Video & Transcript : 'waste emissions' :
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (01/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, we manage hazardous waste, solid waste, landfills.
- </c> hazardous waste Solid Waste or petroleum hazardous waste Solid Waste or petroleum products<04:47
- ><c> hazardous</c><04:49:15.360><c> waste</c> our our solid waste and hazardous waste our our solid waste
- </c> solid waste food diversion food waste solid waste food diversion food waste diversion<05:21:32.920
- The solid waste food waste diversion program again came to us through HB 2.
Summary:
The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures.
A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions.
Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service.
The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Heather Trim was with Zero Waste Washington.
- Heather Trim was Zero Waste Washington.
- Climate Action Plan The 2025 King County Strategic Climate Action Plan identified aviation and other emissions
- at 16% of all greenhouse gas emissions in King County.
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on three bills. SB 5652 would require the University of Washington, Commerce, the King County Department of Public Health, and the Port of Seattle to study and mitigate aviation-related air quality and noise impacts around Sea-Tac, create a work group and grant program, address failed noise insulation “port packages,” and require a state auditor review. The sponsor and supporters from affected cities and community groups described serious health and quality-of-life harms from airport noise and pollution, while the Port of Seattle, Washington Public Ports Association, and AWB opposed the bill, arguing it would impose new mandates, raise cost and governance concerns, and interfere with airport operations. Testimony on the bill was reopened after other business and then closed; no vote was taken.
SB 6124 would direct Commerce to study an appliance affordability index that would consider repairability, maintenance, recyclability, performance life, and related factors. The sponsor said the bill is meant to help consumers compare lifetime costs and repair options, drawing on family experience with durable appliances. Consumer and environmental advocates supported the idea as a way to improve transparency and encourage repairable products, while industry groups opposed a state-specific index, warning it would create a patchwork of standards and compliance burdens. The hearing closed after testimony, with no action reported.
SB 5466 would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority, give it powers to support transmission development and, in some cases, acquire property and own or sell transmission projects, and provide a SEPA categorical exemption for certain transmission upgrades with tribal and resource-protection conditions. Supporters from clean energy, labor, utilities, and state agencies said the bill is needed to expand grid capacity, improve reliability, speed clean energy interconnection, and create jobs, though many asked for bonding or financing authority and refinements to the exemption language. Some utilities and business groups supported parts of the bill but opposed state ownership or said the authority should focus more on permitting and coordination; others raised concerns about ratepayer risk and duplication. The hearing closed after extensive testimony, with no vote announced.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 15th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We really need to continue to reduce carbon emissions where we can, which is the main driver of acidifying
- I was also a member of the Hanford Advisory Board overseeing the cleanup there of the nuclear waste.
- Nuclear waste. And I'm a beekeeper.
- Departments of Commerce and Energy, for example, admitted that their report detailing the impact on CO2 emission
Committee:
Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It punishes businesses simply for existing and forces employers of all sizes to waste time and money
- It is zero emission generation and water-free, because we do not use any water from the community around
Bills:
HB 105 , HB982 , HB1483 , HB1508 , HB2575 , HB3646 , HB3993 , HB4083 , HB4580 , HB4725 , HB5169 , HB5511 , HJR73 , HJR102 , HJR174 , HB3746 , HB4240
Committee:
House Ways & Means
Keywords:
economic development, job creation, energy, tax incentives, technology investment, ad valorem taxes, elderly, disabled, low-income, tax limitation, homesteads, Texas Tax Code, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, residential real property, home improvement, energy efficiency, energy-efficient upgrades, HVAC
TX
Bills:
