Video & Transcript : 'cistern program' :

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MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Insurance - Room 210, 26 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M.

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh what it is is the Mississippi Length of Service Award Program, the LOSAP.
  • </c> Service Award Program, the LOSAP. Service Award Program, the LOSAP.
  • The bill formally designates the Adjutant General as the official state sponsor of the program.
  • Mississippi's office has operated this program since 1962, but it's never been codified into law.
  • . insurance programs.
Committee: Joint Insurance
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Postsecondary Mar 31st, 2025

Education Postsecondary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And in identifying the differences in the various programs and that special item that a university may
  • Between LEAs and apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program providers, the role of each party in the
  • We've got great apprenticeship programs in the state.
  • It's really just to take a step back and say, how are these programs dividing their responsibilities
  • I plan to use the Foster Youth to Independence housing voucher, a federal program that's accessible to
Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary held confirmation hearings for two State University System Board of Governors appointees, M. Carson Good and Speaker Paul Renner. Good described his background in Florida real estate, airport governance, and fundraising, and said he would focus on improving university performance, collaboration among institutions, and growing endowments while keeping in-state tuition stable. Renner emphasized his legislative experience with higher education, and said his priorities on the Board would be transparency, compliance with legislative direction, and reducing administrative bloat. Both nominees were recommended for confirmation on a single vote, with Senator Berman noting concern about the low number of women on the board. The committee then heard and passed SB 1726, a higher education transparency bill by Senator Calatayud. The bill would require Board of Governors members to comply with constitutional financial disclosure requirements, set term limits for State Board of Education and university board members, change rules for presidential searches and public records, and require more detailed textbook and syllabus information for students. A student advocate from Florida Student Power Network supported the bill as increasing student involvement and democratic accountability in higher education. Senator Harrell raised a concern about residency requirements for Board of Governors members, and the sponsor said that issue could be revisited later. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship funding. A delete-all amendment was adopted that required clearer funding splits between local education agencies and program providers, annual reporting, a standard DOE contract template, and a cap on administrative fees in certain cases. Supporters from industry groups said the changes would improve transparency and accountability without requesting additional funding. The committee then reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 584 on young adult housing support. An amendment removed a requirement that state agencies act as co-signers or guarantors on leases while preserving coordination for the federal Foster Youth to Independence program. Several former foster youth and advocates testified in support, describing housing instability and its impact on education, and urging broader access to campus housing and vouchers. The sponsor said the bill prioritizes housing and work-study for homeless and former foster youth, supports the FYI program, and directs a statewide study of housing barriers. The committee reported the bill favorably and then adjourned.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (10/01/2025)

Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> happen is in administering this program happen is in administering this program is<00:33:18.399>
  • </c><00:37:43.839><c> to</c> think the beginning of the program to think the beginning of the program
  • </c> parts of of the program as well. parts of of the program as well.
  • </c> uh that someone the SNAP program uh that someone the SNAP program supplemental<00:56:57.680><c>
  • </c> for the state program. for the state program.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/19/25

