Video & Transcript Research : 'cleanup'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
Transcript Highlights:
- We can't know with 100% certainty exactly what a given cleanup will cost, but even a ballpark estimate
- They also say it's nearly impossible to estimate cleanup costs while a refinery is still in operation
- And so if we're going to talk about cleanup, if we're going to talk about cleanup, if we're going to
- And so if we're going to talk about cleanup, if we're going to talk about mitigation, if we're going
- And what would the cleanup plan be?
Summary:
The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard several bills, with SB 811 pulled by the author and deferred to a later hearing. The committee first took up SB 501 by Senator Allen, which would expand California’s battery extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries such as those used in e-bikes, scooters, lawn equipment, and portable power systems. Supporters from local governments, stewardship organizations, and recycling groups said the bill would reduce fire risks, worker hazards, and disposal costs; opposition was limited, with some industry groups seeking clarification or expressing neutrality after amendments. The bill was moved out of committee on a do-pass vote, with one no vote recorded from Assemblymember Ellis and later additional ayes added after quorum was established.
The committee then heard SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar, which would create a statewide low-income drinking water rate assistance program administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, contingent on funding. The author and supporters argued that many Californians face water debt and that public water systems lack a statewide affordability program because of Proposition 218 constraints. Water agencies, environmental justice groups, and local governments testified in strong support, and there was no opposition. The bill passed the committee on a do-pass vote, again with one no vote from Assemblymember Ellis and later additional ayes after quorum.
SB 1259 by Senator Blakespear, as amended, would require petroleum refineries to provide advance closure, cleanup, and cost information to the state to improve planning for refinery transitions and site remediation. Supporters, including the City of Benicia and environmental groups, said communities need transparency and early planning to avoid leaving local governments and workers with cleanup and redevelopment uncertainty. Opponents, including the Western States Petroleum Association, the State Building and Construction Trades Council, and business groups, argued the bill was burdensome, duplicative of existing regulation, and could send the wrong signal to remaining refineries. After extensive discussion, the committee approved SB 1259 on a do-pass-as-amended vote to the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee. The consent calendar, including SB 1253 and SJR 13, also passed.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Sep 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Second, years of cleanup legislation will be necessary to make AB 98 workable.
- While SB 415 makes beneficial changes to AB 98, ultimately there will be years of cleanup legislation
- We are very pleased to be here in support of the cleanup amendments and really wanted to thank Senator
- Our planners really need this cleanup... Mr.
- Melissa Sparks-Crans with the League of California Cities here in support of the cleanup legislation
Summary:
The committee hearing began with housekeeping rules, including limits on public comment and a reminder that testimony would be in person, with written testimony accepted through the committee portal. One agenda item, SB 423 by Senator Gonzalez, was pulled, and the committee then took up SB 415 by Senator Reyes, a cleanup bill related to last year’s AB 98 warehouse and logistics facility law. The author explained that SB 415 would clarify that manufacturing facilities are not treated as logistics use facilities, give local governments more time to update truck routes and circulation elements, provide safe-harbor language for good-faith compliance efforts, exempt cities with no logistics facilities from certain circulation updates, and allow truck routes to be established by ordinance outside warehouse concentration zones.
Testimony on SB 415 was largely supportive. Supporters included the American Planning Association, California State Association of Counties, Rural County Representatives of California, League of California Cities, California Business Properties Association, International Warehouse Logistics Association, California Grocers, California Business Roundtable, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, and others, who said the bill would make AB 98 more workable and provide needed implementation flexibility, especially for local governments and rural areas. One opponent argued the bill would still harm rural counties, reduce economic development opportunities, and eliminate high-paying jobs tied to warehouse and logistics construction and operations. CalChamber supported the cleanup provisions but raised a process concern about a separate bill and the broader negotiation process around related policy.
The author and committee chair closed by emphasizing the year-long negotiations and the intent to balance community, environmental justice, and industry concerns while improving implementation of AB 98. The committee then voted to pass SB 415 on a 10-0 vote, and the hearing was adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Radioactive and Hazardous Materials May 29th, 2025
Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We ought to recognize that because we ought to incentivize remediation and cleanup.
- Are, is there now a cleanup in process with that people out there in Canada, Mr.
