Transcript Highlights:

• Requirements that are appropriate given the hazards of asbestos and are actively enforced by both the
• , they are also designed to reduce workers' comp costs and, more importantly, worker injuries and hazards
• Requirements that are appropriate given the hazards of asbestos and are actively enforced by both the
• workers' comp costs and a worker in particular and probably most importantly, worker injuries and hazards
• Also, worker injuries and hazards to those workers.

Bills: SB6045, SB6188, SB6053, SB5852

Keywords: agriculture, collective bargaining, labor relations, public employment, agricultural employees, SB 6188, asbestos, asbestos training, asbestos certification, asbestos worker, asbestos supervisor, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, rulemaking authority, occupational safety, workplace safety, hazardous materials, abatement, encapsulation, removal

Transcript Highlights:

• operating a vehicle on a public roadway with knowledge that the public roadway has been closed due to hazardous
• operating a vehicle on a public roadway with knowledge that the public roadway has been closed due to hazardous
• resources, volunteer firefighters, and mutual aid responders who may be traveling long distances under hazardous
• surgical mask, or other mask or device necessary to protect against toxin, gas, smoke, or another hazardous
• equipment, medical masks, or legitimate exceptions for undercover work, tactical operations, or hazardous

Bills: HB2165, HB2173, HB2203, HB2293

Keywords: peace officer, false identification, law enforcement, criminal penalties, public safety, face coverings, regulations, civil rights, emergency operations, reckless interference, offense, foreign entities, training, national security, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• operating a vehicle on a public roadway with knowledge that the public roadway has been closed due to hazardous
• operating a vehicle on a public roadway with knowledge that the public roadway has been closed due to hazardous
• resources, volunteer firefighters, and mutual aid responders who may be traveling long distances under hazardous
• surgical mask, or other mask or device necessary to protect against toxin, gas, smoke, or another hazardous
• equipment, medical masks, or legitimate exceptions for undercover work, tactical operations, or hazardous

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2203 would create the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations for driving on a roadway known to be closed due to hazardous conditions, with gross misdemeanor penalties, a possible Class C felony enhancement if a rescue leads to injury or involves a minor or vulnerable adult, license suspension, and emergency-response cost recovery. The prime sponsor described recent flooding rescues in Orting as the impetus, and local police support emphasized responder safety and limited resources. The Sentencing Guidelines Commission opposed the felony section, saying the conduct did not warrant felony treatment and recommending a traffic infraction for the first level and a gross misdemeanor for the second. House Bill 2293 would bar Washington law enforcement agencies, the Criminal Justice Training Commission, and related personnel from training with foreign militaries, intelligence agencies, or security services, or funding travel for that purpose. The sponsor said civilian policing should not be trained like military service and argued officers should be trained under U.S. constitutional standards. Opponents from the sheriffs and police chiefs association argued the bill was too broad and unclear, could block valuable counterterrorism and best-practice training, and might need exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and other legitimate international partnerships. Members discussed possible amendments and clarification language. House Bill 2165 would create a new gross misdemeanor for false identification as a peace officer, covering possession or creation of realistic badges, insignia, or other items identifying someone as an officer when they are not commissioned, while preserving defenses for honorary, reserve, posse, and protected expressive uses. The sponsor and governor’s office said current law is too limited because it often requires an active impersonation before enforcement can occur; law enforcement groups supported the goal but raised concerns about definitions, vehicle markings, federal-agent coverage, and whether the offense could be plea-bargained away. House Bill 2173 would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover work, SWAT protective gear, and medical or environmental masks, and would allow civil suits for violations. Supporters said the bill promotes transparency and trust and responds to concerns about masked immigration enforcement; opponents warned it could expose officers to doxxing, create liability and recruitment problems, and raise constitutional issues, especially as applied to federal officers. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• where there is a lot more information coming out about how that is actually becoming more of a health hazard
• where there is a lot more information coming out about how that is actually becoming more of a health hazard
• more</c><00:18:41.440><c> of</c><00:18:41.600><c> a</c><00:18:41.760><c> health</c><00:18:42.000><c> hazard
• </c><00:18:42.320><c> for</c><00:18:42.559><c> a</c> becoming more of a health hazard for a becoming
• more of a health hazard for a lot<00:18:42.799><c> of</c><00:18:42.880><c> people.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is something that is typical in high-hazard industries, the nuclear industry, offshore oil,
• But I will say most of these organizations that deal with climate hazards are all facing...
• right now, which is that the hazard is changing and anticipating that for the future, and what that
• Everything from increasing the frequency of the fire hazard severity zone designations to codifying the
• Everything from increasing the frequency of the fire hazard severity zone designations to codifying the

