Latest news with #SB448
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oklahoma Is Making Nonresidents Get Permission, Pay $100 to Hunt Public Land
Hunting in Oklahoma could look a lot different this fall, particularly for nonresident hunters and professional guides, thanks to two key pieces of legislation – one of which is already law, while the other is gaining rapid support. Signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt into law on Wednesday, Senate Bill 448 creates a lottery-style permit system for nonresident hunters who want to hunt Oklahoma's Wildlife Management Areas, or WMAs, and National Wildlife Refuges in the state. Nonresident hunters will have to obtain written authorization from the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. If demand outpaces the number of hunters these areas can support, a lottery will determine access. On top of regular license costs, successful applicants will also pay a permit fee of up to $100. It's not clear how many nonresidents will be allowed to hunt a given property before the lottery kicks in. Supporters claim the new rules will help manage hunting pressure and protect public land access for Oklahoma residents. 'The passage of Senate Bill 448 marks a significant step forward in safeguarding Oklahomans' access to our state's wildlife management areas,' said Sen. Warren Hamilton, a sponsor of the bill. 'This legislation prioritizes the rights of our citizens while continuing to welcome visiting outdoorsmen from other states through the lottery system and permitting process outlined in this bill.' ODWC has backed the move, calling it a tool to prevent overcrowding on popular public lands. But not everyone's thrilled. Some hunters have voiced concern about limiting access for DIY traveling sportsmen and the potential impact on local hunting economies. Before reaching the governor's desk, SB 448 passed the state Senate with a unanimous vote, then proceeded to the House, where it passed 78-1. The new law takes effect on Nov. 1. More Regs for Outfitters While SB 448 is now officially law, SB 208 is still moving through the legislative process, but is gaining momentum quickly. SB 208, written by Rep. Ty Burns, would require all hunting guides operating in Oklahoma to register and obtain a state license through the ODWC. Commercial hunting preserves and landowners guiding only on their own property are exempt from this requirement. The ODWC will handle details like license fees, training, and background checks. Supporters say SB 208 is about raising standards and ensuring professionalism in the field. Critics argue it could burden small, independent guides and shrink Oklahoma's hunting tourism. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in March and has cleared key House committees. It's expected to reach the House floor for a vote in the coming weeks. Like SB 448, if passed, SB 208 would go into effect on Nov. 1, 2025. Both SB 448 and SB 208 reflect a broader push for tighter management of Oklahoma's public lands. If SB 208 becomes law, out-of-state hunters and guides will face a dramatically different system this fall.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Senate committee again advances bill to require education on the Holocaust
Mar. 20—dbeard @ MORGANTOWN — The state Senate is again attempting to pass a bill to require Holocaust education in the public schools. The Education Committee approved a trimmed-down version of SB 54 on Thursday and sent it to the full Senate. Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, is lead sponsor. The version the committee took up says, "All public schools located within this state shall give age-appropriate instruction on the Holocaust, the systematic, planned annihilation of European Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany, a watershed event in the history of humanity, to be taught in a manner that leads to an investigation of human behavior, an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping, and an examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful person, for the purposes of encouraging tolerance of diversity in a pluralistic society and for nurturing and protecting democratic values and institutions." It says such teaching may not be offered until sixth grade or later. Sen. Craig Hart, R-Mingo, questioned the inclusion of the final phrase stating the purposes of the bill, focusing particularly on the term "pluralistic society." While agreeing with bill's intent, he was uncomfortable with the last half. "It gives me great pause." He also questioned the necessity of the bill, given that Holocaust education appears in other content standards. Committee chair Amy Grady, R-Mason, said that while current standards call for teaching on the Holocaust at some point, this would change code to make sure it is required somewhere from grades 6-12. Sen. Kevan Bartlett, R-Kanawha, also noted the possible redundancy, given current standards, but said he appreciates the bill since a growing segment of the population denies the Holocaust happened. "Young people need to know 6 million Jews were eradicated for political purposes, and denying that is the equivalent of denying we landed on the moon. In light of repeated discussion about the last half of the bill, Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh, offered an amendment to trim it. His proposal reads: All public schools located within this state shall give age-appropriate instruction on the Holocaust, the systematic, planned annihilation of European Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany, a watershed event in the history of humanity, to be taught in a manner that leads to an investigation of human behavior, and an examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful person." Sen. Joey Garcia objected to the cuts, saying the original version addresses important issues about prejudice, racism and stereotyping. Roberts said he believes those issues will be raised anyway, and he wanted to avoid micromanaging. The committee adopted Roberts' amendment with Garcia and Grady voting no. It then approved the amended bill — with no apparent votes against — and sent it to the full Senate. Last year, this bill was SB 448 and died on second reading on the Senate floor. In 2023, a different bill with different sponsors, SB 216, called for education on the Holocaust and other genocides. It passed the Senate and was approved in House Education but died in House Finance.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Housing, clean energy bills pass key Hawaii legislative committee
