Video & Transcript Research : 'nonpoint source pollution'
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NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Sep 23rd, 2025
Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- and in other slides you will see what are the funding mechanisms that are giving us the necessary sources
- a risk perspective: what are the top-level risks that we are trying to address using the funding sources
- So, we're actually recovering a lot of those nutrients and preventing environmental pollution in the
- It's a source of information that our producers take back to the ranch to continue to improve on their
- This has been a source of some discussion because right now you Utilities like to, basically, one of
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/10/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- in the mid-90s, we were all trying to promote, or most of us trying to promote, alternative fuel sources
- I mean, gas vehicles are doing a lot of air pollution.
- We spend a lot of money ameliorating air pollution.
- Without dedicated funding for this program, it would have to come from some other sources in the department
Bills:
SB1072, SB1111, SB1114, SB1116, SB1122, SB1179, SB1250, SB1308, SB1455, SB1456, SB1457, SB1487, SB1547, SB1549, SB1551, SB1552
Keywords:
reimbursement rates, intellectual disabilities, community services, economic security, funding appropriations, automated license plate readers, law enforcement, privacy, data access, public records, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare
Summary:
The committee first approved the February 3, 2026 minutes and reordered the agenda to accommodate sponsors and speakers. SB 1114, which would appropriate $1 million to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to investigate behavioral health patient brokering statewide, was presented as a response to Medicaid fraud and exploitation of vulnerable Native American patients. After brief questions about why Maricopa County would handle statewide oversight, the bill received a do pass recommendation on a 9-0 vote with one member not voting.
The committee then took up SB 1111, as amended by a strike-everything amendment regulating automated license plate readers. The amendment limited use to specified law enforcement purposes, required verification of alerts when feasible, imposed data-retention and handling responsibilities on agencies, and created a misdemeanor penalty for unauthorized release of data. Supporters from Phoenix, Tempe, Prescott Valley, the Arizona Chiefs of Police, and the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association argued the bill provides needed statewide guardrails while preserving a valuable investigative tool for missing persons, stolen vehicles, and serious crimes. Opponents from the ACLU, Institute for Justice, and private citizens raised privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns, warning about dragnet surveillance, unclear terms like “legitimate” law enforcement purposes, lack of public access to records, and the risk of misuse for immigration or abortion-related tracking. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 1111 as amended a do pass recommendation on a 7-2 vote, with one not voting.
Next, SB 1116, as amended, was approved. The bill requires appeals or adverse determinations on behavioral health claims under AHCCCS fee-for-service to be reviewed by someone with relevant clinical experience, and the amendment broadened the requirement to include medical-necessity denials and specified at least two years of similar clinical experience. Senator Werner said the measure was intended to curb inappropriate denials and improve payment for behavioral health providers serving Native communities. Access was neutral but said the bill’s terms were too broad and could require additional staff; the committee nonetheless adopted the amendment and passed the bill 10-0.
Finally, SB 1122, as amended, was approved 10-0. The bill bars AHCCCS from requiring prior authorization for behavioral health services under the American Indian Health Plan, while the amendment prohibited 100% prepayment review and adjusted the corrective-action language. Senator Werner and provider representatives said the measure was needed because providers were being delayed or denied payment, contributing to closures, workforce shortages, and patient brokering. The committee then began hearing SB 1072, a major appropriation to increase reimbursement rates for home- and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with testimony focused on severe caregiver shortages, overtime costs, and unassigned service authorizations.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Meanwhile, subsidies have been shoveled into wind and solar, despite these intermittent sources being
- GRID OPERATORS WHO KNOW THE DANGER OF RELYING TOO HEAVILY ON INTERMITTENT SOURCES.
- Whereas the first police report provided to NBC 4 Washington by a source and confirmed by a second source
- The program is one of the largest sources of human trafficking in the United States.
- THE PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE LARGEST SOURCES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN THE UNITED STATES.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/18/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regarding the prevention of water pollution
- it, and they're concerned about, and generation is part of it, they're concerned about noise, air pollution
- They're concerned about noise, air pollution, all kinds of things.
