Video & Transcript Research : 'Environmental Protection Agency'

Page 14 of 500
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Committee, February 11, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • It protects water resources. It protects natural resources. It protects the agricultural industry.
  • It protects infrastructure. It protects communities.
  • <00:50:39.680> It<00:50:39.839> protects protects water resources.
  • It protects protects water resources. It protects natural<00:50:40.640> resources.
  • It protects communities. infrastructure. It protects communities.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations Committee, February 11, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, I think I'll wait for the agency. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Uh, thank you, Mr.
  • And then the state agencies can see a statewide dashboard so we can see where are all of the critical
  • And then the state agencies can have.
  • Because the state does all kinds of studies for all kinds of agencies.
  • How long is a comprehensive agencies.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce May 13th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • It would allow requesters to send a written complaint to the agency.
  • This helps protect the progress that is been made over the last few sessions to provide tax relief to
  • Additionally, it would allow PUC to obtain criminal history information not only from Texas state agencies
  • to be inclusive of solar tiles to prevent homeowners associations from exploiting a loophole into protect
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Business and Commerce May 13th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • This helps protect the progress that has been made over the last few sessions to provide tax John Burra
  • Additionally, it would allow PUC to obtain criminal history information not only from Texas state agencies
  • be inclusive of solar tiles to prevent homeowners associations from exploiting a loophole and to protect
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This helps protect the progress that has been made over the last few sessions to provide tax relief to
  • Additionally, it would allow PUC to obtain criminal history information not only from Texas state agencies
  • be inclusive of solar tiles, to prevent homeowners associations from exploiting a loophole and to protect
  • be inclusive of solar tiles, to prevent homeowners' associations from exploiting a loophole and to protect
Summary: The committee first took up pending business and favorably reported several House bills without opposition, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061. Each was moved out of committee with a recommendation that it do pass and be printed, and several were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard HB 3306, which would extend existing construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure construction, maintenance, and vegetation management work for electric utilities and transmission and distribution utilities. The sponsor said the bill would reduce litigation and insurance costs for ratepayers, while construction industry witnesses argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity in a way Texas law has generally prohibited since 2011. HB 3306 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill to repeal an outdated Finance Code provision requiring remittance of a portion of certain delinquency charges to the state, and HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all Department of Banking-requested cleanup bills dealing with confidentiality and supervision rules for perpetual care funds, state banks, and trust companies. Those bills were briefly explained and left pending without testimony. HB 4219, aimed at improving Public Information Act compliance by requiring timely notice when records do not exist or are being withheld, allowing complaints to the Attorney General, and imposing training and fee consequences for noncompliance, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst and was also left pending. The committee then heard HB 4238 on coerced debt and identity theft. The sponsor explained that the committee substitute narrows the bill to court-ordered findings of identity theft/coerced debt, gives collectors seven business days to stop collection activity, and removes a section to avoid litigation over court orders. A law professor and a family violence advocate testified in strong support, describing coerced debt as a barrier for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors trying to rebuild credit and access housing, jobs, and utilities. The bill was left pending. HB 1522, which would require local governments to post meeting notices three business days in advance and make budget materials more accessible online and in physical form, also drew support, though a school business officials representative raised concerns about the timing language, proposed-budget wording, and taxpayer impact statements for school districts; the bill was left pending after discussion. Later, the committee heard additional pending bills, including a PUC background-check bill that would expand the commission’s authority to check current employees and contractors and obtain FBI criminal history information, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending HOA solar-panel protections to solar tiles, and HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance and recycler solvency. HB 3228 received support from a Sierra Club witness who said recycling and disposal plans are needed for end-of-life renewable energy equipment, and HB 3229 was described as requiring recyclers to show financial resources at 125 percent through a letter of credit or bond. These bills were heard and left pending.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce May 13th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • This helps protect the progress that has been made over the last few sessions to provide tax relief to
  • Additionally, it would allow PUC to obtain criminal history information not only from Texas state agencies
  • be inclusive of solar tiles to prevent homeowners associations from exploiting a loophole and to protect
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up pending business, reporting several House bills favorably to the full Senate, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061, with some also recommended for the local and uncontested or contested calendars. The committee then heard and left pending HB 3306, which would extend construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure work, including construction, maintenance, and vegetation management for utilities. Supporters said it would align utility infrastructure work with public works and reduce litigation and ratepayer costs, while opponents argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity concerns. Members also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill repealing an outdated Finance Code provision tied to delinquency charges on retail charge accounts, and left it pending without testimony. The committee then considered several Department of Banking cleanup bills, including HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all left pending after brief explanations and no public opposition. HB 4219, dealing with public information requests, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst who said it would improve transparency by requiring timely responses, notice when records do not exist, and training or fee consequences for noncompliance; it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4238, a committee substitute addressing coerced debt and identity theft, which would bar collection of certain debts from victims who obtain a qualifying court order. A law professor and a family violence advocate supported the bill as narrow, protective relief for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors, and it was left pending. Other bills heard and left pending included HB 1522 on local government budget meeting posting and taxpayer impact disclosures, HB 4344 authorizing background checks for PUC employees and contractors, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending solar-panel HOA protections to solar tiles, HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance, and HB 1922 clarifying the accrual date for construction defect claims under right-to-repair law. The committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Energy REVISED Apr 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • For the Environmental Quality Board for a five-year term, January 31st, 2031, succeeding himself, Senator
  • follows: number one on page 1, line 24, by inserting after the word customer and before the word 'protection
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Community Affairs Jan 20th, 2026

Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 288 narrows the statute to remove that unintended exposure while preserving core consumer protections
  • The bill is a negotiated glitch bill agreed to by stakeholders that protects co-ops' authority to choose
  • This would extend that protection to the managers and assistants. ...elected officials.
  • This would extend that protection to the managers and assistant city managers.
  • They spend a lot of time, and in the areas that I work in, they’re very focused on trying to protect
Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up a series of local claims, public records, growth management, permitting, and nuisance bills. It first heard and approved SB 16, SB 14, and SB 24, all uncontested claims bills providing relief related to injuries or settlements involving the City of St. Petersburg and Miami-Dade County. The committee also approved SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, which narrows statutory language to protect co-op decisions on generation and power purchases while preserving consumer protections, and SB 830, which creates a public records exemption for certain personal information of county and city managers and their families due to reported threats against local officials. Members then considered SB 1138 on qualified contractors and development review, which would create a registry of licensed professionals to help local governments process pre-application reviews and plats more quickly. Local government groups raised concerns about preemption and preserving quasi-judicial authority, while private-provider supporters backed the bill; Senator Sharief voted no, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 168, expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increasing penalties, and SB 686 on agricultural enclaves, which revises the enclave process, adds a public hearing path, limits it to certain residential projects in urban service areas, and was amended to change a date to June 30, 2026 before being reported favorably. The committee next approved CS for SB 548 on growth management and impact fees, which clarifies plan-based methodology, extraordinary circumstances, interlocal agreements, and refund procedures for improper fee collections. Testimony reflected support for clearer standards but also concerns about fee increases and refund administration. Finally, SB 1234 on building permits and inspections was reported favorably; it would extend permit validity, exempt some low-value work from permitting, create a statewide residential permit form, speed review timelines, and expand private-provider use, drawing opposition from a Miami-Dade building official who argued for continued local oversight and support from private-provider advocates. Senator Jones requested to be recorded as voting affirmatively on several tabs and negatively on tab 9, and the committee adjourned after all bills were disposed of.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Child Committee Meeting - 2025-04-10

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Article one is an agency bill. Article two, 25% of it is an agency bill.
  • Article three, a third of it is an agency bill. Article four, a third of it is an agency bill.
  • If we want to protect kids, there's no better way to protect kids than to make sure their parents can
  • That's in the agency bill.
  • That's in the agency bill.
Bills: HF2436, HF2929
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Mar 12th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I want to thank you, first and foremost, for helping protect our children, for keeping them from..
  • By setting this specific timeline, this bill will improve efficiency and state agency operation. 693
  • Senate Bill 992. by which the Attorney General approves or denies approval of a state agency contract
  • We protect free markets and free enterprise, we also protect the Texas consumer with this bill.
  • It protects our schoolchildren, and I agree with Senator Miles.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 12th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill strengthens those protections.
  • a measurable standard to assist Floridians who call needing state agency assistance the most.
  • environmentally sensitive areas.
  • DRI doesn't really exist anymore because we don't have a land planning agency in Florida at the state
  • So does this bill contemplate any protections for those communities? Senator McLean. Thank you, Mr.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard several bills and reported most of them favorably. The first major measure, CS/SB 1220, was described as a broad transportation package expanding FDOT authority over trails, seaports, aviation, advanced air mobility, delivery devices, and related technology, while also addressing toll revenue use, autonomous vehicle penalties, digital driver licenses, and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel vehicles. An amendment narrowed some provisions, including local regulation of personal delivery devices and FDOT airport language. Senator Smith and others raised concerns about language involving FDOT assistance to local governments on federal grant applications, but the bill passed unanimously after support from industry and local-government appearance cards. The committee also approved SB 1112, the Labor Pool Act, which would prohibit labor pools from charging placement fees when workers are hired permanently by a third-party employer and require annual registration with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce barriers to full-time employment, improve oversight, and help returning citizens and low-wage workers; multiple witnesses testified in support, including labor advocates and individuals describing high placement fees. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s worker and reentry benefits, and it passed unanimously. The committee then favorably reported SB 2, a claims bill for the estate of Danielle Maudsley arising from a fatal FHP arrest incident and settlement, and SB 26, another claims bill providing relief for the estate of Mark Legata after alleged FDOT negligence. Senate Bill 1352 on motor vehicles also passed without opposition. It would create a secure online portal for license plate seizure processing, allow disabled veterans to retain their DV plate designation upon reissuance or transfer, ban license plate covers and similar devices that obscure plates, and route certain online driver license and ID transactions through county tax collectors. SB 1192, a customer service pilot requiring callback queues for certain calls to the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families, was likewise reported favorably to improve response times and reduce hold times. The most extensive debate centered on CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new process for very large developments on 10,000-acre or larger parcels if the owner sets aside 60% of the land for conservation or reserve uses. Supporters said it was intended to promote long-range planning, preserve land, and provide certainty for infrastructure and services, while opponents from counties, planning groups, and environmental organizations argued it would preempt local land-use authority, weaken public participation, and allow conservation requirements to be too vague. An amendment added more detail, but concerns remained about administrative approval, timelines, and the definition of reserve areas. Despite opposition from some members, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. SB 1670 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording one member’s vote on SB 1220.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

