Transcript Highlights:

• But the agency also has a regulatory obligation to ensure reliability when renewables are not available
• :12:59.440> service<01:12:59.840> and<01:13:00.159> local<01:13:00.480> reliability
• customer service and local reliability. customer service and local reliability.
• <01:13:31.280> when obligation to ensure reliability when obligation to ensure reliability
• resulting local construction benefits, property taxes, job creation, and local electric system reliability

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's just find ways through technology that's accurate, reliable, consistent, and 100% reliable.
• I think that's a wonderful goal. consistent, and 100% reliable.
• I’m here now to talk about Assembly Bill 1414, which is the ability to access reliable internet.
• As we know and definitely learned during the pandemic,” “To access reliable internet, as we know and
• definitely learned during the pandemic, access to reliable and affordable internet service is essential

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 2, which would create enhanced civil penalties for large social media companies when negligence proven in court causes harm to children and teens. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to address addictive algorithms and harmful content, while opponents warned it was vague, could chill speech, and might be preempted by federal law. Members largely focused on whether the bill changed the standard of care or burden of proof; the bill passed out of committee on a roll call vote, with some members noting concerns but supporting it to continue the discussion. AB 282, dealing with housing vouchers and source-of-income discrimination, would clarify that housing providers may prioritize applicants who qualify for rental assistance without violating fair housing law. Supporters from housing authorities, local governments, and advocacy groups said it would help voucher holders find units and improve use of housing funds. There was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a roll call vote, with two no votes. The committee also considered AB 882 on court reporter availability and electronic recording in certain cases when a court reporter is unavailable. Supporters said the bill is a temporary, narrowly tailored response to a shortage of reporters and would preserve access to accurate records, while opponents argued it was too narrow, raised access-to-justice concerns, and should be broadened. Members from both sides emphasized the importance of court reporters and electronic recording as a backup; the bill passed with an urgency clause and was sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 325 on algorithmic price fixing, AB 935 on civil rights data clarity, AB 1414 on tenant choice of internet service provider, and AB 67 on Attorney General enforcement of the Reproductive Privacy Act; each drew support from sponsors and advocacy groups, opposition centered on overbreadth or policy concerns, and each advanced on committee votes, with several members requesting further amendments or clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• will help us avoid higher-cost energy contracts with independent power producers and ensure system reliability
• I also remain concerned about the bill's potential impact on grid safety, long-term reliability, and
• c> potential impact on grid safety, potential impact on grid safety, long-term<01:36:53.280> reliability
• ,<01:36:54.159> and<01:36:54.400> possible long-term reliability, and possible long-term
• reliability, and possible increased<01:36:55.199> costs<01:36:55.440> to<01:36:55.600>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> WE KNOW THIS IS A RELIABLE SOURCE FOR CONNECTION. WE ARE AGNOSTIC FOR SURE.
• IT'S THE MOST CONFIDENCE WE HAVE IN PROVIDING RELIABLE SUSTAINABLE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET BUT THERE ARE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to highlight two specifically because they were related to legislation: one was the Clean Energy Reliability
• funds could reduce investment in road construction and maintenance, affecting highway safety and reliability
• funds could reduce investment in road construction and maintenance, affecting highway safety and reliability
• Investment in road construction and maintenance, affecting highway safety and reliability for the millions
• As of now, SAF is the only way to reliably reduce the emissions of aviation fuel.

