Video & Transcript Research : 'grasslands'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Fri Apr 17, 2026 @ 10:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Keywords:
rangelands, pastoralists, pastoralism, ranching, ranchers, paniolo, livestock, grazing, grasslands, land management, conservation, sustainable agriculture, agriculture, Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, Hawaii counties, International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 01/27/2026
Energy And Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- , not agricultural lands, that were the site, which is a very different thing about protected grassland
- But even then DEC thought that you could actually cite this without significant impact on the grassland
- You know, just kind of give us some color on it and how deep... ...and how DEC grasslands, you know,
- with, what we couldn't see, what species were sort of designed to be preserved by these grasslands,
- The DEC is at this grassland every single week conducting winter raptor surveys that we pay for, for
Summary:
The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, considered several Public Service Law bills and advanced each one to the Rules Committee after brief discussion and recorded no votes or without-recommendation votes on some measures. The bills included proposals to prohibit utilities from using ratepayer funds for certain activities (1012A), establish minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers (1327), adjust residential fixed charges (1329), require the Public Service Commission to consider economic impacts when setting rates (1847), require utilities to adopt PSC-authorized equity ratios and returns on equity (1896), create the Rate-Hike Notice Act (5553C), suspend certain utility rate changes while allowing retroactive revenue recovery (5593), allow consideration of non-economic losses in penalty determinations (7165A), change the composition of the Public Service Commission (7328A), and let utilities retain revenues above authorized returns on equity (7693). Members asked questions about who would be affected by the bills, including whether fixed-charge reductions would apply to vacant units or vacation homes and whether economic-impact considerations could affect customers differently depending on where they live; the chair and sponsors generally explained the measures as territory-wide or applicable to all residential customers, with no occupancy or income-based circuit breaker in the text.
The committee then heard testimony from Alexandra Fasulo, introduced as an entrepreneur and farmer in Schuylerville, about her concerns regarding the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) and utility-scale solar development on farmland and grasslands. She argued that solar developers were pressuring landowners, including older and lower-income property owners, into long-term leases, that ORES approves most projects despite local opposition, and that the process lacks transparency, with redacted documents and limited public access to information. She also criticized the siting of solar projects on productive farmland and said decommissioning rules could leave equipment buried in the soil.
Committee members responded that the Legislature has already taken steps to protect high-quality soils, that ORES was created by statute and operates within the Public Service Department, and that DEC and ORES are supposed to work together rather than ORES superseding DEC. Several senators said they were sympathetic to concerns about farmland and community engagement, but also emphasized the need to expand renewable energy and balance that with land preservation. Members suggested that specific complaints about ORES transparency or solar siting could be addressed through future legislation or by inviting ORES and PSC officials back for further discussion.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Transcript Highlights:
- Yet the wetlands and associated grasslands habitat have been substantially reduced and fragmented.
- My name is Rick Ortega, and I'm the general manager of the Grasslands Water District.
- The Grasslands Ecological Area's creation of this conservancy is an idea long past due.
- Rick Ortega, Grassland Water District, Grassland Resource Conservation District, in support.
- Rick Ortega, Grassland Water District, Grassland Resource Conservation District, in support.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- beneficial for grassland if you allow<00:59:50.599>
it <00:59:50.799>just <00:59:51.000 - Cattle grazing is an important component in maintaining the health and vigor of our state's grasslands
- <01:01:31.160>
unfortunately <01:01:31.920>less prairie grassland unfortunately less - remain but they have grasslands remain but they have significant<01:01:37.079>
benefits <01:01 - <01:02:08.160>
and <01:02:08.279>is vigor of our state's grasslands and is vigor of
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- The proposed wetlands, grasslands, ecological area, conservancy will strategically channel resources
- Here to testify in support of the bill are Rick Ortega from the Grasslands Water District, Testify in
- So as the Senator mentioned, SB 1108 would establish the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy under
- The Grasslands Ecological Area and surrounding areas are central parts of the Pacific Flyway, one of
- To conserve those species, California needs to manage valuable habitats of places like the Grasslands
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , conserve, and restore the resources of the Grasslands Ecological Area.
