Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, and then lastly, are forest and ag waste potential feedstocks for this?
• And we did look at publicly available data on waste feedstock availability.
• And we did look at publicly available data on waste feedstock availability.
• So this question about, like, is there enough waste feedstock? It's a good question.
• Yeah, if you're using the waste feedstock.

Summary: The subcommittee heard testimony on the governor’s proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit, which would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold for use in California from 2026 to 2036. The Department of Finance and CARB argued the credit would help decarbonize aviation, support refinery transitions, and keep fuel production and jobs in California. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal, saying it is a relatively expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases, could have uncertain or limited climate benefits, and would reduce diesel excise tax revenue that supports highways, local streets and roads, and other transportation programs. A major point of debate was whether the credit would simply shift limited feedstocks from renewable diesel to SAF rather than create new low-carbon fuel supply. Professor Aaron Smith and the LAO said that because feedstocks such as used cooking oil, tallow, and vegetable oils are limited and already used in other fuel markets, the policy could increase SAF at the expense of renewable diesel, with possible increases in fuel prices and little net emissions benefit. Administration and CARB staff disputed that outcome, saying additional waste-based feedstocks are available and that the policy would not meaningfully raise gasoline or diesel prices. Senators focused on feedstock availability, impacts on road funding, fairness to consumers, and whether the proposal was really aimed at preserving specific refineries such as Phillips 66. Public comment was sharply divided. Labor representatives, refinery workers, airlines, Boeing, airports, and some local residents supported the proposal, emphasizing jobs, refinery investment, and aviation’s need for a liquid-fuel decarbonization pathway. Environmental and transportation groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, World Resources Institute, Earthjustice, California Environmental Voters, counties, cities, and trucking and asphalt associations, opposed it, citing weak net climate benefits, possible fuel-price impacts, and losses to transportation funding. No vote was taken; the chair announced all items would be held open for a future hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's time to put an end to these wasteful boondoggles.
• </c><00:36:09.200><c> boondoggles</c> these wasteful boondoggles these wasteful boondoggles representative
• We, everyone in this room hates waste. We like efficiencies.
• We, everyone in this room hates waste. We like efficiencies.
• the waste.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For others, it meant looking for ways to prevent the misuse and waste of the tax dollars the state does
• the Senate Human Services Committee, and I had been hearing a lot of concerns from Minnesotans about waste
• of the tax prevent the misuse and waste of the tax dollars<00:04:21.840><c> the</c><00:04:22.079><c>
• </c> of concerns from motans about waste of concerns from motans about waste fraud<00:04:49.280><c> and
• It's tough to know exactly how much waste, fraud, and abuse would be prevented.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a waste stream afterwards, and that waste stream is also valuable.
• We have a waste stream afterwards, and that waste stream is also valuable.
• We have a waste stream afterwards, and that waste stream is also valuable.
• From the sugar beet factory, we have a waste stream afterwards, and that waste stream is also valuable
• If some of these nutrients can be put in the correct spot and used to produce food instead of waste,

Bills: HF1621 , HF1701 , HF1796 , HF1676 , HF40 , HF1428 , HF1540

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1621, CelluComp, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, appropriation, grant, commercialization, fiber-based barrier packaging, packaging materials, PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, plastic reduction, sustainable packaging, environmental health, materials innovation, bio-based packaging, food packaging, agriculture finance, one-time grant, state subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• Mattresses are one of the most challenging items in the waste stream.
• </c> challenging items in the waste stream. challenging items in the waste stream.
• Or as stretched thin waste systems.
• </c><00:23:06.840><c> So,</c> gets through the entire waste cycle.
• So, gets through the entire waste cycle.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Congress wrote the hazardous waste law. EPA administers it.
• I'm the Hazardous Waste Bureau Chief.
• with the methane waste rules.
• You can see there's a photo here of a series of unlined waste pits. near Hobbs, where oil and gas waste
• The hazardous waste exemption, yes, we should definitely not exempt that industry from hazardous waste

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now in California, half of all municipal solid waste ends up in landfills, approximately 146 tons
• What this bill does is simply allow municipal districts to take that waste and convert it into a usable
• waste glass market development payment, holding committee. AB 767 Aloni?
• “AB 1153 Bonta, abandoned RVs, do pass as amended to strike the solid waste disposal and co-disposal
• Dupass is amended to strike the solid waste disposal and co-deposal site cleanup program fund out with

