Video & Transcript : 'nuclear waste' :
Page 102 of 375
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 4, 2025 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Next up, HB 295, Comprehensive Waste Reduction Recycling Plan, by Representative Casello.
- Comprehensive Waste Reduction Recycling Plan by Rep. H.B. 295.
- Comprehensive waste reduction recycling plan by Rep. Casello.
- The bill instructs that the department waste by 2020.
- Dan Polo White, Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach, waves in support.
Summary:
The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met for its first meeting of session and heard four bills. HB 209, the State Parks Preservation Act, would limit development in state parks and require stronger public notice and participation for land management plan changes. Members discussed protections for cabins and existing lodging, and an amendment aligned the bill with the Senate and clarified conservation-based recreational uses. Support came from Audubon Florida, Nature Conservancy, and others, and the bill was reported favorably with committee substitute after a unanimous roll call.
HB 143 would create a Florida Resilient Buildings Tax Credit for new construction and retrofits that meet LEED-based resiliency standards, with a new advisory committee under DBPR to help administer the program. An amendment moved the process under DBPR, added UCF and FIU to the advisory council, and made technical conforming changes. The bill drew supportive testimony from a Boca Raton city council member and was reported favorably with committee substitute, with one no vote.
HB 295 would direct DEP to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan based on its 2020 recycling report, including education, market development, and recommendations for statutory changes. Testimony emphasized that the plan would be voluntary and would not impose costs or mandates on homeowners or businesses. The bill passed without amendments and was reported favorably. HB 585 would let owners of former phosphate mining lands record notice and obtain a Department of Health radiation survey to support a narrow defense against strict liability claims; an amendment clarified the notice content and limited the definition to mined lands, not gyp stacks. The bill drew extensive questions about notice, radiation thresholds, disclosure to buyers, and liability scope, but supporters from Mosaic, the Florida Chamber, and a health physicist argued it would improve transparency and help redevelop lands. It was reported favorably with committee substitute, with one soft yes and one no vote.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, members, Mark Murray with California Against Waste.
- Murray, California Against Waste.
- We know that batteries are a significant source of household hazardous waste.
- But I noticed in the back of the lot, they had a hazardous waste facility.
- Jake Schultz on behalf of Rethink Waste in support. Thank you.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Public Safety Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In many cases, it's cheaper for bad actors to dump illegally than to dispose of the waste properly.
- This waste was then covered with organics, i.e., mulch littered with plastics and solid waste.
- Our organics waste program requires the waste hauler companies to haul the organic waste to whatever
- We need to... ...deal with organic waste are creating that.
- But I am going to follow up with some of our waste haulers to find out what's happening with that.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 907, which would strengthen California DUI laws in several ways, including mandatory Watson advisements when DUI charges are reduced, judicial discretion for consecutive sentences in cases with multiple victims, enhancements for repeat felony DUI offenders and certain hit-and-run cases, and adding vehicular manslaughter offenses to the violent felony list. The author and supporters, including prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims’ family members, described the bill as a response to repeated, preventable tragedies and argued it would close loopholes and increase accountability. Opponents, including criminal defense and civil liberties groups, raised concerns about duplicative penalties, legal overreach, and the violent-felony and sentencing provisions. Committee members were divided but generally supportive of stronger DUI enforcement; the bill was moved out on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with the three-strikes provision removed and the bill kept on call.
The committee then heard SB 1015, aimed at online child exploitation and extortion networks. The bill would create a new offense for adults who recruit, direct, coerce, or use minors to harm or exploit other children, and it would also allow limited misdemeanor or felony charges for minors engaged in extreme coercive conduct, with diversion available for juveniles. Supporters, including sheriffs, district attorneys, and child-safety advocates, said the bill addresses a fast-growing cybercrime problem involving grooming, blackmail, self-harm, and organized online groups using minors as intermediaries. Opponents argued existing laws already cover much of the conduct and warned against criminalizing adolescent behavior, urging the Legislature instead to focus on platform accountability. The committee nevertheless advanced the bill on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with members emphasizing the need to address evolving online harms.
