Video & Transcript : 'zero tolerance' :
Page 277 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- eight-year life of the county's Measure A, Bellflower collected $15.8 million, and yet we received zero
- Eight and eight zero, and we'll keep that open. But the bill is out. All right.
- Eight and eight zero and we'll keep that open. But the bill is out. All right.
- That was nine to zero. That was nine to zero. All right, okay.
- Well, that bill's 12 to zero. Looks like it has a good chance. Fourth time's the charm.
Summary:
The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 1892 on HOA/Davis-Stirling Act cleanup provisions. The author and sponsor said the bill would clarify HOA responsibilities for utility service repairs in common areas, align election notice timelines, and require electronic voting ballots to be sent at least 30 days before an election. No opposition was presented, and the bill was set aside to be taken up later when a quorum was available.
The committee then heard AB 1708, which would revise the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program to give smaller cities a clearer role in regional homelessness planning and access to funding. Mayors and city representatives from Bellflower, Paramount, and other cities testified that smaller jurisdictions are spending significant local funds on shelters and services but lack direct access to HHAP dollars. Some larger-city and housing advocates opposed or were opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could add administrative burden, but committee members broadly supported the goal of including smaller cities in regional responses.
Members also heard AB 2058 on factory-built housing, AB 2576 on historic-resource protections under SB 79, AB 1751 on missing-middle townhomes, AB 1924 on homelessness prevention, AB 2626 on waiving certain monitoring fees for at-risk affordable housing developments, and AB 2089 on welfare-exemption and recertification procedures for affordable housing. Testimony generally emphasized reducing duplicative local permitting for factory-built housing, protecting state and national historic resources while still allowing housing near transit, expanding ministerial approval for townhomes, creating a statewide homelessness-prevention strategy with accountability measures, giving HCD flexibility to waive fees to preserve financially stressed affordable housing, and streamlining property-tax exemption recertification. Several bills were voted out of committee, including AB 1751 and AB 2626, both passing on 8-0 and 7-0 votes respectively, while other measures were discussed with motions pending or held open for absent members.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- If you look at the table, everything we're doing in this enhancement bill is a net-zero transfer.
- So everything in here is a net-zero transfer, and I'd ask for a green light. Thank you.
- So everything in here is a net-zero transfer, and I'd ask for a green light. Thank you.
- It's just all net-zero transfers between agencies. Thank you very much, sir. Thank you, Mr.
- It's just all net-zero transfers between agencies. Thank you very much, sir.
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and approved the journal. A lengthy pages’ recognition program followed, with lighthearted awards and remarks about the students’ backgrounds and plans. The House then received messages from the governor and Senate, including notice of signed bills and enrolled measures, and reports from standing committees on enrolled, engrossed, and printed legislation.
The chamber considered several measures under suspension of the rules. House Resolution 32, relating to administrative rules review, passed 68-1. Senate Bill 1270 as amended, requiring labeling and disclosure for cell-cultured animal protein, passed 70-0. Senate Bill 1335 as amended, addressing veterinary education and requiring recipients of state-funded out-of-state vet training to return to Idaho and practice large-animal veterinary medicine, passed 54-16 after debate about the state’s veterinarian shortage and the need to recoup the state’s investment. Senate Bill 1299 as amended, barring government from requiring digital identification for access to services and preserving physical ID options, passed 70-0 after questions about whether it affected police dogs. Senate Bill 1376, an elections cleanup bill shifting some candidate filing duties to county clerks and adding verification steps, passed 64-6.