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I SERVE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA WASTE ENERGY COALITION.
• THEY ARE MADE UP OF SEVEN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT USE WASTE ENERGY AS THEIR PRINCIPAL MEANS OF SOLID WASTE
• WASTE ENERGY IS CRITICAL OF A STRUCTURE FOR FLORIDA.
• WASTE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY IS PROVEN, SAFE, RELIABLE TECHNOLOGY.
• IF THE STATE WANTS TO DAY WITH POLLUTION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Plastic pollution is not just a waste issue; it is a public health crisis.
• Kai Klossin, on behalf of Rethink Waste, in support. Thank you.
• Nick Lapis with Californians Against Waste.
• , green waste diversion, and much more.
• So you end up with all this plastic bag waste.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Waste that comes out of, typically, weapons, legacy waste from like weapons development processes.
• There's some uses for that, but generally it's a waste, kind of a waste product or just a product that
• You're still going to have waste forms from that recycling, high-level waste as well... ...waste forms
• And then you have the different waste streams.
• So recycling e-waste feedstock.

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the quality of questions from the group, followed by a series of technical presentations from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent nuclear regulatory changes tied to presidential executive orders, including NRC Part 53 for advanced reactors, the forthcoming Part 57 for very small reactors, and DOE updates to reactor authorization standards. He emphasized efforts to align DOE and NRC processes, use risk-informed and performance-based licensing, support reactor deployment for AI/data centers and national security, and use AI to speed communications and crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements. In response to questions, he said there was no plan to merge agencies, but rather to improve coordination and public outreach through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and reprocessing. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), why it is needed for advanced reactors, and DOE’s HALEU Availability Program and related investments in enrichment, transportation, deconversion, and supply chain development. He also covered spent fuel management, the possibility of centralized storage or a fuel-cycle campus, the Center for Used Fuel Research, and ongoing work on high-burnup cask testing and reprocessing technologies. Tolman described aqueous, pyrochemical, and fluoride-volatility reprocessing approaches, noting the advantages and waste characteristics of each, and said several companies are working with INL on these technologies. Ashley Shields presented INL’s AI and nuclear work, focusing on the Genesis initiative and the Prometheus effort to use AI to design, license, build, and operate reactors with far less human intervention. She described INL’s broad use of generative AI tools, the need to manage large volumes of legacy technical data, and applications in reactor design, materials discovery, autonomous laboratories, and digital twins. Shields said AI is being used to reduce the enormous documentation burden in nuclear licensing and to support autonomous or remotely operated reactor demonstrations, while stressing that humans remain in supervisory roles. In discussion, she addressed data security, model access, and the continued need for software engineers. The session then recessed briefly and resumed with Mitch Kerman beginning a presentation on critical minerals and materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• By leveraging certified collection centers, household hazardous waste facilities...
• I was an advisor to the chair of the old Waste Management Board.
• materials to now an EPR program for household hazardous waste and hazardous waste packaging.
• Tony Hackett with Californians Against Waste.
• I'm working on talking with rural county representatives and Rethink Waste.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1795, which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, remediation, and insurance handling of wildfire smoke damage in homes. The author and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said the bill is needed because survivors face inconsistent claims practices and no enforceable standards for determining when homes are safe. Supporters included the City of Los Angeles and a wildfire survivor who described health problems and disputed remediation results; opponents from the insurance industry said the bill could create broad new exposure and worsen affordability, though they continued to negotiate amendments. The committee recommended the bill do pass with urgency, and it passed on a 4-0 vote, with the roll held open for additional votes. The committee also heard AB 1612, which would create a centralized process for law enforcement to transfer seized controlled substances such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin to the Department of Justice for disposal after the state’s last in-state incineration facility closed. The author said the bill would address unsafe storage and inconsistent disposal pathways. There was no opposition in the room, and the committee sent the bill to the Assembly Public Safety Committee on a do pass vote. AB 2322 would standardize the definition of commercial, industrial, or institutional sites for municipal stormwater permits by tying it to assessor land-use codes and excluding residential parcels. Supporters said the bill would reduce patchwork enforcement and improve consistency, while stormwater and city representatives asked to keep working on regional flexibility concerns. The committee approved the bill 4-1 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 2245, a producer responsibility bill for vehicle lubricant products and their containers, intended to expand collection and recycling using existing household hazardous waste and used oil infrastructure. Supporters said it would reduce landfill disposal and align with existing EPR frameworks, while retailers and industry groups raised concerns about overlapping obligations, unclear definitions, and compliance costs. The author said negotiations would continue, and the committee sent the bill to Natural Resources on a do pass vote. The committee also heard AB 1603, which would phase out PFAS-containing pesticides over time and require disclosure and permitting for their use. Supporters argued PFAS pesticides contaminate food and water and pose health risks; agricultural and chemical industry opponents said the bill could remove many products from the market and lead to harmful substitutions. The chair expressed support for reducing PFAS but raised concerns about replacement chemicals, and the bill was sent to Appropriations on a do pass vote. Finally, AB 2034 was introduced to increase transparency around food additives and GRAS ingredients by creating a state database of chemicals that bypass FDA premarket review; supporters said it would close a federal loophole, while consumer brands opposed a duplicative state system and warned of costs and confusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• , repealing Chapter 58, Title 39, Idaho Code, relating to hazardous waste facilities.
• , repealing Chapter 58, Title 39, Idaho Code relating to hazardous waste facilities.
• to hazardous waste facility siting.
• Amending Section 39-4409, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding... ...of hazardous waste, amending
• Section 39-4409, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding the permit required for hazardous waste