- So is that cleanup going in because I keep seeing Section A, Section B, Section D.
- How is that playing out with that cleanup out there? Um, Mr.
- And um obviously we appropriated $20 million to NMEB to do some cleanup.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We can't know with 100% certainty exactly what a given cleanup will cost, but even a ballpark estimate
- They also say it's nearly impossible to estimate cleanup costs while a refinery is still in operation
- And so if we're going to talk about cleanup, if we're going to talk about cleanup, if we're going to
- And so if we're going to talk about cleanup, if we're going to talk about mitigation, if we're going
- And what would the cleanup plan be? Not anymore.
Summary:
The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard three main bills after initially lacking a quorum and deferring the consent calendar. SB 501 by Senator Allen would expand California’s battery extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries, such as those used in e-bikes, lawn equipment, and portable power systems. Supporters from local governments, recycling groups, environmental organizations, and battery stewardship interests said the bill would reduce fire risks, improve collection and recycling, and close a gap in existing law. One industry witness sought clarification about off-highway vehicles and a battery association requested guardrails for mixed battery formats; the California Retailers Association moved from opposition to neutral after discussions with the author.
SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide, state-funded low-income drinking water rate assistance program administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, contingent on funding. The author and supporters said many Californians face water debt and that the bill would help address affordability while working around Proposition 218 limits on local ratepayer-funded assistance. Water districts, local governments, environmental justice groups, and conservation organizations testified in support, and there was no opposition.
SB 1259 by Senator Blakespear, as amended, would require refineries to provide advance information on closure, cleanup costs, and timelines to help communities plan for refinery transitions and remediation. Supporters, including the City of Benicia, environmental justice groups, and advocacy organizations, argued that communities need transparency before closures occur and that other energy sectors already provide similar planning information. Opponents from labor, petroleum, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, burdensome, and could discourage refinery investment or signal premature decline of the industry. After extensive debate, the committee voted to pass SB 1259 as amended to the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee, and also approved SB 501 and SB 1125; the consent calendar items SB 1253 and SJR 13 were adopted.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Small Business & Information Technology (2-19-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- But what you see before you today is House Bill 473 and really just contains some very minor cleanup
- We were just a little bit late in getting that, and also we have some wording from technical cleanup
- just contains some very minor cleanup just contains some very minor cleanup and<00:05:11.120>
- <00:05:33.960>
from <00:05:34.080>our <00:05:34.560>small Technical cleanup - from our small Technical cleanup from our small telephone<00:05:35.440>
providers <00:05:36.080
Keywords:
Meeting start 00:00
Roll Call 00:23
HB 19 Discussion 01:01
HB 19 Vote 03:08
HB 473 Discussion 04:22
HB 473 Vote 05:48, 958, all
Summary:
The Standing Committee on Small Business and Information Technology met and first took up House Bill 19, sponsored by Representative Hodgson, which would create basic privacy protections against unauthorized drone surveillance of people and real property and allow injunctive relief in civil actions. A substitute was adopted after Representative Tate moved it and Representative Fister seconded; the sponsor explained the substitute removed overly specific language about utility communication services and simplified who could be subject to civil action. The committee then approved the bill with a favorable expression and recommended it for the House floor.
The committee next considered House Bill 473, sponsored by Representative Branscum, described as a cleanup bill to last session’s House Bill 15, Kentucky’s consumer data privacy law. Branscum said the measure makes minor wording and technical changes, adds language from the medical technology industry to better align Kentucky with other states, and includes cleanup requested by small telephone providers. Representative King moved the bill and Representative Whitten seconded.
After no questions from members, the committee voted on House Bill 473. The bill passed with favorable expression and was recommended for the House floor. The recorded votes showed broad support, with Representative Dossett voting no and Representatives Grossberg and Watkins recorded as pass/present on the roll call.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- It's statutory cleanup for the Alzheimer's disease and related disorders council, adds an additional
- We're just doing a little bit of statutory cleanup.
- :03.200>
statutory that it accomplishes. its statutory that it accomplishes. its statutory cleanup - Um, I have House Bill 388, which is a cleanup bill for Casper that was requested from the OIG office.
