Video & Transcript : 'infectious waste' :
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LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives May 13th, 2026
Louisiana House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the task force on illegal dumping prevention enforcement to study the extent of illegal dumping on waste
- If those of you are not familiar and have not dealt with chronic wasting disease, it's been very prevalent
- Provides relative to amending Department of Wildlife Fisheries rules relative to chronic wasting disease
- Riser. rules relative to chronic wasting disease management. Rep. Riser. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- If those of you don't familiar have not dealt with chronic wasting the disease, it's been very prevalent
Bills:
HR275 , HR276 , HR277 , HR278 , HR279 , HR280 , HR281 , HR282 , HR283 , HR284 , HCR112 , HCR113 , HR265 , HR266 , HR267 , HR268 , HR269 , HR270 , HR271 , HR272 , HR273 , HCR107 , HCR108 , HCR109 , HCR110 , HCR111 , SCR63 , SCR66 , SCR67 , SB414 , SB484 , SB513 , HR168 , HR174 , HR194 , HR216 , HR264 , HCR54 , HCR74 , HCR79 , HCR85 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR95 , HCR97 , HCR98 , HCR104 , SCR23 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR38 , HB75 , HB705 , SB54 , SB56 , SB72 , SB79 , SB97 , SB105 , SB123 , SB125 , SB129 , SB163 , SB171 , SB252 , SB287 , SB375 , SB386 , SB461 , SB466 , HR84 , HR188 , HR205 , HR3 , HR197 , HR243 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SCR11 , SCR22 , SCR2 , SCR20 , SCR24 , SCR35 , HCR6 , HB301 , HB359 , HB657 , HB675 , HB680 , HB727 , HB39 , HB58 , HB112 , HB134 , HB155 , HB187 , HB287 , HB462 , HB782 , HB825 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB1200 , HB4 , HB623 , HB944 , HB986 , HB1098 , HB1222 , SB45 , SB58 , SB71 , SB81 , SB92 , SB100 , SB109 , SB141 , SB156 , SB181 , SB203 , SB204 , SB205 , SB207 , SB213 , SB214 , SB216 , SB229 , SB257 , SB274 , SB290 , SB304 , SB374 , SB379 , SB396 , SB410 , SB425 , SB427 , SB429 , SB479 , SB522 , SB34 , SB164 , SB172 , SB198 , SB208 , SB232 , SB281 , SB286 , SB317 , SB322 , SB334 , SB380 , SB385 , SB409 , SB417 , SB421 , SB430 , SB439 , SB447 , SB458 , SB510 , HB842 , HB633 , HB1191 , HB625 , HB1255 , HB251 , HB582 , HB646 , HB819 , HB998 , HB1257 , SB197 , SB436 , SB78 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , HB258 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441
Keywords:
highway maintenance, signage, transportation safety, DOTD, infrastructure, public safety, federal grants, job creation, carbon storage, carbon dioxide storage, carbon capture and storage, CCS, mineral rights, mineral owners, oil and gas, disposal wells, injection wells, advanced drilling, carbon sequestration, Louisiana energy policy
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Eight - Tuesday, May 12
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So that wastes the team that comes in to count write-ins; that wastes their time.
- The team that comes in to count write-ins wastes their time.
- So that wastes, the team that comes in to count write-ins that wastes their time. the team that comes
- in to count ride-ins that wastes their time.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House tax panel hears bill to expand tax incentives for producing sustainable aviation fuel 4/8/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Millions of tons of forest residue and wood waste are underutilized.
- Millions of tons of forest residue and wood waste are underutilized.
- Ultimately, Winter Camelina, pennycress, and wood waste are all in the plan.
- Ultimately, Winter Camelina, pennycress, and wood waste are all in the plan.
- He said Winter Camelina, pennycress, and wood waste are all in the plan.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Sometimes when we're voting, we're done with the vote, and then there's a huge section of wasted space
- Done voting, and then there's a huge section of wasted space.
- It just creates a lot of wasted space, just for some information. Of wasted space.
- If we're concerned about waste, fraud, and abuse that could... ...much more permanent.
