Video & Transcript Research : 'solid waste management'
Page 142 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Floor Session 5/17/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Removing this funding is a short-sighted step in an otherwise solid and helpful bill.
- Removing this funding is a short-sighted step in an otherwise solid and helpful bill.
- Removing this funding is a short-sighted step in an otherwise solid and helpful bill.
- Short-sighted step in an otherwise solid and helpful bill.
- Management to come back to this body with a streamlining proposal in the medical space.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Committee OKs bill to strengthen whistleblower protections for reporting waste, fraud 2/11/25
Transcript Highlights:
- This is clarifying a statutory definition for abuse, fraud, and waste.
- it um currently abuse fraud and waste it um currently exists<00:00:50.719>
in <00:00:50.879> protected but that exact category waste protected but that exact category waste fraud<00:03:20.879 - <00:04:47.080>
Fraud protection for reporting of waste Fraud protection for reporting of waste - they're quick though, is fraud, waste, and abuse considered a crime under state law?
Summary:
House File 23, authored by Representative Robbins, was heard on a motion to advance it to the next committee. The bill, as amended by the A1 author’s amendment, would clarify the statutory definition of abuse, fraud, and waste and expand whistleblower protections for state employees who report those issues to legislators, the legislative auditor, or constitutional officers. Robbins said the measure is intended to protect state workers and align whistleblower language with existing Inspector General definitions; he also cited recent fraud investigations as the backdrop for the bill and noted a Senate companion, SF 475, with bipartisan support.
Devon Bruce of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees testified in support of the bill’s protective intent but raised concerns that it only covers classified state employees, creating uneven treatment between classified and unclassified workers and between state and local public employees. Bruce also warned that the bill does not fully address data practices issues, including the handling of nonpublic, private, or proprietary information, and suggested broader privacy protections for whistleblowers’ identities. In response to questions, Robbins said the bill was not meant to change data practices law and that those issues should be addressed separately.
Members debated whether the bill was ready for further consideration and whether it should also go to the fraud oversight committee or Judiciary. Motions to lay the bill over and to re-refer it to the fraud prevention and state oversight committee both failed. After a roll call vote, the committee approved the bill 7-6 and sent House File 23 to Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on State Government (7-29-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- money if solid contract with taxpayer money if you<01:08:36.319>
don't <01:08:36.480>know< - You cannot manage what you do not measure.
- <01:20:59.760>
You <01:20:59.920>can't <01:21:00.080>manage <01:21:00.400> - You can't manage what you >> Well, yeah.
- You can't manage what you don't<01:21:00.880>
measure. don't measure. don't measure.
Keywords:
Voter List Maintenance - State Board of Elections -- 05:38
State Employee Health Insurance Plan – 44:18
Discussion of HB 622 (2025 RS) – 01:01:43, 958, all
Summary:
The Interim Committee on State Government met on July 29, established a quorum, approved the June 24 minutes unanimously, and heard an update from the State Board of Elections on voter list maintenance. Taylor Brown, the board’s general counsel, explained the federal NVRA requirements and Kentucky’s statutory process for maintaining voter rolls, including use of USPS change-of-address data, ERIC reports, and agreements with non-ERIC states. He said Kentucky has entered or discussed agreements with several states, and that the board sends postcards to voters believed to have moved; if a voter does not respond to an 8D2 postcard and does not vote over two federal election cycles, the registration may be removed. He also described other removal categories such as death, felony conviction, incompetency, duplicate registrations, and self-requested cancellations.
Brown reported that between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, the board removed 284,381 registrations from the rolls, including 42,675 for death, 5,940 for felony conviction, 5,527 for registration in another state, 578 for incompetency, 223 based on jury questionnaires indicating non-citizenship, 746 self-removals, and 3,381 duplicates, along with 225,311 removals through the address-maintenance program. He said Kentucky’s total registrations decreased by roughly 169,000 over the year and are now below the Census Bureau’s estimate of the state’s voting-age population. Brown emphasized that receiving a postcard does not mean a voter has been purged and that failure to vote alone does not trigger removal.
