Transcript Highlights:

• In a local responsibility area, Government Code 51182 only applies to the very high fire hazard severity
• fire hazard severity zone, but not from Cal Fire, from the local...
• that would be more strict in a local jurisdiction would receive that in the very high fire hazard severity
• or high fire hazard severity zone.
• or high fire hazard severity zone so to date the department to date the department funds regional entities

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> workplace free from recognized hazards workplace free from recognized hazards anchored<01:00:15.839
• </c> shown or suspected to be a health hazard shown or suspected to be a health hazard in<01:26:07.360
• </c> hazard fixes with courtroom battles. hazard fixes with courtroom battles.
• </c> money free from recognized hazards. money free from recognized hazards.
• </c> people that start right out of high people that start right out of high school<03:36:54.000><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• And when we talk high priority areas.
• </c> resources that raise them to a high resources that raise them to a high higher<00:38:46.800><c>
• >> There is a shock hazard. >> That's fun to have. >> There is always a shock hazard of touching anything
• </c> &gt;&gt; um There there is a shock hazard. &gt;&gt; um There there is a shock hazard.
• ><c> you</c> is a potential hazard and also if you is a potential hazard and also if you put<02:04:55.840

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• exposure to environmental hazards.
• Such guardrails, while firm, are essential given the potential environmental hazards associated with
• chemicals, where there's potential for hazardous chemical releases in water and in the air.
• The risk is high.
• Second, this is an incentive bill to drive high-quality projects, but if the standard is set too high

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• conditions caused by hazardous waste, and they are going to offer technical support related to waste
• For this proposal, we find that it does meet that high bar in addressing a critical health and safety
• With these set events, we're seeing it at all layers in terms of high temperatures.
• With these set events, we're seeing it at all layers in terms of high temperatures. Okay.
• That was another part of my original question vis-à-vis the management of hazardous waste. Can you?

Transcript Highlights:

• , our primary responsibility is overseeing all functions of response, recovery, preparedness, and hazard
• The state has a mitigation plan update because we no longer are receiving hazard mitigation...
• The million dollars, as I mentioned, is for the state hazard mitigation plan Emergency fund.
• These elements are crucial for ensuring we operate as a high-performing accountability agency.
• Achieving a high return on that. Another efficiency measure we implemented is our location.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of this requires time, attention to detail, and a high level of responsibility.
• Members, this bill simply increases the hazardous waste site cleanup fund, which currently exists at
• These sites vary from EPA Superfund sites, where the hazardous waste site cleanup fund is used to pay
• waste and hazardous substances on a piece of property.
• I got pictures on here that's worth millions, so it didn't go that high.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 13, 2026, and reported several bills favorable. HB 27 was approved after testimony that it would delete a constitutional sentence requiring debt payments to be applied to the oldest outstanding amortization, giving retirement boards more flexibility to pay off the most advantageous debt. HB 143 was supported by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and local law enforcement representatives to raise the statutory per diem for housing state inmates in local facilities from $26.39 to match the current $29.39 rate already being paid in practice. HB 205 drew extensive testimony from clerks of court and election officials who said election commissioners have not had a pay increase in 19 years and are struggling to staff precincts, especially under the new closed party primary system; the bill would let local governing bodies enhance commissioner pay as a stopgap, and it was reported favorable despite concerns that it does not fully solve the staffing problem. The committee also approved HB 308, which would require state stadium and arena facilities to accept cash for smaller transactions or provide a kiosk to convert cash to a prepaid card without extra fee. HB 417 was reported favorable to increase the cap on the hazardous waste site cleanup fund from $6 million to $8 million and tie it to inflation; DEQ staff explained the fund helps pay for Superfund matches and cleanup of abandoned or bankrupt hazardous waste sites, and the increase would not affect the state general fund. HB 12, supported by the Louisiana Assessor Association, would provide 5% annual salary equalization increases for assessors through 2029, with local opt-in and no state general fund impact; members discussed the recurring pay parity issue with clerks of court and the possibility of a study resolution to address future adjustments more systematically, and the bill was reported favorable. Representative Kerner announced HB 311 would be deferred after concerns it could amount to a tax increase. HB 1129, supported by the Louisiana Auctioneers Association, was amended to clarify that the state’s movable-property auctions include internet auctions and to give Louisiana auctioneers preference to bid on those contracts; it was then reported favorable. HB 562, which would update transcript fees for the 19th Judicial District Court, prompted concerns about higher costs for litigants and due process implications, and the committee agreed to defer it to the next meeting for further discussion. The meeting ended with adjournment after brief recognition of visiting cattle industry representatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, hazardous waste. It's not that way.
• I thought they federally fell under additional hazardous waste.
• I thought they federally fell under additional hazardous waste.
• </c> they fell under addition uh hazardous they fell under addition uh hazardous waste.<00:17:24.880>
• </c> they're in a hazard isn't disast. they're in a hazard isn't disast.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of these RVs are in extreme disrepair, exposing occupants to hazardous living conditions and creating
• broader public health risks, like improper waste disposal, sewage leaks, and fire hazards.
• And so I think it needs to be a really high bar.
• And so I think it needs to be a really high bar.
• So it becomes a real public safety hazard.

