Video & Transcript Research : 'waste characterization study'
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NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Indian Affairs Nov 13th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Raymond Navajo has been involved in receiving federal funding to do all the study and the planning.
- If the feasibility studies have been completed, if the land has been withdrawn, just depending on those
- are no grant funds, we have to make sure that we're funding those projects ongoing so they're not wasted
- We don't want to waste anybody's time... or money.
- This is how we tell it in the Native American Studies program at UN, and we call it migration stories
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- My field of study includes this particular fly, and I helped with the 2016 efforts concerning it.
- And so a lot of the studies are not... it's kind of correlated.
- Those studies have been done to show how much is there at X date after the treatment.
- How do you get the waste out of a facility like that? You have to make sure that, right?
- However, to my knowledge, we still don't have any extensive study in those areas. ...on what that's doing
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 11, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- This request is a result of the study funded in fiscal year 2020.
- This request is a result of the study funded in fiscal year 2023 through 2024 for the same purpose.
- This request is a result of the study funded in fiscal year 2023 through 2024 for the same purpose.
- . $206 million is allocated for cleanup programs, including petroleum, dry cleaning, and hazardous waste
Summary:
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met to hear member-led presentations on agency budget requests after prior meetings with the agencies. Representative Barnaby summarized the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ fiscal year 2025-26 request, highlighting major funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, Florida Forest Service wildfire and land management needs, citrus disease and research efforts, a new Conner Complex facility and lab, agricultural water and BMP projects, agricultural law enforcement staffing and equipment, maintenance and vehicle needs, and federal grant-related spending. No vote was taken on the department’s request during the meeting.
Representative Bartleman presented the Department of Environmental Protection request and said the subcommittee supported it fully. The request emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality grants, springs, harmful algal bloom and red tide response, alternate water supplies, resilience and flood prevention, beach and coral reef restoration, land acquisition and state parks, and cleanup of petroleum, dry cleaning, and hazardous waste sites. Representative Alvarez asked DEP to provide a list of the most contaminated lakes, along with estimated costs, so the committee could prioritize cleanup efforts.
Representative Black summarized the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission request, which included additional law enforcement funding in high-demand areas, oyster and reef restoration, habitat restoration, heavy equipment for land management and prescribed burning, a water survival training center, and red snapper data research. Representative Salzman then presented the Department of Citrus request, describing a lean agency budget focused on operations, PALM readiness, marketing and consumer awareness, greening-resistant plant material, and building repairs; the workgroup recommended fully funding the request. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair and staff for the more member-driven budget process, and the subcommittee adjourned without objection.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Times are wasting.
- If you look at some of the studies that have been out there, and one that gets highlighted a lot from
- after study shows that when somebody has a...
- Study after study shows that when somebody has a job, when they can further their education, when you
- And at HarborCove's emergency shelter, which is only one of our many programs, a recent study...
Summary:
The committee heard extensive testimony on several Judiciary bills, with the largest portion focused on S. 1178/H. 2052 to reduce mass incarceration and end life without parole. People incarcerated at MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, and NCCI Gardner described personal growth, rehabilitation, restorative justice work, family separation, and the belief that parole eligibility after long sentences would better reflect public safety and human development. Speakers emphasized that life without parole removes hope and can undermine rehabilitation, while supporters argued that many lifers are older, less likely to reoffend, and could contribute positively if given a chance at parole review. Committee members did not take votes during the hearing.
The committee also heard testimony on S. 1139 to restore the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims involving tobacco use, with Sen. Keenan explaining that a recent SJC decision had cut off claims where the injured person did not sue within three years before death. He said the bill would restore families’ ability to seek redress in cases involving long-latency tobacco harms like COPD. Another major topic was S. 1205, which would add abusive litigation to the definition of coercive control in domestic violence law; Sen. Michael Moore said the bill would stop abusers from using repeated court filings to harass and financially burden survivors.
