Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, you have a right to close.” “Hi. Thank you.
• You wish to close.
• Vice Chair, do you wish to close? Motion for favorable. Chair, do you wish to close?
• Chair, do you wish to close?
• And you want to close? I'd like to move favorable.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up a series of hunting, wildlife, environmental, and property measures. It reported favorably HCR 79, which urges Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, after testimony emphasizing the cultural importance of dog hunting and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which supported only the wounded-deer recovery component. The committee also reported favorably SB 419 on using pre-charged pneumatic devices during primitive firearms season, SCR 29 creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, and SB 111 setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would continue sampling and monitor impacts. Members then approved SB 174 transferring state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board, SB 189 prohibiting intentional release of fuels or chemicals for temperature-affecting purposes, and SB 99 modernizing DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices. They also reported favorably HCR 54 requesting a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior, and HCR 94 requiring annual boating safety reports from Wildlife and Fisheries; witnesses supported the reporting idea and suggested adding a 10-year average for context. The committee next approved HCR 104, which asks the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study collection and access to subsurface data, with LSU’s Greg Upton describing ongoing modernization of core samples, well logs, and 3D subsurface mapping. It also passed SB 331, which temporarily removes a section of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River; conservation groups opposed the bill, warning about precedent, flooding, erosion, and habitat impacts, while the author said the measure was narrowly tailored to address severe silting and channel problems. Finally, the committee created a task force on illegal dumping in HCR 85 after amending its membership, adopted a substitute for HR 216 to authorize a committee hearing on the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, and reported favorably HCR 87 supporting a U.S. senator’s migratory flyway correspondence and SB 505 revising the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund grant process and related tank requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:03.520><c> We</c> plant for the purpose of closing it.
• We plant for the purpose of closing it.
• what you want to close up, Senator Wheeler?
• I am going to close it out with Jay.
• I am going to close it And I apologize.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:28 Introduction of Guests 00:02:08 American Electric Power and Kentucky Power Presentation 00:03:31 SB 89 Discussion 00:53:55 SB 89 Roll Call Vote 01:07:46, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for an initial natural resources hearing with a quorum present and introductory housekeeping, including prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests. Chair Smith outlined ground rules for questions and then invited Kentucky Power and American Electric Power representatives to the table to discuss a proposed plan involving the Mitchell Power Plant and future generation needs in Eastern Kentucky. Witnesses Cindy Wiseman, Alex Vaughn, and AEP CEO Bill Fehrman said the company’s goals are to stabilize and lower rates, reduce rate volatility, and expand generation in the Commonwealth. They explained that Kentucky Power seeks legislative authority to securitize its 50% interest in the Mitchell coal plant, describing securitization as a refinancing mechanism that would lower annual plant costs by about $34 million and help offset roughly one-third of the expected cost of adding new generation in Kentucky. They emphasized that the proposal is not intended to close Mitchell, and said Kentucky Power currently has no plan to divest its interest; the company still needs the plant to serve customers while it pursues additional dispatchable generation in Kentucky. Members pressed the witnesses on the plant’s book value versus fair market value, whether the Mitchell interest had ever been assigned a nominal value, how any divestiture proceeds would be handled, whether Kentucky Power owns Wheeling Power, and how long Mitchell can continue operating. The company said it values Mitchell at net book value for accounting purposes, not fair market value, and explained that Wheeling Power is a separate AEP affiliate and that West Virginia affiliates have already proposed securitization of their share. Witnesses said Kentucky Power’s interest cannot technically operate past 2028 without additional environmental control investment, while the West Virginia side is depreciating through 2040. They also described the financing timeline, saying securitization would require enactment of legislation, a PSC financing order, bond issuance, and then parallel work to acquire or build new generation, with any reinvestment terms to be addressed through the regulatory process.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I mentioned, our landfills are being overcapacitated.
• One of the things, for example, that we’ve been doing is in our close-out subs.
• We'd probably not be able to do that at 100 pages or anything close to that.
• We worked closely with them.
• Close collaboration and constant communication Close collaboration and constant communication will remain

