Video & Transcript Research : 'mountain lions'

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Jun 30th, 2026

Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:
  • for food sources, not for humans, but for mountain lions.
  • This will not only keep California safe, but will also keep mountain lions safe from depredation.
  • Or mountain lions. Thank you so much, Madam Chair.
  • Or mountain lions. Hi, thank you. Chair Papan, committee members. My name is Lisa Damroche.
  • Or Mountain Lions. So we got a motion. Was that a second or something? Okay, Berner. Go. Okay.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • “In just the past month, mountain lions were tranquilized and relocated from Santa Monica and Pasadena
  • for food sources, not for humans, but for mountain lions.
  • Or mountain lions. Many of you know, and we're grateful to work with Senator Rogers on this.
  • Or mountain lions. So we got a motion. Was that a second or something? Okay, Berner. Go. Okay.
  • Or Mountain Lions. So we got a motion. Was that a second or something? Okay, Berner. Go. Okay.
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.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/09/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Approximately eight years ago, there was a strong push to outlaw mountain lion hunting, mountain lions
  • Most commonly in Arizona, they're mountain lions or cougars.
  • lion or a bear in defense of yourself. ...kill a mountain lion or a bear in defense of yourself, and
  • The bill would redesignate lobos, mountain lions, and bears as predatory animals.
  • And they're the cougars, the cougars, the mountain lions, and the wolves.
Summary: The House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee heard a series of wildlife- and agriculture-related bills, with most of the discussion focused on conflicts between ranching, public hunting, and wildlife management. HB 2197 would revise the unlawful camping statute near watering sites; after a Griffin amendment and verbal amendment, the committee heard support from the sponsor, Arizona Game and Fish Commission, and a rancher, while one member raised concerns about expanded criminal penalties. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 6-1 vote. HB 2497, which would recognize a statutory right to lawfully hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife and limit unreasonable restrictions, drew strong support from hunting groups and opposition from animal welfare and conservation advocates who argued it would undermine Game and Fish authority and repeat a measure voters rejected in 2010. After debate over whether hunting is a right or a privilege, the committee recommended the bill do pass by a 5-3 vote. HB 2147 would require landowner deer permits on private lands under certain conditions, with a cap tied to lottery-issued deer tags. The sponsor said it was meant to address deer damage to crops in St. David and planned an amendment to make the permit nontransferable; Game and Fish said population management hunts were already addressing the problem, while opponents warned against privatizing wildlife. The committee approved the bill 5-3. HB 2158 would expand the definition of predatory animals to include bears, cougars, mountain lions, and wolves; Game and Fish testified that big game status preserves data collection and science-based management, while supporters said ranchers need more flexibility to protect livestock and property. Opponents argued the bill would weaken protections and conflict with endangered species rules. It passed 5-3. HB 2159 would allow landowner permits for taking Mexican gray wolves on private and leased grazing lands and create a voluntary compensated trapping program. Opponents said it would violate the Endangered Species Act and privatize wildlife, while the sponsor and supporters argued it was needed to protect ranchers and challenge federal control; Game and Fish said the bill would be unlawful until the wolf is delisted, though they acknowledged ongoing recovery and stakeholder meetings. The committee still recommended it do pass by a 5-3 vote. HB 2162, which would require at least one Game and Fish Commission member to be a cattleman or rancher, was introduced as a way to ensure agricultural experience on the commission; Game and Fish opposed it, saying the current appointment process already includes ranching input and the commission is meant to represent all Arizonans. The discussion ended with the commission explaining its current membership and appointment structure, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on HB 2162 is shown.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Rules Committee Jun 24th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I'll get into a mountain lion issue in a few minutes.
  • The children are locked up inside when mountain lions are alerted, or there's a mountain lion alert.
  • The children are locked up inside when Mount Lions are alerted or there's a mountain lion alert.
  • Mountain lions are after their goats or their little small farm animals or their dogs and cats.
  • you have a mountain lion issue in our North state.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 4th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • I can't say for sure that the mountain called me.
  • I am pleased to Albuquerque's Van Han Lion Dance team.
  • Lion dancers accept red envelopes or money or wishes, and that brings you good luck.
