Transcript Highlights:

• </c> us clean water. us clean water. Um<01:13:53.600><c> Mr.
• </c> contractors working in Minnesota. contractors working in Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> greater Minnesota. greater Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota particularly. Minnesota particularly.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> rise in support of HR1 1453, the Clean rise in support of HR1 1453, the Clean Energy<03:38:17.439
• clean energy technology development.
• ><c> this</c><03:41:41.200><c> new</c> clean energy demonstration and this new clean energy demonstration
• ><c> to</c> of Clean Energy Demonstration aims to of Clean Energy Demonstration aims to support<03:43
• </c> Congress on the status of these clean Congress on the status of these clean energy<03:43:41.120>

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, CRC acquired Aera Energy, one of California's largest oil producers.
• I'm an associate professor of energy politics at UC Santa Barbara.
• Vanessa Flores, on behalf of Clean and Healthy California, in support.
• California is facing a serious energy crisis.
• I am an associate professor of energy politics at UC Santa Barbara.

Summary: The committee heard a series of natural resources bills, with several measures accepted on committee amendments and moved forward on party-line or near-unanimous votes. AB 2461 on oil and gas bonding and well-closure financial assurance drew strong support from environmental groups and some legislators, while an industry representative was neutral and warned about unintended consequences and reduced transfers. Senators Laird and Cabaldon supported the bill as a clarification of AB 1167, and the committee voted do pass as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee also approved a consent calendar of 10 bills, which was moved and held on call. AB 53 by Assemblymember Ramos, as amended, would expand tribal eligibility for conservation grants and loans and express legislative intent to create a process for returning ancestral lands to federally recognized tribes. Tribal and environmental supporters argued the bill recognizes tribal stewardship and helps remove barriers to conservation participation, while county, farm bureau, and habitat league witnesses raised concerns about long-term land management, public accountability, easements, and jurisdiction if lands are transferred. Committee members emphasized the importance of preserving conservation protections and continuing work on the land-return framework; the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations and held on call. AB 2679 on Lake Tahoe corridor safety and access was supported by local officials and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, who described dangerous parking, pedestrian conflicts, and a successful shuttle pilot, and the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 1666, creating biomass innovation parks and other incentives for non-combustion uses of forest and agricultural biomass, received broad support from business, conservation, and local government witnesses, with senators framing it as a way to address wildfire debris and create rural jobs; it also advanced do pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 2494, which would modernize the demonstration state forest system and elevate biodiversity, recreation, carbon storage, and tribal stewardship over maximum sustained production, drew strong support from environmental and tribal advocates but significant opposition from forest industry, county, and research witnesses who warned it could undermine research, sustainable forestry, and local economies; the author said he would continue negotiations, and the bill was moved do pass to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2234, which updates the definition of geothermal exploratory projects, and AB 2521, which seeks to use the California Council on Science and Technology for watershed-wide water availability analyses to help identify excess water for groundwater recharge. Both bills had support from sponsors and some stakeholders, while AB 2521 drew concerns from agricultural water interests about agency reliance, public trust considerations, and funding. Both measures were moved do pass as amended to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2410 would extend a CEQA exemption for certain fuels-reduction projects in high fire-risk areas; local government groups supported it as a wildfire-prevention tool, while environmental and other opponents argued the remaining exemption still weakens habitat protections and public review, and one witness sought to remove conventional herbicides from the exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• were clean. 90% of days last year, at some point in that day, 100% of our energy was delivered by clean
• energy resources.
• And this partnership is not actually focused on anything related to clean energy or the energy transition
• And this partnership is all, it's not actually focused on anything related to clean energy or the energy
• energy, and restoring... ...and restoring.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our economy and our quality of life are impacted by this very important bill.
• Our economy and our quality of life are impacted by this very important bill.
• There have been certain segments of our economy that have been so anti-competitive that our economy that
• Much of that new economy is being created here in California.
• Furthermore, California has committed to ambitious climate and energy goals.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal, and then took up a long third-reading file. Early procedural actions included moving AB 1589 to the inactive file and continuing reconsideration items. The chamber then considered a series of bills largely focused on immigration enforcement, detention, worker protections, child care, voting access, and related public services. Several immigration-related measures passed, including AB 2393 on damages for false imprisonment/arrest, AB 1994 on an immigrant victims’ rights and resources card, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 1633 imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, AB 1650 requiring decals on rental vehicles used for enforcement, AB 1655 protecting CalWORKs benefits when a child is detained, and AB 1896 disqualifying people who participated in immigration enforcement from certain public employment. AB 2230, which would bar immigration enforcement near polling places and child care facilities, also passed after extensive debate. Supporters framed these bills as accountability and protection for vulnerable communities; opponents argued they targeted federal law enforcement, were unnecessary, or raised constitutional concerns. AB 1851 on statewide school mental-health guidance also passed unanimously. After the midday recess, the Assembly returned and continued with more bills tied to immigration impacts and child welfare. AB 2379 passed with urgency, requiring child care providers to be informed of constitutional rights and trained on protections when confronted by immigration enforcement. AB 2460 passed to update school behavioral-health referral protocols for students affected by immigration enforcement trauma. AB 2495 passed to expand prohibitions on employer immigration-related threats, and AB 2662 was presented as a way for California to monitor and document federal enforcement actions and report on their community impacts. Throughout the day, the floor featured repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real problems or were political messaging, but the measures that came to a vote generally advanced with majority support.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the managing director for our Clean Transportation Unit in the Department of Commerce's Energy Division
• I am the managing director for our Clean Transportation Unit in the Department of Commerce's Energy Division
• Clean Energy Transformation Act and working with utilities on that, as well as our Clean Buildings Team
• , ...Energy Transformation Act and working with utilities on that, as well as our Clean Buildings Team
• of energy use in the state's economy at 40%.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Transportation and Energy Committee. Transportation and Energy Committee.
• </c> Senate Transportation and Energy Senate Transportation and Energy Committee<00:57:15.200><c> and
• ><c> and</c><01:07:31.599><c> enough</c> need clean drinking water and enough need clean drinking water
• . economy. economy.
• and energy &gt;&gt; Transportation and energy &gt;&gt; Senate<01:27:49.280><c> bill</c><01:27:49.520>

