Video & Transcript Research : 'House Concurrent Resolution 6'
Page 289 of 500
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (04/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Okay, and the the new center would house >> Okay, and the the new center would house
- <01:06:58.120>
amendment <01:06:58.720>2026 House amendment 2026 House amendment 2026 um - , the Senate and handed to the House, the Senate and handed to the House, I<01:23:24.280>
I - <01:36:43.840>
of three members of the House of three members of the House of Representatives - Speaker of the House of Representatives. Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Summary:
Division Three of the Finance Committee met in work session on April 20, 2026, to consider Senate Bills 481, 603, and 663, with the discussion focused primarily on SB 481, relative to the sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center property. The chair explained that the bill was advisory only and that the committee’s recommendations would go to full Finance on April 27. For SB 481, members reviewed conflicting provisions in the prior budget law about whether sale proceeds should go to the general fund or the Youth Development Center Claims and Administration Settlement Fund, and the bill was described as a compromise that would direct proceeds to the general fund before June 30, 2027, and to the settlement fund after that date. It was noted that the settlement fund had originally received about $20 million and had roughly $10 million remaining.
The committee also received an extensive update from DCYF Director Marie Noonan on the new Youth Development Center in Hampstead. She reported that construction remained on schedule, with major structural and interior work complete, substantial completion expected in late summer or early fall 2026, and occupancy anticipated in early 2027. The presentation highlighted the facility’s design features, including single-occupancy bedrooms, sensory rooms, an education wing, medical and clinical suites, visitation space, a gym, and multiple outdoor courtyards, all intended to support a trauma-informed setting. Members asked about the facility’s funding, square footage, fencing, and scanner; staff said the building is about 34,000 square feet, funded entirely with federal ARPA state recovery funds to date, and that the scanner is on site but not yet operational pending policy and staff training.
Committee members also raised concerns about the facility’s design and security. In response, DCYF said some concrete walls are required for structural and safety reasons, but they are being painted to maintain a brighter environment, and that the fencing will be about 15 feet high with privacy netting because the campus is shared with Hampstead. Officials said the new facility is legislatively limited to a maximum of 12 youth, while the current center can house 12 to 18, and emphasized that courts ultimately determine placements. No votes or final actions were taken during the work session.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (04/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, assuming that it's 10:00 a.m., I would like to open a work session on House Bill 592.
- I don't think it's going to in 6 months.
- Well, I'm going to close the work session on House Bill 592.
- And I will close out the executive session on House Bill 592.
- I've been saying House Bill; these are Senate bills.
Summary:
The committee held a work session on House Bill 592, which concerns regional conservation and energy resources planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors, and a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program to another authority. Jason Stock of the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association said his group was fine with the bill as printed, especially after Senate language clarified that habitat stronghold designations are for information gathering and not regulatory purposes. Ted Diers of the Department of Environmental Services strongly supported the bill’s Winnipesaukee River Basin provisions, saying the state’s role in operating the wastewater system is outdated and that the communities are now capable of taking more control; he also supported creating a higher-level engineering/director position to oversee aging infrastructure and help manage a possible transition. Committee members asked about the facility’s location, capacity, costs, staffing, the possibility of private operation, the commission’s membership, and whether the six-month study timeline was realistic. Diers said there would be no state savings beyond administrative time, that the communities already pay the costs, and that a report in six months should provide useful next steps even if it would not resolve everything. The chair closed the work session on HB 592 and announced a brief recess before later action, while a member indicated interest in proposing an amendment to change the commission’s membership.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Apr 20th, 2026
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Apr 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I would like to call the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 to order. Good afternoon.
- She was housed at both of our female institutions.
- She was housed at both of our female institutions, and so I was able to see firsthand what the impact
- So we're looking at the housing. We're looking at a lot of those things.
- to interview those individuals in a private setting so that we can make necessary arrangements to house
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Banking and Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- When this debt goes to collections, it can damage credit for years, making it harder to secure housing
- U.S. states have enacted policies of symmetrical rounding, where cash transactions ending in 1, 2, 6,
- Nobody wins from a foreclosure on a disaster-damaged, uninhabitable house.
- We left Los Angeles the day after our house burned down and moved to Tennessee to live with family.
