Transcript Highlights:

• Turning to page 6, the city utilized solid waste funds to pay monthly dumpster rental fees on behalf
• However, it does not appear that the water department transfers the payments received to the solid waste
• The general fund owed the solid waste fund over $168,000 and $157,000 as of December 31 of the same years
• Additionally, $3,600 was due to the street fund from the solid waste fund as of December 31, 2023.
• waste weren't transferred to general fund, or vice versa from general fund to solid waste.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee began with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that 19 of 43 original entities for the 2022 reporting year had had turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reporting year, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five still outstanding. The committee also heard that Adona had come into substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, and it voted to file that report and discontinue withholding turnback. It then voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report for Gum Springs after hearing repeated findings involving budgeting, disbursements, payroll, and Act 833 funds, with city officials saying they had begun correcting records and were seeking help from the Municipal League and a city attorney. Fargo was deferred because the mayor was absent due to illness. The committee next considered Denning, where staff described repeated and serious accounting problems over 2022-2024, including unauthorized payments, missing documentation, weak payroll controls, and improper handling of funds. The mayor and recorder-treasurer said prior records were disorganized and that they were now working with an attorney, CPA help, and new software; the committee voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report. Green Forest’s report, involving a fixed-asset listing issue after the mayor’s death, was filed. Several private water and sewer reports were either filed or deferred depending on whether responses had been received, and the committee announced its March meeting would be held in Room 149 because of renovations. The committee then reviewed a series of referred reports involving alleged financial irregularities. In Elaine, the fire chief’s questionable purchases were referred and filed. In Strong, staff described undeposited garbage-bag receipts, improper payments for private dumpster service and other expenditures, payroll tax penalties, and deficit fund balances; the mayor said controls had been improved, but the committee deferred the report to March. The Faulkner County Fair Association report found undocumented cash withdrawals, questionable disbursements, and inadequately documented cash payments to a carnival vendor; the committee filed it. Brooklyn’s report involved a fraudulent direct-deposit change, and Mineral Springs’ report involved transfers from the cemetery fund, employee loans, overpayments, and travel reimbursement issues; both were filed. Additional reports included Rondo, where the recorder-treasurer explained missing computers and fuel purchases tied to personal vehicles, and the committee filed the report; Waldo, where the mayor had been overpaid due to extra biweekly payments, which was filed; Columbia County, where a floodplain management contract lacked an authorizing ordinance, which was filed; and several private water-system reports, some filed and others deferred for lack of responses. Carlisle’s report showed large but improving misstatements in financial records, and the committee filed it after hearing that new software and training had reduced prior problems. Caddo Valley’s report prompted a lengthy discussion about CDs and interest recognition; staff explained that principal balances should be reflected as city assets and interest should be recorded when earned or reported by the bank, and the report was filed. Prairie County’s budget overrun and road-fund issues were discussed at length, with the judge explaining equipment and weather-related costs and staff clarifying the distinction between road funds and locally approved sales-tax uses; the report was filed. Finally, the committee deferred a Cross County Rural Water Association matter after learning it had not filed with Legislative Audit since 2002-2003 despite receiving significant state funding, and members expressed concern about the long gap in filings.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the executive director of WeThink Waste.
• We own a solid waste facility in San Carlos, California.
• So at our 16-acre solid-waste facility, we have 400 solid-waste workers.
• That's just a very small subset of probably the 25,000 to 30,000 solid-waste workers in California.
• And I want to say... ...to 30,000 solid waste workers in California.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the executive director of WeThink Waste.
• We own a solid waste facility in San Carlos, California.
• So at our 16-acre solid-waste facility, we have 400 solid-waste workers.
• That's just a very small subset of probably the 25,000 to 30,000 solid-waste workers in California.
• And I want to say... ...to 30,000 solid-waste workers in California.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard three bills ahead of the house-of-origin deadline. AB 762 by Assemblymember Irwin would ban the sale and distribution of disposable vapes in California, with committee amendments to align implementation dates and allow a sell-through period. The author and supporters, including waste agencies, firefighters, local governments, and public health groups, argued the devices create lithium-ion battery fire risks in waste facilities and burden ratepayers and first responders. Opponents, including cannabis industry and retail groups, argued the bill would not meaningfully reduce battery waste because most problematic products are already illicit, and warned it could worsen the illegal market and reduce consumer access to legal products. After extensive debate, the committee passed AB 762 as amended to Appropriations on a vote with some members not voting or on call. AB 1382 by Assemblymember Castillo would prohibit the sale of genetically modified animals created for cosmetic purposes. Supporters said the bill would prevent novelty pet breeding, reduce pressure on already overcrowded shelters, and avoid ethical concerns about modifying animals for appearance alone, while preserving medical and scientific research. Opponents, including the pet industry, argued the measure was unnecessary because regulated products such as glowfish already undergo scientific review and that the bill could create ambiguity and harm lawful commerce. The committee clarified that glowfish and scientific research were exempt, and AB 1382 passed to the Judiciary Committee. AB 739 by Assemblymember Jackson would require managing agents in common interest developments to provide homeowners and HOA boards a summary of fees charged for management services. Realtors supported the bill as a transparency measure, while community managers and the Community Associations Institute said they could accept it once promised amendments were adopted to narrow the disclosure and avoid blanket mailings that could raise costs. The author said amendments would be taken in the Housing and Community Development Committee and committed to further consultation. AB 739 passed to Housing and Community Development.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aerosol paints are among many products handled by local solid waste programs that, unlike architectural
• I manage the solid waste management program at the Department of Ecology.
• I manage the Solid Waste Management Program at the Department of Ecology.
• I'm with the Kitsap County Solid Waste Division.
• The local solid waste financial assistance program has maintained the same funding for the past several