The committee also heard SB 1285, which would clarify that juvenile court dismissals under Welfare and Institutions Code section 782 remain a broad “general dismissal” remedy, separate from record sealing, so that eligible youth can more fully avoid future collateral consequences. Supporters said the bill would restore the intended effect of prior juvenile justice reforms and help young people access employment, education, military service, and licensure without lingering barriers. There was no opposition after one group withdrew its objection, and the bill was moved to the floor on a do-pass motion. SB 1342 followed, a technical cleanup measure for automatic record clearance laws that would prevent outdated pending charges from blocking relief, require local court records to match DOJ updates, and create a way for people to obtain written proof of clearance; it also advanced to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1330 was heard to extend existing assault-and-battery protections for certain workers to utility workers; supporters described rising assaults and even shootings against crews, while one utility worker opposed the bill as only increasing penalties after the fact rather than preventing attacks. The bill was moved out on a do-pass motion and left on call.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Senate Republicans Respond to Governor’s Comments - 02/27/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I wish Governor Walz would be more focused on waste, fraud, and abuse in Minnesota like that.
- and find waste Fraud and Abuse<00:04:46.320><c> we're</c><00:04:46.479><c> going</c><00:04:46.560><c
- F Fraud and Abuse in focused on waste F Fraud and Abuse in Minnesota<00:04:53.080><c> like</c><00:04
- But I think in reality what they're looking for are areas where there's waste, fraud, and abuse, and
- Fraud and Abuse and again there's waste Fraud and Abuse and again that's<00:15:01.800><c> exactly</c
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on State Government (3-19-26)
State Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 29 is an act relating to solid waste management facilities.
- I'm with the National Waste and Recycling Association, and I'm from Boone County.
- I'm with the<00:17:54.960><c> National</c><00:17:55.480><c> Waste</c><00:17:55.720><c> and</c><00:17:
- 55.800><c> Recycling</c> the National Waste and Recycling the National Waste and Recycling Association
- </c><00:18:05.280><c> and</c><00:18:05.400><c> Recycling</c> National Waste and Recycling National Waste
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 08:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- I also just want to point out that this bill is going to prevent wasteful projects.
- create a commissioner of government efficiency with the power to audit, investigate, and report on waste
- I just think this is a waste of time. I don't think this bill is needed.
- They're saving and resolving lots of waste and inefficiencies.
- They're trying to solve waste that these people are paying for. That's in our own house.
Summary:
The committee heard and approved several measures. HB 735 expanded Florida’s boating improvement program to fund parking for boat trailers at public ramps and offered a 10% sovereign submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best management practices; it passed unanimously. HB 4021 expanded the North River Ranch Improvement Stewardship District in Manatee County by 640 acres and was reported favorably. CS for HB 371, which promotes nature-based methods and green/gray infrastructure for coastal resilience, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from resilience and environmental groups and committee members.
The committee then took up HJR 1325, a proposed constitutional amendment to create an elected Commissioner of Government Efficiency (COGE) with authority to audit, investigate, and report on waste, fraud, and abuse in state and local government. The proposal would eliminate the lieutenant governor position, the Government Efficiency Task Force, and the legislature’s current auditor appointment, with many implementation details deferred to a future bill. Members debated the scope of the new office, its relationship to the Auditor General and inspectors general, whether it should cover the legislative and judicial branches, staffing, and the comparison to federal DOGE efforts. An amendment making a minor wording change was adopted, and the resolution passed 23-? with a favorable report after a split vote.
The committee also approved two Gulf of America bills. HB 575 redesignated the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and CS for HB 549 required Florida’s academic standards and newly adopted instructional materials to reflect the federal designation for materials acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Both measures drew criticism from members who argued the renaming was politically motivated, historically insensitive, and potentially confusing for students, while supporters said Florida should align with federal action. HB 575 passed and CS for HB 549 passed 18-7. Finally, HB 4071, a local bill adjusting the boundary between Coral Springs and Parkland in Broward County by about 8.7 acres, was amended and reported favorably with support from both cities and the Broward delegation.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- In many cases, it's cheaper for bad actors to dump illegally than to dispose of the waste properly.
- In many cases, it's cheaper for bad actors to dump illegally than to dispose of the waste properly.
- This waste was then covered with organics, i.e., mulch littered with plastics and solid waste.
- the waste hauler companies... ...our organics waste program requires the waste hauler companies to haul
- We need to... ...deal with organic waste are creating that.
