Transcript Highlights:

• It is not subject to the whims of polluter megadonors.
• It is not subject to the whims of polluter megadonors, but it is subject to the whims of polluter megadonors
• We've begun work reducing pollution. Due to stormwater and contamination in our drinking water.
• And the work has also attracted young Americans to the construction industry and helped us retain seasoned
• And it's really hard for me not to connect the dots between a fossil fuel industry that has put a minimum

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, IIJA, bipartisan infrastructure, funding flexibility, NEPA, environmental reviews, bureaucratic delays, federal funding, infrastructure investment

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, discussing the ongoing implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Chairman Capito highlighted the bipartisan nature of the legislation and the necessity of refining existing provisions to ensure effective delivery of transportation projects. Notable emphasis was placed on the need for flexibility in funding to address inflation impacts and delays caused by bureaucratic hurdles, especially relating to environmental reviews under NEPA. Witnesses from state transportation agencies provided valuable insights into real-world challenges faced in project execution, ultimately underscoring the importance of continuous federal support for infrastructure development. The discussion also touched on the broader implications of federal funding freezes by the previous administration, which have reportedly hindered several ongoing and planned projects. This issue raised significant concern among committee members, who urged the need for reliable funding and the removal of unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that could cause delays in project implementation. The meeting concluded with a commitment from the members to work collaboratively to overcome these challenges and ensure a smooth path forward for critical infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kicking up new aeronautical industry.
• Um there are industries along corridor.
• Um, have you done anything to pursue the polluters? Mr.
• </c> anything to pursue the polluters? Mr. anything to pursue the polluters? Mr.
• </c><00:24:47.600><c> um,</c> Gravel, um, the the known polluters um, Gravel, um, the the known polluters

Bills: HF604 , HF1972 , HF578 , HF1951 , HF629 , HF864 , HF874 , HF1155 , HF884 , HF2365 , HF643 , HF234 , HF2655 , HF2637 , HF2535 , HF2530 , HF2344 , HF584 , HF524

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• But based on. industry standard for cost estimation, we have a lot of confidence in this $20 billion
• Those dollars are then directed back to that industry, and this is the transportation industry which
• has been identified as the largest. polluter, one of the largest polluters in our state.
• At the present time, we have over 770 cases in our dairies and 73 cases in our poultry industry.
• Brendan Tuegg on behalf of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1180 Allen, plastic pollution mitigation fund, that is due pass as amended to, among other things,
• Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund, that is due pass as amended to, among other things, require the use
• SB 943, Becker, commercial and industrial energy use, holding committee.
• SB 1046, Blakespear, transboundary pollution standards, do pass out on an A roll call.
• SB 758, Umberg, nitrous oxide sales, due pass as amended to add medical and industrial exemptions.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its August 13, 2026 suspense-file hearing on Senate bills, with the chair opening by thanking staff and recognizing consultant Jennifer Swenson’s retirement after 30 years in the Legislature. The committee explained that it was weighing the fiscal impact of 293 bills and that some would move forward while others would be held because of cost, duplication, or competing budget priorities. The committee then took up the suspense file in alphabetical order and acted on a large number of measures, sending many to the Assembly floor as due pass or due pass with amendments. Examples included bills on battery recycling, wildfire resilience loans, mobile home park disaster assistance, price gouging, veterans’ property tax exemptions, housing and insurance issues, energy and utility regulation, election procedures, criminal justice, health care, education, housing, environmental protection, and artificial intelligence. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, delay implementation, add reporting requirements, clarify definitions, or reduce costs; others were held in committee. Among the notable actions, several bills were advanced on roll calls while others were held, including measures related to water quality, utility rate information, juvenile detention, CARE Court, and various housing and energy proposals. The committee also moved a number of sunset and technical cleanup bills, and several members requested to be added as principal or joint authors on amended measures. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted that the committee had moved a large number of bills to the Assembly floor, usually with amended language, and that the amended versions would be posted online. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Proudly represents over 14,000 men and women in the construction industry.
• </c><00:04:58.639><c> We</c> women in the construction industry.
• We women in the construction industry.
• In fact, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency estimate there
• Control Agency estimate there Pollution Control Agency estimate there over<00:10:45.040><c> the</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• Light pollution is extremely complicated. Lots of states deal with it very, very differently.
• Light pollution is extremely complicated. Lots of states deal with it very, very differently.
• Light pollution is extremely complicated. Lots of states deal with it very, very differently.
• </c><05:27:47.920><c> Uh</c> pollution is extremely complicated.
• Uh pollution is extremely complicated.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> facility will not violate air pollution facility will not violate air pollution standards<00:06:
• First, pollution does not obey county First, pollution does not obey county boundaries<00:37:16.720><
• </c><00:43:14.319><c> These</c><00:43:14.640><c> industries</c> power customers.
• These industries power customers.
• It will allow ethanol and industry.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Fourth, the re... ...that make American industry competitive.
• We've called out the industries that we see as both top export and import goods industries, and across
• Second, we ought to incentivize near-shoring in key industries.
• And air pollution is a serious issue there as well.
• Not only sewage, but other pollutants like trash.