- The Federal Housing Finance Agency does not prohibit forbearance beyond 12 months for loans backed by
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Holly, for many days, news with like-house public affairs on behalf of Abundant Housing, Los Angeles,
- I appreciate... ...housing issues.
- , but housing ownership opportunities.
- SB 35 has been a boon to affordable housing over the past eight years, producing more than 20,000 housing
- Again, Holly Fermini to his is the White House public affairs on behalf of Abundant Housing Los Angeles
Summary:
The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting, codify existing CEQA exemptions for recharge diversions, and help California capture flood flows for storage in aquifers. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it or sought amendments, warning about CEQA, streambed, Delta, and tribal-resource concerns. The bill was held open pending a quorum.
Members then heard AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy use and related information to the Energy Commission and local agencies. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and support grid planning. Data center industry and business groups opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while several environmental and local-government groups supported or supported if amended. The bill was left with a due-pass recommendation once a quorum was present.
The committee also took up AB 2245 on producer responsibility for vehicle lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental protections in overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation/VMT analysis, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects, and AB 2433 on density bonus housing incentives. Each bill drew a mix of support from sponsors, local agencies, labor, housing, or environmental justice groups and opposition or concerns from business, local government, or conservation organizations. Several measures were amended in committee, and multiple bills were reported out on due-pass or due-pass-as-amended votes, with some roll calls left open for absent members.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- Affordable housing projects lose crucial and extremely limited affordable housing dollars by paying for
- Tisha Watts with the California Housing Partnership, proud co-sponsor, and also in support of Housing
- Where would you house them?
- Where would you suggest the federal government house all of these detainees?
- So very specifically, where would we house all these people?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Transportation Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- And then once there's a housing project that's in compliance with that zoning code, that housing project
- We talk about it with housing.
- housing law.
- As compared to factory-built housing, factory-built housing is regular housing built in components in
- As compared to factory-built housing, factory-built housing is regular housing built in components in
CA
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- The fourth addition is Representative Stennett's House Bill 2974, which allows health care providers
- All those in favor of adopting the House Committee amendment 0.03H, signify by saying aye.
- House Committee substitute ending in 0.06C has been adopted.
- I now move that we vote House Committee substitute for Senate Bill 1092 do pass. Any discussion?
- You vote House Committee substitute for Senate Bill 1092 do pass.
Summary:
The committee met in executive session and first voted to recommend Senate Bill 959 do pass. The roll call was unanimous, 12 ayes and 0 nays.
The main discussion centered on Senate Bill 1092, for which the chair explained a House Committee substitute that combined several licensure and compact-related measures. The substitute added provisions from bills dealing with licensure by reciprocity for out-of-state professionals, the Dental Compact, the physician assistant compact, telehealth for reciprocity-licensed providers, speech-language pathologist licensure requirements, and the dietitians compact. The underlying Senate Bill 1092 would also reduce the required supervision period for social workers from five years to three years. A committee amendment was adopted to change a timing reference from 90 days to 60 days to match the Senate version.
After adopting the amendment, the committee rolled the changes into a new substitute and adopted House Committee Substitute 0.06C. It then voted the substitute do pass by a unanimous 12-0 roll call. The meeting adjourned after completion of that business.
VT
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Thu Apr 16, 2026 @ 2:05 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- agreement with the Senate and House agreement with the Senate and House Committee's<00:09:05.680
- <00:13:49.640>
resolution <00:13:50.280>is <00:13:50.440>that resolution resolution - is that resolution resolution is that standalone<00:13:52.480>
credit <00:13:52.840>course - suspect the reason for this resolution suspect the reason for this resolution is<00:14:04.160>
- Myself for Senate Resolution 112 SD1.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SCR 78, which urges the Department of Education to strengthen natural health education and adopt a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. The Department of Education said it supported the intent and had offered technical amendments to scaffold the curriculum by grade level. The Commission on the Status of Women and several advocates, including students and Ma'i Movement Hawaiʻi, testified in support, describing gaps in menstrual health education, stigma, and the need for more inclusive, age-appropriate instruction. No opposition was heard, and the chair moved on after no questions from members.
