Transcript Highlights:

• </c> landfills as well? landfills as well?
• </c> the landfill and any detention ponds. the landfill and any detention ponds.
• </c> over landfill site. over landfill site. &gt;&gt; All<03:55:42.880><c> right.
• Um, the concern is that there's so much going on at a landfill, particularly a larger landfill.
• > can</c> a landfill landfill that you can a landfill landfill that you can maintain<04:17:00.000><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or requires more landfill space doesn't make any sense to them.
• difficult or requires more landfill space does not make sense to them.
• </c><00:24:14.919><c> our</c> reduce and sent to landfills our reduce and sent to landfills our community
• There's a lot of concern about the new landfill proposed in Waha.
• And then we are going to remove the provisions regarding landfill ash.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page one, line one, change the Wimonal Gulch landfill location to Capo rather than Nanakuli.
• </c> one, change the Wimonal Gulch landfill one, change the Wimonal Gulch landfill location<00:19:41.120
• A landfill expert with a specialization in landfill leachate and an expert in unit-based pricing, who
• A landfill expert with a specialization in landfill leachate and an expert in unit-based pricing, who
• A landfill expert with a specialization in landfill leachate and an expert in unit-based pricing, who

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health, Human Services, and Agriculture and Environment heard testimony on SR 85, which requests the Department of Health to form a working group on solid waste management, and on SCR 19, which asks the Tax Review Commission to identify ways to implement Hawaii’s long-term care financing program. SR 85 drew broad support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, environmental groups, and numerous individuals, with one commenter asking that a military representative be added to address possible landfill use of military lands. For SCR 19, testimony came in support from the Executive Office on Aging and another supporter. For SR 85, the chair recommended passage with amendments. The amendments revised landfill-location language, removed certain lines, expanded the report’s scope to include materials management policies, environmental protections, and alternative technologies for waste that cannot be recycled or composted, and changed the working group membership language to include representatives from specified sectors. The committee also agreed to add invited participants such as Zero Waste USA, the reuse and deconstruction industries, a landfill leachate expert, a unit-based pricing expert, and a military representative, and to require the governor or designee to convene the initial meeting. The committee adopted the recommendation by vote, with members voting aye and one member excused. For SCR 19, the chair recommended passage with an amendment adding reference to findings in a 1991 report on financing long-term care. The committee approved the measure with amendments by vote, again with members voting aye and one member excused. The joint session then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of you mentioning unlined landfills and a transition to a lined landfill, the state has programs
• take them to other landfills, to replace those unlined landfills, to be more protective of human health
• </c> example construction and demo landfills example construction and demo landfills to<01:23:58.719>
• c> to</c><01:24:06.880><c> be</c> replace those online landfills to be replace those online landfills
• It's landfills. It's uh, construction landfills for the most part.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've really been seen as a landfill company that's embraced landfill diversion and processing and
• company that's uh seen as a landfill company that's embraced<00:08:17.919><c> landfill</c><00:08:18.400
• ><c> diversion</c><00:08:19.360><c> and</c> embraced landfill diversion and embraced landfill diversion
• We're going to need landfills. system. We're going to need landfills.
• permit landfills.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> landfill with food production. landfill with food production.
• a double-line landfill.
• a double-line landfill.
• a double-line landfill.
• a double-line landfill.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:58:02.960><c> to</c> adjustment to the closed landfill to adjustment to the closed landfill to
• > different</c> time uh because landfills are different time uh because landfills are different but<00
• we had leaking landfills.
• <01:07:43.839><c> sah</c> landfills sah landfills sah green<01:07:46.359><c> Mr</c><01:07:46.599><c>
• </c> to look at for the agency a landfill to look at for the agency a landfill just<01:08:59.120><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> existing landfills should be expanded. existing landfills should be expanded.
• </c> forth about solid waste reform, landfill forth about solid waste reform, landfill siting,<00:37:
• I think one of the problems that we have had when we talk about landfills and landfill capacity in the
• > in</c><00:53:21.440><c> the</c> landfills and landfill capacity in the landfills and landfill capacity
• </c> waste at a landfill in Massachusetts. waste at a landfill in Massachusetts.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, with Aahu's sole municipal solid waste landfill set to close in 2028 without a new landfill yet cited
• </c> sole mun municipal solid waste landfill sole mun municipal solid waste landfill set<01:44:45.040
• </c> waste management including landfills waste management including landfills um<01:45:13.440><c> is
• </c> would have uh no options for a landfill would have uh no options for a landfill on<01:49:40.159>
• Um, with that as big as a landfill.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills on water, land, housing, permitting, and historic preservation. For SB 746/SD2/HD1 on invasive species, DLNR and the Department of Agriculture supported the intent but warned that a bounty approach for coconut rhinoceros beetle could have unintended consequences, divert resources from biocontrol research, and be vulnerable to abuse; Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measure. The committee also heard SB 1541 on the WoE water system, with testimony from ADC, Kunia Village Title Holding Company, and Farm Bureau in support, emphasizing the importance of the system for agriculture and the high cost of water on lands already dedicated to farming. The most extensive discussion was on SB 66, relating to building permit review and county permitting authority. DPP opposed the bill, saying the problem is not just agency review time but the broader permitting process, including applicant corrections, outside-agency review, staffing shortages, and low pay that make it hard to fill vacancies. DPP said it already meets or beats existing review deadlines for residential permits and is using tools like electronic plans and AI to help applicants submit better plans. Several supporters, including Iron Workers Local 625, an individual witness, and Hawaii Food Industry Association, backed the bill but urged a pilot program or other safeguards; some also asked for broader permit coverage beyond single-family homes. Committee members questioned DPP about whether applicant correction time should count against the clock, whether self-certification could be used, and whether the state should fund any new mandate. The committee then took up SB 26 on affordable housing, with HHFDC, OPSD, and HCDA in support and no opposition noted. Finally, on SB 1263 relating to historic preservation, HHFDC and DLNR supported the bill, while OHA offered comments and requested amendments, especially on the new risk-based review process for high-, medium-, and low-risk areas. OHA said the new procedure should be implemented carefully and allowed more time, describing it as a pilot that should be done well to be useful while still protecting cultural and historic resources. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:30.480><c> capacity</c> prefers that any new landfill capacity prefers that any new landfill
• </c> the sighting and permitting of landfills the sighting and permitting of landfills in<00:23:39.200
• </c><00:23:57.120><c> in</c> permitted still operating landfills in permitted still operating landfills
• That landfill is a single PVC landfill.
• </c> expansion of that landfill after 2035. expansion of that landfill after 2035.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Co-Chair West has a question: on the two-acre landfill, are these primarily private-run landfills, or
• Co-Chair West has a question: on the two-acre landfill, are these primarily private-run landfills, or
• Co-Chair West has a question: on the two-acre landfill, are these primarily private-run landfills, or
• :43.440><c> is</c> are these private run landfills or is are these private run landfills or is this<00
• gotcha and is it a private run landfills gotcha and is it a lot<00:10:52.519><c> of</c><00:10:52.639

