Transcript Highlights:

• Jason Schmeltzer, on behalf of the Solid Waste Association of North America, the California chapters,
• So as local governments were charged with managing solid waste and meeting the state's solid waste diversion
• So as local governments were charged with managing solid waste and meeting the state's solid waste diversion
• So I come to you with over 30 years of experience in the solid waste and recycling industry.
• Members, Jason Schmeltzer, on behalf of the Solid Waste Association of North America, in support.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 2218, which would declare state policy to recognize and address water-related inequities affecting California Native American tribes and require several state agencies to incorporate that policy into water-related decisions. The author and tribal witnesses said the bill would codify a seat at the table for tribes and build on existing consultation and equity commitments, while supporters from environmental and tribal organizations backed the measure. Opponents from municipal utilities, water agencies, cities, counties, agriculture, and business groups argued the bill was too vague, could create uncertainty for water supply and project approvals, and might invite litigation. The chair signaled support, and the author said the bill was intended as a consultation measure rather than one that would usurp agency authority. The committee then took up AB 1795, a wildfire smoke-damage bill that would establish statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating smoke-damaged homes and create clearer insurance claim handling rules. The Department of Insurance supported the bill, saying it would bring consistency and accountability after major urban-interface fires, while wildfire survivors and advocates said current insurer practices leave families unable to safely return home. Insurance and local government groups opposed unless amended, warning about cost, implementation uncertainty, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed unresolved issues, including how the bill would interact with a separate wildfire health-and-safety bill, whether it would apply to existing policies, and how presumptions and testing standards should work. The committee voted AB 1795 out on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 1642, another wildfire-related bill, was also heard and focused on setting science-based testing and clearance standards for homes, schools, and businesses after urban and wildland-urban interface fires. The author and a Caltech scientist described contamination from lead and other heavy metals in fire-affected homes and argued for a presumption that certain contaminants found after a fire came from the wildfire, to reduce costly disputes. Survivors and many advocacy groups supported the bill, while insurers and other industry groups opposed, saying the testing regime was too broad, the geographic scope was unclear, and the presumptions could function like strict liability and raise insurance costs. Senators pressed both sides on how AB 1642 would overlap with the CDI smoke-claims task force and with AB 1795, and the author said the two bills were intended to be complementary and would continue to be reconciled. The committee also briefly heard AB 1976, which would create a CEQA exemption for pedestrian malls and limit certain local procedural delays for pedestrian and traffic-calming projects. Supporters said it would make it easier to create safer, more walkable, and more livable streets, and there was no opposition testimony. The chair described it as a narrow CEQA exemption for active transportation-related projects and indicated support. The committee then moved on to AB 2026, a groundwater recharge permitting bill, with the author explaining that it would streamline permitting so more recharge projects can capture floodwater and store it for drought years; testimony on that bill began as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• These would be grants to local governments to improve solid waste management systems to better process
• construction demolition waste.
• </c><00:35:18.480><c> transition</c> construction demolition waste transition construction demolition
• </c><00:35:22.520><c> waste</c> governments to improve solid waste governments to improve solid waste
• </c> construction demolition waste. construction demolition waste.

Bills: HF4736 , HF4737 , HF3806 , HF3352 , HF4840 , HF3748

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: emergency shelter, grant program, homelessness, capital investment, Minnesota Statutes, appropriation bonds, public funding, housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota constitutional amendment, public debt, state bonds, general obligation bonds, information technology, IT infrastructure, software licenses, technology modernization, capital improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill protects both essential services and workers' rights by ensuring that solid waste companies
• Solid waste collection is a critical public health service that our communities depend on every day.
• In this case, we have not done that for workers in solid waste management, but it's something that perhaps
• In this case, we have not done that for workers in solid waste management. but it's something that perhaps
• workers in solid waste management, but it's something that perhaps should be done given the fact that

Transcript Highlights:

• This waste was then covered with organics, i.e., mulch littered with plastics and solid waste.
• Our organics waste program requires the waste hauler companies to haul the organic waste to whatever
• We need to... ...deal with organic waste are creating that.
• And he had zero, he had no registration whatsoever, no SWIS registration, which is a solid waste information
• He had no registration whatsoever, no Swiss registration, which is a solid waste information system registration