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2343, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to obtain CAFO or individual discharge permit coverage for its game farms, and to treat game farms with at least 5,000 birds as large CAFOs. The prime sponsor and local officials from Centralia said the WDFW pheasant farm has contributed to nitrate contamination in a critical aquifer, affecting drinking water and public health, and argued the state should be held to the same standards as private operators. WDFW testified that it has already voluntarily secured the permit the bill would require and is working with Ecology and local partners. Testimony from county health and residents largely supported the bill, citing elevated nitrate levels and health risks, especially for infants and pregnant people. The committee then heard House Bill 2301, which expands Washington’s paint stewardship program to cover additional paint-related products, aerosol paints, and certain non-industrial coatings. The sponsor and industry supporters said the existing paint recycling program is working well and should be broadened to keep more materials out of landfills and reduce local hazardous waste costs. Local government witnesses supported the expansion but asked for changes on convenience standards, packaging coverage, and reimbursement for local collection costs. Ecology supported the overall concept but raised implementation concerns, including the need for uniform standards, full reporting, and more time for rulemaking. A wood preservatives industry representative opposed including wood preservatives, saying they are not paint and have different handling requirements. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 2515, a proposed substitute addressing emerging large energy use facilities, defined mainly as large data centers and virtual currency mining facilities. The bill would require utilities to adopt tariffs or policies to protect other ratepayers, require long-term contracts, demand response or curtailment provisions, reporting on energy and water use, and new clean energy targets for these facilities, while also changing how no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act are allocated and creating an annual fee for the facilities. Supporters, including environmental groups, community action agencies, some utilities, and labor and tribal representatives, said the bill would protect ratepayers, improve transparency, and keep Washington on track for climate goals. Opponents, including data center and business groups, some ports, and several labor organizations, argued the bill is too prescriptive, could raise costs or discourage investment, may affect existing contracts and other large industrial loads, and could reduce construction jobs. No votes or final actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This section adds a definition of waste materials to mean non-sewage solid or liquid digestates from
• certified solid waste facilities, or materials approved by the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources
• for acceptable use under the Solid Waste Rules.
• </c> liquid digestates from certified solid liquid digestates from certified solid waste<00:37:37.520
• </c><00:37:44.520><c> Waste</c> acceptable use under the Solid Waste acceptable use under the Solid Waste

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2416, relating to fair treatment of waste-to-energy
• Allowances during the second compliance period of the program to a waste-to-energy facility constructed
• Component and a waste reduction and material recovery component.
• solid waste management plan rather than align with the county's solid waste management plan.
• solid waste management plan rather than align with the county's solid waste management plan.

