Transcript Highlights:

• operate, and offer advanced nuclear resources; and HB 764, prohibiting the intentional release of polluting
• prohibiting the intentional release 764 prohibiting the intentional release of<00:02:45.040> polluting
• <00:02:45.519> emissions<00:02:46.159> including<00:02:46.680> cloud of polluting
• emissions including cloud of polluting emissions including cloud seating<00:02:47.560> weather
• <04:03:01.159> emissions<04:03:02.159> um Rel release of polluting emissions um Rel

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand that as technology increases, we can find more pollutants and we can dig deeper.
• Kirk Adulka, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: Thank you, Mr.
• <01:16:44.880> We Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• We Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• Control Agency and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and uh<01:30:21.920> Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The only solution to reducing salt pollution is to reduce salt usage. sorry where 53% of the uh salt
• towards a new um salt road uh mitigation towards a new um salt road uh mitigation fund<02:46:37.439
• "Yeah, thank you very much for your concerns on the salt pollution.
• program at dees and I'm salt mitigation program at dees and I'm wondering<02:51:27.760> is<02
• <03:26:56.000> the ways to, as I said before, mitigate the ways to, as I said before, mitigate

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1596, which would raise New Hampshire’s cigarette excise tax from $1.78 per pack to about $2.80, using an inflation-based adjustment since the rate was last set in 2008. Representative Jerry Stringham, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure would keep New Hampshire competitive with neighboring states, generate revenue, and help offset other budget pressures. He also described the bill as repealing an income-based premium charge in Medicaid/CHIP-related programs and restoring cuts to the University System of New Hampshire, arguing that the combined package would still leave the state in a positive fiscal position. He said the tobacco tax increase would likely have some cessation effect but would remain low relative to other New England states, and he cited prior testimony from health groups supporting a larger increase. Members questioned the sponsor about how the new rate was calculated, the prior tobacco tax reduction and restoration, whether tobacco companies would absorb or pass on the tax, and the fiscal note’s estimates for Medicaid premium revenue and UNH funding. Stringham said he used Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation data, that the earlier 10-cent reduction did not produce the expected sales increase, and that the current bill would eliminate the premium charges now in the budget. He later clarified that the Department of Medicaid Services had updated the revenue estimate, but said the bill still showed a surplus overall. He also said the federal government already imposes a $1-per-pack tax and that New Hampshire would remain below neighboring states even after the increase. Two public witnesses testified in opposition to the tax increase. Anna Bettincourt, a tobacco category manager, argued that higher tobacco taxes would unfairly target smokers, reduce New Hampshire’s tax advantage, and likely shift purchases to other states or illicit markets rather than reduce use. She said tobacco companies generally do not lower prices and that Massachusetts’ flavor restrictions had not eliminated sales. In response to questions, she maintained that a smaller increase would still be harmful and that enforcement problems make bans ineffective. The sponsor and some members countered that smokers impose higher health costs and that tobacco taxes are a policy tool for both revenue and public health. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So first up SB 2262 relating to pollution.
• Um, it focuses on the violations of persons um that are causing pollution.
• um that are causing pollution. um that are causing pollution.
• This is a triple joint SB 2262 relating to pollution. My apologies. I'm here for 2702.
• . pollution. pollution.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS, Agriculture, Environment, Energy, and Intergovernmental Affairs hearing focused first on SB 2262, a pollution and illegal dumping measure. The Department of Health said it stood on its written testimony, and public testimony included support from CARES with suggested amendments to involve the counties in standardized response planning and to address pollution caused by individuals. Members questioned the bill’s fines, where they would go, and how the department would handle carcasses and illegal dumping enforcement. DOH said administrative fines go to the general fund, criminal fines are collected by the Attorney General, carcasses are generally buried by the landowner under existing rules, and DOH mainly regulates solid waste and coordinates with counties and other agencies when violations arise. After discussion, the chair recommended SB 2262 be passed with substantial amendments. The proposed amendments would add DLNR to the task force, deposit all fines into a special fund to support enforcement, allow fines below $5,000 for littering and higher fines for excessive or chronic illegal dumping, and include a January 30, 2050 effective date. The committee adopted the recommendation, with members voting aye. The hearing then moved to the HHS calendar. On SB 2087, relating to health insurance, agencies including DHS, DCCA, the Attorney General, and Labor stood on written testimony, while several advocacy and medical groups testified in support. One Medicaid recipient opposed the bill, arguing the coverage should be immediate rather than phased in over three years. Angela Melody Young supported the bill but urged amendments to prioritize people with disabilities, kupuna, and mothers. Members questioned whether the rural health transformation program could support the bill’s deductible structure; the Department of Human Services said it was unlikely CMS would allow that level of coverage, though rural funds might help in other ways. The committee then moved on to SB 2089, which would expand services eligible for Medicaid prospective payment system reimbursement, hearing support from OHA, DHS, and others, along with testimony about mental health access and training. The transcript also began SB 2106, relating to health and eating disorder prevention, with a student testifying in support and citing youth eating disorder harms, but the discussion was cut off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• control agency has noise the pollution control agency has noise standards<00:26:01.640> and<00
• can rely on this administration to protect us from corporate polluters.
• There are 12 stark examples of polluter capture of state agencies.
• Please hold hearings on polluter capture.
• <00:52:26.079> capture polluter capture polluter capture please<00:52:27.480> take<00:52