The committee then took up SCR 194, urging the Department of Education to meet the criteria to recognize cheerleading as a Title IX sport. The Department supported the measure, noting recent expansion of girls flag football and surfing as recognized sports and saying cheerleading would create additional opportunities for students. The Commission on the Status of Women also supported the resolution, saying it could improve participation, resource allocation, and representation for female students. No opposition or further action was recorded in the excerpt.
Finally, the committee discussed SCR 195, requesting the Board of Education and Department of Education to revise graduation requirements to include a standalone financial literacy course. The Board of Education and Department of Education both supported the intent but cautioned against a one-size-fits-all mandate, emphasizing school-level flexibility, existing stand-alone and online options, and the requirement that the class of 2030 must complete financial literacy before graduation. Hawaii Kids Can supported the resolution while raising questions about equity, access, quality, and how different delivery models compare; it also asked for more information on community survey data. Committee members questioned the department and board about asynchronous versus in-person instruction, standards, and how the requirement would be tracked in the personal transition plan. No vote or final action was taken in the provided portion of the meeting.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (04/17/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Have been working with DS and Charl Commissioner Arling House on the final cost as we get through that
- on the final Commissioner Arling House on the final cost<00:30:44.559>
um <00:30:44.880>as - cancer<00:42:28.720>
uh <00:42:28.880>at <00:42:29.280>at <00:42:29.520>6% - <00:42:30.079>
of patients, uh and cancer uh at at 6% of patients, uh and cancer uh at at - 6% of patients. patients. patients.
Summary:
The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on April 17 and approved the prior meeting minutes, then set its next meeting for May 29 at 9:30 a.m. Members also discussed a New Futures effort to collect questions about Medicaid changes and post answers as an FAQ, with a preference that the FAQ live on New Futures’ website rather than the state website. The commissioner’s office said it would coordinate responses and that the issue is still evolving.
The main presentation was an HHS update focused on the state public health laboratory and its work during Public Health Lab Week. Officials reviewed the lab’s history, its biosafety functions, and its role in disease prevention, food safety, preparedness, and response. They highlighted mosquito surveillance for eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus, noting that the lab tested more than a quarter million mosquitoes last year and that mosquito testing helps provide early warning for local public health decisions. They also discussed rabies testing, saying New Hampshire’s lab is the only one in the state that performs it, that rabies is fatal once symptoms begin, and that the work is preventable through early prophylaxis.
Members asked about federal funding cuts, water testing, and whether CDC changes to rabies testing would affect New Hampshire. The department said it had been affected by an $80 million federal clawback but was managing through other funds and staff reassignments; for the water lab, temporary staff had been hired to continue swimming-area testing. Officials said the state remains able to handle rabies testing and that federal changes would mainly affect areas without similar services. They also answered questions on Jamestown Canyon virus, saying New Hampshire had one human case in 2025 and three in 2024, compared with zero West Nile cases in 2025 and one in 2024, and that weather and protective measures influence mosquito-borne disease levels. Additional questions covered biosafety levels, cyanobacteria coordination with the Department of Environmental Services, and the Brown Building flood mitigation, which was described as about halfway complete with a hoped-for reopening of the west side by June.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (04/17/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Then how does the individual learn that they've opted in to get a housing referral and the housing agency
- <00:58:36.080>
referral <00:58:36.960>and to get a housing referral and to get a housing - a a user or an employee at a housing a a user or an employee at a housing agency<00:59:23.200>
House. So, we're not at the State House. House. So, we're not at the State House.- But that'll be the State House. So, we're not at the State House.
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 20 minutes and then adopted the remainder of the consent calendar, after removing two items for separate discussion. On item 26071, members questioned a $95,000 DoubleTree Manchester contract for a two-day conference. Department staff said the hotel was the only bidder, the conference typically draws more than 500 attendees, most of the cost is food offset by registration fees, and attendees pay their own lodging except for presenters. The committee then approved the item.
On item 26068, members asked for clearer reporting on remaining federal funds in continuing items. DHHS said about $10.3 million remained as of February 28, 2026, and agreed to provide the original award amounts and a reconciliation later. The committee approved the item. The committee then took up a DHHS transfer item for the developmental disability system, where officials said projected costs had risen because of delayed pandemic-era billings, new individuals entering the system, and higher individual service budgets. They said the budget was built on older assumptions, that carryforward funds had fallen from about $94 million to $72 million, and that the transfer would not affect lapse because it shifts general funds while federal Medicaid funds are accepted in return. The item was adopted.
