Transcript Highlights:

• and Wildlife, and Jess Kramer. and Sean Donahue to be Assistant Administrators at the EPA.
• great Fish and Wildlife Director.
• and fossil fuel interests over fish. and wildlife protection is, in my view, contrary to the very purpose
• of the Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Fish and Wildlife Service, when there are other species that we know have met, they've met objectives

Keywords: presidential nominations, EPA, environmental policy, Fish and Wildlife, committee meeting

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the presidential nominations of Brigadier General Brian Nesvick as Director of Fish and Wildlife and Jess Kramer and Sean Donahue as assistant administrators at the EPA. Each nominee presented their qualifications and experiences in their respective fields, with an emphasis on their commitment to uphold the laws passed by Congress. The discussion highlighted the nominees' dedication to addressing environmental issues and their proactive stances on regulatory matters. After deliberation, votes were held to report the nominations favorably, despite some members voicing concerns regarding their qualifications and potential conflicts with environmental interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, Senate Bill 1280 prohibits the Arizona Game and Fish Commission from transporting
• That Game and Fish is really using, and they have far exceeded that number both now in the wild and also
• the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, and those decisions should remain guided by science and expertise
• The Game and Fish, as of December 25, says there's a minimum of 319 Mexican gray wolves.
• The Game and Fish, as of December 25, says there's a minimum of 319 Mexican gray wolves.

Bills: SB1075, SB1144, SB1280

Keywords: foreign ownership, land sales, review commission, national security, property rights, veterinary technicians, certification, education alternative, Arizona Revised Statutes, veterinary education, Mexican gray wolf, Mexican wolf, Mexican gray wolf puppies, Arizona Game and Fish Commission, Arizona Game and Fish Department, endangered species, wolf reintroduction, wolf translocation, cross-fostering, wildlife management

Transcript Highlights:

• Fish and Wildlife Service, there are population and genetic goals that must be met before the Mexican
• the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
• the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
• It could be, like other wildlife, that the Game and Fish Department would take responsibility for managing
• And I thank the Game and Fish Commission for coming and speaking to it.

Bills: SB1005, SB1202, SB1278, SB1279, SB1280, SB1287

Keywords: cosmetics, animal testing, prohibition, manufacturers, sales regulation, state preemption, groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, solar radiation management, environment, regulation, Arizona Revised Statutes, weather modification, licensing, environmental impact, public safety, cloud seeding

Bills: SF0025, SF0026, SF0066, SJ0009

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, property tax, Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, tax exemption, employee residences, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations, public lands, local governance, land management, resource development, federal agency, agriculture

Bills: SF0025, SF0026, SF0066, SJ0009

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, property tax, Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, tax exemption, employee residences, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations, public lands, local governance, land management, resource development, federal agency, agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• their dogs track and locate in trees squirrels, non-game, and fur-bearing animals.
• The $50 acquired for the field trial event is deposited in the Game and Fish and Water Safety Account
• of the Parks and Wildlife Department.
• I took it to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Director, and I said, hey.
• If you remember where the red fern grew, Rose, and old Dan, and little Ann... Love it.

Bills: SB2801, SB2232, SCR18

Keywords: SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial, coonhound trial, dog trial, squirrel hunting, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals, hunting license exemption, wildlife management, public land permit, private land hunting, game fish and water safety account, permit fee, commission rules, Parks and Wildlife Department, Unplug Texas Day, digital detox

Transcript Highlights:

• to lawfully hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife to make that statutory.
• I have full faith in the work that Game and Fish does in balancing and protecting wildlife, and for those
• reasons I am a no. ...and Fish does in balancing and protecting wildlife, and for those reasons I am
• and fished us in balancing and protecting wildlife and for those reasons I am a no.
• Fish and Wildlife will continue to do what they're doing.