The committee also took up S. 1114 on automatic record sealing, with Sen. Friedman and others arguing that the current petition-based process is slow, burdensome, and disproportionately harms people with criminal records, especially Black and Latino residents. Testimony also supported H. 1965/S. 1132 on compensation for wrongful conviction, with advocates and sponsors describing a faster administrative claims process, transitional support, and higher compensation without the current cap. Sen. Payano testified for S. 1241 to expand educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults, saying education reduces recidivism and improves reentry outcomes.
A substantial portion of the hearing focused on S. 2522, an update to Massachusetts’ shield law for reproductive and gender-affirming care. Sen. Friedman, the Attorney General’s office, and DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said the bill is needed to strengthen protections against out-of-state legal attacks, protect patient and provider data, clarify enforcement authority, and add a state-level EMTALA-style emergency care requirement. Committee members asked detailed questions about prescription labeling, the prescription monitoring program, attorney discipline, custody and full faith and credit issues, and whether the bill’s enforcement language could create unintended limits or conflicts. The Attorney General’s office said it would provide follow-up written testimony on several technical questions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Aug 29th, 2025
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- amended to make clarifying changes out with republicans not voting SB 14 Blake Spear state agency's waste
- Criminal record relief hold in committee SB263 Gonzalez tariff study due pass is amended to remove the
- SB593, Hurtado, voltage change study do pass with author's amendments to direct the CPUC to require electrical
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- I am a social studies teacher at Smyrna High School, teaching civics, geography, and Advanced Placement
- I'm a big fan of social studies teachers. They were definitely the most impactful in my education.
- to help alleviate, I think more of the stress on teachers, and I'm going to focus more on social studies
- to help alleviate, I think more of the stress on teachers, and I'm going to focus more on social studies
- I am currently Chief of Facilities Management for the Delaware Solid Waste Authority and a professional
Summary:
The Senate Executive Committee first considered several gubernatorial appointments. Heidi Gilmore was nominated to the Marijuana Appeals Commission and said her real estate and administrative-law background would help her support implementation of Delaware’s new marijuana framework. Lee Wynne Lynn and Ruth Tucker were both nominated to the Delaware River and Bay Authority Board; both emphasized long Delaware ties, public service, and experience in technology, transportation, and executive leadership, with committee members asking about modernization, cashless tolling, and potential conflicts of interest. Lindsay Alexic and Dr. Jennifer Hallman were nominated to the Professional Standards Board and described their classroom and administrative experience in Delaware public education, with discussion focused on supporting teachers, improving educator effectiveness, and helping schools address post-COVID classroom and student-support challenges. Jason Munion and F. Todd Collada were nominated to the Environmental Appeals Board; Munion cited his engineering and environmental background, while Collada noted his work as Milford’s mayor and a contractor. No votes on the nominations are reflected in the transcript excerpt.
The committee then moved to legislation. House Bill 364 would create a Delaware Entertainment Production Tax Credit for film, television, e-sports, and video game production, with a $10 million annual cap, audit and reporting requirements, a 2031 sunset, and a focus on verified in-state spending and Delaware hiring; the bill was circulated after no public comment. House Bill 437 was described as a technical corrections bill affecting certain municipal charters and requiring a three-quarters vote; it also drew no public comment. The committee approved the previously circulated minutes by motion and second.
House Bill 446 would reorganize the Delaware Forest Service chapter, consolidate authority in one section, and add definitions related to forests and urban forestry without creating new authority; House Amendment 1 was noted as clarifying existing authority for the Department of Agriculture. House Bill 180, the first leg of a constitutional amendment on voting, would limit felony-related voting loss to actual imprisonment or pardon, remove outdated residency and literacy provisions, update the voting age to 18, and eliminate a post-sentence voting ban; members raised a question about whether the change would apply retroactively, which was left for later clarification. No public comments were offered on the bills, and the committee adjourned after announcing written comments would be accepted for 24 hours.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 1228, by Gates, relating to municipal solid waste management service contracts, authorizing elimination
- HB 1236, by Gehan, relating to a study on electrically unmanned aircraft capable of vertical takeoff
- HB 1276, by Gonzalez of El Paso, relating to the study of the state's responses to plant disease or pest
- HB 1276 by Gonzalez of El Paso relating to the study of the state's responses to a plant disease or pest
- outbreaks refer to the Committee on HB 1277, by Gonzalez of El Paso, relating to a study of plant disease
Summary:
The House met to read a large slate of newly filed bills and resolutions and refer them to committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including health care and insurance, public education, elections, criminal justice, public safety, taxes, transportation, agriculture, environmental regulation, higher education, housing, and local government. Several proposals focused on abortion and reproductive health, firearms, voter registration and ballot access, school curriculum and accountability, property tax and homestead issues, and state contracting and agency oversight. A number of constitutional amendments were also filed, including proposals on initiative and referendum, veto override authority, vaccination refusal, parental rights in education, gun rights, Medicaid expansion, and various tax exemptions.