Summary: The Senate Public Safety Committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 647, which would clarify last year’s RV disposal pilot program for Los Angeles and Alameda counties so local agencies can remove abandoned, inoperable RVs more efficiently. Supporters, including a representative for Mayor Karen Bass, said the bill is needed to address public health, fire, sewage, and neighborhood safety hazards. Opponents argued the measure would be used to remove occupied RVs without adequate housing or service referrals and would harm vehicle residents. The committee later approved AB 647 on a do-pass motion to the Appropriations Committee. The committee also considered AB 1656, which would give judges discretion to delay human trafficking cases when the assigned prosecutor has another trial, preliminary hearing, or motion to suppress, with amendments limiting the continuance to one time and no more than 10 days. Supporters said the bill would help preserve vertical prosecution and trauma-informed continuity for survivors; opponents raised speedy-trial and due process concerns. After discussion about balancing victim continuity and constitutional rights, the committee passed AB 1656 as amended to the floor. AB 1917, a bill to require prosecutors to file a motion before reinstating charges dismissed at preliminary hearing, also drew support from public defenders and defense groups and opposition from district attorneys, who argued the bill used the wrong procedural mechanism. The author agreed to explore moving the process into the existing 995 framework, and the committee passed AB 1917 as amended to Appropriations. AB 2636 would require courts to consider possession of a loaded firearm when deciding whether a juvenile qualifies for deferred entry of judgment. Supporters, including probation and police chiefs, said the bill would add accountability for serious gun-related conduct while preserving rehabilitation options; opponents said it would reduce access to effective youth diversion and disproportionately affect Black and brown youth. The committee passed the bill to the floor. AB 1632, which would replace notarization with a penalty-of-perjury statement for 602 trespass authorization letters, was supported by cities and law enforcement as a way to reduce bureaucracy and help address trespass and vacant-property hazards, while opponents warned of abuse and Fourth Amendment concerns. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill to the floor. The hearing then moved on to AB 1974, a voluntary firearm safe-storage bill, with the author introducing the measure and witnesses from Pierce’s Pledge expected to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• substantially increased with the increased demand for power and, I.E., the data centers and other high
• <00:05:36.040><c> centers</c><00:05:36.480><c> and</c><00:05:36.600><c> other</c><00:05:36.880><c> high
• </c><00:05:37.040><c> energy</c> data centers and other high energy data centers and other high energy
• level could all be at a high level could all be not<00:47:55.240><c> in</c><00:47:55.720><c> the</c>
• </c> storage tanks, landfills, and hazardous storage tanks, landfills, and hazardous waste<01:02:36.640