HB 118 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1618 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB1338 , HB787 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB718 , HB1536 , HB1445 , HB1640 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3272 , HB3276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2989 , HB2558 , HB3014 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB29 , HB 125 , HB145 , HB171 , HB255 , HB50 , HB363 , HB 116 , HB491 , HB1495 , HB368 , HB 1285 , HB1905 , HB2002 , HB917 , HB2723 , HB2067 , HB 1238 , HB745 , HB 1188 , HB1606 , HB2003 , HB2147 , HB2355 , HB2546 , HB2495 , HB2818 , HB2249 , HB3228 , HB3240 , HB1507 , HB658 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2798 , HB 107 , HB1587 , HB3684 , HB 118 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1618 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB1338 , HB787 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB718 , HB1536 , HB1445 , HB1640 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3272 , HB3276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2989 , HB2558 , HB3014 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB609 , HB630 , HB420 , HB767 , HB1708 , HB1404 , HB2457 , HB140 , HB227 , HB913 , HB2198 , HB2763 , HB 1261 , HB 1135 , HB1318 , HB2358 , HB2765 , HB2735 , HB3307 , HB 1242 , HB2842 , HB333 , HB201 , HB694 , HB2415 , HB155 , HB272 , HB405 , HB519 , HB 1136 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1868 , HB1888 , HB1990 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB3129 , HB3251 , HB3354 , HB3479 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3887 , HB4163 , HB4238 , HB 1240 , HB1842 , HB2029 , HB2622 , HB3255 , HB654 , HB4643 , HB4945 , HB3611 , HB3724 , HB3623 , HB3810 , HB4127 , HCR78 , HCR12 , SB767
Keywords:
HB 388, HB388, coordination of benefits, COB questionnaire, health benefit plan, health insurance, insurance commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance, uniform form, primary payer, secondary payer, multiple coverage, dual coverage, Medicaid, CHIP, managed care, HMO, small employer health plan, school district health coverage, self-funded plan
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 04/21/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But roughly 90% fossil fuel generation for electricity in upstate, and roughly 90% zero-emissions generation
- done EPR programs for most products and We're choosing the latter in our electronic recycling and waste
- Our waste system creates a lot of our climate-changing emissions.
- Will the utility companies be getting credit for the zero emissions from balcony solar, or how does that
- WILL THE UTILITY COMPANIES BE GETTING CREDIT FOR THE ZERO EMISSIONS FROM VALCONY SOLAR OR HOW DOES THAT
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions, including students from Brooklyn and St. John’s University, followed by adoption of the resolution calendar with exceptions for two items. The chamber then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, Workplace Violence Prevention Month, the one-year anniversary of the Jet Set nightclub tragedy in the Dominican Republic, New York Constitution Day, and the Month of the Military Child. Senators speaking on the maternal health resolution emphasized racial disparities in maternal mortality and the need for culturally competent care; the workplace violence resolution highlighted hospital safety programs; the Jet Set resolution was adopted in memory of the victims; and the Constitution Day speech reviewed New York’s delayed but eventual support for independence in 1776. The military child resolution stressed the sacrifices of military families and support for children of service members. All of these resolutions were adopted, and the resolutions were opened to co-sponsorship.
The Senate then moved through the third reading calendar, passing several bills and laying others aside. Measures passed included bills on public health, environmental conservation, executive law, public authorities, and consumer protection. One notable debate involved a bill to require transparency from private arbitration organizations handling consumer cases; supporters argued it would provide basic public data and guard against conflicts of interest, while opponents said it would burden a useful dispute-resolution process and intrude on privacy. The bill passed after debate. Another debated bill would phase out number 4 heating oil statewide; supporters said cleaner alternatives exist and the fuel is harmful to public health, while opponents raised cost and transition concerns, especially for colder regions. That bill also passed.
The chamber also considered a bill to create a rebate program for battery-powered landscaping equipment, funded through utility-related mechanisms administered by NYSERDA. Supporters said it would reduce air and noise pollution and help companies transition, while opponents argued ratepayers should not subsidize landscaping equipment. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. Finally, the Senate began discussion of a housing-related bill aimed at preserving manufactured home parks by enabling nonprofits or municipalities to acquire development rights and keep the land dedicated to that use, with the sponsor explaining that the goal is to protect affordable housing and help residents remain in their homes.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety Committee and Toxic Materials Committee Jul 15th, 2025
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
Transcript Highlights:
- And facilities that engage in the treatment, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous waste.
- Residents live with a constant risk of toxic emissions, heavy metal pollution.
- DTSC has an existing program and regulations that apply to hazardous waste sites.
- a non-hazardous waste.
- Crystal Reynos from California Against Waste in support.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 40 Apr 29th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Clean Energy Center, including a million for entrepreneurial fellowships, which helps us meet our emissions
- And through you to the members, I didn't want to waste a visit by the Speaker.