Keywords:
AHCCCS, lactation care, breastfeeding, health services, healthcare access, HB2324, fire code, fire marshal, state fire marshal, municipalities, cities and towns, county-owned buildings, county buildings, intergovernmental agreement, IGA, fire inspection, occupancy certificate, building inventory, local government, county government
Summary:
The Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency approved the March 11, 2026 minutes and then heard several bills. HB 2686, a patient-protection measure for outpatient surgical facilities, would require surgeons to file and update a call-coverage plan for hospital complications; the sponsor said it would improve continuity of care and reduce emergency room confusion, and the committee recommended it do pass. HB 2051 would require AHCCCS contractors, subject to CMS approval, to cover breastfeeding and lactation services in multiple settings; supporters described it as a maternal and infant health measure, AHCCCS was neutral and noted a projected state cost of about $1.8 million, and the bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 6-0 vote with one member not voting.
The committee also approved HB 2837, which requires compensation disclosure for testimony or written comments in municipal zoning matters and requires certain municipal board members or hearing officers to disclose and recuse for recent conflicts involving entities they served; the sponsor framed it as a transparency and conflict-of-interest bill, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2875, concerning commercial drone delivery systems, was amended to allow local regulation of drone facilities near medium and large hub airports within a 2.5-mile buffer and to require consultation with airports; Zipline and industry groups supported the measure as providing regulatory clarity, and the committee adopted the amendment and recommended the bill do pass.
HB 2324 would let cities with their own fire codes, through an intergovernmental agreement, have city fire inspectors enforce those codes on county-owned buildings in city limits when state enforcement is burdensome; county and fire officials said it would resolve jurisdictional confusion, and the bill passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2439 would exempt single-user public or semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ spa rules, and an amendment removed ADEQ rulemaking authority; county health representatives said the change would reduce confusion, but one member raised public-health concerns, and the amended bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. HB 2457 would allow utilities to bypass the certificate of environmental compatibility process for new plants co-located with large electricity users after notice and a public comment session; the Sierra Club opposed it as reducing public review, while supporters said it preserved some local input and improved efficiency, and it passed 4-2 with one not voting. Finally, HB 2953 would cap certain nondisciplinary and civil penalties imposed by the Board of Pharmacy at $25,000 and allow lower penalties based on prior activity; a supporter said it matched limits used in other regulatory contexts, and the committee recommended it do pass unanimously.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences Aug 6th, 2025
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences
Transcript Highlights:
- The legislature directed us to look at four pollutants and set targets for each of them, including carbon
- The preference met the target reduction for nitrogen dioxide, but not for the three other pollutants.
- The preference met the target reduction for nitrogen dioxide, but not for the three other pollutants.
Summary:
The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on August 6, 2025, with five commissioners present and a quorum. The commission approved the May 7, 2025 meeting minutes and welcomed new commissioner Scott Edwards, who introduced himself. Staff also confirmed the September meeting date had been changed to September 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. to accommodate his schedule, and noted that testimony questions for the public hearing would be used at that meeting.
JLARC staff then presented preliminary 2025 tax preference performance reviews covering nine preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but do not meet emissions-reduction goals, and recommended continuing the public utility tax and natural gas use tax exemptions while modifying reporting requirements; they also recommended continuing the marine-use LNG sales tax exemption and considering the Department of Revenue work group’s findings. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the small-beneficiary rate appears to support smaller firms, while the larger-beneficiary rate should be reviewed and both should have clearer objectives and metrics. For nonprofit low-income housing development, staff said the preference is helping produce housing but the current metric does not align well with the objective, data/reporting problems remain, and the legislature should decide whether to continue and possibly modify the exemption, including considering annual renewal.