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; So, again, I think we're all closely &gt;&gt; So, again, I think we're all closely monitoring
• I'm going to close &gt;&gt; Thank you very much.
• We have a landfill in Lebanon that people just love.
• This landfill, being a landfill, produces methane gas.
• </c> &gt;&gt; landfills today. &gt;&gt; landfills today.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It cost our club close to $1,000 to get notified for a mile and a quarter of road.
• It cost our club close to $1,000 to get notified for a mile and a quarter of road.
• It cost our club close to $1,000 to get notified for a mile and a quarter of road.
• </c><04:04:36.840><c> to</c> should note that Bradford is closed to should note that Bradford is closed
• So I'll close the hearing on this bill.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up several bills in executive session, beginning with HB 568 on subdivision regulations concerning water supply. Representative Donnelly moved ITL, arguing the bill would create costly studies, that towns already have jurisdiction over needed studies, and that the issue was not widespread. The committee voted ITL 9-7. HB 582, dealing with safety requirements for personal watercraft, was also moved ITL on the grounds that existing law already covers the issue and the bill was unnecessary after recent action on personal flotation devices. Representative Derby opposed the ITL, saying the bill was a common-sense safety measure and would restore a misdemeanor penalty, but the committee voted ITL 9-7. The committee then retained HB 595, relative to coastal resilience zones, after members said the bill was important but needed more work and time because of its complexity. Members noted it should be revisited later, and the motion to retain passed 16-0. HB 607, funding the Hampton Beach Area Commission and making appropriations, received an ought-to-pass recommendation 15-1, with support from members who described Hampton Beach as an important economic driver and one dissenting member saying the state should not bear the full cost. The committee also adopted Amendment 2025-3 on HB 624, establishing a local river management advisory committee grant program, by a 16-0 vote; the amendment shifted funding decisions to the Department of Environmental Services based on demonstrated need and a first-come, first-served process. The bill as amended then received an ought-to-pass recommendation 16-0 and was placed on consent. Later, the committee retained HB 629, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams, after members said the dams need attention but the bill required more work because suggested amendments had just been received. That motion passed 16-0. HB 644, concerning drones in state parks, was ITL’d because the Department of Parks and Recreation is already working through rulemaking on UAS use in remote areas, and the committee voted 16-0 for ITL. HB 657, the short notice booking act access for New Hampshire residents to state parks, was also ITL’d at the request of the prime sponsor, passing 16-0. The committee then adjourned and announced a later hearing on HB 663, which would allow the Division of Historical Resources to use a portion of Moose plate funds for administering its grant program; testimony from the sponsor and the division supported the bill as clarifying existing authority, and no final vote on HB 663 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• you for your decision two days ago to amend a very similar bill to protect the aquifer from the landfill
• 47.520><c> S</c> Angela Melody Young: Testifying on behalf of CARES, the proposed location of the landfill
• Trash decomposes in landfills and can cause contaminants to the water supply.
• I urge you to support SB 851 and help us close the gap between crisis and recovery.
• I urge you to support SB 851 and help us close the gap between crisis and recovery.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several measures related to child welfare, health care access, overdose response, disability services, and waste management. For SB 710 on child welfare, the Department of Human Services, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Attorney General’s office, and multiple advocacy groups testified in support, with the Governor’s office noting support but deferring to the Attorney General on implementation because of separation-of-powers concerns. For SB 952 on child welfare services, DHS, the Governor’s office, and child- and trauma-informed care advocates supported the bill, saying it would help families access services, provide basic material support, and reduce strain on the child welfare system. SB 954 on a home health services rate study also drew support, including from DHS, the Hawaii Healthcare Association, and a public testifier who said the study would help ensure funds reach low-income, disabled, and kupuna recipients. SB 957 on overdose prevention received support from the Department of Health and the Attorney General, who said overdose prevention centers are evidence-based but raised federal-law concerns and recommended amendments; the Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center and others also testified in support. The committee then moved to the 1:00 regular calendar and heard SB 850 on disability health disparity, which was supported by the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, self-advocates, and others. Testimony emphasized that a disparity study could improve workforce development, training, and services for people with disabilities. SB 838 on continuous glucose monitoring drew support from health agencies and advocates, with testimony stressing that monitors can be critical for some diabetes patients. SB 829 on health care was supported by the Department of Health and health care stakeholders, who said it would help rotating physicians serve neighbor islands without local hospital privileges and align with CMS rules. SB 446 on waste management drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health and several public entities provided comments, the County of Maui opposed, and environmental advocates urged stronger aquifer protections and limits on ash reuse. During decision making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass SB 298, SB 322, SB 299, SB 450, SB 451, SB 949, SB 710, SB 957, SB 69, and SD 952 with various amendments, including technical changes, blank appropriations, and defective dates. SB 323, SB 324, SB 712, SB 950, SB 954, and SB 959 were deferred, largely because companion House measures were moving or similar Senate measures had already passed. The chair also announced recesses to find quorum and noted that some bills from the earlier Monday calendar were being deferred to avoid duplication.

