Video & Transcript Research : 'waste characterization study'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Economic Development Apr 7th, 2025

Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • It relates to a study and report by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding health physics
  • Members, current law permits state agencies to conduct studies and training related to radiation control
  • and waste management, but it does not address workforce development in the growing fields of nuclear
  • Accordingly, Senate Bill 1534 would create a study to help prevent workforce shortages in this critical
  • radiological safety sectors, direct the Coordinating Board and the Workforce Commission to conduct a study
Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, mostly related to economic development, tax incentives, and workforce programs. Senate Bill 1534 would direct a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission on health physics education and workforce needs; resource witnesses from the Workforce Commission and Coordinating Board testified, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1553 would authorize Kerr County to impose a hotel occupancy tax for tourism-related uses, and Senate Bills 1086 and 1087 would authorize similar county hotel taxes for Children’s County and Mason County; all three bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1754, which would prohibit county and local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power wholesale, with testimony sharply divided between landowners and policy groups opposing renewable subsidies and industry representatives and some senators arguing the bill would harm clean energy investment and local decision-making; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2322, which would exempt dispatchable electric generation facilities from the JEDI program’s compelling-factor test so they could qualify for school district tax incentives; testimony was mixed, and the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 1718, which would add the NRA annual meeting to the state’s major events reimbursement program. The bill’s sponsor and NRA representatives argued the event brings substantial tourism and economic activity, while opponents said it would use taxpayer funds to subsidize an organization that opposes gun safety measures; the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events reimbursement program, with the committee substitute exempting it from the usual competitive site-selection requirement because of timing; testimony from the event organizers and Arlington tourism officials was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program at the Texas Workforce Commission to support college-and-career readiness and technical assistance in rural communities; witnesses from Texas 2036, Collegiate Edgination, and a rural school district supported it, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 913 would repeal a special requirement that Alpine dedicate at least 50% of its hotel occupancy tax to advertising and promotion, and Senate Bill 1143 would require more coordination and reporting for youth workforce programs serving disconnected young Texans; both bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. At the end of the hearing, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • It relates to a study and report by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding health physics
  • Members, current law permits state agencies to conduct studies and training related to radiation control
  • and waste management, but it does not address workforce development in the growing fields of nuclear
  • Accordingly, Senate Bill 1534 would create a study to help prevent workforce shortages in this critical
  • radiological safety sectors, direct the Coordinating Board and the Workforce Commission to conduct a study
Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met to hear a series of bills and informational primers, with several resource witnesses from the Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The chair opened by noting the death of Senator King’s son and asking members to keep the family in their prayers. Most bills were laid out and left pending subject to the call of the chair after brief author presentations and public testimony. The committee heard several local hotel occupancy tax bills: SB 1553 for Kerr County, SB 1086 for Childress County, SB 1087 for Mason County, and SB 913 for Alpine. Supporters, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and local officials, said the measures would allow counties or the city to use hotel tax revenue for tourism-related projects and local development. The committee also heard SB 1534, which would direct a study on health physics education and workforce needs in Texas; resource witnesses from TWC and THECB testified on the bill. All of these measures were left pending. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 1754, which would prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power at wholesale, with an exception for certain battery storage tied to dispatchable generation. The bill drew strong support from witnesses who argued counties should not subsidize wind and solar projects that can harm neighboring landowners and that renewables already receive substantial federal support. Opponents from the solar and storage industry argued the bill would remove a voluntary local economic development tool, raise power prices, and discourage investment. Senators also debated landowner impacts, grid reliability, and whether the bill was the right policy tool; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2322, a committee substitute related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which would exempt electric generation facilities from the program’s compelling-factor test so they can qualify for school tax limitation agreements. Supporters said the change would correct an unintended barrier for dispatchable generation, while Senator Johnson argued it would weaken the program’s purpose by subsidizing projects that would locate in Texas anyway. SB 1718 would add the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program; the NRA supported it, while gun violence prevention advocates opposed using state incentives for the organization. SB 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events program, and SB 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard SB 1143, a substitute bill aimed at improving transparency and coordination in programs serving opportunity youth ages 14 to 24, with witnesses supporting better reporting and workforce alignment. At the end of the meeting, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Committee on Housing (01/28/2025)

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:16:14.319> and realtor.com uh released a study and realtor.com uh released a study and
  • Total waste of taxpayer money.
