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.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think, you know, I wish Waste Management, the lobbies for Waste Management, was here.
• And I think, you know, I wish Waste Management, the lobbies for Waste Management, was here.
• Waste Management the<01:38:12.240><c> lobbies</c><01:38:12.600><c> for</c><01:38:12.760><c> Waste</c
• less waste.
• We have it for both hazardous waste facilities and solid waste facility permit decisions.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, one bushel of corn, about 2.7 gallons, and if we looked at waste oil as a feed stock, it's about
• Um, one bushel of corn, about 2.7 gallons, and if we looked at waste oil as a feed stock, it's about
• </c><00:05:04.880><c> oil</c> gallons, and if we looked at waste oil gallons, and if we looked at waste
• </c> soy um as well as one that use waste soy um as well as one that use waste soils.<00:07:20.400><c
• Gas emissions.

Summary: The task force approved the October 14, 2025 meeting minutes and then heard a presentation from Austin Kaylor of WSP on alternative aviation fuels. Kaylor described an ongoing feasibility study focused on Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the other four commercial airports in Kentucky, with an eye toward both near-term use of alternative aviation fuel in existing supply chains and longer-term in-state production using local feedstocks. He said Kentucky’s current jet fuel use at the five airports is about 609 million gallons annually and could approach 1 billion gallons by 2050, and he outlined potential feedstocks such as soybeans, corn, and waste oils, along with existing logistics assets like river terminals, trucking, rail, and some pipelines. He also discussed federal and state policy support, including renewable fuel credits and the recent 45Z tax credit extension, and said the study suggests significant economic-development potential if Kentucky can leverage existing infrastructure and incentives. Members asked about the cost of sustainable aviation fuel, whether taxpayers would be subsidizing it, and whether food crops would be diverted from food use. Kaylor responded that the market is increasingly using second-generation and waste-based feedstocks, that federal incentives can cover much of the price differential, and that SAF is a direct substitute for conventional jet fuel with some efficiency benefits. He said demand comes from both U.S. and foreign carriers, including major U.S. airlines that have made emissions-reduction commitments. Members also raised the possibility of locating production in Appalachia to create jobs closer to feedstock sources; Kaylor said that approach has worked in other states and could fit Kentucky’s logistics network. The committee then heard from Leif Elder of the Utah Department of Transportation, who introduced himself and said he would discuss advanced air mobility legislation in Utah. The transcript cuts off before his substantive presentation, and no further votes or actions were recorded after the question-and-answer discussion on alternative aviation fuels.

Transcript Highlights:

• in plastic production derived from fossil fuels, which accounts for nearly 4% of greenhouse gas emissions
• in order to protect the lives emissions in order to protect the lives of<00:07:13.199><c> our</c><00
• I grew the food, and the food went to waste, so most of it died, but I didn't give up.
• He says industrial processors run their waste into the sanitary system the same as household waste, and
• and I I think that that household waste and I I think that that really<01:44:04.440><c> brings</c><01

Bills: HF44 , HF2102 , HF2279 , HF2280 , HF2281

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF44, Casey Jones State Trail, Pipestone Trailhead, Currie Loop, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, trail rehabilitation, trail reconstruction, recreational trail, bike trail, hiking trail, infrastructure, state trail, Pipestone, Currie, bonding authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, MAGA Republicans waste system.
• The majority is wasting time on shrugs.
• The majority is wasting time on an an an egodriven<01:11:36.199><c> rebrand.
• </c> quote cutting waste, fraud, and abuse. quote cutting waste, fraud, and abuse.
• The fact is, California emissions.

Bills: SCR12 , HR276

Keywords: Congressional Gold Medal, Army Rangers, World War II, ceremony, Emancipation Hall, colorectal cancer, Hispanic community, screening disparity, awareness, healthcare access, health education, chronic illness, cancer research, colon cancer, rectal cancer, cancer screening, Hispanic health, Latino health, racial disparities, health equity

Transcript Highlights:

• renewable upgrades to low-income households and disadvantaged communities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Yes, equating waste of money and time just seems a little bit... ...equating waste of money and time
• Moving on to the next department, Department of Rehabilitation, Issue Number 10. equating waste of money
• But that's where their waste is anyone's? Yeah, okay, thank you, perfect. Will anything... Yeah.
• Are we wasting it? I mean, how do we describe that action?