Summary: The meeting began with a budget subcommittee hearing on a proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit trailer bill. Assembly Members Ávila Farías and another member spoke in support, emphasizing union jobs, refinery investments, and the need to decarbonize aviation. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s proposal would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold in California from 2026 to 2036. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing it is a relatively expensive way to reduce emissions, has uncertain environmental benefits, could significantly reduce transportation revenues, and conflicts with the spirit of voter restrictions on transportation taxes. Committee members questioned whether the credit would mainly benefit out-of-state producers, whether firms would have diesel tax liability to use the credit, and whether the proposal would shift production away from renewable diesel and raise fuel prices. Administration and CARB staff said the credit is intended to support aviation decarbonization, preserve jobs, and help keep California on track toward its 2045 climate goals. LAO and UC Berkeley testimony countered that the policy could mostly subsidize existing technologies, that feedstock supply is limited, and that the net emissions benefit may be small relative to the cost. Members also asked about the effect on local streets and roads, SHOP, and trade corridor funding; Finance estimated a $165 million annual revenue impact would reduce those programs, while LAO said the reductions would mean fewer projects over time. No vote was taken, and the chair said the issue would remain open for further discussion. The committee then moved to a zero-emission vehicle incentive trailer bill proposing a one-time $200 million appropriation to CARB for a new point-of-sale incentive program focused on first-time buyers and leases of new and used light-duty ZEVs. Supporters said the program would help offset the loss of the federal EV tax credit, maintain momentum in California’s ZEV transition, and use a one-to-one match with participating automakers to double the state’s investment. LAO recommended rejection, saying the proposal does not meet the high budget bar this year, lacks enough program detail to evaluate, is unlikely to move sales significantly given the size of the appropriation, and could duplicate existing state and utility programs. Members asked about current incentives across light-, medium-, and heavy-duty sectors, the recent decline in ZEV sales, and whether the program would help lower-income buyers rather than subsidize purchases that would have happened anyway. CARB said the proposal is meant to fill a gap in the light-duty market, where sales fell sharply after the federal credit expired, and noted existing programs for other vehicle classes. The Department of Finance also addressed a separate question about the Motor Vehicle Account, saying a previously planned GGRF transfer was no longer needed because updated forecasts showed the fund had sufficient balances, though LAO said the account still has a structural long-term imbalance. The discussion ended before any vote or action on the ZEV proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• Businesses looking to expand and relocate need modern utilities and reliable roads.
• <00:24:13.200> If modern utilities and reliable roads.
• If modern utilities and reliable roads.
• A predictable, reliable cycle of capital budget bills allows the design and construction industry to
• It's about ensuring that Minnesota has the modern, reliable facilities and transportation networks that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• companies are granted monopoly status because the public is supposed to get something in return: safe, reliable
• If we do nothing, we face rising energy bills, declining grid reliability, and a shrinking safety net
• We represent ratepayers of investor-owned utilities and advocate for affordable, safe, and reliable service
• get to a more integrated cross-sector approach, to get to more prevention, to get to more energy reliability
• reflect the unique nature of public power and ensure public utilities can continue serving safely and reliably

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the California Earthquake Authority’s SB 254 report and possible reforms to California’s utility wildfire recovery system. The chair framed the discussion around the Palisades and Eaton fires, the high and growing wildfire-related costs on utility bills, and the need to weigh tradeoffs among survivors, ratepayers, utilities, insurers, and taxpayers. The chair emphasized that the SB 254 report is an inventory of policy pathways rather than recommendations, and that the Legislature’s role is to evaluate the options publicly. The first panel featured wildfire survivors William Abrams and Joy Chen, who described severe ongoing displacement, housing insecurity, delayed compensation, and frustration with what they characterized as opaque and unfair compensation structures. They argued for greater transparency, clearer accountability for utilities, stronger oversight of wildfire mitigation spending, and incentives tied to safety performance. They also urged faster survivor payments, but only if they are full, fair, and not financed by shifting more costs to taxpayers or ratepayers. Committee members asked about gaps in the SB 254 report, the meaning of “full” compensation, and how a fast-pay facility might work. The second panel included the California Earthquake Authority, RAND, PG&E, LADWP, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the Public Advocates Office. Tom Welsh of CEA explained the report’s process and the current wildfire fund structure, including that utilities remain liable, the fund reimburses eligible claims, and prudency reviews can require reimbursement to the fund. RAND’s Lloyd Dixon outlined how roughly $38 billion has been paid to survivors, insurers, and public entities since 2017, and noted substantial litigation costs and cost-shifting among stakeholders. Utility representatives supported reforms that preserve financial stability and reduce risk, while consumer and public-interest advocates opposed shifting more costs to ratepayers and stressed accountability, audits, and safety-linked recovery. No votes or formal actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Behind every success I have is the consistent, reliable support of direct support workers who made my
• This is why disability and real ability This is why disability and reliability of these workers is so
• Meanwhile, my greatest Meanwhile, my greatest fear is waking up and not having a reliable direct support
• When parents can't access reliable early childhood programs, Louisiana loses more than $1 billion a year
• These funds stay here at home, creating reliable local markets for our farmers.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's really looking for what is reliable, unbiased, and studies that are done according to the scientific
• We have to rely on research that's reliable, unbiased, and independently verifiable, maximized for several
• We have to rely on research that's reliable, unbiased, and independently verifiable, maximized for several
• We have to rely on research that's<00:21:28.480> reliable,<00:21:29.040> unbiased,<00:21
• :29.600> and that's reliable, unbiased, and that's reliable, unbiased, and independently<00:21

