Video & Transcript Research : 'clean plant program'

Page 79 of 500
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a pilot program.
  • products that meet program goals.
  • So your clean energy standards, is that a gas-powered or gas-fired power plant? Yes or no, please?
  • So your clean energy standards, is that a gas-powered or gas-fired power plant? Yes or no, please?
  • energy, as the clean energy.
Summary: The House convened with quorum, offered prayers and moments of silence for community members who had recently died, and recognized several guests and family members in the chamber. After routine communications and passage of consent calendar 29, the chamber took up a series of measures on the main and colored agendas, with several bills and resolutions passing by voice vote or roll call. Among the measures approved were House Concurrent Resolution 157, which as amended requested a State Lottery report on options to support traditional lottery retailers; Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program; Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecommunications carriers; Senate Bill 339 clarifying health directive forms in mental health facilities; Senate Bill 235 on manufactured home community rent increases; Senate Bill 325, as amended, updating fire prevention and volunteer fire/EMS background check rules; Senate Bill 309 on inmate work and discharge of incarceration-related balances; Senate Bill 324 on deadly weapons and constable agency representatives; Senate Bill 293 on youth camp child care licensing; Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery; and Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right to marry regardless of race or gender while preserving religious freedom. House Bill 188, changing Delaware primary elections to allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after debate. Two measures drew extended discussion and amendments. Senate Bill 233, requiring snow and ice to be removed from vehicles, was tabled once, then later amended and passed after debate over whether the law was workable for truck drivers and other vehicle operators; a proposed truck-related exemption amendment failed. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a pilot program for artificial intelligence and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, privacy, and educator oversight, alongside concerns from members about data, bias, and long-term effects. Several items were tabled or reconsidered during the session, and the House adjourned after completing the day’s business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • These programs, this Israeli program, Okay, and which one do you want me to start with, sir?
  • program to help detect screw worm injuries in cattle.
  • So they will be able to plant a rice crop.
  • Watson if they wanna clean this up.
  • We have about a hundred full-time staff in that program.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (04/07/2025)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So up with a great program in the end.
  • programs as um you know like the RPS. programs as um you know like the RPS.
  • . program. program.
  • storage credit program. storage credit program. Thank<04:38:33.439> you.
  • <05:14:32.000> We was clean energy New Hampshire. We was clean energy New Hampshire.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 11th, 2026

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • We do not use any tax dollars to maintain water lines, sewer lines, water plants, sewer plants.
  • So, there was a plant in Mexico, then they built a plant in Nicaragua, and eventually Copeg, which the
  • And that's why we did that whole program and why they kept the plant open in Copeg was to protect everyone
  • This is also a federally delegated program where the EPA retains oversight of TCEQ's primacy program.
  • From the oyster farm to the petrochemical plant, so many are reliant on clean, reliable water, and we
Summary: During the meeting, legislative members discussed the practice of municipalities diverting water and sewer revenues to their general funds, which impacts infrastructure maintenance and project delays. Vice Chair Sparks proposed limiting public testimony to two minutes, which was adopted without objection. The committee heard from various witnesses, including Perry Fowler from the Texas Water Infrastructure Network, who emphasized that utility revenues should primarily support water services and that transfers should be transparent and justified. He noted that many utilities face financial pressures that could hinder infrastructure projects. Larry French from the Texas Public Policy Foundation highlighted the significant financial impact of water loss and general fund transfers, estimating the annual loss at $1.5 billion. He argued that these transfers can create disincentives for municipalities to address water loss issues. Brian Butcher, Assistant City Manager of Sugar Land, defended the city's cost allocation model for general fund transfers, asserting that they are necessary for equitable service provision and operational efficiency. The committee also discussed the implications of rising construction costs and the need for better procurement processes to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars. The second part of the meeting focused on the New World Screwworm and the state's preparedness to manage potential infestations. Dudley Hoskins from the USDA outlined the federal response efforts and the importance of collaboration with state agencies. He emphasized the need for ongoing surveillance and the production of sterile flies to combat the pest. Dr. Philip Kaufman from Texas A&M discussed the historical context of the screwworm and the challenges posed by its potential reintroduction, urging proactive management strategies among livestock producers. The committee acknowledged the need for increased resources and research to effectively address the threat of the screwworm.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I just wanted to echo our support for prioritizing GGRF funding programs for programs that clean up our
  • We should also be funding the Wood Smoke Reduction Program and the Clean Cars for All program.
