Transcript Highlights:

• landfill investment fund.
• Four years, a provision that appropriated money from the closed landfill investment fund.
• Uh closing some exhibits, fewer hours.
• We will close testimony at this point.
• Uh are close uh testimony at this point.

Bills: HF2439

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Also working closely with it is Ms. Mr.
• maintains extensive circular economy operations, diverting more than 100 million pounds of items from landfills

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, glass plants have closed; a factory in Seattle recently closed.
• Would you like to close, Ms. Ransom? I will close.
• Wicks, would you like to close?
• Chair, you want to close?
• You may close.

Summary: The committee hearing centered first on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on the largest polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would make polluters help pay for climate harms, protect taxpayers, create jobs in construction and clean energy, and dedicate at least 40% of funds to disadvantaged communities. Support testimony came from environmental justice groups, labor, youth advocates, health organizations, and many individual witnesses, while opponents from the building trades, chambers of commerce, petroleum, and business groups warned it would raise fuel and consumer costs, threaten refinery jobs, and create legal and economic uncertainty. Committee members debated the bill’s impact on affordability, jobs, refinery closures, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses climate funding needs. The committee ultimately voted to give AB 1243 a due pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, with the roll left open. After AB 1243, the committee moved to another bill on wildfire mitigation and related resilience work. The author said the measure addresses a long-running wildfire problem and accepted committee amendments, describing the bill as a response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and the need to help communities stay safe and rebuild after disasters. The transcript cuts off as that presentation begins, so no final action on the second bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• provision that the TCEQ may not approve the subsequent permit application for a municipal solid waste landfill

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

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Jenkins, unless the honorable member wants to close when he already has a motion or not, I don't
• We'll waive his close. Is there any objection to that motion?
• from modern energy production, storage, and related equipment that could not be disposed of in a landfill
• Representative, do you want to close, or are you going to let the motion stand?
• We'll waive to close. Senator Fesi has a motion that we report HB 621 favorably.

Bills: SB480 , HB621 , HB637 , HB804 , HB841 , HB1056

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: fishing gear, Oyster Bayou, shrimping, regulation, marine resources, HB621, Act 658, renewable energy, recycling, decommissioning, wind energy, solar power, solar facilities, wind turbines, energy infrastructure, end-of-life disposal, universal waste, recyclable materials, waste reduction, Department of Environmental Quality

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources met on May 14 and approved the April 29 minutes. The committee first heard HB 1056, which authorizes transfer of certain state property in Natchitoches Parish tied to a former school building now considered dilapidated and a nuisance; it was reported favorably. HB 841, described as a landman code of conduct bill and expropriation-related measure, was voluntarily deferred so the sponsor could work on additional changes over the interim. The committee then took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which would bar future lawsuits seeking climate-change damages against fossil fuel companies and other entities. Supporters said it would prevent speculative climate litigation while preserving legitimate claims for permit violations and other existing statutory causes of action. Opponents from coastal litigation and the Sierra Club argued the bill was drafted too broadly and could affect legacy cases, property rights, and regulatory enforcement; the committee adopted Amendment 3875 to grandfather existing filed cases and make the bill effective upon gubernatorial signature, then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 621, requiring recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure and updating the state’s waste framework for modern energy components, was reported favorably. HB 637, which revises oil field site restoration fees and lowers rates for marginal, stripper, low-pressure, and incapable wells, was also reported favorably. Finally, SB 480, as amended, allowed boats to anchor in Oyster Bayou so long as they are not within an oyster lease and someone remains on board; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Jenkins, unless the honorable member wants to close, when he already has a motion or not, I don't
• He waives his close. Is there any objection to that motion?
• from modern energy production, storage, and related equipment that could not be disposed of in a landfill
• Representative, do you want to close, or are you going to let the motion stand?
• We'll waive to close. Senator Fesi has a motion that we report HB 621 favorably.

