Transcript Highlights:

• Um where SB 3134 was enacted um and uh we're on track to be able to implement it on time federally.
• 06:52.040><c> on</c> SB 3134 was enacted um and uh we're on SB 3134 was enacted um and uh we're on track
• to be able to implement it on time track to be able to implement it on time federally.<00:06:55.640>
• </c> to bill and collect and track all that. to bill and collect and track all that.
• </c><01:26:00.880><c> Um</c> will track both over time. Um will track both over time.

Summary: The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published. Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2. Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• My job on this committee is to track the budgetary decisions and request fiscal notes and present them
• My job on this committee is to track the budgetary decisions and request fiscal notes and present them
• My job on this committee is to track the budgetary decisions and request fiscal notes and present them
• My job on this committee is to track the budgetary decisions and request fiscal notes and present them
• is to track the budgetary decisions<00:21:19.240><c> and</c><00:21:19.679><c> uh</c><00:21:19.799><c

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

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:36.240><c> of</c> the I lost track of the I lost track of I'm<00:45:37.720><c> sorry.
• </c><01:12:45.920><c> of</c> small business who has to keep track of small business who has to keep track
• </c> does waitressing, trying to keep track does waitressing, trying to keep track of<01:13:20.920><c
• Well, um if they're track of their tips.
• So, they're committing tax fraud if they're not tracking their tips.

Bills: HF3127 , HF3524 , HF3525 , HF3754

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a proven track record of reducing car trips, reducing congestion.
• Secondly, some of the issues that I just highlight is there is centralized tracking and data sharing
• Secondly, some of the issues that I just highlight is there is centralized tracking and data sharing
• MDL and keep track of what data is shared based on IP address analysis.
• The issuing authority would also be able to track an MDL holder's physical location to some extent.

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we would definitely be tracking this.
• One thing that we will be tracking this.
• c><00:54:03.760><c> um</c><00:54:04.079><c> by</c> tracking people by county um by tracking people by
• </c> management type, you know, tracking management type, you know, tracking cases<01:02:35.040><c> that
• So we don't track when a status changes, for example.

Transcript Highlights:

• from our official paper record uh tracks from our official paper record in<00:35:16.640><c> each</c>
• we track based on charges<00:36:57.280><c> in</c><00:36:57.599><c> in</c><00:36:57.839><c> a</c><00:
• And if you track them, they've been going down a little bit from '23 to 2025. three years.
• I'm not aware that our case system could track along those lines.
• </c> aware that our case system could track aware that our case system could track along<00:44:07.440

Summary: The committee received an update on Kentucky’s statewide emergency responder voice system (SERVS) and the supporting microwave network, known as KYeS. Michael Brandon Marshall, the state’s statewide interoperability coordinator, explained that the project began as a replacement for Kentucky State Police’s radio system and has expanded into a statewide public-safety trunked radio system. He reviewed work completed in phases 1 and 2, including upgrades to existing tower sites, construction of new sites, installation of generators and DC power plants, and replacement of microwave routers and stations. He said the microwave upgrade is a separate but necessary part of the project and that the remaining microwave work on existing sites is expected to be finished in 2026, with roughly 20 more sites likely to move from blue to green by the next monthly report if conditions allow. Members pressed Marshall on the pace of deployment and the lack of coverage in parts of Eastern Kentucky. Senator Thomas said the coverage map was especially unfavorable to counties from Whitley and McCreary up to Lewis County and asked when that gap would be fixed. Marshall said the eastern buildout is planned, but those areas have not yet been funded; he estimated that by the end of 2026 the areas around Posts 14, 8, and 11 should be live, while other eastern post areas would remain unbuilt until additional funding is provided. He said the decision to start in Western Kentucky was technical rather than political, based on terrain and the relative ease of building coverage over flatter ground. Senator Wheeler asked whether newer low-orbit satellite systems such as Starlink could reduce the need for tower construction. Marshall said satellite technology could be a useful tool, especially for outdoor or disaster-response communications, but it cannot replace terrestrial radio for public safety because responders often work indoors and need reliable penetration through buildings. He also noted that lower-frequency spectrum such as 700 MHz is better suited for that purpose. Representative Smith asked about contracting and delays; Marshall said the Finance Cabinet’s DECA manages the construction contracts, while his office helps define the scope of work and reviews whether it is adequately met. The committee indicated it will continue to receive monthly updates on the project.