Summary: The committee met for an initial natural resources hearing with a quorum present and introductory housekeeping, including prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests. Chair Smith outlined ground rules for questions and then invited Kentucky Power and American Electric Power representatives to the table to discuss a proposed plan involving the Mitchell Power Plant and future generation needs in Eastern Kentucky. Witnesses Cindy Wiseman, Alex Vaughn, and AEP CEO Bill Fehrman said the company’s goals are to stabilize and lower rates, reduce rate volatility, and expand generation in the Commonwealth. They explained that Kentucky Power seeks legislative authority to securitize its 50% interest in the Mitchell coal plant, describing securitization as a refinancing mechanism that would lower annual plant costs by about $34 million and help offset roughly one-third of the expected cost of adding new generation in Kentucky. They emphasized that the proposal is not intended to close Mitchell, and said Kentucky Power currently has no plan to divest its interest; the company still needs the plant to serve customers while it pursues additional dispatchable generation in Kentucky. Members pressed the witnesses on the plant’s book value versus fair market value, whether the Mitchell interest had ever been assigned a nominal value, how any divestiture proceeds would be handled, whether Kentucky Power owns Wheeling Power, and how long Mitchell can continue operating. The company said it values Mitchell at net book value for accounting purposes, not fair market value, and explained that Wheeling Power is a separate AEP affiliate and that West Virginia affiliates have already proposed securitization of their share. Witnesses said Kentucky Power’s interest cannot technically operate past 2028 without additional environmental control investment, while the West Virginia side is depreciating through 2040. They also described the financing timeline, saying securitization would require enactment of legislation, a PSC financing order, bond issuance, and then parallel work to acquire or build new generation, with any reinvestment terms to be addressed through the regulatory process.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 27 is a bill to modernize our high-tech research and development tax credit.
• But I also, last one is say, we also have a high-wage jobs tax credit.
• It could be a quantum facility where you have, again, high capex, high wages, but maybe not as many,
• And it's from high-tech jobs to the industry of electricians.
• You can stack the JTIP program with high wage jobs. You can stack that with an IRB.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the committee substitute for House Bill 27, which would modernize New Mexico’s research and development tax credit. Sponsors said the bill would allow the credit to be stacked with industrial revenue bonds for qualifying facilities, exclude data centers and national laboratories, permit up to $50 million in transferable credits per year for 2026-2028, and extend the carry-forward period to seven years. Supporters from business, construction, labor, and economic development groups argued the changes would improve cash flow for startups, help attract and retain high-wage jobs, and encourage commercialization of New Mexico-developed technology in sectors such as advanced energy, aerospace, fusion, and advanced manufacturing. Several witnesses emphasized that the bill was intended to keep commercialization and capital investment in New Mexico rather than losing them to other states. Committee members raised concerns about tax policy, fiscal impact, and whether the bill would truly lead to commercialization. Questions focused on the transferability provision, the $50 million annual cap, who could buy credits, whether data centers should be excluded, how the bill interacts with IRBs and other incentives, and whether the labs could benefit. Some members supported the bill’s goals but worried it was too narrowly tailored or could create winners and losers. The sponsors and administration witnesses responded that the bill was designed to tie R&D to physical infrastructure, provide capital to early-stage companies, and protect the general fund with caps and time limits. They also said the bill would not apply to national labs and would not change existing rural-area doubling provisions. After extensive discussion and no opposition testimony, the committee did not advance the bill. Representative Cadena moved to table the committee substitute for House Bill 27, Representative Parra made the second, and the motion passed without opposition, so the bill was tabled.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and that's how we're going to look at it going forward as well. with the bill of cleaning up that dam
• with the bill of cleaning up that dam that<00:18:28.559><c> that</c><00:18:29.520><c> enormous</c><00
• for what this bill is too too high for what this bill is because<00:27:07.760><c> I</c><00:27:08.000
• </c><00:31:28.000><c> Um,</c><00:31:28.399><c> I</c> estimate is a little bit high.
• Um, I estimate is a little bit high.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, there they are, way up high. In my office are Marilyn and Michelle.
• Well, there they are, way up high. In my office are Marilyn and Michelle.
• Robert Hernandez is a native Phoenician, a graduate of East High School in the Phoenix Union High School
• He's a freshman at Mountainville High School. Also in the gallery is Bobby Joe.
• High school students' AED training. Thank you. Education. Public Safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• jobs, signatory jobs, jobs that are incredibly high-paying and have benefits, but we're also jeopardizing
• They're considered a high emitter because they produce these products for us.
• The city of Clovis is when there's a fire like the Creek Fire up in the mountains, the High Sierras,
• And more importantly, health hazards to our communities.
• I would say for the hazardous waste management plan specifically, the SB 158 mandates a pretty clear