Bills: SB480 , HB621 , HB637 , HB804 , HB841 , HB1056

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: fishing gear, Oyster Bayou, shrimping, regulation, marine resources, HB621, Act 658, renewable energy, recycling, decommissioning, wind energy, solar power, solar facilities, wind turbines, energy infrastructure, end-of-life disposal, universal waste, recyclable materials, waste reduction, Department of Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• Those who voted to change the vote, the Chair is preparing to close.
• Members wishing to vote or change your vote, the Chair is preparing to close.
• Members wishing to vote or change your vote, the Chair is preparing to close.
• Members wishing to change your vote, the Chair is preparing to close.
• The Chair is preparing to close. Declare the vote: 65 "Yea," 25 "Nay."

Bills: HB4319 , HB4317 , HB1225 , HB3076 , HB3081 , HB4226 , SCR17 , HB4432 , HB3304 , HB3411 , HB3435 , HB4339 , HB4331 , HB4341 , HB4342 , HB1770 , HB1016 , HB4113 , HB2950 , HB4141 , HB3277 , HB2988 , HB3029 , HB3338 , HB1889 , HB3834 , HB3831 , HB2939 , HB3045 , HB3657 , HB1739 , HB3759 , HB3755 , HB4484 , HB4486 , HB4108 , HB1250 , HB2961 , HB1219 , HB3025 , HB1782 , HB1907 , HB3718 , HB4459 , HB2976 , HB3548 , HB3545 , HB2952 , HB2929 , HB2956 , HB2973 , HB3055 , HB3086 , HB3040 , HB3794 , HB4336 , HB3151 , HB1590 , HB3581 , HB3313 , HB3429 , HB3448 , HB1752 , HB2650 , HB3584 , HB4202 , HB3586 , HB4321 , HB4280 , HB3650 , HCR1020 , HB2116 , HB2206 , HB4301 , HB3625 , HB3147 , HB3403 , HB3498 , HB3970 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3980 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB3638 , HB3880 , HB3930 , HB3942 , HB3944 , HB4191 , HB3242 , HB3678

Keywords: administrative procedures, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, vital records, birth certificate, birth registration, biological sex, sex designation, male, female, nonbinary, gender identity

Transcript Highlights:

• There's an example in Lake Landfill, not Lakeland. Which is right off of Oakdale.
• And with that, I'll turn it over to my co-chair for closing comments on the bill. Co-chair Igoe.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, hearing and seeing none, public testimony is closed. We'll leave the bill pending.
• improper disposal of batteries into their streams and don't want them to have to go through the landfill

Bills: SB2122 , SB2050 , HB16

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: oil and gas waste, application fees, permit amendments, environmental regulation, Texas natural resources, battery recycling, battery disposal, consumer batteries, energy storage modules, electrochemical devices, lithium-ion battery, household hazardous waste, solid waste, municipal recycling, waste management, battery stewardship, producer responsibility, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, recycling program

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll ask the bill author if you have any closing comments. >> Well, thank you, Mr.
• </c> if you have any closing comments. if you have any closing comments.
• . landfill. landfill.
• So, go ahead and if you have any closing thoughts.
• Any closing comments, Representative Schultz? >> Yes, Mr. Chair.

Bills: HF1531 , HF4017 , HF3399 , HF4146 , HF4019 , HF3677

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: crossbow, crossbow hunting, archery season, deer hunting, bear hunting, turkey hunting, fishing, common carp, rough fish, game and fish, wildlife management, hunting license, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, sunset clause, expiration removal, archery equipment, outdoor recreation, infectious waste, pathological waste

Transcript Highlights:

• As you mentioned, I worked very closely with six different communities in Minnesota who host large power
• to retirement but not quite maybe close to retirement but not quite at<00:19:46.120><c> that</c><00:
• So I think what we need to do as a commission is work really closely with the Department of Commerce
• We don't have a, you know, with a landfill, a certain amount of your charge for landfilling is put into
• is put into your charge for landfilling is put into a<01:01:08.760><c> fund</c><01:01:09.119><c> to<