  • Total waste of taxpayer money.
  • Total waste of taxpayer money.
  • testimony a subcommittee or a study testimony a subcommittee or a study committee<04:59:21.200><
Keywords: 1189, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And if there's, you know, something better there, and how long you're going to be studying this for,
  • that there's no parameters on, that we're not sure when this study is going to be... ...and to have
  • a study that there's no parameters on, that we're not sure when this study is going to be done and how
  • You have finished your study. You have data to present.
  • You know why you're making the decisions... ...have finished your study, you have data to present, you
Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on Health heard an overview of the California Department of Public Health budget, including a $5.1 billion department budget and 19 non-IT budget change proposals spanning environmental health, healthcare quality, infectious disease, healthy communities, health statistics, preparedness, and laboratory sciences. CDPH also presented estimates for WIC and the Genetic Disease Screening Program, both of which were described as relatively stable, with WIC food costs rising mainly due to inflation and participation holding near 1 million monthly participants. Members and public commenters raised support for several proposals, including funding for the California Reducing Disparities Project, AB 1264 implementation on school food standards, childhood lead poisoning prevention, the hospital bed capacity registry, sickle cell care networks, and WIC protections amid federal policy changes and shutdown-related uncertainty. Dr. Erica Pond then presented the 2026 State of Public Health report, highlighting major gains such as record-low mortality rates, all-time high life expectancy, and the first decline in overdose deaths in 14 years, while warning about persistent disparities in maternal and infant outcomes, rising severe maternal morbidity, and worsening mental and behavioral health trends, especially among younger adults. She emphasized racial and geographic inequities, the role of social drivers like poverty and education, and the importance of prevention investments through the Behavioral Health Services Act. Members discussed the need for upstream public health spending, environmental health preparedness, and how to translate data into action, while public comment largely focused on sustaining community-based prevention and equity programs. In a separate update on federal actions and public health partnerships, Dr. Pond and CDPH staff described California’s response to federal funding threats, vaccine policy changes, and measles outbreaks. They outlined new collaborations such as the West Coast Health Alliance, the Governor’s Public Health Alliance, the WHO outbreak network, and the FACT Coalition, along with CDPH’s process for reviewing and updating immunization and preventive service recommendations under AB 144. Members questioned the rise in measles and declining vaccination coverage, and CDPH said it is using trusted messengers and tailored outreach while continuing to evaluate federal recommendations. The committee then heard an ADAP estimate showing lower projected budget authority needs due to reduced caseload and one-time funding expiring, followed by public support for using ADAP rebate funds to expand HIV prevention, PrEP, testing, and disease intervention staffing. The final issue focused on public health information technology systems, including Sapphire, CalReady, CalConnect, CARE, MyTurn, MyCAVAC, and the digital vaccine record. CDPH explained how these systems support disease reporting, contact tracing, immunization tracking, vaccine ordering, and outbreak response, while the Department of Finance said only Sapphire and CalReady are funded in the Governor’s budget and the rest are under review because of the state’s budget deficit and declining utilization. Local health department representatives strongly opposed losing the systems, arguing that lower usage reflects post-pandemic conditions and that the tools save staff time, improve outbreak response, and prevent a return to manual spreadsheets and phone calls. Members echoed concern that cutting the systems would undermine public health capacity and waste prior state investment, and urged the administration to present a funding plan that matches its stated commitment to public health.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Transportation - 03/12/25

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Louis County meeting dealing with a road study near an elementary school in Duluth.
  • Louis County meeting dealing with a road study near an elementary school in Duluth.
  • Louis County meeting dealing with a road study near an elementary school in Duluth.
  • Richfield considered simply doing wider lanes even though we know that waste space, even though we know
  • lanes even though we know that waste lanes even though we know that waste space,<01:01:25.520>
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • However, there are studies to that effect.
  • <00:52:05.440> Uh there is studies to that effect. Uh there is studies to that effect.
  • So, the bill in front of us is to establish a committee to study school bullying.