Summary: The hearing focused on the SB 254 Natural Catastrophe Resiliency Study and its recommendations for addressing California’s wildfire risk, utility liability, and the financing of catastrophic losses. Committee members and presenters discussed the history of the wildfire fund created after the 2018 fire crisis and PG&E bankruptcy, the role of the California Earthquake Authority as fund administrator, and the report’s three broad policy pathways: continuing mitigation investments, more equitably allocating catastrophe costs, and considering expanded state involvement in catastrophe financing. Presenters emphasized that the report was intended as a neutral, stakeholder-informed analysis rather than an advocacy document, and that the status quo is not working well for survivors, ratepayers, insurers, or utilities. CEA, CPUC, and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety each described their contributions and recommendations. CEA outlined options such as risk-tolerance standards for utilities, preserving safety certificate accountability, tying executive compensation more directly to safety, confidential near-miss reporting, liability reforms, and a fast-pay facility for survivors. CPUC stressed that wildfire mitigation and liability costs are a major driver of electricity affordability problems, and said the state should broaden how wildfire recovery and mitigation are funded beyond ratepayers alone. Energy Safety highlighted its wildfire mitigation plan oversight and recommended stronger safety reporting and stronger safety weighting in utility executive compensation. The modeling portion of the report estimated that a more durable wildfire fund could require about $36 billion in capitalization, with lower initial capital needs if risk transfer or liability reforms are used, but potentially higher ongoing premium or assessment costs. The report also examined state-backed insurer or backstop models, post-event funding mechanisms, and targeted community wildfire mitigation, which could reduce overall funding needs. Members raised concerns about the cost burden on ratepayers, the financial stability of utilities, the fairness of asking communities outside high-risk areas to pay, the role of local governments and home hardening, and whether broader climate-related liability or insurance reforms should be considered. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with plans for further committee hearings and stakeholder discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• conditions caused by hazardous waste, and they are going to offer technical support related to waste
• And lastly, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment does all of the assessments and evaluations
• of avoiding generation of hazardous waste in the first place, and the exemption information. ...standard
• That was another part of my original question vis-à-vis the management of hazardous waste. Can you?
• We've also moved the hazardous waste criteria to another section of the regulations, and this is important

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Asbestos is a really hazardous material.
• Asbestos is a really hazardous product that people that we have really skilled workers addressing, but
• protecting our workforce and using the best practices to ensure those that are putting themselves at hazards
• asbestos is still found in many buildings across Washington, and when it is disturbed, it's a very hazardous
• asbestos is still found in many buildings across Washington, and when it is disturbed, it's a very hazardous

