar and wind uses, with one witness urging that agri-voltaics remain allowed. SP 2925, concerning coconut trees, would recognize them as food, water, and cultural resources, require signage for landscape palms, set labeling standards, and create a tax credit for naturally managed consumable coconut trees. DAB shifted from opposition to comments, DNR supported, and testimony from cultural and subsistence advocates strongly backed the bill as a response to coconut rhinoceros beetle impacts; committee questions focused on enforcement of signage, inspection resources, and the proposed tax credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• :45:27.599><c> and</c><00:45:27.839><c> and</c> not been given enough resources and and not been given
• I believe that there is a need uh to address teacher shortages and this opportunity and resources are
• uh teacher shortages and this uh opportunity<01:27:22.000><c> and</c><01:27:22.639><c> resources</c>
• <01:27:23.840><c> are</c><01:27:24.480><c> are</c> opportunity and resources are are opportunity and
• </c><01:56:04.960><c> and</c> already operate on limited resources and already operate on limited resources

Bills: SB2613, SB2147

Keywords: public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Kauai, Maui, Honolulu, Kaimuki Middle School, Wilcox Elementary School, school property

Summary: The committee heard SB 2613, a cleanup bill relating to public school land transfers under Act 307 (2022), which revises tax map key references and the conveyance process for properties transferred to the Department of Education. The Hawaii State Public Library System supported the measure, saying it would complete the long-unfinished separation of the library system from DOE property control and make future building projects more efficient and cost-effective. DOE also supported the bill and requested an amendment to remove TMK 43-62 parcel 10, the Wilcox Elementary School parcel, so that it could instead be transferred to the county for use with the adjacent park and tennis courts. Members focused heavily on why land transfers and construction approvals have been slow, especially the need for right-of-entry documents and an MOA for a library construction project. Library and DOE witnesses said the delays stemmed from site-control issues and confusion over property status, and that the bill would clarify which parcels are transferred by operation of law and remove the need for additional transactional documents in many cases. Several members questioned whether the bill actually changes authority or simply clarifies existing practice, and DOE said it wanted legislative clarity so the transfers are unmistakably effective on a date certain. The committee also discussed a separate section of the bill dealing with public use of school facilities after hours, including parking fees on property under DOE jurisdiction. DOE explained that any parking charges would apply only to property it controls, not county roads, and that fees are set through existing facility-use procedures. Members raised concerns about the pace of land transfers generally and urged DOE to move more expeditiously on pending parcels. The hearing then moved on to SB 2147, which would designate the first Friday in February as Love My Library Day; the library system testified in support as the committee began that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• to inadvertent, uh, significant impacts on cultural resources, public resources, food security, and
• to inadvertent, uh, significant impacts on cultural resources, public resources, food security, and
• to inadvertent, uh, significant impacts on cultural resources, public resources, food security, and
• on cultural resources, public resources, food security, and so forth.
• The resources and public trust doctrine.

Bills: HB1881, HB2218, HB1956, HB2151, HB1845, HB1844, HB2103, HB2424, HB1650, HB376, HB2599, HB1861

Keywords: land use, ropeway, transportation, state regulation, government exemption, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, public lands, public trust resources, community co-management, co-management agreement, community-based organization, Native Hawaiian, malama aina, ahupuaa, subsistence, cultural resources, religious practices

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Mark Hashem outlining strict testimony rules and noting a time constraint because of later hearings and floor session obligations. The committee then took up several bills, hearing mostly supportive testimony on HB 1881 relating to land use, HB 2218 relating to DLNR/community management, and HB 1956 relating to freshwater waves, while HB 1845 relating to the Land Use Commission drew legal concerns and opposition. HB 2151 relating to building materials had no substantive testimony presented in the excerpt, and the committee moved through it quickly. On HB 1881, testimony focused on protecting North Shore lands from overdevelopment. A supporter described the area as valuable precisely because it remains largely undeveloped, and a member asked whether the bill’s restrictions on “finculars” would affect existing or future private residential installations; the response suggested the bill was aimed at future commercial uses and that grandfathering or personal-use exceptions might be possible, but the exact wording would need legal refinement. HB 2218 received broad support from OHA, DLNR, Kua, Sierra Club, Hui Maka Aana, the Honlay Initiative, and others, who said the measure would expand community-based co-management across DLNR divisions, build on existing park partnerships, and produce real benefits such as better stewardship, safer access, local jobs, and stronger community trust. Members asked about the bill’s five-year review structure, how multiple community groups would be handled, and whether the model could apply to ocean or nearshore areas; DLNR said the board would retain authority, agreements would be non-exclusive and subject to review, and the department was still working through how the approach would function across different divisions and marine settings. For HB 1956, the Attorney General offered technical comments, urging clearer definitions of “residing” and “freshwater way,” clearer timing for citations and arrests, and more explicit procedural safeguards and agency roles. On HB 1845, the Attorney General and Land Use Commission raised concerns that the bill could conflict with constitutional protections for important agricultural lands and could not be reconciled with existing voting requirements; the LUC also said commissioners cannot vote by proxy under sunshine law and warned that the bill could allow too few commissioners to approve major boundary changes. Members questioned how the bill would work in counties without designated important agricultural lands, and the LUC explained that Kauai is the only county to have completed the IAL process, while the broader statutory process remains county-driven and has been the subject of litigation. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.