- If we're concerned about waste, fraud, and abuse that could be happening, and we're looking at adding
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- be very well-managed dollars that are going to do what you're wanting them to do and that's not be wasted
- be very well-managed dollars that are going to do what you're wanting them to do and that's not be wasted
- be very well-managed dollars that are going to do what you're wanting them to do and that's not be wasted
- be very well-managed dollars that are going to do what you're wanting them to do and that's not be wasted
- be very well-managed dollars that are going to do what you're wanting them to do and that's not be wasted
Committee:
House Appropriations
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- At the same time, we also still see significant fraud, waste, and abuse and occasional unsafe care.
- At the same time, we also still see significant fraud, waste, and abuse and occasional unsafe care.
- How do you ensure that you're not wasting finite health care dollars on unsafe or fraudulent care, and
- licensed doctors, as well as giving more GME slots to our resident physicians so we can essentially waste
- who live in our communities who trained, or are well trained, from other countries, and we're just wasting
Bills:
HB163 , HB216 , HB721 , HB2035 , HB2038 , HB3057 , HB3153 , HB3233 , HB3595 , HB3801 , HB3812 , HB4076 , HB4129 , HB4377 , HB4535 , HB4666 , HB4730 , HB4743 , HB4903 , HB5149 , HB5155 , HB1534 , HB163 , HB216
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
Summary:
The committee met without a quorum at first, then established a quorum with five members present. Members heard and left pending several House bills, including HB 4743 on allowing hospitals to license mobile stroke units under a hospital license, HB 4129 on earlier DFPS enforcement tools for single-source continuum contractors in community-based foster care, HB 4903 creating a Quad Agency Child Care Initiative to coordinate child care regulations across state agencies, HB 3812 revising the gold card/prior authorization process for physicians, HB 4535 requiring written informed consent before COVID-19 vaccination and a standardized state information sheet, and HB 4666 reducing the frequency of some HHSC reports to the legislature. The chair also noted HB 35 would be voted on later after a subcommittee back was received, and that a large number of bills would be heard the next day.
Most of the testimony focused on HB 4535 and HB 4730. On HB 4535, supporters argued the bill would strengthen informed consent for COVID vaccination by requiring written consent and clearer state-level information about risks, manufacturer liability protections, and adverse-event reporting; opponents, including a pediatrician and medical groups, said existing federal and state informed-consent materials already cover these topics and warned the bill could create duplicative paperwork and penalties. On HB 3812, the Texas Medical Association supported changes that would extend the gold-card evaluation period to one year, raise transparency, and make prior authorization exemptions easier to administer, while health plans said they were neutral and viewed the bill as a balance between reducing burden and preventing fraud or unsafe care.
HB 4730 drew extensive testimony from adoption professionals, birth mothers, adoptive parents, and child welfare advocates. The bill would require DFPS to create a relinquishment form, train child-placing agency staff, and extend the minimum waiting period for voluntary relinquishment from 48 hours to seven days. Supporters of the current law argued the 48-hour period aligns with hospital discharge, allows informed decisions, and helps birth parents and adoptive families begin healing and bonding without pushing children into foster care or creating legal and Medicaid complications. The author said the bill would be revised and that the seven-day provision was a work in progress. No votes were taken on the bills during the meeting; each bill was left pending after public testimony closed.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Committee on Housing Afternoon Subcommittee (04/22/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Goffstown has that in some of their zoning districts to protect public drinking water, to make sure that waste
- municipalities that have some of these very limited regulations that protect groundwater and prevent waste
- Thank you. ...to make sure that waste disposal doesn't impact the public drinking water depending on
- municipalities that have some of these very limited regulations that protect groundwater and prevent waste
- municipalities that have some of these very limited regulations that protect groundwater and prevent waste
Summary:
The subcommittee on SB 170 opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then worked through the bill section by section, focusing first on a housing-related provision that would prohibit municipalities from requiring occupants to be related by blood or marriage. The chair proposed adding “school enrollment status” as a protected class to prevent towns from limiting where students may live, especially in Durham. Members debated whether that phrase was too vague and whether “educational status,” “enrollment status,” or “school enrollment status” was the best wording. Public testimony raised concerns that adding a new protected class could have broader implications under the state’s anti-discrimination law and could also affect municipal zoning authority, while supporters argued the bill was aimed at preventing local rules that restrict student housing and group living arrangements. The subcommittee did not take a final vote on that language during the discussion.