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met on February 10 with a quorum present, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of agency regulations, most of which were accompanied by staff-suggested amendments for drafting conformity under KRS Chapter 13A. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 9:10, the Secretary of State’s 030 KAR 2:11, the Office of the Attorney General’s 04 KAR 5:10, the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s emergency 201 KAR 17:120, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ 301 KAR 2:41, the Department for Environmental Protection’s 401 KAR 47:110 and 48:320, the State Police regulations 502 KAR 1:012 and 1:121, the Department for Public Health’s 902 KAR 4:15, the Department for Medicaid Services’ 907 KAR 1:15, and the Department for Community Based Services’ 921 KAR 1:400 were all discussed and, where applicable, staff amendments were approved without objection. The Workplace Standards emergency regulation 803 KAR 2:320E was also presented without amendment, and the Department of Insurance’s 806 KAR 9:360 was taken up but ultimately deferred at the agency’s request. Several regulations drew brief substantive discussion. The Fish and Wildlife rule on foxhound training enclosures was explained as expanding both commercial and non-commercial provisions for training with dogs involving red fox and coyotes, with enclosure standards intended to protect wildlife inside and outside the facilities. The environmental protection rules were tied to House Bill 478 and addressed permit-by-rule timelines, reporting, and operating standards for certain construction and demolition debris landfills, including sites up to two acres; members asked whether these facilities were private or municipal, and staff said they were a mix, often tied to private demolition contractors or single projects. The State Police fee increase for hazardous materials endorsements was described as reflecting a federal TSA fee change, and the witness estimated the new fee at about $23. The most extended debate concerned the Board of Education’s 704 KAR 3:535 on full-time virtual and remote learning programs. The agency amendment would cap enrollment in such programs at 10% above a district’s prior-year in-person enrollment, while also clarifying accountability, staffing, and monitoring requirements. Education officials said the cap was intended to address concerns about district capacity and student performance, and they cited Cloverport as an example of a district with high virtual participation and participation-rate issues. Members expressed concern that the amendment was too open-ended for regulation and suggested the issue might be better addressed in statute; no motion was made to adopt the agency amendment, so the regulation was left to proceed to the committee of jurisdiction. The Department of Insurance also discussed implementation of Senate Bill 188, saying it had received more than 3,000 complaints since the law took effect and was still working through enforcement and complaint processing before asking to defer its PBM licensing regulation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:43.639><c> operators</c> um uh landfill operators um uh landfill operators recyclers<00:05
• </c><00:31:25.720><c> that</c> amounts of space in the landfill that amounts of space in the landfill
• leachate in landfills.
• That is how it gets into landfills.
• </c> stations to our landfill stations to our landfill facilities<00:34:18.960><c> recycling</c><00:34