- The report by the Fiscal Alliance Foundation highlighted serious concerns about waste, fraud, and abuse
- Because when fraud, waste, and abuse occurs in our system, it erodes public...
- Because when fraud, waste, and abuse occurs in our system, it erodes public trust and puts these programs
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Air Pollution Control Fund in 2025 to the California Air Resources Board for the Hybrid and Zero Emission
- To the California Air Resources Board for the Hybrid and Zero Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive
- This bill includes several tax policies and does the following: For the covered battery embedded waste
- funds collected are the major efforts California is making to address climate change and carbon emissions
- It will also result in significant increases in greenhouse gas emissions and require the state to add
Committee:
House Budget
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Mar 24th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Are they worried about the waste? What are their concerns about the waste?
- as it relates to high-level waste.
- Our own strategy for waste.
- some of the legacy waste.
- You're not going to waste your time, so. Out of there, you're not going to waste your time, so.
Committee:
Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 29th, 2026 at 01:49 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- The Environmental Improvement Board adopted vehicle emission standards requiring 43% of new passenger
- vehicle sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2026, rising to 82% by 2032.
- for the state. ...utility costs or reduce carbon emissions for the state.
- And then if you add, and/or in that scenario, reduce carbon emissions, I mean, that's specific.
- And then if you add, and/or in that scenario, reduce carbon emissions, I mean, that's basically everything
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- estimate some $31 billion in need over the next 20 years for water, stormwater, wastewater, and solid waste
- It immediately reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 4,600 to 10,100 metric tons, and it also supports
- It immediately reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 4,600 to 10,100 metric tons.
Bills:
HB2295
Committee:
House Capital Budget
Keywords:
Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Capital Budget Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- estimate some $31 billion in need over the next 20 years for water, stormwater, wastewater, and solid waste
- It immediately reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 4,600 to 10,100 metric tons, and it also supports
- It immediately reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 4,600 to 10,100 metric tons, and it also supports
Summary:
The Capital Budget Committee held a hearing on Proposed Substitute House Bill 2295, the supplemental capital budget. Staff said the proposal totals nearly $911 million, including about $400 million in bonds and $511 million from other state and federal sources, with much of the increase over the governor’s proposal coming from Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funding. Major spending areas include housing and homelessness, K-12 construction, human services facilities, and CCA-funded clean energy, decarbonization, and habitat restoration projects. The chair said the committee would not take amendments at the hearing and planned to vote out the budget on Thursday, with a technical fix striker expected.
Testimony was largely supportive of the House proposal, with many witnesses asking the committee to preserve or increase specific items in final negotiations. Housing advocates urged support for the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and projects such as Alliance Place, Cloverdale Cottages, Cherry Street Village, Somos, and the Thrive Center. Education and public facility witnesses backed investments in school seismic safety, small district modernization, Healthy Kids Healthy Schools, community college and university maintenance, and projects at Cascadia College, WSU, CWU, and UW. Health and human services testimony supported behavioral health, Tubman Center, HealthPoint, pregnant parenting treatment, and the Yakima Behavioral Health Hub.
Natural resources, climate, and infrastructure witnesses praised funding for Flood Plains by Design, community forests, trust land transfer, salmon recovery, the Skokomish land purchase, and the Lower Columbia River dredging project. Several local governments and organizations requested additional support or Senate-level funding for specific projects, while Climate Solutions cautioned against using CCA dollars to backfill existing obligations. The committee heard no votes during the hearing, and the chair closed by saying the budget would be executed on Thursday.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- source program to basically limit and restrict and propose regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- here where things really get messed up if we don't come up with the funding. that just in terms of wasted
- Californians to get to their destinations without having to drive, while also reducing pollutant emissions
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Regular Session Aug 20th, 2026 at 03:47 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly Bill 1617 by Assembly Member Alanis, an act relating to hazardous waste.
- Assembly Bill 1617 by Assembly Member Alanis, an act relating to hazardous waste.
- California requires landfill operators to monitor methane emissions and other conditions and report that
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through motions and daily file items. Senator Ashby moved AB 2352 to the inactive file and AB 775 off the consent calendar. The body then considered a long series of concurrence and third-reading measures, with most receiving broad support and passing on largely party-line or unanimous votes.
