Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody online? Stay tuned.
• Guys with the selfie sticker now online. Hang on. Now online, hang on. Try this button.
• Okay, so I actually do think we might have a speaker or two online.
• Is there anybody online that would like to speak? Thank you.
• Anybody else online? Raise your hand. Raise your hand. Anyone else?

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those that are paying attention to us online. It's great to be here.
• The third one is en route, very close, and the fourth one is going to be. online.
• Some of these systems, when they came online, it was a four-hour duration.
• Most of our outages are trees online. Most of that is outside of our right of way.
• We looked at online billing so that maybe you finance this over time.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one, um, Senator Seaburgger, we have one, um, testifier online.
• And we, uh, Senator Mchuan, we have one online testifier as well. Um, Mr.
• Um, Shantel Gruba, are you online? Yes, Madam Chair. Welcome to the committee.
• Um, Shantel Gruba, are you online? Yes, Madam Chair. Welcome to the committee.
• Shantel Gruba is are you online? Shantel Gruba is are you online?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was just in the papers; it must have been online, so it's got to be true.
• It was just in the papers; it must have been online, so it's got to be true.
• It was just in the papers; it must have been online, so it's got to be true.
• It was just in the papers; it must have been online, so it's got to be true.
• I believe he's online, Mr. Chair. Oh, online? Let's go online.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• oh okay I've got to Nicole yes's online oh okay I've got to Nicole yet<00:20:13.559> she's<00
• :20:13.799> online<00:20:14.240> she's<00:20:14.799> coming<00:20:15.080> up<
• /c><00:20:16.000> uh<00:20:16.159> Ted yet she's online she's coming up uh Ted yet she's
• online she's coming up uh Ted Bolan<00:20:17.760> climate protectors<00:20:22.960> uh<
• <00:20:30.880> Nicole support uh Nicole gassi online Nicole support uh Nicole gassi online