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency estimate there
• > Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution
• Control<00:10:43.279> Agency<00:10:43.760> estimate<00:10:44.240> there Pollution
• Control Agency estimate there Pollution Control Agency estimate there over<00:10:45.040> the<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• abandoned shopping carts are a growing problem across California, blocking streets and sidewalks, polluting
• Around those lands that the Act seeks to mitigate. Importantly, SB 5 is not a permanent block.
• This is a thoughtful, full... around those lands that the act seeks to mitigate.
• present and have had significant injuries, and that they are trying to do everything they can to mitigate
• present and have suffered significant injuries, and they are trying to do everything they can to mitigate

Summary: The committee first heard SB 753, which would modernize California’s shopping cart recovery rules by allowing cities and counties to return abandoned carts directly to retailers, recover documented retrieval costs, and avoid the current impound-and-wait process. The author and supporters, including San Jose officials and the League of California Cities, said the bill would help clear streets, sidewalks, and waterways and reduce local costs. Grocers and retailers opposed the measure unless amended, arguing it would turn cart retrieval into a new cost burden and could create incentives for cities to charge too much for stolen property. After extensive discussion about notice periods, cost caps, and local ordinances, the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 6-0 as amended. The committee then took up SB 445, which would speed up permitting and approvals needed for high-speed rail by requiring early engagement, setting rules for third-party coordination, and creating a dispute-resolution process. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier, broader transit proposal and was intended to reduce delays caused by utilities, local governments, and other entities. Supporters said permitting bottlenecks add major costs and delays to infrastructure projects, while opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts raised concerns about safety, reliability, affordability, and the need to review the pending amendments. The bill passed 8-1 to the Utilities and Energy Committee. The committee also heard SB 9, a narrower housing bill focused on accessory dwelling units. The author explained that it would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards control if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the bill would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then began hearing SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops; the author and supporters framed it as a response to the housing shortage and transit underuse, and the hearing continued with extensive support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• massive data center that's going to be producing the equivalent amount of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution
• as 2.6 million ...the equivalent amount of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution as 2.6 million cars
• And I'll just use an example that, you know, many years ago, we were fighting a polluter.
• And I'll just use an example that, you know, many years ago, we were fighting a polluter.
• This was a polluter, right? And so now this is what we have.

Bills: SB251, SB150, SB154, SB73, SB111, SB172, SB76, SB181, SB235

Keywords: horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• The preference met the target reduction for nitrogen dioxide, but not for three other pollutants.
• I think I wanted to make sure I understood the commentary about the pollution savings on this tax exemption
• I think I wanted to make sure I understood the commentary about the pollution savings on this tax exemption
• and so there... ...leaving harbor was less than anticipated, and so therefore there were less air pollution
• So as far as the pollution benefits, they were derived from Toad's operation, is that correct?

