Video & Transcript : 'environmental nuisances' :
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
Informational Brief; EEP, EDN, HET Jul 13th, 2021
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Keywords:
Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, environment
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, House Bill 2976 requires the Department of Environmental Quality to promulgate rules establishing
- ... ...requires the Department of Environmental Quality to promulgate rules establishing water quality
Committee:
House Energy
Keywords:
environmental protection, water quality, aluminum, Department of Environmental Quality, EPA standards, groundwater conservation, water rights, permit allocation, metering, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, liquefied petroleum gas, safety regulation, LP-Gas Board, inspections, accident investigations, rural water service, district organization, emergency legislation, Oklahoma, water management
Summary:
The House Energy Committee met for its second scheduled meeting and announced it would need to meet again the following week because of bill reassignments and new agenda items. The committee first considered House Bill 2976, which requires the Department of Environmental Quality to promulgate water quality criteria rules for aluminum. An amendment was adopted to extend the rulemaking deadline to December 31, 2027, to allow time for an OU study on aluminum in water to be completed. The bill then passed 9-0.
The committee next heard House Bill 4459, which would create a five-year averaging option for certain water users, mainly irrigators, allowing flexibility in annual use while requiring measurement and reporting over the five-year period. Members questioned whether the bill could encourage excessive use during drought years and whether it would improve reporting accuracy; the author said he was open to discussing a possible reduction from 200% to 150% and emphasized long-term aquifer conservation. HB 4459 was reported out due pass. House Bill 3142, described as a revised version of a bill vetoed last year, also passed unanimously after the author said it addressed the governor’s veto concerns.
The committee then advanced House Bill 4316, which updates outdated language related to rural water districts and passed 11-0. House Bill 4338, the so-called Brine Act, was adopted with a PCS and would allow wastewater or produced water to be used in ways that could expand Oklahoma’s iodine production industry; the author said it would create value from material now disposed of and would not change disposal rules. Members asked about treatment and environmental safeguards, and the author said the bill only recognizes the activity as legal and does not mandate it. HB 4338 passed 11-0. Finally, House Bill 4230, which expands the ability to use qualified outside suppliers for training and technical assistance, passed 11-0 after brief questioning about who those suppliers might be.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Feb 20th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Environment, Energy & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Darcy Nautamaker, here with Washington Conservation Action and the Environmental Priorities
- The Environmental Priorities Coalition is made up of 26 statewide environmental organizations who collaborate
- to speak with one powerful voice on critical environmental issues facing the state.
- The Environmental Priorities Coalition is made up of 26 statewide environmental organizations who collaborate
- I'm the executive director at the Center for Environmental Law and Policy.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology
Keywords:
weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, sustainability, environment, coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Local Government Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:00 am
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Action supports House Bill 2267 because tree canopy and green space are essential to protecting environmental
- Action supports House Bill 2267 because tree canopy and green space are essential to protecting environmental
- essential, and smart policy can help us balance the pressures of housing development with the environmental
- And to add to Representative partially, heat events always have the highest mortality of any environmental
- And to add to rep partially, heat events always have the highest mortality of any environmental exposure
Committee:
House Local Government
Keywords:
urban forestry, local government, environmental policy, tree management, community planning, heat response, counties, public health, emergency management, climate action, crash prevention, traffic safety, roadside regulations, emergency zones, public safety, state legislation, infrastructure, county resources, road construction, maintenance
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Apr 3rd, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Agriculture and Veterans Affairs
Bills:
HCR3018
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs
Keywords:
water rights, wetlands, inundated lands, taxation, property tax, drainage, flooded land, seasonal wetlands, meltwater, navigability, jurisdiction, county tax rolls, agricultural land, soil health, wildlife habitat, environmental regulation, public health, land ownership, riparian, drain and fill
Summary:
The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee was brought back to order and first took up a conference committee report on House Bill 1151, which concerns cultured meat. Members noted that the House had refused to concur with the Senate amendments and that the bill had previously been turned into a study. The committee discussed appointing conferees, with Randy identified as chair and Weston agreeing to serve as well.
The chair explained that because the House did not concur with the committee’s change, further action would be needed and the House would chair the conference committee since it is their bill. Members briefly discussed whether additional conferees were needed, but no further names were settled beyond those mentioned.
