Transcript Highlights:

• Their role to prevent waste. this valuable resource is. It's noble.
• based on whether or not the water is being put to beneficial use, whether or not it's going to be wasted
• . well in excess of a hundred million dollars, building out the internal system. to move water and waste
• water and treat, we have a sewer. treatment plant on site and treat waste water that way.

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• But with and I understand on surface water, if you're talking about waste water or coastal erosion, I
• buyer of water rights is not going to be getting, you know, water. service for their, you know, or waste
• Water rights owners aren't assessed by utility districts for water and waste water. service.

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• General is charged with protecting the integrity of MDE and the state by detecting and preventing fraud, waste
• sanctions on program participants who were removed from another state or federal program for fraud, waste
• protections for employees and non-employee individuals who make good-faith reports on suspected fraud, waste
• finding at the conclusion of an investigation by a preponderance of the evidence of fraud, theft, waste

Bills: HF2354, HF1672, HF2389, HF2870, HF2743, HF1918, HF2551, HF1671

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• sanctions on program participants who were removed from another state or federal program for fraud, waste
• <00:54:25.440> The<00:54:25.680> proposal fraud, waste, and abuse.
• The proposal fraud, waste, and abuse.
• <00:58:29.280> So<00:58:29.920> it fraud, theft, waste or abuse.
• So it fraud, theft, waste or abuse.

Bills: HF2354, HF1672, HF2389, HF2870, HF2743, HF1918, HF2551, HF1671

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• The section also contains a 12-year, 50% reduction in net tax capacity for hangars and other airport
• On line 42, the solid waste management tax has a dedication of the solid waste tax receipts in fiscal
• Moving to page 5, on line 33 with the dedication of the solid waste management tax.
• So if we're going to go through with this massive reduction, and you're talking about a 45% reduction
• Very quickly, just want to amplify again the reduction...

Bills: HF2730, HF2257, HF2768, HF1932, HF2437

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Transcript Highlights:

• and rate reduction, um, uh, point two at the end of the article.
• and rate reduction, um, uh, point two at the end of the article.
• and rate reduction, um, uh, point two at the end of the article.
• cask storage, and then another $2 million reduction from the casks stored at Monticello.
• sources so we create biogas from waste sources so we create biogas from waste that's<00:26:57.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The difference between human waste and animal waste is in concentration.
• Human waste has a lot more nitrogen, a lot more phosphorus than animal waste, and let me say that from
• Um the, the difference between human waste and and animal waste is in concentration Human waste has a
• Land applied waste from Oklahoma City.
• Oklahoma City treats the waste from a million people, and today we're focused on the solid waste, but

Summary: The meeting focused on the use of biosolids on farm and ranch land, with testimony from Oklahoma State University experts, a conservation official, and an engineering representative about the benefits, risks, and regulatory implications. Dr. Lusk described OSU’s long history of soil fertility research and said biosolids can provide nutrients and organic matter, but also may carry contaminants such as PFAS, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and pathogens. He emphasized that many questions remain unanswered, especially about contaminant uptake into soil, crops, livestock, and humans, and said existing EPA and Oklahoma DEQ regulations address some treatment and application standards but may not fully cover PFAS. Dr. Arnell expanded on nutrient management, explaining that biosolids can function similarly to manure as a fertilizer source, especially for nitrogen and phosphorus, but should be tested, incorporated into soil, and applied under permit conditions to reduce runoff and other losses. He said PFAS testing methods are not yet standardized and that more research is needed to determine sampling protocols, movement in soil, and long-term effects. Committee members asked whether farmers and ranchers should be notified of risks, whether PFAS is currently tested, how many counties use biosolids, and what research would be needed for a dissertation-level study. The witnesses generally agreed that landowners should be informed of known risks and uncertainties, but said the science is still developing. Dr. Arnell said a unified testing method is needed before reliable PFAS monitoring can be done, and suggested that a multi-year study would be required to understand soil movement, crop uptake, and livestock impacts. Greg Scott of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission framed the issue as a waste-management problem, noting that human waste streams contain contaminants and that soil type affects how pollutants move; he said sandy soils pose greater movement risks than clay soils and that current best practice is incorporation, careful timing, and avoiding steep or sensitive sites. He also said PFAS are widespread and not naturally occurring in the way some other compounds are, and that liability and cleanup costs are major concerns. Mary Elizabeth Mock of Garver Engineering focused on the practical and financial consequences of a possible moratorium on land application, saying most of Oklahoma’s biosolids are currently land applied and would otherwise have to go to landfills. She warned that many landfills are nearing capacity, tipping fees could rise sharply, and cities such as Tulsa and Norman could face large increases in disposal costs, which would ultimately be borne by ratepayers and taxpayers. She also said septic system maintenance costs could rise if land application options shrink, potentially leading to deferred maintenance and system failures. Mock urged a tiered, data-driven approach to PFAS regulation and said advanced treatment technologies may help in the future, but they are still emerging and expensive. No votes were taken; the session consisted of presentations and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a fund that supports projects that help us sustainably use forest biomass waste.
• , like forest waste or agricultural waste that would otherwise be piled and burned.
• They are limited to only forest waste or other organic waste in the case of the Biomat, but they are
• To that end, California has set emissions reduction targets for 2030 and 2045.
• The effect of your bill will result in a reduction of electric bills for everyone.

