Transcript Highlights:

• Especially those remediating pollution rather than actually causing it.
• It would lead to cleaning up more pollution by capping the generation and handling fee. amount of tax
• Leaving our communities continually polluted.
• against an entity responsible for discharging chromium-6 into the water supplies, such as industrial pollution
• , and previous High profile cases involving chromium six have been industrial pollution.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• keep ourselves healthy, to eat well, to drink clean water, to not put ourselves in the way of air pollution
• keep ourselves healthy, to eat well, to drink clean water, to not put ourselves in the way of air pollution
• the<00:03:50.319> way<00:03:50.480> of<00:03:50.799> air<00:03:51.120> pollutions
• /c><00:03:51.840> And<00:03:52.959> you<00:03:53.040> know, the way of air pollutions
• And you know, the way of air pollutions.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on two Parkinson’s-related bills in Minnesota: one to ban paraquat and another to create a state Parkinson’s research trust fund. Rep. Christy Purcell said the research bill would create a dedicated pot of money to coordinate and fund Parkinson’s research in Minnesota, with Sen. Mann as the Senate author. Supporters said Minnesota should act because Parkinson’s is growing rapidly, there is no cure, and state institutions could serve as a research hub. Several people living with Parkinson’s testified about the personal and family impact of the disease, including early-onset diagnoses, loss of work, mobility challenges, and the burden on caregivers. Speakers from the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation supported both bills, arguing that paraquat is strongly linked to Parkinson’s, that exposure can affect farmers and nearby residents, and that prevention and research are both needed. The paraquat bill was described as especially important because alternatives exist and the chemical is reportedly used very little in Minnesota. During the discussion, Rep. Hansen said the paraquat bill would be held over and not voted on that day because a fiscal note was requested. He said the committee would hear the bill later that day and urged colleagues to keep an open mind. In response to questions, supporters said they anticipated little opposition beyond chemical-industry interests, and they emphasized that the bill was aimed specifically at paraquat rather than other chemicals. The research bill was discussed as a possible $25 million request, though no vote was taken on that proposal in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Plastic Pollution Coalition has authorized me to convey their support for the bill.
• So I think the concern here is that either because of litigation by polluters at the federal level or
• So I think the concern here is that either because of litigation by polluters at the federal level or
• Every day we are exposed to multiple layers of different toxins and pollutants that contribute to cancer
• We are exposed to multiple layers of different toxins and pollutants that contribute to cancer risk.

Summary: The committee heard several environmental and consumer-safety bills. AB 405, the Fashion Act, would require fashion companies to disclose and manage toxic chemicals in their supply chains; supporters said it would reduce worker and consumer exposure and align with existing industry frameworks, while retailers and business groups argued it would duplicate existing laws and raise costs. After questions about DTSC workload, international standards, and affordability, the bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Natural Resources and held on call with three votes. AB 762 would ban the sale and distribution of disposable vape devices; supporters emphasized battery-fire risks, recycling contamination, and waste impacts, while cannabis and convenience-store interests warned it would push consumers to illicit markets and harm legal businesses. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Business and Professions with three votes and was held on call. The committee also adopted the consent calendar with six votes. AB 794 would direct California to keep in place the federal PFAS drinking-water standard if federal protections are weakened, with supporters citing health risks and the need for certainty, and water agencies opposing the emergency-rulemaking authority and potential costs. Members debated whether the bill was too broad and whether federal funds would cover implementation; the bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations with four votes and was held open. AB 1148, the Safer Food Packaging Act, would restrict certain chemicals in food packaging; supporters cited cancer and reproductive-health concerns, while chemical, beverage, and manufacturing groups argued the bill should go through existing regulatory processes and that some chemicals lacked feasible alternatives. The author said she would remove antimony trioxide later in the process after hearing opposition concerns; the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Judiciary with four votes and was held open. Finally, AB 1338 would allow local air districts to recover costs for implementing fence-line air monitoring at metal shredding facilities, building on prior legislation and local air district efforts in AB 617 communities. The author said the bill would preserve local control and improve efficiency, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District testified in support. The transcript ends as the district witness begins testimony, with no vote yet taken on AB 1338.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and then moving on to SB 984 relating to water pollution, requires a landowner in possession of
• <00:57:41.799> requires 984 relating to water pollution requires 984 relating to water pollution
• regulations in rural areas, where we have reports of runoff and other forms of water pollution?
• If you add bedrooms to a cesspool, you're definitely polluting the groundwater.
• the groundwater if you add pollute the groundwater if you add bedrooms<01:02:28.720> to<01:02