The committee then turned to land-use and subdivision provisions. The Department of Environmental Services testified that its test-pit and related land-development rules are already protective of groundwater and surface water, and that municipalities sometimes impose stricter setbacks or other requirements locally. Builders and housing advocates argued that more stringent local requirements for test pits, well siting, and related approvals add time and cost and can impede housing development, while some municipal concerns were raised about aquifer and wellhead protection overlay districts and local groundwater safeguards. Public testimony also supported making state standards uniform across municipalities, though one speaker noted that local and state review processes can differ and that the bill could simplify approvals.
The subcommittee also discussed a road-length provision, with one member supporting limits on municipal caps that could impede development and another suggesting a possible water-and-sewer-capacity qualifier. Additional sections were explained as allowing utilities and infrastructure to be placed in subdivision open spaces or perimeter buffers, and requiring municipalities to act quickly on plan changes after initial review. The chair indicated support for several of the sections as drafted, and the discussion ended with the committee moving through the remaining provisions without recorded final votes in the transcript.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Tue Apr 1, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- So I ask you again to stop wasting our tax dollars and vote no to HCR 173.
- So I ask you again to stop wasting our tax dollars and vote no to HCR 173.
- So I ask you again to stop wasting our tax dollars and vote no to HCR 173.
- So I ask you again to stop wasting our tax dollars and vote no to HCR 173.
- So I ask you again to stop wasting our tax dollars and vote no to HCR 173.
Summary:
The House Committee on Education met on April 1 at 2:04 p.m. and first heard HCR 129/HR 125/HD1, which asks state and county transportation and education agencies to work together on pedestrian safety and traffic congestion around Haiku Elementary School. The Department of Education said it stood on its written testimony, and no other testimony was offered on that measure.
The committee then took up HCR 173/HR 169/HD1, urging the Department of Health to begin education outreach and vaccination drive efforts at schools with vaccination rates under 30 percent, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The Department of Education and Department of Health both supported the resolution and stood on their written testimony. Support also came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Nurses Association, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Health Committee, and Free Citizens of Malua.
A number of testifiers opposed the measure, arguing that vaccination efforts do not belong in schools, that the proposal would pressure families and undermine parental rights and religious freedom, and that it could create liability and misuse public funds. Several opponents also raised concerns about informed consent, government overreach, and vaccine safety. One supporter, Kye Swan, said vaccines are the way to fight infectious disease and asked the committee to pass the resolution so children could be vaccinated before the school year starts.
No vote or final committee action on the resolutions was announced in the portion of the transcript provided.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee BR Sub. on General Government (2-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Many people are watching what's happening in D.C. right now with DOGE and the amount of waste that's
- that we have a lot of the powers to enable us to do that kind of work because our primary goal is waste
- Many people are watching what's happening in D.C. right now with DOGE and the amount of waste that's
- that we have a lot of the powers to enable us to do that kind of work because our primary goal is waste
- Waste Fraud and Abuse we also look for Waste Fraud and Abuse we also look for compliance<00:08:12.280
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met for its first meeting and heard budget-related presentations from the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Secretary of State, with the Treasurer beginning a presentation at the end of the transcript. Auditor Allison Ball reviewed her office’s 2024 and early 2025 work, including hundreds of county and state audits, several special examinations, and ongoing reviews such as the kinship care funding issue, the Kentucky Department of Education audit, and the Jefferson County Public Schools audit. She said her office is focused on waste, fraud, abuse, and legal compliance, and asked the committee to consider future budget changes, including aligning her appropriation with restricted funding and restoring a stronger performance-audit function. She also highlighted audits that exposed serious problems, including the Department of Juvenile Justice review, and said those reports are intended to serve as models for other entities to avoid similar failures.
Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office is self-sustaining through fees and does not need tax dollars, but asked for greater access to its own revenues and more flexibility in using them. He highlighted the Safe at Home address confidentiality program, saying recent changes expanded protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and that the program has grown rapidly while remaining funded by offender fines. Adams also urged lawmakers to again adjust county election funding for inflation, noting the current per-voter and per-precinct amounts were set decades ago. In questioning, Representative Hart asked whether the Safe at Home program was self-funding; Adams replied that it covers only about 10% of its operating cost and said the best solution would be to let the office use more of the revenue it already collects rather than rely on tax dollars.