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• In my neighborhood, they used to get trash and burn it in an incinerator and dump it in the neighborhood

Summary: The State Affairs Committee opened with a tribute to the late Representative Joe Casello, with remarks from the chair and Ranking Member Eskamani honoring his service, especially his advocacy for first responders, veterans, and working people. The committee then turned to its only bill, HB 167, which would remove strict liability for certain previously mined phosphate lands if the landowner notifies the county and requests a Department of Health radiation survey. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a voluntary process, add data about the land, and provide notice through the public record and title process. Members asked extensive questions about who pays for the surveys, how notice would reach future buyers, whether the bill affects renters or construction workers, and whether it would impact pending lawsuits. The sponsor said the landowner would pay for the survey needed to remove strict liability, plaintiffs would pay for surveys in litigation, the bill does not address OSHA or rental disclosures, and it would not apply retroactively to current cases because the complaint must include a survey. Supporters argued the bill simply replaces automatic liability with recorded notice and due diligence, while opponents said it could leave families and renters without adequate warning and should include stronger disclosure protections. Public testimony was in support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, and one individual. After debate, the committee voted 18-8 to report HB 167 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Officials for the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District were present to address questions
• provides solid waste management services for bulk, residential, and commercial waste at locations throughout
• I believe the audit for year 2022 was completed and submitted to the Solid Waste Board in either June
• It was the Board of Directors of the Solid Waste Authority wanted to wait until we had gotten the review
• It was the Board of Directors of the Solid Waste Authority.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Transcript Highlights:

• I really think it helps supports our state's solid waste management goals as well. heard the bill and
• </c> Waste Management, Municipal Association. Waste Management, Municipal Association.
• Um and the hazardous waste debt.
• </c> percentage of that waste that's paint. percentage of that waste that's paint.
• Um and that over 50% of the waste in.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and this bill changes a member on the Solid Waste Working Group and extends the due dates for the
• First, if this bill becomes law, we will be happy to serve on the Solid Waste Working Group.
• Second, we note in our letter that the Forest Society is not expert in solid waste management issues.
• It's mostly just dealing with solid waste issues as I recall the charge of this particular commission
• </c><00:38:36.160><c> we</c> dealing with solid waste but um but we dealing with solid waste but um but

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Heavy-duty service vehicles, including those providing essential solid waste and recycling services,
• Cities, labor groups, and service providers like waste haulers are in joint support of this effort.
• I think it's really instructive that waste haulers, the primary payers of this, are in support of the
• Everyday essential public services like solid waste collection use heavy service vehicles while on local
• Everyday essential public services like solid waste collection use heavy service vehicles while on local

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• in this state must have a waste hauler permit.
• from a drill site or wherever the waste is generated to a disposal or treatment facility.
• waste facilities.
• waste streams, which was the intent of the bill.
• Resource recycling systems estimated that more than 5,000 fires occur annually at solid waste and recycling

Bills: SB2122 , SB2050 , HB16

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• fund and the Emergency fund and the solid waste regulatory fund, which is the new fund that was created
• would cash flow the program for the first year, and there is an available balance in the hazardous waste
• Waste Regulatory Fund for Solid Waste Oversight pursuant to House Bill 555 of 2006.
• waste.
• waste.

Summary: The committee first considered the Department of Environmental Quality budget. Janet Jessup outlined enhancements for Triumph Mine monitoring and maintenance, a transfer for the Cordilleran Basin Superfund cleanup, and a fund shift to move two positions from federal support to the IPDES Program Fund. Members also discussed language to consolidate air permitting and drinking water permitting fee funds, and a separate cash transfer related to the new solid waste regulatory fund created by House Bill 555. The budget motion and the related language both passed, and the committee issued do-pass recommendations. The committee then took up the Department of Lands budget, focusing on Forest and Range Fire Protection funding. Members debated a one-time General Fund restoration for fire preparedness in FY 2026 and a similar request for FY 2027, with concerns raised about prior reversions and whether dedicated funds could be used instead. Director Dustin Miller explained that the other funds cited were restricted to forest practices enforcement and equipment replacement, and that the preparedness money supports standby crews, including seasonal firefighters in eastern Idaho and other regions. The FY 2026 request passed, the initial FY 2027 request failed, reconsideration was later allowed under parliamentary ruling, and the FY 2027 request then passed. The committee also adopted language limiting General Fund firefighter bonus appropriations to firefighters, after some discussion about whether the wording was too narrow. Next, the committee considered Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind. The agency’s request included career ladder adjustments, a van for student transport, staffing for a new 18-bed residential building in Gooding, replacement items, and an endowment fund adjustment. A substitute motion to add the cottage staff funding failed, but the original motion passed, providing funding for the career ladder, replacement items, and the endowment adjustment, with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the State Department of Education budget was reviewed. The agency requested additional spending authority for school bus camera grants, an extended USDA farm-to-school grant, and ongoing technology grants for the child nutrition program. A substitute motion to increase the farm-to-school authority to cover the anticipated extension failed, but the original motion passed, approving the school bus camera fund increase, the farm-to-school grant authority, and the child nutrition technology funding, with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then announced the next day’s agenda and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 18 requires additional earmarks of revenues from the solid waste taxes for SCORE grants in fiscal
• On line 42, the solid waste management tax has a dedication of the solid waste tax receipts in fiscal
• Moving to page 5, on line 33 with the dedication of the solid waste management tax.
• waste management tax to counties through SCORE grants...
• Are facing really important solid waste management infrastructure needs, and this is a huge tool here