The House also passed Senate Bill 1416, the appropriation for the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination, by 55-14, and Senate Bill 1417, Parks and Recreation enhancements funded by fees and federal dollars, by 69-30. House Bill 494 as amended in the Senate, on background-check cleanup for Health and Welfare, passed 69-30; House Bill 728 as amended in the Senate, on education-related transparency and continuity, passed 68-7; House Bill 703 as amended in the Senate, on land surveyor board cleanup, passed 67-0; House Bill 825 as amended in the Senate, on the America 250 license plate and Heritage Trust Fund flexibility, passed 67-2; House Bill 788 as amended in the Senate, a medical preceptorship pilot with a sunset, passed 39-30; House Resolution 33, covering committee review of several natural resources and licensing agencies, passed 68-2; House Bill 949, a net-zero trailer bill consolidating STEM Action Center and Workforce Development Council appropriations, passed 69-1; House Bill 950, appropriating $200,000 for a Medicaid managed care consultant, passed 60-10; and House Bill 951, an Attorney General enhancement bill tied to the Consumer Protection Fund and ICAC support, failed 33-37 after debate over whether the funding was truly needed. Senate Bill 1294 as amended, requiring newborn hearing-screen referrals outside hospitals while preserving parental choice, passed 37-32 after discussion of early hearing loss detection and the bill’s referral-based structure. The House also agreed to send Senate Bill 1351 to the amending order and recessed, then reconvened to take up additional messages and first-reading bills, including child protection and related measures.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Sale and possession of ghost guns prohibited 3/24/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- make thousands of people in possession of firearms that would be deemed illegal in this, there is zero
- this is absolutely needed, implying that this is a crisis, and I'm going to go back to the thing: zero
- this is absolutely needed, implying that this is a crisis, and I'm going to go back to the thing: zero
- vote. and I I I'm going to go back to the and I I I'm going to go back to the thing<00:45:48.960><c> zero
- fiscal</c><00:45:50.240><c> note</c><00:45:50.640><c> for</c><00:45:51.040><c> something</c> thing zero
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Fish and Game and Marine Resources (03/04/2026)
Fish and Game and Marine Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- .<00:27:42.240><c> It's</c><00:27:42.559><c> 14</c><00:27:42.960><c> to</c><00:27:43.200><c> zero.
- It's 14 to zero. >> Perfect. It's 14 to zero.
- >> 14<00:28:36.640><c> to</c><00:28:36.880><c> zero.</c> >> 14 to zero.
- >> 14 to zero.
Committee:
House Fish and Game and Marine Resources
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes HF2442, the omnibus climate and energy finance bill 5/7/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House File 2442 represents the lights-on bill and adheres to the zero target that our committee was given
- House File 2442 represents the lights-on bill and adheres to the zero target that our committee was given
- It's zero. Um, renewables are the lowest cost of new energy right now.
- ><c> the</c><00:39:34.720><c> lowest</c><00:39:35.119><c> cost</c> zero.
- Um, renewables are the lowest cost zero.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State & Local Government (3-5-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- bill</c><00:05:14.800><c> passes</c><00:05:15.160><c> N9</c><00:05:15.440><c> to</c><00:05:15.600><c> zero
- </c> adopted uh the bill passes N9 to zero adopted uh the bill passes N9 to zero and<00:05:16.440><c>
- bill</c><00:08:16.199><c> passes</c><00:08:16.840><c> 10</c><00:08:17.199><c> to</c><00:08:17.680><c> zero
- ><00:08:18.560><c> so</c><00:08:18.840><c> we</c><00:08:19.039><c> expect</c> hi bill passes 10 to zero
- so we expect hi bill passes 10 to zero so we expect to<00:08:19.440><c> do</c><00:08:19.599><c> same
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:05
Attendance Roll Call: 00:17
HB 30 (Rep. Blanton): 01:12
HB 27 (Rep. Osborne: 05:22
HB 45 (Rep. Hodgson): 08:29
HB 211 (Rep. C. Lewis): 15:54
HB 441 (Rep. Tipton): 36:38
Adjournment: 41:20, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first took up House Bill 30, which addresses pension spiking and retired state troopers returning to work. The sponsor and Kentucky Public Pensions Authority staff said the bill would codify court language clarifying that across-the-board raises from the General Assembly do not count as pension spiking, and the committee substitute would also give retired troopers rehired on a year-to-year basis the same vacation, sick leave, and bereavement benefits as new troopers. The committee adopted the substitute and a title amendment, and HB 30 passed 9-0.