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the pledge, prayer, and recognition of guests from the Sikh Coalition and Kalsa Gramath Center. Members then approved the journal and moved through committee reports and resolutions, including Senate Resolution 8678 honoring the Chimicum High School Marching Band for being selected to represent Washington in the 2026 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C. The resolution was adopted unanimously, and the band and its supporters were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then confirmed two gubernatorial appointments to major health agencies. Ryan Moran was confirmed as Director of the Health Care Authority by a 49-0 vote, with supporters citing his Medicaid and health system experience and ability to provide stable leadership. Dennis Worsham was also confirmed as Secretary of Health by a 49-0 vote, with senators highlighting his long public health career, statewide outreach, and work on HIV/AIDS and community health. On legislation, the Senate passed Senate Bill 6011, expanding Court of Appeals bailiff authority to conduct threat assessments, and Senate Bill 5831, creating the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act. Senate Bill 6188, which expands Labor and Industries’ authority to update asbestos training and certification rules, passed 38-19 after an amendment to limit the bill to federal standards was rejected. Substitute Senate Bill 5917, concerning access to abortion medications through the Department of Corrections pharmacy, passed 32-17 after several Republican amendments were defeated. The Senate also passed In Gross Senate Bill 6024 on developmental disability services confidentiality and Substitute Senate Bill 6091 on prohibiting real estate brokers from marketing residential properties in exclusive private listings. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5840, adjusting campaign finance expenditure reporting deadlines, passed 46-3. After completing the day’s business, the Senate recessed for caucus and lunch until 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:07:41.760><c> and</c> complete completely fall off the map and complete completely fall off the
• map and stop<01:07:42.279><c> being</c><01:07:42.480><c> able</c><01:07:42.680><c> to</c><01:07:42.799
• He explained that they look at incident command through HSEM as an all-hazards approach, so if it is
• :18:11.679><c> it's</c><01:18:11.840><c> a</c><01:18:12.040><c> flood</c><01:18:12.560><c> or</c> hazards
• approach so if it's a flood or hazards approach so if it's a flood or if<01:18:12.880><c> it's</c><01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining how agencies assess facility needs, rank projects, and submit requests to the governor’s office. DAS described its Plant and Property division, which maintains 96 state buildings, and Public Works, which develops detailed cost estimates for selected projects. Officials said the governor’s office has traditionally narrowed requests into priority tiers, but this year all projects were estimated, creating more work and less detail. They also emphasized that the capital budget book functions as legislative intent and can be binding on how approved funds are used. On the substance of the request, DAS highlighted several priorities: continued funding for the state ERP system upgrade to the cloud, with about $5 million requested for sustainability and related Treasury functions; emergency fund and annex renovation work; a sprinkler replacement at DMV; and elevator repairs at the main building. Karen Rocky also identified maintenance projects that rose in priority after a facility condition assessment, including HVAC work for Portsmouth Circuit Court and Coos County Courthouse, boilers and controls for Carroll County and Lebanon Circuit Court, brick repointing at the main building and annex, window replacement at Spalding, and Brown building elevator replacement. Officials noted that the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and no projects for the Bureau of Court Facilities. The committee also discussed lapses and reprogramming of prior appropriations. DAS said the first eight projects approved in 2023 remain under construction and should be extended, while many 2021 projects are delayed because of ARPA-related workload and broader construction backlogs. Members reviewed a 2019 project list and agreed to lapse project number 49, the Spalding roof project, with about $81,000 remaining. DAS also said some small 2019 balances, including courthouse generators, a boiler, cooling and controls, roof and exterior repairs, and the State House Annex elevator, could be redirected through Capital Budget Overview toward the Hillsboro County South Cell Block project. The hearing ended with questions about project schedules, ARPA deadlines, and the division of authority between DoIT and DAS for the ERP system.

Transcript Highlights:

• In today's world of GPS mapping, social media, trail apps, and increased recreational traffic, private
• ,</c><01:19:19.920><c> social</c> In today's world of GPS mapping, social In today's world of GPS mapping
• You could just have the municipality change their maps. I hope that helps. >> I have a question.
• 01:31:42.800><c> their</c> the municipality change their their the municipality change their their maps
• . maps. maps.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can drop a mooring anywhere they want as long as it's not a hazard to navigation.
• If they install it, as long as we don't get a complaint or observe that it's a hazard to navigation,
• , and that's the crux of the hazard, and that's the crux of the matter. matter. matter.
• and obviously when folks fire hazards and obviously when folks dispose<02:13:11.200><c> at</c><02:13
• We've heard some conflicting testimony this morning about the fire hazard of lithium-ion batteries.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:39.120><c> pay</c> where they get certain like hazard pay where they get certain like hazard
• So, those workers did get hazard pay, where of course bargaining unit five members did not.
• have hazard pay in their language.
• </c> deserve hazard pay or they have hazard deserve hazard pay or they have hazard pay<00:14:21.760><
• Did was there any temporary hazard pay language in your contract? >> Not in our contract. Okay.