  • Um, it's a continued hearing on Senate Bill 210, establishing a study committee to study the issue of
  • If passed, it would establish a study committee.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Senator Ward said the bill is intended to help parents, teachers, and school staff recognize early symptoms such as thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss so children can be referred for care before they develop diabetic ketoacidosis. He noted that a newer blood test can identify some children at risk earlier than in the past. Members asked how people would be directed to the website, and Ward said the information would be posted online and also distributed in handouts, with school personnel helping spread awareness. He emphasized the bill is informational only and not a diagnostic or treatment tool. Several supporters testified in favor, including representatives from the Dartmouth Diabetes Link and students with type 1 diabetes who described delayed diagnoses, emergency hospitalizations, and the difficulty of having symptoms misunderstood as stress, athletics, or normal teenage changes. They said the bill could help parents, teachers, and peers recognize warning signs earlier and reduce the risk of life-threatening ketoacidosis. One witness noted that New Hampshire ranks high in childhood type 1 diabetes, and another said even a single person seeing the information could make a difference. A retired diabetes educator and state representative also testified in support. The hearing on SB 102 was then closed. The committee then opened the hearing on Senate Bill 211, which would require school sports teams to be designated as male, female, or co-ed, bar biological males from female-designated teams and locker rooms, and create a cause of action for violations. Senator Avard said the bill responds to constituent concerns and is meant to protect fairness, safety, and privacy for biological females. In questioning, he said girls could still play on boys’ teams, but boys could not play on girls’ teams, and he said he would be open to changes. Opponents, including an attorney from LGBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, argued the bill is substantially the same as a law passed the previous year that was already challenged in federal court and found likely unconstitutional under equal protection and Title IX; they urged the committee to mark it inexpedient to legislate. The transcript cuts off before any committee vote or further action on SB 211.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS-AEN, HHS Public Hearings 03-31-2025

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ruta Jordan, Zero Waste Kauaii, in support.
  • to form a working group on solid waste to form a working group on solid waste management.<00:17:
  • Ruta Jordan, Zero Waste in support.
  • <00:20:24.080> and programs that reduce solid waste and programs that reduce solid waste and
  • address solid waste management of waste<00:20:38.880> that<00:20:39.039> cannot<00:20:39.440
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Health, Human Services, and Agriculture and Environment heard testimony on SR 85, which requests the Department of Health to form a working group on solid waste management, and on SCR 19, which asks the Tax Review Commission to identify ways to implement Hawaii’s long-term care financing program. SR 85 drew broad support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, environmental groups, and numerous individuals, with one commenter asking that a military representative be added to address possible landfill use of military lands. For SCR 19, testimony came in support from the Executive Office on Aging and another supporter. For SR 85, the chair recommended passage with amendments. The amendments revised landfill-location language, removed certain lines, expanded the report’s scope to include materials management policies, environmental protections, and alternative technologies for waste that cannot be recycled or composted, and changed the working group membership language to include representatives from specified sectors. The committee also agreed to add invited participants such as Zero Waste USA, the reuse and deconstruction industries, a landfill leachate expert, a unit-based pricing expert, and a military representative, and to require the governor or designee to convene the initial meeting. The committee adopted the recommendation by vote, with members voting aye and one member excused. For SCR 19, the chair recommended passage with an amendment adding reference to findings in a 1991 report on financing long-term care. The committee approved the measure with amendments by vote, again with members voting aye and one member excused. The joint session then adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Human Services - 01/15/25

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • we're having a conversation around what we can do as a committee and as a legislative body uh to limit waste
  • body<00:03:09.920> uh<00:03:10.000> to<00:03:10.239> limit<00:03:10.599> waste
  • <00:03:10.879> Fraud legislative body uh to limit waste Fraud legislative body uh to limit
  • waste Fraud and<00:03:11.280> Abuse<00:03:11.560> and<00:03:11.680> to<00:03:11.920
  • We do sometimes are able to include that in fiscal notes if, you know, it’s a peer-reviewed study and
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The committee convened for an opening discussion of the 2025 Human Services session, with members emphasizing bipartisan collaboration, the committee’s mission to strengthen support systems for Minnesotans, and a focus on helping vulnerable people thrive. The chair and members welcomed new and returning senators and staff, including new pages and interim committee administration, and several members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds in public service and human services work. Members identified the main issues they expect to address this session: workforce shortages in human services professions, long-term care, program integrity, and efforts to limit waste, fraud, and abuse so funding reaches people who need it most. The chair also previewed upcoming hearings on eligibility and redeterminations for people with disabilities, MnCHOICES reassessments, assisted living and provider payment delays, and updates on direct care and treatment, noting that more detailed discussion would come in later meetings. The committee then received a budget overview from fiscal analyst Kyle Raymond. He explained the combined Health and Human Services budget area, noted jurisdiction changes tied to the creation of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the planned separation of Direct Care and Treatment, and said some figures may differ from the November forecast because of those shifts. He outlined the major funding sources for the budget area, including federal funds and the general fund, and said the presentation would focus on the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget the legislature will be considering.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • :13:12.560> trends<00:13:12.880> in been studying healthc care trends in been studying
  • A study conducted by the to see why.