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, and then lastly, our forest and ag waste are those potential feedstocks for this?
• And we did look at publicly available data on waste feedstock availability.
• So this question about, like, is there enough waste feedstock? It's a good question.
• Yeah, if you're using the waste feedstock.
• feedstocks—waste oils that would otherwise go to the landfill.

Summary: The subcommittee heard extensive testimony on the governor’s proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit, which would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold for use in California from 2026 to 2036. The Department of Finance and CARB argued the proposal would help decarbonize aviation, support a long-term transition in the fuel sector, and encourage in-state investment and jobs. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and several outside witnesses recommended rejecting the proposal, saying it is a relatively expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases, could have uncertain or limited net climate benefits, and may shift limited feedstocks away from renewable diesel rather than create additional fuel supply. A major point of debate was whether the credit would mainly benefit California refineries and workers or instead subsidize out-of-state producers while reducing revenue for transportation programs. Supporters, including union members, refinery workers, airlines, Boeing, and airport representatives, said SAF is one of the few viable near-term options for aviation, that California should keep fuel production and jobs in-state, and that the credit would help maintain refinery operations and support the industry’s transition. Opponents, including the LAO, trucking and fuels groups, environmental organizations, and county/road advocates, warned that the proposal could raise gasoline and diesel prices, reduce diesel excise tax revenue for highways and local streets and roads, and provide limited climate benefit compared with other uses of state funds. Some members also raised concerns about feedstock availability, food-system impacts, and whether the policy should be more narrowly targeted if the goal is to support a specific refinery. No vote was taken. The chair stated at the outset that all items on the agenda were being held open for a future hearing, and public comment was taken after the first item because of the level of interest. The hearing then continued with public testimony, which was split between strong support from labor and industry and strong opposition from environmental, transportation, and local government groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a question of if it's a waste, it's what kind of waste. Secondly, unitization.
• It now becomes a waste. Now, they're not going to say you have gasoline waste.
• Waste-wise, that's the definition of waste.
• When you say hazardous waste, codes, everything else, solid waste. Thank you. Thank you.
• Waste-wise, that's the definition of waste.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met on House Bill 7 by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act, which would remove eminent domain authority for carbon capture and geological sequestration projects. After housekeeping and roll call, the committee adopted a set of technical amendments that cleaned up definitions, removed a stray statutory reference, and changed “commissioner” to “secretary.” The author then gave an extended presentation arguing the bill was needed to align Louisiana law with the state constitution’s property-rights protections and recent court rulings, and to ensure carbon capture projects proceed only through voluntary agreements rather than forced takings. Several members questioned the author and supportive witnesses about whether the bill would stop carbon capture, affect oil and gas pipelines, or disrupt investment. The author and supporters said it would not stop projects, only prevent taking land without consent, and argued that landowners—especially small and rural owners—should not face the threat of expropriation. Supportive testimony also emphasized family land, inheritance, and constitutional limits on takings. Some members raised concerns about changing the rules after prior legislative action and about the economic importance of carbon capture, but the author responded that the legislature had made a mistake in 2020 and should correct it now. Opposition testimony came from representatives of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, and attorneys who handle right-of-way matters. They argued that eminent domain is a rare last resort, that existing law and the Landowner Bill of Rights already protect owners, and that the Constitution’s provisions for private-entity expropriation are different from the provisions discussed by the bill’s supporters. They warned that removing the tool for carbon capture would chill investment, threaten jobs and revenue, and could spill over into other energy infrastructure. The committee did not reach a final vote on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Human waste and fecal material pollute our lands, freshwater, and oceans.
• grass and all that watering, and misusing freshwater sources is a waste.
• grass and all that watering, and misusing freshwater sources is a waste.
• way and less human waste less less paper<00:37:26.079><c> waste</c><00:37:26.440><c> less</c><00:37:
• :27.640><c> just</c> paper waste less all kinds of waste just paper waste less all kinds of waste just