Transcript Highlights:

• We tracked it instantaneously, and we called the fishery off when we got close to that benchmark.
• We tracked it instantaneously, and we called the fishery off when we got close to that benchmark.
• How do we keep track of gear?
• And what we're seeing, when we look at that 10-year, five-year track, is it's more like mid-January,
• We track it annually. We update it every three years. We did this construct with Deloitte.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture

Summary: The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture held its annual State of the Fishery forum, focusing on salmon, Dungeness crab, kelp, ocean conditions, and related aquaculture and committee reports. Opening remarks from committee leadership emphasized climate impacts, reduced federal NOAA support, state investments through Proposition 4, coastal resilience funding, and the importance of fisheries to rural economies and tribal communities. Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot described a decade of drought and climate stress, highlighted progress such as Klamath River dam removal, wetland restoration, and the state’s salmon strategy, and warned that federal funding uncertainty and staffing cuts could undermine restoration and fishery recovery efforts. Senator Cortese raised concerns about illegal cannabis cultivation damaging riparian habitat and water flows, and both Crowfoot and Fish and Wildlife Director Bonham said enforcement against illicit grows remains a major environmental priority but is constrained by resources. Director Bonham provided a broad update on California fisheries, reporting encouraging signs for salmon after several difficult years, including improved ocean conditions, stronger returns in some runs, and successful short recreational openings in 2025. He also noted major challenges, including reduced federal hatchery production at Nimbus, ongoing uncertainty around winter-run and spring-run recovery, and the need for continued habitat restoration, monitoring, and hatchery investment. On Dungeness crab, Bonham said the fishery remained valuable but constrained by whale entanglement risk, warming ocean conditions, and domoic acid concerns; he described new marked-line distribution, ropeless and alternative gear trials, and ongoing aerial and vessel monitoring. He also said the department’s unified cannabis enforcement task force had served numerous warrants and seized large amounts of illegal cannabis, but more funding is needed for sustained operations. In the salmon panel, Yurok Tribe fisheries director McCovey said the Klamath still faces low run sizes, climate-driven warming, wildfire impacts, and federal uncertainty, but he pointed to dam removal, restoration work, and AB 263’s river-flow protections as major advances. PCFFA president Bradshaw stressed that the three consecutive salmon closures have devastated coastal communities and argued for major reinvestment in aging Central Valley hatchery infrastructure and better broodstock management at Fall Creek. CalTrout’s Schneider said salmon remain at risk statewide, but cited Prop 4, habitat reconnection, floodplain restoration, improved water management, and monitoring as the main tools for recovery. In the crab panel, CDFW’s Schumann reported that the 2024–25 season produced record prices per pound and about $55 million in value despite delays and trap reductions, but he warned that three confirmed whale entanglements and elevated whale presence could force a conservative opener for 2025–26. PCFFA’s Domrash supported marked line, alternative gear, and a new gear-recovery network, while also criticizing the current ramp system as a response to a problem not fully grounded in science.

Transcript Highlights:

• $3,000 annually to build and maintain a customer relationship management tool that will effectively track
• So we collect data on how our grantees provide that technical assistance and track progress toward that
• And those will also be baked into their performance management and tracking.
• It does include a couple of other costs like the track-and-trace system for California.
• Thank you. ...market, and how do you track it? I must—yes, yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we also want to make sure that there's a tracking for us and the constituents.
• But we also want to make sure that there's a tracking for us and the constituents.
• But we also want to make sure that there's a tracking for us and the constituents.
• So, we have been tracking this very, very carefully and working with the attorney general's office to
• c><00:24:53.279><c> carefully</c><00:24:53.600><c> and</c> tracking this very very carefully and tracking