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the answers to job loss in the energy industry.
• We have the answer to affordability when you look at energy costs: six cents a kilowatt.
• technology or clean energy.
• technology or clean energy.
• It adds for our clean air, and it creates good-paying jobs.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> incentives,</c> Minnesota, regardless of tax incentives, Minnesota, regardless of tax incentives
• <00:47:37.480><c> Statute</c><00:47:38.000><c> 3.8855</c> Minnesota Statute 3.8855 Minnesota Statute
• the Minnesota MID is an deduction, the Minnesota MID is an itemized<01:04:51.440><c> deduction.
• </c> subtraction in the Minnesota tax return. subtraction in the Minnesota tax return.
• </c> Minnesota Department of Revenue. Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• so Minnesota only allows a license so Minnesota only allows a 60-day<00:16:07.120><c> Oregon</c><00:
• Luke's in Duluth, Minnesota.
• North</c> Minnesota North the Minnesota North Minnesota North the Minnesota North Dakota<00:40:12.640
• There is no economies of scale.
• Minnesota</c> million globally and Minnesota million globally and Minnesota consistently<01:06:48.160

Bills: HF837 , HF1903 , HF499 , HF794

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• You referenced the important work going on in cleaning up the wildfire sites in Los Angeles.
• But right now, DTSC is not leading us on a path to a circular economy.
• Some of their products include disinfectants, cleaning products, and pest control solutions.
• I had to say at the public hearing, it is not a circular economy plan at all.
• In fact, it gives circular economy a bad name because I advocate for a circular economy, which is three