Among the major bills discussed were SB 1192 on domestic violence-related relief, SB 1263 on professions and vocations, SB 872 on water infrastructure and levee/subsidence issues, SB 934 on protecting LGBTQ people from conversion therapy, SB 1159 on artificial intelligence and public comment rules, AB 1573 on housing for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, AB 52 on farmer equity, AB 1758 on travel seller restitution fees, AB 1544 on court transparency, AB 1738 on virtual inspections for simple home work, AB 1820 on EV charger permit fees, AB 2150 on naloxone training for CPR-certified employees, AB 2274 on limiting secrecy in non-prosecution agreements for traffickers and child molesters, AB 2674 on public access to landfill monitoring data, AB 2010 on high-volume spay/neuter procedures, AB 1793 on cash rounding after the penny’s discontinuation, AB 1818 on CSU bargaining procedures, AB 1655 on CalWORKs support when children are detained by ICE, AB 1743 on firearm trace data sharing, and AB 2011 on preserving mental health parity enforcement. Members speaking in support emphasized consumer protection, transparency, public health, housing, labor rights, and equity; opposition was limited and appeared on a few measures such as AB 1743 and AB 1818.
Votes were recorded on each item, with many measures passing unanimously or by wide margins. Notable roll calls included concurrence on SB 1192 (30-0), SB 1263 (36-0), SB 872 (37-0), SB 934 (27-9), SB 1159 (37-0), and AB 2010 and AB 2150 by unanimous roll call. Several Assembly bills also passed with recorded opposition, including AB 52, AB 1758, AB 1820, AB 1793, AB 1818, AB 1655, AB 1743, and AB 2011. The session ended by returning to motions and consent calendars, where SCR 193 and a large slate of consent items were taken up, with SCR 193 granted reconsideration and the desk noting additional requests from members.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit Committee Feb 19th, 2025
Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit
Transcript Highlights:
- I think this is really a waste of our time where we could be addressing so much more that can help our
- Representative H said it; you know, I think it's a waste of time.
- We've brought on some new green machines that are more efficient for reducing emissions into the atmosphere
Committee:
House Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit
Keywords:
DUI, driving under the influence, ignition interlock, interlock device, driver license suspension, restricted license, motor vehicle, alcohol offense, first offense, repeat offender, blood alcohol concentration, BAC, license revocation, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, ALEA, public safety, traffic safety, chemical dependency, substance abuse, court referral program
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 21 Mar 9th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- or to advertise for sale more than one ton of poultry waste.
- Poultry waste. There was, I believe, that was struck in PCS 1, which was filed on February 24th.
- So currently, if someone does sell more than the 10 tons of poultry waste, is there currently a fine?
- This is proactive legislation so that they will not have to waste their time in lawsuits, but actually
- This is wasting taxpayer time and our discussions.
Bills:
HR1036 , HB2975 , HB3026 , HB3297 , HB2981 , HB2978 , HB4144 , HB1322 , HB1818 , HB3194 , HB3767 , HB3342 , HB3344 , HB4170 , HB3287 , HB3288 , HB4454 , HB3264 , HB3266 , HB3268 , HB4095 , HB4115 , HB4316 , HB3530 , HB3428 , HB4272 , HB4273 , HB4274 , HB3405 , HB3406 , HB3467 , HB3469 , HB3931
Summary:
The House opened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Donald W. DeLap, 2025 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Melissa Yvonne, Doctor of the Day Dr. Corey Shawnaway, Nurse of the Day Rusty Rutherford, and Psychologist of the Day Dr. Glenna Stumbling Bear Riddle. Members also recognized Bob Wills Day at the Capitol with a resolution and musical presentation, and introduced visiting student groups and pages. The chamber then moved into second- and third-reading business on a series of bills.
Several measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 2975, a Department of Agriculture cleanup bill on poultry litter spreading/exporting, passed 89-8 after questions about removed misdemeanor language and hauler information. House Bill 3026, allowing children of U.S. military allies to start kindergarten according to their home-country timelines, passed 97-0 and its emergency clause also passed 97-0. House Bill 3297, creating a regulatory framework for highway remediation services, passed 87-0. House Bill 2981, requiring school boards to post approved meeting minutes within two weeks and within two clicks, passed 93-0. House Bill 4144, clarifying that arrest and incident reports are open records, passed 97-0. House Bill 1818, updating social work licensing terminology, also passed 97-0. House Bill 3767, updating controlled dangerous substance scheduling to match federal law and DEA watch lists, passed later in the day.