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees. In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees. Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:36.080> control of rulemaking with the pollution control of rulemaking with the pollution
• And then the last piece would be the Pollution Control Agency on page 14.
• And then the last piece would be the Pollution Control Agency on page 14.
• And then the last piece would be the Pollution Control Agency on page 14.
• protections against highway pollution protections against highway pollution and<00:59:14.720>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tom Johnson from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• <00:54:21.520> that when it's a spill of a pollutant that when it's a spill of a pollutant
• we currently do a hazardous pollutant we currently do not<00:54:26.440> not<00:54:26.680>
• This is an intractable pollutant and something that needs specific attention.
• to move because potential for pollution to move because it<01:07:26.880> reduces<01:07:27.279

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Energy is an energy source that does not release pollutants or greenhouse gases during use.
• Those are polluting.
• <03:45:31.600> they<03:45:31.760> pollute<03:45:32.159> obviously are polluting
• they pollute obviously are polluting they pollute obviously they<03:45:32.720> would<03:45:32.920
• would be considered low polluting they would be considered low polluting because<03:45:34.279> they

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On page two, Pollution Control Agency: statewide drinking water, $6 million; capital assistance program
• On<00:02:11.680> page<00:02:12.080> two,<00:02:12.800> pollution<00:02:13.280
• > control<00:02:13.760> agency, On page two, pollution control agency, On page two, pollution
• The program would be administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and it provides grants to
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and it provides grants to design and construct projects to provide

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• significant amounts of water for cooling, and they can damage the environment in other ways through air pollution
• , noise pollution, or through PFAS through noise pollution, or through PFAS discharge.
• it includes a payment that the utility will use to help its customers reduce the use of harmful, polluting

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• disposal system remediation plans as part of BMAP when systems significantly contribute to nutrient pollution
• and periodic assessments and modifies air operation license requirements for major sources of air pollution
• That will mean more pollution for the Florida aquifer and more expensive to restore the springs when
• High flow rates also dilute pollutants from runoff, so in short, adequate flow is essential to the health
• Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, this is a Rick Nease: testing cost for the chemicals being polluted.

Bills: S0598, S0934, S1260, S1300, S1452, S1510, S1566, S1580, S1668, S7034

Keywords: funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care, direct disposal, mortuary science, funeral service arts, licensure by endorsement, cemetery license, contiguous acres, consumer services

Transcript Highlights:

• Tom Johnson, Government Relations Director for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said he did not
• control agency Mr maybe the pollution control agency Mr chair<00:33:53.240> I<00:33:53.360>
• Control agency uh Mr Minnesota Pollution Control agency uh Mr chair<00:34:50.879> representative<
• He would like both the Department of Agriculture and the Pollution Control Agency to come forward and
• Control agency under uh in the Pollution Control agency under uh in the case<01:41:12.000> of

Bills: HF44, HF2102, HF2279, HF2280, HF2281

Keywords: HF44, Casey Jones State Trail, Pipestone Trailhead, Currie Loop, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, trail rehabilitation, trail reconstruction, recreational trail, bike trail, hiking trail, infrastructure, state trail, Pipestone, Currie, bonding authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• The clean air, we have H-FIPP for the medium- and heavy-duty, which are the biggest polluters in the
• But transitioning and providing funding for the medium- and heavy-duty, those are the biggest polluters
• , and many of those truck drivers... ...polluters, and many of those are truck drivers.
• As you pointed out earlier, Madam Chair, in the hearing, this is the most polluting of the vehicle classes
• As you pointed out earlier, Madam Chair, in the hearing, this is the most polluting of the vehicle classes

