Video & Transcript : 'central counting center' :

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WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 30th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The department must also conduct and resume annual population counts of white-tailed deer in partnership
  • The department must conduct and resume annual population counts of white-tailed deer in partnership with
  • A report of population counts in annual deer season harvest reports must be published annually by March
  • And as this committee is well aware, we have a North-Central district. declining ungulate population.
  • The idea of some centralized command, if my previous comments are true, a more decentralized, flexible
Bills: HB2131 , HB2221 , HJM4009 , HB2619
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-30 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They shouldn't count because of the same reason that a false election by a notary public shouldn't count
  • There have been felony counts.
  • Then those petitions, if valid, would still be counted.
  • I'm thinking of like Carri Dodd Center in our area.
  • So what if that center said, we want to make sure, So what if that center said, we want to make sure
Summary: The Florida Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness for sexual assault survivors, a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and a memorial proclamation for former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. The chamber then moved to special-order bills, with senators also briefly discussing the session’s pace and thanking staff and colleagues for their work. The first major bill, on driving and boating offenses, was amended and passed 37-0. As amended, it increases penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide/vessel homicide offenses, and adds notice requirements and misdemeanor penalties for refusing lawful breath or urine tests. Senators also passed SB 306 on Medicaid providers 37-0, requiring Medicaid managed care plans to offer more after-hours and holiday access and ensuring more primary care appointment availability outside regular business hours. The Senate then passed a major condominium and cooperative associations bill, also 37-0, after extensive debate and multiple amendments. The measure extends deadlines for structural integrity reserve studies, adds flexibility for reserve funding and budgeting, tightens rules for managers and inspectors, limits certain requirements to buildings of three or more habitable stories, and extends the rescission period for condo purchases. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s sponsors for years of work responding to post-Surfside safety and affordability concerns. The longest and most contentious item was SB 7016/HB 1205 on constitutional amendment petition procedures. Sponsors said the bill responds to fraud and abuse in the citizen initiative process by tightening circulator rules, requiring faster submission of signed petitions, adding voter notification, increasing penalties, and shifting costs to sponsors. Opponents argued it would burden volunteers and make it harder for citizens to qualify initiatives. The chamber adopted a series of amendments, including changes to the petition-circulator threshold, volunteer protections, submission timing, invalid-signature investigation thresholds, and notice/cure provisions, while debate continued over whether the overall package would protect election integrity or suppress citizen-led amendments.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • And then, of course, Cheryl Hector, the chief financial officer from the University of Central Florida
  • Thank you for officer from the University of Central Florida. Thank you for being here.
  • We also have the Northwest Regional Data Center.
  • I think again. >> University of North Florida and central Florida into Florida.
  • those accounts because it could impact the bond ratings if it were to be viewed as the those the counts
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience Dec 3rd, 2025

Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience

Transcript Highlights:
  • , you know, what it takes to operate a data center.
  • or the efficiency. for new large loads such as data centers.
  • data centers.
  • by data centers, just five.
  • So we really did need a strong central organizer.