The committee then considered House Bill 27, which removes an arbitrary 2023 date from the Planned Communities Act that had created confusion over political signage rules in HOA and planned community phases. The sponsor said the change would preserve HOA authority to regulate sign size, duration, and placement while eliminating inconsistent treatment of neighboring properties. The bill passed 10-0.
House Bill 45 followed, proposing to ban foreign funding in Kentucky elections and ballot measures and to require disclosure for express advocacy ads related to ballot measures. Supporters said the bill would put ballot measures on the same footing as candidate and PAC restrictions and prevent foreign nationals from influencing Kentucky elections; one senator raised concerns that the language could unintentionally chill participation by noncitizens, especially in one-on-one discussions, and the sponsor said he would work on that issue. The committee adopted the bill as amended, and it passed 8-1.
The final major item was House Bill 211, which would create a narrow exemption allowing cigar bars under defined conditions, including a revenue threshold, age restrictions, ventilation requirements, and local permitting options. The sponsor said the bill would not roll back general smoke-free laws but would allow tightly regulated cigar bars and grandfather existing ones from some requirements. Public health witnesses, including a nurse, a physician, and a thoracic surgeon, opposed the bill, warning it would weaken strong smoke-free protections, harm workers and patrons, and reverse progress against tobacco-related disease. The transcript provided did not include a final vote on HB 211.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It's zero-based budgeting.
- It's zero-based budgeting.
- A quick aside: you brought up your zero-based budgeting. You talked about how talented Ms.
- Well, I hope you’ll stay open to two new innovations that are out there in terms of, you know, zero liquid
- Well, I hope you'll stay open to two new innovations that are out there in terms of, you know, zero liquid
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items.
Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting.
In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I think the only issue is that for 2026 the benefit payment would be zero, so I think we may still need
- benefit payment is that for 2026 the benefit payment would<00:05:00.000><c> be</c><00:05:00.199><c> zero
- so um there may be you would be zero so um there may be you know<00:05:03.039><c> so</c><00:05:03.240
- So I'm assuming that the idea then is that they can enter an interagency agreement that would zero out
- So I'm assuming that the idea then is that they can enter an interagency agreement that would zero out
Bills:
HF11
Committee:
House Ways and Means
Keywords:
Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 24th, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Elephant Butte Lake could be dried to zero, and after that construction, they learned that ecologically
- It's always been ones and zeros.
- Somewhere in California, the problem that happens is when you have ones and zeros, and then you have
- some that are ones and zeros at the same time, and it errors out.
- I mean, like to zero cold. And what that means is plumbers, pipe threaders. HVAC.
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, look, you know, we would love to get our loss rates down to zero, but that's impossible.
- Well, look, you know, we would love to get our loss rates down to zero, but that's impossible.
- But we can't get it to zero unless we're willing to cut off a huge swath of the American population from
- We have zero evidence that retailers have ever passed on any savings, and we have a perfect test case
Summary:
The Special Commission on the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card heard extensive testimony from credit union, banking, retail, restaurant, and payments-industry representatives about proposals to limit interchange fees, especially on the tax and tip portions of transactions. Several witnesses opposed state-level restrictions, arguing they would create a patchwork of rules, burden state-chartered institutions, raise compliance complexity, and ultimately reduce resources for fraud prevention, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit. Others, including retail and merchant advocates, said swipe fees are a significant and growing cost for small businesses and that states should consider reforms such as limiting fees on taxes and tips, allowing surcharging, improving transparency in merchant contracts, and studying collection costs more closely.