The committee also reported that Representative Porter could not be reached, leaving the committee at a standstill. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned until 9:00 a.m. the next day.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Apr 3rd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Agriculture and Veterans Affairs
Bills:
HCR3018
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs
Keywords:
water rights, wetlands, inundated lands, taxation, property tax, drainage, flooded land, seasonal wetlands, meltwater, navigability, jurisdiction, county tax rolls, agricultural land, soil health, wildlife habitat, environmental regulation, public health, land ownership, riparian, drain and fill
Summary:
The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 3018, which was amended to expand a study of wetlands and jurisdictional water issues, including questions about taxing authority over land inundated by water. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the resolution as amended on a roll call vote, with all members present voting yes or aye. Senator Weston agreed to carry the measure.
The committee then considered House Bill 1581, relating to funding for the Native American Tourism Alliance. Senator Marcellais explained an amendment restoring the funding level to $500,000 and adding a 10% tribal match. Members debated the budget impact and the likelihood of the bill surviving in that form. The amendment failed on a 3-3 tie, after which the committee moved to the original House version. That version, with $100,000 total funding and matching requirements, received a 4-2 do pass recommendation and was sent to Appropriations, with Senator Marcellais designated as carrier.
The committee also discussed House Bill 1541, which would create a new commission to oversee septic systems, but members indicated a preference for a different approach already moving in the House that would place licensing and oversight under DEQ with health units still handling inspections. No final action was taken on that bill. Finally, the committee reviewed House Bill 1280, a water/drainage-related measure involving voting eligibility for landowners who have not paid assessments, but members raised legal questions and deferred further action. The committee also discussed broader concerns about a chemical-labeling bill and related public emails, then recessed until the call of the chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We have you registered as an Environmental Defense Fund.
- My name is Colin Layton, and I'm representing the Environmental Defense Fund.
- House Bill 3158 is legislation that updates the Railroad Commission of Texas fee structure for environmental
- These efforts included a major update to its environmental protection and pollution prevention rules,
- change in this area. ...substantial revision in over 40 years, as well as the expansion of its environmental
Committee:
House Energy Resources
Keywords:
carbon sequestration, environmental policy, Texas, energy, climate change, regulatory council, geothermal energy, workforce development, education and training, energy industry, apprenticeship, energy production, energy policy, renewable energy, state council, administrative law, public information, transparency, government accountability, judicial process
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/18/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- This includes noise ordinances, nuisances, design standards, and so on.
- The current Department of Environmental Quality regulatory frameworks for public and semi-public spas
- The Arizona County Directors of Environmental Health Services have noted that this gray area has led
- Monopoly utilities are not always forthcoming with information, and the certificate of environmental
- They look at fish, wildlife, and plant life, noise emission, receiving a certificate of environmental
Keywords:
AHCCCS, lactation care, breastfeeding, health services, healthcare access, HB2324, fire code, fire marshal, state fire marshal, municipalities, cities and towns, county-owned buildings, county buildings, intergovernmental agreement, IGA, fire inspection, occupancy certificate, building inventory, local government, county government
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EEP Public Hearing - Thu Feb 19, 2026 @ 9:45 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- We're convening the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection.
- Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Alan Burdick, in opposition.
- Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Alan Burdick, in opposition.
- Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Alan Burdick, in opposition.
- Um, we have Environmental >> Thank you.
Committee:
House Energy & Environmental Protection
Keywords:
clean fuel standard, alternative fuels, carbon intensity, emission reduction, greenhouse gases, transportation, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, Hawaii, economic development, carbon footprint, aviation sector, renewable fuels, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation, clean vehicles
Summary:
The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on three measures related to cleaner fuels. On HB 1986, which would require the Department of Transportation to adopt rules for a clean fuel standard by January 1, 2028 and include reporting and public informational sessions, testimony was largely supportive from state commissions, fuel companies, airlines, and other industry and advocacy groups. Supporters said the bill would create a long-term framework for reducing emissions and developing cleaner fuels in Hawaii. Opposition came from Energy Justice Network, which argued that so-called clean fuels are not carbon-free, would be costly, and could delay a needed transition to electrification. The department later said it was monitoring the bill and was concerned about costs. No vote or final action was taken in the hearing.
