Video & Transcript Research : 'nuclear waste'

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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Mar 18th, 2026

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • plants and high-level nuclear waste dump sites.
  • Planning requirements for nuclear waste storage sites.
  • Current law from 10 miles to 50 miles and including nuclear waste dump sites.
  • It would update the law to include nuclear waste depositories and increase the evacuation radius to 50
  • Whether a nuclear plant is decommissioned or not, it can retain high levels of radioactive waste and
Summary: The hearing covered several public safety bills and related testimony. On S. 2681, “Colby’s Law,” which would establish safety standards for BMX/motocross tracks, the committee heard emotional testimony from the family of a teen killed at a track and from advocates who said minimum standards are needed for barriers, medical staff, emergency planning, insurance, and oversight. A track owner and rider also testified that safety is important but argued the bill was incomplete and should better distinguish between BMX and motocross and include more specific equipment and weather-related rules. On S. 2680, a bill to expand emergency planning around aging nuclear plants and high-level nuclear waste sites, supporters from Cape Cod, medical groups, and anti-nuclear organizations urged a 50-mile emergency planning radius and stronger state preparedness, citing risks from long-term waste storage and inadequate federal oversight. The committee also heard testimony on a Barnstable home rule petition to allow certain emergency response vehicles to use red lights, with the town supporting the change to improve response times on the water. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on H. 5158, the Protect Act, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. County sheriffs testified about how ICE notifications and detainers work in practice, distinguishing between criminal warrants and civil immigration requests to notify, and describing their discretion when people are released on bail or at the end of a sentence. Sheriffs said they generally notify ICE when requested, especially in cases involving serious charges, but emphasized the need to balance public safety, victim notification, and due process. Committee members pressed them on the impact of ICE pickups at courthouses and jails, and several lawmakers and witnesses argued that pretrial detainees taken by ICE can disrupt prosecutions and deny victims their day in court. Supporters of the Protect Act included labor, education, health care, and immigrant advocacy groups. They said immigrants and mixed-status families are living in fear of routine interactions with police, schools, courts, and hospitals, and urged the committee to ban 287(g) agreements, prohibit law enforcement from asking about immigration status or providing operational assistance to ICE, and add stronger protections for sensitive locations such as schools and health care facilities. Medical witnesses described patients and families avoiding care because of ICE presence, and educators said students are missing school out of fear. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and indicated it would continue receiving written testimony before taking action later.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • heat. ...the untapped and abundant geothermal and waste heat.
  • reactors without solving the problem that led to the ban in the first place, which is that nuclear waste
  • We don't need an expensive state study to know that nuclear waste problems remain unsolved, that nuclear
  • And folks asked me how I knew so much about nuclear.
  • is that accounted for in modern nuclear power plants?
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on clean energy, electrification, and grid planning. AB 1813 (Ward) would revise California’s community renewable energy program to better support community solar and storage, especially for renters and low-income customers, by tying credits to avoided costs and requiring at least 51% low-income participation. Supporters said the current CPUC program is unworkable and has stalled development; utilities raised concerns about cost shifts, CCA impacts, and the bill’s late substantive amendments. The bill was discussed but no vote was recorded in the excerpt. AB 2313 (Berman) would create a gas service line replacement alternative program allowing customers facing planned gas line replacement to instead choose electrification and receive an incentive. Supporters argued it would reduce long-term gas infrastructure costs and give customers more choice, while opponents warned it could divert money from safety-related gas replacement work, create affordability issues, and conflict with the recently approved SB 1221 pilot. Committee members pressed the author on safety, funding sources, and renter impacts; the author said the bill includes emergency replacement exemptions and is intended to lower costs for remaining ratepayers. AB 1975 (Schultz) would require the CPUC to develop a grid utilization metric and consider expanded grid management programs to better use existing distribution infrastructure and reduce the need for costly upgrades. Supporters said better utilization could save ratepayers billions and help integrate batteries and flexible load; utilities generally opposed rigid utilization targets but were open to further discussion. The committee passed AB 1975 on a 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 2612, on plug-in photovoltaic systems, passed 9-0 to Appropriations after supporters said it would expand access to low-cost solar and utilities requested clarification that they would participate in the standards process. AB 1849 (Pappin) would direct CARB to study the need for decarbonized gaseous fuels in hard-to-electrify sectors and for grid reliability. Supporters framed it as a technology-neutral assessment for sectors like industrial heat and backup power; opponents argued it was biased toward a preferred fuel pathway and duplicated existing state studies. After a lengthy exchange over the lack of a statutory definition for “decarbonized gaseous fuels,” the bill passed 10-0 to Appropriations. AB 2088 (Pappin) would authorize investor-owned utilities to own and operate thermal energy networks, with safeguards for safety, workforce, and ratepayers. Supporters described TENs as efficient, low-emission heating and cooling systems that can use geothermal energy or waste heat; the bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (3-24-26)

Postsecondary Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • And the reason for in nuclear energy.