Summary: The committee first heard SB 907, which would strengthen California DUI laws in several ways, including mandatory Watson advisements when DUI charges are reduced, judicial discretion for consecutive sentences in cases with multiple victims, enhancements for repeat felony DUI offenders and certain hit-and-run cases, and adding vehicular manslaughter offenses to the violent felony list. The author and supporters, including prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims’ family members, described the bill as a response to repeated, preventable tragedies and argued it would close loopholes and increase accountability. Opponents, including criminal defense and civil liberties groups, raised concerns about duplicative penalties, legal overreach, and the violent-felony and sentencing provisions. Committee members were divided but generally supportive of stronger DUI enforcement; the bill was moved out on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with the three-strikes provision removed and the bill kept on call. The committee then heard SB 1015, aimed at online child exploitation and extortion networks. The bill would create a new offense for adults who recruit, direct, coerce, or use minors to harm or exploit other children, and it would also allow limited misdemeanor or felony charges for minors engaged in extreme coercive conduct, with diversion available for juveniles. Supporters, including sheriffs, district attorneys, and child-safety advocates, said the bill addresses a fast-growing cybercrime problem involving grooming, blackmail, self-harm, and organized online groups using minors as intermediaries. Opponents argued existing laws already cover much of the conduct and warned against criminalizing adolescent behavior, urging the Legislature instead to focus on platform accountability. The committee nevertheless advanced the bill on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with members emphasizing the need to address evolving online harms. The committee also heard SB 1285, which would clarify that juvenile court dismissals under Welfare and Institutions Code section 782 remain a broad “general dismissal” remedy, separate from record sealing, so that eligible youth can more fully avoid future collateral consequences. Supporters said the bill would restore the intended effect of prior juvenile justice reforms and help young people access employment, education, military service, and licensure without lingering barriers. There was no opposition after one group withdrew its objection, and the bill was moved to the floor on a do-pass motion. SB 1342 followed, a technical cleanup measure for automatic record clearance laws that would prevent outdated pending charges from blocking relief, require local court records to match DOJ updates, and create a way for people to obtain written proof of clearance; it also advanced to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1330 was heard to extend existing assault-and-battery protections for certain workers to utility workers; supporters described rising assaults and even shootings against crews, while one utility worker opposed the bill as only increasing penalties after the fact rather than preventing attacks. The bill was moved out on a do-pass motion and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2416, relating to fair treatment of waste-to-energy
• Allowances during the second compliance period of the program to a waste-to-energy facility constructed
• It clarifies that a waste-to-energy facility's baseline greenhouse gas emissions are those annual emissions
• It directs the waste reduction and material recovery component of the two-part plan to consider the local
• solid waste management plan rather than align with the county's solid waste management plan.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Second Substitute House Bill 1906 concerning water systems, focusing on a striking amendment that would require more notice to customers and relevant entities before ownership changes, require certain planning documents to be submitted, and direct the UTC to consider cost of capital, external funding, rate smoothing, notice, and planning compliance when setting rates for private water companies. Testifiers from the Washington PUD Association, Northwest Natural, Thurston PUD, and Washington Water Service generally supported the bill, saying it would improve transparency for customers, help avoid failed systems ending up in receivership, and better inform customers about future costs; one senator asked about PFAS contamination, receivership, and the removal of a right of first refusal, and staff explained the bill’s intent was to improve front-end notice rather than change the back-end takeover process. The committee then moved into executive session and received briefings on several bills and proposed striking amendments, including measures on distributed energy resources (HB 2296), emerging large energy use facilities (HB 2115), AI disclosures (HB 1170), waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act (HB 2416), low-income energy assistance (HB 1903), environmentally sustainable urban design (HB 1742), and the Spark Act AI grant program (HB 1833). Members discussed issues such as utility worker installation authority, data center load and ratepayer protections, AI provenance and disclosure requirements, waste-to-energy allowance timing, reimbursement mechanics for energy assistance, and safeguards for an AI regulatory sandbox. The committee adopted striking amendments and passed HB 2296, HB 2115, HB 1170, HB 2416, HB 1906, HB 1903, and HB 1833 out of committee, generally with due-pass recommendations and referral to Ways and Means where applicable. The committee did not take action on HB 1742. The meeting concluded with members and staff offering personal thanks and farewell remarks to the chair, who was noted to be leaving the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• waste authority.
• Well, the one is the Solid Waste Authority. I think they have their own bonding authority.
• The Solid Waste Authority. I think they have their own bonding authority.
• So the state, I think the state Solid Waste Authority is the best one.
• Solid Waste Authority has the authority. It's a common practice for it. Not.