Summary:
The committee met as a subcommittee until a quorum was established, then heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. SB 907 by Senator Archuleta proposed five DUI-related changes: requiring Watson advisements when DUI charges are pled down, allowing consecutive sentencing discretion for multiple deaths in one crash, adding enhancements for repeat felony DUI offenders, increasing penalties for hit-and-run by drivers with recent DUI history, and treating gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated as violent felonies. The author and supporters, including prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims’ family members, argued the bill would close loopholes and increase accountability. Opponents, including criminal defense and civil liberties groups, raised concerns about overbreadth, legal doctrine, and the violent felony designation. Committee members generally supported moving the bill but urged further changes, especially on the violent felony and consecutive sentencing provisions. SB 907 was passed as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and kept on call.
The committee then heard SB 1015, which would create new offenses aimed at online exploitation networks that use minors to coerce, recruit, or extort other minors, including through intimate images and AI-generated images. The author, sheriff’s officials, and district attorneys described rapidly growing online abuse networks and argued current laws do not clearly reach adults who use minors as intermediaries or minors who participate in coercive extortion schemes. Opponents said existing criminal statutes already cover much of the conduct and argued the bill could unnecessarily criminalize youth behavior instead of focusing on platforms and prevention. Members expressed concern about the harms to children and the need to address evolving online threats, while also noting the bill’s juvenile provisions. SB 1015 was passed as amended to Appropriations and kept on call.
SB 1285, also by Senator Durazo, would clarify that juvenile record dismissal under Welfare and Institutions Code section 782 is a general dismissal statute and that dismissal and record sealing are separate processes. Supporters said the bill would preserve the rehabilitative purpose of juvenile court and help youth avoid lasting collateral consequences in employment, licensing, and military service. There was no opposition after PORAC withdrew its objection, and the committee approved the bill to the floor on a unanimous roll call, keeping it on call for absent members. SB 1342, another Durazo bill, would fix implementation problems in California’s automatic record clearance laws by addressing outdated pending charges, requiring local court records to match DOJ clearance records, and creating a way for people to obtain proof of relief. It drew broad support and no opposition, and was passed to Appropriations, with one no vote from Senator Seyarto.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1330 by Senator Aitken, which would extend enhanced penalties for assault or battery to utility workers performing their duties. The author and utility worker witnesses described increasing threats and assaults, including a recent shooting at a work crew, and said the bill would help protect workers who maintain essential water, gas, and electric services. The bill drew strong support from labor, utilities, and local government representatives. The transcript ends during public testimony on SB 1330, before any committee vote is shown.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials and Senate Environmental Quality Dec 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And we've decided to turn it into a toxic waste dump.
- We export 3 million waste tires from Mexico every year.
- We export 3 million waste tires from Mexico every year.
- bins for waste tires, right?
- out of the waste stream?
Summary:
The joint Senate and Assembly Environmental Quality/Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials informational hearing focused on the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis, with members from both parties emphasizing that the problem is long-running, cross-border, and severe enough to require federal, state, local, and binational action. Opening remarks described the crisis as an environmental and public health emergency affecting beaches, air and water quality, marine life, tourism, and residents’ quality of life in South Bay communities. Assembly Member Boerner and Senator Jones both stressed the need for continued funding and cooperation, while Senator Padilla said the issue is underappreciated because of where it occurs but has major public health, economic, and educational consequences. Congressman Mike Levin’s office reported more than $650 million in federal funding secured for infrastructure and cleanup, along with federal legislation and requests for CDC and EPA involvement.
Supervisor Paloma Aguirre gave a detailed overview of county efforts and the scope of the crisis, citing decades of sewage flows from Tijuana, nearly four years of beach closures, and the county’s expanded water-quality monitoring. She said the county is pursuing warning signs, an air purifier distribution program, an epidemiological study, soil testing, an economic impact study, and a feasibility analysis to remove the “hot spot” near Saturn Boulevard, which she described as a key local source of airborne pollution. She also pointed to binational funding for treatment plant upgrades and said the county is seeking state support, including from Proposition 4 cross-border river funds, to expand relief and mitigation efforts.