No substantive debate, testimony, or votes occurred during this portion of the meeting; the clerk simply read the bills and resolutions and announced their committee referrals. The list included both general legislation and joint resolutions, with many items sent to standing committees and several to subcommittees. The House then adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (03/18/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- I move interim study. >> Second. >> Seconded by Representative Gathright.
- just in case will put this one in study just in case something<00:41:39.599>
happens. - ,<02:18:23.920>
I Actually, when we did our study, I Actually, when we did our study, I thought - the property because of hazardous waste the property because of hazardous waste that<02:38:59.439
- <02:39:06.640>
and drug paraphernalia but human waste and drug paraphernalia but human waste
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 02/05/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- Have we had reports of fraud or waste in the LIHEAP program that the department's aware of?
- <00:56:59.480>
in have we had reports of fraud or waste in have we had reports of fraud or - I'll just note briefly that a study just in the last week or so came out that was highlighted both in
- I'll just note briefly that a study just in the last week or so came out that was highlighted both in
- and fraud than on finding that waste and fraud than having<01:05:32.720>
it <01:05:32.880>
Summary:
The Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee heard Senate File 486, as amended by the A2 delete-everything amendment, which would create a supplemental, year-round energy assistance program administered by the Department of Commerce alongside LIHEAP. Senator Dibble said the bill is intended to help low-income households pay utility bills throughout the year, including summer months, by providing crisis grants, ongoing monthly assistance, emergency heating system repair or replacement help, outreach funding, and reporting requirements. The committee adopted the A2 amendment before hearing testimony on the bill as amended.
Supportive testimony came from Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board, Jenny Glumac of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Mackey of Minnesota Valley Action Council, Ron Elwood of Legal Aid, Jamie Fitz of CenterPoint Energy, George Shardlow of the Energy CENTS Coalition, and Kent Sulum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association. Witnesses said energy burdens are especially high in rural Minnesota, utility arrears and shutoffs have increased, and most shutoffs occur in summer when LIHEAP is unavailable. They argued that year-round assistance would help vulnerable households, reduce shutoffs, improve health and housing stability, and create administrative efficiencies by using existing LIHEAP infrastructure.
Several witnesses cited data on the need for assistance, including high energy burdens in rural areas, more than 91,000 Minnesota households disconnected for non-payment in 2024, and the large share of LIHEAP recipients who are seniors, people with disabilities, children, or veterans. Amanda Mackey described a client story illustrating how energy assistance can stabilize a household and lead to broader benefits. Senator Mathews offered comments supporting help for households in need but said the bill is a stopgap and tied the need for expanded assistance to prior legislative actions that increased energy costs. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion of the transcript provided, and members indicated they would return to questions after testimony.
MI
Transcript Highlights:
- My amendment would establish a task force to ensure health care is affordable in Michigan by studying
- doing to guys who are just trying to clean manure out of trailers and calling that manure industrial waste
- . ...and calling that manure industrial waste.
Summary:
The Senate met with 27 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of motions, recesses, and introductions of bills. Several new bills were read and referred, including measures affecting the Income Tax Act, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, public utilities, nondisclosure agreements, data centers and community benefit agreements, zoning, Medicaid false claims, and the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Act, with referrals mainly to finance, energy and environment, and housing and human services committees.