Staff also reviewed the multipurpose senior citizen centers exemption, concluding it meets its objective and recommending continuation, with possible consideration of making it permanent. For disabled veteran adapted housing, staff said the preference has very low uptake despite eligible veterans and recommended continuing it but modifying it in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve use. For trade convention attendance, staff said the preference aligns Washington with other states and recommended continuation. For agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, staff said the exemption reduces tax layering and recommended continuation, with clarification on whether it is exempt from expiration/performance-statement requirements. For agricultural crop protection products, staff said the preference met its revenue-growth metric and recommended extending it while considering better metrics or recategorizing it as tax relief. Finally, for energy sales to a silicon smelter, staff said the preferences were unused because the facility was never built and recommended allowing them to expire. The meeting ended with reminders about written testimony and the September public testimony session.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 1443, noise pollution, environmental nuisances. Government.
- SB 1443, noise pollution, environmental nuisances. Government.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then confirmed a quorum of 30 present and approved the Journal from January 27, 2026. Several senators used points of personal privilege to welcome guests, including Aliento students visiting for an education day, gun safety advocacy groups, constituents, a legal studies shadowing guest, a scientist from Tempe, and aging-services advocates. Senators also spoke in support of student walkouts protesting ICE activity and praised the students’ activism.
The chamber then moved through the second reading calendar, listing a large number of bills and resolutions covering topics such as water policy, health care, public records, education, insurance, elections, housing, utilities, criminal justice, and appropriations. No floor debate or votes on those measures were recorded in the transcript, and committee reports were placed on the journal without being read.
After a recess, the Senate took up first-reading introductions and referred additional bills to committees, including measures on public benefits eligibility, public safety counseling, missing kidnapped children reporting, solar energy, elections, firearms instruction in schools, HOA and condominium issues, housing restrictions, water quality testing, and cargo theft. The Health and Human Services Committee was announced to meet Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in Senate Hearing Room 2, and the Senate adjourned until Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 10 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Jul 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- name is Domingo Ramirez, commenting on behalf of Eric Guerra, chair of the Sacramento Valley Air Pollution
- Air Pollution Control Council and California Air Resources Board member in support of SB 88, Caballero
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 2, 2025, to consider 25 bills. After opening remarks and quorum, the committee approved a consent calendar of unanimously supported measures, including several Senate bills and committee bills, and then moved to individual items. SB 391, which would authorize the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge reasonable fees for data requests from research partners, drew support from the author and the California Teachers Association, which withdrew its opposition after amendments; the bill passed on a roll call. SB 251, an annual appropriations bill to pay three state claims totaling a little over $1.2 million, was supported by the Attorney General’s office and the Department of Finance and also passed.
The committee then deemed the suspense calendar approved, covering SBs 748, 329, 388, 439, 458, 454, and 563, and took public comment on suspense-file bills. Commenters voiced support for SB 88 on biomass and SB 80. The committee next heard SB 477, which would clarify the Fair Employment and Housing Act to help the Civil Rights Department investigate and prosecute discrimination and harassment cases more efficiently; the author described changes to deadlines, complaint definitions, and venue rules, and the bill passed. SB 831, which updates the definition of geological hazards to reflect climate-change-related risks and clarify the California Geological Survey’s duties, received support from industry and passed without recorded opposition.
Finally, SB 450, which clarifies California’s jurisdiction over adoption proceedings, including confirmatory adoptions for families who have moved out of state and requires all legal parents to be listed on adoption orders, was presented with support from Equality California and related groups. The bill was described as having no significant state cost and passed on a roll call. Several measures were approved with Republicans not voting, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Transportation Committee Jul 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- These programs not only reduce greenhouse emissions, including carbon capture, air and water pollution
- There are ongoing conversations about revenue sources. They're all complicated. Every single one.
- Conversations about revenue sources, they're all complicated.
- As I just mentioned, there are serious pros and cons to every single revenue source, and so we just,
- And so I'm just, I'm trying to look at all of these different sources of revenues and make sure...
Summary:
The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 86, which would extend and expand the CAEATFA sales and use tax exclusion program through 2031, raise the annual cap from $100 million to $200 million, and add fusion energy. Supporters, including the State Treasurer and industry and labor representatives, cited billions in clean-tech investment, job creation, and environmental benefits; county groups opposed the bill over local revenue losses. The committee approved SB 86 on a 12-0 roll, holding the roll open for additional members.