  • And then those of us who run around saying, "We're going to just cut waste and fraud"—got to cut waste
  • <07:57:14.080> from realize couple of the great studies from realize couple of the great studies
  • And what was fascinating is this particular study.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Health and Welfare May 12th, 2026

Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Concurrent Resolution 98 requests the Louisiana Department of Health to study the feasibility and
  • It simply requests a study.
  • It is merely a request to have a study conducted.
  • It is merely a request to have a study conducted.
  • It's proving that there's something to it, and it does need to be studied.
Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and first reported HCR 98 favorably without objection. The resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP benefits could be used to pay grocery delivery fees and related costs, especially for elderly and mobility-limited recipients. The author said the measure would not change SNAP rules, only request a study, and LDH was not opposed. The committee then advanced several Senate bills. SB 273, on hospice care in inpatient licensed facilities, was amended and reported favorably; the bill requires documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions and clarifies facility responsibility when multiple providers are involved. SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, was amended and reported favorably; the author described it as a privately funded, charity-run food card program for people in need, with LDH to develop rules. SB 437, a cleanup bill on judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was reported favorably, with LDH explaining that facilities providing treatment must be licensed and surveyed. The committee also approved SB 451 on newborn hearing screenings, which updates terminology and expands reporting requirements to improve early detection and intervention for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. SB 426, modernizing the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creating a licensure pathway for peer support specialists, was reported favorably with amendments after testimony from behavioral health providers and training organizations. SB 236 on annual LDH reviews of kidney disease treatment in Medicaid, SB 39 creating provisional licenses for massage therapist graduates, SB 190 tightening oversight of nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program, and SB 124 allowing peer review sharing within a health system were all reported favorably, most with technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably HR 174 urging study of fenbendazole for cancer, SB 270 allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities, SB 359 changing terms for a Morehouse Parish hospital district board, and HR 194 requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for researchers. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Alethea is a highly distinguished attorney with worldwide experience that began with her studies at Harvard
  • The students we encountered had neither the time nor the effort, nor the money to waste.
  • I had a six-month fellowship that was studying, and then I also got a traveling fellowship.
  • Or the types of things that you could study.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Local Government (Part I) May 5th, 2025

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • We prepared a study to analyze the economic effect of the inventory tax, and what we found is that the
  • So these are our findings of the study.
  • So these are our findings of the study. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Yes, sir.