Summary: The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open. The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0. Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I won't waste the committee's time, but it's an excellent story.
• So this was a 45% reduction within two years.
• He's the co-chair of the flood damage reduction work group.
• He's the co-chair of the flood damage reduction work group.
• benefits for both flood damage reduction benefits for both flood damage reduction but<00:51:16.599

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the concerns about this would be some of those reductions, and if all of you remember, we have
• One of the concerns about this would be some of those reductions, and if all of you remember, we have
• And we are concerned about reductions in the mini grants that we have at this time.
• but also for uh in or organic Waste but also for uh in or organic Waste Systems<01:47:23.920>
• wasted food and so this is both wasted wasted food and so this is both wasted food<01:47:45.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kai Klossin on behalf of Rethink Waste in support. Thank you.
• Source reduction is important too, as a big part of 54.
• reduction goals.
• , green waste diversion, and much more.
• So you end up with all this plastic bag waste.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with SB 1350 by Senator McNerney presented first. The measure would expand California’s use of renewable hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with supporters emphasizing grid reliability, clean-energy goals, in-state investment, and construction jobs. Support came from labor, clean-energy, municipal utility, and local government representatives; NRDC Action Fund withdrew opposition after amendments, while a few groups remained opposed or neutral. The committee later took a roll call and SB 1350 passed out on a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard SB 1180 by Senator Allen, which would set operational rules for the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund created under SB 54, including clearer eligible uses, transparency, technical assistance, and access for tribes and smaller community groups. Environmental justice, ocean, conservation, and local government groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would ensure the fund addresses plastic pollution’s public health and environmental harms. Industry and manufacturing groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill should stay tightly tied to plastic waste reduction and not broaden into source-reduction policy. After quorum was established, the committee approved SB 1180 on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. SB 1326 by Senator Wahab was then heard to strengthen tribal consultation and tribal cultural resource protections under CEQA by recognizing tribal registers and requiring feasible avoidance or mitigation measures when tribes identify resources. Tribal representatives and supporters said the bill would better protect sacred sites and tribal knowledge, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and rural county groups opposed unless amended, citing implementation concerns, possible litigation, and uncertainty for infrastructure and housing projects. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. Finally, SB 954 by Senator Blakespear was presented as a cleanup of last year’s SB 131 advanced-manufacturing CEQA exemption, narrowing eligible projects and adding guardrails such as setbacks, air-quality limits, tribal consultation, labor standards, and habitat protections. Environmental and labor groups supported the bill as a needed correction to an overly broad exemption, while business, manufacturing, housing, and local-government groups opposed, warning it could make the exemption unusable and slow investment. Members debated the balance between environmental protection and manufacturing competitiveness, and the committee voted SB 954 out on a due pass recommendation to the Labor and Employment Committee; the transcript then moved on to SB 1031 on compostable plastics, which was introduced but not acted on in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• manufactured items could become waste. manufactured items could become waste.
• reduction programs.
• ,<01:07:34.000> reuse, communities for reduction, reuse, communities for reduction, reuse,
• <01:10:22.719> recycling when I visited my waste recycling when I visited my waste recycling
• <01:12:35.920> and recently passed the packaging waste and recently passed the packaging waste

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dietary intake data has shown reductions in intake over time, which sets the stage for nutrient-intensive
• The amount of waste that we were throwing away each day was disheartening.
• The 50% increase in milk consumption. and then 95% that's right 95% reduction in milk waste just because
• Beiler, in your testimony you highlighted the significant reduction of milk waste.
• There's less food waste and there's more nutrition going into the children.