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the May Revision from the Department of Finance and comments from the Legislative Analyst’s Office on the state’s overall budget condition and natural resources proposals. Finance said the May Revision keeps the budget balanced in 2026-27 and 2027-28, reduces the structural deficit, and includes major natural resources items such as Proposition 4 climate bond spending, including up to $125 million for the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, $23.2 million for wildlife refuge and wetland projects, $25 million for Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, $25 million for Bay-Delta environmental flows, $1 million for coexisting-with-wildlife work, and $2.5 million for cancer-risk research. The LAO said revenues remain strong but argued the budget still relies too heavily on reserves, recommended more savings and fewer new discretionary expenditures, and urged the Legislature to prioritize only urgent health and safety needs while planning for uncertainty in greenhouse gas reduction fund revenues. Members focused heavily on the Golden Gate Fields purchase, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, the wildlife coexistence initiative, and cap-and-invest funding for transit. On Golden Gate Fields, agency officials said the property is a time-limited, once-in-a-generation opportunity, that the state’s contribution would help secure the acquisition, and that the land would ultimately transfer to East Bay Regional Park District, which would assume operations and maintenance. Officials said the site would be remediated by the current owner, the state would use deed restrictions to prevent commercial development, and the remaining purchase price would be covered by nonstate partners. On Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, Finance and the Natural Resources Agency said the $25 million would support scientific monitoring and early implementation of the Bay-Delta plan update, while the LAO questioned the timing and said the request was premature until the Water Board formally adopts the plan. The committee also discussed the coexisting-with-wildlife proposal and wolf-livestock conflict. Finance said the May Revision’s $1 million proposal would backfill existing funds to support limited-term staffing, deterrence tools, and conflict response, while members and the California Cattlemen’s Association said the need is larger and includes direct loss compensation, indirect loss compensation, and nonlethal deterrence. The Cattlemen’s Association said private insurance is limited and often inadequate for these losses. Members also raised concerns about the greenhouse gas reduction fund and transit, warning that lower auction revenues and possible CARB rule changes could leave major transit and other tier-three priorities underfunded. The LAO recommended planning for multiple revenue scenarios and reconsidering the current cap-and-invest spending framework. No votes or formal actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• think it's also important to highlight that it's the carbon market and the price that it puts on pollution
• Above all, that is short-lived climate pollutant reduction, the most urgent thing we can do.
• Chair, members, Brendan Tuig on behalf of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association.
• And finally, it's all methane, so it's a short-lived climate pollutant, which means we're getting the
• It's because in the world where the cost of cutting pollution is so varied and so hard to figure out,

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support. Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization. Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• it'd be really good to find out instead of Paba contaminating, because we got data that Paba is polluting
• We got data that Paba is polluting our water.
• saying I don't know how accurate it's going to be to say that all of El States is contributing to pollution
• it'd be really good to find out instead of Paba contaminating, because we got data that Paba is polluting
• saying I don't know how accurate it's going to be to say that all of El States is contributing to pollution