Bills: HF2730 , HF2257 , HF2768 , HF1932 , HF2437

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• waste private solid waste industry's letter.
• solid waste private<00:22:46.800><c> solid</c><00:22:46.960><c> waste</c><00:22:47.200><c> industry's
• </c> private solid waste industry's letter. private solid waste industry's letter.
• </c><00:23:25.760><c> waste</c> band, clarifying that solid waste band, clarifying that solid waste facilities
• </c> solid waste industry, and also counties. solid waste industry, and also counties.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Heavy-duty service vehicles, including those providing essential solid waste and recycling services,
• Cities, labor groups, and service providers like waste haulers are in joint support of this effort.
• I think it's really instructive that waste haulers, the primary payers of this, are in support of the
• Everyday essential public services like solid waste collection use heavy service vehicles while on local
• Everyday essential public services like solid waste collection use heavy service vehicles while on local

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met, established a quorum, and first approved a consent calendar containing SB 1005, SB 1080, SB 935, and S.J.R. 11 on a 4-0 vote, with those items remaining on call until later. SB 992 had been pulled at the author’s request. The committee then heard SB 922 by Senator Laird, which would clarify that local governments may recover street maintenance and repair costs caused by public service operations, such as waste hauling, through rates, fees, or franchise agreements. Supporters included the League of California Cities, county groups, cities, waste haulers, and legal counsel who argued the bill restores a long-standing practice disrupted by a recent court decision and does not authorize new taxes or development fees. The California Building Industry Association opposed unless amended, warning the bill could inadvertently broaden local fee authority. After discussion about the bill’s scope and whether it would apply only to heavy service vehicles, SB 922 passed the committee 7-0 and was sent to the Senate floor. The committee also heard SB 1078, which would allow Santa Cruz County voters to consider raising the local tax cap to fund essential services, including health care, food assistance, and hospital support, in response to federal funding cuts. The County of Santa Cruz and the Central California Alliance for Health supported the measure, emphasizing Medi-Cal enrollment, CalFresh needs, and budget shortfalls tied to HR1 impacts. Some senators questioned whether the bill was effectively authorizing a tax increase and raised concerns about setting a precedent for other counties, while supporters stressed that the measure only allows voters to decide. SB 1078 passed 5-2 and was sent to the Committee on Revenue and Taxation. The committee then reconfirmed passage of the consent calendar items 7-0 and adjourned after concluding the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a very brief background, a waste-to-energy facility utilized by a county and city solid waste management
• Spokane, in partnership and with funding from the state, built the solid waste disposal system with the
• multiple benefits of aquifer protection, solid waste disposal, and local energy production.
• waste customers.
• waste customers.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2515, which addresses emerging large energy use facilities, especially data centers. Staff explained that the bill requires utilities to adopt tariffs or policies for data centers, adds reporting and sustainability requirements, sets renewable energy targets, and creates a sales tax exemption for certain eligible data center equipment in eastern Washington. The House sponsor said the bill is intended to protect ratepayers, grid reliability, water resources, and Washington’s climate goals as data center growth accelerates. Tribal representatives and several environmental and labor witnesses urged restoring provisions removed from the House version, especially authority to curtail data center load during energy emergencies and to refuse service if reliability or affordability would be harmed; they also asked for stronger water reporting and protections for salmon. Utility, business, and data center industry witnesses supported the bill’s general framework but raised concerns about implementation, costs, and some of the added requirements, while some opposed the tax exemption and the loss of earlier protections. No final action on 2515 was taken during the hearing portion shown. The committee then heard and acted on several bills in executive session. It passed Substitute House Bill 1302, which allows municipal utilities to waive connection charges for industrial symbiosis projects. It also passed House Bill 2338 on community-scaled weatherization projects after rejecting an amendment, and House Bill 2367 on eliminating preferential treatment for a coal-fired plant after rejecting an amendment. Substitute House Bill 2496 on tribal consultation by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council was amended and then passed, while amendments to change public meeting and tribal summary provisions were rejected. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225 on AI companion chatbots, House Bill 2426 on PCHB efficiency and appeals, House Bill 2606 on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, Engrossed House Bill 2575 on reducing reporting obligations, and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215 on Climate Commitment Act compliance for fuels were also advanced, with some amendments adopted and others rejected. The committee then reopened public hearing on House Bill 2416, which would treat a Spokane waste-to-energy facility differently under the Climate Commitment Act by allocating no-cost allowances in the second compliance period and requiring a decarbonization and waste-reduction plan. Spokane city officials, labor, environmental groups, and Ecology generally supported the bill as a balanced approach that protects ratepayers while allowing the facility to decarbonize, though Avista raised a concern about language implying a utility compliance obligation. After that, the committee resumed testimony on House Bill 1170, which requires large AI providers to offer provenance tools and disclosures for AI-generated or altered images, video, and audio. Supporters said the bill would help workers and consumers identify synthetic media and prevent impersonation and misinformation, while industry and civil liberties witnesses argued the bill is technically difficult, uses new definitions, and may be unworkable or premature compared with California’s evolving approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next item is solid waste tipping fee.
• So that is a new $3.50 cent solid waste surcharge that is per ton and that is to fund our solid waste
• So that is a new $3.50 cent solid waste surcharge that is per ton and that is to fund our solid waste
• The next item is solid waste tipping fee.
• So that is a new $3.50 cent solid waste surcharge that is per ton and that is to fund our solid waste

