Kurt — A witness named Kurt is referenced, but the chair says to have him come back.
Rodger Reedy — Representative Riggs is called on to ask a question and responds that he is ready to proceed, thanking the chair.
Rodger Reedy — Representative Riggs asks a semi-serious question about using Arrowhead as a landfill after the Chiefs leave.
Rodger Reedy — Representative Riggs is referenced in a short procedural exchange: Larson responds to Riggs’s earlier question about who had tried to eliminate the districts before, then later Riggs is called on and invited to proceed with questions.
Don Mayhew — Don Mayhew argued that the solid waste district/grant program is not using taxpayer money wisely and that lawmakers should scrutinize it more closely. He referenced his prior bill and past efforts to eliminate the districts, questioned the fiscal note and staffing assumptions, and suggested the work could likely be handled with existing staff or far fewer FTEs than projected. He also criticized the program’s weak reporting and oversight requirements, asked who verifies that grants are spent for their intended purpose, noted the program’s low efficacy, and urged the committee to close loopholes and add oversight because the funds are taxpayer dollars.
Richard West — Representative West is recognized to speak, introduces himself, and then continues with substantive comments expressing concern about the report and asking who issues the landfill permits.
Richard West — Asks whether the witness has been threatened with losing grants.
Richard West — Representative West asks whether the reports can be sent to the committee by next week.
Richard West — Representative West's earlier request for reports is referenced.
Richard West — The witness says he is accepting Representative West's challenge and will send the committee what was submitted to the solid waste management district.
Jim Roberts — Representative West refers to Jim Roberts as the gentleman who spoke first that morning.
Martin Jacobs — Representative Jacobs is recognized to proceed and begins questioning the witness about recycling results.
Martin Jacobs — Asks whether recycled materials are handled from beginning to end and not sent to a landfill.
Martin Jacobs — Representative Jacobs is called on and then asks a follow-up question about whether the witness has a white paper, vision document, or other materials related to recycling-focused economic development, referencing prior discussion and Representative West's request.
Martin Jacobs — Representative Jacobs was recognized to proceed with questions and then began asking about the source of the 64% diversion statistic.
Jim Murphy — Representative Murphy continued questioning the bill as a three-part proposal, first focusing on authority to review and address the sites, then moving to the fee structure and organization of the districts. He noted that there was broad agreement on giving authority to deal with the sites, but said he still did not understand what the districts do and observed that many people may not even know they exist. He then pressed whether grants would continue if the districts were eliminated, asking whether they would remain in place with added oversight.
Darin Chappell — Representative Chappell was referenced in a joking remark about being willing to add more funding.
Darin Chappell — Representative Chappell was jokingly referenced as someone who might add more funding.
Darin Chappell — Representative Chappell was recognized to inquire after the prior exchange about savings and oversight.
Darin Chappell — The witness agrees with Representative Burton and says the expertise being discussed is not easily replaced in the department.
Michael Burton — Representative Burton is recognized by the chair and begins his inquiry, thanking the chair and witnesses and indicating that he has a few questions.
Michael Burton — Representative Burton is called on and then asks the witness about recycling programs, specifically how they could be profitable.
Michael Burton — Recognized to inquire and asks the witness to finish her explanation.
Jamie Burger — The speaker refers to being a former senator and chair of a Senate committee for six years; this likely refers to Senator Jamie Burger, though the transcript does not name him directly here.
Elaine Arder — Elaine Arder introduces herself and explains her background in real estate, foreclosures, and tax sale properties, including holding a 2024 tax lien on a landfill. She then describes how, in August 2024, she became the holder of a tax sale certificate for a 40-acre parcel in Franklin County and says she believes the county deceived her.
Brad Banderman — The witness thanks Representative Banderman for sponsoring the bill.
Ben Brown — The witness thanks Senator Brown for sponsoring the bill.
Dave Hinman — The transcript says 'Representative Burton,' but the expected member list does not include Burton; this appears to be a speaker transition to a committee member, possibly mis-transcribed.
Jim — The speaker refers to Jim as someone affected by landfill risks.
Jonathan Overman — Introduces himself and says he works for his father's recycling business, focusing on small business, cost savings, and local jobs.
Diana Bryant — Introduces herself as program manager for the Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste District and says she wants to correct factual information.
