Video & Transcript Research : 'sustainable practices'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 01-28-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:03:46.159> of the guidelines of and best practices of the guidelines of and best practices
  • <00:10:25.760> handles setting because each practice handles setting because each practice
  • program is implemented in a practical program is implemented in a practical way<00:58:20.799>
  • practice adoption um across the islands. practice adoption um across the islands.
  • and practices.
Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. SB 874 on veterinary medicine would require veterinarians, upon a client’s request, to provide a written prescription for an animal patient in an existing veterinary client-patient relationship, allow Hawaii-licensed pharmacies to dispense those prescriptions, and authorize the Veterinary Medicine Board to set penalties. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with supporters citing lower costs and consumer choice; the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association said veterinarians already should be doing this and supported the bill if amended. One testifier in opposition argued the bill needed a conspicuous notice requirement so pet owners know they can request prescriptions. Committee members and the Department of Agriculture said they were not aware of widespread problems, and discussion focused on whether the measure was already consistent with current practice and whether amendments would address remaining concerns. The committee also heard SB 2097, which would create a climate-resilient food systems grant program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and appropriate funds. The department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and others supported the bill, saying it could help farmers and ranchers invest in resilience, infrastructure, and technology. Several testifiers asked for clearer definitions, especially for terms like “food hubs” and “resilience hubs,” and suggested adding technical assistance and clearer eligibility criteria. The department explained the program was intended for shovel-ready projects in the middle of the supply chain, with a focus on farmers in a certain revenue range, and said it was modeled on a USDA program. SB 2098 would establish a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material to growers, nurseries, and other producers. Testimony was supportive, emphasizing biosecurity, nursery industry needs, and preventing invasive species and crop disease. The department described the program as using tested clean stock, tissue culture facilities, and data collection to support future planting decisions, and estimated a two-year ramp-up. Members questioned whether the program duplicated existing work at CTR/other partners and whether data collection should be centralized, but the department said the effort would build on existing varieties and partnerships rather than overlap them. Finally, SB 2126 would create a conventional farming grant program for small and midsize conventional farmers. Supporters from the department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council said conventional agriculture deserves support and that the bill would help increase food production. Opposition and comments focused on the bill’s exclusion of organic farmers; one farmer said the measure was unfair unless amended to include organic producers, while a Farmers Union witness said the bill was too vague about the grant’s purpose and should be clearer about its goals. In response to questions, the department said the exclusion of organic farming was not intentional and that the bill was meant to support all agriculture, though no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AGR Public Hearing - Wed Feb 11, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:
  • they become skittish and nervous, which is something that livestock producers aim to avoid when practicing
  • aim<00:56:54.160> to<00:56:54.880> avoid<00:56:55.440> when<00:56:55.839> practicing
  • <00:56:56.319> low<00:56:56.559> stress aim to avoid when practicing low stress aim
  • to avoid when practicing low stress animal<00:56:57.359> handling.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WAL Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Water & Land

Transcript Highlights:
  • existing community-based management structures, including helping to set up community-based fish sustainable
  • 100%, but they are trying to think through the scenarios and what it would actually look like in practice
  • <00:31:54.880> and<00:31:55.279> like<00:31:55.440> in<00:31:55.760> practice
  • scenarios applied and like in practice scenarios applied and like in practice what<00:31:57.039>
  • Tom Eisen with the Environmental Review Program of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development
Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Mark Hashem outlining strict testimony rules and noting a time constraint because of later hearings and floor session obligations. The committee then took up several bills, hearing mostly supportive testimony on HB 1881 relating to land use, HB 2218 relating to DLNR/community management, and HB 1956 relating to freshwater waves, while HB 1845 relating to the Land Use Commission drew legal concerns and opposition. HB 2151 relating to building materials had no substantive testimony presented in the excerpt, and the committee moved through it quickly. On HB 1881, testimony focused on protecting North Shore lands from overdevelopment. A supporter described the area as valuable precisely because it remains largely undeveloped, and a member asked whether the bill’s restrictions on “finculars” would affect existing or future private residential installations; the response suggested the bill was aimed at future commercial uses and that grandfathering or personal-use exceptions might be possible, but the exact wording would need legal refinement. HB 2218 received broad support from OHA, DLNR, Kua, Sierra Club, Hui Maka Aana, the Honlay Initiative, and others, who said the measure would expand community-based co-management across DLNR divisions, build on existing park partnerships, and produce real benefits such as better stewardship, safer access, local jobs, and stronger community trust. Members asked about the bill’s five-year review structure, how multiple community groups would be handled, and whether the model could apply to ocean or nearshore areas; DLNR said the board would retain authority, agreements would be non-exclusive and subject to review, and the department was still working through how the approach would function across different divisions and marine settings. For HB 1956, the Attorney General offered technical comments, urging clearer definitions of “residing” and “freshwater way,” clearer timing for citations and arrests, and more explicit procedural safeguards and agency roles. On HB 1845, the Attorney General and Land Use Commission raised concerns that the bill could conflict with constitutional protections for important agricultural lands and could not be reconciled with existing voting requirements; the LUC also said commissioners cannot vote by proxy under sunshine law and warned that the bill could allow too few commissioners to approve major boundary changes. Members questioned how the bill would work in counties without designated important agricultural lands, and the LUC explained that Kauai is the only county to have completed the IAL process, while the broader statutory process remains county-driven and has been the subject of litigation. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • that prevent reduce or practices that prevent reduce or eliminate<00:14:53.560> environmental
  • We do research through Sustainable Agriculture demonstration grants or the crop research grants, and
  • We do research through Sustainable Agriculture demonstration grants or the crop research grants, and
  • We do research through Sustainable Agriculture demonstration grants or the crop research grants, and
  • We do research through Sustainable Agriculture demonstration grants or the crop research grants, and
Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HWN-WLA, HWN DEFER Public Hearings 02-10-2026

Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • First, it's sustainable. The future of Hawaiians and Hawaii is sustainability.