Summary: The committee heard a series of budget and oversight presentations from CalHHS-related departments and agencies. CalHHS opened with a broad overview of its 2026-27 budget and priorities, including behavioral health, housing and human services integration, children and youth services, and aging/disability supports. OICR then presented its budget and its SB 823 realignment report on youth formerly committed to DJJ, saying county implementation varies widely but that the state has not seen evidence of net widening in the available data. OICR recommended climate surveys, youth advisory councils, stronger behavioral health and education programming in secure youth treatment facilities, better transitional planning, and improved longitudinal data systems. The agency also described a Title II federal grant transition problem, saying it cannot yet pay some subrecipients for prior work and is awaiting federal action on retroactive spending authority and an administrative funding adjustment. The Ombudsperson division requested two additional positions to address a growing complaint workload and access issues with counties over youth meetings, records, and grievance files; LAO raised no policy objection but noted the ongoing General Fund cost. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities requested $730,000 General Fund ongoing to cover the gap between federal limits on administrative overhead and the actual cost of an interagency agreement with the Department of Social Services. EMSA presented its department overview and several proposals, including a delayed AB 716 ambulance rate report, a $2.6 million request to replace aging disaster-response vehicles, a $250,000 security architecture assessment, and four positions plus ongoing General Fund for HR, enforcement, and legal workload. Members questioned the delay in the AB 716 report, the optics and timing of the vehicle replacement request, and whether EMSA was doing enough to prevent future staffing and enforcement problems. LAO repeatedly noted the ongoing General Fund implications of EMSA’s requests. The Department of Community Services and Development sought reappropriation of unspent Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund money for the Low-Income Weatherization Program and described a Proposition 4-funded continuation of the farmworker housing component, which would require a new statewide administrator and program design process. The Department of Rehabilitation requested authority to draw an additional $60 million in federal funds annually and add 54 positions to meet sharply increased Vocational Rehabilitation caseloads; LAO had no concerns. Child Support Services proposed restoring a prior reduction to local child support agency funding and reported higher federal performance incentives, while also presenting a supplemental report on full pass-through of child support collections to CalWORKs families, estimating about $150 million annually for full pass-through or about $80 million for a state/county-only approach, plus automation costs. Members questioned why funding should rise when caseloads are declining, and whether the policy could be made cost-neutral. CDPH closed the hearing with an overview of its $5.1 billion budget and its state of public health report, highlighting record-low mortality and higher life expectancy, but also rising overdose deaths among ages 25-44, persistent maternal and infant mortality disparities, and the need for stable public health and emergency-response capacity; no votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• and offer advanced nuclear resources; and HB 764, prohibiting the intentional release of polluting emissions
• release 764 prohibiting the intentional release of<00:02:45.040><c> polluting</c><00:02:45.519><c> emissions
• </c><00:02:46.159><c> including</c><00:02:46.680><c> cloud</c> of polluting emissions including cloud
• of polluting emissions including cloud seating<00:02:47.560><c> weather</c> seating weather seating
• </c><04:03:02.159><c> um</c> Rel release of polluting emissions um Rel release of polluting emissions

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• enabled significant reduction in the carbon intensity of the electric sector, and in fact, carbon emissions
• if we don't get the funding, then the previous funding that we have already allocated is sort of wasted
• if we don't get the funding, then the previous funding that we have already allocated is sort of wasted
• of, to me, that's a little bit more clarity of, you know, a resource that doesn't produce carbon emissions
• per megawatt cost of distributed resources versus utility scale, while reducing health hazardous emissions