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to cesspools, Red Hill cleanup, water testing, environmental governance, and beverage container recycling. For SB 472, SB 501, SB 675, and SB 958 on cesspools, most testimony supported accelerating cesspool conversion and expanding Department of Health capacity, though the Attorney General flagged a single-subject issue on SB 472 and the Department of Health and others raised concerns about funding, program structure, and coordination. Supporters emphasized cesspools as a major water pollution source and urged earlier deadlines, while some testimony questioned the tax credit approach and asked for clearer grant and staffing language. For SB 639 on underground storage tanks and Red Hill cleanup, the Department of Health asked for clearer cleanup standards and noted limits on laboratory detection and sampling, while supporters argued the bill would create a binding legal standard for remediation and help prevent reopening of the facility. Testimony also stressed the need to remove all contamination to the extent practicable and protect aquifers and drinking water. SB 664 on water quality testing drew strong support from residents and water advocates, but the Department of Health warned the measure could duplicate existing authority and create significant cost; the Board of Water Supply supported the concept while noting it would expand responsibilities into private-property testing. SB 674 on environmental advisory council and waste reduction received mixed testimony: supporters said it would help address landfill siting and protect water resources, while industry groups requested changes to advisory council membership and exemptions for certain products, and one witness opposed the measure. For SB 1067 on deposit beverage container recycling, the Attorney General said the grant language may be constitutionally problematic because it lacks standards, while industry testimony both supported the recycling goals and asked for amendments, including broader representation on the advisory council and clearer treatment of compostable and packaging-related issues. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 881 ensures that surplus agricultural products aren't wasted and instead help feed Californians in
• For these reasons, CAFB is proud to co-sponsor SB 881, along with Californians Against Waste.
• SB 881, along with Californians Against Waste, we are a yes vote. Thank you very much.
• SB 881, along with Californians Against Waste, we are a dry vote. Thank you very much.
• Kayla Robinson with Californians Against Waste, a proud co-sponsor, here in support.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met as a subcommittee, then later established a quorum and heard several tax-related bills. Chair Gibson reviewed committee procedures, including the suspense file for bills with revenue impacts over $150,000. SB 881 by Sen. McNerney would extend the farmer-to-food-bank tax credit through 2032 and the emergency food for families voluntary tax contribution through 2033; supporters from food banks, agricultural groups, local governments, and climate organizations said it would reduce food waste and help address food insecurity, with no opposition on the record. The bill was moved to suspense. SB 1406 by Sen. McNerney would target the so-called Montana tax loophole used to avoid California vehicle taxes and fees; supporters said it would recover up to $20 million annually and improve enforcement, while an opposition group warned the shell-company language could affect legitimate small businesses and passive owners. That bill was also sent to suspense. SB 1349 by Sen. Gonzalez would direct the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major state tax expenditures and evaluate whether they are meeting their intended goals. Supporters, including the California Teachers Association, tax reform advocates, school employees, and local governments, argued that California’s roughly $94 billion in annual tax expenditures need more accountability, especially given the state’s budget pressures. The committee approved SB 1349 on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee also approved two consent items, SB 1436 and SB 1437, on a due-pass motion. Later, SB 1249 by Sen. Richardson proposed a $3,000 tax deduction for seniors ages 86 to 90 through 2032, with supporters from LeadingAge California saying it would help older adults cope with rising costs; the bill was referred to suspense. SB 1151 by Sen. Cervantes would codify infant formula as a food product for sales tax exemption purposes; the author and supporters said it would protect families from uncertainty and preserve tax relief for an essential product. Members discussed the high cost of formula, and the bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations. The committee then completed its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There have been several large-scale instances of fraud, waste, and abuse here in Minnesota in recent
• So when we talk about fraud, waste, and abuse at the state level, what are we talking about?
• And if it's being done through waste, fraud, and abuse, it's being taken advantage of, and we just can't
• Now, Senator, do we have any numbers or data highlighting the amount of fraud, waste, and abuse happening
• </c> This is a budget year, and we've heard both sides on the issue of the budget regarding fraud, waste