- bill for Casper that was cleanup bill for Casper that was requested<00:06:16.160>
from <00:06:
Keywords:
00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call
01:28 - Discussion of 26RS HB 393
03:05 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 393
04:11 - Discussion of 26RS HB 385
04:44 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 385
05:44 - Discussion of 26RS HB 388
06:39 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 388
08:00 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and heard three bills. House Bill 393, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Raymer with testimony from Mackenzie Wallace of the Alzheimer’s Association, would clean up statutes governing the Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders council, add another caregiver seat, and require the council to develop and distribute an early detection/diagnosis toolkit for health care providers. Wallace said the bill mainly resolves duplicative language and conflicting deadlines and aligns the statute with current Office of Dementia Services work. The committee took a motion and second, asked no questions, and passed the bill with favorable expression.
House Bill 385, sponsored by Rep. Marianne Proctor, was described as a simple cleanup bill changing a statutory definition from “institution” to “facility.” The committee moved and seconded the bill, asked no questions, and approved it with favorable expression. House Bill 388, sponsored by Rep. Robert Duval, was presented as a cleanup bill for Casper requested by the OIG office and related to prescription drugs; Duval noted it had previously passed the House 90-4. The committee again took a motion and second, had no substantive discussion, and passed the bill with favorable expression, with one member briefly registering a vote after the roll call.
At the close of the meeting, the chair noted that consensus had been reached on all three bills in advance and that a lot of work had gone into them. The committee announced its next meeting for February 5 at noon in Annex Room 149 and then adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Public Pension Oversight Board (7-29-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- We have no cleanup for Senate Bill 10.
- We have no cleanup for Senate Bill 10.
- We have no cleanup for Senate Bill 10.
- We have no cleanup for Senate Bill 10.
- We have no cleanup for Senate Bill 10.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:07
Attendance Roll Call: 00:13
Approval of Minutes: 02:28
2025 RS SB 9: TRS Leave Audit Requirements & Process: 03:05
2025 RS SB 10: Overview of Enacted Legislation & Discussion: 28:38
Adjournment: 42:13, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting opened with roll call, a quorum was confirmed, and the minutes were approved. The committee then heard testimony on Senate Bill 9, which concerns TRS sick leave audit requirements and process. Auditor Allison Ball’s staff said the audit is an information-gathering review of how teacher sick leave is accumulated, current balances, how many employers use the sick leave function, and the policies and procedures governing sick leave. Members discussed how unused sick leave affects retirement calculations, the distinction between the state’s financial responsibility and school districts’ responsibility, and whether the audit would also examine related leave categories such as personal leave, annual leave, and leave of absence. Committee members emphasized that Senate Bill 9 was intended to add accountability and standardize reporting, including preventing annual leave from being rolled into sick leave.
Several members asked for clarification on how sick leave is factored into retirement benefits. Witnesses and members explained that, under the system described, accumulated sick leave can be converted into retirement credit based on a teacher’s daily rate and then multiplied by a percentage, with the school district often bearing the cost. Members also noted nuances in the law, including different accumulation limits by hire date and tier, and that the audit may help the public better understand why some educators retire relatively young. The auditor’s office said it is still early in the process, has met with TRS leadership, and will report back once the audit progresses. The committee also asked whether maternity leave would be included; the auditor’s office said it was not specifically mandated but could be examined if the body requests it.
The committee then received an overview of Senate Bill 10 from KPA representatives Ryan Barrow and Rebecca Atkins. They explained that the bill enhances retiree health insurance benefits for certain CRS members who are non-Medicare participants and meet specified career thresholds, with different rules for hazardous and non-hazardous service. They described the benefit as $40 per month per year of service for non-hazardous service and $50 per month per year for hazardous service, both inflated annually, and clarified that these amounts are not cumulative with prior benefit formulas. Members asked about the interaction between the new amounts and existing benefits, and the presenters explained that the bill also changes current employee health insurance contribution rates effective July 1, 2026, with different impacts by tier and hazardous status. The committee discussed the need for clear communication to affected employees and reviewed example calculations showing how the new contribution structure would work.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 29th, 2026 at 01:49 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Catch-up cleanup is going to be changes. It could be additions.
- I know we're going to do catch-up cleanup. Mr.
- I'm just looking for that cleanup on the 7th Judicial District.
- I understand what catch-up cleanup is tomorrow.
- I think probably a very significant catch-up cleanup tomorrow.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- You're also going to see a lot of cleanup language here in this.