Summary: The Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience opened by electing Senator Shoemake as chair and Representative Alex Ibarra as vice chair. Members then moved into a series of work sessions focused on data centers, transmission, and workforce needs tied to Washington’s clean energy and grid planning challenges. Kate Bruns and Glenn Blackman presented preliminary findings from the governor’s Data Center work group, created under Executive Order 25-05. They said the group met for six months, received more than 1,000 public comments, and included representatives from agencies, industry, tribes, labor, utilities, environmental groups, and research institutions. The presenters emphasized that data centers are expected to be the largest source of load growth over the next five to ten years, creating concerns about grid capacity, ratepayer impacts, forecasting, water use, backup generation, and compatibility with Washington’s energy and climate laws. They described nine recommendations, including protecting existing energy and climate policy, improving forecasting, seeking more clean power and transmission, and encouraging flexible data center operations. A proposed tax incentive change that would have expanded eligibility while tying the exemption to new clean electricity sources narrowly failed in the work group. Members asked about tribal consultation, cooling technologies, and local benefits from data centers; the presenters said tribal consultation was ongoing and a final report would follow. Keegan Moyer of West Tech then outlined a regional transmission study showing major strain on the Western grid from load growth, electrification, resiliency needs, and limited transmission capacity. He said the 10-year study identified about 12,000 line miles of needed projects across the West, with roughly $56 billion in estimated costs, including planned projects, reliability upgrades, and new interregional transfer projects. He stressed that many projects are upgrades within existing rights-of-way, but new corridors are still needed, and he previewed recommendations on permitting, equipment procurement, cost allocation, and project sponsorship. In response to questions, he discussed the difficulty of crossing jurisdictional “seams,” the role of federal coordination, landowner compensation, eminent domain as a last resort, and the limited role of public financing beyond a federal GRIP grant. Stephanie Scott of Commerce presented the transmission workforce study, which focuses on substation technicians, line workers, and line clearance tree trimmers. She said current workforce levels are far below what will be needed under a clean energy expansion scenario, and that active projects are essential because apprenticeship training depends on thousands of hours of hands-on work. She highlighted barriers such as high upfront CDL and pre-apprenticeship costs, the need for wraparound supports, and the importance of expanding access for women, people of color, and tribal communities. Members asked about tribal utility apprenticeship programs, utility-run training pipelines, and whether the study included funding sources; Scott said the report would include an inventory of apprenticeship programs and tribal considerations, but revenue ideas were outside the study scope. Finally, Brant Johnson of Grid United described the North Plains Connector as a case study in large transmission development. He said the project, a 420-mile, 3,000-megawatt HVDC line connecting Montana and North Dakota, has relied on early stakeholder engagement, route changes, tribal consultation, and coordinated federal and state permitting to reduce risk and shorten timelines. He said the project aims for permits by the end of 2026 and construction beginning in 2028, with an earliest commercial operation date of 2032. In response to questions, he discussed the challenges of crossing regional seams, interconnection queues, land acquisition and compensation, eminent domain, and financing, noting that the project is primarily privately financed with a $700 million federal grant covering a portion of costs.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Benjamin Henderson with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, in support.
  • Marie Lou expressing support for Surfrider, Occidental Arts Center, and the Ecology Center.
  • Marie Lou expressing support for Surfrider, Occidental Arts Center, and the Ecology Center.
  • I represent South Central Los Angeles.
  • And yet, when they come home, that training and experience too often does not count in any meaningful
Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime wage costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, and other agricultural groups, argued that California’s ag overtime law has reduced take-home pay by limiting hours and that the credit would help employers continue offering overtime while putting more money back into workers’ paychecks. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the bill would subsidize employers for complying with the law, shift costs to taxpayers, and set a precedent for industry-specific carve-outs. The bill was held in subcommittee and taken up later when more members arrived. The committee then considered SB 1083, a follow-up to last year’s school employee misconduct database law. Senator Perez said the bill would add due process protections for classified school employees by requiring an administrative law judge review before placement in the statewide egregious misconduct database, require notice when an employee leaves during an investigation, and extend vetting to some contractors and non-permanent workers. Supporters, including the California School Employees Association and California Federation of Teachers, said the bill balances student safety with fairness for employees who could be wrongly accused. Opponents, including school business officials, joint powers authorities, administrators, and school employers, warned the bill could delay investigations, create conflicting timelines, and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved SB 1083 on a 3-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1089, authored by Senator Richardson, would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications for chronic weight management and direct CalRx to help make the drugs more affordable. The senator described the bill as a response to personal experience with coverage denials and high out-of-pocket costs, and said broader access could improve health outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The American Diabetes Association and other medical groups supported the measure, citing diabetes prevention and treatment benefits, while a pharmaceutical industry representative said there were still concerns but noted ongoing discussions. The committee passed SB 1089 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar. The committee next heard SB 954, which would revise last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing by narrowing the definition and adding environmental, tribal, labor, and community protections, including prevailing wage, skilled-and-trained workforce requirements, and review for projects near disadvantaged communities. Support came from labor unions, environmental groups, and community organizations, which said the bill would restore oversight and prevent harmful projects from bypassing CEQA. Business groups and chambers of commerce opposed, arguing the bill would make the exemption too restrictive, discourage investment, and worsen California’s manufacturing job losses. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1299, which would codify training and certification standards for fire sprinkler fitters after a court decision invalidated prior regulations on procedural grounds; the author and supporters said the bill is needed to protect public safety and ensure qualified installation of fire suppression systems.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Day 60 (4-15-26) - Part 1

Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That is central to what happens here. When that’s broken, it’s a problem.