Summary: The meeting began with JLARC’s biennial executive committee elections. After confirming a quorum, members unanimously elected Representative Pollet as chair, Senator Wagoner as vice chair, Representative Orcutt as secretary, and Senator Solomon as assistant secretary for the 2025-27 biennium. The committee also approved the May 14 meeting minutes unanimously. Chair Pollet then outlined a commitment to more member input on audit scope and coordination with the State Auditor’s Office. Staff presented a preliminary report on Washington State recreation boating programs. They reported that six agencies administer boating-related activities, that the state collected about $108 million in boating-related revenue in 2021-23, and that $86 million was spent, mostly on infrastructure and water access, environmental protection, boater safety, and marine law enforcement. Staff said Washington’s boating laws and programs are broadly similar to other states and noted that the final report is expected in September. JLARC then reviewed several tax preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but did not meet emissions-reduction targets because fewer vessels and vehicles converted to natural gas than expected; staff recommended continuing some exemptions and modifying reporting requirements. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the preference continues to provide tax relief, but large beneficiaries’ savings are rising while small beneficiaries’ use is declining, leading to recommendations to continue the small-business rate and add or revise performance metrics. Staff also reviewed a nonprofit low-income housing property tax exemption, concluding it helps developers build homes as intended but that the performance metric should better reflect housing outcomes; they recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify it. Other reviews covered multipurpose senior citizen centers, disabled veteran adapted housing, trade convention attendance, agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, hazardous substance tax treatment for pesticides, and silicon smelter energy preferences, with recommendations ranging from continuation to expiration depending on whether the stated objectives were met. The committee then adopted the final cannabis market study for distribution. Staff reported that Washington businesses produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023, and that inaccurate and incomplete reporting limits the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s ability to regulate the market. The board said it concurs with the recommendations, including developing a plan for a new data system and considering broader social equity options. Finally, staff presented the proposed final report on Department of Health oversight of hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff said DOH was late on most acute-care hospital inspections, had not fully verified third-party inspection standards, and did not adequately review adverse event correction plans or assess language access barriers in its complaint system. DOH said it concurs with all six recommendations and has already made some transparency improvements, including a public dashboard for adverse event reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Concrete crushing facilities are significant sources of air pollution and are linked to a range of serious
• In addition to regulated air pollutants, concrete crushing facilities...
• Let's remember there are... ...three populations that are especially vulnerable to air pollution: children

Bills: SB2082, SB2203, SB2351, SB2550, SCR48

Keywords: concrete crushing, hospital proximity, environmental regulation, public health, zoning laws, SB 2203, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, contested case, administrative law judge, ALJ, discovery, scope of discovery, certification, administrative procedure, permit dispute, agency rules, Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• It should have been spent by the polluter. Thank you. >> Further discussion?
• accountable that you that hold polluters accountable that you support<00:26:05.760> them<00:26
• It should have been spent by the polluter. Thank you. >> Further discussion?
• It should have been spent by the polluter. Thank you. >> Further discussion?
• It should have been spent by the polluter. Thank you. >> Further discussion?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm assistant commissioner with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• with kadelka I'm assistant commissioner with the<00:04:56.840> Minnesota<00:04:57.240> Pollution
• <00:04:57.680> Control<00:04:57.960> agency the Minnesota Pollution Control agency
• the Minnesota Pollution Control agency want<00:04:58.800> to<00:04:58.919> thank<00:04:
• committee members, for the record again, Kirk Kadelka, assistant commissioner with the Minnesota Pollution

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Air report, over 80% of Californians still live in communities impacted by unhealthy levels of air pollution
• Fuel combustion in the transportation sector is the primary source of smog-forming ozone pollution and
• That pollution leads to both acute and chronic health emergencies such as asthma, heart attacks and stroke
• And consequently, the goal is to try and limit this kind of air pollution.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• stations are allowed to operate where they are currently located, and we want to ensure that due to pollution
• am sympathetic to the concern and passing on to family businesses, these are also entities that do pollute
• I don't think I would want him personally polluting next to a school.
• We will work on the amendment, but balancing that with the reports that already show that it does pollute

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• stations are allowed to operate where they are currently located, and we want to ensure that due to pollution
• am sympathetic to the concern and passing on to family businesses, these are also entities that do pollute
• I don't think I would want him personally polluting next to a school.
• We will work on the amendment, but balancing that with the reports that already show that it does pollute