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For my side of the aisle, as Chair Clelebourne alluded to, we do some things to control the waste, fraud
• and waste bureau to recommend<00:17:10.319><c> policy</c><00:17:10.839><c> changes</c><00:17:11.839>
• </c><00:49:17.440><c> Madam</c> the waste, fraud, and abuse. Madam the waste, fraud, and abuse.
• The last six years, we have seen over a billion dollars of this waste, fraud, and abuse.
• Waste, fraud, and abuse that is evident and has been happening.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This language previously read, 'shall transfer the balance from the hazardous waste emergency fund.'
• So the hazardous waste emergency fund, I imagine it's a dedicated fund.
• What's the source there, and is this an allowable use to transfer from hazardous waste to solid waste
• fund for solid waste.
• So they will be using it in the solid waste regulatory fund as an oversight of that subject matter.

Summary: The committee received a general fund “green sheet” update from budget analyst Noah Peterson, who reviewed recent changes to the FY 2026 and FY 2027 balances, including large population-adjustment supplementals for Medicaid and Corrections and other committee actions. He also highlighted several policy bills with fiscal impacts, including county jail per diem changes, a state police-related bill, and a health and welfare board/position bill. Janet Jessup then walked the committee through several budget housekeeping items and supplemental/maintenance adjustments, beginning with the Department of Environmental Quality and a solid waste regulatory program change tied to House Bill 555. The committee approved multiple motions, including adding 4 FTP to DEQ and adopting revised language for a hazardous waste fund transfer; a FY 2026 Soil and Water Conservation Commission supplemental for the CREP program; and a major two-step reorganization moving the Soil and Water Conservation Commission from Agriculture to Water Resources. The committee also approved the related FY 2027 reductions and additions for the commission and Water Resources, including CREP funding and a one-time restoration of a rescission to preserve stream-gauging and water monitoring services. Members discussed whether those restorations should be one-time or ongoing, with some favoring one-time adjustments to preserve budget flexibility and others warning about agency stability. The committee then handled the consolidation of the Office of Species Conservation and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources into a new Office of Species, Mineral, and Energy Coordination. It approved a reduction for the Office of Species Conservation and a reduction for OEMR, then considered competing motions for the new combined office. After extended debate over the appropriate number of FTP reductions and the importance of nuclear and mining coordination, the committee rejected a substitute motion and then rejected the original motion as well, leaving the new office budget unresolved. Finally, the committee approved the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses request for replacement vehicles and IT hardware, and adjourned with notice of upcoming budget hearings the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• This language previously read, 'shall transfer the balance from the hazardous waste emergency fund.'
• ...for solid waste.
• So the hazardous waste emergency fund, I imagine it's a dedicated fund. What's the source there?
• And is this an allowable use to transfer from hazardous waste to solid waste to a new fund we've created
• fund for solid waste.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee heard a series of budget presentations and acted on several FY 2026 and FY 2027 items. Noah Peterson reviewed the General Fund Daily Update, noting large FY 2026 supplemental actions for Medicaid and Corrections that reduced the estimated ending balance, and a FY 2027 outlook that still had room for remaining work. He also flagged several policy bills with fiscal impacts, including county jail per diem changes, a state police bill, and a health and welfare board/position bill. Janet Jessup then walked the committee through Department of Environmental Quality and Soil and Water Conservation actions. The committee approved adding four FTP for DEQ’s solid waste regulatory program and adopted related language transferring $400,000 from the hazardous waste emergency fund to support the new solid waste regulatory fund. It also approved a CREP supplemental for the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and then voted to move the commission from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Water Resources, including a corresponding reduction in Agriculture and an addition in Water Resources. The committee adopted language to align the new budget structure and approved a one-time $390,000 restoration in the Department of Water Resources to avoid reducing stream-gauging and water-monitoring services. The committee next considered the consolidation of the Office of Species Conservation and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources into a new Office of Species, Mineral, and Energy Coordination. It approved reductions to the two existing offices and then debated competing motions for the new office. The substitute motion to cut four FTP and reduce spending more deeply failed, while the original motion to reduce two FTP and preserve more staffing for nuclear and mining coordination passed. Members and the agency administrator argued that Idaho needs a stronger “one-stop shop” for nuclear and mining projects, while others emphasized following the policy bill moving through the legislature and capturing consolidation savings. The committee also approved a DOPL budget item for replacement vehicles and IT hardware. Most motions passed with do-pass recommendations, and the committee announced it would meet again the next day; Senate Finance was noted as on hold, while House Appropriations would continue after adjournment.