Summary: The committee first established quorum and then approved several governor’s appointments and procedural items, including appointments to the Civil Rights Council, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, UC College of the Law, San Francisco Board of Directors, bill referrals, and floor acknowledgments. Most of these items passed unanimously, while the Civil Rights Council appointment of Indira Cameron Banks passed 3-2. The bulk of the meeting focused on confirmations to the California Air Resources Board. Supervisor Linda Hopkins and Mayor Patricia Locke Dawson, both nominated to CARB, described their backgrounds and emphasized balancing climate and air-quality goals with economic impacts, community engagement, and practical implementation. Senators raised concerns about cap-and-trade costs, leakage, warehouse and truck traffic impacts, agricultural burdens, emergency vehicle and fleet electrification challenges, natural gas appliance rules, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and the need for socioeconomic analysis. Both nominees said they favored open-door engagement, listening to affected communities, and using data and technology-neutral approaches. Public commenters largely supported both nominees, and the committee voted to advance Hopkins 4-0 and Locke Dawson 5-0 to the full Senate. The committee also heard the appointment of Andrew Rakestraw as chair of the Board of Environmental Safety. Rakestraw, who previously worked in U.S. climate and legal roles, said he would focus on transparency, accountability, fiscal stability, and community responsiveness at DTSC. Senators questioned him about DTSC reform, community engagement in places like the Hinkley/Herupah Valley and Exide cleanup areas, fee-setting and fiscal stability, the hazardous waste management plan, and coordination with the Environmental Justice Advisory Council. He said the board should go beyond brief public comment periods, engage communities directly, and ensure community concerns are reflected in outcomes. Supporters from environmental justice and waste-management groups testified in favor, no opposition was offered, and the committee moved his nomination forward to the Senate floor, with one member abstaining.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the types of tires create a rollover hazard if they're operated at a high speed on asphalt.
• It affects their handling, and the types of tires create a rollover hazard if they're operated at a high
• It affects their handling, and the types of tires create a rollover hazard if they're operated at a high
• It could be in high school, could be in vocational school. They go through the curriculum.
• What is one of the biggest issues with why that vacancy rate was growing so high?

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and first considered SB 88, which would allow local governments to authorize utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain low-speed county roads and municipal streets, with limits on who may operate them and where they may travel. An amendment from Sen. Wright was adopted to require minimum motor vehicle insurance, keep a registration certificate in the vehicle, and delay the effective date to January 1, 2026 for implementation. The bill drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would create a safe, locally controlled path for UTV use and reflect how the vehicles are already being used, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Florida Justice Association argued UTVs are designed for off-road use and lack the safety features needed for public roads. After debate, the committee reported CS/SB 88 favorably, with Sen. Davis voting no and several members expressing support while noting safety concerns for future work. The committee then heard SB 274, which designates a portion of International Drive in Orlando as Harris Rosen Way in honor of the late hotelier and philanthropist Harris Rosen. Sen. Arrington described Rosen’s business success and extensive charitable work in Central Florida, and the bill received supportive comments from committee members and a representative from UCF. The committee voted the bill favorably without opposition. The final item was a discussion on transportation workforce issues led by FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, with remarks from Florida Transportation Builders Association president Dan Hurtado. Perdue said Florida’s growing transportation needs, an aging workforce, and projected retirements require a broader workforce strategy, including a proposed Transportation Academy, craft and trade programs, learning labs, and a transportation research institute. He said FDOT has already reduced vacancies through recruit-and-retain efforts and hiring events, but still needs more skilled workers. Hurtado said FTBA supports expanding workforce development efforts and noted the industry’s own Florida Connect Academy. No vote was taken on the workforce discussion, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh<01:03:15.680><c> an</c><01:03:16.000><c> analysis</c><01:03:16.319><c> of</c><01:03:16.480><c> high
• </c><01:03:16.799><c> subsidy</c><01:03:17.200><c> regular</c> uh an analysis of high subsidy regular
• uh an analysis of high subsidy regular route<01:03:17.839><c> transit</c><01:03:18.160><c> service.
• Every school year, both semesters, I'm invited to speak at Blaine High School seniors in their civics
• </c><01:15:36.719><c> pedestrian</c> county is the Rum River Dam pedestrian county is the Rum River Dam