  • not to shut down a sustainable fishery. not to shut down a sustainable fishery.
  • The fishery is sustainable.
  • Mahalo. fishery is sustainable. fishery is sustainable.
  • When we talk about sustainability, DAR has never defined what sustainability is.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures affecting Hawaiian affairs, historic preservation, water access, and land governance. SB 1406 would let the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands assume historic preservation review for projects on lands under its jurisdiction, except for properties listed or nominated for the state or national historic registers. DHHL supported the bill, while a descendant testifier strongly opposed it, arguing that burial and preservation review protects ancestors and should not be streamlined or reduced. No questions were raised and the bill was moved on after testimony. SB 521 would require DHHL to work with county water boards or water departments to provide potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian homelands, with agreements made public. DHHL said it already works with counties but objected to the bill’s mandatory language, saying it could undermine the department’s discretion and independence. A public testifier supported the measure, and committee discussion focused on how water requirements could affect subsistence lots and infrastructure decisions. The committee then took up SB 3247, which would create a Royal Mausoleum Commission within DLNR to oversee preservation, operations, and outreach at Mauna Ala. State Parks said it valued existing collaboration with the aliʻi trusts but wanted clarity on roles, coordination, and funding if a new commission is created. The Royal Order of Kamehameha strongly supported the bill as a culturally grounded way to protect the site, while several other testifiers opposed it, saying the real issue is the curator selection process and warning that a commission could add bureaucracy and delay. The committee also heard SB 1654, authorizing transfer of certain state lands to DHHL, and SB 112, which would add the DHHL chair or designee to the Hawaii Community Development Authority; the Attorney General and HCDA offered technical and policy comments, with HCDA opposing the board change and DHHL supporting participation to protect beneficiary interests. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • migrants sleeping at the airport, and whether that violated federal law or grand insurances, this practice
  • oversight is achieved in a good faith, bipartisan manner that follows established... procedures and practices
  • here, this committee does not know the answer to a great many questions about the long-standing practice
Summary: The meeting was convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where robust discussions were held regarding the need for improved oversight within the Senate. The chairman emphasized the historical decline in oversight activities and proposed motions to authorize subpoenas related to an ongoing investigation involving the Massachusetts Port Authority and allegations of illegal immigrant sheltering at airports. This prompted a detailed examination of the current practices and measures needed to address such issues effectively, particularly in light of recent reports from O'Hare Airport. The committee engaged in deliberations that highlighted the importance of maintaining legislative oversight to safeguard national interests.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Importantly, the ITA promotes market access and redresses unfair trade practices.
  • Prior to becoming Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee, I was the firm wide chair of the tax practice
  • Now practically that seems difficult to and it's affecting my constituents.
  • So can you give if when you're giving best advice on the practicality of executing the law would you
  • Others say that's not sustainable. What are your thoughts about that?
Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and nominees, including the critical nominations of William Kimmett for Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and Ken Keyes for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the Treasury Department. Discussions highlighted the nominees' roles in managing critical trade and tax policies amidst rising economic concerns, particularly focusing on inflation and its impact on American families. Members expressed both support and skepticism, emphasizing the significance of fostering fair trade practices and ensuring tax policies that benefit the middle-class amidst claims of an agenda favoring affluent individuals and corporations.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-EDU-HWN, HWN Public Hearings 02-03-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Agriculture and Human Resilience to support research and development focused on local adaptation, sustainability
  • Agriculture and Human Resilience to support research and development focused on local adaptation, sustainability
Bills: SB2178
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2178, which would create an industrial hemp program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, establish an advisory board, support research through the University of Hawaii, and promote hemp-based materials and partnerships with Native Hawaiian practitioners and cooperatives. Testimony was generally supportive from industry, Native Hawaiian advocates, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the department, with supporters emphasizing economic opportunity, community-based development, and potential uses such as hempcrete and fiber products. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity also said it supported the intent, but its representative explained that the bill would require additional staffing and resources for education, monitoring, testing, and enforcement. Members raised concerns about overlapping regulation with USDA hemp licensing and the cost of new positions; the department estimated three additional positions at about $80,000 each and noted current federal licensing does not charge fees. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including removing state licensing requirements to avoid duplication with USDA authority, making technical changes, and blanking the appropriation amount for later consideration, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously. The committee also heard and later took action on several other measures. SB 2702, relating to Hawaiian Homes and an irrigation system inventory, drew support but was postponed for decision-making until February 5 so additional amendments could be prepared. SB 2785, relating to economic development, received mixed testimony but was recommended and adopted for passage without amendments. SB 2790, relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Mākai irrigation system, received strong support and was also passed unamended. SB 2314, relating to the Hawaiian language and the legal effect of Hawaiian versions of laws, drew support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and others, while the Attorney General’s office raised concerns about the wording; the committee adopted amendments incorporating language from the judiciary, clarifying that English and Hawaiian are official languages and that priority goes to the version consistent with legislative intent when there is a material difference, and then passed the bill with amendments. All final votes reported were in favor, with no recorded opposition.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, first off, for registered testifiers, we have the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development
  • Tempro, and members Gideon and I'm Mary Alice Evans, the Director of the Office of Planning and Sustainable
Bills: SCR159
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 03-23-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • the state of this flooding, the moment to invest in conservation agriculture, good agricultural practices
  • I I would say, >> Yeah, I'd like to details about, you know, the practices continued after that. >> Yeah
  • I I would say, >> Yeah, I'd like to details about, you know, the practices continued after that. >> Yeah
  • Moving on to 2216. >> Yeah, I'd like details about, you know, the practices continued after that. >>
Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. HB 1953 would create a two-year conservation and environmental stewardship pilot program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB); testimony from Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii supported investing in conservation agriculture and farm practices that protect waterways and native species. HB 248 would establish a climate-resilient food systems grant program, with DAB explaining the types of equipment and processing investments such grants could support, such as coffee roasting, packaging, harvesting equipment, and other value-added infrastructure. HB 2246 would create a grant administration program and revolving fund to help DAB manage grants; DAB said the bill would help leverage federal, state, county, and private funding by retaining part of the indirect cost recovery to meet matching requirements. HB 2549 would create a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material, and reforestation advocates said it would support large-scale reforestation efforts. HB 2551 would fund an area fruit fly suppression program; DAB described sterile fruit fly technology and said the program could help reduce fruit fly populations statewide. HB 2216 would authorize DAB to package and sell part of its loan portfolio to third parties, and HB 2152 would clarify liability and penalties for dog attacks on livestock, with the Hawaii Sheep and Goat Association discussing proposed language and the Hawaiian Humane Society’s suggested amendment on euthanasia procedures. Testimony was largely supportive across the measures, with DAB, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and other agriculture and conservation groups generally backing the bills. There was some discussion on funding levels and implementation details, including DAB’s estimate of about $750,000 for three clean plant stations and a question about the appropriations needed for the fruit fly suppression program. For HB 2152, the chair noted an amendment incorporating Hawaiian Humane Society language that would require surrender of a dog found to have caused livestock loss or damage for humane euthanasia within 24 hours. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass all of the measures discussed, most with technical amendments or date-defect amendments to July 1, 2050. HB 1953, HB 2548, HB 2549, HB 2551, HB 2216, and HB 2152 were all adopted unanimously by the members present, and HB 2246 also passed with technical amendments. The chair’s amendment to HB 2152 was specifically adopted to include the humane euthanasia language.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-HHS, HHS Public Hearings 03-23-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • implementation working group to assist the DOH in the review of the department's administrative rules and practices