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, Chris Bauer on behalf of Clean Harbors Environmental Services.
• , waters that had been protected for many, many years under the Clean Water Act.
• Water Act. 71% of streams in Los Angeles are losing clean water.
• All of our Clean Water Act permits will need to be turned into state permits.
• It keeps the standards in terms of the Federal Clean Water Act permits in place.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• first being authorized in 2002, the Brownfield Program has been a resounding success story for our economy
• Cleaning up abandoned and polluted brownfields is a powerful economic development tool and revitalizes
• The hard-working men and women who served their communities by cleaning up toxic waste weren't sure if
• When a brownfield is cleaned up, the redevelopment of that property brings new jobs and increased tax
• You have to start with a NEPA process—a NEPA process to get permission to then go clean up.

Bills: SB347 , SB351

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, what role should nuclear energy play in Texas's energy security?
• an important conversation about the role of nuclear energy in Texas's energy portfolio.
• of CPS Energy.
• is not only our safest form of baseload energy, but also the future of energy growth.
• We have consistently opposed state subsidies for energy, any form of energy.

Bills: SB1468 , SB1612 , SB1789 , SB2530 , SB2571 , SB2717 , SB2967

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Informational hearing, making sense of California's economy.
• It's a leading economy, not only in the state, but across the country and the globe.
• Clean energy obviously is an important facet of California's climate adaptation goals and energy resiliency
• So we're really excited about that rapid growth in clean mobility, energy storage, and the like.
• I want a stronger local economy. I want a strong California economy.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:

• c> includes</c> clean energy which expressly includes clean energy which expressly includes nuclear<00
• </c><00:44:50.119><c> energy</c> multi-state RFP for clean energy multi-state RFP for clean energy including
• ><c> goals</c> clean energy goals decarbonization goals clean energy goals decarbonization goals uh<01
• So what the bill does is says that that would also count as a clean energy resource to be used.
• That would also count as a clean energy resource to be used.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic. Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic.
• Regardless of how the economy shifts, Minnesota will remain a heavily agricultural state, and being a
• But as Senator Pratt talked about agriculture being such a major part of our economy in Minnesota, and
• </c><00:53:10.319><c> in</c><00:53:10.559><c> Minnesota,</c> major part of our economy in Minnesota,
• major part of our economy in Minnesota, and<00:53:11.119><c> it</c><00:53:11.280><c> certainly</c><00

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> people around the state of Minnesota people around the state of Minnesota through<00:04:37.800><
• </c> per capita more than any other Minnesota per capita more than any other Minnesota Metro<00:10:49.120
• members throughout Minnesota.
• It's bad for our economy.
• I am here as a leader with TakeAction Minnesota and Minnesota United Parents.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• For decades, the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act have recognized that states, not Washington
• But it takes hundreds of billions of gallons of clean water, not to mention a lot of of energy to run
• Dreyfus-Wells is testifying on behalf of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.
• The Clean Water SRF is critical for utilities and communities across the country.
• IIJA's increases accelerated clean water investment and NAWQA strongly supports the clean water SRF reauthorization

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, water infrastructure, lead service lines, federal reauthorization, sustainability, cybersecurity

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and its implications for local water systems. Various witnesses highlighted the transformative impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has provided an unprecedented amount of funding to help address long-standing issues in drinking water infrastructure, particularly concerning lead service line replacements and sustainability in water management. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for federal reauthorization to continue supporting these initiatives, as many rural and disadvantaged communities still face substantial barriers in upgrading their water systems. Additionally, cybersecurity risks were noted, raising concerns over the vulnerability of water systems across the nation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, and it goes by rank too, so member of the House of Representatives just about beats any Minnesota
• reputation of the MD VA vaa and clean reputation of the MD VA vaa and administering<00:05:00.759><c>
• </c> bill is supported by the Minnesota bill is supported by the Minnesota chapter<00:26:40.720><c> of
• My name is Barry Henriksson, Department of Minnesota Veterans of War, as adjutant quartermaster.
• the state of Minnesota will not uh allow the state of Minnesota will not uh allow a<00:37:00.160><c>

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division