Members asked about the 223 non-citizen-related removals, the availability and effectiveness of alternatives to ERIC, the partisan criticism of ERIC, and how duplicate registrations are identified. Brown said the non-citizen jury questionnaire cases had been referred to the Attorney General for further review, that Kentucky currently has no organized alternative to ERIC but is pursuing reciprocal agreements with states such as Florida, and that ERIC recently changed bylaws to remove a postcard requirement that had been costly for member states. On duplicates, he said the board uses multiple data points, not just name and address, and noted that fuller Social Security data could improve accuracy. Committee leaders praised the board’s work and said they wanted to meet before session to discuss possible statutory changes to improve voter list maintenance.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Convention of the California Legislature State of the Judiciary Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- commitment to doing our part to address the state budget deficit while working diligently to mitigate and manage
- Courts are enhancing case flow management and case resolution for the workload reporting that we provide
- As we update and refine our post-pandemic data to establish solid baselines for our workload, resources
- Legislature share an important partnership concerning oversight of the State Bar, with the court managing
- With the court managing licensing and disciplinary functions and the legislature setting the attorney
Summary:
The California Legislature met in joint convention for the annual State of the Judiciary address, with judges and justices from across the state in attendance along with Governor Newsom and other statewide officials. The opening included prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the formal introduction of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the California Supreme Court justices. Speakers emphasized the importance of judicial independence, the courts’ role in protecting rights and democracy, and the value of collaboration between the legislative and judicial branches.
Chief Justice Guerrero focused on the state of the judicial branch, beginning with budget pressures from prior cuts and noting partial restoration in the governor’s proposed budget, while urging continued stable funding for courts, court-appointed counsel, and judgeships in high-need counties. She highlighted the expansion and benefits of remote proceedings, ongoing judicial vacancies, workload growth, and efforts to improve data collection and case-weighting. She also discussed implementation of the CARE Act, the court interpreter workforce pilot, CASA and kin-first child welfare efforts, courthouse security and facilities projects, and the judiciary’s work on generative AI guardrails.
A major portion of the address addressed the recent problems with the California bar exam and broader State Bar oversight. Guerrero said the court would pursue remedies for examinees harmed by the failures and would strengthen admissions oversight, including the role of the Committee of Bar Examiners. She also reiterated support for pro bono legal services and discussed immigration-related courthouse access, citing state laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in courthouses. The convention concluded after remarks thanking the judiciary and Legislature, and the joint session adjourned without any recorded votes or formal legislative action.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate - 01/22/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
State government committee OKs bill creating new Office of the Inspector General 2/18/25
Transcript Highlights:
- investigate and com combat fraud waste investigate and com combat fraud waste and<00:21:28.240><
- I mean, it’s the very definition of wasted time. And we’re talking about ending waste.
- He understands fraud, but worries about waste and abuse because waste is subjective.
- <01:03:54.720>
and definitions between fraud waste and definitions between fraud waste and - <01:04:14.760>
to think is wasteful may not be wasteful to think is wasteful may not be wasteful
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 03/18/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- food waste across our state. food waste across our state.
- rid of wood waste. rid of wood waste.
- rid of this waste. rid of this waste.
- I'll segue on those thoughts by saying, you know, that we are a wood waste management company.
- how we can manage it best. how we can manage it best.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- billion, reflects a level of continued uncertainty and continues to serve as a proactive measure to manage
- So it's one powerful tool you can use to manage some of the uncertainty.
- That really won't be locked down until May of 2027, but we think there are better options for managing
- Do you see any deviation on that, or are we going to be solid with that?
- And honestly, the more confusion we create, the more it just delays solid implementation.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JT Business, Trade & Economic Development w/State Government & Tribal Relations Jul 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We're finding this is a challenge to manage as players come with friends and family, but not everyone
- We're finding this is a challenge to manage as players come with friends and family, but not everyone
- It involves leadership and management, and it's really incorporated into our culture. Next slide.
