Video & Transcript Research : 'Department of Environmental Protection'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-HHS, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 02-02-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Quick one of the Department of Health. Department of Health.
  • Lynhubo with the Department of Health, Lynhubo with the Department of Health, Solivan<00:16:18.240>
  • >> Chair Department of Health. >> Chair Department of Health.
  • Senator Decoy, Department of >> Okay. Senator Decoy, Department of Health. Health. Health.
  • I'm with the Service Water Protection Branch of the Department of Health.
Summary: The joint Senate Agriculture and Environment and Health and Human Services hearing opened with SB 2093, which would require the fuel tank advisory committee to meet at least quarterly and provide funding. The Department of Health offered written testimony, and multiple supporters, including the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Sierra Club, and a public member of the advisory committee, said more frequent meetings were needed to keep Red Hill cleanup, water testing, and public engagement front and center. Senators asked about public participation and whether the bill should also require meetings outside business hours; testifiers urged at least one evening or weekend meeting to improve access. No vote was taken during the discussion shown. The committee then heard SB 2095, creating a PFAS working group within the Department of Health to study PFAS and related chemicals and report to the Legislature. DOH supported the concept but requested amendments and funding, while the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity deferred to DOH. The Board of Water Supply supported the measure and asked to be included in the working group. Members asked about the bill’s reference to “other residuals,” and DOH explained it could refer to remaining PFAS components in soil, water, or other media. The discussion emphasized the widespread and long-lasting nature of PFAS contamination. Next, the committee considered SB 2046 on underground storage tanks and Red Hill-related cleanup. DOH and the Board of Water Supply testified, and a long list of community and environmental groups supported the bill. Testifiers argued the Navy caused the problem and should be held accountable for cleanup, while one witness said the bill was necessary because the Navy had delayed meaningful remediation. Senators asked whether the bill’s “large landowner” language could include the state or counties under existing statutes; DOH said it would check and later explained that cleanup responsibility generally falls first on the responsible party, then on large landowners if no responsible party exists, with the Navy currently understood to own Red Hill. The hearing then moved to SB 2096 on wastewater management, which the Department of Land and Natural Resources supported, noting PFAS can harm marine resources, and DOH’s wastewater branch offered comments. SB 2127 on water pollution drew support from Agra Business Development Corporation and opposition from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others. The main debate centered on runoff, NPDES permitting, and whether the bill could unfairly affect agricultural and public entities; senators and witnesses discussed how heavy rainfall, cesspools, and mixed land uses complicate responsibility and compliance. The transcript ends with the committee still in discussion on SB 2127, with no final votes or actions shown in the excerpt.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • of special protections for entire idea of special protections for the<00:18:28.720> in<00:18:
  • of PAS and that protects the subclass of PAS and that protects the specific<00:52:08.400> trade
  • same level of protection or similar level of protection we have now.
  • or similar level of protection or similar level of protection<01:14:57.040> we<01:14:57.280><
  • We get the same level of protection.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HWN-WLA, HWN DEFER Public Hearings 02-10-2026

Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • It allows the Department of Hawaiian Homes to assume historic preservation review of the effect of any
  • the Department of Hawaiian.
  • Uh, Department of Hawaiian Homelands.
  • the department of independence regarding the department of Hawaiian.<00:05:42.240> In<00:05:42.400
  • under the jurisdiction of certain state agencies to the Department of Hawaiian Homes.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures affecting Hawaiian affairs, historic preservation, water access, and land governance. SB 1406 would let the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands assume historic preservation review for projects on lands under its jurisdiction, except for properties listed or nominated for the state or national historic registers. DHHL supported the bill, while a descendant testifier strongly opposed it, arguing that burial and preservation review protects ancestors and should not be streamlined or reduced. No questions were raised and the bill was moved on after testimony. SB 521 would require DHHL to work with county water boards or water departments to provide potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian homelands, with agreements made public. DHHL said it already works with counties but objected to the bill’s mandatory language, saying it could undermine the department’s discretion and independence. A public testifier supported the measure, and committee discussion focused on how water requirements could affect subsistence lots and infrastructure decisions. The committee then took up SB 3247, which would create a Royal Mausoleum Commission within DLNR to oversee preservation, operations, and outreach at Mauna Ala. State Parks said it valued existing collaboration with the aliʻi trusts but wanted clarity on roles, coordination, and funding if a new commission is created. The Royal Order of Kamehameha strongly supported the bill as a culturally grounded way to protect the site, while several other testifiers opposed it, saying the real issue is the curator selection process and warning that a commission could add bureaucracy and delay. The committee also heard SB 1654, authorizing transfer of certain state lands to DHHL, and SB 112, which would add the DHHL chair or designee to the Hawaii Community Development Authority; the Attorney General and HCDA offered technical and policy comments, with HCDA opposing the board change and DHHL supporting participation to protect beneficiary interests. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Education, Department of Education 701 K5055 with staff suggested amendment.
  • Todd Allen, deputy commissioner, general counsel, Kentucky Department of Education and State Board of
  • of Education and Kentucky Department of Education and State<00:04:58.400> Board<00:04:58.639>
  • Staying in Public Protection Cabinet, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 804 KAR 4:415, with staff
  • I'm the director in the Division of Protection and Permanency at DCBS. Thank you so much.
Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met to reorganize its leadership for the new term, renewing Representative Derek Lewis as House co-chair and Senator Steven West as Senate co-chair. The committee then approved the minutes and moved through a series of agency regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection. Among the regulations reviewed were an Attorney General rule changing how a commission reviews and distributes funds and how grant reporting is handled; Personnel Board changes abolishing and renaming certain job classifications and adjusting probationary periods; an Education and Labor Cabinet rule removing references to local board of education members; several Public Protection Cabinet rules covering Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation procedures; an Alcoholic Beverage Control rule on direct-to-consumer shipping forms; and a Medicaid Services emergency regulation establishing the Kentucky Trauma Hospital Rate Improvement Program for rural hospitals serving many Medicaid patients. The committee also heard that the Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation regulations included both staff and, in one case, an agency amendment, which were approved. The most extended discussion came on the Department for Community Based Services’ regulation increasing per diem rates for private child-placing therapeutic foster care levels 2 and 3. Committee members questioned the estimated $10 million biennial cost, the source of the funding, and why the cabinet had not yet filed regulations implementing Senate Bill 151 on kinship care. DCBS staff said the rate increase was discretionary and intended to address placement crises for children with high needs, while acknowledging they could not personally explain the budget decisions. A kinship caregiver testified in support of the rate increase but urged the cabinet to also implement SB 151 and expand support for kinship families. The committee expressed frustration over the lack of SB 151 implementation but stated the rate increase itself was appropriate and allowed the regulation to proceed.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 03-20-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • of the Storefront program, class of '97.
  • time covering some of the crimes of the time covering some of the crimes of the Suwa<00:10:17.120
  • I'd like to warmly welcome to the gallery the sponsor of the competition, the staff of the Department
  • I'd like to warmly welcome to the gallery the sponsor of the competition, the staff of the Department
  • Department of Commerce and Consumer Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.<00:13:04.800> Welcome
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 03-19-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Department of Education for >> From the Department of Education for their<00:04:21.320> continued
  • In the 2023-24 school year, she partnered with the city's Department of Transportation Services to launch
  • <00:25:28.920> of<00:25:29.040> Transportation city's Department of Transportation
  • city's Department of Transportation Services<00:25:30.880> to<00:25:31.080> launch<00:25
  • the order of the day. the order of the day.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Conservation Feb 5th, 2026 at 09:09 am

Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:
  • And right now, the Department of Agriculture, the USDA, and the NMDA are working on means to protect
  • And my concern there is the Department of Game and Fish—I don't know... ...is the Department of Game
  • the definition of wildlife, and the Department of Game and Fish has been changed to the Department of
  • The Department of Game and Fish issues licenses for hunting and that type of stuff.
  • I'm just being very protective of my farmers.
Bills: SB154, SB187, SB193, SM3
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-TRS, EDT-AEN, AEN DEFER, AEN Public Hearings 02-13-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • department of agriculture and biocur's department of agriculture and biocur's authority<00:02:27.440
  • > from Department of Education receives from Department of Education receives from the<00:54:28.480
  • United States Department of the United States Department of Agriculture<00:54:30.240> for<00:
  • Garrison K, Department of Taxation.
  • <01:58:32.320> of understanding by the department of understanding by the department of agriculture
Bills: SB2709, SB3154
Summary: The hearing began with SB 2709, which would require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules to enforce the Okami arrival program and strengthen quarantine enforcement for plants, non-domestic animals, and microorganisms. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the bill, as did DAB, saying it would improve biosecurity and make some provisions mandatory rather than optional. Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines supported the goal but raised concerns about language changing inspections from “may” to “shall” for aircraft, warning of possible federal preemption and operational conflicts unless the bill is clarified to align with federal aviation safety, security, and operational requirements. Committee members questioned DAB about inspection timing, scope, and compliance; DAB said the measure is intended to increase enforcement, improve form completion rates toward a 90% goal, and expand beyond airlines to other entry modes, while also noting plans to restore detector dog use and improve software/AI tools for processing forms. Decision-making on SB 2709 was deferred to February 17 at 3:02 p.m. in Room CR229. The committees then took up SB 3154, an administration measure authorizing the Department of Transportation to assume certain National Environmental Policy Act responsibilities for highway, rail, public transportation, and multimodal projects, with the aim of streamlining environmental review. DOT supported the bill and explained that it would allow the department to work directly with federal resource agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife and SHPO rather than routing everything through federal highways. After brief discussion, the Committee on Transportation voted to pass SB 3154 with technical amendments, and the AEN committee followed with the same recommendation; the measure was adopted with five votes in favor. A later portion of the transcript shifted to SB 2374 on the blue economy. DBED said it supported the concept but noted that it already sits on many working groups and would need resources if a new working group is created. DBED suggested the committee could instead request research through a letter or memo, and said agencies including ADC, HTDC, and Agriculture had already begun internal discussions. Testimony in support came from IMUA Alliance, Hawaii Food Policy, and others, emphasizing the potential for blue economy ventures to support survivors, align with climate and cultural goals, and create economic opportunity. No final vote on SB 2374 appears in the excerpt.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Department Department of Corrections. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't hear you. Yes.
  • Department of Health. >> Yeah, thank you. Department of Health.
  • for the Department of Health, but right for the Department of Health, but right now<01:11:28.360
  • > Natural<01:24:54.040> Resources Department of Land and Natural Resources Department of
  • Department of Health, a wastewater Department of Health, a wastewater system<01:27:38.880> includes
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2614, which would require merchants selling cosmetics to accept returns of newer unopened goods within specified time frames and expand signage requirements for return and refund policies. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection strongly supported the bill, citing updated figures of 180 cosmetic complaints from 2020 to 2025, 54 still under investigation, 148 referred to class action litigation, and more than $1.3 million in consumer losses. Members questioned whether the bill was needed given the pending lawsuit and whether bad actors would comply, while the office responded that clearer signage would improve consumer awareness and could reduce complaints without limiting other remedies. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 1660 HD1, which would allow counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny, revoke, or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations. DLIR, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support, arguing the measure would help deter cheating contractors, protect law-abiding employers, and keep bad actors from undercutting wages and taxes. One member raised concerns about possible delays to affordable housing projects and whether owners should be held responsible for contractors’ misconduct; supporters replied that compliance is a minimum standard, that county action would be discretionary rather than automatic, and that the bill would not bar counties from working with affordable housing developers. No action was reported. Finally, the committee took up HB 1704, adopting the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow telepsychology and temporary in-person practice across state lines. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the measure, saying it would help fill major staffing gaps, especially for forensic evaluations and services in rural and neighbor-island communities. The Board of Psychology raised concerns about the compact’s scope, the need for a study focused specifically on psychologists, background-check requirements, possible loss of regulatory authority and revenue, and the need to update older statutory provisions. Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the immunity language in the compact, and Shawn Scanlon opposed the bill, arguing it could weaken cultural responsiveness and local control and suggesting the state instead improve temporary licensing and other in-state pathways. The committee also questioned the Department of Corrections about its vacancies and whether telehealth could be filled by local providers; no vote was taken in the excerpt.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Jan 14th, 2026

Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • The committee overlaps some of the other committees.
  • Yes, I have two of them.
  • Chairman, members of the committee.
  • Uh we wheel of confirming with that.
  • In Dothan, we have a large company that transports all types of material, tobacco being one of them.
Bills: HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145, HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Jan 14th, 2026

Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • And it overlaps some of the other committees.
  • Chairman, members of the committee.
  • Chairman, members of the committee.
  • of them.
  • transports all type of material tobacco being<00:07:53.599> one<00:07:53.759> of<00:07
Bills: HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145, HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Feb 26th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Doctor Palmer is also a member and an active member of the Army Reserve Medical Corps with 14 years of
  • He is also a member and past president of the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians.
  • And so now, after 43 years of service, including Within the ER, trauma, and critical care departments
  • Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the second session of the 60th Oklahoma
  • And that copies of this resolution be distributed. That concludes reading of the resolution.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPN-HHS Public Hearing 03-20-2026

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • Department of Health in support.
  • The Department of Health supports HD3.
  • <00:47:56.960> of cover whatever is on the Department of cover whatever is on the Department
  • /c> Department of Human the health Department of Human the health secretary's<00:53:07.640> very
  • the Department of Health. the Department of Health.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1573, which would create state enforcement authority over unauthorized e-cigarette products and related tobacco enforcement. Supporters including SHPDA, the Department of Health, the Attorney General’s office, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others said the bill would help protect youth from unauthorized vaping products, give the state tools to enforce an FDA-authorized product list, and add penalties and inspection authority. A committee member asked whether enforcement staff were available and what penalties would apply; the response was that existing tobacco investigators would take on the work, and the bill includes civil penalties, seizure authority, and possible license revocation referrals. The measure drew both support and opposition testimony, but no vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1645, relating to liability for child welfare service providers. The Insurance Division said it was aware of the insurance-cost problem, had raised the issue with the NAIC, and was exploring a captive insurance option, while suggesting the legislature consider additional appropriations to DHS to cover higher contract costs. Supporters, including Parents and Children Together and Hawaii Insurance Council, argued the bill would help child welfare providers obtain insurance and continue critical services. Opponents, including the Hawaii Association for Justice, warned that removing joint and several liability could leave victims undercompensated and might not actually lower premiums. The insurance commissioner said other states have done tort reform in this area, but the committee was told it is not clear the bill would reduce insurance costs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1875, which would protect access to gender-affirming care in Hawaii and shield patients and providers from out-of-state legal actions. Support came from the Hawaii State Youth Commission, LGBTQ+ and public health groups, medical professionals, ACLU Hawaii, Planned Parenthood, and others, who said gender-affirming care is evidence-based, medically necessary, and important for patient privacy, provider stability, and continuity of care. Several witnesses asked for amendments to the bill’s definition language. Opposition testimony came from individuals and groups including Hawaii Christian Coalition, Leeward Republican Women’s Club, and others, who argued the bill could expose children to irreversible decisions and that more research is needed. The chair noted roughly 176 supporters and about 40 opponents testified. No final action or vote was reported in the excerpt.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WLA-AEN Public Hearing 02-11-2026

Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:27:13.520> is composed of a lot of departments is composed of a lot of departments is
  • <00:47:39.760> department<00:47:40.079> of committee, members of department of committee
  • Uh, testifying first on the last measure, 2488, is Environmental Department of Health Environmental Services
  • <01:41:30.800> department<01:41:31.119> of 2488 is um environmental department of 2488
  • is um environmental department of health<01:41:32.080> environmental<01:41:32.719> services
Summary: The committees heard testimony on several measures related to wildlife, conservation, shoreline adaptation, and climate governance. On SB 2606, which would establish the Freshwater State Recreational Area Wildlife Sanctuary Corporation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said it had concerns about employee eligibility and was not yet prepared to comment further on the bill’s ramifications. After testimony ended, a senator asked DLNR to follow up with more detail, and the department said it would relay the questions to leadership and respond later. No vote was taken on the measure during the excerpt. On SB 3253, which would create the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity to work with DLNR, the department said it supported the bill. In discussion, DLNR said Hawaii has not done anything like this before, described a similar model in New Zealand, and estimated that developing such a sanctuary could cost millions of dollars. Members also discussed whether the concept would fit with existing efforts such as Hakalau, and DLNR said the bill could apply to private or state lands depending on the site. No action was taken. The most extensive discussion was on SB 237, which would expand state and county authority to develop adaptation pathways for relocating infrastructure away from sea level rise and coastal flooding areas. DLNR supported the bill, saying it prioritizes public trust resources over economic development or private property. The Kahana Bay Steering Committee and the Shoreline Preservation Coalition opposed the measure, arguing it was too focused on managed retreat and should include a broader range of shoreline responses, such as erosion mitigation, groins, sand nourishment, and other interim protections. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it appreciated the bill’s intent but wanted broader language that would allow more tools in the toolbox. Members debated whether retreat is inevitable, whether different shorelines require different approaches, and whether the bill should be more flexible. No vote was taken. The final measure discussed was SB 3252, which would amend the powers and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, create a coordinator position, and appropriate funds. The commission’s coordinator testified in support, while OPSD opposed the bill, saying it would remove the two cabinet-level co-chair positions, raise accountability concerns, and duplicate some of OPSD’s functions. In questioning, members debated whether the current commission structure has been effective, who would appoint or confirm the coordinator, and whether the bill would improve transparency and implementation. OPSD said it supported more statewide interdepartmental funding for climate planning and staffing, but had concerns about the proposed governance changes. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means Committee 3/23/26

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • the environmental risk, and protecting the environmental risk, and protecting the long-term<00:04
  • Department of Agriculture did not offer the DMC program in either fiscal year 24 or 25.
  • Department of Agriculture did not offer the DMC program in either fiscal year 24 or 25.
  • Department of Agriculture did not offer the DMC program in either fiscal year 24 or 25.
  • Department of Agriculture did not offer the DMC program in either fiscal year 24 or 25.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Energy REVISED Apr 23rd, 2026 at 09:30 am

Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • And some of the numbers I have looked at just for the state of Oklahoma because of the congestion, it's
  • It is my privilege to present one of Senate District 46's finest to serve on the environmental quality
  • This is going to open up a lot of green opportunities for a lot of...
  • Place of employment or where they travel and performance of work duties at the discretion of the Corporation
  • This is just to protect the landowners with agreements, decommissioning, and work with local fire departments
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Conservation Jan 31st, 2026 at 09:07 am

Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:
  • the Solid Waste Bureau with the Department of Environment.
  • Sources go to the Department of the Environment.
  • And, of course, with these resources, this helps the Department of Environment to get out to ensure that
  • I'm the Deputy Director of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, and I appreciate the opportunity
  • The Department of Agriculture has called out the first place they would go would be to that sack of feed
Bills: SB47, SB110, SB122, SB143, SB168
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Apr 2nd, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Lots of economy, lots of people in history.
  • of HB 16.
  • As a department of the city, we provide over 1 million people in the Austin metropolitan area with water
  • Texas, some of which need a lot of water.
  • In 1937, the state of Texas empowered the San Antonio River Authority to preserve, protect, and manage