Treasurer Martin Medcafe, introduced with staff member Russell Weber, praised the General Assembly’s fiscal discipline and described the Treasury’s work in managing state funds. He reported strong results from the Unclaimed Property Fund, saying the office returned $35.5 million to Kentuckians in its first year and $3.8 million in the first month of the current year, and said the State Investments Commission generated $682 million in returns last year. He also highlighted financial literacy efforts through the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission and said the Treasury is helping manage opioid settlement funds, which are now earning up to $200,000 per month through investment. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Tribal Relations, June 15, 2026 - AM
Select Committee on Tribal Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- This is for fairly new for the tribes; their solid waste program now has an office and a phone number
- These are like solid waste sites and things like that.
- Mostly, I would assume they're solid waste locations.
- These are like solid waste sites sites.
- </c> waste uh locations. waste uh locations.
Committee:
Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- the uh, there would also be no prohibition for a county, um, a county employee serving on a solid waste
- individual who is a county or municipal officer may not serve on a board of directors for a solid waste
- individual who is a county or municipal officer may not serve on a board of directors for a solid waste
- </c><03:31:21.920><c> disposal</c> directors for a solid waste disposal directors for a solid waste disposal
- </c> prohibition but for that wa solid waste prohibition but for that wa solid waste disposal<03:37:26.880
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Services simply refused to negotiate in good faith and pay us the same wages and benefits as other waste
- Workers are kept down by massive corporations like Republic... ...same wages and benefits as other waste
- In fact, the second-largest waste corporation in the U.S. is on track to make more than $16 billion in
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid hearing on legislation concerning unemployment insurance, non-compete agreements, prevailing wage, and minimum wage issues. Committee leaders outlined the hearing process, asked witnesses to keep oral testimony to three minutes, and invited written testimony through November 20. No votes were taken during the hearing; it ended with a motion to adjourn and notice of the next hearing on November 20.
Much of the testimony focused on bills to expand unemployment insurance for striking workers, including H. 2168 and S. 1319. Labor leaders, union members, and legal advocates argued that workers who are out on strike for more than 30 days should be able to receive UI benefits, saying the policy would help workers and families meet basic expenses, reduce employers’ ability to “wait out” strikes, and encourage good-faith bargaining. Speakers cited recent strikes, including the Republic Services strike, and said the proposal would not meaningfully increase strike activity or strain the UI trust fund.
Another major topic was minimum wage legislation, especially H. 2107/S. 1349 to raise the minimum wage to $20 by 2029 and index it to inflation, and H. 2191 to create a $25 enhanced care worker minimum wage. Supporters said current wages are not keeping pace with housing, food, and childcare costs, and that care workers, direct support staff, and human service employees face chronic vacancies, burnout, and turnover. Testimony also supported H. 2126 on prevailing wage by adding apprenticeship and training contributions to the wage calculation, and H. 2159 and S. 1363 on prevailing wage-related issues. One witness, Russell Beck, testified against S. 1336, which would ban non-competes, and against H. 2118, arguing Massachusetts’ current non-compete law is a balanced compromise that should not be disrupted.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 19th, 2026
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- I feel like we have identified where there has been waste. I feel like we have shifted... grant.
- I feel like we have identified where there has been waste.
- I feel like we have identified where there has been waste.
Summary:
The Early Childhood Committee met to receive an update from the Office of Early Childhood on Arkansas child care and early learning programs. Committee members discussed the state’s child care crisis, including reported economic losses from lack of access, the need to track access, affordability, workforce shortages, rural and infant/toddler care gaps, and the role of local leads in identifying needs across the state. The committee also approved the February 17 minutes.
Office of Early Childhood staff explained their responsibilities under the LEARNS Act, including kindergarten readiness, provider quality, and access to affordable seats. They reviewed licensing, quality efforts, and the two main funding streams: School Readiness Assistance (SRA), a federally funded voucher program serving about 14,600 children with a wait list of more than 3,000, and Arkansas Better Chance (ABC), a state-funded program serving about 23,000 children, with approval to increase to 24,000 slots. Members asked about the difference between market rate surveys and cost analyses, and staff said the office is procuring both, with results expected by the end of the year.
