Video & Transcript : 'environmental agreements' :
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Apr 15th, 2025
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Dental Service, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, AAW Ethical Environmental
- Center, Healthc Care Association of Hawaii, A A A AW<00:28:34.159><c> Ethical</c><00:28:34.799><c> Environmental
Committee:
Senate Ways and Means
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee convened at 10:00 a.m. and opened with instructions about live streaming, one-minute testimony limits, and the possibility of reconvening on March 31 if technical problems interrupted the hearing. The committee then took up HB 300, which drew extensive testimony from state agencies, commissions, nonprofits, and advocacy groups. Many agencies, including Budget and Finance, Education, Health, Housing, and others, said they stood on their written testimony and supported the measure. One witness from the Kohala Island Reserve Commission supported the bill and asked for funding for a CIP project at its Kihei site to consolidate offices and generate revenue for Maui. Several groups, including the Hawaii Oral Health Coalition and the Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis, supported funding for mandated oral health services and higher ABA provider rates for children with autism. In contrast, the Re-imagining Public Safety in Hawaii Coalition and Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice opposed $30 million for jail planning and additional incarceration-related spending, urging more investment in housing, mental health, youth programs, education, and restorative justice. The chair noted the testimony totals for HB 300: 186 in support, 91 opposed, and 52 comments.
The committee then heard brief testimony on HB 794 and HB 795. The Department of Budget and Finance supported HB 794, and the Tax Foundation was listed for HB 795 but was not present. No additional testimony was offered on either bill. After the testimony phase, the committee deferred all three measures—HB 300, HB 794, and HB 795—for decision making to March 31 at 10:00 a.m. in the same room.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (01/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- And there is in that agreement that was made a lot in there about economic development.
- And there is in that agreement that was made a lot in there about economic development.
- So the agreement that I spoke about earlier is our OHV PD grants.
- So the agreement that I spoke about earlier is our OHV PD grants.
- So the agreement that I spoke about earlier is our OHV PD grants.
Summary:
The meeting was an orientation for the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, led by Chair Bob Harb. He reviewed committee procedures, including pink cards for witnesses, blue sheets for counts, use of drawers in the committee room, scheduling practices, and how bills would be posted and distributed. Members briefly introduced themselves and explained why they wanted to serve on the committee, with several citing interests in conservation, water quality, outdoor recreation, land use, and related local issues.
The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1113, relative to OHRV operation on certain highways within the town of Windsor. Representative Ré Colcombe, the sponsor, explained that the bill would allow local OHV/UTV access across a short section of state road in Windsor so residents on divided portions of town could travel legally between areas. He said the town selectmen were already allowing OHRV use on town roads, the route was paved, traffic impacts were expected to be minimal, and local police had no objections. He also said the town would hold public hearings and notify abutters as required, and that if the select board ultimately opposed the proposal he would recommend killing the bill.
Members asked about the legal authority for the change, speed limits, traffic volume, winter maintenance, and whether the Department of Transportation or select board had to approve the route. Colcombe said the town must hold a public hearing and that the change would need to be incorporated into RSA 258:10, section 4. He said the road is maintained by the town in winter and by the state in summer. An opponent, Anne Davis, testified that she opposed the bill, saying ATV use should be treated as a tool for forest management rather than recreation, that law enforcement capacity in Windsor was a concern, and that she believed affected residents should be fully notified before any approval. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (03/03/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- We should be acting in what we know, but I come from a field of urban planning, environmental analysis
- We should be acting in what we know, but I come from a field of urban planning, environmental analysis
- We should be acting in what we know, but I come from a field of urban planning, environmental analysis
- We should be acting in what we know, but I come from a field of urban planning, environmental analysis
- we track it in 74 and and agreement we track it in 74 and and you'll<03:13:53.479><c> see</c><03:13:
Summary:
The committee held a Division 3 budget work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Economic Stability. Karen Hebert, the division director, and Nathan White, DHHS chief financial officer, walked members through the governor’s operating budget pages and a briefing book, explaining that the division was consolidated in 2018 and serves programs aimed at financial stability, poverty reduction, child care access, and related supports. Members repeatedly asked for clearer breakdowns of general fund spending, historical growth since consolidation, and how the division’s broad mission areas map onto specific budget lines.