- We've been—that community has been a solid home base for us for thousands of years, but now it's just
- Grateful for all your time, and grateful for help managing this meeting.
Summary:
The joint hearing of the Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee and the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee focused on proposed amendments to the tribal-state gaming compacts for the Tulalip Tribes and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Washington State Gambling Commission staff explained the compact approval process under IGRA and said the parties had reached tentative agreement; the commission and ex officio members will take public comment and vote at an August 28 special meeting on whether to forward the compacts to the governor or return them for further negotiation.
Tulalip Chairman Hazen Chappell described the tribe’s long history of gaming in Washington and emphasized that gaming revenues support governmental services, jobs, charitable giving, and community support. Commission advisor Johnny Bray said the Tulalip restated compact consolidates 12 prior amendments, reorganizes and updates appendices, removes some outdated provisions, and includes higher wager limits, jackpot sharing, and the option to increase player terminal allocation in stages. Chappell also noted the tribe’s ongoing responsible gaming efforts and community support, including aid for wildfire-affected families.
For the Cowlitz Tribe, Chairman William Ayala and Ilani Casino President Kara Fox LaRose described the tribe’s history, community programs, and the resort’s growth. The proposed sixth amendment would raise gaming station wager limits up to $1,000, create a special higher-limit player process with financial suitability and anti-money-laundering checks, strengthen responsible gaming signage and marketing requirements, allow temporary gaming areas, and adjust TLS ticket pricing through the most favored nation process. Committee members asked about self-exclusion and credit practices; Cowlitz gaming officials said hundreds of people have used the self-exclusion program and that higher-limit play is tied to substantial credit/front-money requirements. No votes were taken at the hearing, and the meeting ended with closing remarks and adjournment.
LA
Bills:
HR94, HR95, HR96, HR97, HR98, HR99, HR100, HR101, HR102, HR103, HR104, HR105, HR106, HR107, HR108, HR109, HR110, HR111, HCR45, HCR46, HCR47, HCR48, HCR49, HCR50, HR92, HR93, HCR44, SB11, SB72, SB78, SB151, SB207, SB210, SB219, SB241, SB286, SB324, SB351, SB376, SB409, SB411, HR74, HCR26, HB4, HB98, HB108, HB131, HB151, HB161, HB244, HB288, HB294, HB305, HB310, HB320, HB336, HB380, HB392, HB403, HB420, HB459, HB476, HB513, HB540, HB596, HB608, HB615, HB631, HB637, HB648, HB665, HB682, HB789, HB813, HB815, HB835, HB870, HB905, HB915, HB933, HB938, HB944, HB971, HB987, HB1040, HR15, HR20, HCR14, HCR6, HCR19, HCR10, HB81, HB134, HB154, HB163, HB170, HB194, HB217, HB220, HB254, HB259, HB290, HB308, HB311, HB360, HB382, HB401, HB410, HB417, HB463, HB575, HB592, HB718, HB723, HB750, HB755, HB776, HB812, HB844, HB882, HB888, HB961, HB966, HB980, HB54, HB67, HB73, HB125, HB133, HB158, HB168, HB169, HB191, HB195, HB245, HB280, HB283, HB296, HB319, HB339, HB399, HB407, HB448, HB550, HB591, HB826, HB995, HB1085, HB1086, HB722, HB140, HB468, HB546, HB746, HB842, HB923, HB166, HB349, HB352, HB429, HB436, HB588, HB747, HB780, HB782, HB911, HB827, HB953, HB796, HB901, HB9, HB52, HB58, HB193, HB284, HB400, HB570, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB733, HB735, HB868, HB952
Keywords:
Sanfilippo Syndrome, awareness, genetic disorder, cognitive impairment, Louisiana, Alzheimer's, dementia, caregivers, public health, health education, civil bench warrants, judgment debtors, notification process, judgment debtor examination, Louisiana State Law Institute, Knock Knock Children's Museum, early childhood education, economic development, community engagement, Louisiana legislature
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Child Custody Review Task Force Feb 23rd, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislative Management is going to have some say in this.