Scripps researchers Dr. Sarah Giddings and Dr. Kimberly Prather presented scientific findings on water and air transport. Giddings described a high-resolution forecast model that predicts wastewater movement and beach closure risk up to five days ahead, using real-time observations and showing about 72% accuracy against county measurements. Prather said the main exposure route is through air, not just water, and reported that turbulence at the river hot spot aerosolizes pollutants, with hydrogen sulfide and other gases spiking at night and dropping when river flow is diverted. She said the team has identified thousands of gases and linked measurements closely to odor complaints, while also noting that air purifiers can reduce indoor exposure but are not a permanent solution.
Dr. Paula Stigler Granados added that community health surveys and CDC assessments show widespread symptoms, sleep disruption, anxiety, and daily life impacts, especially during nighttime odor events. She said her team has found more than 900 contaminants in river water and 106 chemicals uniquely associated with the Saturn Boulevard hot spot, with passive air sampling showing similar chemical fingerprints in nearby homes. The panel discussion ended with questions about standards and accountability, and witnesses and legislators agreed that the crisis requires updated air-quality standards, more health research, and continued coordination to reduce exposure and address the source of pollution.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Feb 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In the solid waste stream.
- It's hazardous waste, but they can't place it in a particular place.
- They don't have a place to put that hazardous waste.
- or tag waste as well.
- The waste stream created by the cannabis industry is gross.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills and took executive action on a number of them. Senate Bill 6282, by Senator Nobles, would require building and construction trade apprenticeship programs to provide two hours of behavioral health and wellness training starting in 2027, covering stigma reduction, distress recognition, suicide prevention, substance use awareness, peer support, and resource connection. The bill drew strong support from labor and construction groups, who described high suicide and substance use rates in the industry and said the training would help apprentices and, with a planned amendment, journey-level workers as well. No vote was taken in the hearing portion shown, but testimony was overwhelmingly pro.
Senate Bill 6135, by Senator King, would require interest arbitration panels for certain uniform personnel at local governments to consider the employer’s ability to pay. Counties and cities supported the bill as a modest fiscal-relief measure and argued it would align local arbitration with existing state-law language. Teamsters representatives and other labor witnesses opposed it, saying it would weaken collective bargaining and give employers leverage to stall or deny fair contracts. The committee closed the public hearing with 5 in favor, 22 opposed, and no other testimony. In executive session, the bill was later advanced subject to signatures.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 6128 on independent medical exams, which would require IME recordings to be made through an L&I-approved third-party app and prohibit independent local recording. Supporters said the change would improve security, consistency, and reliability of recordings and reduce cancellations and disputes; opponents said it would burden injured workers and undo the 2023 right to record IMEs on their own devices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6068, which would make owners and direct contractors jointly liable for unpaid wages and related damages on construction projects, with a notice-and-cure process before suit. Workers and labor groups supported it as a tool against wage theft and labor trafficking, while contractors and industry groups opposed it as overbroad and costly. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6303 on cannabis packaging and vapor devices, with testimony split between sustainability advocates and industry supporters on one side and public health and poison center witnesses on the other, who warned that loosening individual edible packaging could increase child poisonings. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for SB 6053 and moved it forward, and also passed SB 6134, SB 6147, SB 6106, and SB 6045 subject to signatures, with SB 6045 amended before passage to Ways and Means.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It simply adds more plastic to the waste stream.
- We do think this bill is a helpful contribution to the conversations around plastic waste and litter
- I'm the program manager for the solid waste management program at the Department of Ecology.
- I'm the program manager for the solid waste management program at Department of Ecology.
- We manage solid waste and stormwater for the city of Seattle. For us, tires are a triple threat.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on three main bills. House Bill 2284 on reducing litter would remove a scheduled increase in plastic bag thickness, preserve the existing penalty on thicker bags, and create a litter solutions task force to use existing data and recommend further actions. Supporters from business, retail, agriculture, food industry, and the Department of Ecology said the bill takes a data-driven approach and could help reduce litter without imposing a full bag ban, while Ecology noted it already has a statewide litter study underway and raised cost and membership concerns. Opponents and other commenters generally favored the bill’s direction but emphasized the need for more study and careful implementation. No vote was taken.