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1232, which would create a three-year wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center and coordinate testing with state and county agencies. The Department of Health, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and University of Hawaiʻi representatives supported the bill, saying it would help certify new wastewater technologies, lower costs for cesspool conversions, and provide data to the Department of Health. Testifiers said the prior testing effort ended after the departure of Dr. Roger Babcock, and that the new program would use National Sanitation Foundation standards, graduate students, and local wastewater facilities such as Wahiawa. Committee members asked about the $750,000 total cost, the scope of existing research, prior test sites, and whether the program would be tied to individuals or a permanent program. One member raised concerns about the fairness and data basis for sewer conversion decisions in local communities, and the University said it would follow national standards and share results openly. The committee then took up Senate Bill 686, relating to a short-term management initiative for coconut rhinoceros beetle response and related appropriations. The Department of Agriculture and the University of Hawaiʻi testified in support, while a county representative and other advocates urged broader statewide coverage, including Kauaʻi, and asked that appropriated funds be usable on any island. Testimony emphasized the need for immediate action, outreach, tree-trimmer training, canopy treatments, K-9 inspections, container fumigation, and biocontrol research. A member summarized the bill’s funding components, including amounts for training, residential palm treatments, response teams, inspections, fumigation, and research, and noted the importance of directing money toward on-the-ground response. Committee questions focused on how much funding remained available, how the agencies would coordinate with DOA, whether the department was prepared to manage all the bill’s functions, and how infestations were being communicated to the public. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 657, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology’s Center for Climate Resilient Development. The Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in strong support, and the Department of Health also supported the measure, noting that it relies on the center’s data to inform decisions and recommendations on projects. The discussion on this item was brief in the portion provided, with no vote or final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• That it's the carbon market and the price that it puts on pollution that drives emissions reduction in
• I'm on behalf of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association.
• Gases and for criteria pollutants, so we can get public health benefits as well.
• The climate pollutant, which means we're getting the benefits today. Thank you. Thank you.
• It's because in a world where the cost of cutting pollution is so very It's so hard to figure out that

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ALL FINES DIRECTED TO AIR POLLUTION TRUST FUND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN CLEAN AIR AND ENVIRONMENTAL
• IT HAS TO DO WITH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, POLLUTION.
• MY COMMENTARY THE SPIRIT OF THE BILL TO PROTECT FLORIDIANS, PROTECT AMERICANS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
• >> I CONSOLES IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAPPEN WITHOUT ADDITIVES WITHOUT POLLUTANTS TO JET FUEL.
• THERE IS A MYRIAD OF INFORMATION ABOUT AVIATION POLLUTION AND CLOUDS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee Report Number 2, final reading of Senate Bill 1318, Conference Draft 1, relating to water pollution
• conference draft 1, relating<00:06:53.600> to<00:06:53.840> water<00:06:54.160> pollution
• <00:06:55.039> Is<00:06:55.199> there relating to water pollution.
• Is there relating to water pollution. Is there any<00:06:55.840> discussion?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a roll call, approval of the prior day’s journal, and receipt of several communications, including governor’s messages transmitting proposed conference drafts for collective bargaining agreements, House communications on concurrence with Senate amendments and conferee changes, and conference and standing committee reports. The chamber also took up advise-and-consent items on governor’s messages, approving the nominees on consent with no objections and confirming them. The Senate then adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 121, House Draft 1, after several members registered no votes and Senators Kim and Gabbard reserved their votes; the resolution passed with five no votes. Members also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 96 on consent. During the meeting, Senator Kim introduced newly confirmed members in the gallery, including Ken Kawahara for the Board of Regents and student regent Joshua from Muina. On final reading, the Senate passed SB 1296 CD1 relating to disaster recovery and SB 1318 CD1 relating to water pollution by unanimous consent. The Senate also reconsidered and agreed to House amendments to SB 1448 HD2, with Senator San Buenaventura noting the changes were technical and created a clean date; one-day notice was then given for final reading. A legislative communication extending the conference negotiation deadline for fiscal bills from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. was filed, and the chair announced the decking deadline for fiscal bills in conference was 11:30 p.m. The Senate then recessed until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, leaving the journal open until midnight for additional conference committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was an appropriation to the Pollution Control Agency. This is a budget-neutral change.
• Section 2 creates a new statute for the Pollution Control Agency's construction demolition waste transition
• 15.160> the Section 2 creates a new statute for the Section 2 creates a new statute for the pollution
• <00:35:15.920> pollution<00:35:16.200> control<00:35:16.520> agency's pollution
• pollution control agency's pollution pollution control agency's construction<00:35:17.640> demolition