Several members raised concerns about funding levels, especially that ABC reimbursement has not kept pace with K-12 funding increases and that child care reimbursement remains below the true cost of care. Staff said ABC requires certified teachers and lower ratios than SRA, but pays less, and that some federal pre-K slots were moved into ABC to preserve continuity of care. They also explained that SRA eligibility changes, including a higher work requirement and ending a child care worker eligibility category, were made to reduce spending and serve families on the wait list. The committee discussed communication with providers and parents, technical assistance for centers, and possible future legislative action to stabilize providers and expand access, but no votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjournment.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/09/2026 - House Public Safety & Law Enforcement
House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- Time is being wasted advancing policies like SB 1055 that endanger communities and distract from the
- Time is being wasted advancing policies like SB 1050. continues to fail us.
- Time is being wasted advancing policies like SB 1055 that endanger communities and distract from the
Summary:
The Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement first heard SB 1032, which appropriates $1.5 million from the State General Fund to the Corrections Oversight Fund in FY27 to help operate the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Supporters, including Justice Action Network, Representative Blackman, and a family member describing her son’s death in custody, argued the office is needed to address serious problems in the Department of Corrections, including mental health care failures, staff shortages, lawsuits, and the state’s federal receivership. Members largely agreed the office could improve transparency and accountability, and the bill received a due pass recommendation on a 14-0 vote with one absent.
The committee then considered SB 1107, which creates an alternative certification pathway for honorably discharged U.S. veterans who served as military police to become Arizona peace officers through abbreviated training and recognition of prior military training. Members asked whether the bill would include equivalent roles from all branches, such as Air Force security forces, and staff said the bill is intended to track Department of Defense training standards. Supporters emphasized the value of recruiting experienced applicants to address public safety staffing shortages, while one member raised concerns about applicants with prior misconduct in other states. The bill passed with a due pass recommendation on an 11-1 vote, with two present and one absent.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1055, which requires law enforcement to immediately notify ICE or CBP when arresting a person unlawfully present in the United States. The bill drew strong support from one proponent who framed it as a public safety and immigration enforcement measure, and strong opposition from the ACLU and several community members who argued it would chill crime reporting, burden local agencies, raise civil rights concerns, and risk wrongful detention of citizens and tribal members. Representative Cruz offered a strike-everything amendment that would instead restrict DOC inmate telephone contracts from generating revenue above operating costs; supporters said it would reduce costs for families and improve communication, but the amendment failed 6-8. The committee then returned to the underlying SB 1055 and gave it a due pass recommendation on an 8-6 vote with one absent.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 17th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's not waste this coming year and go into the next session. with all of these questions answered such
- I think what we're doing now is wasting a lot of people's time.
- And particularly in a 30-day session, we don't have that much time to waste.
Committee:
Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Higher Education and Workforce Development Feb 10th, 2026
Higher Education and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- and DNR and their handling of it, I have constituents that nearly glow in the dark because of toxic waste
- And so I'm definitely concerned, and I'm happy to... ...because of toxic waste and other gases and fumes
- They also shared concern about not being able to clearly provide a plan for industrial waste once they
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 2896, sponsored by Rep. Brown, which would change how boards of governors for state universities are selected. Brown said the bill, developed with input from the governor’s office, would simplify appointment rules by removing service-area and congressional-district requirements and instead limiting board membership so no more than half of the voting members come from the county where the institution is located, with a St. Louis exception. Members asked about Missouri residency requirements, the effect on Missouri State University and Southeast Missouri State University, and whether university presidents would recommend candidates to the governor. Brown said he would follow up on questions and was open to discussing possible adjustments, especially regarding geographic representation. One witness spoke in favor, arguing that boards should reflect a cross-section of the state. No opposition was presented, and the hearing on HB 2896 was closed.
The committee then took up House Bill 1659, the Missouri Defense and Energy Independence Act, sponsored by Rep. Steinmeyer. The bill would create a grant program to help Missouri manufacturers convert facilities to produce strategic materials tied to national defense and energy resilience. Steinmeyer described it as a private-capital-first program requiring at least $500,000 in private investment, with grants capped at $1 million per project per year, subject to appropriation, annual reporting, and repayment provisions if projects fail. He said the bill is intended to attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen supply chains while keeping taxpayer risk limited.