  • Please help me welcome the Van Han Lion Dancers. Thank you very much. Thanks for watching!
  • Thank you, Lion Dancers! Thank you, colleagues.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The populations of wolves and mountain lions have also skyrocketed.
  • Bears don't share territory with wolves and mountain lions.
  • Lou Galgani from the Mountain Lion Foundation in strong opposition.
  • Lou Galgani from the Mountain Lion Foundation in strong opposition.
  • Chelsea Robinson with the Mountain Lion Foundation, and I oppose.
Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of water, parks, transportation, species protection, and fisheries bills. AB 430 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to publish an economic and environmental impact study when emergency water regulations are extended over multiple years; the author and supporters from agricultural and water groups said it would add transparency without limiting emergency authority. AB 1139 would expand a CEQA exemption to let county park agencies open existing roads and trails for non-motorized recreation, with supporters emphasizing access to nature and opponents warning about impacts to sensitive habitat, tribal resources, and fire risk. AB 929 would temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain SGMA pumping reductions and fines; supporters said it would protect vulnerable communities and wetlands, while farm and water coalition opponents argued it would undermine basin-wide groundwater management and shift burdens to other users. AB 1225, creating an Accessibility Advisory Committee for State Parks, drew broad support and passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 514, which would encourage local water suppliers to develop emergency water supplies for drought and service interruptions; it passed with broad support, though one member cautioned against using scientific research as a loophole. AB 550 would let developers seek incidental take permits for species under consideration for listing, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects; environmental groups supported the goal but asked for clearer standards, limits on using research as mitigation, and a fee provision, and the bill passed as amended. AB 697 would authorize an incidental take permit for the State Route 37 interim project in Solano and Marin counties, balancing congestion relief and habitat restoration; supporters stressed long commutes and urgent restoration deadlines, while opponents raised climate, sea-level-rise, and tribal concerns. The bill passed, with some members noting they would continue to work on the measure. Other measures discussed included AB 975, which would give Sutter County a narrow, temporary exemption from streambed alteration agreements for certain damaged small bridges and culverts; county officials described repeated flood damage and long permitting delays, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1056 would phase out transferability of set gillnet permits after 2027, allowing only a final family transfer; supporters framed it as a gradual response to bycatch concerns, while fishing industry opponents said it would unfairly target an existing fishery and set a bad precedent. The committee also took up AB 1146, described by the author as a response to politically motivated water releases; supporters from conservation and water organizations backed the bill. Several bills were voted out to Appropriations, some were left open for later action or add-ons, and the committee repeatedly noted it was working through the agenda without a quorum early in the hearing.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Mountain lions, as Director Hurdle can share, are across California, including in suburban areas.
  • And in Southern California, it's more coyotes and mountain lions, but just the types of conversations
  • So we sometimes think only of the bear that's hit or the mountain lion that's famous.
  • lion conflicts in our suburban and urban areas.
  • lion conflicts in our suburban and urban areas.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the May Revision from the Department of Finance and comments from the Legislative Analyst’s Office on the state’s overall budget condition and natural resources proposals. Finance said the May Revision keeps the budget balanced in 2026-27 and 2027-28, reduces the structural deficit, and includes major natural resources items such as Proposition 4 climate bond spending, including up to $125 million for the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, $23.2 million for wildlife refuge and wetland projects, $25 million for Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, $25 million for Bay-Delta environmental flows, $1 million for coexisting-with-wildlife work, and $2.5 million for cancer-risk research. The LAO said revenues remain strong but argued the budget still relies too heavily on reserves, recommended more savings and fewer new discretionary expenditures, and urged the Legislature to prioritize only urgent health and safety needs while planning for uncertainty in greenhouse gas reduction fund revenues. Members focused heavily on the Golden Gate Fields purchase, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, the wildlife coexistence initiative, and cap-and-invest funding for transit. On Golden Gate Fields, agency officials said the property is a time-limited, once-in-a-generation opportunity, that the state’s contribution would help secure the acquisition, and that the land would ultimately transfer to East Bay Regional Park District, which would assume operations and maintenance. Officials said the site would be remediated by the current owner, the state would use deed restrictions to prevent commercial development, and the remaining purchase price would be covered by nonstate partners. On Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, Finance and the Natural Resources Agency said the $25 million would support scientific monitoring and early implementation of the Bay-Delta plan update, while the LAO questioned the timing and said the request was premature until the Water Board formally adopts the plan. The committee also discussed the coexisting-with-wildlife proposal and wolf-livestock conflict. Finance said the May Revision’s $1 million proposal would backfill existing funds to support limited-term staffing, deterrence tools, and conflict response, while members and the California Cattlemen’s Association said the need is larger and includes direct loss compensation, indirect loss compensation, and nonlethal deterrence. The Cattlemen’s Association said private insurance is limited and often inadequate for these losses. Members also raised concerns about the greenhouse gas reduction fund and transit, warning that lower auction revenues and possible CARB rule changes could leave major transit and other tier-three priorities underfunded. The LAO recommended planning for multiple revenue scenarios and reconsidering the current cap-and-invest spending framework. No votes or formal actions were taken in the hearing.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 087 Part 2 Apr 11th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We saw it defeated with the mountain lion initiative. You know what that was?