- Um, more cleanup language in 208, appointments by select board.
- More cleanup language. More cleanup language.
- More<00:24:29.440>
cleanup <00:24:30.000>language. - Oh, and under More cleanup language.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- That was the BFA was the financing, the debt part of the cleanup for the site.
- We're not financing the housing, but we did finance the cleanup.
- Uh, brownfield cleanup. We sometime. Uh, brownfield cleanup.
- So which was the cleanup for the site.
- So we can nibble finance the cleanup.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- last year, including children of certified teachers, we needed to run some cleanup.
- When I originally signed on To this bill, it was a cleanup bill.
- Because we are trying to do some cleanup for some homeschool students who've been caught in the lurch
- We've got to address some things in some cleanup.
- However, this cleanup is making it a cohort-based program that starts upon entering your freshman year
Keywords:
firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Nov 4th, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We also have many multiple state cleanup sites. So as I mentioned here, there's dry cleaners.
- We have state-funded cleanup programs with landfills and everything else.
- The soil cleanup target levels is actually an equation that's written into our rules and it has to do
- State-funded cleanup, so we've got 43 sites we've sampled.
- Regulatory Commission because they're the ones that sign off on standards that are involving cleanup
Summary:
The committee first received a Department of Environmental Protection presentation on Florida Forever and the sale or exchange of conservation lands. DEP described Florida Forever as the state’s main conservation land acquisition program, funded in recent years at high levels, and said most acquisitions since 2019 have been within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The presentation also explained the legal process for disposing of conservation lands: requests are reviewed by the Acquisitions and Restoration Council, then the governor and cabinet decide whether land is no longer needed for conservation or whether an exchange provides a net conservation benefit. Senator Smith asked several questions about recent land-swap proposals, public notice, political influence, and whether any transactions had bypassed the usual sequence; DEP said applications can be withdrawn before ARC review, notice is posted seven days in advance, and the council and cabinet are the decision-makers. Senator Harrington asked about the difference between Florida Forever land sales and water management district surplus lands, and DEP said the reported 2.3 acres sold referred only to Florida Forever-funded projects.
The committee then heard presentations from the Department of Health and DEP on PFAS and PFOA. DOH outlined what PFAS are, their common uses, possible health impacts, and ways Floridians can reduce exposure, including water filtration and avoiding certain products. DOH said it conducts well investigations, health consultations, fish consumption advisories, and monitoring in coordination with DEP and FWC. DEP followed with a more technical overview of PFAS regulation and cleanup, explaining federal testing and drinking-water standards, Florida’s provisional cleanup levels, and the state’s response at contaminated sites, including bottled water and filtration for affected residents. Senators asked about testing requirements for public systems and private wells, disposal of used filters, and how federal rulemaking and litigation could affect Florida’s standards; DEP said public systems are required to test under EPA monitoring rules, private wells are not directly required to test, and Florida may adopt its own standards if federal action does not occur by the statutory deadline.
Finally, the committee took up SB 150, which would designate the flamingo as the state bird and the scrub jay as the state songbird. The sponsor argued the bill better reflects Florida’s identity and conservation values, noting the flamingo’s iconic status and the scrub jay’s status as a Florida-only species. Members asked lighthearted questions about mockingbirds, flamingo color, and feeding costs, and an appearance card was filed in support by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The committee debated the bill briefly and then passed SB 150 favorably by roll call vote, with all members present voting yes except Senator DiCeglie, who was excused.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Ways and Means Committee amends bill to reduce improper disposal of infectious waste 5/5/26
Transcript Highlights:
- What was happening is during the cleanup process, they were just being thrown in the general trash.
- What was happening is during the cleanup process, they were just being thrown in the general trash.
- shut down the facility, or that facility has to shut down basically because you have to bring in the cleanup
- <00:03:35.200>
Then <00:03:35.440>you <00:03:35.599>have bring in the cleanup - Then you have bring in the cleanup crew.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 4017, with Representative Johnson presenting a delete-everything amendment that substantially changed the bill from a regulatory approach to a study. Johnson explained that the issue involves improper disposal of medical waste by hospitals and surgery centers, including items such as blood, gauze, syringes, and body parts, which he said has been occurring statewide despite an existing separation law dating back to 1989. He described the problem as a safety, operational, and cost issue for waste facilities and workers, saying facilities have had to shut down, bring in cleanup crews, and investigate incidents when contaminated waste is found in general trash.