  • face, Senate Bill 2907 is an important practical step, one that supports small businesses, reduces waste
Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard several bills, most of them left pending after brief public testimony. House Bill 331, by Rep. Patterson and sponsored by Sen. Hinojosa, would create a presumption that firefighters, police officers, and EMTs who suffer a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after a strenuous shift were injured in the line of duty for workers’ compensation purposes; testimony from a firefighters’ association supported the bill, and it was left pending. Senate Bill 2655, by Sen. Flores, would authorize Burnet County to establish a local provider participation fund to help support local hospital services; a hospital administrator testified in support, and the committee substitute was left pending. Senate Bill 1443, by Sen. Hughes, would extend the Northeast Healthcare Provider Participation District in three counties, and House Bill 3307, by Rep. Noble, would allow property tax arbitrators to complete required continuing education online; both were left pending without opposition. Senate Bill 3048, by Sen. Birdwell, would create the Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District in Midlothian and was also left pending. The committee then took up House Bill 9 and HJR 1, sponsored by Sen. Bettencourt, which would raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000 and place the constitutional amendment on the November 4, 2025 ballot. Business groups, realtors, and taxpayers’ advocates testified in strong support, saying the change would provide meaningful relief to small businesses and help balance earlier homeowner tax relief. The City of Fort Worth testified in opposition, warning of a revenue shift to homeowners and budget impacts, but the committee adopted the committee substitutes and reported both measures to the full Senate on 6-0 votes. The committee also heard House Bill 1399 and HJR 99, by Sen. Nichols, to exempt animal feed from property tax when it is already sales-tax exempt; no one testified against them, and both were left pending. Senate Bill 2553, by Sen. West, would let owners of historic archaeological sites protest land and structure appraisals separately, and it was left pending after supportive testimony. Senate Bill 2907 and SJR 78, also by Sen. West, would exempt certain perishable inventory, including food and some prescription drugs, from property tax if approved by voters; pharmacists, business groups, a researcher, and a coalition of retailers and food/medicine advocates supported the bill, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 1331, by Sen. Hancock and explained by Sen. Middleton, would lower the population threshold for certain municipal civil-service-related petition restrictions from 950,000 to 70,000; law enforcement representatives and a San Marcos police association supported it, and it was left pending. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Human Services Apr 15th, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Kitzman's bill we heard previously relating to the establishment of... a work group to study
  • However, studies have shown that significant portions of SNAP funds and benefits... ...are spent on sugary
  • I get not wasting money on sugary things because it's all...
  • Are you aware of the studies on... Cell phones, yes. So we're growing and expanding our services.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, I'm reminded of my high school study of government checks and balances and the clear boundaries
  • It seems central; it seems like a waste of time, effort, and money.
  • concern, minority students, including LGBTQ students, face disproportionately high dropout rates, as studies
  • Transgender students are particularly vulnerable, with a study revealing that 7.6% of transgender students
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm a quick study. Yes, go.
  • medications are concerned so the studies medications are concerned so the studies are<01:17:09.600
  • I'm actually here about House Bill 678 today, and I'm also here to not waste your time.
  • So I'm just going to ask you today if you would please retain this so that way I don't waste anybody's
  • I'm actually here about House Bill 678 today, and I'm also here to not waste your time.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 552, which would remove the “full-time student” requirement for children ages 19 to 25 covered under the state retiree health insurance plan. The prime sponsor said the change would align retiree coverage with state employee and ACA plans, would not cost taxpayers because retirees pay the premiums, and could even reduce administrative burden and possibly state costs. The chair noted the bill simply removes the words “if full-time student” from statute and said the proposal affects very few retirees and has no cost to the state. No opposition was presented, and the chair closed the hearing on HB 552 after no further testimony. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 648, which would require commercial insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices and supplies for people with diabetes. The prime sponsor, a retired dietitian and diabetes educator, gave extensive testimony describing diabetes as common, costly, and serious, and argued that continuous glucose monitoring is important for managing type 2 and gestational diabetes, preventing hypoglycemia, and improving safety and decision-making. She said CGMs can alert users to dangerous blood sugar changes, help people understand how food, activity, and medication affect glucose, and save lives while offering a strong return on investment. During questions, a committee member asked whether the bill should specify that the monitoring be tied to prescribed treatment, and the sponsor agreed that adding “prescribed” would be appropriate. The member also asked about the proper threshold for coverage and whether the bill should be tied to fasting-test diagnosis; the sponsor responded that A1C is only one measure of control and does not show daily fluctuations, and said she was not prepared to recommend a specific threshold but could provide clinical guidelines later. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the sponsor indicated support for the bill’s general approach to broader CGM access.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Economic and Rural Development Sep 4th, 2025

Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I wonder if there's been a study to look at the actual job market.
  • That's from data that was put together by our contractor for the study in 2024.
  • Study, so we included those as well.
  • For example, based off of the study which you have, I provided it to Ms. Bond.