  • And they are developing technology to convert that nuclear waste that's just sitting there into nuclear
  • fuel for these small-scale nuclear reactors.
  • And they are developing technology to convert that nuclear waste that's just sitting there into nuclear
  • fuel for these small-scale nuclear reactors.
Keywords: 958, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • plants and high-level nuclear waste dump sites.
  • Thank you. ...planning requirements for nuclear waste storage sites.
  • In the wake of 9/11, the National Governors Association stated that the HLNW, high-level nuclear waste
  • It would update the law to include nuclear waste depositories and increase the evacuation radius to 50
  • Whether a nuclear plant is decommissioned or not, it can retain high levels of radioactive waste and
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee held a public hearing on several public safety bills, with testimony first on S.2681, Colby’s Law, which would establish safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Supporters, including the family of a child killed at a track, argued the bill is needed because some tracks lack basic protections such as barriers, emergency plans, on-site medical staff, and adequate track maintenance. A motocross track representative opposed the bill as overregulation that could impose major costs and argued existing safety efforts and voluntary safety committees are preferable. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S.2680, which would expand emergency preparedness requirements around aging nuclear power plants and nuclear waste sites from a 10-mile to a 50-mile radius. Supporters from Cape Cod Downwinders, Massachusetts Peace Action, physicians, and other advocates said current law is outdated and insufficient, citing risks from radioactive waste storage, limited federal oversight, and the need for broader evacuation and emergency planning. Testifiers urged the bill’s passage, and no action was taken. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Protect Act, H.5158, dealing with limits on cooperation between state/local agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement. Sheriffs testified about how ICE detainers and notification requests work in practice, emphasizing discretion, public safety, and the difference between sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees. Supporters from labor, education, and health care groups said immigrant communities are living in fear and asked for stronger protections, including bans on 287(g) agreements and clearer limits on ICE activity in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The hearing also included testimony on H.4697 regarding training and certification of constables and civil deputy sheriffs, with the Hampshire County sheriff saying sheriffs are already working with POST and MPTC on training standards and that the bill may be duplicative.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session - part 2 May 7th, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • energy and nuclear waste storage as our state moves forward?
  • So it's not a tax; it's a fee that they are paying because they are allowed to store nuclear waste at
  • We learned a lot about the nuclear moratorium. That was all good.
  • Now, nuclear is an interesting discussion, but to talk about nuclear and cost-effective in the same sentence
  • Nuclear is tremendously expensive, but we can discuss that.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Apr 22nd, 2026

Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • waste remains extremely hazardous for hundreds of thousands of years.
  • We don't need an expensive state study to know that nuclear waste problems remain unsolved, that nuclear
  • of a nuclear power plant can fit in half the size of this room.
  • And folks asked me how I knew so much about nuclear.
  • , how is that accounted for in modern nuclear power plants?
Keywords: 988, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Finance - 04/30/26

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • This study is a much broader study, which says studying not only nuclear waste disposal, not only advanced
  • Will that also include recycling of nuclear waste?
  • <c> only</c> only nuclear waste disposal, not only only nuclear waste disposal, not only advanced<00:
  • </c> Nuclear waste? Mr. Chair, Senator Pratt, yes.
  • And though I appreciate that the study now does look at the costs and nuclear waste issues and so on.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> and they're building nuclear weapons." and they're building nuclear weapons."