  • And I will also say that there are many more depredation events related to mountain lions and bears and
  • And I will also say that there are many more depredation events related to mountain lions and bears and
  • And I will also say that there are many more depredation events related to mountain lions and bears and
  • And I will also say that there are many more depredation events related to mountain lions and bears and
Summary: The House took up House Bill 1410, the state’s long appropriations bill for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and their agencies and institutions for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. The committee first recessed and then adopted a motion to rise, report progress, and sit again later that day. The House also adopted a motion under House Rule 14 to limit debate on House Bill 1410 to one hour during special orders on April 10, 2026, by a vote of 40-20, with four excused and one absent. During consideration of House Bill 1410, members debated Amendment J82/54A, which would require funding for wolf reintroduction to come from gifts, grants, and donations rather than general fund dollars. Supporters argued the state should not use taxpayer money for additional wolf reintroduction, especially during a budget crisis, and said rural ranchers and livestock producers are bearing the costs and impacts of wolves. They emphasized depredation concerns, the strain on rural communities, and the view that the reintroduction effort has been costly and poorly managed. Opponents of the amendment said the funding line is part of broader wolf management, not just reintroduction, and argued the state has a legal obligation to carry out Proposition 114. They said gifts, grants, and donations are not a reliable funding source for that mandate and noted the program also supports conflict minimization efforts such as range riders. One speaker also defended the ecological role of wolves, citing their benefits to ecosystems, elk management, and biodiversity. The transcript does not show a final vote on the amendment before the excerpt ends.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Mar 18th, 2026

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Bethany Yen, who's a senior at Mountain Brook High School.
  • Chairman said, I am a senior at Mountain Brook High School.
  • <00:15:08.880> Brook said, I am a senior at Mountain Brook said, I am a senior at Mountain
  • I was on the Mountain I was a debater.
  • So, uh it's lions, and numerous bears.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-05-28 - 10:00AM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Green Mountain The Green Mountain Care Board has been working diligently to finalize rulemaking,
  • And they'll be working with the Green Mountain Care Board.
  • But this language precludes the Green Mountain...
  • We put all of that into what the Green Mountain Care Board does.
  • Senator Lion. Yes. Yes. Yes. Senator Major. Yes. Yes. Yes. Senator Mat. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Keywords: 927, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPN Public Hearing 04-16-2026

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you. advocate, to do the Okinawan lion dance advocate, to do the Okinawan lion dance at<00:40:21.440
  • Green Mountain Power on the East Coast all the way to PG&E's doing it on the West Coast.
  • Where the mountains are. Where the valleys are.
  • Where the<01:13:07.440> mountains<01:13:07.960> are.