House Bill 1652 would require certain ocean-going vessels in Washington waters to use fuel with no more than 0.1% sulfur, with recordkeeping, Ecology oversight, penalties, and a substitute clarifying vessel coverage and exemptions. The prime sponsor and environmental and public health advocates said the bill would reduce air and water pollution from scrubbers and protect the Salish Sea, orcas, salmon, and nearby communities. Ports, shipping interests, and industry groups raised concerns that the bill could effectively discourage scrubbers, create burdens for irregular callers and cargo traffic, and affect port competitiveness, while some said the bill should be narrowed or further stakeholdered. The hearing also included discussion of a proposed substitute and possible impacts on vessels and port operations.
House Bill 2367 would end special coal-related exemptions by limiting the cap-and-invest exemption to pre-2026 emissions, removing limits on additional greenhouse gas regulation for the coal plant, and repealing coal sales and use tax exemptions. Supporters said the bill would align state law with the planned closure of the Centralia coal plant, reinforce Washington’s climate policies, and remove outdated carve-outs. Business and petroleum representatives warned that if the plant were brought back into the cap-and-invest program, the allowance market could be affected and Ecology might need flexibility to adjust the program. The committee heard extensive testimony on all three bills but took no recorded votes or final action in the transcript.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Conservation and Natural Resources Apr 16th, 2026
Conservation and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 3193 is a plastic waste reduction bill for our state, targeting specifically plastic waste
- I really enjoy—one of the biggest problems is the packaging waste. It's everywhere.
- We just passed a resolution having to do with reducing waste in meetings, reducing that waste stream
- We believe that we have been leaders in this issue of waste and recycling.
- We support the recycling efforts of our solid waste districts.
Summary:
The Conservation and Natural Resources Committee first took up Senate Bill 953, which was described as ensuring environmental protection funds remain dedicated to that purpose. The committee substitute added provisions from House Bill 1885, changing Clean Water Commission membership conflict rules, and Senate Bill 1397, giving certain reservoir water storage contract holders exclusive rights to return flows. Members discussed the conflict-of-interest language and the water-return provision, then adopted a House committee amendment and the amended substitute by voice vote. The committee then voted the House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 953 do pass by a 6-5 roll call, with Representative Wellenkamp voting no.
The committee then heard House Bill 3193, a proposal by Representative Wellenkamp to reduce single-use plastic waste in state parks and historic sites by phasing out plastic bags, plastic water bottles, and Styrofoam/styrene containers, while allowing exemptions where needed. Supporters, including conservation groups, a Missouri River Bird Observatory representative, and others, said plastics harm parks, waterways, wildlife, tourism, and human health, and urged alternatives and better waste practices. Some members raised concerns about accessibility and the need for practical substitutes for people with disabilities and for emergency or park operations. The Missouri Beverage Association opposed the bill, arguing its plastics are recyclable and that education and recycling are better approaches than bans.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3320, the Drinking Water Transparency and Accountability Act, which would assign Missouri public water systems A-F grades based on violations, finances, operations, and infrastructure, and would impose additional oversight and spending restrictions on systems graded D or F. The sponsor said the bill would make water-system problems easier for ratepayers to understand and help address chronic failures; supporters from Missouri American Water, Central States Water Resources, and the Missouri Chamber said it would improve transparency and support investment. Opponents from municipal utilities, the Missouri Municipal League, and the Missouri Water Association argued the bill oversimplifies a technical field, duplicates existing consumer confidence reports, could confuse customers, and may undermine trust in local systems. No vote was taken on HB 3193 or HB 3320 before adjournment.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AGR-AEN Joint Info Briefing - Fri Jan 16, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the managed green waste, and enforce unmanaged green waste.
- the managed green waste, and enforce unmanaged green waste.
- We have the solid waste section that helps manage green waste.
- We have the solid waste section that helps manage green waste.
- We have the solid waste section that helps manage green waste.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Feb 24th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Environment, Energy & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- Next up is Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2416, relating to fair treatment of waste-to-energy
- Allowances during the second compliance period of the program to a waste-to-energy facility constructed
- Component and a waste reduction and material recovery component.
- solid waste management plan rather than align with the county's solid waste management plan.
- solid waste management plan rather than align with the county's solid waste management plan.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, June 3, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Waste Fraud and Abuse and Tannif Act. Waste Fraud and Abuse and Tannif Act.