Bills: SB222

Keywords: whole milk, school lunch, school meals, National School Lunch Program, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Child Nutrition Act, USDA, nutrition standards, dairy, nonfat milk, low-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, lactose-free milk, nondairy beverages, plant-based milk, milk substitution, parental consent, legal guardian, food allergies, allergic reaction

Summary: This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:13.600> in<00:14:14.200> uh a reduction in uh a reduction in uh in in in uh<
• gas reduction gas reduction and and and it<00:15:07.400> it<00:15:07.600> that<00:
• And then CI reduction beyond uh 50%.
• Agricultural crops other waste wood.
• , winter camelina, municipal solid waste, winter camelina, municipal solid waste, and<00:16:58.839

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• certain carbon intensity reductions certain carbon intensity reductions uh,<00:03:53.920> carbon
• growth, we can see a dramatic reduction growth, we can see a dramatic reduction in<00:18:49.440>
• Ultimately, I mean, winter camelina, pennycress, wood waste, all of these are in the plan.
• Ultimately, I mean, winter camelina, pennycress, wood waste, all of these are in the plan.
• Ultimately, I mean, winter camelina, pennycress, wood waste, all of these are in the plan.

Bills: HF1669, HF4709, HF3531, HF4048

Keywords: tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, electricity generation, property tax exemption, renewable energy, incentives, economic development, fuel delivery, tax exemption, retail transactions, diesel exhaust fluid, fuel lubricants, healthcare tax, gross receipts tax, hospitals, chiropractors, healthcare providers

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:32.880> of<00:23:33.039> about reduction of about reduction of about $6.59<00:23
• reduction to uh transportation sparity? reduction to uh transportation sparity?
• This is in a teacher uh reduction.
• <00:56:07.839> some<00:56:08.160> reduction<00:56:08.559> in reduction some reduction
• in reduction some reduction in telecommunications<00:56:10.319> equity<00:56:10.799> aid.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County Solid Waste Management Agency, Western Placer Waste Management Authority, County Solid Waste
• , as universal waste.
• , as universal waste.
• As e-waste, as universal waste, those opportunities don't exist for nicotine vapes.
• the release of hazardous waste.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• solid wastes.
• solid wastes.
• solid wastes.
• on education and waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
• waste manage waste energy integrated uh waste manage waste energy facility<00:37:48.800> and<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• existing nuclear facilities and waste existing nuclear facilities and waste storage<01:31:02.040
• <01:31:09.719> to energy from toxic radioactive waste to energy from toxic radioactive waste
• uranium mines Mills plants and waste uranium mines Mills plants and waste storage<01:47:02.360><
• This waste needs to be stored for 200,000 years or more.
• waste issue this waste speaking to the waste issue this waste needs<01:50:42.719> to<01:50:42.880

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Energy Committee heard Senate File 426, authored by Senator Icorn, which would remove the 100-megawatt cap on hydropower for purposes of qualifying as an eligible energy technology under Minnesota law. Supporters said hydropower is carbon-free, reliable, flexible baseload power that can help Minnesota meet its 100% carbon-free electricity goal by 2040. Testifiers from Missouri River Energy Services and Minnesota Power described existing hydropower resources, including allocations from federal Missouri River dams, Minnesota hydro stations, and Manitoba Hydro, and argued that the bill would preserve and expand options for clean energy development. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s purpose and potential environmental impacts. Senator McEwen questioned why the size limit should be removed without specific proposed projects or more information about the need for larger dams, citing concerns about fisheries, water resources, and land use. Senator Port and others asked about costs, environmental effects, and where new projects might be built. In response, supporters said the bill is intended to open the door to future projects and allow agencies to review proposals through existing permitting and environmental processes, rather than approving any specific dam. Committee members offered mixed reactions. Senator Frentz said he supported the concept but recommended laying the bill over for further discussion and possibly sending it to the Environment Committee, noting environmental concerns and the need for more conversation. Senator Gruenhagen strongly supported the bill, arguing that it merely lifts a cap while leaving permitting and review requirements in place. Senator Hoffman also supported the bill, saying current policy blocks consideration of new projects and that the change would allow regulators to evaluate proposals on their merits. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left open for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• , forestry waste, clean hydrogen, and more.
• <00:42:06.760> requirements carbon intensity reduction requirements carbon intensity reduction
• It's a waste material.
• It's a waste material.
• <01:23:58.159> or biomass or um Municipal Solid Waste or biomass or um Municipal Solid Waste

Bills: HF1126, HF967, HF1066, HF1669, HF926

Keywords: property tax, Indian Tribe, tax exemption, Minnesota, public charity, property tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, unorganized territory, federally recognized, soil conservation, water conservation, local government aid, environmental funding, Minnesota legislation, tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, tobacco