The committee then heard SB 545, which would require Go-Biz to study economic development opportunities along the California high-speed rail corridor, including land value, development incentives, and public-private partnerships. Labor, Fresno’s mayor’s office, and other stakeholders supported the bill as a way to spur corridor development and future funding opportunities, while one business group moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. The bill passed on a 9-1 vote, with the roll held open.
Members next considered SB 63, a Bay Area transit funding measure authorizing a regional revenue measure to support transit operations amid looming fiscal shortfalls. The author and witnesses described severe service cuts that could follow without new funding, while committee members raised concerns about the bill’s structure, county participation, polling, and whether other revenue options should be considered. The bill advanced on a 9-3 vote, with the roll held open, and the committee also approved SB 263, directing a state study of tariff impacts on California’s economy and supply chains, on an 11-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 661, which would redirect aviation-related tax revenues back to airports for aviation purposes and bring the state into compliance with federal requirements; testimony focused on airport modernization, rural access, and allocation formulas, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Jun 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The staff at the Pueblo have been working tirelessly to secure funding from different sources in order
- within that compact, we've been able to to purchase two wildfire engines that, um, is our primary source
- Um, or, or what are you talking about when you talk about abundant renewable sources?
- reason why I ask Madam Chair, the reason why I'm asking this is because water is not an abundant source
- it's a tax credit at the front end, whether it's a tax credit when you file your taxes, any fuel source
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Mar 14, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 32
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- great deal of traffic because of the military at NCTOS, so this traffic consideration has been a source
- great deal of traffic because of the military at NCTOS, so this traffic consideration has been a source
- great deal of traffic because of the military at NCTOS, so this traffic consideration has been a source
- great deal of traffic because of the military at NCTOS, so this traffic consideration has been a source
- <00:47:56.000>
of consideration has been a source of consideration has been a source of objection
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus Transportation Bill - 06/06/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 32.800>
funding financial information on each funding financial information on each funding source - long-term transit investment plans and partnerships with community when we can't rely on a stable source
- When we secured long-term pollution.
- So you're taking half away from one of many sources that are flowing to metropolitan counties for their
- many sources from one of many sources many sources from one of many sources that<02:45:32.319>
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee May 14th, 2026
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 2447, Bauer-Kahan, nitrogen pollution, holding committee.
- AB 1777, Garcia, indirect source rule authority, do pass out on a B roll call.
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 14, 2026 suspense-file hearing and considered 637 Assembly bills, plus several committee bills and one Senate bill. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors guiding decisions: fiscal impact, return on investment, avoiding added costs to constituents, and protecting the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online.
The committee then took action on a very large number of measures, with many bills receiving do pass or do pass as amended recommendations and many others held in committee. Topics covered a wide range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, public safety, labor, environmental regulation, wildfire mitigation, water, transportation, cannabis, AI, and state governance. Several bills were amended to reduce costs, narrow scope, remove provisions, or make them contingent on appropriations or existing resources; some were advanced on A or B roll calls, while others were held.
Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, child care, school and higher education programs, wildfire and fire safety, housing financing, and various criminal justice and public safety measures. It also moved forward a number of bills related to tribal issues, consumer protections, energy and utility policy, and environmental programs. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved a large number of bills to the Assembly floor and adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 30th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Restaurants should know from where they are sourcing their shrimp, either domestic or imported, but in
- assuming or thinking that the farm-raised shrimp, that's American shrimp, does not have the same pollutants
Bills:
HB1958, HB2031, HB2879, HB3285, HB3995, HB4487, HB4558, HB4560, HB4876, HB4899, HB5212, HB5317, HB5543, HB5567, SB1333
Keywords:
firearm possession, tenant rights, landlord regulations, civil penalties, property code, justified use of force, deadly force, property rights, home defense, smart devices, data privacy, personal data collection, user consent, mobile application, data transparency, HOA, property owners association, property owners' association, Texas Property Code, Chapter 202
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine constructing the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill, focusing on United States Secretary of Transportation's perspective. Apr 2nd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Environment and Public Works Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- To expedite rebuilding, we found creative ways to source materials closer to the job site, saving taxpayers
- for Yuba County, Plumas Lake Boulevard, NFHWA. $102 million for Caltrans, $56 million for SJV, Air Pollution
Keywords:
surface transportation, infrastructure reauthorization, bipartisan collaboration, safety, federal programs, funding challenges, bureaucracy, transportation needs, critical projects, public testimony
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on the development of the next surface transportation reauthorization bill. Discussions centered around key principles aimed at improving the safety and reliability of the transportation network, reforming federal programs for efficiency, and addressing the diverse transportation needs across various states. Members emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration to streamline processes, eliminate bureaucratic delays, and ensure timely funding for critical infrastructure projects. There were also notable conversations about specific projects and funding challenges, reflecting the urgency for action and commitment to modernizing America's infrastructure.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Governmental Organization Committee Jun 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- They're exposed to twice as much air pollution, ...neighborhoods experience more extreme heat.