Bills: HB1890, HB1888, HB1676

Keywords: teacher pay, teacher salaries, salary step increase, annual increment, longevity step, public school teachers, public charter school teachers, collective bargaining, Hawaii Department of Education, teacher retention, teacher recruitment, cost of living, educator compensation, public employee bargaining, appropriation, salary schedule, school staffing, teacher shortage, HB1888, Hawaii

Summary: The committees heard three measures, beginning with HB 1890 HD3, which would provide automatic step increases and a COVID-era retention bonus for teachers. Supporters included HSTA, the Democratic Party’s Education Caucus, and a student who said higher pay and predictable salary growth would help retain teachers in Hawaii. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked that the bill be expanded to cover all department employees. The Attorney General’s office said the draft needed clarification to avoid conflict with Chapter 89 and to make clear any funding was subject to legislative appropriation. The Office of the Public Defender and B&F testified in opposition, and committee members questioned whether the step increases were already in the current contract and whether the bill was needed. HSTA said the current contract includes automatic step increases subject to funding, but argued the bill was still needed because funding is not guaranteed and the measure would codify the policy. HSTA also said the COVID bonus would apply only to active teachers who worked during the pandemic and estimated the total cost at roughly $150 million to $200 million over four years. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1888 HD3, which would require DOE and charter schools to report harassment incidents and strengthen penalties for harassment of educational workers from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. DOE supported the bill and suggested narrowing language about assisting workers with temporary restraining orders, saying that function would be better handled through the Attorney General’s pilot program. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the harassment language was overly broad, vague, and potentially unconstitutional, and that existing assault and terroristic threatening statutes already protect educational workers. HSTA, the State Commission on the Status of Women, and several individual testifiers supported the measure, describing increased intimidation and harassment of teachers and other school staff, especially since COVID. The Special Education Advisory Council opposed the bill’s language on “disrupting and interfering” with school functions, saying it could chill parents of students with IEPs from advocating for their children. Testimony was split, with the chair noting 20 in support and 16 in opposition in the portion shown. A final witness, Michelle Pestana, testified in opposition based on her family’s experience with special education services, describing alleged seclusion and restraint of her daughter and expressing concern that DOE testimony in prior hearings had targeted special education parents. Her remarks were cut off as time expired. The transcript ends before any committee action or vote on HB 1888 was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill deals with backflow devices in what would be required low-hazard buildings.
• However, in people's homes and in office buildings, things of that nature, what would be considered low hazard
• So the simple answer would be just creating a definition in code of low hazard risk. Okay.

Summary: The committee met in hybrid format, approved the minutes from June 24 and June 25, 2026, and then heard several bills and a resolution. On House Bill 382 with House Amendment 2, sponsored by Rep. Lynn and Sen. Hocker, the sponsor said the bill makes technical corrections to Delaware’s rental car and peer-to-peer car sharing laws after concerns raised following HB 209, clarifies when loss-of-use damages may be recovered, and preserves recovery for intentional, willful, or criminal conduct. Avis Budget Group and Enterprise Mobility supported the bill, while Allstate Insurance and Toro opposed it, arguing the measure could reintroduce unfair fees and leave too much discretion to rental companies; Sen. Townsend also said he wanted more clarity on how the bill would operate. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then considered House Bill 476, a Frederica charter change sponsored by Rep. Postals and Sen. Buckson. The bill would reduce town council meetings from twice monthly to once monthly and make ordinances effective immediately unless otherwise stated. Members asked why the Senate sponsor was absent and noted the bill requires a two-thirds vote, but no public comment was offered and no action was recorded. The committee also heard House Joint Resolution 13, sponsored by Sen. Sturgeon and Rep. Barry, which directs the Department of Labor to study a Delaware health care apprenticeship degree program to help address workforce shortages. The Delaware Health Care Association supported the resolution and urged coordination with existing workforce efforts; no opposition was presented and no vote was recorded. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 458 with House Amendment 1, sponsored by Rep. Lynn and Sen. Pardee, concerning backflow devices in low-hazard buildings. Sen. Pardee said the bill would exempt residences and office-type buildings from costly retrofits, while DHSS said the current regulation does not clearly define low-risk buildings and the bill’s list would not create immediate public health concerns until regulations are updated. The Delaware Association of Realtors supported the bill, saying the regulation is overly broad and expensive, while the Delaware Rural Water Association opposed it, warning that backflow prevention is important to protect aquifers and drinking water. The meeting ended with adjournment after public comment and no recorded votes in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• :03:34.239><c> safety</c> utility strikes, outages and safety utility strikes, outages and safety hazards
• :36.560><c> a</c><00:03:37.519><c> uh</c><00:03:38.080><c> large</c><00:03:39.040><c> project</c> hazards
• Um there's a uh large project hazards.