Bills: HB2023, HB2100, HB2147, HB2158, HB2159, HB2162, HB2197, HB2497, HB2787, HCM2006

Keywords: land division, property disclosure, real estate, affidavit, Arizona Revised Statutes, small land subdivision, land use, real estate regulation, county ordinance, water supply requirements, property access, civil penalties, wildlife management, deer permits, private land, landowner rights, human-wildlife conflict, predatory animals, hunting regulations, game and fish

Transcript Highlights:

• And the intent was never to have that and then stack on the 25%.
• And<00:05:21.600><c> uh</c> And uh And uh yeah,<00:05:22.960><c> that's</c><00:05:23.200><c> the</c><
• And And And Representative<00:10:02.360><c> Harshman's</c><00:10:03.440><c> right</c><00:10:03.680><c
• weed and pest.
• and this body the sponsor or and and this body obviously<00:11:23.400><c> to</c> obviously to obviously

Bills: SF0025, SF0027, SF0043, SF0066

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, game management, hunting regulations, black bear, tracking dogs, wildlife conservation, conservation, contracting, supervisor, funding, districts, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• and how we use them, or whether it's recreation and how we hunt, fish, and recreate on public lands.
• </c><01:04:18.240><c> and</c> upon our wild lands, our wildlife and upon our wild lands, our wildlife
• Um, you know, I was hunting and fishing with my grandpa and my dad taught me, and I, you know, I got
• Um, you know, I was hunting and fishing with my grandpa and my dad taught me, and I, you know, I got
• Um, you know, I was hunting and fishing with my grandpa and my dad taught me, and I, you know, I got

Bills: SF0025, SF0027, SF0043, SF0066

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, game management, hunting regulations, black bear, tracking dogs, wildlife conservation, conservation, contracting, supervisor, funding, districts, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we're in Travel, Recreation, and Wildlife.
• Um, in 2022, the governor's Wyoming wildlife task force recommended to the Game and Fish Commission that
• </c><00:03:46.560><c> demands</c> wildlife to meet the needs and demands wildlife to meet the needs and
• </c><00:04:49.040><c> a</c> the game and fish commission that a the game and fish commission that a limit
• </c> uh through Wyoming Game and Fish. uh through Wyoming Game and Fish.

Bills: SF0025, SF0027, SF0043, SF0066

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, game management, hunting regulations, black bear, tracking dogs, wildlife conservation, conservation, contracting, supervisor, funding, districts, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• must have general knowledge of the habits and distribution of fish and wildlife and may not hold another
• and wildlife.
• to the commission must have general knowledge of the habits and distribution of fish and wildlife and
• have a general knowledge of the habits and distribution of fish and wildlife are maintained for the
• by adding four tribal seats and four alternate seats to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, with representation

Bills: HB2170, HB2544, HB2578

Keywords: natural climate solutions, ecosystem services, revenue generation, economic opportunities, environmental policy, water rights, adjudication, Columbia River, environmental impact, natural resources, tribal members, fish and wildlife, commission, indigenous rights, state regulation, 904, all

Summary: The committee began with House Bill 2170, a DNR request bill that would authorize ecosystem service projects on state trust lands, including carbon and other natural climate solutions, with contracts lasting up to 125 years and Board of Natural Resources oversight. The sponsor and DNR said the bill would diversify revenue, modernize forest management, and help meet climate goals; supporters argued it would add tools without mandating changes to timber harvests. Opponents from timber companies, counties, school districts, and logging groups warned the bill could reduce harvest levels, lower trust revenue, hurt rural jobs and mills, and lock up working forests for generations. Supporters from environmental groups and some local officials said the bill would create more stable revenue, support climate and watershed benefits, and could still allow timber harvests. No vote was taken, and the chair noted HB 1508 and HB 2170 were both active ecosystem services vehicles for possible amendments. The committee also briefly heard House Bill 2578, which would add four tribal commissioner seats and four alternates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, with representation from federally recognized tribes on both sides of the Cascades. The staff briefing described the new positions, qualifications, staggered terms, and quorum changes. The prime sponsor said the bill would strengthen co-management and tribal-state partnership, but the hearing was suspended before public testimony and no action was taken. Later, the committee took up House Bill 2544, a pilot process for the Upper Columbia Water Rights Adjudication. Staff explained that the bill would direct Ecology to begin the adjudication in two phases, first focusing on tribal and federal claimants and then all other claimants, with a report due in 2035. The sponsor said the bill would make a decades-long process more efficient and allow earlier settlement discussions without reducing anyone’s rights. Colville Tribes testified in support, as did other tribal representatives, saying the phased approach would improve clarity and efficiency; the hearing then moved into public testimony on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> festivals and for museums, exhibits and festivals and for museums, exhibits and collections<00:18
• later</c><00:30:55.039><c> and</c><00:30:55.200><c> maybe</c> and so sooner than later and maybe and
• > was</c> was race and and ethnicity, it was was race and and ethnicity, it was veteran<00:37:06.480>
• 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:

• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department currently offers. this option for harvested deer, turkey, and red
• to use digital tagging, which helps parks and wildlife collect accurate data. wildlife populations effectively
• I do have a resource witness from Parks and Wildlife. Any questions?
• and a landowner under a wildlife management. plan.
• consider important issues. in wildlife and natural resource management.

Bills: SCR13, SB1248

Keywords: water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, harvest reports, wildlife harvest data, public information act, open records, confidentiality, hunter privacy, angler data, game animals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department currently offers digital tagging for harvested deer, turkey, and
• In August 2025, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission is expected to take action to expand digital
• using digital tagging, which helps Parks and Wildlife collect accurate data to manage wildlife populations
• A resource witness from Parks and Wildlife was noted for questions.
• and landowners under a wildlife management plan.

Bills: SCR13, SB1248

Keywords: water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, harvest reports, wildlife harvest data, public information act, open records, confidentiality, hunter privacy, angler data, game animals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met without a quorum at first, then later established quorum and proceeded with testimony and votes. Senate Bill 1248, by Chair Perry, was explained as a narrow Open Records Act exception to protect harvest report location data collected through Texas Parks and Wildlife’s digital tagging system. Support testimony came from Matt Wagner of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, who said the bill would protect private land and sensitive biological information while preserving useful wildlife data. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending until later in the meeting. The committee then heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, which urges the State Department and the International Boundary and Water Commission to press Mexico to comply with the 1944 Water Treaty and deliver its share of Rio Grande water. Senator Hinojosa, farmers, municipal officials, and other witnesses described severe water shortages in South Texas, low reservoir levels, crop losses, the closure of the Valley sugar industry, and the need for alternative supplies such as desalination, reuse, and drainage-runoff projects. Members also discussed treaty enforcement, regional drought, and the role of cartels and Mexican water storage, while emphasizing that Texas must also invest in its own water infrastructure. The committee also considered Senate Bill 740, which the committee substitute amended to require the Public Utility Commission to adopt a standardized application form for system improvement charges and complete related rulemaking by September 1, 2026, applying only to applications filed on or after that date. Members discussed concerns about water wholesalers using the process to delay cases and drive up costs, and the need for more transparency and PUC resources. The committee voted to adopt the substitute and report SB 740 favorably. After returning to the earlier items, the committee voted SB 1248 out favorably and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar, and voted SCR 13 out favorably as well. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• rules and policies in managing and containing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
• Brain Institute, and Texas A&M Veterinary College. with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department using
• The bill requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to hold public hearings. and provide an online
• I would like to have Parks and Wildlife come up as a resource witness on this and Mr. True.
• I'm the Wildlife Division Director for Texas Parks and Wildlife, and I'm testifying neutral.

Bills: SB2031, SB2386, SB2476, SB2801, SB2843, SB2844, SB2846, SB2885

Keywords: deer breeding, chronic wasting disease, wildlife management, release site, landowner rights, TCEQ, environmental quality, administrative actions, public notice, legislative oversight, water supply, Angelina and Neches River Authority, ownership transfer, public utilities, Certificate of Convenience and Necessity, SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial

Bills: SF0052

Keywords: wildlife management, environmental restoration, funding, invasive species, aquatic ecosystems, native fish, habitat conservation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 100 and some thousand dollars and 100 and some thousand dollars and particularly<00:10:23.440><c
• been reduced back down, Uh and now it's been reduced back down, and and and it's<00:15:21.320><c> not
• And have predictability and stability.
• legislature and the towns and the counties.
• legislature and the towns and the counties.