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture and Environment hearing on January 27, 2025, took up multiple measures, beginning with a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 559, to recognize a right to clean water and air, a healthful environment, climate, native ecosystems, and beaches. The Attorney General’s Office testified with concerns that the amendment’s broad language could create challenges for future legislatures and environmental enforcement, while the Climate Commission and DLNR supported it. Environmental and advocacy groups, including Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others, strongly supported the measure, arguing it would strengthen decision-making and protect Hawaii’s natural resources. Committee members raised questions about how the amendment would interact with existing constitutional protections and recent litigation, and the AG’s office said the proposal could lead to broad judicial interpretation and possible liability issues. The hearing then moved on without a recorded vote on this bill. The committee next heard SB 552, which would establish a healthy soils program in the Department of Agriculture and require annual reporting and funding. The Climate Change Commission supported the bill, and the Department of Agriculture said it stood on its submitted testimony but noted existing commissions and the greenhouse gas sequestration task force already address similar objectives, suggesting SB 552 may duplicate current efforts. Agricultural and environmental advocates, including the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others, supported the concept of a consolidated healthy soils program, saying it would better organize existing efforts, improve access for producers, and support conservation practices. The Agribusiness Development Corporation said it would support either DOA or ADC administering the program, and committee discussion focused on implementation, program overlap, and whether the bill should better integrate existing compost reimbursement and related efforts. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was SB 678, which would create an Agricultural Development Food Security Special Fund, dedicate a portion of the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to it, and appropriate funds equal to 3% of the state budget for agriculture. The Department of Agriculture strongly supported the bill, saying the funding would align with its goals and help support farmers and ranchers. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance raised concerns that the proposed special fund may not meet statutory criteria. Farm and industry groups generally supported the measure but suggested changes, including adding uses related to local food sourcing, distribution, and biosecurity. Committee members questioned the scale of the appropriation, noting it could amount to roughly $250 million and a major increase in DOA’s budget, and discussed whether the department could realistically implement such a large program. The hearing ended with testimony counts noted for the measures heard, and the chair indicated the committee would reconvene later for any unfinished business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mahalo to you in person and also those who are online for taking the time to find out what's going on
• , or the first generation of panels that came online right now, are going to be pretty quickly cycling
• <01:22:38.080> online<01:22:38.560> right<01:22:38.679> now<01:22:38.840>
• came online right now are going to be<01:22:39.800> pretty<01:22:40.040> quickly<01:22
• composting program progr coming online composting program progr coming online this<01:23:56.040>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the City and County of Honolulu’s effort to site a replacement landfill for Oahu before Waimanalo Gulch landfill closes in 2028. Department of Environmental Services officials outlined the solid waste system, including curbside collection, convenience centers, transfer stations, H-POWER, and the existing landfill, and explained that H-POWER reduces the volume of waste going to the landfill by about 90%. They reviewed the siting history, including the 2019 Land Use Commission deadline, the 2020 enactment of Act 73 with landfill setback and conservation-district restrictions, and the 2021-2022 landfill advisory committee that evaluated six sites but recommended none because they were within the Board of Water Supply’s no-pass zone. The city said it ultimately selected a site in central Oahu, on agricultural land near Wahiawa and the Dole Plantation, as the best legally permissible option and described it as requiring about 150 acres, with 90 acres for the landfill itself. City officials also described the proposed landfill design and safeguards, emphasizing a modern sanitary landfill with double liners, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring wells, and post-closure monitoring. They said the ash from H-POWER is dry and that leachate would be pumped to a wastewater treatment plant. They stated the site is away from residences and groundwater wells, accessible by highway, and can be permitted under state and federal rules, though they acknowledged that a full environmental review, public hearings, and multiple permits would still be required. When asked whether the new landfill could be operating before the 2028 closure date, the city said it did not yet know and that an extension of Waimanalo Gulch might be needed if the new site is not ready in time. The Board of Water Supply strongly opposed the city’s decision to site a landfill above Oahu’s freshwater resources. Its representative said the agency’s mission is to protect safe, dependable water for the future and that it had disapproved all six previously proposed sites because they were located over freshwater aquifers. In response to questions from legislators, the Board said it could not guarantee the liner system would remain impermeable forever and warned that leachate can contain hazardous chemicals, including so-called forever chemicals. The Board characterized the proposal as a long-term risk to the island’s drinking water supply and compared the decision to past infrastructure choices that later proved problematic. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's upon of course on online research.
• > provide Online assessment systems may provide Online assessment systems may provide data,<02
• notice, but I happened to see it online. notice, but I happened to see it online.
• Uh Vision has 42 New the state online.
• assessment record information online. assessment record information online.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or do it because if you can't go online, you can't go online.
• should be another way to go online should be another way to go online because<01:13:51.040> or
• <01:13:54.159> Um<01:13:54.880> what go online you can't go online.
• Um what go online you can't go online.
• Miss Pricer is here online if you'd like to answer that one.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do want to thank our testifiers who came online.
• <00:36:20.839> at<00:36:21.040> law can apply online at law can apply online at law
• Senator Seeberger, Senate File 679 online that I but have the one-pager.
• There was a substantial trove of additional documents which are available online as well if you wish
• It's online, yeah. We didn't print it out because it's so extensive. It's online, yeah.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It started with COVID when we all... ...had to go online with everything.
• So to end this, do y'all have a lot of face-to-face classes, or is this all online?
• online with some of our high school dual credit courses.
• Some of that is online. So, for the most part, when it comes to face-to-face work...
• Our system continues to lead the state in online learning.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Wait online and think. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, we need our online blue sheet, please. >> Okay.
• ; Wait online and think >> Wait online and think >> Oh,<02:11:06.639> I'm<02:11:06.880
• Yes, we need our online >> Oh, I'm sorry.
• online online and,<03:35:56.479> you<03:35:56.640> know,<03:35:57.680> in<03:35
• online and uh do you uh if this were to online and uh do you uh if this were to pass,<03:49:29.199>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have any other pink cards, but before I close off this hearing, I just want to let everyone know online
• we had 37 people who voted to online we had 37 people who voted to support<00:51:02.960> this
• kind of wrap up in terms of online kind of wrap up in terms of online constituents<01:22:41.960>
• As of noon, 167 people had filled out the online submission form in support of the bill, and only 55
• is hey where should I see asked online is hey where should I go<04:28:57.880> get<04:28:58.080