In the Committee of the Whole, Senate Bills 592, 49, and 50 were reported without amendment and advanced. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bills 900, 820, 966, 967, 968, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978. SB 900 dealt with the Vehicle Code, SB 820 with election law, SB 966 and SBs 974-978 with housing and insurance-related changes, and SB 967 with the Income Tax Act. SB 966, 967, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978 all passed on 20-16 votes, while SB 900 passed 35-1.
Senate Bill 973, creating a state-based health insurance exchange as a nonprofit corporation, drew the most debate. Senators Weber, Lindsay, and Halk offered amendments, all of which were defeated after recorded votes; Weber argued for cost controls and consumer savings, while supporters said the bill would give Michigan more control over health care decisions and could lower premiums. Senator Irwin spoke in support of the housing-related package, saying it would help address the state’s housing shortage. Senate Bill 592, concerning the Corrections Code, was also passed after a 31-5 vote, with Senator Lindsay explaining his no vote as concern about how the bill treats juvenile offenders.
The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 133, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to honor commitments to Michigan farmers participating in the Rural Energy for America Program. Senator McCann supported the resolution, citing farm losses from federal rollbacks, while Senator McBroom gave a strong no-vote explanation criticizing state energy policy and the resolution’s framing. The session ended with remarks recognizing Juneteenth and an anecdotal bipartisan exchange between senators before the chamber adjourned until June 23 at 10:00 a.m.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Apr 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- creates a clear roadmap to address the significant environmental impact of inadequately tweet, treated waste
- pose serious threats to navigational safety and the environment frequently containing debris, human waste
- And what happened was is the University of California Riverside conducted a study that turn edible plants
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Mar 26th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Water Topics Overview Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Similarly, on the cost-share study, like I mentioned, we were directed to conduct this study and address
- This study has three primary outputs.
- needs, this study is limited to three systems.
- This is our next steps for both studies.
- I really appreciate this governance study.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Why are we even wasting our time with it? We're only paying lip service to OUI laws.
- Why are we even wasting our time with it? We're only paying lip service to OUI laws.
- <01:11:35.920>
that studies have consistently shown that studies have consistently shown that - You'll hear that this rate was set up by a cost study. That's true.
- was set up by a cost study. That's true. was set up by a cost study. That's true.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 27th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In Laudato Si', Pope Francis says, the earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned
- The earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor.
- According to studies based on 2025 and 2026 data, queer, bisexual, and transgender individuals are disproportionately
- Sandy grew up in Indianapolis and studied aerospace engineering at Purdue University before moving to
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through privileges of the floor recognizing Fresno State Ag Leadership Development Program students and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The body also approved the Senate journals and took up several gubernatorial appointments, including confirmations to the Court Reporters Board and the California Law Revision Commission, each approved by roll call vote.
The chamber then considered SCR 136 marking the 50th anniversaries of the California Coastal Act, Coastal Commission, and Coastal Conservancy. Supporters emphasized coastal access, habitat protection, public trails, and resilience, while one senator argued the commission can overrule local control and slow development. The resolution passed 27-4. The Senate also adopted SR 68 for Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with broad support focused on survivor advocacy and accountability, and SCR 130 recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month, which passed unanimously. Several bills were then approved on unanimous roll call, including SB 1058 on school nutrition procurement, SB 930 on encryption for school exam proctoring, SB 917 on winery sales at farmers’ markets, SB 1002 on continuity of out-of-state telehealth care, SB 1036 on mitigation fee credits for redevelopment, SB 1285 on juvenile record dismissals, and SB 969 on remote developmental services.