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• waste and solid waste, and the goal of those programs is to prevent contamination of land, water, and
• waste and solid waste, and the goal of those programs is to prevent contamination of land, water, and
• That is really the solid waste law and hazardous waste law. 325F, which are some consumer protection
• That is really the solid waste law and hazardous waste law.
• So the regulatory piece is the solid waste, hazardous waste, and above-ground storage tanks work.

Bills: HF276 , HF413 , HF411

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, long-term services and supports, LTSS, public assistance, application process, eligibility determination, customer service survey, wait times, form complexity, lead agencies, Department of Human Services, Department of Children Youth and Families, streamlining, administrative reform, case management, reassessment, intake system, adaptive eligibility form

Transcript Highlights:

• You are wasting donations, you are wasting funds and time by doing that.
• You are wasting the first place is going to kill them again, and you are wasting taxpayer money, you
• are wasting donations, you are wasting funds and time by doing that.
• So it takes that liquid waste, and it separates the water from the dry solids.
• It was handling the waste of the rum distillery.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard a series of presentations focused on coral reef restoration, artificial reefs, biosolids management, and a proposed biosolids processing facility. Mote Marine Laboratory described the severe decline of Florida’s coral reefs, its restoration methods using microfragmentation, genetic banking, selective breeding, nurseries, and outplanting, and asked for a long-term state commitment to help restore reef areas. The Keys Marine Laboratory and Florida Institute of Oceanography highlighted their role as a hub for coral rescue, holding, propagation, and research, including emergency response during the 2023 bleaching event. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed the scale of reef loss, the state’s coral rescue and propagation efforts, and the economic and habitat value of artificial reefs, while noting permitting delays and material-selection concerns for reef projects. The committee then received a DEP update on the Osborne Reef tire cleanup. DEP explained that the original tire reef was a failure, that nearly 500,000 tires had been removed by 2024, and that the current effort is funded at $5 million for the fiscal year, with cleanup now shifting from large tire clusters to more difficult individual tires and coral relocation. Members asked about the future of the site after cleanup; DEP said that phase two decisions, such as whether to restore or monitor the area, have not yet been made. DEP also presented on biosolids rules, explaining that the 2021 rule tightened nutrient management, groundwater, and surface water protections, reduced the number of active land-application sites, and contributed to a shift away from Class B land application toward Class AA, landfill, or out-of-state disposal. Senators raised concerns about PFAS, nutrient loading, and the loss of disposal options, and a public speaker warned of a statewide septage disposal crisis. Finally, Sedron Technologies presented its VARCOR system and a planned Indiantown facility that would process dewatered biosolids into clean water, ammonia, and a dry Class AA product or fuel, with the company saying the process can destroy PFAS and help relieve regional disposal pressure. Senators expressed support for the technology as a potential solution to Florida’s biosolids challenges. No formal votes were taken on the presentations themselves, and the only action at the end of the meeting was adjournment after Senator Polsky moved to do so.