Transcript Highlights:

• BUT, MOST OF ALL, WE KNOW THAT AS RAMADAN IS COMING TO A CLOSE, WE WANT TO ALSO RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE
• President, since 2008, 28 hospitals across the state have closed or reduced OB-GYN care, and as of 2022
• PRESIDENT, SINCE 2008, 28 HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE CLOSED OR WERE REDUCED, OB-GYN CARE AND AS
• Seeing and hearing none, the debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.
• Seeing and hearing none, the debate is closed. Secretary will ring the bell.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal, then moved through a series of introductions and resolutions recognizing Women’s History Month honorees, Prince Hall Masons and Eastern Stars, Agriculture Week, Pakistan-American Heritage Day, visiting Mercaz Academy students, and the 175th anniversary of Albany Law School. Several senators spoke in support of the commemorations, and each resolution was adopted. The chamber then took up a number of bills on the calendar. Among the measures passed were bills related to insurance, private housing finance, public health, mental hygiene, real property, elder law, public authorities, and environmental conservation. One bill on the Environmental Conservation Law drew a procedural challenge over a proposed amendment; the Chair’s ruling that the amendment was nongermane was upheld by a show of hands, after which the bill passed. Another bill amending the Emergency Tenant Protection Act was debated on the issue of vacant rent-stabilized units and LLC ownership transparency, with supporters saying it would help identify responsible owners and opponents arguing it was too broad and could impose unclear penalties; it ultimately passed. The most extended debate centered on a real property bill concerning electronic rent payment systems and automated clearinghouse fees. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure that lets tenants choose whether to use such systems, while critics questioned how fees would be handled and whether the bill would affect landlord costs. After debate, the bill passed. A public health bill sponsored by Senator Webb also passed after she explained it was intended to improve transparency and oversight of changes to maternity and perinatal services amid concerns about maternal health deserts and hospital closures. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will turn it back to the author for close.
• Let's move this into your close to answer. Okay. Yeah, answer and close.
• Let me do that and then I'll go to my close. Let's move this into your close to answer. Thank you.
• It's like really close in the supply chain.
• It's like really close in the supply chain.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• S293, an act relating to Brownfield redevelopment of the Upper Valley Regional Landfill, introduced by
• reading of the bill. >> S293, an act relating to Brownfield redevelopment of the Upper Valley Regional Landfill