  • We should also be funding the Wood Smoke Reduction Program and the Clean Cars for All program.
  • So this program, unlike the other, is not a program that is a competitive grant program.
  • program.
Summary: The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support. Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization. Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (01/29/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • :43.439> was the state aid grant program program was the state aid grant program program was not
  • program.
  • c><04:32:25.760> Water<04:32:26.000> srf programs there is the Clean Water srf programs
  • <04:34:13.400> grants program program there's no new grants program program there's no new
  • We help with the New Hampshire Clean Cities program, and we oversee mobile source programs such as your
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The Texas Compassionate Use Program, which has been expanded and improved greatly in the past session
  • are grappling with the whole issue of THC, whether it comes from marijuana or the plant's younger plant
  • We want to use it well, and part of the place that we're going to direct it to is the TCU program for
  • if it comes from its same plant family that's a little older.
  • It's way past time we stopped putting people in jail for a plant that people are making millions off
Summary: Senator Nathan Johnson presented a pair of bills he described as a comprehensive cannabis reform package for Texas. He said one bill would regulate hemp-derived THC with a 21-and-over purchase age, a 5 mg THC threshold, testing, labeling, licensing, packaging, and marketing standards, an advisory committee to report to the Legislature, and a tax structure that would direct revenue to public health, law enforcement, testing, and the Texas Compassionate Use Program. He also said the legislation reflects work by Chairman Ken King and is intended as an alternative to a total ban, which he argued would be unenforceable and undesirable. Johnson said the second bill would decriminalize possession and personal use of up to 2 ounces of marijuana, allow limited home cultivation, and create a path to expunction for people convicted of conduct that would no longer be illegal. He argued current Texas THC laws are inconsistent, harmful, and disproportionately affect communities of color, while also diverting law enforcement resources. He said the bills aim to create a more consistent and enforceable framework and to support medical THC use. Supportive testimony came from Shawn Salvahi, a veteran and Texas Cannabis Collective representative, who said decriminalization and homegrow would help veterans and first responders and that leaders should correct mistaken policy. Senator Molly Cook, an ER nurse, also backed Johnson’s approach and opposed SB 5, saying prohibition has failed, worsened safety, and created criminal and economic harms. In questions, Johnson said the Senate is likely to move SB 5, that the House could still change the outcome, and that he has been consistent in opposing a ban since 2018. The discussion also briefly touched on redistricting, with participants urging attention to flooding and criticizing proposed maps, but the main action was the presentation and defense of the THC bills ahead of floor consideration.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • > prevent This stewardship program will prevent This stewardship program will prevent electronics
  • EPA's climate pollution reduction grant program, which will expand state grant and loan programming for
  • The community grant program handle.
  • program, including the community<01:04:35.920> grants<01:04:36.359> program.
  • This would be a clean bill. Um, earlier. This would be a clean bill.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 3rd, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • John’s has a great program.
  • These are some of the most successful programs.
  • And it's time for us to clean up the mess that day.
  • to support our local glass plants. ...plants in California, I see the need urgently to support our local
  • The program embodies the values of our state.
Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • create one or more stewardship programs, stewardship organizations.
  • Kyle Jones on behalf of the San Joaquin Valley Water Collaborative Action Program in support.
  • That clean, affordable drinking water should be accessible for all Californians.
  • This Thank you. $750 million to clean up the whole facility.
  • And they relate to clean water as well.
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.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Mar 31st, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Program, I am here to testify in support of Senate Bill 1442.
  • Currently, animals in our foster program at Dallas Animal...