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 02:38 SB 178 Discussion 03:36 SB 178 Roll Call Vote 43:10 SCR 66 Discussion 47:55 SCR 66 Roll Call Vote 53:48, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up Senate Bill 178 by Senator Greg Elkins. Supporters, including representatives of the U.S. Chamber, Kentucky Chamber, Kentucky Chemistry Council, and Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, said the bill would require state environmental regulations to rely on the best available science, align with federal standards when applicable, and use technologically achievable requirements. They argued it would improve predictability for businesses, promote national uniformity, and increase public confidence in regulatory decisions. Senator Elkins and supporters also said the bill is aimed at several environmental and public health areas, including emergency response, solid waste, water quality, radiation/NORM, environmental permitting, and coal-related regulation. Committee members asked questions about what “best available science” means and whether the bill duplicates existing law. Supporters responded that it means reliable, unbiased, peer-reviewed, scientifically sound studies and that the bill is intended to reduce political influence in regulatory decisions. They also said similar measures had passed in Tennessee and Alabama. Some senators expressed concern that science is already political and asked for clarification on the bill’s scope. Opponents, including Audrey Ernsberger of the Kentucky Resources Council, research scientist Erin Haynes, and attorney Katherine Harcourt Rice, argued that SB 178 would sharply limit Kentucky’s ability to protect public health and the environment. They said the bill would prevent agencies from adopting stronger protections than federal minimums, create ambiguity and regulatory paralysis, and impose an overly restrictive scientific standard. They also objected to language requiring a direct causal link and manifest bodily harm, saying it would force agencies to wait until people are already sick before acting. Harcourt Rice argued the bill is duplicative of existing law and evidentiary rules. No final vote or other action on SB 178 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• These results reliable so that they, as the legislature, we could become actionable.
• Some other reliable sources talk about 4,000 common PFAS chemicals, and the Connecticut Ag Experiment
• Some other reliable sources talk about 4,000 common PFAS chemicals, and the Connecticut Ag Experiment
• So this cannot be used reliably for solids.
• So this cannot be used reliably for solids.

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:

• We can all agree that Minnesota needs to provide energy that is safe, reliable, sustainable, and affordable
• They informed us this session in committee that Minnesota has the most reliable system of any state within
• than take an either-or approach, the legislature crafted a path forward that addressed both energy reliability
• 57.120> addressed<00:26:57.440> both<00:26:57.600> energy<00:26:58.000> reliability
• that addressed both energy reliability that addressed both energy reliability and<00:26:58.960><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This budget enables us to ensure consistent, high-quality, reliable services to the older residents of
• This budget enables us to ensure consistent, high-quality, reliable services to the older residents of
• In closing, I want to reinforce CHIA's commitment to providing relevant, reliable, and timely data to
• decades, we've known that the leading barrier to safety improvement has been the lack of timely, reliable
• These systems continuously scan every patient's electronic health record and can reliably detect well