Summary: The joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs and the Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee focused on the USMCA and how the agreement affects California’s economy, jobs, supply chains, and competitiveness. Opening remarks emphasized California’s heavy trade dependence on Mexico and Canada, the importance of stable trade rules, and concerns that tariffs or uncertainty could harm workers, small businesses, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and border communities. Members said the hearing would help inform a future legislative report or resolution on California’s priorities for the agreement’s review. Academic and policy witnesses argued that the USMCA is central to North American economic integration and California’s role in it. Testimony from UC San Diego and CETYS University described California and Mexico as co-producers rather than simple trading partners, highlighting sectors such as medical devices, aerospace, semiconductors, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Witnesses also warned that the upcoming review could involve not just trade but security and immigration issues, and they urged a stronger, longer-term agreement with more certainty, better border efficiency, and new tools such as specialized technician visas, binational certification standards, innovation zones, and a technology fund. Go-Biz and chamber representatives said USMCA provides predictability, market access, and support for small and medium-sized businesses, while also creating compliance burdens through rules of origin, labor standards, and customs procedures. They pointed to California’s trade missions, export support programs, and state-level cooperation with Mexico and Canada as ways to help firms participate in regional supply chains. Mexican government and business representatives said the agreement is largely functioning well, that Mexico’s public consultation process received nearly 800 submissions and about 2,000 chapter-specific comments, and that many stakeholders favor maintaining or extending USMCA. No formal votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and asked witnesses for follow-up information to inform its report and future recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is great, but the United States cannot re-industrialize alone.
• And we've called out the industries that we see as both top export and import goods industries.
• Second is that we ought to incentivize near-shoring in key industries.
• And air pollution is a serious issue there as well.
• Not only sewage, but other pollutants like trash.