  • </c> trying to prevent nuclear war. trying to prevent nuclear war.
  • </c> make a Hiroshima style nuclear weapon. make a Hiroshima style nuclear weapon.
  • Nuclear-armed India exchanged fire with nuclear-armed Pakistan just this year.
  • </c> nuclear rest uh reduces nuclear risk. nuclear rest uh reduces nuclear risk.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/03/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • It appears to also preclude nuclear because nuclear is not considered dispatchable generally, and so
  • The feds have supremacy when it comes to nuclear and nuclear power.
  • The feds have supremacy when it comes to nuclear and nuclear power.
  • One other thing that hasn't been mentioned is the waste and storage of the waste.
  • And if you took all the nuclear waste in the entire country for the last 70 years... ...you will not
Summary: The committee took up several energy, transportation, and land-use bills. HB 2428, dealing with county and ADEQ authority to issue voluntary permits certifying emission reduction credits for mobile and non-road sources, received neutral testimony from ADEQ and support from Maricopa County; the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed the bill 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2145, which expands who may request certain gasoline fuel reformulation actions and is contingent on EPA approval, also passed on a 5-4 vote after brief staff explanation and no amendment. The committee then considered HB 2331, a strike-everything amendment requiring electric utilities to ensure 85% of generating capacity serving retail load comes from “reliable resources” by 2030. Supporters, including the sponsor and Arizona Free Enterprise Club, argued it would protect affordability and grid reliability by favoring dispatchable power; opponents, including the Sierra Club and Rural Arizona Action, said it would effectively favor fossil fuels, raise costs, and limit cleaner resources. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 6-4. HB 2795, which would bar counties from using zoning to block small modular reactors once federal permitting conditions are met, drew strong support from the sponsor and industry advocates who framed it as pro-property-rights and pro-nuclear, and opposition from county, city, and environmental groups who raised preemption, local control, safety, waste, and siting concerns; it passed 6-4. The committee also passed HB 2340, which allows the Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee to evaluate proposed generating facilities along with transmission lines, on a 5-4 vote. HB 2400, an emergency measure to suspend the motor vehicle fuel tax in Areas A and C during part of the year and replace the lost revenue through state highway funding, drew opposition from cities and counties over transportation funding impacts but support from the sponsor and some members focused on gas affordability; the Griffin amendment was adopted and the bill passed 6-4. Finally, HB 2401 was introduced as a requirement for ADEQ to conduct a biennial review of available fuel formulations and their air-quality impacts in Areas A and C, but the transcript ends before testimony or action on that bill is completed.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 04/07/25

Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'd raised the same question about dealing with nuclear waste.
  • </c> about the um dealing with nuclear waste. about the um dealing with nuclear waste.
  • </c> We do not have a good way to put nuclear We do not have a good way to put nuclear waste<01:16:50.159
  • Yeah, I just wanted to respond to your comment about nuclear waste.
  • Again, you do your about nuclear waste.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Development Authority. do not have current nuclear generation do not have current nuclear generation
  • </c> substantial investment in nuclear. substantial investment in nuclear.
  • to generate nuclear fuel.
  • </c><00:39:30.000><c> It's</c> actually still in that waste. It's actually still in that waste.
  • So, um I nuclear energy really is."