- So maybe an option for a good, solid set of rules.
- So I don't know if this is one bill or three bills that we could offer Legislative Management.
- So if the bill passes, the Legislative Management doesn't have the option of not studying it.
- So if the bill passes, the Legislative Management doesn't have the option of not studying it.
Summary:
The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and reviewed a memorandum compiling member suggestions for possible legislation. The memo grouped ideas into topics including creation of a family court, expanded education for parents, attorneys, and judges, expedited hearings for parenting-time violations, limiting law enforcement involvement in custody disputes, creating parenting time expediters, and adopting more uniform court procedures. Members also discussed whether to form subcommittees, but the task force decided to continue working as a full committee rather than create subcommittees at this time.
The committee then heard testimony from Dr. John Perez, a mental health professional, who described his personal custody experience and his professional work with families he believes have been affected by parental alienation. He argued for stronger education, faster court response times, and better tools to address intentional interference with parenting time. Members questioned him about his case history, the concept of parental alienation, and whether specialized family courts or judges with family-law training could help. Dr. Perez said a dedicated family court and faster hearings would likely have helped his situation.
The task force spent substantial time discussing the possible creation of a family court. Judge Hovey supported the idea of a specialized family court or at least a study of one, saying family cases are distinct from ordinary adversarial litigation and that judges with family-law experience could better handle them. Several members agreed that a family court could improve consistency, expertise, and speed, but others cautioned that the task force’s current directive is focused on enforcement of existing orders rather than broader custody policy, and noted that voters had previously rejected equal shared parenting proposals. The group also discussed expedited procedures for parenting-time disputes, with Judge Hovey suggesting a 30-day hearing timeline may be workable.
On education, members generally supported requiring parents to complete a parenting education course and adding educational materials explaining court process, child support, and what judges can and cannot do. Mr. McLean suggested a short instructional video for litigants and more family-law education for judges and attorneys, while Ms. Moldenhauer said education could be incorporated into scheduling orders or mediation orders. Members also discussed the Parents Forever course, including whether it should be mandatory in all counties and whether cost is a barrier; no vote was taken on any of these proposals.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/28/2026 - Joint Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- , forestry and fire management—so fighting wildfires is going to be cut by $2 million?
- I'm the managing partner for Epic Policy Group.
- You brought up the percentage that you're allowed to spend for management for advertising.
- This thing... ...to fix things in the Land Management Fund or not.
- For those reasons, and many more that we're explaining this morning, I'm a solid, solid, solid yes, Mr
Summary:
The joint appropriations committee met on April 28 to review the FY 2027 budget package, including the general appropriations feed bills (HB 4138 and SB 1831) and related budget reconciliation measures. Staff described the budget as including about $17.96 billion in general fund appropriations, a one-time transfer of state monies to increase revenues, a 5% lump-sum reduction to most agencies’ discretionary general fund budgets, and several one-time restorations or continuations for items such as school facilities, child care, child safety, corrections stipends, and public safety operating costs. Members spent much of the meeting debating how the across-the-board cuts would be implemented, which programs might be affected, and how fund sweeps from prior-year appropriations and special funds would work, including questions about universities, public safety, rural hospitals, transportation grants, the Corporation Commission, and health insurance costs for state employees and troopers.