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held an oversight hearing with leaders from the CPUC, Public Advocates Office, CAISO, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, and the Energy Commission. Chair Petrie-Norris framed the hearing around high utility bills, wildfire risk, grid reliability, clean energy buildout, and the state’s long-term decarbonization goals, and also noted it was CPUC President Alice Reynolds’ final week at the commission. Each agency gave an update on its role: the CPUC described efforts to reduce rate increases while maintaining reliability and clean energy procurement; the Public Advocates Office focused on affordability and the need to control underlying utility costs; CAISO discussed transmission planning, market operations, and the upcoming extended day-ahead market; Energy Safety reviewed wildfire mitigation oversight and inspections; and the Energy Commission highlighted clean energy growth, EV adoption, storage, efficiency, and gasoline price monitoring. A major theme was affordability versus the costs of the clean energy transition. Reynolds said the CPUC has lowered utility revenue requests, reduced utility returns, adopted a base services charge, and reworked net metering, while also continuing to manage wildfire-related costs and support resource adequacy and demand flexibility. Sarazawa argued that recent rate decreases may not be durable because billions of dollars in wildfire and other utility costs are still pending or unbilled, and she urged tighter use of general rate cases, lower-cost financing, program reform, and more equitable rate design. Members pressed the agencies on whether state policy is sufficiently accounting for labor, local economic development, and the cost impacts of transmission and procurement decisions, especially where out-of-state resources are being considered. CAISO and the Energy Commission emphasized that the state’s planning and market reforms are helping lower costs and improve reliability. CAISO said the Western Energy Imbalance Market has produced billions in benefits, the extended day-ahead market is on track to launch, and transmission planning is being aligned with long-term resource needs while reducing queue delays. The Energy Commission said California is now getting roughly two-thirds of its power from clean sources, has added massive amounts of storage and renewables, and is seeing strong EV and charger growth that can help spread fixed grid costs. Energy Safety reported thousands of inspections, hundreds of notices of non-performance, and a decline in reportable ignitions, while noting that major fires show more work is needed. Members also raised concerns about the SB 100 report delay, memo and balancing accounts, the future of battery storage, and whether decarbonization zone pilots will affect residential and commercial customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise today to present SB 613, a bill by Senator Stern, which addresses methane emissions from fossil
• California continues to be a leader in reducing methane emissions.
• This bill looks at upstream emissions in a cost-effective manner.
• , including emissions from imported petroleum and natural gas.
• Currently, they are not regulated under DTSC's hazardous waste laws, leading to inconsistent oversight

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long floor session focused largely on concurrence votes on Senate amendments and a few budget-related motions. Early procedural actions included a failed motion to send AB 1207 to the inactive file, approval of motions to take up Senate amendments without reference to file, and recesses for dinner and committee meetings. The chamber also heard several guest introductions and brief ceremonial remarks, including birthday acknowledgments and recognition of interns and visitors. Members then considered and passed a series of measures on topics including armory property transfers (SB 855), data center electricity impacts (SB 57), carbon capture pipeline transport (SB 614), health budget trailer bills (AB 144 and AB 149), and a Black Caucus higher-education bill allowing institutions to consider descendants of enslaved people in admissions (AB 7). The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on bills covering community college nursing programs (AB 1400), public health, signage for the Los Angeles Convention Center, gambling, social media warning labels for children, housing plan-check timelines, small business disaster recovery, wildfire mental health services, antitrust enforcement, foster care kinship placements, housing stability, AI cybersecurity, emergency services, and school nutrition standards. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew dissenting votes or brief debate over policy details. The most extended debate came on SB 274, which would limit retention of automated license plate reader data to 60 days unless tied to an investigation. Supporters argued it was needed to protect privacy and prevent misuse of sensitive location data, while opponents said it would hinder law enforcement and crime-solving. The transcript cuts off during that debate, so no final vote is shown for SB 274 in the provided text. Earlier and later votes recorded in the session showed broad support for many bills, with several measures passing unanimously and others receiving modest no votes, and some urgency measures being sent immediately to the Governor or the Senate after concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a number of measures in place to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensure Medi-Cal is the last
• And that’s because of the wastewater sewage plants that dump their literally [sic] waste into the bay
• We've built an entire false economy on these models for cap and trade and for greenhouse gas emissions
• And trade and for greenhouse gas emissions and, you know, everything else that these numbers may or may

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• greenhouse gas emissions.
• Chair, but uh the e-waste. I want to also mention the e-waste and battery product stewardship.
• Chair, but uh the e-waste. I want to also mention the e-waste and battery product stewardship.
• </c> program, this time for electronic waste program, this time for electronic waste is<00:08:28.319>
• </c> unredeemed greenhouse gases emissions. unredeemed greenhouse gases emissions.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going to take up tab for first Senate Bill, 200 on comprehensive waste reduction and recycling
• So in 2000 8, the legislature set a statewide goal to recycle 75% of municipal solid waste by 2020.
• of Environmental Protection would convene a technical assistance group to develop a comprehensive waste
• Cory is with the National Waste and Recycling Association.
• Madam Chair and senators bindings, Kenya, Cory and I'm with the National Waste Recycling Association.