Johnson said prior efforts to address the problem with hospitals and other locations had only temporary success, and that the amended bill would instead create a study to determine why the violations are happening, how widespread they are, and who needs education. The chair noted the amendment was a compromise that could move forward now, even if it was not a complete solution. No member questions were raised.
The committee adopted the DE1 amendment by voice vote, then renewed the motion to refer House File 4017 as amended to the general register. That motion passed by voice vote, and the bill advanced. Johnson thanked the co-authors and others who worked on the measure.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 'Any person' is just a cleanup language.
- As I said in my presentation at the beginning, there is a lot of cleanup language.
- I'm sorry that I don't understand the other cleanup parts of the bill that were cleanup parts.
- There's a lot of cleanup language that has been put in this bill, senator.
- This is truly cleanup language.
Bills:
SCR17, SB2104, SB2155, SB1428, SB1250, SB1651, SB1794, SB444, SB1061, SB1327, SB1425, SB1455, SB1458, SB1460, SB1480, SB1530, SB1543, SB1555, SB1593, SB1209, SB1730, SB1733, SB1769, SB1805, SB2069, SB2095, SB1503
Keywords:
trusts, Oklahoma Uniform Trust Code, trust administration, trustee, beneficiary, qualified beneficiary, nonjudicial settlement agreement, trust accounting, fiduciary duty, forfeiture clause, no-contest clause, in terrorem clause, certification of trust, trust property, district court jurisdiction, venue, surcharge trustee, trust protector, trust advisor, principal distribution
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Sep 2nd, 2025
Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- To take on contamination cleanup of these abandoned sites.
- , investigation, identification, and cleanup of the site.
- That's how groundwater contamination cleanup works.
- Another thing you said requires funding and cleanup.
- So I think this funding and cleanup, although I think that could be done by the agency.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/27/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Um network adequacy technical cleanup.
- fight with insurance and cleanup fight with insurance and cleanup standards<01:58:53.199>
that - The biohazard cleanup vacuuming.
- <02:00:59.440>
Even protective cleanup procedures. Even protective cleanup procedures. - <02:02:05.760>
standards ability to fight over cleanup standards ability to fight over cleanup
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/19/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- This is absolutely possible to do this cleanup. It needs to be done.
- This is absolutely possible to do this cleanup. It needs to be done.
- This is absolutely possible to do this cleanup. It needs to be done.
- This is absolutely possible to do this cleanup. It needs to be done.
- <00:31:57.919>
And <00:31:58.080>I cleanup. It needs to be done. And I cleanup.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- , and feedlots, the solid waste and hazardous waste management issues like recycling and landfill cleanup
- this is the Environmental Response and Liability Act, and also has statutes relating to landfill cleanup
- , and feedlots, the solid waste and hazardous waste management issues like recycling and landfill cleanup
- <00:31:36.799>
fund petroleum tank release cleanup fund petroleum tank release cleanup fund - spent in the East metro area for cleanup spent in the East metro area for cleanup activities<00:
Summary:
The committee met for an organizational hearing of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. Members and staff introduced themselves, with several legislators noting their backgrounds in farming, mining, water management, and outdoor recreation, and the chair reviewed draft committee rules emphasizing decorum, quorum, timely starts, and submitting bill hearing requests to the committee administrator. The committee also heard from nonpartisan staff and caucus staff who will support the committee this session.
House Research and House Fiscal staff then provided an overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and the major agencies and programs it oversees. The presentation covered the Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Environmental Quality Board, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Metropolitan Council regional parks and water resources, Conservation Corps of Minnesota, Minnesota Zoological Board, Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Staff summarized the main statutory chapters and subject areas under each, including wildlife, state lands, mining, water use, air and water permitting, environmental review, wetlands, drainage, and natural resources funding.
The finance portion explained the committee’s appropriation types and major funding sources, including direct, statutory, and open appropriations. Staff highlighted the general fund, bonding, the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Game and Fish Fund, and the Heritage Enhancement Account, along with how those dollars are typically used for parks and trails, habitat, land acquisition, flood and drainage projects, and agency operations. Members also discussed whether DNR and BWSR responsibilities in overlapping water statutes can conflict; staff said responsibilities are generally clear in statute, though conflicts can occur and are usually resolved.