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 11, a proposal to create a matching-grant program for neighborhood storm shelters in rural Kentucky. Sponsor Steve Meredith and supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the City of Morgantown said the idea was to use FEMA-style funding to help residents who live far from community shelters, noting that in some rural counties it can take 30 to 45 minutes to reach a shelter during severe weather. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 11-0, with no nay votes. The committee then considered Senate Bill 41, which would require a ballot referendum whenever a taxing entity raises property taxes more than 4 percent, rather than relying on the current petition process. Sponsor Gary Boswell said the bill would give taxpayers more direct control and argued that local governments should simply avoid raising taxes above the threshold. Superintendents from Rockcastle and Casey counties opposed the bill, saying it would weaken local control, add election costs, delay budgets, and make it harder for school districts to keep up with inflation, insurance, transportation, and construction costs. After debate, the committee passed the bill 7-3 with favorable expression. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 59, which would add criminal penalties to KRS 65.013, the law barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot questions. Sponsor Steve Rawlings said the measure was prompted by reports of school officials using public resources to oppose a 2024 ballot issue and argued the law needs real enforcement to protect taxpayers and election integrity. Members raised concerns about First Amendment issues and the bill’s gray areas, especially for public employees speaking on their own time; Rawlings said the substitute removed volunteer references, allowed balanced issue debates, and clarified that employees acting on their own time and resources would not be prohibited. The committee passed the bill 8-3 with favorable expression. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 57, as substituted, from Senator Danny Carroll. The bill would create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program under the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, with up to three projects receiving up to $25 million each to help cover early site permitting and related licensing costs. Carroll, along with witnesses from the UK Center for Applied Energy Research and the Public Service Commission, said the goal is to build a nuclear energy ecosystem in Kentucky, with safeguards including surety bonds, deadlines, and cost-recovery provisions. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Saugus waste-to-energy facility is an important part of the municipal solid waste infrastructure
  • making more waste than the previous year.
  • You do not put nuclear waste into your water. This is the foundation of life.
  • Right now, we're wasting perfectly good water.
  • So we can conserve more and waste less. Right now, we're wasting perfectly good water.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing with testimony on a range of environmental bills. Early testimony focused on H. 1018, which would update management of the Commonwealth’s water resources and limit new conditions on historic water registrations. Water officials from Wellesley and the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission supported the bill, arguing that drought-related restrictions on registered withdrawals are difficult to administer, create customer confusion, and can undermine utility revenue needed for infrastructure upgrades. A Massachusetts Waterworks Association representative also backed the bill, saying registered systems have long operated within their allocations and should not have those withdrawals conditioned by regulation. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 1040, which would ban tire-derived materials on playgrounds and playing fields. The bill’s petitioner, environmental advocates, and an environmental chemist testified that crumb rubber and other tire-derived infill can release chemicals into soil and water and may pose risks to aquatic life and public health. Committee members asked about alternatives and costs; witnesses said natural grass and some organic infills are available, though more research is needed on some substitutes. Rep. Schwartz also testified on CSO-related bills, describing combined sewer overflows as a public health and environmental problem and saying the bills set deadlines but leave implementation methods to local and regional officials. Rep. Chacolo supported H. 909, a grant program for low-noise, low-emission landscape equipment, citing worker health, noise, and emissions concerns, and Sen. Cyr testified for bills addressing coastal and environmental acidification and nutrient pollution. The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 4040, which would prevent discharge of radioactive materials from the Pilgrim decommissioning process. Speakers including a Sierra Club representative, a physician, and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association opposed Holtec’s plan to dispose of radioactive wastewater through evaporation or discharge, citing public health, transparency, and economic risks to fisheries and coastal communities. Another large block of testimony addressed CSO legislation, especially H. 1046 and related bills for the MWRA service area. Environmental groups, residents, and river users described sewage overflows into the Charles, Mystic, and Alewife Brook, impacts on health and recreation, and the need for a timeline to eliminate or sharply reduce overflows. Industry representatives opposed the CSO and waste bills, arguing they would be costly, duplicative, and disruptive, while waste facility operators said they already use continuous emissions monitoring and comply with existing regulations. No votes were taken during the hearing.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Radioactive and Hazardous Materials May 29th, 2025

Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • for transuratic waste in the website.
  • or known buried waste.
  • So, the New Mexico State Supreme Court is currently weighing the case concerning proposed nuclear waste
  • Um, there's spent nuclear fuel. There's liquid waste, there's, um. Other than Class C waste.
  • So there's a variety of different nuclear or radioactive wastes that are out there.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • We three are here all in support of H. 2488, which calls for better monitoring of the nuclear waste at
  • This is high-potency nuclear waste, and it is stored there for now, but it could be there forever unless
  • They're big, and there are 62 of them, and they're full of nuclear waste.
  • When I say nuclear waste, I would have thought that the uranium used for nuclear power is... ...used
  • for nuclear power is in this waste, but after a certain point it no longer is profitable to use it to
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief. A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist. The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities. Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/03/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Transcript Highlights:
  • The feds have supremacy when it comes to nuclear and nuclear power.