- Here to testify in support of the bill are Rick Ortega from the Grasslands Water District and Michael
- So as the Senator mentioned, SB 1108 would establish the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy under
- So as the Senator mentioned, SB 1108 would establish the grassland ecological area conservancy under
- The Grasslands Ecological Area and surrounding areas are central parts of the Pacific Flyway, one of
Summary:
The committee heard several bills, with SB 1350 by Senator McNerney presented first. The measure would expand California’s use of renewable hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with supporters emphasizing grid reliability, clean-energy goals, in-state investment, and construction jobs. Support came from labor, clean-energy, municipal utility, and local government representatives; NRDC Action Fund withdrew opposition after amendments, while a few groups remained opposed or neutral. The committee later took a roll call and SB 1350 passed out on a due pass recommendation.
The committee also heard SB 1180 by Senator Allen, which would set operational rules for the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund created under SB 54, including clearer eligible uses, transparency, technical assistance, and access for tribes and smaller community groups. Environmental justice, ocean, conservation, and local government groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would ensure the fund addresses plastic pollution’s public health and environmental harms. Industry and manufacturing groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill should stay tightly tied to plastic waste reduction and not broaden into source-reduction policy. After quorum was established, the committee approved SB 1180 on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations.
SB 1326 by Senator Wahab was then heard to strengthen tribal consultation and tribal cultural resource protections under CEQA by recognizing tribal registers and requiring feasible avoidance or mitigation measures when tribes identify resources. Tribal representatives and supporters said the bill would better protect sacred sites and tribal knowledge, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and rural county groups opposed unless amended, citing implementation concerns, possible litigation, and uncertainty for infrastructure and housing projects. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations.
Finally, SB 954 by Senator Blakespear was presented as a cleanup of last year’s SB 131 advanced-manufacturing CEQA exemption, narrowing eligible projects and adding guardrails such as setbacks, air-quality limits, tribal consultation, labor standards, and habitat protections. Environmental and labor groups supported the bill as a needed correction to an overly broad exemption, while business, manufacturing, housing, and local-government groups opposed, warning it could make the exemption unusable and slow investment. Members debated the balance between environmental protection and manufacturing competitiveness, and the committee voted SB 954 out on a due pass recommendation to the Labor and Employment Committee; the transcript then moved on to SB 1031 on compostable plastics, which was introduced but not acted on in the portion provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm pleased to present SB 1108, which establishes the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy, or GIAC
- The existing Grasslands Ecological Area, located on the west side of Merced County within the Central
- Yet the wetlands and associated grasslands habitat have been substantially reduced and fragmented.
- My name is Rick Ortega and I'm the general manager of the Grasslands Water District.
- Rick Ortega, Grassland Water District, Grassland Resource Conservation District, and strong support.
Summary:
The committee heard several wildlife and water-related bills. SB 872, by Senator McNerney, would create a Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund and allow waiver of local cost-sharing for Delta levee repairs to protect the State Water Project and Delta infrastructure. Supporters from water agencies, environmental groups, counties, and agricultural interests said the bill is needed to address levee failure and canal subsidence; there was no opposition, and the bill was held open until a quorum was present, with broad support expressed.
SB 1108, by Senator Caballero, would establish the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in the Central Valley to coordinate conservation, habitat restoration, public access, and voluntary easements in a region described as the largest remaining wetland/grasslands complex west of the Mississippi. Support came from the Grasslands Water District, Audubon, conservation groups, and local stakeholders, who emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, wildlife corridors, and land-use transition under groundwater sustainability. There was no opposition, and the bill received favorable committee support.
SB 1135, by Senator Blakespear, would reestablish and strengthen the statewide wildlife coexistence program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal deterrence, education, and compensation for livestock losses. Supporters cited rising wildlife incidents, wolf depredation, and the need for proactive tools; opponents and some committee members raised concerns about rural impacts, funding, and the absence of law enforcement/public safety as a specifically named advisory role. After discussion and amendments that moved the cattlemen and Farm Bureau to neutral, the bill passed out of committee on a due-pass motion, though some members voted no or abstained.
SB 1305, by Senator Richardson, would direct CDFW to study the feasibility of grizzly bear reintroduction and prepare a roadmap, with tribal consultation and stakeholder engagement, but would not itself authorize reintroduction. Tribal sponsors and conservation groups supported the bill as a planning and cultural restoration effort, while hunting, ranching, and county groups opposed it, arguing California already faces major wildlife-management and funding challenges and that the proposal would create new conflicts. Committee members debated costs, appropriations, and whether the study should include funding estimates; the bill was amended and passed on a due-pass motion. The committee also heard SB 1250, by Senator Cortese, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning; supporters said it would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity, and the bill was presented in support as the hearing continued.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine options to reduce catastrophic wildfire, including H.R.471, to expedite under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisd Mar 6th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2021, strong winds and dry air combine to create ideal conditions for wildfires in the grasslands
- Not all management methods for the grasslands of Kansas mirror what the science tells us should be conducted
- Weiner, in North Dakota, we have national grasslands.