  • </c> That is central to what happens here. That is central to what happens here.
  • I don't think that's ever been on the center of Marion's mind. He's here to serve the public.
  • </c> center of Marion's mind. center of Marion's mind.
  • from Green uh, Crock-Pot the center from Green uh, Crock-Pot Jane.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We've got a robust basic needs center. Undocumented students.
  • So we are providers organizing also at child care centers.
  • of our staff members at that worker center.
  • or to a detention center.
  • is technically a processing center.
Summary: The Select Committee on Latina Inequities met at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar, hosted by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez and joined by Assemblymember Mia Bonta. Rodriguez opened by framing the committee’s work around the economic status of Latinas and the effects of federal policies on the economy and social safety net, while the college president welcomed the committee and described campus services for undocumented and housing-insecure students. Rodriguez also emphasized the local impact of immigration enforcement in the San Fernando Valley and said the hearing would focus on Latinas’ economic conditions, immigration enforcement impacts on the workforce and safety, and H.R. 1’s effects on the safety net. The first panel featured HOPE’s Maria Morales and Dr. Elsa Macias, who presented findings from HOPE’s National Economic Status of Latinas report. They said Latinas are a major and growing part of California’s population and workforce, but face persistent inequities, including a large wage gap, higher unemployment, high uninsured rates, student debt, and affordability pressures around child care, housing, and education. They also discussed entrepreneurship, noting both the growth of Latina-owned businesses and barriers such as limited access to capital, technical assistance, and retirement and health coverage. In response to committee questions, they said higher education can still offer a strong return on investment, but only if students can complete degrees without being overwhelmed by debt and care costs; they also pointed to policy solutions such as SB 642, mentorship, financial literacy, CalSavers access, and support for community development financial institutions. The second panel focused on immigration enforcement and Latina safety in the workforce. Luis Nolasco of the ACLU described arrests tied to apparent ethnicity and Spanish-speaking, the chilling effect on families, and the loss of wages, school attendance, and mobility. Dr. Amada Armenta said immigration enforcement harms California’s economy, public health, and mixed-status families, and noted that undocumented workers are concentrated in agriculture, construction, and child care. SEIU’s Jen Baca Beltran said raids and school-based enforcement traumatize children and families and highlighted the need for Know Your Rights trainings. Megan Ortiz of IDEPSCA described repeated Border Patrol raids on day labor centers, injuries to staff, and the need to protect worker centers, domestic workers, and street vendors. Inclusive Action’s Shannon Camacho said raids have forced many informal workers to stop working, prompted emergency cash assistance and rent relief efforts, and strengthened advocacy for vendor protections and CDFI support. CHIRLA’s Jeanette Zanipatine said the rapid response network has expanded, documented widespread arrests and detention conditions, and is providing direct support and legal referrals; committee members asked about detention, maternal health, and what the state can do, and panelists urged stronger oversight, more legal representation, and protections for pregnant and detained people.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/6/26 - Part 2

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And Kids need protection in community centers.
  • Kids need protection in community centers.
  • If it checks out, the ballot is counted.
  • There would be a very good reason why it wasn't counted.
  • If the checks out the ballot is counted.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Higher Education Institutions Committee Jun 19th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Higher Education Institutions Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • As we grow, our partnerships, the Fargo Jet Center has been awesome, just awesome to work with.
  • The Fargo Jet Center has been awesome, just awesome to work with and very supportive.
  • It's not just about having a simulation center.