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To take the burden off of taxpayers, she says the biggest polluters who are creating the climate crisis
• It makes the polluters pay and relieve some of the pressure on local taxpayers and agencies that are
• who are creating the biggest polluters who are creating the climate<00:08:44.480> crisis<00:08
• It<00:09:10.520> makes<00:09:10.760> the<00:09:10.880> polluters<00:09:11.400>
• > pay<00:09:12.000> and<00:09:12.120> relieve It makes the polluters pay and relieve

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The segment focused heavily on affordability and fraud prevention in the Minnesota Senate. Senator Michael Kreun discussed his proposal to cap city and county property tax growth at the rate of inflation, with a small allowance for population growth, and to require voter approval by referendum for increases above the cap. He said property taxes rose by nearly $1 billion statewide last year, blamed part of the increase on unfunded state mandates, and said the bill would curb surprise double-digit hikes. Kreun said the proposal has been well received by constituents and homeowners, while cities and counties are concerned about losing revenue; he also said relief could begin as soon as the next property tax statement if the bill passes this year. He noted related affordability ideas, including increasing disabled-veteran exemptions and deferring property taxes for seniors, and said he is open to bipartisan work on other measures such as ending taxes on tips and overtime and reducing tab fees. The program also highlighted climate and infrastructure funding. Senator Ann Johnson Stewart argued that worsening weather is driving costly infrastructure damage and said a proposed climate superfund would shift some of those costs from taxpayers to major polluters. She said the fund could support storm sewer upgrades, pavement reinforcement, and erosion prevention, and noted that Senate File 4126 is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee. On fraud prevention, Senator Julia Coleman’s bipartisan bill would require at least one unannounced, on-site inspection for state grants over $10,000, with recurring check-ins for grants lasting more than a year. The bill is pending in the Senate State and Local Government Committee. Senator Heather Gustafson then discussed her push for an independent Office of Inspector General, saying it would provide oversight over any public or private entity receiving public dollars. She said the Senate previously backed the idea with 60 votes, that the governor’s coordinated council is only an interim step, and that she has not yet seen a Republican fraud package to review. The segment also noted that the Senate unanimously passed Senator Johnson Stewart’s school bus safety bill, Senate File 3623, by a 67-0 vote, clarifying that drivers must stop when school bus lights flash even if the stop arm is only partially extended; the bill now awaits House action.

Transcript Highlights:

• most pure, nutritious food a human being can consume, but even that is being threatened by plastic pollution
• <00:04:50.000> in already have microplastic pollution in already have microplastic pollution
• being can consume but even that is being threatened<00:04:59.880> plastic<00:05:00.400> pollution
• <00:05:01.400> this<00:05:01.520> is<00:05:01.680> a threatened plastic pollution
• this is a threatened plastic pollution this is a serious<00:05:02.479> problem<00:05:03.320><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 345, which would establish ʻōpae ʻula as the state shrimp. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kua Ulu Aumo testified in strong support, saying the designation could help protect endemic shrimp in anchialine pools and increase public education and awareness. In response to questions, DLNR said it would use existing education programs, press releases, and partnerships for statewide outreach and was not seeking a separate appropriation for that purpose. Members then took up SCR 132 and SR 111, which encourage adoption of recommendations from the UN Global Plastics Treaty and the Rapa Nui Summit Declaration on climate justice and sustainable development. Greenpeace Hawaii supported the measures, arguing that plastic production is tied to fossil fuel interests and that microplastics pose serious health and environmental risks. The committee later adopted the measures with amendments, including a change from “waste hierarchy” to “zero waste hierarchy” and technical edits. The final measures, SCR 157 and SR 127, urged the state to adopt and implement the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. DLNR testified that it had only just reviewed the resolution but stood on its written testimony. The committee passed SCR 157 and SR 127 as is. The meeting also included a separate hearing on SCR 89 and SR 72, which would create a University of Hawaiʻi Community College pathway for meat processing. The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the idea, citing workforce needs and local protein supply, while several members raised concerns about whether a formal educational pathway or degree requirement might unnecessarily limit entry into the field; discussion focused on whether the proposal should be more vocational and whether there is enough data on workforce demand. No final vote on those measures was shown in the transcript excerpt.