The committee then heard HB 1694, a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit bill that would provide a per-gallon credit for SAF, cap annual credits at $20 million, require reporting, and sunset in 2035. The Department of Taxation testified on administration, while the Department of Transportation said it supported the measure as a short-term strategy to jump-start SAF until the clean fuel standard ramps up. Airlines, fuel companies, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, and others supported the bill, saying it would send a market signal, help close the cost gap with conventional jet fuel, and encourage local production and investment. Opponents, including Energy Justice Network, Life of the Land, and Ted Metros, argued the bill would be expensive, could lock in a transitional fuel system, and would not produce enough fuel to meet demand. Committee members asked about the likely impact and the share of total fuel demand the credit could support; DOT said the supported gallons would be only a very small percentage of annual demand and that the credit was intended to work alongside the future clean fuel standard.
Finally, the committee took up HB 1695 HD1 on renewable fuel, which expands the renewable fuels production tax credit. Testimony was again mixed but generally supportive from the Department of Transportation, Department of Taxation, Island Energy Services, airlines, the Tax Foundation, Pana Pacific, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau. Supporters said the measure would encourage local feedstock production, create agricultural opportunities, and help attract investment in renewable fuels. Pana Pacific requested an amendment to explicitly include camelina in the definition of renewable feedstocks. Opponents, including Energy Justice Network and Life of the Land, repeated concerns about cost, imported feedstocks, and the risk of undermining full electrification goals. The hearing transcript does not show any vote or final committee action on HB 1694 or HB 1695 HD1.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Conservation Jan 31st, 2026 at 09:07 am
Senate Conservation
Transcript Highlights:
- foundational not only to rural communities, but to the economic stability, food security, and environmental
- foundational not only to rural communities, but to the economic stability, food security, and environmental
Committee:
Senate Senate Conservation
Keywords:
food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, bosque management, Rio Grande, environmental protection, water resources, fiscal appropriation, drinking water, well owners, water testing, water treatment, public health, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/20/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Transcript Highlights:
- Environmental Protection Agency.
- Madam Chair, Representative Heap, I would defer to my friends from the Department of Environmental Quality
Committee:
House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Keywords:
water conservation, grants, infrastructure, environmental protection, sustainability, grant fund, Arizona water law, A.R.S. 49-1332, water efficiency, water reuse, education programs, public outreach, rainwater harvesting, gray water, graywater, drought-resistant landscaping, xeriscaping, turf removal, groundwater recharge, aquifer health
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Feb 24th, 2026 at 04:00 pm
Environment & Energy
Bills:
SB6291
Committee:
House Environment & Energy
Keywords:
SB6291, on-site wastewater treatment, onsite wastewater treatment, septic system, sewage treatment, wastewater inspection, environmental health, local board of health, public health, professional engineer, land surveyor, certificate of competency, inspection standards, design review, supervised practice, certification, licensing, RCW 18.88A, Washington State, 904
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Feb 10th, 2026 at 10:06 am
Senate Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Addressing human health and environmental protection now ensures the restoration of the land for future
Keywords:
rural libraries, education, cultural funding, library services, community resources, contaminated sites, environmental cleanup, uranium mining, state funding, abandoned sites, tribal affairs, Indian Child Welfare Act, appropriation, children, youth, compliance, field liaison, Indigenous rights, missing persons, law enforcement
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 13th, 2026 at 04:00 pm
Environment & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the environmental policy director with the Washington Public Ports Association.
- Every square mile represents permitting challenges, as we all know, environmental trade-offs, and siting
- So where, and my question kind of leads to environmental concerns, especially when you're putting in
- So I'd say, you know, the project is no impact, and these facilities are subject to environmental review
- The Environmental Council has investigated the environmental impact of nuclear power quite thoroughly
Committee:
House Environment & Energy
Keywords:
nuclear energy, renewable energy, energy strategy, sustainable development, state energy policy, climate change, fuel regulations, compliance obligations, sustainability, environmental policy, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget REVISED: SB1403 - ADDED TO AGENDA Apr 14th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- requires the Corporation Commission to establish a process to alleviate new and ongoing serious environmental
Committee:
House Appropriations and Budget
Keywords:
SB1319, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma, remediation, environmental emergency, brine contamination, oil contamination, oilfield pollution, residential property, home buyout, property acquisition, fair market value, revolving fund, remediation fund, state plugging funds, well plugging, abandoned well, natural breakout, Department of Environmental Quality, DEQ
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget REVISED: SB1403 - ADDED TO AGENDA Apr 14th, 2026
Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- requires the Corporation Commission to establish a process to alleviate new and ongoing serious environmental
Committee:
House Appropriations and Budget
Keywords:
SB1319, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma, remediation, environmental emergency, brine contamination, oil contamination, oilfield pollution, residential property, home buyout, property acquisition, fair market value, revolving fund, remediation fund, state plugging funds, well plugging, abandoned well, natural breakout, Department of Environmental Quality, DEQ
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 1319, which would create a Corporation Commission process to help residential homeowners whose homes are contaminated by brine, oil, or other substances tied to the Commission’s jurisdiction. Members discussed a subcommittee amendment that removed an appropriation because the bill had already been funded elsewhere, and several questions focused on whether the measure was a state-funded bridge for rare cases where no liable party is immediately identifiable. The bill was advanced on a 23-3 vote.