  • But that may be the mountain that we climb, and being that it's a mountain, well, we probably need to
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered a long list of Governor’s messages for appointments to state boards and commissions, including the Board of Dentistry, Barbering and Cosmetology, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, Real Estate Commission, Board of Naturopathic Medicine, State Boxing Commission, Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Pharmacy, and the Public Utilities Commission. Most nominees and supporting agencies testified in support, and many nominees simply stood on their written testimony. Several nominees also answered questions about their experience and the issues facing their boards, including dental insurance and Medicaid concerns, condo and real estate disputes, pharmacy regulation and telepharmacy, boxing and MMA rule updates, and medical board service in rural areas. The committee discussed some contested or notable nominations in more detail. Richard Emery’s nomination to the Real Estate Commission drew opposition testimony tied to a condo management dispute, and he responded by emphasizing the need for factual evidence, mediation and complaint data, and better consumer education. Trinette Kahui and Andrea Ushijima were also nominated to the Real Estate Commission, with broad support. For the Boxing Commission, Robin Jumawan described ongoing statutory updates, MMA-related work, and delegation of amateur boxing rules. For the Hawaii Medical Board, Elizabeth Ignacio was strongly endorsed by state and industry witnesses as highly qualified and familiar with rural health issues, while Rebecca Sawai also received support from the board and Kaiser Permanente. In the decision-making portion, the committee moved to advise and consent to nearly all nominees on the agenda. Senator McKelvey stated reservations about Richard Emery due to opposition and possible conflicts, and also about nominees who were not present at the hearing, specifically Corrine Muldrow Soto and Stacie Kealoha Inouye; Senator Lamasao also noted reservations on those absent nominees. The chair disclosed personal acquaintance with Dr. Sawai and Andrea Ushijima. The committee then voted to adopt the recommendations, with the noted reservations and one no vote on GM 697 reflected in the record, and later reconvened to take up Governor’s Message 514/515 for John Etemura as chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, where additional support testimony was heard from the Governor’s office, DCCA, and former consumer advocacy staff.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources, February 12, 2026

Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, over in District 3, which is Sweetwater, Lincoln, and Uinta counties, that is Mark Lion, who also
  • Um, over in District 3, which is Sweetwater, Lincoln, and Uinta counties, that is Mark Lion, who also
  • Um, over in District 3, which is Sweetwater, Lincoln, and Uinta counties, that is Mark Lion, who also
  • Um, over in District 3, which is Sweetwater, Lincoln, and Uinta counties, that is Mark Lion, who also
  • Um, over in District 3, which is Sweetwater, Lincoln, and Uinta counties, that is Mark Lion, who also
Bills: HB0015, HB0017, HB0019
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House passes HF2442, the omnibus climate and energy finance bill 5/7/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • c><00:07:07.840> the<00:07:08.000> member<00:07:08.240> from<00:07:08.479> Lion
  • , I recognize the member from Lion, I recognize the member from Lion, Representative<00:07:10.080
  • <00:26:34.240> Iron<00:26:34.559> Solar supported the Mountain Iron Solar supported
  • I recognize a member from Lion, better.
  • I recognize a member from Lion, Representative<00:42:05.359> Swisinski.
Keywords: 1183, house
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 064 Mar 19th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Riley Holmes, Morgan Gray, and Katie Underwood from Wildcat Mountain
  • Route 287, and travel west to the city of Boulder, and whereas in 1928, with funding raised by the Lions
  • intended to serve as a powerful entrance to the Road of Remembrance and featured a plaque from the Lions
  • Club of Boulder, work began by the Lions Club of Boulder, work began on<00:27:54.200> the<00:
  • Club of Boulder honoring from the Lions Club of Boulder honoring local<00:28:12.679> World<00
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from the previous day, and heard several announcements about committee schedules and visiting groups, including Greeley Day at the Capitol and students from Wildcat Mountain Elementary. Committee notices covered upcoming hearings in Judiciary, Business Affairs and Labor, Education, Transportation/Housing/Local Government, Health and Human Services, and Capital Development. The main floor action was consideration of House Joint Resolution 1022, which designates a portion of Arapahoe Road in Boulder County as the “Road of Remembrance.” Sponsors and supporters described the history of the World War I memorial effort, the stone pillars at Arapahoe Road and US 287, and the current effort to preserve and relocate the pillars while marking the roadway. Several members spoke in favor, emphasizing veterans’ remembrance and historic preservation. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 60-0, with five excused, and Representative Bottoms was added as a co-sponsor. Afterward, the House heard additional recognitions for advanced placement students and an announcement that the majority leader had paid outstanding fines. The chamber then laid over the balance of the calendar until the next day and recessed later in the day.