A major portion of the discussion centered on the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration and the child care subsidy program. Hebert said the child care scholarship/subsidy helps low- and moderate-income families access daycare so parents can work, attend school, or receive treatment, and that eligibility is based on state median income up to 85%. She reported a 45% increase in utilization, 4,032 children receiving daycare support as of the end of January, and about 15% of eligible children being served. She also described the quality improvement system “Granite Steps for Quality,” with 160 providers enrolled out of 717 licensed programs, and noted that 1,200 child care professionals added credentials in the last year.
Members pressed for cost-benefit information, asking for data on how much the state pays, how many providers and children are served, and whether the department could quantify unmet need. The witnesses said some projects were funded with short-term ARPA child care dollars and that detailed cost data for specific examples, such as the Gorm Community Learning Center expansion, would need to be looked up. They also explained that the child care fund is a federal block grant with required spending set-asides of 9% for quality, 3% for infants and toddlers, and up to 5% for administration, and that unused funds remain available. The committee also reviewed slide 10’s accounting units, including that the Child Care Workforce Fund is 100% general funds and was created as a priority item under HB 2 from the 2024 session, while some other child care-related units are 100% federal funds.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development May 7th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- We have four departments in the College of Agriculture, Human, and Environmental Sciences, and we also
- We have four departments in the College of Agriculture, Human, and Environmental Sciences.
- We have four departments in the College of Agriculture, Human, and Environmental Sciences, and we also
Summary:
The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met to approve the October 3, 2024 interim minutes and then took up two resolutions. HCR 205, by Representative Kerner, urged USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Supporters said shrimpers are facing very low prices, full cold storage, and an urgent need for federal purchases to stabilize the market and help local processors and fishermen. Commissioner Mike Strain explained that USDA commodity purchases can support schools, nursing homes, and food banks, and members discussed the need for cold storage, marketing, and better promotion of local seafood. The resolution was reported favorably without objection. The committee also considered HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill language that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs; members said the provision had raised concerns about field trials, scent hounds, and hunting practices, and the resolution was also reported favorably without objection.
The committee then received a presentation from Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture leadership, led by interim president and chancellor Orlando McMeans and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, teaching, and extension work, including medicinal cannabis research, beef cattle and smart ranching, viticulture, aquaculture, precision agriculture, food and nutrition, and support for small farmers and K-12 dual enrollment. They highlighted scholarship and enrollment programs, including USDA-supported 1890 scholars and JAG Stars, as well as partnerships with LSU and USDA. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed 1,300-bed disaster shelter/mega shelter at the experiment station.
Members asked questions about meat-cutting and processing training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s use when not needed for disasters. Southern officials said the new processing facility is intended to support training and workforce development, and that the shelter could also be used for events such as weddings, graduations, and agricultural activities. The committee expressed appreciation for the presentation and the work of the Ag Center. Representative Broussard then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Transportation Subcommittee Mar 30th, 2026 at 10:00 am
A&B Transportation Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- those dollars because again, in many of these projects, there was a long lead time and they had environmentals
- We are currently running through and about to wrap up the environmental assessment.
- The environmental determination's Going good there right now.
Committee:
House A&B Transportation Subcommittee
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- million of the underlying bridge funding, was carved out to assist with the planning, design, and environmental
- channel is not only an economic imperative, but also a strategic investment in regional resilience, environmental
- A high priority for us at Climate Rail Alliance, as environmental advocates, is to support passenger
Committee:
House Transportation
Keywords:
transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 5th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- There are, well, this is in an environmentally protected area.
- So the eligible work, There are, well, this is in an environmentally protected area.
- So the eligible work, but it's not eligible because it's in an environmentally protected area.
Summary:
The committee received a program review from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on the 2024 hurricane season and FEMA reimbursement process. Deputy Director Keith Pruitt described the impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, including major storm surge, flooding, tornadoes, debris removal, power restoration, flood-control deployments, sheltering, and logistics missions. He emphasized that Florida’s approach is “federally funded, state managed, locally executed,” and said the division has already obligated large amounts of public assistance funding and mitigation dollars while continuing to work on remaining missions and reimbursements.
A major focus of the discussion was how local governments can better document and vet debris-removal and other disaster costs so they are eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Chair DiCeglie and other senators raised concerns about local planning, commercial debris collection, and whether counties and municipalities that spend money up front will be reimbursed. Pruitt explained that eligibility depends on documentation, scope of work, insurance, and FEMA rules, and that the state’s FROC process is intended to help counties identify eligible work before costs are incurred. He also said commercial debris may be eligible in some cases but is not guaranteed, and that counties should coordinate early with FDEM and FEMA.