Later, SCR 131 called for an urgent, coordinated response to unsheltered homelessness, emphasizing interim shelter, permanent housing, and supportive services. Supporters said the state must stop normalizing encampments and better coordinate resources; one senator objected that the resolution did not sufficiently address self-sufficiency or alternatives to housing-first approaches. The resolution passed 34-0. The Senate also adopted SCR 157 honoring school bus drivers, approved the consent calendar, heard committee announcements, and adjourned in memory of Sandy Steers, a conservation advocate and longtime executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, May 19, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- :33:14.239>
webs, <03:33:14.960>offshore study ecosystems and food webs, offshore study - <03:49:31.600>
the requires a study analyzing the requires a study analyzing the activities - in terms of the time it will waste in terms of the time it will waste looking<05:12:31.360>
back - <05:21:57.200>
and concern, especially as the study and concern, especially as the study and - argument for expanding political studies argument for expanding political studies in<08:17:52.958
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 02/26/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And in 2023 I saw a photo in the presentation of just the plastic waste and plastic bottle waste and
- And in 2023 I saw a photo in the presentation of just the plastic waste and plastic bottle waste and
- And in 2023 I saw a photo in the presentation of just the plastic waste and plastic bottle waste and
- And in 2023 I saw a photo in the presentation of just the plastic waste and plastic bottle waste and
- And in 2023 I saw a photo in the presentation of just the plastic waste and plastic bottle waste and
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN/WAM Joint Info Briefing - Tue Jan 21, 2025 @ 1:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- water um in the maintenance on our waste water um in the last<00:08:19.560>
eight <00:08:19.800 - <00:14:00.560>
collections <00:14:01.560>last Municipal Solid Waste collections last - Municipal Solid Waste collections last year<00:14:02.199>
100% <00:14:02.639>of <00:14: - Wastewater Golf and now Solid Waste Wastewater Golf and now affordable<00:29:05.399>
housing < - which is to take a look at where wasted which is to take a look at where wasted assets<01:19:00.560
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
May 13, 2025 - 02:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- And so the first year is the year we've picked for our case studies.
- Roads showed up on the list, and then we had fire control show up on the list, solid waste show up on
- Air control show up on the list, solid waste show up on this list, airports show up on this list, and
- So you can see we had quite a few others, including sewer services, solid waste, things like that, that
Summary:
The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for a listening session focused on a presentation by Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research on local government revenues and expenditures. Baker reviewed statewide financial data for counties, municipalities, and independent special districts, using 2018-19 as a baseline year because it was stable and pre-COVID. She explained that counties rely heavily on taxes, with ad valorem taxes making up about 73% of county tax revenue and about 24% of total county revenues statewide, while municipalities rely more on charges for services and have a lower statewide ad valorem share of about 14.7%. She also noted wide variation across local governments, with some counties and cities highly dependent on property taxes and others using them minimally or not at all. Special districts were shown to be very different from counties and cities, with hospital-related revenues and expenditures dominating many of them, while water management districts were more reliant on ad valorem taxes and focused expenditures on the physical environment.
Baker also summarized expenditure patterns: counties spent the largest share on public safety, while municipalities spent the largest share on general government services, followed by physical environment and public safety. She emphasized that local government structures vary widely and that the committee should study what characteristics are associated with greater property tax reliance. She said the next research steps would be to extend the analysis through later years, including the COVID and inflation period, and to examine institutional and legal factors that shape local fiscal structures. Members asked about unfunded mandates, fuel taxes, reserves, school taxes, millage rates, and how property taxes relate to specific services such as police and fire. Baker said the current analysis did not yet account for mandates or school taxes and that further work could examine links between revenues and expenditures, commercial versus residential tax burdens, and other factors.
After the presentation, members reported back on local meetings with counties and municipalities. Several described large differences in millage rates, revenue mixes, and the impact of any property tax changes on fiscally constrained counties versus larger, wealthier ones. Concerns were raised about how local governments would replace lost revenue, especially for public safety and emergency response, and members discussed the need to consider both revenue replacement and ways to rein in spending. The co-chairs said the committee would continue gathering information, send members follow-up homework and requests for panel suggestions, and invite additional input from constituents, stakeholders, and local governments. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, Who We Play For is facilitating electrocardiogram studies in 40 of the 67 counties currently
- No wasted doctor time. No wasted doctor time, no remake costs, and no frustrated patients.