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, consumer protection, and sunset-review bills. Early items included SB 1148, which would let aspiring security guards complete all required training before a guard card is issued; SB 342, which would soften the penalty for contractors who were licensed during part of a project but had a brief lapse; and several sunset bills for boards and bureaus, including the Board of Registered Nursing (SB 1302), the Board of Naturopathic Medicine (SB 1303), the Respiratory Care Board (SB 1304), the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (SB 1363), and the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SB 1368). The committee also heard SB 1311, which makes various updates to DCA boards and programs, and SB 1314, which restricts new tobacco retailers from locating within 600 feet of schools or daycare centers and bans nitrous oxide sales and related paraphernalia. Testimony was generally supportive on the training, sunset, and licensing cleanup bills, though several measures drew “opposed unless amended” or neutral positions over scope and implementation details. On SB 1314, supporters including prosecutors and school administrators argued it would reduce youth exposure to tobacco, while gas station, convenience store, cigar lounge, pharmacy, and business groups raised concerns about impacts on existing businesses, transferability of tobacco licenses, and possible de facto limits on future stations; some public health groups shifted to neutral after amendments. On SB 1302, nursing groups supported the board sunset bill, while the California Medical Association objected to allowing out-of-state nurse practitioner transition-to-practice experience to count without a California attestation process. On SB 1304, health facilities and long-term care groups supported the board extension but sought broader clarification so LVNs could perform respiratory tasks consistently across settings. After quorum was finally established, the committee voted to send the consent calendar bills SB 1376, SB 1391, SB 1416, and SB 1315 to Appropriations, and then approved SB 342, SB 1148, SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1304, SB 1311, SB 1314, SB 1363, and SB 1368, all moving forward to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 1314 passed with some no votes, while the other measures advanced with broad support. The hearing ended after additional members were added on the record and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's traffic, so many inconveniences: noise pollution, dirt pollution.
• Water pollution, those are developed largely at the local level with our participation.
• conservation districts, our river authorities, and various others for things like the illegal dams and pollution

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• specific and proven threats of climate change include increasing risks of cardiovascular disease from pollution
• cardiovascular increasing risks of cardiovascular disease<00:23:58.320> from<00:23:58.559> pollution
• ,<00:23:59.440> heat<00:23:59.840> illness, disease from pollution, heat illness, disease
• from pollution, heat illness, displacement,<00:24:01.520> injury,<00:24:01.840> and<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health met on April 2, 2025, and heard several resolutions focused on student mental health, autism data collection, school heat exposure, and climate change as a public health issue. Testimony on HCR 96/HR 92 supported encouraging the University of Hawaii to evaluate and expand student mental health services; the University of Hawaii testified in support, and a student speaker said expanded services would make students more likely to seek help. The committee also heard HCR 145/HR 139, which urges state agencies to collaborate on planning for Hawaii’s participation in CDC autism prevalence surveillance; supporters included the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and an autism advocate who said Hawaii needs better local representation in the data. The committee then heard HCR 186/HR 179, requesting a study of heat exposure management in Department of Education and charter schools. The Department of Health and the climate change and health working group supported the measure, citing rising temperatures, heat-related illness risks during outdoor activities, and the value of wet bulb globe temperature standards. Finally, the committee heard HCR 188/HR 182, declaring climate change a public health emergency and calling for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Supporters from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the climate change and health working group, and a Native Hawaiian physician emphasized climate-related health harms such as heat illness, wildfire impacts, chronic disease, and inequities; one member opposed the measure as politicized and said it could dilute attention from other urgent problems. In decision-making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass HCR 96/HR 92, HCR 145/HR 139, and HCR 186/HR 179 as is. For HCR 188/HR 182, the committee recommended passage with amendments, specifically a House draft one for technical clarity, consistency, and style. During the vote on the climate emergency resolution, Representatives Elos and Garcia voted no, while the rest of the members present supported the recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They literally went the extra nautical mile to prevent burned, sunken vessels from polluting our ocean
• 35:44.320> sunken<00:35:44.800> vessels<00:35:45.200> from<00:35:45.440> polluting
• burned, sunken vessels from polluting burned, sunken vessels from polluting our<00:35:46.079>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm assistant commissioner with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the MPCA supports this bill
• But they're a source of pollution and is very expensive to also clean up because the current law does
• But they're a source of pollution and is very expensive to also clean up because the current law does
• So to become a registered collector, they need to apply to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and
• to apply to the Minnesota Pollution to apply to the Minnesota Pollution Control<00:51:13.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, last on our agenda, we are going to have the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• Then, last on our agenda, we are going to have the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• Then, last on our agenda, we are going to have the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• Then, last on our agenda, we are going to have the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• going to have the Minnesota Pollution going to have the Minnesota Pollution Control<01:09:18.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all