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle, who said DMH serves about 29,000 people and is facing rising demand, higher operating costs, and uncertainty about federal funding. She explained that the FY26 budget prioritizes fully funding the state-operated inpatient system, which is at 100% occupancy and often serves people transferred from Bridgewater State Hospital, while making reductions in other areas to balance the budget. Those reductions include a 50% cut to case managers, a pause on closing the Pocasset unit pending a working group on Cape access, and changes to youth and contracted services such as right-sizing IRTP and CIRT, reducing Youth PACT from seven teams to three, scaling back flex and jail diversion grants as ARPA funds wind down, and preserving the behavioral health helpline and community-based crisis services. Members from Western Massachusetts and the Cape raised concerns about access, staffing, and the impact of cuts, and Doyle said the department would continue operating IRTP services, improve the referral process, and work with stakeholders on the Pocasset review and other access issues. The committee also discussed school-based mental health, 988, loan forgiveness for workforce recruitment, and the role of co-response programs for law enforcement. Secretary Robin Lipson then testified for the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, describing a proposed FY26 budget increase of about 21% to support councils on aging, home care, elder abuse investigations, caregiver support, care transitions, and nutrition programs. She said the agency is managing rising demand, especially from the growing 80-plus population, and noted uncertainty around federal Older Americans Act funding after the federal disbursement agency was disbanded. To control costs, the office will manage intake and caseload growth in a fully state-funded home care program, but current clients will not lose services. Lipson also highlighted a new $1 million line item for local mini-grants to support age-friendly initiatives. In questions, members focused on elder scams, and Lipson said scams are increasing and the agency is working with banks, district attorneys, and public awareness campaigns. The Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz presented the agency’s FY26 request and said the biggest challenge is health care affordability, with family premiums near $29,000 annually and many residents delaying care because of cost. He emphasized that recent legislation significantly expands HPC’s role through a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which will examine the drug supply chain and pricing, and a new Office of Health Resource Planning, which will support statewide planning around closures and access gaps. The new law also creates task forces on maternal health access and primary care, and adds transparency and oversight for private equity in health care. Members asked about pharmaceutical costs, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, 340B, and maternal health closures; Seltz said the data show rapid growth in GLP-1 spending and that the new offices will help the state better understand cost drivers and access problems. The Center for Health Information and Analysis then began its testimony, describing its role as the state’s data hub for health care spending, utilization, quality, and affordability analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• our enterprise program on responsible AI, ensuring that our use of AI at KP is safe, effective, reliable
• They don't have reliable child care.
• They don't have reliable child care.
• And, you know, that may go along with AI becoming more accurate and more reliable.
• And, you know, that may be go along with AI becoming more accurate and more reliable.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Health and Privacy Committees focused on generative AI in health care, with opening remarks emphasizing both its potential to improve care and its risks around privacy, bias, liability, workforce impacts, and unequal access. Chair Bauer-Kahan and Chair Bonta framed the discussion around how California can encourage beneficial innovation while protecting patients, especially given the sensitivity of health data and the possibility that AI could worsen existing disparities if not carefully governed. The first panel featured representatives from Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, Penguin AI, and Google, who described current uses of AI such as ambient clinical scribes, nursing documentation tools, imaging triage, maternal-fetal risk prediction, and administrative automation. Speakers said these tools can reduce clinician burden, improve patient experience, speed treatment, and in some cases improve outcomes, including a reported mortality benefit from a Kaiser predictive model and faster thrombectomy times at Cedars-Sinai. Members raised concerns about accuracy with accents and multilingual visits, whether predictive tools could reinforce bias or lead to more interventions such as C-sections, and how to ensure a human remains in the loop for important decisions. The second panel, including representatives from the California Health Care Foundation, UC Berkeley, and Stanford, focused on policy and governance challenges. Testimony highlighted examples of AI supporting homelessness outreach and community health work, but also warned that biased algorithms can encode inequities, especially when trained on data that reflect under-treatment of Black, rural, or low-income patients. Witnesses urged clearer standards for trustworthy AI, stronger monitoring and governance structures, better data access for accountability, and attention to the safety net’s limited resources. Several speakers argued that states should require health systems to have AI governance processes, clarify liability between developers and deployers, and regulate downstream uses of AI while preserving access to data for lifesaving research and oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nuclear power provides the most reliable and energy. dense electricity available to mankind.
• This ensures TEA has staff knowledgeable in law enforcement that can act as reliable points of contact
• This will enhance grid reliability and prevent localized shortages. blackouts that we've seen during
• Well, if feasible, a unified ERCOT. grid can provide more reliable energy, fewer outages, and stable
• emissions by the texas commission on environmental quality during an affecting electric demand on grid reliability