The critical state Senate Ways and Means Committee has moved out four bills on the eve of next week's deadline to keep bills alive, including one that would provide more state funding to improve and upgrade low-income housing projects. Collectively, the four bills that passed the Senate's finance committee would address some of Hawaii's 'most urgent needs during this legislative session, ' Ways and Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz (D, Mililani-Wahiawa-Whitmore Village ) said in a statement. 'Through these measures, we are investing in Hawai 'i's future by building a more resilient, self-sustaining economy and a higher quality of life for our residents, ' Dela Cruz said. Legislators in both the House and Senate are working to move out bills ahead of the March 6 deadline to send bills that originate in the House or Senate to the opposite chamber and keep them alive this session—or essentially kill them by the 'crossover ' deadline. The bills that passed out of WAM this week are :—The latest version of SB 65, which would fund repair and maintenance needs for residents in low-income housing projects. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. The upgrades are just one part of the state's overall strategy to provide affordable housing for virtually all income levels to help make Hawaii more affordable and stem the exodus of residents leaving for states with lower housing costs. Hawaii needs an estimated 50, 000 additional affordable housing units.—The latest version of SB 125, which would create tax incentives for local farmers and businesses that process local farm products, to help them compete with outside markets.—The latest version of SB 448, which would help maintain agriculture lands involved in food production, especially in Central Oahu. It would allow the state Agribusiness Development Corp. to preserve the lands for food production.—The latest version of SB 1269, which would provide funding to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to look at geothermal energy potential in the neighbor islands—particularly Hawaii island, home to the Puna Geothermal Venture, which generates power from geothermal gas from Kilauea Volcano. Exploring more geothermal energy opportunities would be part of Hawaii's larger effort to find clean, reliable and cost-effective energy and reach its net-zero carbon emissions goal while providing more affordable power. DBEDT Director James Tokioka said in written support of SB 1260 that 'Hawaii's heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels has historically resulted in some of the highest electricity costs in the nation. 'Increasing our geothermal capacity presents a strategic opportunity to enhance grid reliability, reduce dependency on volatile global oil markets, and provide cost-effective energy solutions that benefit both businesses and consumers.' Geothermal energy also has the potential to expand a tech industry that, Tokioka said, could spur 'future economic growth, particularly in sectors such as advanced manufacturing and data centers. These industries depend on reliable and affordable electricity to remain competitive. Without a stable energy supply, Hawaii risks losing out on investment opportunities that could otherwise diversify our economy, create high paying jobs, and foster technological innovation.' But Keoni Shizuma opposes expanding geothermal technology. He and others submitted identically worded testimony in opposition that said : 'Unlike wind, solar, or wave energy generation, geothermal requires permanent damage and desecration to the environment. The drilling into the 'aina, once done, can't be undone. 'In Hawaiian culture, the surface of the ground is sometimes seen as a body form of our goddess Papaha naumoku. To drill into the ground would be to desecrate parts of her, while if wind, solar, or even wave energy generation was pursued, all the structures would be temporary and merely sit on the surface (or in the ocean ). 'I would request that out of respect for Hawaiian cultural values and beliefs, Hawaii not pursue geothermal energy generation. We live in the perfect environment for innovations in renewable energy technology. Let Hawaii become a leader in new techniques and technologies in this field, push forth the field at University of Hawaii, and learn from international leaders of energy technology.' Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said in his written testimony that the Big Island's early geothermal efforts have 'not yet translated into tangible economic outcomes. Now is the time to take the next step, to see if these resources can be developed to power our economy and benefit our communities.' The bill would ensure safeguards for construction of a future geothermal power plant, Alameda wrote. 'This roadmap is designed with clear, measurable benchmarks so that legislators can easily assess whether or not the project is on track. If the benchmarks are met, it will demonstrate that this is a wise investment for the state, with the potential for significant returns in the form of reliable, renewable energy. If the benchmarks are not met, the legislature will have the clarity to redirect funds and efforts elsewhere. This approach ensures that we only continue to invest in geothermal if it proves to be a commercially viable and sustainable solution for Hawaii's energy future.' The latest version of SB 65 has received no written opposition. Its House companion, House Bill 907, has not been scheduled for a hearing and appears unlikely to cross over to the Senate. In written testimony in support of SB 65, Hakim Ouansafi—executive director of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority—wrote, 'The age of Hawaii's public housing inventory presents significant challenges ' to house people that include families that earn less than 30 % of the area median income, people with disabilities and kupuna. 'Many properties were constructed over 50 years ago and require extensive updates to remain safe and habitable, and the HPHA faces a capital needs backlog of approximately $720 million, ' Ouansafi wrote. 'Additional funding is urgently needed to address this backlog and to ensure public housing units remain safe, decent and sanitary and available to those who need them most. As the HPHA relies on federal funding for approximately 90 % of its operations, and as this funding is tied to unit occupancy, the rehabilitation of vacant units is critical to maximizing federal support. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD ) does not subsidize vacant units, and HPHA's administrative fees to pay staff are also tied to occupancy, compounding the urgency of this work.' Catholic Charities Hawaii wrote in support of increased funding, in part because it will make affordable units available 'to house homeless persons and many elders who face homelessness. The HPHA offers the most affordable housing available to the community. Tenants pay only 30 % of their incomes for rent. This makes these units affordable even to homeless persons, seniors struggling with limited income, and very low-income families. However, many units cannot be occupied due to health and safety issues in the units. These units must be brought into shape ASAP to house our state's residents with extremely limited incomes. 'These units are 'low hanging fruit' that should be immediately repaired to add them to our inventory of safe and decent housing, ' Catholic Charities wrote. 'These units do not need to wait years for permits or construction. Legislative funding could make them available very fast compared with funding for new construction.'
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sen. Goode's higher education bill clears Indiana Senate
A higher education bill by state Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, this week cleared the Senate on a 48-1 vote. Goode says Senate Bill 448 would empower the Indiana Commission on Higher Education to play a more active role in the strategic growth of public colleges and universities, calling for commission review and approval on degree programs. It also would require the Indiana Secretary of Education to review and approve more robust 'stackable' credentials to better serve Indiana workforce needs, says Goode. By streamlining the benefits of stackable degrees and certificates, this bill would benefit students, creating an opportunity for them to earn multiple credentials at once when completing courses with overlapping requirements, the senator said in a news release. He said the bill also introduces stronger transparency by requiring enrollment reports for both in-state and out-of-state students, including international students. SB 448 now moves to the Indiana House. Senate District 38 constituents can contact Goode by filling out a 'Contact Me' form online at or at 800-382-9467.