The committee also approved a hiring request and then a late Corrections item tied to overtime and recruitment. Corrections officials said the department is about 50% staffed for corrections officers, typical overtime is an eight-hour shift, inmate populations are beginning to rise again, and the department is using academy blitzes, out-of-state recruiting, targeted advertising, and a $10,000 sign-on bonus paid after academy completion and one year of service. Senator Gray said the late item was intended to help reduce a larger request expected in June, and the committee adopted the item.
Finally, members questioned DHHS item 26074 on the New Hampshire Care Connection system and its interoperability with provider and managed care systems. DHHS said the system already has SMART on FHIR integration, single sign-on, and deeper integration options, and that managed care organizations are working with the contractor on use cases and data exchange. Officials said the project has been multi-phase, including the 988 crisis-response migration, privacy/security work, a provider network of more than 100 organizations, and a searchable resource portal managed by Granite United Way. They said the closed-referral solution is funded largely with Medicaid federal funds and is planned to continue in the base budget, not the rural health grant. The discussion ended without further action noted in the excerpt.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Carbon Sequestration Programs Study Commission (04/17/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, those fox in the hen house.
- Just like if you were selling your house and you've got to do a comparable market analysis and find houses
- ,<00:46:52.120>
similar find, you know, like houses, similar find, you know, like houses, - passed by House Bill 123. passed by House Bill 123.
- half the house and I'd pay more taxes. half the house and I'd pay more taxes.
Summary:
The meeting began with introductions, approval of the March 6 minutes as amended to add an attendee list, and a brief overview of the day’s agenda. The committee heard two presentations from carbon project developers, with the first from Dylan Jenkins of Finite Carbon. He described Finite Carbon’s work in improved forest management projects, its role in developing carbon methodologies and protocols, and its experience with projects in New England, Appalachia, Alaska, and Canada. He also outlined the difference between compliance and voluntary carbon markets, the role of registries and intermediaries, and the types of buyers in the market, including large corporate buyers and long-term off-take partners.
A major focus of the presentation was how forest carbon projects are structured and how credits are monetized. Jenkins distinguished between removals and reductions, explaining that removals come from new forest growth while reductions are tied more closely to baseline assumptions and standing stock. He said improved forest management projects can generate both types of credits, and that removals generally command higher prices because they are easier for buyers to understand and verify. He also emphasized that carbon project commercialization can occur before, during, or after credit issuance, and that landowners may be paid through a variety of structures, including leases, advance fees, per-unit payments, or off-take agreements.
Jenkins then addressed the committee’s tax-related questions, saying House Bill 123 appeared intended to treat carbon credit sales similarly to timber sales for local tax purposes. He argued that carbon credits are a forest product and that taxing them can be reasonable in principle, but he stressed that lawmakers should distinguish between commoditization and commercialization when deciding what event to tax. He noted that credits may be created but never sold, and that in some programs landowners retain timber and carbon rights while in others the developer has deeper control over those rights. In response to questions, he said the industry uses protocols, verification, and third-party oversight to address baseline and quality concerns, but acknowledged that baseline setting remains a major point of debate in the market.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (04/17/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I within the either house or senate.
- mediation and resolution of disputes. mediation and resolution of disputes.
- That is, you could work with the House. >> We would suggest that you work with the House. >> I can bring
- That is, you could work with the House.
- <01:21:11.920>
of a way to get to better resolution of a way to get to better resolution of
Summary:
The committee opened with housekeeping items, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and reminded the public that JLCAR’s role is limited to determining whether agency rules are within statutory authority, not to decide policy. Testimony was to be limited, and members noted that policy concerns should be addressed through the legislature rather than the committee process.
The first major item was Public Utilities Commission rule 25-215 concerning natural gas suppliers. Staff said the proposal had been postponed because the PUC appeared to lack authority to impose fines and penalties in this rule set, especially suspending or revoking registrations, and recommended either a conditional approval removing those provisions or a preliminary objection for lack of statutory authority. PUC counsel responded that the cited authority had been incorrect, that the Department of Energy now has most registration rulemaking authority, but argued the commission still has jurisdiction over mediation and dispute resolution and may still have authority over fines because natural gas suppliers are not expressly excluded from public-utility status. Committee members discussed the split between PUC and DOE authority and the possibility that the transition in authority had not been fully cleaned up in statute.