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ensure equitable tree cover, failing to develop brownfields in low-income communities, approving landfills
• All right, seeing none, that will conclude today's hearing, and I'll take a motion to close today's hearing
• Close? No. The ayes have it. Today's hearing is closed.
• All right, seeing none, that will conclude today's hearing, and I'll take a motion to close today's hearing
• Close? No. The ayes have it. Today's hearing is closed. Thank you all.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy held a hearing on grid transmission and distribution, green financing, environmental justice, renewable portfolio standards, and clean energy workforce policy. Testimony on H. 352/S. 2268 focused on eliminating or scaling back the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, with Green Energy Consumers Alliance arguing it costs ratepayers about $30 million annually and largely subsidizes fossil-fuel combined heat and power, biodiesel blending, and woody biomass. Committee members raised concerns that a full repeal could affect heat pumps and solar thermal projects that currently receive APS credits, and the witness acknowledged those technologies are the strongest part of the program but said Mass Save would be a better home for them. Renew Northeast supported H. 3497 on renewable portfolio standard review and clean energy procurements, but urged an indexed renewable energy credit model like New York’s rather than an attribute-only arrangement, arguing it would reduce financing risk and consumer costs. Vote Solar and Senator Liz Miranda testified in support of H. 3540/S. 2303 on clean energy equity, saying environmental justice communities and renters receive too few benefits from clean energy spending and need stronger tracking, tenant protections, and measurable benefit allocation. Miranda described long-standing environmental harms in Roxbury and called for data and accountability to ensure benefits reach environmental justice communities. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H. 3475/S. 2276 on just transition and clean energy workforce standards. Labor representatives from the pile drivers, building trades, electrical contractors, SEIU, United Steelworkers, the AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs Massachusetts Action backed the bill, emphasizing prevailing wage, project labor agreements, apprenticeship requirements, workforce transition plans, and protections for gas workers and other fossil-fuel employees as the state shifts to clean energy. They argued the bill would create family-sustaining jobs, support training, and prevent workers from being left behind during the transition. The hearing concluded after all sign-ups were heard, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, do I have a closing comment? Yes. Would you please close?
• Now, Chairman, do I have a closing comment? Yes. Would you please close now that we have a motion?
• Senator Wahab, would you like to briefly close? Thank you.
• Brief, brief close? Yes, thank you again.
• Lives close to pesticides.

Summary: The committee heard several audit requests and related testimony. The first major item was an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. The author and supporters described long-standing fiscal mismanagement, large budget shortfalls, layoffs, contracting concerns, and questions about the district’s foundation and use of public funds. District representatives and the Riverside County Office of Education said the district is already under fiscal oversight, has a stabilization plan, and is working to reduce deficits and improve student outcomes. After extensive debate and public comment, the motion to approve the audit was put on call because the committee did not have the required votes from both houses at that moment. The committee then approved an audit of East Bay transit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Senator Wahab argued the region’s many overlapping transit agencies create fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiency, especially amid a fiscal cliff and possible future tax increases. Transit agencies and labor representatives opposed the audit, saying the agencies already undergo multiple audits, serve distinct local needs, and are implementing regional coordination efforts. After testimony from agency leaders and public commenters, the committee voted to approve the audit. The next item was an audit of California Community Colleges’ unrestricted reserves. Senator Archuleta and supporting faculty representatives said reserves have grown substantially and may be diverting resources from student services, instruction, and workforce programs. They argued there is little oversight when reserves become too high. The Chancellor’s Office and Calbright College were invited to respond, and the audit objectives focused on reserve growth, reasons for high balances, oversight by the Chancellor’s Office, and effects on students and staff. The transcript cuts off during the Chancellor’s Office response, so the final committee action on this item is not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, we're going to close. Thank you.
• If not, we'll close public testimony and leave the bill pending.
• If not, we'll close public testimony and leave the bill pending.
• So, is that close?
• The Chair closes public testimony and leaves HB2517 pending.