Jennifer Wendt — Jennifer Wendt introduced herself as working with communities across Missouri to reduce waste and keep waterways clean, then explained that her experience with both large and small cities shows why local control is important so recycling and related efforts do not get lost in translation.
Scott Wagner — Scott Wagner introduced himself as a Clay County Commissioner representing the Western District and as the Executive Director of Bridging the Gap, then explained that Bridging the Gap operates the recycling drop-off sites for Kansas City.
Diana — Referenced as having spoken earlier about the topic; full identity is unclear.
Eric Larson — Eric Larson introduces himself as the newest director for District L and begins his opposition testimony, referencing district-related documents and West Lake landfill funding.
Wendy L. Hausman — Larson addresses Chairman Houseman at the start of the next witness segment.
Shaila Vellett — Introduces herself as Director of Operations for Earth Day 365 and testifies in opposition to House Bill 2761.
Earth Day 365 representative — The Earth Day 365 representative described the organization’s 2025 work, saying a 20-person team diverted over 13 million pounds of waste through boots-on-the-ground efforts funded by the Solid Waste Management District. Using that example, the witness argued that local programs are better equipped than DNR to handle this work and urged lawmakers to vote no on the House bill, warning that it could harm solid waste management jobs.
Julian Garland — Julian Garland, a St. Louis resident and former DNR employee who directs Earth Day 365’s Green Dining Alliance, testified in opposition to House Bill 2761. He explained that the Region L waste reduction and recycling grant program supports more than 100 local businesses and municipalities, calling it an important economic development tool that helps restaurants and small businesses during difficult economic conditions. He said the program’s subsidies and sustainability efforts have helped businesses reduce waste, noting that about 40% of the businesses he works with compost and that the average diversion rate across the Green Dining Alliance is 64% from the landfill. He urged a no vote on the bill and, in response to a question, clarified that the 64% figure is the average diversion rate across the program’s more than 100 St. Louis-area restaurants.
Marty Joe Murray — Referenced as representing Missouri's 78th legislative district.
Bruce Sassmann — The exchange centers on whether the witness has spoken with Representative Banderman about the legislation and encourages the witness to discuss the bill with the appropriate handler and DNR. The witness then thanks Representative Cook for his insight and openness to further discussion.
Marla Smith — Representative Smith is briefly acknowledged and thanked, then asks the witness what work they did at DNR before moving to Earth Day 365.
Sid Conklin — Sid Conklin, presiding co-commissioner of Randolph County and chairman of the Mark Twain Regional Council of Governments Solid Waste Board, also notes his roles with the Missouri Association of Counties and CCAM. Speaking as a county commissioner and regional board member, he opposes the legislation, arguing that local administration is more effective than state control because local representatives are involved in the projects and understand their communities. He disputes the statistics cited by another speaker and urges a no vote.
Cindy Holtz — Cindy Holtz, executive director of the Mark Twain Regional Council of Governments, explains her 18 years in solid waste planning and describes how locally controlled solid waste funding has enabled nearly 200 regional projects. She highlights the household hazardous waste and e-waste program, which has removed over 150 tons of dangerous material, and clarifies that the administration contract supports compliance, grants, audits, monitoring, and education. She further describes environmental education materials for schoolchildren, mini-grants for teachers, and school recycling efforts such as crayon recycling, concluding that these programs are a smart preventative investment rather than wasteful spending.
Greg Sharpe — Representative Riggs is recognized to question the witnesses and then asks about the neighborhood aspect of waste boards, specifically requesting an explanation of the board’s composition, the stakeholders involved, and how decisions are made.
Cindy Holtz / board representative — Cindy Holtz explains that the board is composed of county commissioners from across the district who review every application, score them based on available funding and representative feedback, and then approve or disapprove applications during the application period. She emphasizes that this local decision-making process is important.
Don Orff — Don Orff, a St. Louis resident and chair of the board of District L, testifies about the district’s limited staffing and heavy grant-management workload, explaining that the district has only three FTEs while actively managing roughly 150 grants and supporting grantees with paperwork and day-to-day needs.
the director — Referenced as saying he could handle the work with two or three FTEs for the entire state.
board member / speaker — Described spending 45 to 50 hours grading over 50 grant applications and invited people to observe the board review in St. Louis.
Elizabeth Sibetta — Testified on behalf of Earth Day 365 and opposed House Bill 2761.