  • You have the study as a takeaway. The full study is just the presentation.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • The issue is fraud, waste, and abuse in Minnesota.
  • <00:04:35.919> and address the issue of fraud waste and address the issue of fraud waste and
  • <00:09:32.399> and ideas behind stopping fraud waste and ideas behind stopping fraud waste
  • <00:14:01.040> and the budget regarding fraud waste and the budget regarding fraud waste and
  • <00:24:31.200> and waste and abuse but most fraud waste and waste and abuse but most fraud
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The program covered the start of the 94th Minnesota Legislature, where the evenly split Senate adopted a bipartisan power-sharing agreement, Senate Resolution 1, by unanimous support. The agreement, reached in honor of the late Sen. Kari Dziedzic, sets up co-presiding officers, co-chairs and evenly split committees, and will remain in place until one party gains a majority. Republican Sen. Jeremy Miller and DFL Sen. Bobby Joe Champion were elected as co-presiding officers under the arrangement. A major segment focused on fraud, waste, and abuse in Minnesota and proposals to strengthen oversight. DFL Sen. Gerson discussed a bill to create an independent Office of Inspector General to oversee public and private entities receiving taxpayer dollars, arguing it would fill a gap and work alongside existing agencies such as the Office of the State Auditor, the attorney general, and the BCA. He said the issue has bipartisan concern and that the bill is intended to protect taxpayer money and the people who rely on public programs. Republican Sen. John Jasinski also said fraud is a serious problem, citing cases such as Feeding Our Future, child care assistance, and Medicaid-related fraud, and arguing that every dollar matters and stronger checks and balances are needed. He expressed support for anti-fraud efforts if they are independent and bipartisan, and pointed to the House’s new fraud oversight committee as a promising step. State Auditor Julie Blaha added that her office focuses on local government accountability, said workforce shortages are a major challenge, and emphasized that tips from the public and public employees are often the best way fraud is detected.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 04/14/26

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's a Connecticut study that is a tracking study in Connecticut that shows that they've been doing
  • <01:07:46.480> shows<01:07:46.920> that study in Connecticut that shows that study
  • <01:15:13.000> that um you know, research or studies that um you know, research or studies
  • > by<01:20:38.560> Siena A study released yesterday by Siena A study released yesterday
  • referenced this study earlier. referenced this study earlier.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • and hazardous waste facility owners.
  • facility waste and hazardous waste facility waste and hazardous waste facility owners.<00:08:57.839
  • put into this effort in in solid waste. put into this effort in in solid waste.
  • <00:23:03.520> in<00:23:03.679> the all know, Waste Management's in the all know, Waste
  • It's about 1.1 million in actual municipal solid waste, all different kinds of solid waste.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on a non-germane amendment to SB 302, a Senate bill originally requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Representative Patenza explained that the amendment was intended to preserve and separate out language developed for the governor’s budget proposal and HB 2 concerning a solid waste facility site evaluation committee, a moratorium, and related public-benefit/site-benefit provisions, so the policy would still have a vehicle if the budget language did not advance. He said the proposal reflects extensive work by the House, the governor’s office, and DES, and he was open to further changes to align with any budget conference committee outcome. Dr. Adam Finkele testified in support of the amendment and the underlying site evaluation concept, arguing that landfill siting decisions should be based on cost-benefit analysis that includes public harms, local impacts, and regional impacts rather than only private benefits. He praised the committee process and prior legislation requiring agencies to respond substantively to public comments, and said the new language improves on the governor’s version by moving the committee’s review earlier in the process and requiring more complete application information, including alternatives and impacts on nearby wells and aquifers. He also supported a three-year moratorium on new landfill applications, saying it would give the state time to address leachate, PFAS, waste reduction, and weak siting rules. Members asked about possible conference committee changes, the value of having a separate review body, and whether the new rules would invite litigation. Dr. Finkele said he would likely sue over the rules because he считает them too weak, but also said the legislature could fix the problems through other bills such as HB 77. He acknowledged that the site evaluation committee is not a perfect solution, but said it is a useful intermediate step between the agency and the courts and likely would meet only rarely if capacity need remains the main trigger for future landfill decisions. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.