Witnesses also discussed recent legal and regulatory developments, including Illinois’s interchange-fee law, OCC and NCUA interim rules, and the ongoing Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement. Industry representatives said the Illinois law has been delayed and is likely preempted for most transactions, while merchant advocates argued the state efforts and court rulings show that networks and banks do not set fees competitively. The proposed antitrust settlement was described by some as a meaningful but limited merchant victory, with temporary fee reductions and expanded surcharge/steering rights, while others said it still falls short of structural reform.
The commission members pressed witnesses on the practical effects of fees, the cost of cash, whether merchants can pass costs through, and whether small businesses are actually seeing benefits from the current system. Members repeatedly emphasized the need for a fair middle ground that protects both small businesses and the payment system. No substantive votes or policy actions were taken beyond accepting testimony, and the meeting ended with adjournment after all scheduled witnesses had spoken.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Instead of giving cities zero credit toward the RHNA target for zoned capacity on putatively bad sites
- However, there's no state program, zero state funding to acquire and preserve existing affordable homes
- Nine to zero, sir. All right, nine to zero, two not voting. All right, it's out. Thank you.
Summary:
The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills. SB 457 would direct HCD to develop statistical formulas based on historical development data to help cities complete housing element site inventories, with the author and supporters arguing it would make RHNA compliance more realistic and less costly; the California Building Industry Association opposed, and the bill was later approved on a 7-1 vote. SB 904 would codify and expand wildfire-rebuilding coordination and reporting practices used after recent fires, with supporters saying it would speed recovery and opponents questioning the need for additional reporting; it passed 11-1. The committee also took up SB 1091, which would create a state acquisition-and-preservation program for unsubsidized affordable housing to prevent displacement; it drew broad support from housing and tenant groups and passed 9-1, with members emphasizing preservation as a key housing strategy.
Members also considered SB 1267, which would require EV charger installers in common-interest developments to indemnify associations during installation and make homeowners responsible for costs arising from use of privately owned chargers. The bill was presented as a follow-up to prior HOA-related EV charging legislation, with support from HOA, EV, and climate groups and opposition from the California Association of Realtors pending amendments; it passed 10-0. SB 1117 would clarify that ADU impact fees above the 750-square-foot exemption are charged only on the portion above that threshold, not the entire unit, and supporters said it would remove a fee cliff that discourages slightly larger ADUs. Cities, special districts, and fire agencies opposed or opposed unless amended, citing infrastructure funding concerns, but the bill passed 10-0 after extensive debate.
The committee also heard SB 1361, which would prevent local governments from taking actions to avoid SB 79 transit-oriented housing requirements at existing or planned transit stops. Supporters from L.A. Metro, labor, and housing groups said it would protect transit investments and jobs, while the City of Burbank opposed; the bill passed 9-0. Two consent items, SB 722 and SB 1426, were approved without discussion. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly stressed the goals of streamlining housing production, preserving existing affordable homes, and reducing barriers to rebuilding and transit-oriented development.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- This reality is reflected by there being no reports—zero—of diversion for nefarious purposes in the 15
- This reality is reflected by there being no reports, zero, of diversion for nefarious purposes in the
- The risk of diversion into making this into GHB is zero. It simply does not exist.
- So to To GHB is zero. It simply does not exist.
Committee:
House Public Safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF3426 5/13/26
Transcript Highlights:
- There being seven ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails. >> Thank you, Senator Her.
- </c><00:22:06.800><c> seven</c><00:22:07.160><c> I's</c><00:22:07.480><c> and</c><00:22:07.640><c> zero
- </c><00:22:07.880><c> nays,</c><00:22:08.320><c> the</c> There being seven I's and zero nays, the There
- being seven I's and zero nays, the motion<00:22:08.800><c> prevails.