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee held a public hearing on HB 249, which would allow bicycles, and in the bill’s language human-powered vehicles and e-bikes, to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs when safe. The bill sponsor, Rep. Seth Miller, said the measure is intended to improve cyclist safety and traffic flow at no cost to the state, citing Idaho and Delaware as examples where similar laws were associated with fewer crashes or injuries. He emphasized that the bill would remain optional, would not let cyclists ignore cross traffic, and would help riders avoid the unstable “wobble” that comes from repeatedly stopping and starting, especially on cargo bikes or other heavier bicycles. Committee members raised concerns about predictability, liability, and whether the proposal creates a special class of vehicle. Rep. Crawford asked why the bill also addresses left turns on red for one-way streets; Miller said that provision is meant to address situations where bicycles do not trigger signal equipment and could otherwise be stranded at a light. Rep. Gannon questioned the lack of explicit liability language, and Miller said he did not know of a separate provision but would be open to an amendment if the committee wanted clearer language. Rep. Hill and Rep. Emble expressed concern that other drivers would not know what cyclists intend to do and that the bill could create special rules; Miller responded that cyclists would still be required to yield and that the law would not change right-of-way rules. Several witnesses testified in support. Michael Frank, a Spofford cyclist and League cycling instructor, said the bill would help him safely commute and carry heavy groceries by reducing the effort and exposure involved in restarting after a full stop. Tim Blagden, former head of the Bike Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, said the bill reflects how many people already ride, saves energy and time, and would still require cyclists to stop at red lights unless the intersection is clear. He also noted that traffic signals often do not detect bicycles. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in Senate Hearing Room 4 and also online.
• You can register in person or online to give testimony through the legislature's website.
• You can register in person or online to give testimony through the legislature's website, and we do encourage

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163), which created home care aide certification requirements, FBI background checks, and an abuse/neglect registry. Auditors said some requirements likely improve safety, especially background checks and training, but the state lacked pre-2011 data to measure outcomes directly. They also found Washington has a long-term care workforce shortage, though its workforce supply ranks better than many states, and that more stringent entry requirements do not appear to reduce workforce participation compared with other states. The audit’s main concern was that the certification process is slow and burdensome. Auditors reported that most applicants never finish certification, that only about one-third of fiscal year 2025 applicants were certified within the 200-day legal deadline, and that the average time to certification was 463 days. They identified delays between training and testing, limited testing access in some areas, and redundant Department of Health verification of FBI background checks as key causes. The audit recommended streamlining the process by accepting applications later in the process, expanding testing within training programs, and eliminating the redundant background-check verification. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services staff largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including moving exams into more than 110 training programs, increasing credentialing staff, and reducing barriers through rule changes. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and whether the agencies would seek statutory or budget changes to implement the recommendations. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is not personal information that we put online.
• But I found the online...
• But I found the online portal, the New York State electronic ballot delivery system—you know how you

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Elections Committee held its final meeting of the session, with Chair Senator Gonzalez thanking members and staff for their work. The committee considered several election-related bills, including a voter ID proposal, protections against voter challenges and purging, a measure to address election disruptions, sample ballot posting, absentee ballot deadline notices for students, military and overseas voting changes, and notice requirements for expired address confidentiality protections. Senate Bill 2574, requiring government-issued photo ID to vote, drew opposition from Senators Walczyk and Myrie, who argued it would create barriers to voting and that there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud; the bill was reported from committee with opposition. Senate Bill 3233A, dealing with illegal voter purging and challenges, prompted extended discussion about citizenship verification, privacy of citizenship data, and whether information should be shared publicly; it was reported to the floor with Senators Borrello and Walczyk voting no. Senate Bill 4602A, on remedies for election disruptions, was discussed in terms of county and state board roles and bipartisan decision-making, and it was reported to the Finance Committee with a no vote from one member. The remaining bills were advanced with little or no substantive debate: Senate Bill 6253A on posting sample ballots, Senate Bill 6259 on notifying students of absentee ballot deadlines, Senate Bill 6995 on voting by mail, Senate Bill 7689B on overseas military and special federal voters, and Senate Bill 9857 on notice when address confidentiality protections expire. Most were reported either to the floor or to the Finance Committee, and the meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have anyone online that wishes to support this bill?
• Anyone online in opposition? I didn't think there would be. Members, questions?
• And for the families that are in the audience and attendance and those that are online.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go online.
• All right, seeing no other comments in the room, let's go online, please.
• No, we'll go online, please. Thank you. Anyone hoping to speak in support?