- We have national grasslands both in the western part of the state, but also in the southeast part of
- So we may need some more of them on these grasslands as well. Sheep are a big part of it.
Bills:
HB471
Keywords:
forest management, wildfire prevention, public lands, Tribal jurisdiction, Fix Our Forests Act, wildfire, forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, fuels treatment, prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, mastication, fuel breaks, fire breaks, wildland-urban interface, WUI, fireshed, fireshed management area, fireshed registry, Fireshed Center
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 4/10/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Enhanced grasslands and restoring wetlands and WAS for carbon capture resiliency is being reduced by
- <00:03:32.480>
Enhanced <00:03:32.959>grasslands <00:03:33.519>and by 3 million - Enhanced grasslands and by 3 million.
- Enhanced grasslands and restoring<00:03:34.080>
wetlands <00:03:34.560>and <00:03:34.640 - appropriated funds for the grassland appropriated funds for the grassland easements<00:13:46.399
Bills:
HF2439
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And those wetlands and the grasslands.
- very productive wetlands and grasslands. very productive wetlands and grasslands.
- Here's just a simple before-and-after grassland restoration.
- So we get a ton of acres in the grassland areas of the state.
- Here's just a simple before-and-after grassland restoration.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
FULL INTERVIEW: Offering Students More Choices | Senator Torrey Westrom Mar 27th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a great way to manage grasslands and have conservation lands managed by livestock instead of burning
- :38.640>
u It's it's it's a great way to manage u It's it's it's a great way to manage u grasslands and <00:10:40.560>uh <00:10:40.959>have <00:10:41.440>conservation grasslands- and and uh have conservation grasslands and and uh have conservation lands<00:10:42.640>
uh <00 - legislation would just help them with up to 50% of the costs of the fencing or establishing the grasslands
Summary:
The interview focused on Senate File 3687, a Minnesota bill that would expand school milk choices in the National School Lunch Program. The senator said the measure is modeled on recently passed federal legislation and would allow schools to offer whole milk, 2% milk, flavored milks, and non-dairy alternatives when requested, reversing what he described as the 2010 federal limits to skim and low-fat milk. He argued the bill is about choice rather than mandates and said it could reduce milk waste, increase student consumption, and support healthier decision-making.
The senator said the bill has broad bipartisan support and only limited criticism, with the main concern in committee being whether schools would face added stocking burdens. He responded that schools would not be required to offer any specific milk and could adjust orders based on student demand. He also said the bill would benefit Minnesota dairy farmers and local economies by increasing demand for milk produced and cartoned in the state.
The interview also touched on Senate File 3686, a separate proposal to create a pilot program for rotational grazing funded through the environmental trust fund. The senator described it as a small but meaningful effort to help beginning farmers, improve pasture management, and support conservation lands, with grants covering up to 50% of fencing or grassland establishment costs, capped at $25,000 per recipient. The segment ended with a lighthearted milk tasting, reinforcing the theme of offering more choices.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 6th, 2026 at 04:27 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- I've done my own repair work in ravines and restoring natural grassland out near the Gila.
- I've done my own repair work in ravines and restoring natural grassland out near the Gila.
- That's up where I live, national grasslands. acres in three states.
- That's up where I live, national grasslands. So it's probably about half and half.
- That's up where I live, national grasslands. So that removed some more land out of our deal.