Bills: HB1577 , HB1870

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The committee reconvened on March 19, 2026, for decision-making on measures heard earlier in the week. It first took up HB 812 on agriculture, agreeing to move it forward with amendments and a Senate draft, and then HB 2388 on public notice, which was also passed with amendments after concerns about transparency and the need for local newspaper notice on Maui were discussed. HB 1414 on procurement and HB 2469 on a regular session review working group were both deferred to March 24 for further work with the author, while HB 322 on voter registration was deferred indefinitely in favor of a Senate vehicle. The committee then heard HB 1577, which would create a statewide emergency safety profile system pilot program and working group for 911. Testimony from disability advocates, emergency medical services, and others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing benefits for people without smartphones, better sharing of medical and emergency information, and improved response in the field. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the 911 Board already had the authority to implement the system without legislation, and the bill was not immediately acted on in the portion of the transcript provided. The final major item was HB 1870 on protected community locations. Testimony in support came from the University of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, immigrant-rights groups, public health advocates, and many individuals, while the Department of Education supported the measure but requested clarity on federal compliance and raised concerns about a 1,000-foot perimeter beyond campus. Supporters said the bill would protect sensitive locations and help immigrant families feel safe accessing schools, health care, and other services. No final vote on HB 1870 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we continue to track the case. So where is R.C. today?
• So we continue to track the case. So where is RC today?
• Did you have any data that happened to track on juvenile offenders?
• And so Ben Baker, who was tracking it on a daily basis, could tell you better.
• And, I mean, our track record is...

Bills: SB100 , SB100

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights

Transcript Highlights:

• So all three agencies use the Approved Supplier Program, and all of them use this data portal to track
• Our program basically has two tracks when it comes to distribution and marketing of food.
• There is an entry-level track, as well as an advanced-level track, that will serve different constituencies
• For the two tracks There are two different requirements.
• And the National Weather Service office keeps track of them and provides warnings.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We're learning that company's got a pretty horrific track record.
• We're learning that company's got a pretty horrific track record.
• On job sites, AI is being used to track every move. My name is Chaiton Green.
• On job sites, AI is being used to track every move, with cameras embedded across job sites.
• Healthcare workers are forced to wear devices that track their movements.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several artificial intelligence bills, opening with remarks about the 9/11 anniversary and then broad statements from the co-chairs about AI’s promise and risks. Chair Farley-Bouvier and Senator Moore emphasized the need for guardrails, transparency, and worker and consumer protections, while Senator Finegold described Senate Bill 37, which would create a framework for AI model training with safety assessments, audits, incident reporting, Attorney General oversight, and workforce reporting. Members also discussed Massachusetts’ position relative to other states and the need for state action in the absence of federal regulation. A large portion of the hearing focused on the Fair Act, House 77 and Senate 35, which would limit workplace surveillance, restrict collection of biometric and location data, require notice and human review for automated employment decisions, and protect workers from retaliation. Labor leaders, including AFL-CIO, AFSCME, AFT, SEIU, building trades, and other worker representatives, testified in support, describing harms from bossware, automated benefits denials, hiring and promotion screening, scheduling, and monitoring in workplaces ranging from health care and education to manufacturing and construction. They argued that AI systems are already affecting wages, benefits, safety, and job security, and that Massachusetts should act now to set clear rules. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 74, which would require informed consent and clear contract terms for digital replicas of voices and likenesses, with SAG-AFTRA representatives supporting the bill as a protection for performers and creators. Another major topic was Senate Bill 51 on social media algorithm accountability and transparency; child safety advocates, researchers, and a public health expert described harms from engagement-based algorithms, including exposure to harmful content, eating disorders, and youth mental health impacts, and supported independent audits and public reporting. A few industry and civil liberties witnesses supported regulation but urged balance, warning against overly burdensome rules while acknowledging the need for privacy, transparency, and accountability. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• According<00:08:19.599><c> to</c><00:08:19.919><c> AARP</c><00:08:20.639><c> tracking,</c><00:08:21.039
• ><c> older</c><00:08:21.360><c> adults</c> According to AARP tracking, older adults According to AARP
• tracking, older adults disproportionately<00:08:22.639><c> report</c><00:08:23.039><c> losses.
• </c> tracking, reversing, or recovering tracking, reversing, or recovering stolen<00:09:08.000><c> money
• Uh, the one reason that Jared uses cash, nobody can track him going into those liquor stores with the

Committee: Senate Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• data, or it's projected that in 2026, this is going to be so prevalent in our community we need to track
• We need to track whether or not the testing is appropriate, the diagnoses appropriate, and this just
• lets us have an opportunity to track these individuals.
• we need to track this we need<00:04:04.079><c> to</c><00:04:04.200><c> track</c><00:04:04.480><c> whether
• </c><00:04:13.120><c> these</c> have an opportunity to track these have an opportunity to track these