Summary:
The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Conference Committee met on May 13, 2026, to finalize House File 3426. After roll call established a quorum, staff walked members through the conference agreement and spreadsheet, noting that most appropriations were unchanged from the House and Senate positions. The report kept the LCCMR recommendations in resiliency, water, fish and wildlife, energy, and most land and education/outdoor recreation items, while removing the “cultivating conservation leaders through education and wilderness experiences” project and a Senate rotational grazing pilot provision. The committee also noted the overall appropriation total and carryforwards/extensions, and that the community grants program appropriation remained in the bill.
Members then reviewed the policy language in the DE amendment. The agreement retained House provisions setting guardrails for the community grants program, including requirements for emerging issues account votes, maximum grant amounts, staff training, monitoring visits, pre-award risk assessments, surety bond or fiscal-agent approval for advance payments, and quarterly progress reports, while also adopting Senate language repealing a DNR acquisition-approval requirement. Senators McEwen and Her offered contrasting comments about the removal of the Boundary Waters-related project, with McEwen criticizing the decision as politicized and Her emphasizing stewardship and the importance of exposing young people to the Boundary Waters. Representatives Heintzeman and Fischer defended the need for accountability and said the issue had been addressed in a bipartisan way.
The committee reported receiving a letter from the DNR supporting the language and thanking the conferees and staff. Chair Her moved adoption of the HF 3426 DE amendment and the spreadsheet dated 5/13/26 at 11:38 a.m., authorized staff to prepare the conference committee report and make technical and conforming changes, and the motion passed 7-0. The meeting ended with thanks to staff, LCCMR participants, and Speaker Melissa Hortman, followed by adjournment and instructions for members to watch for and sign the conference committee report electronically that night.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Six - Wednesday, April 22
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill, House Bill 2508, passed out of consent without opposition and was third read and passed 152 to zero
- Bill, House Bill 2508, passed out of consent without opposition, and was third read and passed 152 to zero
- By your vote of 142 yea, zero nay, and one present...
- By your vote of 142 yea, zero nay, and one present, you have truly agreed and finally passed Senate Committee
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and a long series of introductions recognizing student groups, interns, FCCLA and FBLA participants, a Missouri Rural Water Association delegation, medical students, family guests, and legislative assistants. Members also highlighted the Tipton Lady Cardinals girls basketball state championship team and several job-shadowing students from across the state. Announcements included committee meetings and a Missouri Department of Conservation Earth Day tree-seedling giveaway in the rotunda.
On legislation, the House received committee reports recommending passage of several measures, then took up House substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bills 3068 and 3049. Members discussed the bill as a vehicle for multiple bipartisan provisions, including public safety, AI, trafficking training, and other topics; opponents raised concerns about anti-trans language and the bill’s breadth, while others defended it as a package of widely supported items. The House passed the measure 117-10 with 17 present. The chamber also truly agreed to and finally passed Senate Bill 914, dealing with soil analysis/perk test issues, by 108-34 with one present, and Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1142, a Secretary of State business filing measure for series LLC certificates of good standing, by 142-0 with one present.