Bills: SB95, HB322, SB95, HB322

Keywords: underground facilities, excavation safety, One-Call Notification System, utility protection, public safety, underground damage prevention, notification system, construction safety, pipeline protection, utility management, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, director compensation, municipality, electricity supply, board of directors, postpartum depression, postnatal care, maternal mental health, perinatal depression, postpartum screening

Transcript Highlights:

• that sits across from the mouth of the Ocklawaha and is the first community downstream from the high hazard
• It is not me or the proponents saying this dam is a high hazard, it is the feds, the US Army Corps of
• They have designated it as a high hazard dam. When built it had a 50-year lifespan.

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically you can take a potentially hazardous food, which can get mold or whatever, and make it a
• non-potentially hazardous food that's become shelf stable.
• </c><01:32:07.120><c> food</c><01:32:08.560><c> uh</c> take a um potentially hazardous food uh take a
• There is a not potentially hazardous.
• foods shall not be potentially hazardous.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to address this deteriorating infrastructure as early as they can to avoid that becoming a safety hazard
• or far more expensive... ...to avoid becoming a safety hazard or far more expensive reconstruction project
• to address this deteriorating infrastructure as early as they can to avoid that becoming a safety hazard
• or far more expensive reconstruction project. ...to avoid becoming a safety hazard or far more expensive

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a public hearing on H. 5279, a bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. MassDOT and A&F testified in support, describing the bill as a more than $5 billion transportation bond package centered on a four-year, $1.2 billion Chapter 90 authorization, plus funding for MBTA rail reliability and modernization, housing-related transportation improvements, a new DCR/MassDOT PRISM program for parkways and other DCR assets, and reauthorizations of the Municipal Pavement Program, Shared Streets and Spaces, and highway programs. They said the bill would support safety, resilience, housing production, and multimodal transportation, and noted that some bonds could be issued as special obligation bonds backed by the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues. Committee members asked about the size and structure of the authorizations, the federal match for highway projects, the source of MBTA vehicle procurement, bridge repair needs, and whether the housing-related funds could be used flexibly for items like sidewalks, bike lanes, bus stops, and other local transportation improvements. Administration witnesses said the bill is intended as a temporary refill of existing programs until a larger transportation bond bill is filed next session, that the federal-aid line includes the full spending authority while the state only borrows the 20% match, and that the housing-related program is deliberately broad and not limited to MBTA communities. They also said Chapter 90 includes a road-mile component that especially helps rural communities and that preservation and safety are built into the programs. The Massachusetts Municipal Association also testified in strong support, emphasizing that Chapter 90 is the most important tool municipalities have to maintain the roughly 30,000 miles of local roads and bridges they are responsible for. MMA urged timely passage before construction season and praised the continued $300 million Chapter 90 level, especially the $100 million road-mile distribution that helps communities with large road networks and smaller populations. No votes were taken on the bill, and the hearing concluded with adjournment after testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• light of evolving scientific understanding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and recent federal hazardous
• polyfluoro- cool substances and recent polyfluoro- cool substances and recent federal<00:36:46.680><c> hazardous
• </c><00:36:47.240><c> substance</c> federal hazardous substance federal hazardous substance designations

Bills: HR39, HCR43, HR178, HCR188, SB3144, SB3102, SB2053, SB3248, SB2256, SB3118, SB2245, SB2519, SB3055, SB2090, SB2765, SB2169, SB3136, SB2521, SB2851, SB3154, SB3262, SB2387, SB3001, SB2818, SB2972, SB2372, SB2108, SB888, HR63, HCR69