Transcript Highlights:

• Waste Authority.
• Well, the one is the Solid Waste Authority. I think they have their own bonding authority.
• So the state, I think the state solid waste authorities are the best one, and I'm sure there are other
• Well, the one is the Solid Waste Authority. I think they have their own bonding authority.
• So the state, I think the state solid waste authorities are the best one, and I'm sure there are other

Summary: The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives. Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad. The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.

Transcript Highlights:

• This waste was then covered with organics, i.e., mulch littered with plastics and solid waste.
• the waste hauler companies... ...our organics waste program requires the waste hauler companies to haul
• We need to... ...deal with organic waste are creating that.
• And he had zero—he had no registration whatsoever, no SWIS registration, which is a solid waste information
• He had no registration whatsoever, no Swiss registration, which is a solid waste information system registration

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee until a quorum was established, then heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. SB 907 by Senator Archuleta proposed five DUI-related changes: requiring Watson advisements when DUI charges are pled down, allowing consecutive sentencing discretion for multiple deaths in one crash, adding enhancements for repeat felony DUI offenders, increasing penalties for hit-and-run by drivers with recent DUI history, and treating gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated as violent felonies. The author and supporters, including prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims’ family members, argued the bill would close loopholes and increase accountability. Opponents, including criminal defense and civil liberties groups, raised concerns about overbreadth, legal doctrine, and the violent felony designation. Committee members generally supported moving the bill but urged further changes, especially on the violent felony and consecutive sentencing provisions. SB 907 was passed as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and kept on call. The committee then heard SB 1015, which would create new offenses aimed at online exploitation networks that use minors to coerce, recruit, or extort other minors, including through intimate images and AI-generated images. The author, sheriff’s officials, and district attorneys described rapidly growing online abuse networks and argued current laws do not clearly reach adults who use minors as intermediaries or minors who participate in coercive extortion schemes. Opponents said existing criminal statutes already cover much of the conduct and argued the bill could unnecessarily criminalize youth behavior instead of focusing on platforms and prevention. Members expressed concern about the harms to children and the need to address evolving online threats, while also noting the bill’s juvenile provisions. SB 1015 was passed as amended to Appropriations and kept on call. SB 1285, also by Senator Durazo, would clarify that juvenile record dismissal under Welfare and Institutions Code section 782 is a general dismissal statute and that dismissal and record sealing are separate processes. Supporters said the bill would preserve the rehabilitative purpose of juvenile court and help youth avoid lasting collateral consequences in employment, licensing, and military service. There was no opposition after PORAC withdrew its objection, and the committee approved the bill to the floor on a unanimous roll call, keeping it on call for absent members. SB 1342, another Durazo bill, would fix implementation problems in California’s automatic record clearance laws by addressing outdated pending charges, requiring local court records to match DOJ clearance records, and creating a way for people to obtain proof of relief. It drew broad support and no opposition, and was passed to Appropriations, with one no vote from Senator Seyarto. Finally, the committee heard SB 1330 by Senator Aitken, which would extend enhanced penalties for assault or battery to utility workers performing their duties. The author and utility worker witnesses described increasing threats and assaults, including a recent shooting at a work crew, and said the bill would help protect workers who maintain essential water, gas, and electric services. The bill drew strong support from labor, utilities, and local government representatives. The transcript ends during public testimony on SB 1330, before any committee vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1371 ensures that solid waste companies cannot use force majeure clauses to suspend service during
• Solid waste collection is an essential public health service that our communities rely on.
• Solid waste collection is an essential public health service that our communities rely on every single
• Solid waste agreements are complex, highly negotiated contracts between local governments and service
• Solid waste agreements are complex, highly negotiated contracts between local governments and service