  • The feds have supremacy when it comes to nuclear and nuclear power.
  • One other thing that hasn't been mentioned is the waste and storage of the waste.
  • And if you took all the nuclear waste in the entire country for the last 70 years... ...you will not
  • And if you took all the nuclear waste in the entire country for the last 70 years, 70 years, you will
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - 05/12/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • on nuclear power.
  • If you do your research, you're going to find that 96% of spent nuclear waste can be recycled nowadays
  • Nuclear gives you that.
  • </c><01:27:09.199><c> Nuclear</c> need base load electricity. Nuclear need base load electricity.
  • So it's not all nuclear. investments. So it's not all nuclear.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/25

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • waste were stored at Prairie Island.
  • waste were stored at Prairie Island.
  • First, I would like to say that the RDA is not a tax on nuclear.
  • First, I would like to say that the RDA is not a tax on nuclear.
  • First, I would like to say that the RDA is not a tax on nuclear.
Keywords: 1183, house
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/25/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's still no long-term storage solution for nuclear waste.
  • And studies show SMRs could generate two to 30 times more waste than traditional nuclear reactors.
  • SMRs could generate two to 30 times more waste than traditional nuclear reactors.
  • around... ...technology as long as we have important safeguards around nuclear waste issues, storage
  • waste, and nuclear weapons proliferation.
Keywords: 1182, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, any radioactive waste I think we could reasonably say is not none.
  • First nuclear fusion power station. Okay.
  • I have concerns about what you do with the waste.
  • Just to follow up on Chair Rausch's question about the waste.
  • How do you envision waste management for the byproduct of a fusion?
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of climate, energy, and environmental justice proposals. Early testimony strongly supported the Climate Change Superfund or “Polluter Pays” bill (H.1014/S.58), which would assess the largest fossil fuel emitters for a one-time fee based on historic emissions to fund climate adaptation. Sponsors argued the bill is modeled on Superfund cleanup principles, would target only the largest multinational polluters, would not be passed on to consumers, and would direct a significant share of funds to environmental justice communities. Committee members asked about the number of companies covered, consumer impacts, and whether the bill would address other forms of environmental destruction; sponsors said it was limited to major fossil fuel companies with a Massachusetts footprint and did not cover other pollution sources. The committee also heard testimony on a fusion energy compact proposal (S.673) that would direct the administration to develop a framework for a New England regional compact to accelerate fusion research, workforce development, and supply-chain growth. Supporters from MIT and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said fusion could become a major clean-energy and economic opportunity, but acknowledged the technology is not yet commercially viable and still has unresolved technical, cost, and waste-management questions. Members pressed on environmental impacts, siting, waste, costs, and whether the bill would create a compact or only a framework; sponsors said it would only create the framework and that the administration would need to negotiate with other states. Another major topic was a pilot program for nature-based climate solutions (H.971/S.??), backed by legislators, Boston Harbor Now, and UMass Boston’s Stone Living Lab. Witnesses said the bill would help speed permits for research and demonstration projects such as living shorelines, marsh restoration, and hybrid “green-to-gray” flood protections, while maintaining safeguards and protecting Indigenous and historic resources. Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with other permitting reforms and whether it could conflict with housing or wetland-related streamlining; supporters said it was complementary and aimed at making projects faster, more affordable, and more data-driven. The hearing also covered climate-safe buildings and climate adaptation funding bills. Supporters of H.1004/S.583 said current building codes do not adequately account for future flooding, heat, and wind, and the bill would add climate expertise to the building board, allow stretch resilience codes, expand floodplain standards, and create a retrofit program. Related testimony backed H.938/S.572, which would create a dedicated climate and community resilience fund financed by a small fee on property insurance premiums; advocates said it would provide stable long-term revenue for adaptation, especially in environmental justice communities, and help replace unreliable federal funding. One witness from CLF supported the climate-safe buildings and funding bills but opposed S.560/H.939 as too broad. The committee also heard testimony on airport air-quality legislation (H.997) calling for more monitoring and mitigation of ultra-fine particulate pollution around Logan Airport and Massport communities. No votes were taken during the hearing.