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several cesspool-related measures. HB 1730 HD2 would create a cesspool conversion implementation working group to help the Department of Health review rules and practices and develop changes to make conversions more affordable. DOH and DLNR stood on written testimony, while environmental and wastewater advocates strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the need for dedicated staffing, technical expertise, and smaller, more focused advisory groups. Members discussed the high cost of upgrades and the need for new technologies that reduce excavation and leach field costs. The bill was passed with amendments, including clarifying the DOH director’s discretion over the size of the working group, and the committee noted DOH’s appropriation request for consideration. HB 1985 HD1 would extend certain cesspool conversion deadlines and authorize funding for consultants, while also advancing outreach and education. Testimony split sharply: advocates supported the education component but opposed deadline extensions as premature, arguing the state still has many years before the 2050 mandate and should not weaken the conversion timeline. The committee agreed to amend the bill to delete the deadline-extension portion, keep technical changes, and note DOH’s position request. HB 1749 HD2 would require sellers to disclose cesspools to buyers before a real estate purchase contract is executed and direct DOH and the Real Estate Commission to create a standardized form. Realtors supported the intent but asked to avoid duplicative statutory form requirements, and advocates stressed that disclosure should be prominent and not buried in paperwork. The committee adopted amendments removing the standardized-form mandate and passed the bill. HB 1921 HD2 would allow certain existing cesspools in priority level three areas to continue serving dwellings with additional bedrooms under conditions. DOH brought the measure, and supporters from the real estate and environmental sectors discussed innovative wastewater technologies, retrofits, and composting toilets as ways to reduce costs while improving treatment. The committee amended the bill to require DOH director-approved wastewater technology using solid waste separation for bedroom-count increases and to clarify priority-level determinations using block-level data from the Hawaii cesspool prioritization tool, then passed it. The committee also heard HB 2310, an emergency appropriation for the Department of Human Services to restore funding used to keep SNAP benefits flowing during the federal shutdown; DHS, public health, children’s advocates, and others supported it, and members questioned why it was not handled through the budget. The discussion clarified that the bill sought new money to move quickly for ACA-related premium support. No final vote on HB 2310 was shown in the excerpt.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/21/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • It basically says, while the best practice is a year, lacking those other problems, we can go to two
  • I think the best benefit of this bill is it codifies best practice in the community, number one, and
  • Bill is it codifies best practice in the community, number one, and for both patients and practitioners
  • The legislation directly addresses concerns over divisive or discriminatory practices that have crept
  • In practice, DEI doesn't just give an excuse to discriminate against whites, Asians, and men.
Bills: SB1013, SB1023
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1023, which would require optometrists to conduct eye exams according to the standard of care in the community at a recommended one-year interval, while allowing eyeglass prescriptions to be extended up to two years or shortened based on risk factors. The sponsor described it as a compromise between a longer prescription period and existing practice, and the Arizona Optometric Association supported the bill as codifying best practice and clarifying the standard. The committee moved the bill and gave SB 1023 a do pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1013, a merit-based public hiring bill that would prohibit state and local public employers from using policies or practices that base hiring on race, ethnicity, sex, or national origin, while preserving compliance with anti-discrimination laws. An amendment was offered to clarify that the bill would not limit voluntary veterans’ preference employment policies, and the committee adopted that amendment. Supporters argued the bill would ensure public jobs are awarded based on qualifications and protect taxpayers; opponents argued it could undermine diversity efforts and that the veterans language was unnecessary or awkwardly drafted. After testimony from supporters and debate over the amendment and the bill’s effect on diversity, veterans’ preferences, and prior criminal history in hiring, the committee voted on SB 1013 as amended. The bill received a due pass as amended recommendation on a 4-3 vote, and the committee then adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 4/8/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • The sustainable aviation fuel credit provides a refundable income tax credit for Minnesota-produced sustainable
  • Chair and members, uh, the DE2 amendment is the bill. sustainable aviation fuel which is sold sustainable
  • 13:54.320> an Sustainable aviation fuel presents an Sustainable aviation fuel presents an opportunity
  • the potential for multiple sustainable the potential for multiple sustainable aviation<00:34:40.159
  • on this um trend toward sustainable on this um trend toward sustainable aviation<00:46:11.040>
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-HOU, AEN-EIG, AEN Public Hearings 03-18-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • And what to sustainable aviation fuel?
  • aviation fuel versus growing sustainable aviation fuel versus growing food?
  • I mean, it's impossible to know without practice data from pet practices, and that just doesn't really
  • from pet without practice data from pet practices,<01:06:02.880> and<01:06:03.000> that
  • Thank you, Vice Chair. in also trying to raise uh sustainable in also trying to raise uh sustainable
Bills: HB1736, HB1620, HB1695
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/4/25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • The legislature wants to have some data practices involved there.
  • I mean, the case says your remedy is with the Data Practices Act, and the Data Practices Act is where
  • I mean, the case says your remedy is with the Data Practices Act, and the Data Practices Act is where
  • I mean, the case says your remedy is with the Data Practices Act, and the Data Practices Act is where
  • I mean, the case says your remedy is with the Data Practices Act, and the Data Practices Act is where
Bills: HF390, HF1202, HF550
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Taxes Committee 3/6/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:21:00.000> aviation State's existing sustainable aviation State's existing sustainable
  • of getting to Net Zero is sustainable of getting to Net Zero is sustainable aviation<00:27:18.120
  • impacts of crop production practices impacts of crop production practices currently<00:42:41.839
  • camelina this bill would help sustain camelina this bill would help sustain private<00:46:43.400
  • Wood is renewable and sustainable.