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government transparency. SB 911 by Senator Becker would require notification to fire enforcement agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold with an agreement for the buyer to bring the property into defensible-space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 by Senator Cabaldon would bar local officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision-makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it also passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1041 by Senator Riggins would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements and add consumer protections, but it drew strong opposition from homeowner advocates, county treasurers, bankers, and others over predatory lending and lien concerns; it passed 3-2 and remained on call. The committee also considered SB 1075 by Senator Reyes, which would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality reduction measures in land-use approvals for industrial and commercial projects. Environmental justice groups supported the bill as a way to implement community air plans, while counties, cities, business groups, builders, trucking interests, and others opposed it as duplicative of CEQA and a barrier to investment and jobs. After debate over local control and environmental justice, the bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958 by Senator Cabaldon would advance the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, replacing a former arena and parking lots with housing, affordable units, parks, and a new entertainment venue; with no opposition voiced, it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Another wildfire-related measure, SB 1182 by Senator Allen, would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas and direct state technical guidance on the issue. Supporters said insurance access is now a key indicator of risk, while some members questioned whether the bill would add useful information or burden local governments; the bill received a 1-1 vote and remained on call. The committee then began hearing SB 1116 by Senator Caballero, a starter-home/infill housing bill creating a streamlined ministerial path for small projects up to 10 units, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> waste, not carbon dioxide, carbon waste waste, not carbon dioxide, carbon waste across<00:15:04.079
• I work in the solid waste industry and live in Covington County.
• I work in the solid<00:32:01.600><c> waste</c><00:32:01.919><c> industry</c><00:32:02.240><c> and</c>
• <00:32:02.480><c> live</c><00:32:02.640><c> in</c><00:32:02.799><c> Cington</c> solid waste industry
• and live in Cington solid waste industry and live in Cington County.<00:32:04.320><c> In</c><00:32:04.559

Bills: HB61 , HB176 , SB12

Committee: House Economic Development and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going to take up tab for first Senate Bill, 200 on comprehensive waste reduction and recycling
• So in 2000 8, the legislature set a statewide goal to recycle 75% of municipal solid waste by 2020.
• Cory is with the National Waste and Recycling Association.
• Madam Chair and senators bindings, Kenya, Cory and I'm with the National Waste Recycling Association.
• waste and recycling in front of your house as well as the back of your your businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• This waste was then covered with organics, i.e., mulch littered with plastics and solid waste.
• It would really be helpful to have more bulky waste pickups and reduce landfill fees.
• Our organics waste program requires the waste hauler companies to haul the organic waste to whatever
• And he had zero, he had no registration whatsoever, no SWIS registration, which is a solid waste information
• He had no registration whatsoever, no Swiss registration, which is a solid waste information system registration

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is a solid one. I think it is on very solid legal ground.
• I think this is a solid one. I think it is on very solid legal ground.
• I think this is a solid one. I think it is on very solid legal ground.
• > So,</c><00:26:53.520><c> where</c><00:26:53.800><c> would</c><00:26:54.040><c> you</c> eliminate waste
• So, where would you eliminate waste.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's consisted of money from the solid waste tax and a motor vehicle transfer fee, and also all the different
• It's consisted of money from the solid waste tax and a motor vehicle transfer fee, and also all the different
• We're very close partners with the counties on solid waste work, as well as the county feedlot officers
• </c><01:25:56.719><c> as</c> counties On Solid Waste work as well as counties On Solid Waste work as
• There's hazardous waste, the RCRA program, the federal program, as well as solid waste permitting that

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, sometimes they can go to household hazardous waste collection if there isn't a whole heck of a lot
• years ago in Nebraska, where basically many companies across the country were sending their excess waste-treated
• Years ago in Nebraska, where basically many companies across the country were sending their excess waste-treated