The committee then voted to grant a waiver of the time limit and postpone the item for another month so the agencies could work with counsel and clarify which parts of the rule could proceed. Members also urged that any needed legislative fix be brought forward quickly, noting that the Senate was not taking up non-germane amendments and suggesting the House as the likely venue for a cleanup bill.
The committee next took up Department of Energy EN900 and EN1000 rules. Staff said the EN900 net-metering rules had been postponed previously and that the main remaining issue was a retroactive requirement in EN909.03(b), which the agency agreed to revise so the language would apply only on or after the 2026 effective date of the chapter. The agency described the EN900 rules as implementing net metering authority transferred from the PUC and expanding the chapter to cover municipal group net metering and low- and moderate-income community solar projects. The EN1000 interconnection rules were described as implementing 2024 legislation requiring uniform procedures for distributed energy resources. The department said both sets of rules were developed through extensive stakeholder input and asked for approval subject to the oral amendment already discussed."}】【。json
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Three - Thursday, April 16
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Joint Resolution 159.
- I move that the House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 159 be third read and passed.
- for House Joint Resolution 159, gentleman from Lafayette.
- Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 159.
- House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 115, House Committee Substitute for House Bill
Summary:
The Missouri House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 126-2 vote. Members then observed a moment of silence for former Representative and Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Barney Fisher, with remarks honoring his military service, business career, and House service from 2005 to 2013. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including Southern Boone third graders, Lake of the Ozarks Day visitors, and other special guests.
The House then took up several third-reading measures. Senate Bill 907, the “act against abusive website access litigation,” was adopted with House amendments and passed 148-0 after debate focused on protecting businesses, nonprofits, churches, and political subdivisions from abusive ADA-related website lawsuits while preserving access rights and allowing a 90-day cure period. House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize constitutional limits on state treasurer investments, passed 101-34 after supporters argued it could generate about $15 million annually without raising taxes, while opponents raised concerns about broad investment authority and voter intent. House Bill 2741, requiring CDL holders to be able to read and speak English sufficiently for safe operation and related duties, passed 104-22 amid debate over safety, immigration concerns, and enforcement. House Bill 2474, offering political subdivisions an optional progressive design-build contracting method, passed 141-5. House Bill 3076, described as cleanup language exempting agricultural non-point sources from water permitting, passed 102-41 after sharp disagreement over environmental protections and DNR authority. House Bill 2436, dealing with animal abuse, neglect, impoundment, and related procedures, passed 88-54 after debate over due process and livestock/property rights. House Bill 2576, the annual naming/awareness bill, passed 140-3. House Bill 3175, “Mason’s Law,” allowing certain health-condition information to be shared with law enforcement through the Department of Revenue for traffic stops, passed 147-0.
Before adjournment, the House announced that the Rules Committee would meet immediately on one Senate bill and that members should be prepared to consider additional measures upon return. The chamber then adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2026.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- It has passed the House unanimously in a previous session, and it also passed the Senate unanimously
- Such as someone casing a house for burglary, then of course they get a lot more detail to figure out
- You can see the top of your house, right?
- Just like on Google Maps, if you zoom in, you can see the top of your house.
- But there, to your point, I can zoom it on your house right now.
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session on Senate Bill 905, moving the bill do pass. After roll call, the motion passed 6 ayes to 4 nays, and SB 905 was reported do pass.
The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 959, presented by Senator Doug Beck on behalf of Senator Roberts, who was on active duty. The bill would establish the Missouri GIS Council within the Office of Administration to improve statewide geospatial data coordination, planning, training, and education. Supporters, including Greater St. Louis, Inc., the State 911 Service Board, Bio-STL, and Next Missouri, said the council would improve emergency response, infrastructure planning, broadband and transportation mapping, economic development, and government efficiency, while also including privacy protections against collecting personally identifiable information.