Keywords: pedestrian safety, crosswalks, traffic calming, school zone, Honolulu, community safety, raised crosswalks, traffic infrastructure, agritourism, agricultural tourism, Hawaii Tourism Authority, HTA, working group, farm tourism, regenerative tourism, working lands, agricultural land use, county ordinances, permitting, farm bureau

Transcript Highlights:

• While a parent can take a vape to a household hazardous waste facility, a school cannot since it's not
• fires at my small, underfunded of hazardous waste.
• The bill also reduces vape processing costs by allowing household hazardous waste facilities to safely
• AB 2667 will protect kids, support schools, and ensure that hazardous materials are handled responsibly
• about 200 household hazardous waste collection facilities.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They do play a role in refinery cleanups, and specifically for any releases of hazardous waste.
• We have buried hazardous waste from decades of that practice, extensive groundwater contamination, some
• We have buried hazardous waste from decades of that practice, extensive groundwater contamination, some
• Hazardous materials regulators, fire departments, and local governments all impose their own permitting
• Hazardous waste closure standards, underground storage tank removal, groundwater remediation, monitoring

Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the environmental impacts and policy considerations surrounding refinery closures. Chair Blakespear framed the hearing as part of California’s broader transition away from fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for proactive planning so communities, workers, and local governments are not caught off guard. Vice Chair Gunda argued that the state has long signaled a future away from oil, while also warning that closures can create supply instability, higher prices, and infrastructure stress if not managed carefully. Senators also raised concerns about consumer costs, supply reliability, the role of imports, and whether California’s climate policies are contributing to refinery disinvestment. The first panel included the California Energy Commission, CARB, and the State Water Resources Control Board. Gunda described California as being in a “mid-transition,” with gasoline demand gradually declining, zero-emission vehicle adoption rising, and refinery capacity shrinking through both conversions to renewable fuels and outright closures. He said the state needs a coordinated strategy that balances near-term supply stability with long-term decarbonization, and noted that refinery closures can shift liabilities onto pipelines, terminals, and potentially the state. CARB’s Matthew Boutill said the agency’s focus is reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases, and that state policies are already driving billions in annual investment in alternative fuels, EV infrastructure, and refinery conversions. Water Board representative Annalisa Kihara explained the cleanup authorities used at refinery sites, including investigation, remediation, and enforcement tools, and said decommissioning often reveals previously inaccessible contamination and may require new monitoring wells and additional site assessment. Committee members pressed the panel on whether the state has enough information to plan for land reuse and cleanup costs, whether current tools are adequate, and whether more legislative direction is needed. Gunda said there are still gaps in information and transparency, especially around liability and long-term community planning. Kihara said the Water Boards can require more data, cleanup, and timelines, but that refinery remediation is highly site-specific and can take tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Senators Menjivar, Stern, and Hurtado questioned demand trends, the pace of refinery closures versus demand decline, the role of imports and the Jones Act, and whether California should consider options such as state ownership or broader ecosystem planning. The panel generally agreed that closures are likely to continue and that the state should plan proactively rather than reactively. A second panel presented recent research on refinery closures. Emily Grubert said closure costs and remediation obligations are often underestimated and that California should better define end-of-life obligations and financial assurance requirements. Tham Herschbach outlined five drivers of refinery closures: declining California crude production, falling in-state gasoline demand, the shift toward renewable diesel and other alternative fuels, global refinery consolidation, and the growing availability of imported gasoline. Anne Alexander focused on community impacts, using the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery closure as a case study, and said refinery sites are often heavily contaminated, cleanup can take a decade or more, and communities are often left without clear information because refineries have little end-of-life planning or financial assurance requirements. No votes or formal actions were taken at the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They do play a role in refinery cleanups, specifically for any releases of hazardous waste.
• Waste management units on refinery properties can have hazardous waste discharges in them.
• areas and just not able to I mentioned the rail lines, whether or not they're just hazardous areas and
• We have buried hazardous waste from decades of that practice, extensive groundwater contamination, some
• Hazardous materials regulators, fire departments, and local governments all impose their own permitting

Keywords: 987, senate, all