Republicans warn environmental crimes, agency-authority bills could hinder projects and centralize power In the briefing, Republican leaders cautioned that proposed environmental-crimes legislation and other measures would expand state agency authority, create permit or litigation risks for builders and energy projects, and centralize investigative power in Olympia.

Republican leaders are sounding the alarm over new environmental crimes legislation that could jeopardize crucial construction and energy projects in Washington.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #AgencyAuthority #EnergyTransition #RegulatoryRisk

Environment committee draft reconciles EPA input on CAFO permitting; debate centers on agency authority and technical language Committee reviewed proposed amendments to concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) law introduced to incorporate EPA comments, clarify agency authority between ANR and Agency of Agriculture, adjust numeric thresholds and wording (e.g., replacing a virgul), and delay the CAFO general permit timeline to 2027.

Vermont's Environment Committee is tackling crucial changes to CAFO permitting laws, aiming to align state regulations with federal EPA input while navigating complex agency authority issues.

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#VT #VermontEnvironment #AgencyAuthority #EnvironmentalRegulations #PollutionControl

Texas Supreme Court hears dispute over agency’s THC scheduling and delta‑8 enforcement At oral argument in Texas Department of State Health Services v. Sky Marketing (No. 230887), the Supreme Court of Texas weighed whether the health‑services commissioner exceeded statutory authority by clarifying the state controlled‑substances schedule to cover certain forms of THC, including delta‑8, and whether the businesses bringing suit have standing to seek injunctive relief.

The Texas Supreme Court is debating whether a health commissioner overstepped authority in regulating delta-8 THC, potentially putting hemp businesses at risk of becoming “overnight felons.”

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#TX #ControlledSubstances #TexasHealthServices #AgencyAuthority #EconomicImpact