Bills: SF0052

Keywords: wildlife management, environmental restoration, funding, invasive species, aquatic ecosystems, native fish, habitat conservation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I write grants, gather donations, and use that money to purchase and package seed packets and give them
• My EA has chickens, and... In West City, and she raises them and sells eggs out of it.
• Right now, if a dog repeatedly trespasses on a... ...private property and chases or harasses wildlife
• And I think his intention is good, and I think he will.
• And if you've got ideas, please come to me, and let's talk about it and let's find a solution.

Bills: SB1550, SB2065, SB2110, SB2111, SB2114, SB2152, SB2159, SB2172

Keywords: burn ban, drought, emergency powers, county commissioners, fire safety, wildfire prevention, pollinator, state symbols, agriculture, insects, environment, SB2110, eggs, ungraded eggs, graded eggs, egg sales, poultry, farmers market, direct-to-consumer sales, local food

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you will introduce yourself and tell everybody where you're from and who you're with?
• And, Mr.
• Right now, if a dog repeatedly trespasses on a private property and chases or harasses wildlife, game
• And I am, you know, when he started this, him and I talked, and I know how many people he's talked to
• And he's willing to work. And that's why I struck title.

Bills: SB1550, SB2065, SB2110, SB2111, SB2114, SB2152, SB2159, SB2172

Keywords: burn ban, drought, emergency powers, county commissioners, fire safety, wildfire prevention, pollinator, state symbols, agriculture, insects, environment, SB2110, eggs, ungraded eggs, graded eggs, egg sales, poultry, farmers market, direct-to-consumer sales, local food

Summary: The committee took up several agriculture and wildlife-related bills. Senate Bill 1550, presented by Senator Axson, would give county commissioners more authority to issue burn bans during drought conditions and provide liability protection for those decisions; it passed 13-0. Senate Bill 2065, presented by Senator Bullard with help from Lucille Morehouse, would designate several native pollinators and recognize the importance of pollinators to agriculture and food production; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 2152, by Senator Kern, would allow the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to move black bear muzzleloader and archery season earlier, starting no earlier than September 1; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 2159, by Senator Peterson, would designate wheat as the state crop; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 2172, also by Senator Peterson, would prohibit future ownership, sale, trade, or breeding of primates while allowing existing lawful owners to register and comply with rules, with exceptions for sanctuaries, research, veterinary, law enforcement, and zoo settings; it passed 11-0. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2110 from Senator Murdoch, which would allow farmers to sell ungraded eggs. Members raised concerns about the low egg limit and asked about sales to restaurants and urban farms; the author said he would work on the number and other details. The bill passed 11-0. Senate Bill 2111, also by Senator Murdoch, would remove the orange-clothing requirement for hunters on private hunt reserves or private hunt facilities; it passed 12-0. Finally, Senator Guthrie presented Senate Bill 2114, as amended by committee substitute, to make it unlawful to knowingly, recklessly, or negligently allow a dog to harass wildlife on property without permission, while excluding lawful hunting, livestock protection dogs, and brief accidental crossings. Members discussed dog hunting, property rights, and possible GPS or collar language; the chairman struck the title to allow further work on the bill. The measure passed 12-1. The meeting then adjourned after the chair noted the committee would continue with more bills in future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• That number was litigated, and it was increased based on court remand to the Fish and Wildlife Service
• Wildlife Services or the Arizona Game and Fish Department. They'll contact U.S.
• Wildlife Services or the Arizona Game and Fish Department, which initiates an investigation.
• The Game and Fish Commission is charged with managing wildlife in the public trust for all of its residents
• can conserve land, water, and wildlife.

Bills: HB2155, HB2156, HB2162, HB2762, HB2791

Keywords: Arizona Beef Council, agriculture, market development, beef products, terminating council, livestock, compensation, funding, ranching, game and fish commission, wildlife, appointment, commission membership, Arizona Revised Statutes, food labeling, cultivated cells, cell-cultured products, consumer information, food safety, cell-cultured protein