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- He added that this is a really simple cleanup bill.
- It's a<00:14:47.360>
cleanup <00:14:47.760>bill. - <00:14:48.639>
The <00:14:49.279>Older <00:14:49.600>Mississippians a cleanup - The Older Mississippians a cleanup bill.
- language in there crossing out cleanup language in there crossing out some<00:15:37.279>
of <00
Summary:
The committee considered five bills. SB 2567, the Mississippi Pediatric Access to Critical Health Care Protection Act, would allow a border hospital to accept Medicaid patients and payments; it was moved as title sufficient and reported, with one member opposing. SB 2571, the Foster Youth Earn Benefit Protection for Success Act, would require Social Security survivor or disability benefits for foster youth to be used for the child rather than reimbursing the state for foster care costs; the sponsor said the bill follows federal guidance and other states’ practices, and it was reported after a title-sufficient motion, with one opposition.
SB 2708 would require insurers to cover postpartum depression screenings. Senator Boyd said most insurers already do this, and he offered an amendment to strike lines 364-368 because of concerns about step-therapy language; the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill. SB 2765 would open code sections related to DHS and Medicaid income verification so Mississippi can respond to federal error-rate penalties tied to SNAP and related programs; Senator Sparks said the state’s 10.69% error rate could trigger about $128 million in annual penalties, and members discussed whether the state’s change-reporting rules may be inflating that rate. The bill was reported.
The final bill, SB 2746, the Older Mississippians Act, was described by DHS as a cleanup measure that updates aging-services statutes, formally designates Mississippi as the state unit on aging, and removes obsolete program references. After brief discussion, it was reported on a title-sufficient motion. At the end of the meeting, Senator McMahan publicly thanked the chair for his work, and the committee then moved to rise and report.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Mary Lou Nicholson, and I run the Shoreline Cleanup Group, Be the Solution to Pollution.
- Most of our cleanups are on the South Coast of Massachusetts. To pollution.
- Most of our cleanups are on the South Coast of Massachusetts. And this is... I'm 10 years old.
- She's been doing cleanups since she was two.
- A cleanup runs about two and a half hours, and we weigh all the trash as well.
Summary:
The hearing focused mainly on two subjects: expansion of the Massachusetts bottle bill and bills to remove woody biomass from state clean-energy and greenhouse-gas programs. On the bottle bill, supporters from municipal, environmental, public health, and local government groups argued that the 5-cent deposit is outdated, redemption rates have fallen, and expanding coverage to more beverage containers—especially water, sports drinks, and small alcohol bottles—would reduce litter, cut plastic waste and microplastics, and save cities and towns money. Several speakers also backed raising handling fees for retailers and redemption centers, and some supported restoring a Clean Environment Fund so unclaimed deposits would support recycling-related purposes. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Beverage Association and the National Waste and Recycling Association, argued that curbside recycling and transfer-station systems are more convenient, that the targeted containers are valuable to local recycling programs, and that the proposal would shift costs onto consumers and municipalities. Committee members questioned witnesses about redemption rates, handling fees, the 2014 ballot question, and whether the bill had changed from prior sessions.
The biomass portion drew strong support from Springfield officials, state legislators, environmental advocates, and public health groups. They said woody biomass should not count as clean energy because burning wood produces particulate pollution and carbon emissions, and they warned that current law contains a loophole that could help finance the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant in Springfield. Witnesses emphasized Springfield’s air-quality and asthma burdens, the public health impacts of PM2.5, and the need to close the loophole before a January 1, 2026 deadline. One forest-industry witness supported a separate bill promoting modern wood heat with pollution controls, arguing it is cleaner than older wood systems and has minimal ratepayer cost, while noting that those credits would be affected if the governor’s broader energy affordability bill repeals the alternative energy portfolio standard.
No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs managed testimony by alternating between the bottle bill and biomass topics, asking speakers to keep remarks brief and to note when they agreed with prior testimony. Several legislators also testified in support of the bills, and committee members asked follow-up questions on deposit levels, retailer handling fees, recycling economics, and the public-health rationale for the biomass restrictions.