Summary: The joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs and the Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee focused on the USMCA and California’s economic dependence on trade with Mexico and Canada. Members emphasized that California exports more than $183 billion globally, with roughly a third going to Mexico and Canada, and argued that the agreement supports jobs in manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, technology, and ports. The hearing was framed as preparation for a legislative report and possible resolution on California’s priorities for the upcoming USMCA review. Academic and policy witnesses described the USMCA as essential to North American competitiveness, affordability, and regional security. Dr. Rafael Fernández de Castro said the agreement is central to a stronger North American alliance, helps keep food and other goods affordable, and supports the Cali-Baja region’s integrated economy. Dr. Ismael Placencia argued that California and Mexico co-produce value through integrated supply chains and nearshoring, and proposed ideas such as specialized technician visas, cross-border innovation zones, binational certification standards, and a technology fund. Members asked about the uncertainty around the agreement’s sunset/review clause and the possibility that investment is being delayed while businesses wait for clarity. Go-Biz representative Diana Dominguez said USMCA gives businesses, especially small and medium-sized firms, predictability, market access, and stronger digital trade and supply-chain integration, while also noting challenges such as regulatory barriers and financing. California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce president Julian Canante said the agreement benefits small businesses but also creates complexity through stricter rules of origin, compliance burdens, and tariff uncertainty, and he urged more trade assistance and education. Mexican officials Miroslava Pérez-López and Pedro Casas Alatriste said the treaty remains the cornerstone of North American trade, that Mexico’s public consultation process generated nearly 800 submissions, and that the region should deepen integration rather than weaken the agreement. A later panel from San Diego regional organizations reinforced the same themes, citing the border region’s co-production economy, the importance of border infrastructure, and the need to protect integrated supply chains from tariff shocks. Witnesses urged investment in ports of entry, energy reliability, talent development, and smoother review processes, while members repeatedly stressed that any renegotiation should preserve labor and environmental standards without harming small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we're just adding better definition to the aeronautical industry that way.
• Members, we're just adding better definition to the aeronautical industry that way.
• last week in the news, all we're doing is just trying to make sure we're more attractive for that industry
• Yeah, I mean, it would be within those ranges that are typical for this industry.
• Water access, pollution mitigation challenges we're going to face.

Summary: The committee first heard and favorably reported House Bill 1175, which updates aeronautics-related definitions to make Louisiana more attractive to the aviation industry. It then approved House Bill 655, giving DOTD clearer authority to contract for operation and maintenance of state ferry systems on a cost-plus basis, with testimony focused on flexibility for the Cameron Ferry and other state-run ferries. House Bill 1037, which reorganizes certain DOTD operations by shifting duties to a chief operating officer and extending work on a unified permitting platform, was also reported favorably, as was House Bill 1174, which recreates the Department of Transportation and Development on a revised cycle. House Bill 714 was voluntarily deferred. The committee next took up several port-related measures. House Bill 871, which would have added two St. Tammany appointees to the Port of New Orleans board, was voluntarily deferred after the author said the timing was premature given ongoing work on the LIT project and regional trade zone issues. House Bill 345, expanding the Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program to include rail infrastructure at ports, was reported favorably. House Bill 713, which would cap the Caddo-Bossier Port executive director’s compensation at the statewide average of the top ten port directors, drew extensive testimony for and against; supporters argued the salary was excessive and the port needed accountability, while opponents said ports are different from one another, the local appointing authorities already oversee the board, and the bill could hurt recruitment. The committee voted 12-1 to involuntarily defer HB 713. House Bill 667, which would change the Caddo-Bossier Port Commission from appointed to elected members, also drew strong opposition over cost, voter confusion, and loss of local appointing authority, and it too was involuntarily deferred by a 12-1 vote. The committee then favorably reported House Bill 743, creating the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District in St. Mary Parish, after testimony that the airport should be managed as a dedicated economic development asset. House Bill 836, which would reconfirm members of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East, was amended to move the reconfirmation date from August 1, 2026, to December 1, 2026, to avoid disrupting hurricane-season operations, and was reported favorably by substitute. Finally, House Bill 730, concerning the use of ADS-B aircraft tracking data, was discussed with an amendment limiting the bill’s application to smaller aircraft; the measure was presented as a privacy and safety bill to prevent assessors or others from using ADS-B data to impose fees or taxes on aircraft owners.