- struggle with troubleshooting, leading to incorrect refractions, unnecessary prescription changes, and wasted
Summary:
The Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills. SB 1546 on background screening for athletic coaches was explained as another extension of the deadline for coaches to be added to the background screening clearinghouse; it passed favorably with support from athletic and youth sports organizations. SB 958 on type 1 diabetes early detection was amended to match the House version, requiring the Department of Health to provide school districts, school boards, and charter schools with informational materials for parents; it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. CS/SB 1070 on electrocardiograms for student athletes drew extensive discussion about sudden cardiac arrest prevention, implementation timelines, costs, funding through private and public sources, and whether insurance, KidCare, or Medicaid should cover screenings; after supportive testimony from school and athletic groups, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute.
The committee also heard SB 1060, which would create a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid managed care to review encounter data, financials, audits, and rebate calculations with assistance from an actuary and the Auditor General. The sponsor and several senators framed it as a transparency and verification measure in response to large mid-year Medicaid funding increases and concerns about network adequacy and vertical integration; it passed favorably. CS/SB 944, which shortens the insurer overpayment recovery look-back period for claims involving psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, also passed favorably with support from the Florida Psychological Association. SB 1370, moving ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute rather than under hospital licensure provisions, was supported by surgery center representatives and reported favorably.
The committee approved SB 768, as amended, to narrow the foreign-country-of-concern licensure attestation for health care entities to direct controlling interests and clarify the “reasonable efforts” standard; it passed after questions about how the standard would work in practice. SB 1544 on opticianry prompted significant debate over whether the bill would limit nonlicensed staff in ophthalmology and optometry settings; after a proposed amendment was withdrawn and multiple witnesses spoke both for and against, the bill was temporarily postponed. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to SB 1808 requiring health care practitioners and facilities to refund patient overpayments within 30 days, with enforcement through AHCA fines or professional discipline, and then reported the bill favorably.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR/TOU Joint Public Hearing - Wed Feb 5, 2025 @ 8:45 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- It establishes a plant-based building material working group to study and report on how best to grow
- So it's not just going to waste, um, or just taking the fur.
- So it's not just going to waste, um, or just taking the fur.
- the responsible wasteful death will happen<02:18:12.319>
from <02:18:12.599>passing <02 - environmental footprint a study environmental footprint a study published<02:21:56.880>
in
Summary:
The joint House Agriculture and Food Systems and Tourism hearing focused on HB 189 and HB 966, both dealing with agricultural tourism. HB 189 would require counties to adopt ordinances governing review and permitting of agricultural tourism as secondary uses on working farms, require the principal agricultural use to pre-exist any tourism-related permit, and limit ag tourism to land where productive agriculture is occurring. HB 966 would create statewide uniform standards for agricultural tourism, require county registration of activities, require ag tourism to coexist with agricultural activity on a farming operation, and end the tourism use when agricultural activity ceases.
Testimony on HB 189 was mixed. The Department of Agriculture and Kualoa Ranch opposed the bill, arguing that the proposed restrictions and income-based limits could burden bona fide farms and ranches, reduce flexibility for counties, and harm food production, jobs, and diversification efforts. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism supports its food sales and community market and warned the bill could cost more than 350 jobs. The Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council also opposed the measure for similar reasons. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the bill with suggested amendments, including clearer language around agricultural dedication. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the intent of the bill but urged caution, saying ag tourism should remain tied to actual agricultural production and that counties need flexibility to address abuses without imposing overly rigid standards.
Members discussed how to define a bona fide agricultural operation and whether property tax agricultural dedication could serve as a clearer qualifier. They also raised concerns about how counties would enforce revenue thresholds or separate accounting for tourism and farm income, and whether state law should better target clearly non-agricultural uses such as gondolas or other abusive developments. The Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau said counties already have authority to regulate ag tourism through ordinances, but that any new standards should avoid unintended burdens on true farmers and ranchers.
HB 966 was then introduced, and initial testimony again reflected support for the bill’s intent from some agricultural groups and opposition or caution from others. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism can help educate visitors and support agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported county flexibility, and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau reiterated concerns about the bill’s income comparison provisions and the need to distinguish legitimate agricultural tourism from misuse. No votes were taken during the hearing.