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 451, which would create a postconsumer paint stewardship program in New Hampshire. Prime sponsor Representative Karen Ebel described the bill as a bipartisan, broadly supported model based on PaintCare programs used in other states. She said consumers and businesses could drop off leftover paint at participating retailers or municipal household hazardous waste sites, with the paint then collected and recycled by the stewardship organization. She emphasized that the program is intended to reduce landfill disposal, improper dumping, and contamination of groundwater and soil, while also helping municipalities save on hazardous waste handling costs. Members asked several questions about how the program would work and how it would be funded. Ebel explained that the program would be financed by a small fee charged at the point of sale on paint products, not a general sales tax, and that retailers could either list it separately or roll it into the price. She said the fee would cover the Department of Environmental Services’ administrative costs, which were described as minimal, and that the program’s structure was developed with DES and industry input. Questions also addressed whether cans would be recycled and how collected paint would be processed; Ebel said the ACA and PaintCare representatives could provide more detail, but that the paint and containers would be handled through recycling or other approved disposal methods rather than landfilled. Representative Judy Aron, a co-sponsor and chair of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee, testified in support, saying the bill had been developed over several years with stakeholders and would keep toxic paint out of landfills while saving municipalities and taxpayers money. Representative Peter Bixby, the ranking member of Environment and Agriculture, also supported the bill, saying his committee had heard it many times and that it had strong bipartisan enthusiasm. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do products do—they have an effect when they're in the landfill?
• How does it work to have a product with PFAS in it in one of our Minnesota landfills?
• How do products do—they have an effect when they're in the landfill?
• How does it work to have a product with PFAS in it in one of our Minnesota landfills?
• </c><00:18:25.120><c> they</c> things are disposed in in landfills they things are disposed in in landfills

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that really need to be landfilled.
• And it doesn't end up in the landfill given what's going on with landfills nowadays.
• And it doesn't end up in the landfill given what's going on with landfills nowadays.
• And it doesn't end up in the landfill given what's going on with landfills nowadays.
• And it doesn't end up in the landfill given what's going on with landfills nowadays.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:35.520><c> in</c> municipal landfill in municipal landfill in Lebanon.<00:05:37.360><c> With
• </c><00:06:38.160><c> detailed</c> landfill operators to provide detailed landfill operators to provide
• </c><00:13:48.200><c> Lee,</c> on underneath that landfill. Lee, on underneath that landfill.
• </c> poses a real challenge for landfill poses a real challenge for landfill operators<00:19:33.120><
• ,</c> When you design and build a landfill, When you design and build a landfill, what<00:19:37.520><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can fund landfill projects.
• Landfills is actually the project category.
• in Lane County, and that's where it's collected at the landfill.
• Lincoln County had its last landfill closed 25 years ago.
• I live in Benton County about five miles from the landfill.

Summary: The task force met to focus on funding systems and incentive structures for a proposed regional waste infrastructure effort, including how a future WIPA framework might support solid waste planning in the Willamette Valley. Staff and members heard presentations from DEQ on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, from Business Oregon on the Special Public Works Fund, and from Oregon State Treasury on state bonding capacity and the bond issuance process. Presenters explained how their programs are structured, how projects are scored or approved, what kinds of public entities and projects are eligible, and how interagency coordination and co-funding can work. DEQ emphasized that its revolving loan fund is driven by water-quality benefits and public-health criteria, while Business Oregon described a broader infrastructure loan program for public entities with no scoring system, and Treasury outlined the state’s debt-capacity process and the differences between general obligation and lottery bonds. Members used the presentations to discuss whether similar funding tools could support solid waste infrastructure, especially for transfer stations, regional hubs, and related facilities that may need to be built before Coffin Butte reaches the end of its lifespan. Several questions centered on whether public-private partnerships could qualify, whether equipment inside facilities could be financed, how repayment would work, and whether planning costs could be covered. DEQ and Business Oregon both said they could potentially collaborate on scoring or co-funding, but noted eligibility limits and the need for public ownership in many cases. Treasury said bond capacity is limited and competitive, especially for lottery bonds, and that project authorization generally runs on a two-year cycle, though unused authority can sometimes be reauthorized. In task force discussion, members debated whether the group should pursue a dedicated funding lane for the seven-county region rather than having local governments compete with other statewide needs. Some members stressed the importance of criteria to avoid stranded assets and to ensure funding is available when projects are ready, while others raised concerns about how cities and counties would generate revenue to repay debt during construction and early operations. The group also discussed flow control, system fees, and the need for regional collaboration among counties, cities, and haulers to create enough waste volume to support new infrastructure. Staff noted that pre-session filing materials for the legislature are due September 11, and the chair said the August meeting will focus on organizational structure and identifying partners. During public comment, Representative Kevin Mannix submitted written testimony supporting the WIPA concept and urging the task force to endorse it. Commissioner Bubba King of Yamhill County urged the task force to compare alternatives objectively and warned against adding bureaucracy before evaluating existing infrastructure and costs. Commissioners Kevin Cameron and Roger Nyquist of Marion and Linn counties described regional hub-and-spoke concepts, transfer stations, and intermodal options, emphasizing the need for planning, strategic siting, and collaboration with haulers and local governments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, in so far as it all has to do with landfills and landfill management, landfill siting and all
• I mean, in so far as it all has to do with landfills and landfill management, landfill siting and all
• I mean, in so far as it all has to do with landfills and landfill management, landfill siting and all
• I mean, in so far as it all has to do with landfills and landfill management, landfill siting and all
• I mean, in so far as it all has to do with landfills and landfill management, landfill siting and all