Bills: HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252 , HB1732 , HB2221 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2963 , HB3016 , HB3689 , HB3960 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB4751 , HB5247 , HJR175 , HB2213 , HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• SENATOR SIMON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. >> Senator Simon: WAIVE CLOSE. >> Chair: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL
• SENATOR MCCLAIN YOU MAY CLOSE ON THE BILL AS AMENDED. >> Senator McClain: I WILL WAIVE CLOSE. >> Chair
• SENATOR MARTIN YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. >> WAIVE CLOSE. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> SENATOR BERNARD
• OKAY, SENATOR BERNARD YOU MAY CLOSE. >> Senator Bernard: WAIVE CLOSE. >> Chair: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL
• YOU MAY CLOSE ON THE AMENDMENT. >> WAIVE CLOSE. >> THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the good news is we're tracking really close to that.
• Right now we're doing member closing comments. Next.
• Sorry, am I close enough? Yeah, that's very good.
• Sorry, am I close enough? Yeah, that's very good.
• The project's not anywhere close, right?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public testimony is closed. We'll leave the bill pending. Um, Madam Chair, thank you, Mr.
• disposal of their, of batteries into their streams and don't want them to have to go through the landfill
• If not, public testimony is closed and the bill will be left pending. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Bills: HB16

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll be able to triple the amount of food recaptured from landfills.
• You'll be able to triple the amount of food recaptured from landfills.
• You'll be able to triple the amount of food recaptured from landfills.
• You'll be able to triple the amount of food recaptured from landfills.
• You'll be able to triple the amount of food recaptured from landfills.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:29.120><c> Closing</c> Not seeing any questions. Closing Not seeing any questions.
• So in closing, thank you, Mr.
• So in closing, thank you, Mr.
• </c> no questions, quick closing comments. no questions, quick closing comments.
• </c> Closing comments represent Hussein. Closing comments represent Hussein.

Bills: HF1972 , HF229 , HF1090 , HF1084 , HF1307 , HF1274 , HF1609 , HF2110 , HF211 , HF216 , HF222 , HF224 , HF225 , HF203 , HF206 , HF207 , HF208 , HF227 , HF246 , HF427 , HF466 , HF502 , HF680 , HF971

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: community center, Breckenridge, capital investment, state bonds, economic development, HF229, North Branch Area Hockey Association, Stacy Ice Arena, Chisago County, general fund appropriation, grant, ice arena, hockey rink, youth sports, recreational facility, community arena, nonprofit, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• This done it before was majority real close.
• They voted it, and I think it was pretty close to being veto-proof.
• They're trying to, you know, try to close the barn door before the horse gets out.
• And recycled, not in a landfill, not taking up space.
• </c><05:28:13.280><c> challenges</c> a state with some landfill challenges a state with some landfill

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The discussion focused on a cannabis legalization/regulation bill and whether it should be retained for further study or moved forward. Members debated the fiscal impact, with one side emphasizing that the bill would cost about $7.1 million in the first two years before generating revenue, while supporters argued the House should make a statement in favor of legalization despite likely opposition from the Senate and governor. There was also disagreement over strategy: some said retaining the bill until closer to the next election would give the issue more visibility, while others said delaying would only avoid sending a bill the Senate was unlikely to take up anyway. A major point of contention was whether cannabis should be regulated by a new cannabis commission or placed under the Liquor Commission. Supporters of the Liquor Commission argued it already has enforcement infrastructure, especially for age restrictions, and could handle cannabis more efficiently without creating a new bureaucracy. Opponents said cannabis is a different industry that would require specialized expertise, and they objected to expanding the Liquor Commission, which they described as unpopular and costly. The committee also discussed past versions of the bill, including concerns about limited licenses and the perception that the earlier approach favored large businesses. Members reviewed specific provisions such as licensing fees, THC limits, and cultivation categories. One member noted a $10,000 fee for retail cannabis stores and cannabis product manufacturers authorized to perform extractions, while a smaller tier-one cultivator fee was described as a lower-cost option for small growers. There was also discussion of whether the bill would allow sales through general retail outlets or only dedicated cannabis stores, and whether plants and seeds were covered. No final vote or action was clearly recorded in the excerpt, but the main procedural question was whether to retain the bill for more work or advance it as written.