  • Do plants get vaccines in any way, shape, or form?
  • The place you're going to see it is in our food lunch program.
  • Why on earth are we banning clean American seafood?
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Press Conference: Senator Nathan Johnson Jul 30th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Compassionate Use Program, which has been expanded and improved greatly in the past session, still
  • Our policy has been a mess, and I've been advocating to clean it up for a long time, partly because of
  • Increased support for medical THC by promoting Texas's Compassionate Use Program.
  • if it comes from the same plant family.
  • A subsequent legislature will fully regulate THC products. that come from a marijuana plant.
Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB9, SB42, SB15, SB5, SB11, SB12, SCR1
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 4/25/25 - Part 2

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:01:44.960> water, 2008, motans passed the clean water, 2008, motans passed the clean water
  • of the clean water council and governor. of the clean water council and governor.
  • <00:28:42.919> Uh clean water fund. Need I say more? Uh clean water fund.
  • There's also a program at Hennepin County Medical Center called the NextStep Program.
  • to plant two for everyone you cut. to plant two for everyone you cut.
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Conference Committee on HF2446 5/9/25

Transcript Highlights:
  • County soil health um program study. County soil health um program study.
  • a local food purchasing grant program. a local food purchasing grant program.
  • and Development Program.
  • improvement and development program. improvement and development program.
  • loan program. loan program.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The Agriculture Conference Committee met for an initial organizational and comparison session on House File 2446, the agriculture broadband and rural development bill. Members introduced themselves, noted that no conference target had yet been set, and agreed to begin with a side-by-side review of House and Senate positions. No oral testimony was taken; instead, the chair listed written testimony submitted by a wide range of agricultural, environmental, local government, food bank, and industry groups. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the major funding differences. Both bills included some shared items such as operating adjustments, wolf and elk damage compensation, and certain technical changes, but they differed on several major appropriations. The House generally proposed larger increases for meat inspection, local food purchasing, and the Board of Animal Health, and added items such as county inspector grants, biofertilizer innovation, a biosolids/PFAS-related study, a soil health study, broadband installation study funding, an Agri Works program, an Agri Support program, a milk grant program, and several House-only transfers and grants. The Senate included items such as a climate coordinator position, biofuel-related reductions and policy changes, livestock processing funding, farm-to-school and urban agriculture changes, MARL funding, cottage foods licensing updates, and several Senate-only pass-through grants and transfers. Staff also noted differences in the agriculture emergency account transfer approach and in how the two bodies handled the Second Harvest Heartland and related food distribution provisions. House Research then reviewed the policy language differences in the bill. The House language included provisions allowing more flexible use of grant administration funds, unpaid prior-year claims, county inspector grants, and updates tied to its own policy article, while the Senate language included the climate coordinator, PFAS-related commercialization language, cooperative development grant permissive language, and other Senate policy changes. The committee did not take any votes or final actions at this meeting; the session was informational and focused on identifying differences for later negotiation.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • We know that there's a program capable of doing that.
  • I very, very much appreciate your advocacy. programs.
  • This legislation is not only about cleaning up our environment.