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Environment and Agriculture Committee met in executive session on SB 302, a bill requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners. The chair announced a staffing change, noting Representative Comtois was no longer vice chair and Representative Barber would serve in that role. The chair then explained that the committee had before it an amendment incorporating Senator Pearl’s updated language and additional technical changes requested by DEES Director Whimsat for FBI background-check requirements, and a separate amendment offered by Representative Patenza that would add language from the budget bill relating to a site evaluation committee, moratorium provisions, and harms-and-benefits language. Representative Patenza argued that the governor’s solid waste and site evaluation language had been developed over years with the committee, the governor’s office, and DEES, and should be moved into a standalone bill so it would not be lost if the budget failed. She said she had been told by Senator Roseford that the budget language would be placed into a separate House bill, and several members supported having a standalone vehicle as a backup. Representative Bixby, Haskins, Gruber, and others said they favored keeping the work alive in a separate bill, while Representative Scully said he disliked non-germane amendments and would vote only for the base bill and the chair’s amendment. Representative Barber asked for clarification on why the amendment was considered non-germane, and the chair and Representative Patenza explained that the budget-related policy had not had a separate public hearing. Members discussed legislative procedure, including whether the committee should recess to allow a hearing on the non-germane amendment and then return to act on SB 302. After discussion, the committee took a show of hands and overwhelmingly favored recessing the executive session to Tuesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. in LOB room 301-303, so a separate hearing could be held on Representative Patenza’s amendment before further action on SB 302.

Transcript Highlights:

• permit applicant to submit a landfill permit applicant to submit a report<01:27:12.360><c> listing</
• Why on Earth would we not do the same thing when we are considering whether or not to site a landfill
• Our current governor has recently signaled a willingness to put the kibosh on a new landfill up north
• </c> particular project any any landfill particular project any any landfill project<01:37:38.520><c>
• </c> benefit when considering a landfill benefit when considering a landfill permit<01:43:56.280><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training through the police standards system. Representative Barbara Coma, the sponsor, said the bill was prompted by problems in animal cruelty cases, especially in rural areas without animal control officers, and she described it as a limited training measure. She said an amendment was forthcoming that would add an eight-hour approved course and a two-hour refresher every three years, and she emphasized that the trained officers would serve as resources rather than being required to take action themselves. Members asked about cost, due process, overlap with animal control officers, how trained officers would be identified and notified, and whether veterinarians could fill the role. Coma responded that the bill would not be a heavy financial lift, would not interfere with animal control officers, would apply to livestock as well as companion animals, and would still require law enforcement involvement because veterinarians cannot lawfully remove animals from property. She also said the training could improve due process by helping officers better understand when animal removal is appropriate and how cases should proceed. Sheriff William Wright, speaking for the New Hampshire Sheriffs Association, testified in opposition. He said training itself was acceptable, but the bill went beyond training by creating an obligation for sheriffs and state police to respond to and potentially investigate animal cruelty cases, which he argued would be ambiguous, unfunded, and burdensome for staffing and resources. He said some sheriff’s offices do not have investigative deputies and that the bill could create liability and uncertainty about who would lead investigations. In response to questions, he said the association would likely have no objection if the bill were limited to training, but it opposed the assistance/investigation mandate as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• It can't go into landfills for a number of reasons and shouldn't go into landfills.
• It can't go into landfills for a number of reasons and shouldn't go into landfills.
• It can't go into landfills for a number of reasons and shouldn't go into landfills.
• . landfills. landfills.
• I mean, if you look at the Turkey<04:25:39.920><c> landfill,</c> Turkey landfill, Turkey landfill, um

Keywords: 1189, house, all