Transcript Highlights:

• When waste decays in landfills, it produces biogas, and that is a mixture largely made of carbon dioxide
• products use these products instead of other conventional fuel sources, and that can in turn reduce emissions
• a function of how many landfills there are in Washington State and how many landfills have enough waste
• And that's a function of how much waste they have in place and whether they have sort of the flaring

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Transcript Highlights:

• When waste decays in landfills, it produces biogas, and that is a mixture largely made of carbon dioxide
• these products use them instead of other conventional fuel sources, and that can in turn reduce emissions
• a function of how many landfills there are in Washington State and how many landfills have enough waste
• And that's a function of how much waste they have in place and whether they have the flaring system and

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on August 4, 2026, with all five commissioners present. The commission approved the May 26, 2026 minutes, welcomed new commissioner Diane Tabilius, and re-elected Andy Knopfsiger Meadows as chair and Dr. Sharon Keiko as vice chair. JLARC staff also introduced two Evans School interns who are assisting with preliminary research for the 2027 review cycle. JLARC presented preliminary findings on seven tax preference reviews, focusing most heavily on the Main Street communities credit, the Equitable Access to Credit Program, and the urban data center exemption. Staff concluded that the Main Street preference has helped increase the number of communities and businesses and recommended continuing it, while also recommending that DAHP collect more detailed and standardized business-count data. The Equitable Access to Credit Program was found to support underserved communities and was also recommended for continuation. The urban data center exemption was found to have been used only for refurbishment projects, not new construction, and staff recommended letting it expire; commissioners and Representative Paulette discussed the need for better performance measures, cost-per-job analysis, and clearer legislative intent language in tax preference statements. Staff then reviewed airplane modification, landfill biogas, automotive adaptive equipment, and housing for people with developmental disabilities. The airplane modification preference was found to likely support jobs and state tax revenue and was recommended for continuation. The landfill biogas preference was also recommended for continuation, with a suggestion for more detailed reporting on use and renewable natural gas production. The automotive adaptive equipment exemption was found to continue providing relief to disabled veterans and service members and was recommended for continuation, while the housing transfer exemption for adults with developmental disabilities had not been used and was recommended to expire. No public testimony was taken at this meeting, and the commission noted that public testimony would be heard at its September meeting before final comments are adopted in October.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, body, as we face a world where we have to produce far more energy at far lower emissions, whether
• An act relating to hazardous materials, adding a definition of hazardous waste constituent to the Hazardous
• Waste Act, amending and adding the identification and Listing of hazardous waste constituents to the

Bills: SSB3113 , SSB3128 , SSB3135 , SSB3153 , SSB3172 , SSB3175 , SSB3134 , SF2029 , SF493 , SF2024 , SSB3008 , SSB3009 , SSB3114 , SSB3136 , SSB3138 , SSB3148 , SSB3152 , SF310

Committee: Joint Local Government

Keywords: law enforcement services, county sheriff, city police department, 28E agreement, intergovernmental agreement, shared services, police consolidation, police outsourcing, municipal policing, small cities, cost comparison report, public safety, property tax impact, collective bargaining, law enforcement contract, ordinance enforcement, sheriff contract, regional policing, local government, Iowa Code 28E.30

Bills: SB2 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117 , SB503 , SB2 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB 124 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• consider all the applications of quantum sensors like long path using quantum sensing to detect methane emissions
• for data centers that are producing gigawatts of natural gas, millions of pounds of greenhouse gas emissions
• my understanding is no, that they use a hospital-level amount of tritium, but there's not a nuclear waste

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee first discussed the state budget and employee compensation, focusing on the 1% pay increase proposal and the broader cost of state employee raises and benefits. Members noted that over the past several years the state has invested heavily in payroll, pension contributions, pay studies, and band realignments, and several senators argued that the 80/20 health insurance change and other benefit improvements amount to significant compensation increases even without an additional raise. Others cautioned that recurring revenue is limited, that recent revenue collections were weaker than expected, and that the state should be careful about committing to ongoing costs given possible economic slowdown, federal uncertainty, drought, wildfire risk, and the possibility of future budget pressure. The committee then heard extensive testimony on SB 177, a major economic development proposal centered on quantum computing, advanced energy, robotics, synthetic biology, and related technologies. Supporters described the bill as a large strategic investment intended to leverage New Mexico’s national laboratories, universities, and existing quantum workforce to attract companies, create high-wage jobs, and diversify the economy. Testimony emphasized that much of the quantum workforce would be skilled trades and technicians rather than Ph.D.-level researchers, and members asked detailed questions about whether the state would receive long-term returns, how intellectual property and clawbacks would be handled, and whether the package included recurring costs. Witnesses also explained the bill’s trade association and workforce-development components, and several senators raised concerns about energy use, water use, guardrails, and ensuring the state does not subsidize outside interests without benefits returning to New Mexico. After debate, the committee moved to table SB 177 indefinitely, with members noting that the funding and structure were already incorporated into House Bill 2. The motion passed on an 8-0 vote, with several members excused. The meeting then adjourned.