The most extended debate was on House Bill 1758, a daylight savings time trigger bill. The sponsor argued Missouri should lock in daylight savings time if the federal government authorizes a nationwide change, to avoid neighboring states forcing Missouri into standard time and to support tourism, safety, and economic activity. Supporters cited health, mental health, family, and business benefits, while opponents argued for standard time, raised concerns about children, circadian rhythms, and prior failed experiments, and questioned the federal-state authority issues. After extensive discussion and a point of order, the House ordered House Bill 1758 perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements and adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy Mar 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- you: the Governor's proposal for a new incentive program designed to support first-time buyers of zero-emission
- enhance our ability to continue the great work we have already done to see an uptick in the sales of zero-emission
- point-of-sale incentive matched dollar-for-dollar by original equipment manufacturers for first-time zero-emission
- vehicle buyers, and we're excited to see how this could accelerate consumer adoption of new zero-emission
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy Mar 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- you: the Governor's proposal for a new incentive program designed to support first-time buyers of zero-emission
- enhance our ability to continue the great work we have already done to see an uptick in the sales of zero-emission
- point-of-sale incentive matched dollar-for-dollar by original equipment manufacturers for first-time zero-emission
- vehicle buyers, and we're excited to see how this could accelerate consumer adoption of new zero-emission
Summary:
The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard budget overviews and several budget change proposals from CalRecycle, CalEPA, and DTSC. CalRecycle outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget of 987 positions and $1.9 billion, and members focused on edible food recovery funding under SB 1383, beverage container recycling fees and infrastructure under SB 1013, plastic packaging reduction under SB 54, and composting implementation under SB 279. CalRecycle said edible food recovery has recovered more than 300 million meals but lacks ongoing funding, explained that beverage container processing fees are set by statute and reflect higher recycling costs for difficult-to-recycle materials, and noted that SB 54 implementation will include a pollution prevention mitigation fund for legacy plastic cleanup. The committee also discussed the need for more composting capacity and the role of volunteer cleanup groups, while public commenters urged continued funding for food recovery, composting, and landfill response.
CalEPA presented its department overview and a proposal to strengthen landfill response and enforcement, emphasizing climate, air quality, water, and cleanup priorities. Secretary Garcia described the agency’s work on methane monitoring, toxics reduction, drinking water compliance, Exide cleanup, pesticide alternatives, and implementation of AB 617, while also noting the agency’s response to federal rollbacks. Members pressed CalEPA on landfill fires and subsurface elevated temperature events, especially at Chiquita Canyon, asking about authority, scientific resources, and when intervention should occur. CalEPA said it has authority to respond but needs more coordinated technical and enforcement capacity, and later presented a $5.1 million, 12-position multi-agency proposal involving CalEPA, CalRecycle, DTSC, and the Water Board to address current landfill events and improve future prevention and response.
DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety presented several proposals tied to reform implementation, hazardous waste oversight, and emerging waste streams. DTSC reported progress in clearing its permit backlog, advancing safer consumer products regulations, and continuing Exide cleanup, while seeking additional resources for cost recovery and enforcement, PFAS work, recycling infrastructure for solar panels and lithium batteries, and a new statewide planning division to implement the hazardous waste management plan and consolidate reporting systems. The Board of Environmental Safety described its oversight role, public meetings, permit appeals process, and fee-setting authority, and said its priorities include permit appeals, hazardous waste plan oversight, and performance metrics. Members questioned whether DTSC was creating too many new subdivisions, but the department said the new structure is needed to handle growing workload and modernize regulation. Public testimony generally supported the landfill proposal, DTSC consumer product enforcement, water board staffing, and continued funding for food recovery and composting programs.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy Mar 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- you: the Governor's proposal for a new incentive program designed to support first-time buyers of zero-emission
- enhance our ability to continue the great work we have already done to see an uptick in the sales of zero-emission
- point-of-sale incentive matched dollar-for-dollar by original equipment manufacturers for first-time zero-emission
- vehicle buyers, and we're excited to see how this could accelerate consumer adoption of new zero-emission
Summary:
The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard department budget overviews and several budget change proposals from CalRecycle, CalEPA, and DTSC. CalRecycle presented its 2026-27 budget and discussed priorities including edible food recovery, composting, beverage container recycling, and landfill response. Members asked about funding for food recovery grants, processing fees for wine and spirits containers under SB 1013, plastic packaging generation under SB 54, restaurant food waste requirements under SB 1383, and litter cleanup efforts. CalRecycle said edible food recovery has helped recover more than 300 million meals, but there is no sustained funding source; it also explained that beverage container processing fees are set by statute and that new producer responsibility and infrastructure investments are intended to improve recycling rates over time.