- </c> waste, fraud, or abused. waste, fraud, or abused.
- ,</c> leader in the fight to re in waste, leader in the fight to re in waste, fraud,<05:32:08.958><c>
- </c> to preventing waste, fraud, and abuse. to preventing waste, fraud, and abuse.
- And with that, I yield back. resources are not wasted, misused, or resources are not wasted, misused,
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Committee Mar 18th, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Heavy-duty service vehicles, including those providing essential solid waste and recycling services,
- Cities, labor groups, and service providers like waste haulers are in joint support of this effort.
- And I think it's really instructive that waste haulers, the primary payers of this, are in support of
- My concern is that because I can think of waste haulers, maybe Edison, as far as large vehicles, who
- My concern is that because I can think of waste haulers, maybe Edison, as far as large vehicles, who
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Local Government met and first adopted a consent calendar covering SB 1005, SB 1080, SB 935, and S.J.R. 11 by a 4-0 vote, with those items remaining on call until later in the hearing. SB 992 was pulled at the author’s request. The committee then heard SB 922, which would clarify that local governments may recover street maintenance and repair costs caused by public service operations, such as waste hauling, through rates, fees, or franchise agreements. Supporters included the League of California Cities, county groups, cities, waste haulers, and legal counsel who argued the bill restores a long-standing practice and reduces litigation risk after a recent court decision; the California Building Industry Association opposed unless amended, warning the bill could affect construction impact fees. The bill passed the committee 7-0 to the Senate floor.
The committee also heard SB 1078, which would allow Santa Cruz County voters to consider raising the county’s local tax cap to help fund health care, food assistance, and other safety-net services in response to federal cuts. The County of Santa Cruz and the Central California Alliance for Health supported the measure, emphasizing Medi-Cal enrollment, CalFresh needs, and potential impacts on hospitals and clinics. Senator Choi raised concerns that the bill effectively authorizes a tax increase and questioned the fairness of county-by-county exceptions, while other members supported giving local voters the choice. The bill passed 5-2 and was sent to the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.
After those actions, the committee returned to and approved the consent calendar items 7-0. The meeting concluded with thanks to the public and adjournment.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill No. 555, by the Local Government Committee, is an act relating to solid waste facilities.
- repeals Section 39-7408, Idaho Code, relating to site certification procedures for commercial solid waste
- Code, by the addition of a new section 39-7409, Idaho Code, to establish provisions for co-located waste
- An act relating to solid waste facilities.
- Amending Chapter 74, Title 39, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new section to establish the solid-waste
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Republican Leaders Present Bills to Curb Government Waste - 03/17/25
Transcript Highlights:
- But there is a lot of wasteful spending, misprioritization of the dollars, and we as legislators need
- As you can see, we have an obligation to reduce wasteful spending in Minnesota.
- It's not hard to find over $640 million of misplaced priorities and waste in this state.
- As you can see, we have an obligation to reduce wasteful spending in Minnesota.
- It's not hard to find over $640 million of misplaced priorities and waste in this state.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (04/14/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:19:24.800><c> management</c> water issues, a waste management water issues, a waste management
- solid waste management funds by solid waste management<01:18:10.080><c> districts.
- </c> dealt with this it was a solid waste dealt with this it was a solid waste bill<01:21:32.000><c>
- </c> with is Waste Management in Rochester. with is Waste Management in Rochester.
- </c> then submitted to DES by Waste then submitted to DES by Waste Management.<01:34:54.040><c> Okay,
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- strengths and deficiencies and ensure that the office can recommend ways to address inefficiencies, waste
- lot will have to be done mechanically and will generate tens of millions of tons of forest biomass waste
- Without using this waste productively, it will be piled, burned, or left to decay as kindling during
- It creates a fund that supports projects that help us sustainably use forest biomass waste created from
- bill will help reduce future emissions related to open burning and natural decomposition of forest waste
Summary:
The committee heard several energy-related bills, with the chair announcing AB 2200 would be taken on consent. AB 353, by Assembly Member Boerner Horvath, would convert the CPUC’s internal audit office into an Inspector General office to improve transparency and oversight; it drew support from some local and consumer groups and opposition from the California Water Association. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass from wildfire mitigation efforts, with broad support from forestry, labor, local government, and energy groups, and opposition from environmental organizations that argued biomass electricity is costly and polluting. Members asked about the bill’s transparency and ratepayer impacts, and the author said she would work with opponents.