  • Most of those are overlapped, and they're counted for high school credit and also counted for college
  • The Heckner Student Center. It's the main student union over there. Heckner Student Center.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Aug 21st, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Service can come in varied forms such as your on-site school kitchens. some central kitchens like APS
  • Some districts, including Albuquerque, use a central or shared kitchen between multiple schools.
  • Albuquerque Public Schools produces their food at a central kitchen.
  • Center construction project at Western New Mexico University and the status of those funds.
  • Out of a veteran center. We build these big, beautiful buildings, and nothing ever happens.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 03/26/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> Minnetonka's community Wellness Center. Minnetonka's community Wellness Center.
  • </c> community center. community center.
  • </c> for the community center. for the community center.
  • The Runestone Community Center has served as a regional hub for West Central Minnesota since it opened
  • </c> 10 counties in West Central Minnesota. 10 counties in West Central Minnesota.
Committee: Senate Taxes
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, February 2, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • would also include increasing oversight and transparency of the VR program by implementing a call center
  • All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted
  • ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE AYES AND NAYS WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED
  • All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted
  • I WILL NEVER STOP BEING A CHAMPION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES Of South and Central New Jersey.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Transportation - 03/17/25

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Last year, the Office of Traffic Safety launched the Road Safety Information Center.
  • It looks like you showed the head count as well, which was significantly less.
  • It looks like you showed the head count as well, which was significantly less.
  • It looks like you showed the head count as well, which was significantly less.
  • </c><01:10:14.040><c> my</c> receiving 105 to minor Center my receiving 105 to minor Center my calculation
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, February 9, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> standing until counted. standing until counted.
  • Speaker, I rise today to recognize the UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers in North Central Pennsylvania.
  • The three North Central Pennsylvania cancer centers see almost 40,000 patients a year and serve communities
  • The three North Central Pennsylvania cancer centers see almost 40,000 patients a year and serve communities
  • > centers</c><07:16:29.600><c> see</c> Central Pennsylvania cancer centers see Central Pennsylvania cancer
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Postsecondary Oct 15th, 2025

Education Postsecondary

Transcript Highlights:
  • We will next have President Cartwright from the University of Central Florida.
  • We will next have President Cartwright from the University of Central Florida.
  • Dixon Career Development Center.
  • Dixon Career Development Center.
  • It counts as an elective credit for the students.
Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary held an informational hearing focused on how Florida’s public colleges and universities are aligning bachelor’s degree programs with workforce needs and improving student outcomes. Chancellor Kathy Hebda described Florida College System enrollment growth, the state college system’s workforce-oriented bachelor’s degrees, approval and accountability processes for those programs, and outcomes data showing strong completion and wage results, especially in health care. Emily Sykes of the Board of Governors outlined the State University System’s program review practices, performance-based funding metrics, strategic emphasis programs, and the MyFloridaFuture tool that lets students compare earnings, debt, and employment outcomes by major and institution. University and college leaders then described campus-level workforce initiatives. Florida Gulf Coast University highlighted employer-driven microcredentials, digital badges, internships, career fairs, service learning, and partnerships with regional employers. UCF discussed its career navigator requirements, major industry partnerships such as Lockheed Martin, nursing and faculty career-integration efforts, and a centralized career development center. Northwest Florida State College and the University of West Florida emphasized their bachelor’s programs, transfer pathways, teacher and nursing outcomes, military and defense-related workforce pipelines, cybersecurity training, and stackable credentials tied to regional labor needs. During member questions, senators asked how microcredentials and military experience translate into college credit, whether credentials transfer across institutions, and what legislators can do to help. Witnesses said the state’s common course and articulation systems already support transfer, and they encouraged continued legislative support for innovation, faster curriculum alignment, internships, and specialized transfer degrees. No bills were voted on, and the meeting ended with no public comment and an adjournment motion adopted.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 099 Apr 23rd, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , High Country Conservation Center, Western Resilience Center, and Colorado Communities for Climate Action
  • , High Country Conservation Center, Western Resilience Center, and Colorado Communities for Climate Action
  • Center, Western Resilience Center, and Center, Western Resilience Center, and Colorado<00:41:14.240><
  • </c><01:04:36.880><c> City</c><01:04:37.119><c> and</c> in Blackhawk Central City and in Blackhawk Central
  • </c><01:11:09.920><c> for</c><01:11:10.080><c> third</c> order gross place count for third order gross
Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received several committee reports and House messages. Committee reports advanced a number of bills and appointments, including Senate Bill 163, House Bill 1320, Senate Bill 160, House Bill 1210, and several board and commission appointments recommended for the consent calendar. The chamber also received House action on multiple bills, including concurrence in Senate amendments to House Bills 1239, 1262, and 1110, a request for a conference committee on House Bill 1084, and transmission of several other measures to the Revisor of Statutes. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 22, designating July 12-18, 2026, as Plastic Pollution Awareness Week. Senator Cutter spoke in support, arguing that plastic pollution harms environmental and human health, disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, and cannot be solved by recycling alone. The resolution was adopted on a 25-9 vote, with several senators recorded in opposition, and co-sponsors were noted. The chamber also recognized guests from the Colorado Society of Enrolled Agents and the National Association of Tax Professionals, as well as visitors from the Colorado School of Mines and former Senator John Evans. Later, the Senate considered special orders on the consent calendar, including House Bills 103, 1026, and 1051, and adopted the committee reports and the bills. House Bill 1026 was amended and House Bill 1051 was advanced to third reading and final passage. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 117, concerning permissible methods for the sale of lottery tickets. Senator Bridges explained that the bill was intended to respond to lottery rules allowing online sales and credit card purchases, but said the measure had been narrowed in committee and then raised constitutional concerns under Colorado’s prohibition on slot machines outside limited gaming areas. The transcript ends during that debate, before final action on Senate Bill 117 is shown.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Committee Jun 3rd, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • As a result, many of our families living at or near poverty aren't counted in the current formula and
  • and triple counting.
  • Now, that process took like a decade plus, depending on how you count, maybe two decades.
  • So... ...took like a decade plus, depending on how you count, maybe two decades.
  • Maria Madrill Hernandez with Central Valley Movement Building Organizing Institute in support.
Committee: Senate Education
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm a lifelong resident of the Central Valley.
  • Selik, on behalf of the American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation and Napa River and Colony Center
  • , and Central California Environmental Justice Network, in support.
  • Oh, what does that count back? Look at that.
  • Our remaining concern is about what feedstocks are allowed to count and are eligible to generate that
Summary: The committee heard several natural resources bills focused on wildfire resilience, recycling, forest management, and organic waste diversion. AB 442 would remove a requirement that a harvest area be limited to a single watershed for working forest management plans; the author and supporters from the California Forestry Association and Pacific Forest Trust said it would reduce barriers to forest resiliency work, and there was no opposition. AB 623 would require state agencies to report on the use of CEQA and Coastal Act suspensions for wildfire and fuel-management projects after the governor’s emergency proclamation; the author said the bill would provide data on how well the suspensions are working, and it drew support with no opposition. AB 35 would exempt Proposition 4-funded programs from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed implementation of climate, water, wildfire, and environmental projects; the author and a large coalition of local governments, water agencies, conservation groups, and fire organizations argued the exemption would help get funds out faster, while no opposition was present. The committee also discussed AB 3333, which would create a market-development payment to support end users of non-container glass, such as ground glass pozzolan used in cement, in order to divert glass from landfills and reduce carbon emissions. Supporters said the bill would create a productive use for hard-to-recover glass, while opponents from the Glass Packaging Institute, Californians Against Waste, and waste management interests argued it would divert beverage container recycling funds away from the bottle-to-bottle system and could undermine existing recycling investments and recycled-content goals. Members raised questions about the fund’s revenue sources, the purpose of the beverage container recycling program, and whether the bill would amount to “downcycling”; despite those concerns, the bill advanced on a due-pass-as-amended recommendation, with members noting fiscal and policy issues for further work. AB 643 would allow certain diverted organic material used as a beneficial agricultural amendment, including CDFA-licensed fertilizer products made from biosolids, to count toward SB 1383 recovered organic waste procurement targets. Supporters from wastewater agencies and Clean Water SoCal said the change would expand options for meeting procurement requirements and help move biosolids out of landfills, while Californians Against Waste and other opponents argued the bill could expand procurement credit beyond SB 1383’s original intent and weaken investments in composting infrastructure. Committee members questioned what kinds of biosolids would qualify, how the procurement credit would work, and whether the bill could be narrowed to historically landfilled materials; the author said she would continue working with opponents and wait for CalRecycle technical assistance. The committee adopted the bills’ amendments and passed AB 35 with urgency, AB 3333, AB 442, AB 623, and AB 643 to Appropriations, and also approved consent-calendar AB 946. After roll calls, all of the measures were reported out of committee, and the hearing adjourned.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Criminal Justice Mar 18th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • providing or selling books that are harmful to minors are stories receive grants from NASA Learning Center
  • A central pillar here in this legislation goes back to the concept of the Mueller test, which we've been
  • In a more semantics since this would necessitate the double counting of aggravating factors, which is
  • I counted as a double double aggravating factor. I'm not an attorney, but I you shall live on.