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is pretty close to surface mining.
• This is, is pretty close to surface mining.
• So it was 2023 then when you actually closed on that?
• Law already 698 SB 2050 closes that gap.
• SB 2050 closes that gap.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2203, relating to certification of discovery issues in TCEQ contested cases referred to SOAH. The chair noted the House had already passed the companion HB 3249, then moved SB 2203 without amendments. The motion prevailed on a 5-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full House. The committee then heard SB 1898, which would prohibit the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for testing and training, while still allowing it in emergency firefighting. The sponsor described PFAS as “forever chemicals” and said the bill would protect firefighters, water supplies, and public health. Testimony in support came from Environment Texas, which cited contamination concerns and noted other states and federal actions restricting PFAS foams. No one testified against the bill, and after closing testimony the committee left SB 1898 pending. The remainder of the hearing focused on SB 1758, a Grayson County pilot program aimed at addressing potential conflicts between Global Wafers’ semiconductor wafer facility and a proposed Black Mountain Cement/aggregate operation. Supporters, including Global Wafers, Grayson County officials, and manufacturing groups, argued that vibration from mining or blasting could threaten a major national-security semiconductor investment and that an independent BEG study was needed to set safe parameters. Opponents from Black Mountain Cement and related industry groups argued the bill would improperly interfere with a lawful permitting process, pick winners and losers, and harm Texas’ pro-business climate; they also said they had already revised operations and removed blast mining. The discussion included extensive questioning about geology, vibration, the permitting timeline, and whether the issue was really about mining rather than the air permit. No vote was taken on SB 1758 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• SENATOR POLSKY YOU MAY CLOSE. >> WAIVE CLOSE. >> THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED?
• SEEING NONE SENATOR MCCLAIN YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE ON THE AMENDMENT. >> Senator McClain: WAIVE CLOSE
• SENATOR LEEK YOU MAY CLOSE ON THE AMENDMENT. >> Senator Leek: WAIVE CLOSE. >> Chair: ALL IN FAVOR?
• SENATOR LEEK YOU MAY CLOSE ON THE BILL. >> Senator Leek: WAIVE CLOSE. >> Chair: ROLL CALL FOR CS FOR
• I WORK CLOSELY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't involve entry into a place that's closed to the public.
• Under certain circumstances, current law permits a child to testify via closed-circuit television.
• We all know that behind closed doors, there's only two people there: the suspect and the child.
• Behind closed doors, there's only two people there: the suspect and the child.
• And with that, we will close Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6087.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. On SB 5906, the SAFE Act, staff and Sen. Hansen described protections limiting immigration enforcement access to non-public areas in schools, early learning settings, higher education, health care facilities, adult family homes, and ballot-processing areas, and restricting collection of immigration-status information. Supporters said the bill would clarify and strengthen existing Keep Washington Working policies, while some witnesses requested amendments to better define health care facilities, clarify adult family home and election-related provisions, and keep Section 6 on ballot security. Some members questioned the factual basis for reported ICE activity near schools and daycares and the distinction between judicial and administrative warrants. The committee also heard SB 5886 on personality rights and forged digital likenesses. Staff explained that the bill would add digitally created or modified likenesses to the Personality Rights Act, raise civil penalties, and allow recovery of actual and non-economic damages in forged-digital-likeness cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to address AI deepfakes and identity misuse while preserving satire and fair use; student and advocacy witnesses supported the measure as a way to protect students and victims of digital impersonation. The committee then heard SB 5169, which expands child hearsay and closed-circuit testimony rules to older children and additional offenses. Prosecutors and forensic interviewers supported the bill as necessary in trafficking and child abuse cases, while defense advocates opposed it as an overbroad expansion that could raise confrontation-clause issues and create legal challenges. Additional hearings included SB 5865, which would move garnishment form updates from statute to the Washington Pattern Forms Committee; judges supported it as a way to fix a wage-withholding calculation error and allow future updates without legislation. SB 5912 would reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force to study statewide public defense delivery and recommend sustainable reforms; counties, the Office of Public Defense, and defense groups supported it. SB 6009 would make permanent the current process for direct review of administrative decisions by the Court of Appeals and retain land-use transfer provisions; a Court of Appeals judge supported the bill. SB 6087 would extend limited liability for donations of children’s items to religious organizations and add strollers and car seats, with support from Zero Waste Washington. The committee did not take final votes on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Dibble, I apologize for missing mentioning the E Line, which is very close to my heart, because
• We have done reviews of a closed landfill just to the north and northeast and have found actually the
• </c> now we have done reviews of a closed now we have done reviews of a closed landfill<01:02:20.799>
• just to the north and Northeast landfill just to the north and Northeast and<01:02:23.279><c> have</
• Here's the landfill, and here's the Superfund site there. Yeah, thank you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Close the &gt;&gt; Okay, that one's done.
• So, with that, we'll close that executive session.
• I'll close the executive session that.
• , landfill, landfill, uh<02:55:19.359><c> perhaps</c><02:55:19.680><c> a</c><02:55:19.840><c> lee</c>
• So your food not sitting in a landfill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Pizzo you're recognized to close on your bill. Waive close.
• Chair Rodriguez, you're recognized to close on the amendment to waive close.
• You're recognized to close wave close. Having waived close.
• You're recognized to close on the delete all amendment waived close.
• You're recognized to close on the bill. Waive close.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not closing it only because, you know, people get interested and then they get closed out.
• We're not closing it only because, you know, people get interested and then they get closed out.
• We’re a Hawaiʻi military community, and my house is built over Navy’s toxic landfill, so it’s not like
• We’re a Hawaiʻi military community, and my house is built over Navy’s toxic landfill. ...landfill, so
• </c> residents such as a site for a landfill residents such as a site for a landfill that<02:13:47.559