- They're exposed to twice as much air pollution, and residents in Latino neighborhoods have twice as many
Summary:
The Assembly Governmental Organizations Committee met on June 25, 2025, with a quorum present and several members substituting for absent colleagues. The committee first approved a consent calendar of several Senate bills, sending them to Appropriations on a due-pass recommendation. Members then heard SB 702 by Senator Limon, which would expand transparency reporting for statewide and legislative appointments to boards and commissions. The sponsor and supporters from HOPE and other advocacy and civil rights organizations argued the bill would improve accountability, representation, and public trust; committee members broadly praised the effort and many asked to be added as coauthors.
SB 702 passed the committee on a unanimous roll call, with members voting aye and the bill sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The committee then heard SB 388 by Senator Padilla, which would establish a California Latino Commission to study and advocate on issues affecting Latino Californians, including education, housing, health, economic mobility, and related disparities. Senator Padilla and supporters cited data on poverty, educational attainment, climate and health impacts, housing overcrowding, and the Latina pay gap, while members emphasized the bill’s importance amid current attacks on immigrant communities and the need to address homeownership and generational wealth.
SB 388 also received strong support and was approved on a 20-1 vote, with one no vote from Assembly Member Sanchez, and was sent to Appropriations. After the final roll calls and opening the roll for absent members, the committee adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (05/13/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- that<00:50:47.920>
add <00:50:48.160>to <00:50:48.400>the <00:50:48.640>pollution - <00:50:49.720>
the <00:50:50.720>is <00:50:50.960>the that add to the pollution - the is the that add to the pollution the is the threat<00:50:52.319>
of <00:50:52.640>pollution - <00:50:53.280>
greater <00:50:53.760>even <00:50:54.000>if threat of pollution - greater even if threat of pollution greater even if you're<00:50:54.400>
not <00:50:54.640>
Summary:
The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on a non-germane amendment to SB 302, a Senate bill originally requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Representative Patenza explained that the amendment was intended to preserve and separate out language developed for the governor’s budget proposal and HB 2 concerning a solid waste facility site evaluation committee, a moratorium, and related public-benefit/site-benefit provisions, so the policy would still have a vehicle if the budget language did not advance. He said the proposal reflects extensive work by the House, the governor’s office, and DES, and he was open to further changes to align with any budget conference committee outcome.
Dr. Adam Finkele testified in support of the amendment and the underlying site evaluation concept, arguing that landfill siting decisions should be based on cost-benefit analysis that includes public harms, local impacts, and regional impacts rather than only private benefits. He praised the committee process and prior legislation requiring agencies to respond substantively to public comments, and said the new language improves on the governor’s version by moving the committee’s review earlier in the process and requiring more complete application information, including alternatives and impacts on nearby wells and aquifers. He also supported a three-year moratorium on new landfill applications, saying it would give the state time to address leachate, PFAS, waste reduction, and weak siting rules.