TRS-EIG, TRS Public Hearings 02-05-2026

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • allocates money from the environmental allocates money from the environmental resource,<00:07:10.240
  • Uh, this is our biggie for today. agency anyway. So uh we'll have further agency anyway.
  • There is one small intends to protect.
  • not currently protected in those two not currently protected in those two sections.<01:24:36.159>
  • <01:26:48.320> this move forward in this era to protect this move forward in this era to protect
Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation-related measures. SB 2356, relating to parking, drew support from the Office of Planning, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Appleseed Center, Realtors, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. Members discussed the bill in the context of the planned stadium-area mixed-use development, with questions about whether parking would be built in structures rather than as large surface lots. Senators expressed support and noted the measure’s broader housing and parking-reduction goals, but no vote was taken during the hearing. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 2699, which would create a fare-free youth transit program, a special fund, annual evaluations, and appropriations tied to the environmental, energy, and food security tax. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about whether the special fund met statutory requirements. The Department of Education and Department of Health supported the bill, as did the City and County of Honolulu DOT, Appleseed Center, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Hawaii Bicycling League, Our Children’s Trust, and numerous youth testifiers. Supporters emphasized reduced family transportation costs, better school attendance, improved health and mobility, and environmental benefits. One senator raised emergency-planning concerns about how children using free transit would be handled during events like tsunamis; DOT and DOE responded that emergency procedures are being developed. The chair said the committee would work on language changes, including a delayed effective date to July 2027, and defer decision-making until the 12th. The final measure discussed was SB 2470, which would require leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian signals, and other safety improvements at state-controlled intersections, and create a process for community requests for accessible pedestrian signals. Appleseed Center, the Hawaii Association of the Blind, and the Disability Rights Center supported the bill, citing pedestrian safety, reduced collisions, and the need for audible cues for blind and low-vision pedestrians. Testifiers urged a phased-in approach that prioritizes high-traffic intersections. The hearing ended with the bill still under consideration and no final vote announced.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Opening Day Floor Session 01-21-2026 10:00am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have Senator Kohole, Chair of Consumer Protection and Commerce.
  • Kohole, Chair of Consumer Protection Kohole, Chair of Consumer Protection and<00:22:31.679> Commerce
  • there is so much in consumer protection. there is so much in consumer protection.
  • To Senator McCelie, uh, he's a former consumer protection chair in the House.
  • consumer protection chair in the House. consumer protection chair in the House.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 4/10/25

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Article one is an agency bill. Article two, 25% of it is an agency bill.
  • <00:04:25.680> Article is an agency bill. Article is an agency bill.
  • That's in the agency bill.
  • That's in the agency bill.
  • That's in the agency bill.
Bills: HF2436, HF2929
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Investment Committee 4/9/26

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • funding is essential to help us protect funding is essential to help us protect public<00:04:24.400
  • Why the state investment is needed is to ensure compliance with the environmental standards, protect
  • environmental environmental a<00:24:37.760> catastrophe<00:24:38.400> ready<00:24:38.679
  • problem from an environmental problem from an environmental perspective,<00:26:16.840> and
  • It's about protecting people's health, preventing environmental harm, and ensuring basic, reliable services
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Capital Investment Committee 4/8/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:08:19.280> is Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
  • <00:08:37.919> In Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
  • In Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
  • > committee<00:14:35.040> could protection that this committee could protection that this
  • reports that the agency has done? reports that the agency has done?