The most extended debate centered on House Bill 3194, which would protect pregnancy resource centers from being singled out for regulation or lawsuits. Supporters argued the bill would shield private nonprofit centers from post-Dobbs legal attacks and let them focus on helping pregnant women and families. Opponents raised concerns about transparency, oversight of private nonprofits receiving state funds, the bill’s abortion definition, and whether it could create liability or reduce accountability. After lengthy debate, the House passed the bill 79-18. House Bill 3342, relating to Medicaid audits, passed 67-25 after discussion about making audits corrective rather than punitive. House Bill 3344, a foster care bill based on an interim study, was extensively debated over kinship placement standards, income thresholds, sleeping arrangements, transportation, tribal placement issues, and whether codifying DHS rules would improve accountability; the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We really need to continue to reduce carbon emissions where we can, which is the main driver of acidifying
- We really need to continue to reduce carbon emissions where we can, which is the main driver of acidifying
- I was also a member of the Hanford Advisory Board overseeing the cleanup there of the nuclear waste.
- Departments of Commerce and Energy, for example, admitted that their report detailing the impact on CO2 emission
Summary:
The committee first received an update from Larry Madsen of the Office of Columbia River on eastern Washington water supply projects. He described the office’s mission to develop new water supplies for in-stream and out-of-stream uses, noting that funded projects have developed more than 800,000 acre-feet of water toward a 1 million acre-foot goal by 2030. He reviewed the four major program areas: the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, the Walla Walla Water 2050 plan, the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, and the Icicle Work Group. He highlighted major projects such as East Low Canal work, Springwood Ranch reservoir planning, Bateman Island causeway removal, and Icicle Creek improvements, and emphasized the importance of state, federal, tribal, and nonprofit partnerships and cost-sharing. Senators asked about accelerating the Springwood Ranch study, reservoir sizing and refill potential, and how conservation fits into the Yakima plan.
The committee then heard from Betsy Peabody, Dr. Micah Horwith, and Bill Dewey on the Marine Resources Advisory Council and ocean acidification. They explained that Washington was an early bellwether for ocean acidification impacts, especially on shellfish hatcheries, where low aragonite saturation and changing pH caused major oyster larval mortality. They described the state’s monitoring network, hatchery buffering systems, research partnerships, and adaptation strategies such as kelp co-culture, selective breeding, and native oyster restoration. Testimony stressed that ocean acidification is affecting shellfish, Dungeness crab, razor clams, and even salmon, and that continued state investment, emissions reductions, and nutrient pollution control are needed. Senators asked about differences between native and farmed species, real-time monitoring, and the pH/aragonite thresholds that threaten shellfish production.
Finally, Todd Myers and Pam Lewis of the Washington Policy Center presented concerns about agricultural viability, sustainability, and food security. Lewis said Washington farms are under severe financial pressure, citing negative farm take-home pay, high production and labor costs, and the need to rely more on voluntary programs, tax relief, and labor cost changes. She also argued that food insecurity is rising and that donations to food banks are harder when farms are financially strained. Myers followed with remarks on forest health and salmon recovery, arguing for more active forest management, expanded use of Good Neighbor Authority, and fewer permitting barriers. He also said salmon recovery funding should be locally prioritized and science-based, with regulatory barriers reduced so projects can move faster. The committee then voted to refer Senate Bill 6154, a culvert replacement permitting bill, to the Senate Local Government Committee without recommendation, and the motion passed.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- **SB 105** has $40 million for infrastructure for zero-emissions trucks and buses.
- They include pollution, fire, groundwater contamination, hazardous waste mishandling, gas leaks, air
- program, air district level clean cars for all programs, and investment in infrastructure for zero-emission
- Together, these programs support ongoing reductions in climate pollutants, smog-forming emissions, diesel
Committee:
House Budget
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Sep 11th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Like our fur-bearing statutes, no fur shall be wasted.
- I'm very frustrated with the DOE and their inability to move waste from land On WIP.
- So we must decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
- Emissions are higher.
- There's new Rules for building and design to incorporate zero emissions.
Committee:
House Water & Natural Resources Committee