  • Both the Seaside program as well as another program that I'm involved in in Beverly, Mass., use Dynamic
  • Like those other programs, this bill would require the mattress industry to develop and run the program
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a heavily attended hybrid hearing focused primarily on plastics reduction bills, along with a few local and related waste-management measures. Chair Rauch and Chair Barber outlined strict testimony rules because of the large number of speakers. Before the plastics docket, the committee heard support for a local Sharon sewer-extension bill for a Sunrise Senior Living project, and the bill’s proponents said the project would help address senior housing needs and would still require MWRA and local approvals. The chairs also noted a separate local matter involving Sharon and the MWRA. A major portion of the hearing centered on the Plastics Reduction Act and related bills addressing single-use plastics, including plastic bags, polystyrene, black plastic, plastic beverage bottles, non-flushable wipes, skip-the-stuff provisions, and truth-in-labeling. Sponsors and supporters said the bills would reduce litter, microplastics, greenhouse gas emissions, and municipal waste costs, while creating statewide consistency and supporting environmental justice communities. Several speakers cited local bans already adopted by many Massachusetts cities and towns, and many urged the committee to advance comprehensive statewide action. The committee also heard testimony on a boat wrap recycling bill, a mattress recycling bill, and a bill to prohibit hotels from providing small plastic toiletries. Municipal officials and waste professionals supported extended producer responsibility for paint and labeling for non-flushable wipes, saying these measures would shift costs away from cities and towns and reduce strain on wastewater systems. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, Mayor Ruth Ann Fuller of Newton, and a Franklin County waste official all backed paint EPR and wipes labeling. Fire Chief Brian Nardelli testified for the Fire Chiefs Association in support of lithium-ion battery legislation, citing fire safety and disposal concerns. Other speakers, including environmental groups, local activists, and business representatives, supported bag and polystyrene bans, though the Retailers Association of Massachusetts urged any bag policy to be truly statewide and said any bag fee should be retained by retailers. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 02/25/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • The benefits it brings, while making the program all while making programs for both employment and the
  • The benefits it brings, while making the program all while making programs for both employment and the
  • Yes, of course, Senator Drazkowski. existing programs are less competitive existing programs are less
  • data centers and convert the program data centers and convert the program from<01:14:50.440>
  • I don't want to see investment in clean water and clean energy, safe and walkable infrastructure for
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • For the program, initial funding was provided in 2022, and the program is really the first comprehensive
  • The program has received $50 million as part of the 2021-2022 climate packages, and the program has also
  • through the program.
  • The programs are separate.
  • Cleanup programs. So we're seeing beneficial uses come out of this program.
Keywords: 988, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/27/25

Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:
  • air, clean land, and clean water.
  • air, clean land, and clean water.
  • air, clean land, and clean water.
  • air, clean land, and clean water.
  • The Lawns to Legumes program is one of our most popular programs.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • People sometimes get us confused with the California Native Plant Society.
  • Invasive plants harm native plants.
  • We're trying to protect native plants and native habitat for wildlife.
  • One of the things that invasive plants really like... ...help them at work.
  • One of the things that invasive plants really like is disturbed areas.
Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with some initial delay while waiting for quorum, then approved the consent calendar items SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire mitigation, biomass use, climate resilience, and geologic hazard mapping. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance climate, air quality, public health, and land management goals, with testimony both supporting and opposing biomass-related proposals. SB 88 (Caballero) would direct state agencies to support beneficial uses of forest and agricultural biomass, including biochar and low-carbon energy. Supporters argued it would reduce open burning, improve air quality, and create rural economic opportunities; opponents, including environmental groups, argued woody biomass energy is costly, polluting, and harmful to forests and communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 653 (Cortese) defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management also passed, with supporters describing it as a voluntary framework to align wildfire fuel reduction with biodiversity and habitat restoration; no opposition was heard, and a member requested to be added as a coauthor. The committee also approved SCR 50 (Stern), which urges state climate agencies to define maladaptation and develop criteria for reviewing climate-related policies and investments, and SB 567 (Limón), a pilot program to study converting idle oil wells into gravity energy storage wells. SB 567 drew support from the sponsor and labor/local government witnesses, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, citing groundwater protection concerns in key basins and asking for additional safeguards. Finally, SB 831 (Limón) passed, clarifying the scope of geologic hazards to include conditions tied to climate change and natural disasters such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion. All measures were reported out of committee, with several absent-member votes later added to complete the roll.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:
  • for loose batteries to include medium-format batteries. ...responsibility program for loose batteries
  • more stewardship programs, stewardship organizations.
  • Kyle Jones on behalf of the San Joaquin Valley Water Collaborative Action Program in support.
  • This Thank you. $750 million to clean up the whole facility.
  • So it might be... ...have to do, and they relate to clean water as well.
Keywords: 988, house, all