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
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The Nature Conservancy, or TNC, is a nonprofit organization, and it works to conserve grasslands and
- As we look back in history, grasslands developed right alongside and were flourished by the buffalo,
- as we look back in history grasslands as we look back in history grasslands developed<00:07:11.520
- Cattle grazing is an important component in maintaining the health and vigor of our state's grasslands
- and is widely our state's grasslands and is widely recognized<00:09:55.440>
as <00:09:55.519><
Keywords:
property tax, exemption, leased land, public use, commercial property, HF632, Minnesota property tax, conservation easement, conservation restriction, assessed value, property valuation, tax assessment, real property, land conservation, farmland preservation, natural areas, riparian buffer, water quality, water quantity, county assessor
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- :48.240>
the Line 104 is the modification of a House cancellation dealing with enhancing grasslands - cancellation dealing<00:13:30.760>
with <00:13:31.440>enhancing <00:13:32.000>grasslands - <00:13:32.640>
or dealing with enhancing grasslands or dealing with enhancing grasslands or - And on line 207 is a $2.8 million cancellation of a private grasslands appropriation from the previous
- ,<00:20:25.880>
um, of a private grasslands, um, of a private grasslands, um, appropriation
Summary:
The working group on the Omnibus Environment Bill opened with remarks from House and Senate co-chairs describing the agreement as a compromise with wins and tradeoffs for both sides, and thanking nonpartisan staff and administration agencies for helping negotiate the package. Staff then walked through the finance spreadsheet, explaining that the agreement met the group’s general fund target by combining new spending with cancellations and fund shifts across the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, BWSR, Metro Parks, the Zoo, the Science Museum, and other entities. Major fiscal items included PCA operating and permitting-efficiency funding, PFAS-related and mercury-related provisions, county feedlot reductions, closed landfill and remediation fund changes, groundwater and aquatic invasive species fee increases, DNR groundwater and AIS spending, ATV trail grants, watercraft enforcement, and several one-time appropriations and extensions for specific water quality and conservation projects.
The policy walk-through covered Article 3’s community grants changes, including a requirement that grants benefit all regions of the state, permission to use some funds for trail maintenance and AIS management, prohibitions on awards to certain entities, and a DNR reporting requirement. Article 4 contained a range of natural resources and environmental policy provisions, including abandoned watercraft seizure and forfeiture authority, higher watercraft AIS surcharges, disabled veterans license fee reductions, a county-based replacement for the shotgun zone, a one-year crossbow extension, a continuous bass season, increased water use permit fees, PFAS sales exemptions for certain products, creation of the Sustainable Foraging Task Force, and a moratorium on DNR foraging rules shortened to July 1, 2026. Article 5 addressed state lands, including an additional Cass County land sale authority.
Article 6 focused on PCA permitting reform, requiring more emphasis on complex Tier 2 permits in annual reporting, giving applicants five business days to fix deficiencies, allowing the PCA to decline expedited permitting when it lacks capacity, and letting the agency retain certain fees if expedited permits are completed early. It also included changes to environmental review procedures, feedlot permitting, and EQB rules. During member questions, Senator McEwen asked about the $952,000 ATV trail appropriation and whether projects must have permits before receiving funds; DNR Assistant Commissioner Bob Myers said no project list had been finalized and that grants would go through the existing process, with environmental review and readiness considered, but he said he would need to verify the exact permitting policy and follow up with the committee.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- terrestrial land surface and up to 54% globally; and whereas rangelands are largely comprised of grasslands
- , shrublands, deserts, and savannas, grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs; and whereas Arizona
- terrestrial land surface and up to 54% globally; and whereas rangelands are largely comprised of grasslands
- , shrublands, deserts, and savannas, grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs; and whereas Arizona
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on SF2077 5/9/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Haggmire talked about: a $5 million reduction to the grasslands and wetlands.
- On the House side, you'll see on line 196 the one-time reduction to one of the working grasslands programs
- reduction um to one of the the one-time reduction um to one of the the working<00:25:09.600>
grasslands - <00:25:10.240>
program <00:25:10.559>of <00:25:10.799>$2 working grasslands - program of $2 working grasslands program of $2 million.<00:25:12.159>
Um <00:25:12.559>and<
Summary:
The conference committee on the Environment budget for Senate File 2077 met to introduce members and staff, then walked through the Senate and House budget spreadsheets side by side. Nonpartisan staff explained that the Senate budget was built around a smaller general fund increase and more use of environmental and dedicated funds, while the House met its target through several reductions, including cuts to DNR, PCA, and Board of Water and Soil Resources appropriations. The committee reviewed major agency items for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Zoo, and other accounts, including operating adjustments, permit-related funding, and transfers between funds.
Several major differences were highlighted. For the PCA, the Senate included operating adjustments, permitting efficiency funding, composting grants, outreach funding, and a closed landfill investment fund approach that repeals an expiring statutory appropriation, while the House instead extends that appropriation for four more years. For the DNR, the Senate included operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, aquatic invasive species funding, trail grants, outdoor schools for all, abandoned watercraft enforcement, and a sustainable foraging task force; the House had fewer of these fee and policy items and used reductions to meet its target. The committee also noted Senate-only policy provisions on outreach to diverse communities, field citations and mercury certification for skin-lightening products, disabled veteran license fee changes, and a moratorium on foraging rulemaking until July 1, 2027.