One witness from Armour Vine opposed the bill, arguing it was “Big Brother” and could enable government tracking or broad public access to location data. Committee members questioned that concern, with supporters responding that the bill concerns maps and address data for public safety and planning, not tracking individuals, and that the bill expressly prohibits collecting personally identifiable information. No vote was taken on SB 959, and the hearing was closed after testimony.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Conservation and Natural Resources Apr 16th, 2026 at 08:30 am
Conservation and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- build a house and then get a permit.
- I now move that House Committee Substitute for House Bill 953 be voted do pass. Any discussion?
- Next person in favor of House Bill 3193.
- That will conclude this hearing on House Bill 3320.
- That will conclude this hearing on House Bill 3320.
Summary:
The Conservation and Natural Resources Committee first took up Senate Bill 953, as amended by a House committee substitute combining provisions from House Bill 1885 and Senate Bill 1397. Members discussed changes to the Missouri Clean Water Commission’s conflict-of-interest rules and a provision giving a person who contracts for storage rights in a Corps of Engineers reservoir exclusive rights to return flows. The committee also added House Bill 1376 language to exempt certain non-point source agricultural activities from permitting. Some members raised concerns about conflicts of interest and potential impacts on neighbors and water quality, while supporters said the changes were cleanup language and would not change pollution levels. The substitute was adopted and the bill was voted do pass by a 6-5 roll call, with one present.
The committee then heard House Bill 3193, a plastic waste reduction bill for Missouri state parks and historic sites. Sponsor Representative Wellenkamp said the bill would reduce plastic bottles, bags, and Styrofoam/styrene containers in parks and encourage alternatives, while allowing exceptions where needed. Supporters from conservation groups, a bird observatory, and private citizens said plastic waste harms water quality, wildlife, tourism, and cleanup efforts, and several noted the need to consider accessibility and disability-related needs such as straws and packaging. One opponent from the beverage industry argued that plastics are highly recyclable and that education and recycling are better solutions than bans. No vote was taken on HB 3193.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3320, the Drinking Water Transparency and Accountability Act. The bill would direct DNR to assign A-F grades to community water systems based on violations, finances, operations, and infrastructure, post the grades publicly, and impose stronger oversight on systems graded D or F. Supporters, including Missouri American Water, the Missouri Chamber, and some public witnesses, said the bill would improve transparency and help communities understand and address aging infrastructure and financial problems. Opponents from municipal utilities, water associations, and the Missouri Municipal League said the information is already available, that a single letter grade would oversimplify a complex system, and that the bill could create confusion, alarm, and unnecessary costs. The hearing on HB 3320 ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Government Efficiency Apr 16th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- I move that House Bill 2809 by Representative Knight be voted do pass. Any discussion?
- I've got my old House roots, so I'm going to try to be as quick as can be.
- That may still be the longest hearing that was ever conducted in the House.
- I represent House District 12.
- That will conclude the hearing on House Bill 2589. Thank you."
Summary:
The committee first established quorum and met in executive session, where House Bill 2809 by Representative Knight was moved do pass and approved by a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 present. The committee then moved to public hearing, noting House Bill 3108 would not be heard that day.
The main hearing was on Senate Bills 977 and 1011, sponsored by Senator Nick Schroer. The bills were described as a restatement of the supremacy clause, providing that foreign laws, foreign treaties, and related arbitration decisions cannot supersede the U.S. Constitution, the Missouri Constitution, or state law when fundamental rights are implicated. Members and the sponsor discussed concerns about foreign legal systems, religious law, COVID-era public health recommendations, and whether the bill could affect private arbitration, family law, custody, adoption, tribal law, and international agreements. Supporters said the bill was narrowly tailored, included carve-outs such as the Hague Convention, and was intended to guide courts and prevent foreign law from overriding Missouri law. One witness from Liberty Link Missouri testified in favor, saying the law should restate constitutional principles even if it is technically unnecessary. No vote was taken on the Senate bills during the hearing.
The committee also heard House Bill 2589 by Representative Mike Jones, which would require only a rear license plate on vehicles. Supporters said the change would save money for the state and drivers, align Missouri with many other states, and avoid the need to drill front bumpers or display plates in windshields. Members raised concerns about law enforcement, vehicle identification, stalking cases, and whether some vehicles or commercial vehicles should still require two plates. The sponsor said he was open to exploring exemptions or weight-based distinctions, but the hearing ended without a vote or further action on the bill.