Transcript Highlights:

• A number of programs funded by CCA support both pollution reduction and reduced energy and fuel costs
• As we advocate for CCA-funded programs, we're looking at things that significantly cut pollution and
• The legislature committed to pollution limits in law that we need to achieve.
• Taking these dollars away will result in more pollution and more preventable illnesses.
• It would help maintain a multimillion-dollar recreational fishing industry in Washington and comes at

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• And tourism is a very big industry for us in Red Wing. We're 50 miles away.
• </c> industrial or view it as a commercial. industrial or view it as a commercial.
• </c> uh Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. uh Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Oh. Oh. Oh.
• ,</c> shortage across the entire industry, shortage across the entire industry, whether<00:54:20.280>
• Keddelka with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. >> Yeah, we did.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're the dairy industry is here.
• Meyers, who is working in that industry.
• </c> where we talk about the industry where we talk about the industry surrounding<00:35:05.359><c> it
• It's what you do for the dairy industry.
• </c><01:13:07.360><c> We're</c> pollution control for 30 days. We're pollution control for 30 days.

Bills: HF3474 , HF3475 , HF3508

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, funding, research, agricultural institute, state appropriations, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment, relief initiative, farm support

Transcript Highlights:

• So the industry will be required to be reporting that to us.
• So the industry will be required to be reporting that to us.
• So I think that that forces the hand of industry to find alternatives.
• And some of those industries are probably going to differ from California and Quebec. Yes.
• , but also the data center industry and a number of stakeholders on a global scale.

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on PFAS, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy. Department of Ecology staff outlined Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS program, including completed restrictions on intentionally added PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaners, and automotive washes, with reporting required for some remaining products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also reviewed a 2024 biosolids PFAS sampling study showing PFOS and PFOA levels in Washington biosolids were comparable to other states, and the Department of Health reported that PFAS monitoring of Group A public water systems is nearly complete, with 317 sources and 188 systems expected to exceed contaminant levels under the new federal-aligned state standards. Members asked about consumer sales, compliance, private wells, health impacts, and the cost of treatment, which DOH estimated at roughly $970 million for public water system treatment alone, with a remaining funding gap after state and federal support. Ecology then presented its analysis of no-cost allowance allocation to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act. Staff explained that EITEs receive allowances to reduce emissions leakage and protect competitiveness, with allocations based on 2015–2019 production and emissions data and phased reductions from 100% in the first compliance period to 94% in 2031–2034. Ecology said it is preparing a report due by the end of 2025 on policy options for 2035–2050, after extensive engagement with industry, labor, environmental, utility, port, and tribal stakeholders. Senators asked about leakage, comparisons with California and Quebec, whether specific industries such as Boeing or semiconductor manufacturers are included, and whether EITEs are banking or selling allowances; Ecology said the report will address benchmarking, leakage mitigation, decarbonization barriers, and economic and environmental justice impacts. E3 then presented a regional resource adequacy study for the Pacific Northwest, warning that electricity demand is rising faster than in years past, retirements are outpacing replacements, and the region could face supply shortfalls beginning in 2026, especially during extended winter cold events. The study found that wind, solar, and batteries provide limited reliability value in the Northwest’s winter-peaking, hydro-dependent system, while firm gas and emerging technologies such as geothermal, nuclear, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage may play larger roles. E3 estimated a near-term gap of about 9,000 megawatts by 2030, with roughly 3,000 megawatts of advanced-development resources and a remaining gap of about 6,000 megawatts if planned projects do not materialize. Members asked about Energy Northwest, hydro, data centers, battery storage, transmission, and whether neighboring states’ coal use affects Washington; E3 emphasized the need to accelerate permitting, interconnection, and project development. Finally, EPRI briefed the committee on its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can operate more flexibly to reduce strain on the grid and protect ratepayers. The presentation described work streams on flexible data center design, utility programs and tariffs, operational forecasting and interconnection, and on-site energy supply options, along with demonstrations in the U.S. and abroad. The speaker said the goal is to make data centers more responsive to grid conditions without compromising uptime, and noted that the initiative has a public forum and website for broader participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the industry will be required to be reporting that to us.
• So the industry will be required to be reporting that to us.
• So our new rules, So the industry will be required to be reporting that to us.
• So I think that forces the hand of industry to find alternatives.
• , but also the data center industry and a number of stakeholders on a global scale.