Agency testimony followed. The MPCA commissioner praised both chambers for recognizing core agency work and urged adoption of operating adjustments, the closed landfill fund access, and the air appropriation increase. The DNR assistant commissioner supported operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, and the veteran license proposal, but raised concerns about the Senate’s foraging task force language, saying it overweights consumptive users and could limit the agency’s ability to manage foraging without clear data. He also noted support for the land transfer funding and said the agency would continue working with the committee on unresolved issues. No votes were taken in this portion of the meeting.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee May 14th, 2026
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 2627, Hart, rangeland, grazing lands, and grassland, holding committee.
- AB 2627, heart, range land, grazing lands, and grassland, holding committee.
- AB 2734 heart, whale, lands and grassland holding committee AB 2734 heart whale tail license plate do
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 14, 2026 suspense-file hearing and considered 637 Assembly bills, plus several committee bills and one Senate bill. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors guiding decisions: fiscal impact, return on investment, avoiding added costs to constituents, and protecting the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online.
The committee then took action on a very large number of measures, with many bills receiving do pass or do pass as amended recommendations and many others held in committee. Topics covered a wide range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, public safety, labor, environmental regulation, wildfire mitigation, water, transportation, cannabis, AI, and state governance. Several bills were amended to reduce costs, narrow scope, remove provisions, or make them contingent on appropriations or existing resources; some were advanced on A or B roll calls, while others were held.
Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, child care, school and higher education programs, wildfire and fire safety, housing financing, and various criminal justice and public safety measures. It also moved forward a number of bills related to tribal issues, consumer protections, energy and utility policy, and environmental programs. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved a large number of bills to the Assembly floor and adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- that is a project in a forest or a project to improve ecosystem health on chaparral, shrubland, grassland
- Any projects in chaparral, shrubland, grassland, and coastal sage scrublands, other than those in the
- that is a project in a forest or a project to improve ecosystem health on chaparral, shrubland, grassland
- Any projects in chaparral, shrubland, grassland, and coastal sage scrublands, other than those in the
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment committee hears HF1012 3/20/25
Transcript Highlights:
- We've trampled too much of our forest and our grasslands, and we've stressed our lakes and wetlands to
- our forest We've trampled too much of our forest and<00:07:38.800>
our <00:07:38.960>grasslands - ,<00:07:39.520>
and <00:07:39.680>we've <00:07:39.919>stressed and our grasslands - , and we've stressed and our grasslands, and we've stressed our<00:07:40.479>
lakes <00:07:40.800
Summary:
The committee heard House File 1012, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the author moved the bill to be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill. The amendment, adopted on a voice vote, changed the timing for public input in trail planning, removed language on decommissioning trails, and combined the measure with another ATV-fee bill. The author said the bill would unify ATV trail signage policy statewide, align statute with DNR best practices, and not affect the forest trail inventory, existing ATV-accessible miles, or hunting exemptions.
Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives of the Minnesota Public Lands Coalition, tribal officials from the Max Band and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a retired DNR conservation officer, a retired wildlife manager, and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, argued the bill would better protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, and culturally significant areas, improve transparency and tribal consultation, and make trail planning and enforcement more workable. The EQB said the amended bill’s rulemaking timeline was more workable, and the DNR described its existing multi-step trail review and consultation process.
Opponents, including ATV Minnesota, county commissioners from northern counties, and a representative of the Minnesota Trappers Association, argued the bill would burden or restrict existing trail systems, increase costs, and threaten tourism and local economies. They said current trail development already involves DNR and local review, and that the bill could reduce access for riders, trappers, and other users. In member questions, the author and a Minnesota Association of Townships representative said the bill was intended to codify DNR best practices and bring local governments into the process earlier, while confirming that hunting exemptions were not removed.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee, February 23, 2026
Minerals, Business & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- I was just wondering, I kind of forgot about national grasslands, and I believe they still fall under
- Out of the Douglas Field Office, it's forest and grasslands, and that's so—so anybody has any clarity
- Office, it's Out of Douglas Field Office, it's forest<00:49:59.560>
and <00:49:59.760>grasslands - <00:50:00.640>
and <00:50:00.760>that's forest and grasslands and that's forest and - grasslands and that's so so so anybody<00:50:03.840>
has <00:50:04.080>any <00:50:04.240
Bills:
SJ0001
Keywords:
mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, 916, all