The committee then heard CalEPA’s overview, including the agency’s response to climate, air quality, water, toxics, and enforcement challenges. Secretary Garcia emphasized federal rollbacks, methane monitoring, AB 617 implementation, safe drinking water progress, Exide cleanup, and pesticide reduction efforts. Members questioned the agency about regional gasoline blends, authority and technical thresholds for landfill intervention, and the growth in the Secretary’s office staffing and budget. CalEPA said the budget increase reflects expanded coordination, technology modernization, hazardous materials response, and legal capacity. The committee also discussed a proposed landfill support, response, and enforcement package for subsurface elevated temperature events, with CalEPA describing a coordinated multi-agency approach and the need for stronger early response tools.
DTSC presented its department overview and several BCPs. Director Butler highlighted progress on permit backlog reduction, safer consumer products rulemaking, Exide cleanup, PFAS work, and planning for emerging waste streams such as solar panels and lithium batteries. The Board of Environmental Safety described its oversight role, public meetings, permit appeals, and fee-setting authority, and identified community concerns about cumulative impacts, hazardous waste planning, accessible data, and engagement. The committee also heard a proposal to expand DTSC’s Office of Policy into a statewide planning division to implement hazardous waste management plan recommendations and improve reporting systems. Members raised concerns about whether the new division duplicated existing work, but DTSC said it would fill identified gaps and improve coordination.
Public testimony largely supported the proposals, especially ongoing funding for edible food recovery, composting, safer consumer products enforcement, and the coordinated landfill response package. Witnesses from StopWaste, California Against Waste, Waste Management, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, and water advocacy groups urged continued or increased funding for these programs. No votes were taken; the chair held all items open and adjourned the hearing after public comment.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 11:05 am
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Families and Children.(2-24-26)
Families & Children
Transcript Highlights:
- On a vote of 10 to zero, the resolution passes with favorable expression.
- On a vote of 10 to zero, the resolution passes with favorable expression.
- On a vote of 10 to zero, the resolution passes with favorable expression.
- vote aye. >> Senator Webb. >> Senator Williams. >> Chairman Carroll. >> Aye. >> On a vote of 10 to zero
Committee:
Senate Families & Children
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Five - Monday, February 23
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- With the yeas being 113 and the nays being zero, the gentleman...
- With the yeas being 143 and the nays being zero, House Bill 2189 is third read and passed.
- With the yeas being 143 and the nays being zero, House Bill 2189 is third red and passed.
- Zero. Because how are they going to participate? Anyone can participate in sports.
Summary:
The Missouri House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by a 113-0 roll call vote. Members then offered several points of personal privilege recognizing military history, student heroes who responded to a medical emergency at South Tech High School, Black History Month remarks on Maya Angelou, student athletic achievements, and a moment of silence for former Fire Chief Henry Williams. The House also welcomed special guests, including a student shadowing a member and former Rep. Ben Baker in his role with USDA Rural Development.
The chamber then took up several bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026, was debated at length over constitutional concerns about MODOT funding and the need for disaster relief, Medicaid, and mental health appropriations; it passed 130-11. House Bill 2189, allowing five-year vehicle registrations and removing the even-odd model-year restriction, passed 143-0 after members discussed county clerks, tax payment verification, and the bill’s lack of fiscal impact. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1790, which changes ballot language requirements including Hancock Amendment-related wording and levy examples, passed 114-24.
House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2178, dealing with property tax assessment limits and appeal procedures, drew the most extended debate. Supporters said it would cap annual increases and help taxpayers, while opponents argued a floor amendment was not vetted, could shift burdens to schools and fire districts, and might harm local revenues; it passed 86-53. House Bill 1844, the athletic trainer compact, passed 117-27 with support framed around workforce mobility and rural health access. The House also perfected House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1663, which removes the sunset from Missouri’s Save Women’s Sports Act; debate centered on fairness in women’s athletics versus concerns about discrimination, local control, and the lack of a broader policy review, and the chamber adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements, including a blue alert and the death of a Christian County deputy, committee meeting notices, and adjournment until February 24, 2026.