  • In central Florida.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EEP Public Hearing - Thu Feb 6, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • First up to testify, we have Debet in support, Energy Office, Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation
  • have debet<00:11:03.720><c> in</c><00:11:04.240><c> support</c><00:11:05.240><c> energy</c> Hawaii Center
  • </c><00:33:46.679><c> Maui</c> you know collocated uh at Central Maui you know collocated uh at Central
  • for<00:46:18.000><c> animal</c><00:46:18.280><c> feed</c><00:46:18.520><c> to</c><00:46:18.640><c> count
  • </c><00:46:18.880><c> towards</c> for animal feed to count towards for animal feed to count towards compliance
Summary: The Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on a series of energy, transportation, climate, and waste bills. HB 977 would provide additional funding to the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority for low-interest financing of rooftop solar and storage for underserved ratepayers; HB 1295 would require state and county agencies to use federal energy tax credits; HB 1051 concerns energy efficiency portfolio standards; HB 1019 addresses long-duration clean energy storage; HB 344 concerns EV charging infrastructure at state facilities; HB 733 would change EV parking requirements; HB 242 creates a working group on EV battery reuse and recycling; HB 1022 expands access to energy industry information reporting; HB 1017 repeals the greenhouse gas sequestration task force; HB 787 asks for a feasibility study on a Buy Clean program; and HB 751 sets composting goals. Testimony was largely supportive across the bills, with some agencies standing on written testimony or offering comments, and a few measures drawing opposition or concerns, including HB 751 from county agencies and HB 242 from Redwood Materials requesting inclusion of a specialized battery recycler on the working group. Members asked several questions, including about EV charging siting, whether bike parking and showers should be considered in EV facility planning, how often EV charging stalls are relocated to other sites, and whether Hawaiʻi has in-state capacity to prepare EV batteries for shipping and recycling. On HB 751, the committee discussed county diversion rates and Maui’s composting capacity, with the Department of Health noting Maui’s diversion decline was tied to closure of the EKO co-composting facility at Central Maui landfill and that reestablishment was planned. On HB 242, Redwood Materials explained it handles lithium-ion batteries, including work related to the Maui wildfire response, and said a full in-state recycling chain is unlikely, though local facilities can safely prepare batteries for shipment. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass all of the measures with amendments. For HB 977, the committee noted a recommended appropriation of $50 million and made technical amendments. HB 1295, HB 1051, HB 1019, HB 344, HB 733, HB 242, HB 1022, HB 1017, and HB 787 were all advanced with technical or substantive amendments, including changes to dates, appropriations, and working group membership. For HB 344, the committee accepted DAGS’s suggestion to make HSEO the expending entity and adjusted the appropriation to one year. For HB 242, the committee added a battery storage industry member, included stationary storage as a consideration, and extended the reporting date to 2027. HB 787 was advanced with a request that the Climate Commission and State Procurement Office work together on more specific amendments if the bill continues moving forward.