The committee then approved several other measures with little or no debate: SB 1369 to create a protected revolving fund for the 988 mental health lifeline; SB 1378 to create an Olympic Fund for Oklahoma City’s 2028 Olympic preparations; SB 1379 to establish a two-year grant pilot for victims of labor and sex trafficking; SB 1309 to increase the Rhodes Fund reserve for debt service; SB 1330 to change compensation for the pardon and parole board director and members to an attendance-based structure; SB 1546 to allow private donations for the Inspired to Teach program and rename it Next Ed; and SB 1403 to update the Quality Jobs Program, including adding certain transportation-related industries and tightening eligibility if a credit is unused for three years. These bills all received due-pass recommendations, with votes ranging from unanimous to 23-2.
The committee also considered SB 1481, which adds 20 minutes of daily recess, and members noted that similar bills were moving through the process and that the bill did not clearly address whether the added recess counts as instructional time. It passed 25-0. Finally, SB 1122, a broadband tax-policy cleanup bill, drew questions about its fiscal impact on local governments and counties; the presenter said municipalities would not be affected because they do not levy ad valorem taxes, though the measure could reduce revenue for other taxing entities by about $20 million statewide. That bill passed 23-1. The meeting ended with announcements about upcoming appropriations meetings and adjournment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The House Committee on Environmental Regulation will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
- Members, I do want to welcome you to this edition of the House Committee on Environmental Regulation.
- to the cancellation of certain solid waste disposal permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental
- This bill ensures that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality does not issue new permits for direct
- We have landowners, environmental advocates, and county officials that all support this.
Bills:
HB1730 , HB1823 , HB2048 , HB2266 , HB2440 , HB3333 , HB4086 , HB4271 , HB4413 , HB4839 , HB4841 , HB5151
Committee:
House Environmental Regulation
Keywords:
PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, public health study, environmental regulation, drinking water, groundwater, surface water, food packaging, chemical exposure, firefighters, chemical manufacturing workers, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Railroad Commission of Texas, Department of State Health Services, University of Houston, occupational exposure, contaminants
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It also adds environmental guardrails.
- It also adds environmental guardrails.
- </c> the Minnesota Environmental Partnership. the Minnesota Environmental Partnership.
- co co- benefits baked in environmental co co- benefits baked in the<00:26:00.960><c> environmental</
- </c> or just or better envir environmentally. or just or better envir environmentally.
Committee:
House Taxes
Keywords:
tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, electricity generation, property tax exemption, renewable energy, incentives, economic development, fuel delivery, tax exemption, retail transactions, diesel exhaust fluid, fuel lubricants, healthcare tax, gross receipts tax, hospitals, chiropractors, healthcare providers
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AEN-HOU, AEN-EIG, AEN Public Hearings 03-18-2026
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 1620 HD2, relating to energy, increases the environmental response energy and food security tax, and
- Why should we increase environmental response, energy, and food security tax to support installation
- </c> Why should we increase environmental Why should we increase environmental response,<00:43:43.320
- </c><01:16:23.800><c> and</c> for other essential environmental and for other essential environmental
- response energy and food environmental response energy and food security<01:20:57.640><c> tax</c><01
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Environment
Keywords:
animal control, spay and neuter, pet overpopulation, sterilization, counties funding, tax designation, veterinary care, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy policy, rebate program, environmental impact, renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered.
The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present.
The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.