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 114, concerning employment in the State Historic Preservation Program, drew support from DLNR, which said the measure would help retain qualified archaeologists, architects, and other professionals by preserving current pay levels for a limited number of positions. Members raised concerns about expanding exempt positions and the effect on union coverage, and DLNR said it was also working with DEHRD on longer-term reclassification issues. No vote was taken on the bill in the portion provided. HB 12, relating to tort liability, drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, which argued the bill would create overly broad immunity for landowners, conflict with Hawaii’s comparative fault framework, and undermine existing recreational liability law. Supporters said it would reduce liability concerns and encourage landowners to allow hiking, hunting, search-and-rescue training, and firearms-related uses on private land. The committee then moved on without any recorded vote in the excerpt. The committee also discussed HB 29 on counties, but no county representative was present, and members questioned whether the proposal should instead proceed through condemnation if it involved a forced sale. HB 175 on property maintenance received DLNR comments that the bill should be narrowed to noxious weeds and that fire-related provisions were more properly handled by county fire departments and the State Fire Marshal. HB 331 on permits drew support from several state agencies, but the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed it unless “repetitive construction” was defined more clearly; members and agencies discussed narrowing the bill to avoid unintended impacts on water and utility infrastructure. The committee also heard strong support for HB 3 on North Shore beach management, HB 309 on fish ponds, and HB 306 on water code penalties, though the Board of Water Supply raised concerns about increased fines and suggested an alternative governor’s bill and clearer administrative rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I close. Thank you. Members, any questions?
• This is pretty close to surface mining. Okay.
• So it was 2023 when you actually closed on that?
• So, SB 2050 closes that gap.
• Seeing none, I will close on SB 2050.

Bills: SB1757, SB1758, SB1898, SB2050

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Transcript Highlights:

• Assemblymember Addis, would you like to close?
• We were closed for over four months. During that period, about 60 workers were furloughed.
• Oh, actually, let's invite the author to close. Just sharing. Sorry about that.
• Seeing no other questions or comments, Assemblymember, would you like to close?
• With that, I'm going to close the meeting. I will be recommending an aye vote.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Megawatts or not, but that would seem to be close.
• And then similarly, if manufacturing comes in on a building that is close to abandoned, underutilized
• So it's employing close to 9,800 employees, plus hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs or suppliers who
• Just be thrown away or put into a landfill, I suppose. They would reject it from whoever is...
• Just be thrown away or put into a landfill, I suppose. They would reject it from whoever is.

Summary: The Committee on Utilities first took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2762, 2816, and 2402, a solar-energy measure. The committee substitute combined the bills’ titles and focused on three main areas: a taxation framework for solar projects, setback requirements from occupied dwellings and property lines, and a decommissioning/bonding framework for project cleanup. Supporters said the bill would create baseline rules for a growing industry, protect neighboring landowners, and ensure land is restored after projects end. Members asked about Chapter 100 agreements, the setback distances, county rulemaking authority, and how reclamation and bonding would work. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a new substitute, and then voted the substitute do pass by 18 ayes and 2 noes. The committee then heard House Bill 2248, which would change Missouri’s economic development electric rate structure and close a loophole that could allow data centers under 75 megawatts to receive reduced rates. The sponsor and utility witnesses said the bill would make incentives more predictable by replacing a variable formula with a fixed discount for qualifying new industrial projects, while still requiring customers to pay full cost to serve and meet load-factor and other requirements. Witnesses from Evergy, Ameren Missouri, the Missouri Chamber, and Ford discussed the value of incentives for manufacturing, the difference between new load and retention of existing large users, and whether the bill should also address retention discounts. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. Finally, the committee heard Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 903, which would expand critical infrastructure protections. The bill adds wireline and broadband facilities to the definition of critical infrastructure, increases penalties for damaging or tampering with such facilities, and creates an offense for unauthorized possession of certain stolen materials such as copper and related telecom materials. The sponsor and witnesses from AT&T, Verizon, cable, railroad, electric cooperative, recycling, municipal utility, and chamber groups said the measure responds to rising theft and vandalism, including copper theft and fiber cuts that disrupt 911 and other services. Members asked about scrap dealers, fiber versus copper, trespassing concerns, and whether harsher penalties would deter theft. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you're familiar with the California SEC CAL file in place for close to 20 years where you have
• The university is also closely monitoring the federal investigation of Harvard University.
• We are also keeping a close eye on the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.
• I mean, I you know, my my district is close to UCLA and I and we have people that work at UCLA and I
• Canyon Landfills is burning 90 acres of trash underground, it's making... is sick.

Keywords: 988, house, all