Transcript Highlights:

• pleased to share a summary of the findings today including grades and we'll release the full report online
• super in-depth technical question we can get you with one of the for the writers of that chapter. online
• So if you want, that is a abbreviated report, but online we have. so that if you want to get more details

Keywords: Texas, Infrastructure Report Card, ASCE, population growth, climate change, investment, public safety, engineering standards

Summary: The meeting focused on the release of the 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card, highlighting key findings and recommendations for improving infrastructure across various sectors in the state. Julie Jones, Vice President of ASCE Texas, opened the session by introducing key speakers, including Dr. Art Wood and committee co-chairs Griselda Gonzalez and Austin Mazzarelli. Throughout the discussion, the report's grades were revealed, showing the state's infrastructure received an overall grade of 'C'—adequate but requiring significant attention and investment. Emphasis was placed on the rising challenges posed by climate change and increased population growth, underscoring the need for strategic investments in infrastructure to support Texas' economic growth and public safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• The comments from Seacoast Online yesterday over this March meeting, if you read through them, people
• And I just checked online how many people work for DOE. It will say 200 to 500.
• <01:43:15.440> or<01:43:15.840> in<01:43:16.200> in online or in in online or in
• And I just checked online $2.5 billion.
• I'm sure we can get a better online.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our members work through these dynamics every day in order to bring more housing online, but it isn't
• Chair, oh, is online? Oh, I did not get that. Okay, you are remote, so please proceed, Mr.
• Horwitz, if you are online or make your way forward if you're in person. Thank you.
• Indeed, I'm online. Thank you, and please introduce yourself for the record and proceed.
• There are markets that had enough apartments come online in 2023 to actually push rents downward.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard informational presentations from Housing First Minnesota and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities on the state of housing in Minnesota. Mark Foster of Housing First Minnesota said the state has a severe housing shortage, with demand outpacing supply since the 2007-09 housing crash, and argued that Minnesota is nearly 100,000 units short of a healthy market. He said new homes are increasingly unaffordable, citing a median new single-family price above $530,000 and declining affordability in the Twin Cities metro, and he urged lawmakers to remove exclusionary zoning and other regulatory barriers that he said make starter homes and smaller-lot housing difficult or illegal to build in many growing cities. He also highlighted the group’s Housing for Heroes projects, including transitional housing for veterans and other crisis housing projects around the state. Members asked Foster about starter-home examples and his view that the committee’s top priority should be reforming residential development approvals. He said most new housing is negotiated through planned unit developments rather than built under base zoning, which he argued adds cost and reduces supply. The committee then heard from Elizabeth Wael of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, who said housing challenges outside the metro are different but equally serious. She said many Greater Minnesota cities face a lack of developers, inadequate infrastructure such as roads and utilities, and gaps in the housing continuum, especially starter workforce housing and senior housing. She thanked the committee for 2023 housing funding and said cities are contributing their own resources, updating zoning, reducing parking requirements, allowing ADUs, and partnering with developers and nonprofits. Wael also urged faster rollout of the Greater Minnesota infrastructure grant program and said the state should consider changes to the housing tax credit and housing TIF rules to make them easier to use. In response, senators said they shared frustration with the slow implementation of the infrastructure program and emphasized the need for state investment and locally tailored zoning reforms. No bills were heard and no votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on stakeholder testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're waiting for a person online. We're having some trouble with the audio.
• Senator Jean, chair, we do have a backup that could probably provide the same testimony as the one online
• of<00:09:34.000> trying<00:09:34.240> to<00:09:34.360> get<00:09:34.480> online
• with all of each of trying to get online with all of each other<00:09:36.040> it<00:09:36.160
• He added that if a judge is doing sentencing in a family court case, one can go online and look up all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all