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 49 by Darby, reeling to the fluid asphalt oil and gas waste and products and byproducts of the waste
• public schools or for the committee on public education, HB 2452 by Cole, relating to the provision. of solid
• waste disposal services by certain counties authorizing a fee creating a criminal offense or for the
• HB 2482 by Kerry Rueling to the Prohibition on Chronic Waste, Disease Contaminant Zones, and Surveillance
• waste disposal services for certain violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, before us today is SP 302, requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners.
• Now, SB 302, if you recall, we had a hearing for this bill requiring background checks for solid waste
• and hazardous waste facility owners.
• </c><00:15:54.079><c> management</c> statutes in the waste management statutes in the waste management
• </c><00:17:14.240><c> management</c> constitution of the waste management constitution of the waste management

Summary: The committee met in executive session on SB 302, a bill requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Members discussed and adopted amendment 2025-2219H, which incorporated language from prior Senate and House amendments, including provisions related to the siting evaluation committee and changes affecting landfill expansions and additional cells. The amendment also folded in language from HB 616, the animal cruelty/due process bill, which members said clarifies probable cause, imminent danger, temporary protective custody, and the role of the state veterinarian or designee in animal seizure decisions. Several members emphasized that the bill does not bar seizure of animals in emergencies or prevent nonprofits from fundraising, and that the changes are intended to strengthen due process and reduce conflicts of interest. The committee voted 12-0 to adopt the amendment. It then voted 12-0 to give SB 302 an OTPA recommendation with the amendment included. After the vote, the director raised a concern that the amendment appeared to eliminate the waste management council and related appeal provisions in the governing statutes; members acknowledged the issue and said it was intentional or at least acceptable to address later in committee of conference, where they expected further changes. The committee then agreed to place the bill on the consent calendar. After concluding the executive session, the committee discussed an afternoon field trip to research farms in Lee and Durham. They also accepted an invitation to visit a farm in Fremont on May 30 at 10:00 a.m., with the address provided as 63 South Road, Fremont, New Hampshire.

Transcript Highlights:

• coals on, and it deals with the TCEQ issue where the TCEQ can cancel permit issuance on a municipal solid
• waste land permit.
• Remove the provision that the TCEQ may not approve the subsequent permit application for a municipal solid
• waste landfill facility that was subject to the cancelled permit.

Bills: SB3074 , HB49 , HB2440 , HB3556 , HB3619 , HB3866 , HB4042 , HB4112 , HB4271 , HB4413 , HB4426 , HB5033 , HB49

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• waste disposal, to revise provisions regarding solid waste disposal site contracts and counties.
• It expands the testing beyond the traditional components of milk fat, protein, lactose, solid nonfat,
• , relating to hazardous waste facility siting.
• Hazardous Waste Management Act.
• more efficient and timely way to provide in one place all applicable laws on hazardous waste.

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent 40 rural counties out of the 58, and as local governments, we're responsible for solid waste
• That includes hazardous waste collection and recycling.
• waste.
• David Krieger for Waste Connections, in support.
• Good afternoon, Dylan Hoffman, on behalf of the California Product Stewardship Council, the Solid Waste

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard three main bills after initially lacking a quorum and deferring the consent calendar. SB 501 by Senator Allen would expand California’s battery extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries, such as those used in e-bikes, lawn equipment, and portable power systems. Supporters from local governments, recycling groups, environmental organizations, and battery stewardship interests said the bill would reduce fire risks, improve collection and recycling, and close a gap in existing law. One industry witness sought clarification about off-highway vehicles and a battery association requested guardrails for mixed battery formats; the California Retailers Association moved from opposition to neutral after discussions with the author. SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide, state-funded low-income drinking water rate assistance program administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, contingent on funding. The author and supporters said many Californians face water debt and that the bill would help address affordability while working around Proposition 218 limits on local ratepayer-funded assistance. Water districts, local governments, environmental justice groups, and conservation organizations testified in support, and there was no opposition. SB 1259 by Senator Blakespear, as amended, would require refineries to provide advance information on closure, cleanup costs, and timelines to help communities plan for refinery transitions and remediation. Supporters, including the City of Benicia, environmental justice groups, and advocacy organizations, argued that communities need transparency before closures occur and that other energy sectors already provide similar planning information. Opponents from labor, petroleum, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, burdensome, and could discourage refinery investment or signal premature decline of the industry. After extensive debate, the committee voted to pass SB 1259 as amended to the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee, and also approved SB 501 and SB 1125; the consent calendar items SB 1253 and SJR 13 were adopted.