Members raised concerns about environmental and public safety risks, the bill’s placement in the higher education committee, whether it should instead be funded federally, and whether the program would mainly benefit large companies rather than small businesses. Questions also focused on the bill’s workforce-development component, the lack of detail on training and public-health protections, and the budget impact of creating a dedicated fund that would retain money and interest rather than sweep it to general revenue. Steinmeyer said the bill is meant to support existing Missouri companies or companies establishing headquarters in Missouri, and that universities had been involved in discussions about workforce needs. A representative from the API Innovation Center testified in favor, saying the bill could help develop key starting materials for pharmaceuticals and support reshoring. One witness testified in opposition, arguing the state should not subsidize private industry and warning about fiscal strain and environmental oversight. No vote was taken, and the hearing concluded without further action.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Feb 3rd, 2026
House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- important to me in New Mexico because their populations are declining due to pesticides, artificial waste
- They're helpful because artificial waste and habitat are helpful because they get rid of waste and are
Summary:
The committee first heard House Memorial 26, a student-presented memorial encouraging state agencies to participate in insect education and conservation efforts, including free workshops sponsored by Wild Friends. The young witnesses emphasized the ecological and agricultural importance of insects, especially pollinators, and clarified that the memorial would not restrict fishing bait or other insect use. After brief questions about fishing, the University of New Mexico connection, and a planned BioPark bugarium, the committee approved the memorial on a due pass motion by unanimous consent.
The committee then heard House Bill 243, which would provide more stable funding for shelters that care for homeless, abused, abandoned, or surrendered horses, donkeys, and mules. The bill would appropriate $500,000 to the existing Equine Shelter Rescue Fund, move administration of the fund from the Livestock Board to the Department of Agriculture, strengthen grant and reporting requirements, and create an Equine Welfare Trust Fund seeded with $5 million. Supporters from Animal Protection New Mexico, the Livestock Board, and the Department of Agriculture said the shelters are essential, underfunded, and at capacity, and that the bill would provide a more reliable funding stream. Some public testimony raised concerns about how animals are tracked and whether any horses could end up at auction or slaughter.
Committee discussion focused on whether equine care should be funded through recurring appropriations instead of a trust fund, whether the Livestock Board or Department of Agriculture should administer the money, and whether the bill could affect wild or free-roaming horses. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would not change the Livestock Board’s enforcement role and that the trust fund was intended to create long-term support. A motion to table the bill failed, and the committee then voted 4-4 on the due pass motion, so HB 243 did not advance. One member explained his support but said the bill was not a good long-term solution.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 109, which would temporarily, through December 2029, allow the New Mexico Finance Authority to award water project funds without separate legislative authorization after projects have already been vetted. The sponsor and NMFA and Water Trust Board witnesses said the current authorization step delays projects for months, increases costs, and especially hurts small rural communities and acequias. They said the bill keeps existing oversight and evaluation processes, adds technical assistance for smaller applicants, and was amended to extend the sunset date to 2029 and remove an unconstitutional two-thirds-extension requirement. The committee approved HB 109 on a due pass motion by a vote of 7-1.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Jefferson County Legislation Committee Jan 21st, 2026
Jefferson County Legislation
Transcript Highlights:
- reserves, and I am a big fan of reserves too, but if it's just growing and we're not spending it, we are wasting
- reserves, and I am a big fan of reserves too, but if it's just growing and we're not spending it, we are wasting
- sense. >> I am a big fan of reserves too, but if it's just growing and we're not spending it, we are wasting
Committee:
House Jefferson County Legislation
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- This is not a waste of resources. It is prevention, stability, and smart budgeting.
- This is not a waste of resources. It is prevention, stability, and smart budgeting.
- and some grants to finance roads, streets, bridges, wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, solid waste
Bills:
SB6003
Committee:
Senate Ways & Means
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 3336 reflects a smart use of resources that would otherwise go to waste, and it keeps spent
- where breweries and farmers work together, reusing a valuable and nutritious resource instead of wasting
- You can measure it by jobs saved, rancher savings, and less landfill waste burdening our overstretched
Committee:
Senate State Affairs