Senators also asked about possible FEMA reforms, the age of outstanding reimbursement claims, and a proposed state fund to advance money to fiscally constrained counties while they wait for FEMA payments. Pruitt said Florida’s system is a national best practice, but that more county-level training and clearer coordination would help reduce de-obligations and audit problems. He said the reimbursement-advance idea is still being developed, and that the state continues to look at ways to streamline mitigation through programs like Elevate Florida. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after closing comments from senators praising FDEM’s work.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Infants are uniquely vulnerable to environmental contaminants due to their rapid growth and development
- My name is Carly Clemens, and I specialize in children's environmental health at Children Now.
- Susan Little, on behalf of the Environmental Working Group, in support.
- Susan Little on behalf of the Environmental Working Group in support.
- This one is do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Environmental Quality.
Committee:
Senate Health
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The goal of this project, simply stated, is to secure collections in proper environmental conditions
- :09:07.920><c> that</c><01:09:08.159><c> with</c><01:09:08.480><c> proper</c><01:09:08.880><c> environmental
- </c> outfit that with proper environmental outfit that with proper environmental equipment<01:09:10.480
- <c> proper</c> that these collections remain in proper that these collections remain in proper environmental
- </c> environmental conditions. environmental conditions.
Committee:
House Capital Investment
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- But they also support, in addition to these forest products, environmental services that we all depend
- CFR scientists have recently developed a new environmental surveillance program that can detect CWD in
- </c><00:31:18.080><c> surveillance</c><00:31:18.720><c> program</c> an environmental surveillance program
- an environmental surveillance program that<00:31:19.360><c> can</c><00:31:19.760><c> detect</c><00:31
- </c> of that to go to our environmental of that to go to our environmental science<01:24:40.400><c> programs
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- So this program request from the Department of Environmental Quality is to rightsize the efforts of this
- </c> from the department of en environmental from the department of en environmental quality<00:49:04.000
- Miss Chasson, would you please take the roll as we close out Agency 020, Department of Environmental
- Chairman, 12 ayes. >> Agency 020, Department of Environmental Quality is closed.
- </c> >> Agency 020, Department of Environmental >> Agency 020, Department of Environmental
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 387, the Food Retailers, Dynamic Pricing, Surveillance Data, and Collective Bargaining Agreements
- :18:44.799><c> the</c><00:18:44.960><c> project</c><00:18:45.280><c> labor</c><00:18:45.600><c> agreements
- ,</c> related to the project labor agreements, related to the project labor agreements, and<00:18:46.559
- Senate Bill30, environmental<01:10:54.719><c> environment</c><01:10:55.280><c> water</c> environmental
- environment water environmental environment water individual<01:10:56.159><c> unit</c><01:10:56.719>
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:54:00.720><c> regulations</c><00:54:01.280><c> and</c><00:54:02.000><c> notices</c> environmental
- I'm saying just to clarify, are we in agreement on what the fiscal note actually says? >> Yes.
- on what the fiscal note agreement on what the fiscal note actually<02:49:23.920><c> says?
- to stay the eviction on a payment plan, by agreement of all parties.
- to stay the eviction on a payment plan, by agreement of all parties.
Committee:
House Housing
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Prince George's County Stop Environmental Injustice Coal and Gas Plant Act of 2021.
- </c><01:15:17.920><c> is</c><01:15:18.239><c> on</c><01:15:18.480><c> the</c><01:15:18.719><c> environmental
- </c> from district 20 is on the environmental from district 20 is on the environmental and<01:15:19.679
- Have a great weekend. >> Environmental matter.
- Have a great weekend. >> Environmental matter.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Because what's happening in the environmental environment, you know, what this data is, we can track
- Because what's happening in the environmental environment, you know, what this data is, we can track
- We want to QR code it. um environmental data. MK MK think is um environmental data.