Bills: HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684, HJR99, HB1399, HJR5, HB1330, HB2110, HJR2, HJR6, HB1587, HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• These veterans, they've got all the soft skills you could look for, you know, teamwork, reliability,
• These veterans, they've got all the soft skills you could look for, you know, teamwork, reliability,
• These veterans, they've got all the soft skills you could look for, you know, teamwork, reliability,
• These veterans, they've got all the soft skills you could look for, you know, teamwork, reliability,
• These veterans, they've got all the soft skills you could look for, you know, teamwork, reliability,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Reliable grant administration funding ensures stable and adequate funding for the cost to implement the
• These essential mandated functions require reliable investment in order to ensure the state can effectively
• essential mandated<00:36:18.000> functions<00:36:18.480> require<00:36:19.040> reliable
• mandated functions require reliable mandated functions require reliable investment<00:36:20.320>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• THE MOST RELIABLE WAY TO ENSURE A TENANT RECEIVES NOTICE OF AN EVICTION OR LATE PAYMENT REMAINS PHYSICAL
• >> FOR AN EVICTION NOTICE POSTING ON THE DOOR IS THE ONLY RELIABLE WAY TO MAKE SURE AN OCCUPANT AND STILL
• COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH YOU TO FIND SOLUTIONS THAT SERVE TO BUILD FAIRNESS AND LONG-TERM SERVICE RELIABILITY
• NOT ONLY IS THE TECHNOLOGY SAFE, RELIABLE IMPROVEMENT, IT OPERATES AT THE SCALE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS NEED
• WASTE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY IS PROVEN, SAFE, RELIABLE TECHNOLOGY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Voters go to the polls, they expect that the system is being administered with consistency and reliability
• and processing ballots to declaring a winner, it is a serious responsibility that requires clear, reliable
• It is a serious responsibility that requires clear, reliable safeguards at every step.
• This amendment is about reinforcing trust, protecting reliability, ensuring every eligible vote is counted

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• include strengthening statewide partnerships and preparedness and resilience, advancing a modern and reliable
• currently at, and how do we make sure, most importantly, that we're moving forward to building a modern, reliable
• The citizens of California deserve a reliable and robust and totally secure 911 solution. We are...
• The citizens of California deserve a reliable and robust and totally secure 911 solution.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can never assume 100% reliability.
• We can never assume 100% reliability.
• We can never assume 100% reliability.
• We can never assume 100% reliability.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota legislators held a press event responding to a U.S. Senate vote that they said would remove federal protections and allow copper-nickel mining activity that could affect the Boundary Waters. Senator Foung Hawj opened by condemning the vote as favoring corporate interests over Minnesotans, and Representatives Leach Kozlowski and Shelley Buck, along with Senator Jen McEwen and Senator Ann Johnson Stewart, framed the Boundary Waters as both an environmental treasure and, for Native communities, homelands with treaty-protected rights. They argued that copper sulfide mining poses irreversible risks to water quality, wildlife, and tribal fishing, gathering, and hunting rights, and said the federal action lacked adequate government-to-government consultation with affected tribes. The speakers highlighted several state bills they said are intended to fill the gap left by the federal vote. McEwen described her “Prove It First” bill, which would require a mine of the same type to have operated in the U.S. for 10 years and closed for 10 years without pollution before a similar project could be permitted in Minnesota. Johnson Stewart outlined three measures: a permanent protection bill for state-owned lands in the Rainy River watershed, a taxpayer protection/financial assurance bill requiring non-iron mining companies to fully fund cleanup guarantees in cash up front, and a “bad actor” bill barring permits for companies with records of corruption, bribery, or environmental destruction. The speakers said these bills need hearings and discussion and urged Governor Walz and state agencies to take action now, including possible permit revocations. In response to questions about economic arguments for mining, McEwen said she understood why some Northland residents might hope for jobs but argued that mining companies exploit economic desperation with propaganda and that most Minnesotans oppose this type of mining near the Boundary Waters. She said there is limited Republican support for some narrower bills, especially financial assurance, and suggested the issue could become a political liability for Rep. Pete Stauber. The event ended with a call for bipartisan action, state-level enforcement, and continued public pressure to protect the Boundary Waters.