Assembly Member Rogers presented AB 1761, which would increase transparency around the PCIA “exit fee” charged to community choice aggregators and other load-serving entities. Supporters said the bill would help CCAs forecast rates and audit calculations, while Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric opposed it, citing market-sensitive data concerns and CPUC oversight. Rogers also presented AB 2369, aimed at improving transmission planning for energy-only projects in rural areas by allowing the CPUC to begin planning before a project is formally proposed; it drew support and no opposition at the hearing, with members noting the need to break the “chicken-and-egg” problem in transmission development.
Assembly Member Pacheco presented AB 2124, the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would require the California Council on Science and Technology to evaluate the cost and efficacy of proposed legislative mandates affecting utility bills before committee votes. Utilities and labor supported the bill as a way to inform lawmakers about rate impacts, while members questioned the analysis process and timing. Assembly Member Schultz presented AB 1787, which would require investor-owned utilities to offer dynamic electricity rates to customers after smart meter upgrades, with supporters saying it could lower bills and improve grid use; utilities opposed parts of the bill over cybersecurity and cost-shift concerns, though some CCAs moved to neutral after amendments. Finally, Assembly Member Zbur presented AB 2383, a data center rate bill intended to ensure new large loads pay their fair share and do not shift costs to other ratepayers; supporters included labor and oversight groups, while opponents said the bill still lacked key protections on clean energy procurement, transmission costs, demand response, and treatment of existing data centers. The committee also heard AB 2493, by Assembly Member Cardenas Norris, which would impose deadlines, audits, remedial action, and return-on-equity consequences to speed grid interconnection work; clean energy and environmental groups supported it, while utilities opposed it as duplicative and costly, though they said they were willing to keep working on amendments.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Chronic Wasting Disease TF Jan 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a chronic wasting task force. One of the diseases that our wildlife has.
- And that's especially true of chronic wasting disease.
- Those practical approaches with chronic wasting disease don't necessarily fly.
- She's got a lot of muscle wasting.
- But that's a typical kind of finding of chronic wasting disease.
Summary:
The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the agenda, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from Julie Grenwald of Louisiana Hunters for the Hungry, who described the nonprofit’s protein donation programs, including freezer clean-out days, deer and fish processing partnerships, and a paused feral hog donation program that had collected about 3,500 hogs and 137,000 pounds of pork before funding ran short. She said the group has donated roughly 300,000 pounds of protein over two years, works with food banks and local agencies, and is protected under Louisiana’s Good Samaritan Law. Members asked about processor locations, exotic species, signage, sponsorships, and whether the program could expand to other invasive species or mobile drop-off options; Grenwald said expansion is possible if processors and funding are available.
The task force then received a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries update from Jonathan Bordelon on chronic wasting disease testing. He reported more than 2,800 samples collected and over 2,300 results returned, with nine positives total: eight in Tensas Parish and one confirmed in Concordia Parish on Richard K. Yancey WMA, which triggered preparation of an emergency declaration and future rulemaking to adjust the control area. He said harvest and sampling remain near record levels, most samples are voluntary, and the agency continues to monitor symptomatic deer reports and public submissions.
The final major presentation was from William McKinley of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, who gave a detailed overview of Mississippi’s CWD response. He said Mississippi has 529 detections across 18 counties, with prevalence rising from about one in 500 samples to about one in 80 statewide, and much higher in some counties. He described Mississippi’s surveillance system, targeted tags within three miles of positives, environmental sampling, feeder bans in CWD zones, and research showing contamination at feeders and in scrapes. He also discussed possible multiple strains, including one linked to the Wisconsin whitetail strain and another around Vicksburg/Issaquena, and said the disease appears to be expanding about 3.5 miles per year. Members asked about high-fence enclosures, live deer movement restrictions, baiting and feeding rules, hunter participation, and whether Louisiana should develop similar environmental testing capacity; no votes were taken on these issues, but members discussed possible future legislative or budget action.