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from Boise High School. I'm a senior.
• Planning Committee and State Hazardous Waste Management Plan.
• So when I go to that, 39-58-05 is State Hazardous Waste Management Planning Committee, which creates
• I mean, the Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Act was also created in 1985, the same time the Payette one
• And we do have the only hazardous waste treatment and disposal facility in Idaho.

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• DEVELOPMENT RIGHT NOW AND IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE STATE OF FLORIDA WILL RECEIVE $45.4 MILLION IN HAZARD
• HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAMS WE GET 20 PERCENT OF THE ONE YEAR A LOCK IN AND OF INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
• NEXT LET'S TALK ABOUT HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM. GRANT PROGRAM.
• HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ASSIST STATES GOVERNMENTS IN CERTAIN NONPROFIT
• COASTAL HIGH HAZARD AREA CERTAINLY INLAND YOU MAY BE OKAY IN A MANUFACTURED HOME. >> IN BROWARD IN MY

Transcript Highlights:

• Things like high interest rates were in place because we had high inflation, so we had to raise interest
• Things like high interest rates were in place because we had high inflation, so we had to raise interest
• What I'm getting at is: are those sectors high paid, low paid, medium paid?
• , high-wealth households.
• Those tend to be high-paying jobs.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, while classified as hazardous waste.
• When these um devices are fire hazards.
• </c> conducted a study on the unique hazards conducted a study on the unique hazards that<00:12:35.440
• </c><00:13:15.920><c> waste</c> environment from the hazardous waste environment from the hazardous waste
• </c> Kauaii High, and Ku. Kauaii High, and Ku.

Bills: HB1924 , HB2121 , HB1928 , HB1979 , HB1650 , HB1543 , HB1981 , HB1982

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to waste, recycling, and environmental review. On HB 1924, which would establish a mattress stewardship program, the Department of Health said it stood on written testimony and offered comments, while Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and one individual supported the bill and the International Sleep Products Association opposed it. No questions were raised and the committee moved on. A large portion of the hearing focused on HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale of disposable vapes in Hawaii. The Department of Health supported the measure but suggested the bill may be better placed in a different part of state law because the cited waste-management section regulates products after consumption, while still praising the effort to remove disposable vapes from the market and environment. Testimony in strong support came from the Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawaii Youth Council, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii COPD Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, the City and County of Honolulu, and many individuals; supporters emphasized youth vaping, toxic waste, lithium battery fire risks, and environmental harm. There was at least one opposing individual and the International Sleep Products Association was listed in opposition. The committee noted there were many written testimonies and no immediate vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 1928 on the deposit beverage container recycling program. The Department of Health stood on written testimony. The Solid Waste Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents and Upstream supported the bill but urged amendments to better integrate reuse and reusables, strengthen enforcement, clarify definitions, and protect existing redemption centers. The Hawaii Food Industry Association supported the concept of a backdrop program but preferred strengthening the existing program and raised concerns about undefined fees, existing infrastructure, and future audit costs. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the bill, and the chair said the measure needs work and that decision-making would occur in a few days. Finally, the committee took up HB 979 on environmental review and HB 1650 on environmental assessments. For HB 979, OPSD offered amendments, HCDA supported the bill but suggested clarifying the affordable-housing definition, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative supported it, and Earthjustice was asked about the court process for environmental challenges; the chair asked about shortening the challenge period and the relationship between environmental court, the intermediate court of appeals, and the Supreme Court. For HB 1650, OPSD and the State Historic Preservation Division stood on written testimony, OHA asked to retain historic sites, and several groups and individuals testified in support or opposition. Opponents argued that removing Wiki special district and historic sites from Chapter 343 trigger language would weaken environmental review and risk impacts to iwi kūpuna and historic resources.