Members asked about possible conference committee changes, the value of having a separate review body, and whether the new rules would invite litigation. Dr. Finkele said he would likely sue over the rules because he считает them too weak, but also said the legislature could fix the problems through other bills such as HB 77. He acknowledged that the site evaluation committee is not a perfect solution, but said it is a useful intermediate step between the agency and the courts and likely would meet only rarely if capacity need remains the main trigger for future landfill decisions. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:06.799>
the <00:04:06.959>best <00:04:07.519>funding <00:04:07.920>source - <00:04:08.959>
This body about the best funding source. - This body about the best funding source.
- a homegrown source of energy here<00:04:32.160>
in <00:04:32.400>Minnesota. - have gas as one of their primary sources have gas as one of their primary sources and<01:07:46.559
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy. (2-25-26)
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- already developed a diagnosable disease directly traceable to the particular exposure level of a pollutant
- already developed a diagnosable disease directly traceable to the particular exposure level of a pollutant
- to the particular exposure level<00:22:51.760>
of <00:22:51.880>a <00:22:51.960>pollutant - This replaces the level of a pollutant.
- If you widen your gaze for a second, you think about these examples of where we're seeing pollutants
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 02:38
SB 178 Discussion 03:36
SB 178 Roll Call Vote 43:10
SCR 66 Discussion 47:55
SCR 66 Roll Call Vote 53:48, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up Senate Bill 178 by Senator Greg Elkins. Supporters, including representatives of the U.S. Chamber, Kentucky Chamber, Kentucky Chemistry Council, and Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, said the bill would require state environmental regulations to rely on the best available science, align with federal standards when applicable, and use technologically achievable requirements. They argued it would improve predictability for businesses, promote national uniformity, and increase public confidence in regulatory decisions. Senator Elkins and supporters also said the bill is aimed at several environmental and public health areas, including emergency response, solid waste, water quality, radiation/NORM, environmental permitting, and coal-related regulation.
Committee members asked questions about what “best available science” means and whether the bill duplicates existing law. Supporters responded that it means reliable, unbiased, peer-reviewed, scientifically sound studies and that the bill is intended to reduce political influence in regulatory decisions. They also said similar measures had passed in Tennessee and Alabama. Some senators expressed concern that science is already political and asked for clarification on the bill’s scope.
Opponents, including Audrey Ernsberger of the Kentucky Resources Council, research scientist Erin Haynes, and attorney Katherine Harcourt Rice, argued that SB 178 would sharply limit Kentucky’s ability to protect public health and the environment. They said the bill would prevent agencies from adopting stronger protections than federal minimums, create ambiguity and regulatory paralysis, and impose an overly restrictive scientific standard. They also objected to language requiring a direct causal link and manifest bodily harm, saying it would force agencies to wait until people are already sick before acting. Harcourt Rice argued the bill is duplicative of existing law and evidentiary rules. No final vote or other action on SB 178 was taken in the portion provided.
US
Transcript Highlights:
- like is that what's being done here is that the environmental cops are being cleaned out so that polluters
- have way more ability to push the Department of Justice and to get away with pollution.
- there is a continuing robust effort to do that. to following the law to the extent that that there's polluters
- leave, what it looks like is that the doors have been opened at the Department of Justice. for big polluters
- to be able to come through and pollute without consequence because the cops who stand on that beat have
Keywords:
nominations, Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Todd Blanch, Gail Slater, confirmation hearing
Summary:
The meeting focused on the nominations of Todd Blanch and Gail Slater for the positions of Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, respectively. The committee considered the qualifications of both nominees, with opening statements provided by the nominees themselves. There was an evident emphasis on the rigorous vetting process that nominees undergo before their selection, highlighting the importance of the roles within the Department of Justice. Members of the committee engaged in a structured question-and-answer session to further evaluate the nominees' capabilities and fit for the positions they were nominated for, with each member allotted seven minutes to pose questions.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 12, 2026 - 09:15 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Incinerators nearby create the risk of pollutants settling into surface water, wetlands, and groundwater
- We believe this bill could have a chilling effect on policies that are cost-effective that reduce pollution
- Some examples of that are purchasing preference policies and policies that strive to reduce carbon pollution
- these policies with the popular consent of their constituents should lose these valuable cost and pollution