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • , and other public programs.
  • , and other public programs.
  • </c> work with a lot of safety net programs. work with a lot of safety net programs.
  • </c><01:25:50.800><c> also</c><01:25:51.040><c> we</c> program needs our program, but also we program
  • One, of course, is to help program.
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/18/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> out by the newborn screening program. out by the newborn screening program.
  • by program.
  • Um do we have enough programs?
  • </c><00:33:13.360><c> If</c> programs? If we do, are they full? If programs?
  • </c> Directed payment programs are not new. Directed payment programs are not new.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-04 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • You all know about the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. 1706 expands the program to remove
  • programming implemented with reference to ethnicity?
  • Could those programs be challenged as programming designed with preference or reference to protected
  • for money for whatever they do for the program.
  • that could be funded through a local government as an after-school program that is strictly a STEM program
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes to fallen service members. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar focused on a series of bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief explanations and floor debate. Several bills were temporarily postponed, but the body took up and passed multiple others, often substituting identical House companions before final passage. The first major measure, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, drew extensive supportive debate from senators who described debate as a civic skill that builds confidence, critical thinking, and conflict resolution, especially for students in public schools and underserved communities. An amendment creating a Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, expanding access through public-private partnerships, and establishing coach training was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed 37-0. The Senate also passed SB 1072 creating an Anti-Semitism Task Force, with a late-filed amendment clarifying that the bill does not restrict criticism of Israel and is not intended to infringe First Amendment rights; that bill also passed 37-0. Other measures passed included a PFAS bill phasing out firefighting foam containing forever chemicals and setting testing, reporting, and enforcement requirements; an expansion of the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program; student health and safety legislation expanding seizure-response training in schools; updates to funeral and cemetery regulation; protected cell captive insurance company legislation aimed at increasing insurance market capacity; nonprofit corporation updates; child welfare reforms streamlining foster-care medication approvals and related procedures; salvage title/e-signature changes; and forensic client services changes allowing certain APD clients to be housed with other secure forensic residents. Most of these bills were passed after substituting House companions and received unanimous votes. The most contentious debate came on SB 1134 regarding official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. Senator Yarborough argued the bill would stop counties and cities from funding or promoting DEI practices he described as discriminatory or ideological, while several amendments sought to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances such as LGBTQ Pride Month. Those amendments were rejected, and debate continued on the bill’s scope and exemptions, but the transcript ends before final disposition of SB 1134 is shown.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDU Public Hearing 04-17-2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> all very happy with the programs all very happy with the programs themselves<00:10:59.839><c> but
  • </c> who can then access multiple programs who can then access multiple programs from<00:53:35.359><c
  • ,</c> expanding community-based programs, expanding community-based programs, supporting<01:24:04.000
  • </c><01:25:16.239><c> So</c> national mar program. So national mar program.
  • </c> training program is a great solution. training program is a great solution.
Committee: Senate Education
Keywords: 912, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Transportation Committee Jun 22nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • The evidence from ASE programs around the country and in the San Francisco pilot program demonstrate
  • The evidence from ASC programs around the country and in the San Francisco pilot program demonstrate
  • The reason we put the pilot program I want to thank you for the two additional cameras.
  • their own programs.
  • Our heavy-duty vehicle incentive programs are crucial to Our heavy-duty vehicle incentive programs are
Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met first as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later obtained a quorum and took up several bills. The committee heard SB 1064, which would reduce the frequency of Clean Truck Check testing for low-use heavy-duty vehicles; supporters said it would ease burdens on rural agricultural businesses, while clean air advocates opposed it as weakening an important emissions program. The bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard SB 1174, which would give Caltrans bid preferences to construction firms with employee stock ownership plans; supporters argued it would build worker wealth and improve project quality, while contractor groups opposed it as likely to raise costs and reduce competition. That bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The consent calendar items SB 607, SB 962, and SB 990 were also approved. The committee then heard SB 1279, which would allow Long Beach to place additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway. Long Beach officials and several safety and advocacy groups supported the bill, citing high fatality rates and repeated pedestrian crashes on that corridor, while some members raised concerns about fines, affordability, and whether cameras would address pedestrian-related collisions. The bill passed as amended to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1213, the Clean Truck Transportation Act, would require more price transparency for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission truck incentives and direct agencies to explore alternative financing tools; supporters said it would improve affordability and competition, while one manufacturer and the trucking association raised implementation concerns. It passed to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader use by limiting retention to 30 days, requiring audits and training, and restricting access and hot list use. Privacy advocates supported the bill as overdue accountability, while law enforcement groups argued the retention limit would hinder investigations and that some technical definitions needed work. The bill passed to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1315, dealing with advanced driver assistance systems, would prevent automakers from disabling a consumer’s ability to drive their own vehicle through software updates and would encourage DMV testing questions about ADAS responsibilities; after amendments, industry opposition softened and the bill passed to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Finally, SB 1246, on autonomous vehicle emergency response, would require U.S.-based remote drivers, quicker on-scene response, and better coordination with local agencies; first responders and labor groups supported it, while AV industry groups remained opposed unless amended. The bill passed to the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee. The transcript ended as the committee began hearing SB 1250, a planning bill to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation asset management, with the sponsor and supporters explaining it would improve safety and habitat planning without mandating specific projects.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (3-5-26)

Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, another question that I have is understanding program uh that the cabinet will have program uh that
  • .<00:19:49.120><c> It</c> program.
  • It'll be dedicated funding not only for this program but other positive youth development programs in
  • It'll be dedicated funding not only for this program but other positive youth development programs in
  • It'll be dedicated funding not only for this program but other positive youth development programs in
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Jan 22nd, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • The per-milliliter tax funded cancer research and public health programs.
  • Federal funding for these programs has been cut or at risk, and these programs are just key to coming
  • , they may be eligible under a property tax deferral program.
  • In addition, Section 102, this bill raises each program income threshold by 10%.
  • The program limits how much tax can be exempted based on... ...substantially.
Committee: Senate Ways & Means
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • The university created an Ignite program, a 2+2 transfer program to help more students from the college
  • My mom graduated from the college's dental hygiene program all the way back in 1975.
  • I do have one question about your new program. Are there questions?
  • It's my understanding that the program has been doing well.
  • Florida, it's my understanding that the program has been doing well.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard and approved two bills before moving into confirmation hearings for several university and college board nominees. CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships was presented as a measure to improve consistency and transparency in local education agency partnerships, cap LEA administrative funding at 10% when applicable, and require public meetings and work papers for workforce funding model decisions. Support was noted from Associated Builders and Contractors, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Foundations for Florida Futures, and Independent Electrical Contractors. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education governance and presidential searches after adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment defining the final group of presidential applicants as no fewer than three. The amended bill added provisions on trustee citizenship and residency/alumni eligibility, interim president succession planning, longer presidential contract renewals, limits on candidate polling by universities, syllabus posting, textbook/open-access material lists, and other governance and academic policy changes. Senators raised concerns about the minimum-three finalist requirement, interim president selection, trustee eligibility, and polling restrictions, while supporters said the bill would depoliticize leadership selection and improve transparency. The bill was reported favorably after the amendments were adopted. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees, including nominees for FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UWF, and UF. Most nominees emphasized ties to their institutions, student success, workforce development, military connections, and institutional growth. Several UWF nominees were questioned extensively about their votes for former chair Scott Yenner and his controversial comments about women and other groups; some said they were unaware of those remarks at the time of the vote and would not have supported him with that knowledge. Public testimony on UWF expressed concern about the nominees’ lack of higher education experience, their ties to the region, and the impact of Yenner’s views. The committee later voted to recommend a block of non-UWF nominees favorably, and it agreed to vote on the UWF nominees individually, with some remaining nominees deferred to a later hearing due to time.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Apr 15th, 2026

Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Lindsay Gordon, 211 program manager at Connecting Point.
  • Under this bill, the state's existing broadband programs and initiatives would be consolidated under
  • Unfortunately, since its inception, this program has Telephone Service Act.
  • This is a major breach in the integrity of low-income utilities consumers' programs.
  • , reduce fraud, and, in turn, increase the number of verified program users.
Keywords: 988, house, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Insurance Feb 23rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so allowing the flexibility to, again, pause the program instead of completely stop the program would
  • Why can't this program just be run by the state police?
  • I believe the program could be useful itself.
  • I believe the program could be useful itself.
  • The program will initiate grant programs overseen by a motor vehicle theft prevention commission to aid
Committee: House Insurance
Keywords: 959, house, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 17th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, no, we don't have a lot of programs like that.
  • So, no, we don't have a lot of programs like that.
  • programs, decision-making, GED program, a lot of those programs.
  • So they're also missing out on the programming. A lot of those programs are given at IDOC as well.
  • They want to go out to where they can get programming.
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 556, which would raise the state reimbursement rate paid to counties for housing state inmates in county jails from the current $55/$75 tiered system to a flat $80 per day. Representative Skaug, county officials, sheriffs, and the Idaho Association of Counties all argued the current rates do not cover actual jail costs and shift a substantial subsidy onto county taxpayers. Testimony cited average county costs of roughly $106 to $120 per inmate per day, with Ada and Canyon counties describing large daily populations of state prisoners and limited programming for long-term inmates. Members asked about programming, out-of-state housing costs, and where the additional $3.1 million fiscal impact would come from. A substitute motion to hold the bill until February 25 failed 5-8, and the committee then voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 602, which states that Idaho courts should apply American law and not foreign law when doing so would conflict with Idaho public policy or fundamental rights. Sponsor testimony described the bill as a clarification that foreign law, foreign forum selection, and related decisions are unenforceable when they would limit rights such as privacy, marriage, due process, speech, or religion, while noting exceptions for certain entities, preexisting contracts, and religious exercise. Members asked whether the bill could affect treaties or prior international custody-related issues; sponsors said treaties were exempted and the bill would apply prospectively. Caleb Pierce of the Idaho Family Policy Center testified in support, and the committee unanimously sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 654, which adds electronic storage detection dogs to Idaho’s police dog protection statute. Representative Vili and Idaho Attorney General’s Office witnesses explained that these dogs are trained to detect a chemical associated with electronic storage devices, helping investigators locate hidden devices in child exploitation cases and other investigations. Testimony emphasized the dogs’ usefulness in search warrants and their role in comforting children present during enforcement actions. The committee then voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and adjourned after concluding its business.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Emerging Issues Feb 9th, 2026

Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman and the committee, thank you very... ...credit program.
  • In short, this bill does not expand the program.
  • It also treats this program just like any other Missouri program.
  • Missouri program.
  • Through the program, it's the adequacy amount.
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 3037, which would allow certain Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Account tax credits, beginning in 2028, to be carried back to the immediately prior tax year. Representative Allen said the bill was a technical timing change that would not alter the credit amount, cap, refundability, transferability, or other safeguards. Supporters, including the American Federation for Children and a representative of the scholarship organization, said the change would help donors better match contributions to their actual tax liability and could increase participation. One member raised concern about the fiscal impact on education funding, noting the Department of Revenue’s estimate of reduced revenue, while the sponsor said the delayed start date was intended to give the state time to plan. The committee then heard House Bill 2830, which would increase the recorder fee that funds the Missouri Housing Trust Fund from $3 to $9 per real estate document. Representative Collins said the increase would strengthen funding for affordable housing, rental assistance, and homeless prevention. Supporters from Empower Missouri, Love Columbia, Peter and Paul Community Services, and Missouri’s Coalition of Recovery Support Providers testified that the fund is under-resourced, with many requests going unmet and some housing programs unable to support new construction or rehabilitation projects. They described local housing shortages, homelessness, and the need for more capital funding, arguing the fee increase would help meet demand without using general revenue. No opposition testimony was presented. Finally, the committee took up House Bills 1778 and 2760, both aimed at protecting religious exercise during emergencies. The sponsors said the bills were prompted by COVID-era restrictions on churches and would prevent government orders from limiting worship services, while still allowing compliance with building and fire codes and excluding violence or harm. Members debated whether the bills would create a special exemption for houses of worship and whether they could interfere with public health responses to future outbreaks. A Baptist minister testified in opposition, arguing that religious gatherings should not receive special treatment and that restrictions should apply consistently to all mass gatherings. The hearing ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public testimony.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Appr/Sub-Education Feb 4th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Accreditation program review enhancements will be done.
  • Accreditation program review enhancements will be done.
  • We implemented that program.
  • They were very, very supportive of the program, loved the program, and asked us to please continue that
  • These funds are program-specific and time-limited.
Summary: The Senate Education Committee’s Appropriations Subcommittee met to hear budget presentations from OETA, the Commissioners of the Land Office, and the Oklahoma Educational Quality and Accountability Commission (OEQA). The chair asked witnesses to stay focused on budget requests and agency operations rather than policy, unless policy affected the numbers. OETA reported no request for additional funding. Director Sean Black highlighted the agency’s 70th year of continuous broadcasting, completion of transmitter replacements, conversion to fiber, and lower electricity costs from more efficient equipment. He said OETA would offset the loss of federal CPB funding through donations, events, and partnerships, and described its statewide reach, educational programming, and multiple broadcast and streaming channels. Members asked about energy use and were told the new transmitters had reduced power costs. The Commissioners of the Land Office discussed record distributions to schools, a flat budget, and planned spending on invasive woody species, implementation of SB 951, IT modernization, and possible changes to mineral management and staffing. The secretary requested funding for a revenue compliance director, field services manager, internal auditor support, and other adjustments, while explaining the agency’s use of stabilization funds and carryover. Senators questioned orphan and abandoned wells, AI use, and staffing efficiency; the secretary said the agency was trying to work more closely with operators, use AI and in-house software where possible, and manage wells and land in ways that protect school revenue. OEQA presented its priorities for teacher quality, including Teach Forward apprenticeship pilots, dashboard expansion, accreditation review, statutory cleanups, and continued monitoring of cell phone-free zones. The agency described a small, stable budget, five unfilled positions, and a proposed $100,000 reduction for FY 2027 based on efficiencies. Members asked about Teach Forward applications, multilingual testing, and the broader quality of teacher preparation programs; OEQA said it had received three Teach Forward applications and that translating certification tests would raise cost and validity concerns. Senators urged OEQA to play a stronger role in connecting teacher preparation programs with classroom needs, and the meeting adjourned without any votes or formal actions taken.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jan 29th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • The first is the Medicaid Administration and Management Program.
  • This is where you'll find the Medicaid Administration and Management Program.
  • That goes to the TECM program. That's a transportation expansion congestion mitigation program.
  • The Medicaid program has almost doubled over that 10-year period.
  • The Empowering Parents program was brought on there.
Summary: The committee held a courtesy presentation from JFAC members and staff on the state’s fiscal outlook, with a focus on the general fund, Medicaid, and the budget pressures facing fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Senator Groh and staff explained that JFAC raised the revenue forecast above the governor’s recommendation, but that projected costs from tax conformity and other factors largely erased that gain, leaving a very small ending balance. They also noted that the governor’s budget relies on some one-time money and that JFAC had asked agencies for additional 1% to 2% reduction plans beyond the governor’s proposed 3% cuts. Alex Williamson presented the Medicaid portion of the budget, saying the Division of Medicaid faces an ongoing FY 2027 increase of about $235 million. She said about $84.8 million of that is offset by the already-implemented 4% provider rate cut, and another $67 million in governor-recommended reductions would require legislative action. Those options include further hospital rate reductions, cuts to residential habilitation rates, review of managed care administrative costs, and removal of some services in Idaho Code. Members asked whether reserve funds could be used instead of additional cuts, and Williamson deferred the broader fiscal picture to Mr. Bybee. Keith Bybee then walked the committee through the state’s structural balance, cash reserves, and sales tax distribution. He said the state’s revenues and expenditures are no longer aligned over the long term, that the 2025 revenue forecast missed by more than $100 million, and that the current projected ending balance could fall to about $29.8 million if the governor’s plan and tax conformity are adopted. He emphasized that the Legislature must decide whether to use one-time money, make more cuts, or restore structural balance. Members debated whether the budget problem was driven by recent tax cuts and revenue assumptions, and several said they were reluctant to cut Medicaid further. No formal votes or actions were taken, and the committee adjourned after asking members to send feedback before the chair’s upcoming JFAC presentation.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll go through some of that in the different programs.
  • Moving on to the next page to the Highway Operations Program.
  • Finally, the Last program we have here is the modal program.
  • You'll see a slight decrease in the modal program.
  • The RACE program pays is the subsidy to keep these rural airports going.
Keywords: 996, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jan 22nd, 2026

Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So what made you want to do this, the page program? Of course, Chairman.
  • So what made you want to do this, the page program? Of course, Chairman.
  • And then finally, there's a high-tier duty levied against out-of-program imports.
  • It's due to a failure of managing the federal sugar program.
  • Our sugar program needs to... ...to make money. So the world is changing.
Keywords: 989, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Environmental Quality Committee Jan 13th, 2026

Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:
  • Sometimes those are competitive programs.
  • So it's really a program to be proud of while maintaining the industry's role in the circular economy
  • So this bill basically seeks to expand the program under Jackie's bill, AB 2440, that EPR program, to
  • , or they can create a stewardship program, a stewardship organization, as they see fit.
  • So we think there are ways to improve the program by including these batteries in the existing EPR programs
Summary: The Senate Committee on Environmental Quality heard four bills. SB 299 by Senator Cabaldon would extend a CEQA exemption for child care facilities to those located in residential zones, with committee amendments adding guardrails excluding sites on protected lands and within 3,200 feet of oil wells or refineries. Support came from child care, local government, planning, county, and rural county groups; one environmental opposition witness raised concerns about broader CEQA issues. Members generally praised the bill as a needed correction to last year’s CEQA changes and noted its importance for child care access and community-serving facilities. SB 58 by Senator Padilla would update the state’s approach to hydrogen sulfide by strengthening monitoring and response standards based on current science and public health impacts, especially in the Tijuana River Valley and Salton Sea areas. Testimony in support emphasized serious undercounting of exposures and health harms in low-income, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant communities; air district representatives said they would review amendments, while business and industry witnesses expressed concern about late amendments and possible implications for geothermal operations. The committee discussed the bill as a statewide framework rather than a district-specific response, and the author accepted committee amendments. SB 811 by Senator Caballero would create a statutory framework for regulating metal shredding facilities, clarifying DTSC enforcement authority and incorporating prior negotiated environmental justice and fire-safety amendments. Supporters from the recycling industry and labor said the bill would reduce legal uncertainty, protect jobs, and preserve an important circular-economy sector; opponents from community, environmental, school, and local government groups argued it weakened hazardous waste protections and did not adequately address pollution and fire risks, especially in West Oakland. SB 501 by Senator Allen would expand California’s battery extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries such as e-bike and outdoor equipment batteries; local governments and recycling groups supported it as a common-sense response to fire and disposal problems, while one battery recycler sought further discussion on implementation. All four bills were voted out of committee and sent to Appropriations, with SB 58, SB 299, and SB 811 passing unanimously and SB 501 passing on a 5-2 vote after additional members joined the committee.