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sparking his interest in the industry. sparking his interest in the industry.
• Bruce served on the board of industry.
• </c> voluntarily signed on to industry voluntarily signed on to industry standards.<04:51:45.040><c>
• industry</c><04:51:45.600><c> standards</c> standards. industry standards standards. industry standards
• </c> kind that did not leech toxic pollution. kind that did not leech toxic pollution.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN THE EVENT OF AN OIL SPILL INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION IN THE APALACHICOLA RIVER BASIN I WOULD BE FACED WITH
• GEORGE ISLAND AND LET THEM SWIM IN A BEACH POLLUTED BY OIL.
• YOU WOULDN'T FISH IN WATERS POLLUTED WITH INDUSTRIAL RUNOFF.
• AQUACULTURE IS AN EMERGING INDUSTRY IN FLORIDA .
• IT BLOCKS LOCAL ACTION AND ALLOWS POLLUTION TO SPREAD.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clean air, we have H-FIPP for the medium- and heavy-duty, which are the biggest polluters in the
• But transitioning and providing funding for the medium- and heavy-duty, those are the biggest polluters
• , and many of those truck drivers... ...polluters, and many of those are truck drivers.
• industries; it allows them to access government money if they're putting private money into reducing
• a 40-year-old organization created by other environmental organizations to address the derelict industrial

Transcript Highlights:

• Like the dinosaurs that they process into petroleum oil, the fossil fuel industry is a dinosaur.
• The clean energy industry and clean transportation industry is thriving and growing even in red states
• California will rely less often on our most inefficient and polluting gas plants.
• California will rely less often on our most inefficient and polluting gas plants.
• And California will also be able to export ...efficient and polluting gas plants.

Summary: The meeting began with procedural announcements, a vote change on SB 414, and adoption of the consent calendar, including ACR 107 on the Diablo Range. Members also agreed to take several Senate messages up without reference to file. A point of order was raised urging members to respect staff by arriving on time after a late-night session. The main floor debate centered on SB 237, a major oil and gas measure. Supporters said it would help stabilize fuel supply and prices, address refinery closures, strengthen offshore pipeline safety, clarify Kern County oil permitting, and allow possible suspension of the summer gasoline blend. Opponents argued it was a giveaway to big oil and a setback for climate goals. The bill passed 59-0. The Assembly then passed SB 254, an energy affordability and wildfire package that would reduce ratepayer costs, strengthen the wildfire fund, and speed utility infrastructure and clean energy permitting; it passed 58-0. SB 840, the cap-and-invest reauthorization and spending framework, drew the most divided debate, with supporters emphasizing climate policy, transit, housing, and community investments, and opponents calling it a tax increase and slush fund; it passed 54-15 on the urgency and 54-15 on the measure. AB 1207, the Assembly’s cap-and-invest reauthorization bill, also passed, 55-10 on both urgency and the measure. Members also approved SB 352 to make the Bureau of Environmental Justice permanent and require more reporting on air quality and AB 825 to create a Westwide electricity market, which supporters said would lower costs, improve reliability, and reduce emissions; AB 825 passed 67-2. AB 8, a cannabinoids bill with Senate amendments, was concurred in 66-0, and AB 383, a firearms cleanup bill, was concurred in 66-0. The session ended with immediate transmittals of the major measures to the Senate or Governor as applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• It causes poultry fees to go up to subsidize the dairy industry. So what's fair?
• For one instance, this bill was going to be devastating to the dairy industry.
• Yeah, they were that question when it comes to the possibility of polluting that...
• Matter of fact, it protects agriculture and farming industries.
• It doesn't attack a single agricultural industry.

Bills: SB2122 , SB330 , SB2071 , SB2169 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB2157

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Keywords: poultry, agriculture, out-of-state processing, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, regulation, food safety, elk population, wildlife management, Oklahoma State University, veterinary medicine, ecosystem health, habitat assessment, milk, dairy, dairy farm, milk products, Grade A milk, pasteurization, raw milk, milk inspection