- Cuz what's happening<00:52:14.000><c> in</c><00:52:14.200><c> the</c><00:52:14.280><c> environmental<
- /c> happening in the environmental happening in the environmental >> Yeah.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Government Operations held an informational briefing with the State Procurement Office on its small business procurement program. SPO staff described the program’s purpose as expanding access to state contracting for small businesses, including veteran-, Native Hawaiian-, and women-owned firms, and said they are seeking to make the current five-year initiative permanent before it ends in June 2027. They reported outreach efforts, a new website and newsletter, statewide surveys, draft administrative rules, and a 38% increase in small business registrations in the HANS database. They also explained that the program is intended to support outreach, education, certification, compliance, and a statewide database to connect agencies with qualified small businesses.
Committee members focused heavily on whether the program is producing measurable contract awards, not just registrations. The chair and senators questioned the definition of “small business,” noting that SPO currently relies on SBA standards in HANS and is considering a Hawaii-specific definition based on employees, revenue, and Hawaii residency. Members raised concerns that the data showed only a small number of registered businesses receiving awards and that the database does not yet track awards well enough to evaluate performance. SPO responded that the database has had funding gaps, that the position was only filled in February 2025, and that the agency is still building the system and rules needed to track outcomes accurately.
A major theme was how to make the program more effective for very small or “micro” businesses and how to reduce the complexity of state procurement. Members discussed the difference between set-asides and bid preferences, with SPO explaining that set-asides are generally tied to RFPs and preferences to IFBs. The committee suggested that future rules should make participation easier, provide more training and hand-holding, and possibly create pathways for micro businesses or groups of small businesses to bid together. No votes or formal actions were taken; the briefing ended with the committee asking SPO to provide more performance data and clearer information on outreach results and database contents.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- of Woodbury, so we’re not fully developed yet, and Woodbury is one of our big priorities, like environmental
- Woodbury is one of our big three priorities, like environmental stewardship.
- and then we can actually have a rebate program to kind of help Woodbury maintain priority for environmental
- </c> three priorities is like environmental three priorities is like environmental stewardship<00:10:
- Ste stewardship but also environmental Ste stewardship but also kind<00:11:02.320><c> of</c><00:11:02.440
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Good morning, Grishina Mohobeer, California Environmental Voters, in support. Thank you.
- The chair definitely has an aye record as proposed to be amended per the agreement, and we will take
- And I want to give you a chance to look at the language to make sure we're all in agreement.
- with federal law enforcement agencies unless, of course, the agreement prohibits the California law
- Some tribes, to my knowledge, have agreements with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for federal agents to
Committee:
House Public Safety
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (02/12/2025)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- :34:49.079><c> the</c> Last two, if you want to do this one and the last one, if you guys are in agreement
- support stronger regional collaboration on economic development and enhance stability to address environmental
- I will say that I am so incredibly disappointed that a group of professionals can't come to some agreement
- can't come that a group of professionals can't come to<02:00:34.599><c> some</c><02:00:35.280><c> agreement
- uh on this uh I think to some agreement uh on this uh I think we<02:00:38.679><c> can</c><02:00:38.880
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- They are much faster, cheaper, they're way more environmentally friendly, and it makes it more practical
- They are much faster, cheaper, they're way more environmentally friendly, and it makes it more practical
- Smart contracts are the pieces of code on the blockchain that automatically carries out an agreement
- Smart contracts are the pieces of code on the blockchain that automatically carry out an agreement when
- Put differently, smart contracts are, I like to think of them as like if-then agreements that live on
Summary:
The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held an informational briefing on digital assets, blockchain, and related regulatory developments. Chair Jarrett Keohoko said the committee was focusing on national and state policy issues around digital assets, while leaving the separate issue of Bitcoin kiosks and fraud to the House Consumer Protection Committee, which had already noticed a similar briefing. No public testimony was taken; the session was for informational updates and member questions.
Representatives from the Aptos Foundation, including JC Yun and Michael Cheng, gave a detailed presentation on blockchain basics and Aptos’s technology. They described blockchain as a tamper-resistant digital ledger, explained proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems, and argued that proof-of-stake networks are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. They also emphasized smart contracts and potential uses beyond speculation, such as car titles, college transcripts, collectibles, digital IDs, real estate, and other tokenized assets.
The presenters highlighted Aptos’s Hawaii connections and said the technology could help local residents and businesses participate in the digital economy. They cited adoption statistics, including billions of transactions on Aptos, tokenized money market funds from major financial firms, micro-lending applications, decentralized cloud infrastructure, and the rapid growth of stablecoins. They acknowledged concerns about scams and consumer protection, but argued that the answer is stronger regulation and education rather than avoiding the technology altogether.