A major point of discussion was the impact on universities and higher education. Arizona Board of Regents representatives said the proposed reductions and fund sweeps would affect already obligated dollars, research, staffing, and student aid programs, and could force difficult decisions about programs such as the Promise Program, Teachers Academy, and other pass-through funds. Committee members also raised concerns about whether the cuts could lead to tuition increases or reductions in services, while majority members emphasized that agencies and the executive branch should decide how to absorb the reductions. Another major topic was health care and the state employee health plan: staff explained that the budget includes a $228 million general fund infusion to stabilize the plan, while a separate reconciliation bill would raise employee premiums over three years. Members also discussed whether the budget’s changes to AHCCCS/Access and hospital eligibility rules could increase costs for hospitals and reduce coverage.
Public testimony largely opposed the budget. Speakers from Opportunity Arizona, the Arizona Board of Regents, and local governments argued that the proposal would shift costs onto working families, reduce support for education, housing, SNAP, health care, and rural infrastructure, and protect tax benefits for data centers and higher-income taxpayers. A mayor from Globe asked for state help after severe flooding damaged roads, water lines, and homes, while a motorcycle safety advocate asked the committee to review a DPS motorcycle safety fund appropriation. Committee members and staff repeatedly clarified that some items discussed were one-time appropriations not continued into FY 2027, that some fund sweeps were from unspent or unencumbered balances, and that the committee planned to take a mass roll-call vote on the budget bills at the end of the meeting.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Land Grant Aug 14th, 2025
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to need management. We have people who are ready to move on it.
- All of those are managed by the BLM, so there was a big equation.
- We need a land-grant manager, basically. You're looking at the land-grant manager right now also.
- The hills need to be managed better than they are right now.
- And so our physicians and practitioners are under-equipped to manage it.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Two, it contains and enhances stronger private enforcement provisions for our joint labor-management
- My name is Allie Soperman, advocacy and policy manager for the Housing Action Coalition.
- I think I understand the answer to: the first technical question I had was about whether it's rock solid
- And so the question is how do we manage that, and how do we not ignore the harms from taking no action
- And so the question is how do we manage that, and how do we not ignore... ...the harms from taking no
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:01:59.399>
business have to run oursel as a solid business have to run oursel as a solid - <00:19:24.159>
the types our priority is to manage the types our priority is to manage the - <01:08:54.520>
the development team that team manages the development team that team manages - I'm based out of Boston I'm a managing I'm based out of Boston I'm a managing director<01:12:22.600
- So here's management.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Budget Section Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- There's no firm record, but in coordinating with the counties, we believe that is a pretty solid number
- It was taking, the assumptions included robust, or I would say, really solid housing growth.
- And that is the kind of asset management and retirement tracking.
- And Nathan, I just want to compliment you and your department for managing this.
- Research and Education, and every interim they are required to submit a report to the Legislative Management
Summary:
The Budget Section approved the March 18 minutes and received an OMB update showing the general fund is still ahead of the budgeted starting point, but revenues through May are now about $76 million below the legislative forecast, driven mainly by individual income tax and sales tax shortfalls. OMB also reported the budget stabilization fund is above its cap, meaning a transfer to the general fund is expected, and reviewed oil price/production assumptions, noting continued volatility. Members asked about the income tax netting process, the sales tax decline, oil price discounts/premiums, natural gas taxation, and when the executive branch would present its revenue forecast.
The committee then acted on several Emergency Commission requests. It approved, as a group, requests for federal mine reclamation funds for the Public Service Commission, an additional criminal investigator FTE and funding for the Attorney General’s office, and a DPI transfer for bridge software costs. It separately approved DPI request 2164 for $500,000 to support the food vendor program after debate over whether the program’s savings were known and whether the money was simply a pass-through. OMB also reported on federal grants, fiscal irregularities, tobacco settlement proceeds, budget guidelines for agencies, FTE pool usage, vacancy savings, and the DAPL settlement, noting the settlement funds had been deposited and that a deficiency appropriation may be needed later to cover remaining accrued interest.
Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus presented on the primary residence credit program, saying participation has grown sharply and that the current biennium will likely need about $431 million, roughly $22 million above the appropriation. He explained how the credit interacts with homestead and disabled veteran benefits, how the 3% property tax cap works, and why county valuations and mill rates vary. The committee also received a Legacy Fund/Budget Stabilization Fund report showing strong returns, and DOT Director Ron Henke received approval for two Flex Fund highway projects on ND 49 and ND 31. Henke also explained remaining Highway 85 funding and said the department is exploring uses for leftover state dollars. Finally, the Department of Mineral Resources reported on abandoned well plugging and site restoration, noting North Dakota remains in relatively strong shape compared with other states, and DPI began a presentation on gap funding tied to the 3% levy cap, reporting 24 districts received $1.8 million in the first year and projecting higher future needs.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Mar 20, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- area minor permit or a special management area use permit under certain conditions.
- requirements of a special management requirements of a special management area<00:15:38.720>
- <00:17:08.880>
program uh two coastal zone management program uh two coastal zone management - :28:22.880>
and <00:28:23.200>Office Emergency Management Agency and Office Emergency Management - I think this is a solid bill reporting.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several measures. SB 1296 HD1, relating to disaster recovery, would exempt reconstruction of lawfully constructed structures damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster from special management area permits under certain conditions. OPSD, DLNR, the County of Maui, Front Street Recovery, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, saying it would speed rebuilding after disasters like the Maui fires; one witness noted the bill would not cover shoreline parcels unless amended, and members asked about the five-year rebuild window, the meaning of “lawfully constructed,” and whether unlawful structures were excluded. Testimony was also heard on SB 1413, which would allow the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to dispose of abandoned property in federal public housing projects after notice and within five days; HPHA said the bill would help address illegal dumping and clarify procedures. SB 31 HD1, concerning discriminatory restrictive covenants, was briefly described and had support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and comments from the Uniform Law Commission, with no in-person testimony.
The committee then heard SB 1341, which would add HEMA and the Office of Homeland Security to agencies allowed to review energy industry information and would expand the program’s emergency-management purpose. The Hawaii State Energy Office supported the measure, saying the data is important for emergency response and fuel-supply planning. SB 10008 HD1 would authorize counties to adopt ordinances enforcing accessible parking space requirements and clarify county enforcement of EV-related parking provisions; the Disability and Communication Access Board strongly supported the accessible-parking provisions, saying current enforcement is weak, while noting section three on EV spaces is already largely in statute and could be struck if the committee preferred. Tina Yamaki of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1028 SD1 HD1, which would eliminate fees, fines, and court costs for offenses committed by minors, discharge existing related debt, limit community service for minors to 72 hours, and repeal certain penalties tied to minors and their parents or guardians. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council, Community Alliance on Prisons, and DebtFree Justice Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that youth fines burden families, worsen poverty, and disproportionately affect Native Hawaiian youth. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments, raising possible constitutional title issues because the current draft incorporates material from HB 129 and includes sections that may relate more to restitution or curfew than to fines and fees; supporters responded that the title is sufficient and cited case law. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/11/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Gunnar Carlson, and I'm the community engagement manager for Riverton Community Housing.
- This program also offers voluntary case management and a children's program for the residents.
- This program also offers voluntary case management and a children's program for the residents.
- <01:05:21.839>
in <01:05:21.960>a voluntary case management in a voluntary case management - <01:06:09.640>
and home ownership and provide solid and home ownership and provide solid and
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- polluting way to manage waste or to make polluting way to manage waste or to make energy<00:18:20.240
- Incineration is the most expensive and polluting way to manage waste or to make energy.
- Incineration is the most expensive and polluting way to manage waste or to make energy.
- Incineration is the most expensive and polluting way to manage waste or to make energy.
- Incineration is the most expensive and polluting way to manage waste or to make energy.
Summary:
The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused.
The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments.
Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm an attorney four with the Department of Managed Healthcare.
- We have $2 billion in assets under management.
- We have $2 billion in assets under management.
- You got to, they got to manage it and make sure they actually work.
- You got to, they got to manage it and make sure they actually work.