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 27, as amended by committee substitute, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry. The sponsor said the substitute was developed with UK, U of L, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Parkinson’s in Motion to better define a movement disorder center, add Parkinson’s experts from both universities to the advisory committee, require automated reporting, and delay implementation until 2027. Testimony emphasized the need to track diagnoses and testing while protecting confidentiality and allowing people to opt out. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted unanimously to pass SB 27 with a favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 93, dealing with hearing aid coverage for children. A parent described the high cost of hearing aids for her son and the financial burden created by insurance limits, while a pediatric audiologist explained that early identification and treatment improve language outcomes and that families can spend about $30,000 on hearing aids from birth to age 18. The committee substitute removed adults from the bill and added an in-network requirement for pediatric audiologists, along with a replacement interval consistent with Medicaid guidelines and repair/loss coverage provisions. After questions about costs, replacement timing, and insurer practices, the committee voted unanimously to pass SB 93 with a favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 153, a transparency and due-process bill concerning Medicaid prepayment review. The sponsor and witnesses from Addiction Recovery Care and Frontier Behavioral Health said prepayment reviews can be imposed with little notice or explanation, disrupt cash flow, and burden rural and smaller providers; they argued the bill would require clearer notice, reasons, and timelines without stopping legitimate reviews. Members asked about managed care organizations, contract issues, and whether the bill would conflict with existing agreements, and the sponsor said it would not. After discussion and an explanation of vote from Senator Douglas, the committee voted to pass SB 153 with a favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• So yes, we are tracking that.
• You mentioned that you are tracking the savings, right?
• Commissioner, that you gave me in regard to tracking the savings.
• My question to you, if you are tracking the savings...
• Commissioner, that you gave me in regard to tracking the savings.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting on homeowners property insurance, with members from both parties introducing themselves and repeatedly noting that insurance affordability, roof condition, claims handling, and storm recovery are top concerns for their districts. Chair Yeager said the meeting was intended as an educational discussion rather than a legislative debate, and introduced a panel that included Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski, consumer Chad Carr, agent Mary Catherine Lawler, insurer executive Melissa Burt DeVries, and policyholder attorney Chip Merlin. The panel and members discussed major cost drivers in Florida homeowners insurance, including inflation, home age, roof age, mitigation features, claims history, litigation costs, reinsurance, and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Commissioner Yaworski said underwriting has become more sophisticated and that litigation costs, reinsurance, and replacement-cost inflation all affect premiums; he also said litigation is down about 30% and average requested rate increases have fallen from about 22.1% in 2022 to 0.8% today. DeVries said age of home, replacement cost, roof age, and coverage choices can materially change premiums, and explained that reinsurance is a major expense passed through to consumers. Merlin emphasized transparency concerns, argued that insurers are increasingly individualizing risk, and said consumers often struggle with coverage limits, deductibles, and claim denials. Members asked about flood coverage, hurricane deductibles, managed repair programs, mitigation credits, new insurer capitalization, and whether savings from reforms are reaching consumers. Yaworski explained that flood is generally excluded from homeowners policies and covered separately, that hurricane deductibles are mandatory in Florida and usually around 5%, and that the office tracks savings from reforms through rate filings and insurer discussions. He said the state is updating mitigation discounts and monitoring new entrants closely for solvency and market conduct. Several members and panelists said recent reforms have helped reduce some abuses and litigation, but many consumers are still seeing higher premiums because replacement costs and reinsurance remain elevated. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state will finally have a mechanism to track repeat dangerous drivers and hold them accountable.
• A way to track reckless drivers that have taken lives, human lives on our roads, takes four points to
• A way to track reckless drivers that have taken lives, human lives on our roads.
• The state is able to track repeat dangerous drivers. It will save lives. Please support SB 953.
• But to avoid the delays that may be caused by this effort and to get back on track, SB 1411...

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills on transportation, privacy, enforcement, and high-speed rail, with most measures discussed under a quorum and then formally voted on later. SB 953 by Senator Nilo would add two DMV points for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases that are dismissed through diversion; the author, a victim’s mother, and CHP representatives argued it would help identify high-risk drivers, while no opposition witnesses appeared. SB 1292 by Senator Richardson, as amended, would let certain cities use stationary cameras or sensors to enforce curb and loading-zone rules, with human review of citations; supporters said it would improve compliance and safety, while a privacy group remained cautious but said the amendments improved the bill. SB 1228 by Senator Rubio would create a permanent compliance path for a small number of existing redevelopment-era LED messaging signs; supporters said it preserves local revenue and avoids fines, while billboard industry opponents warned about federal compliance and highway funding risk. SB 1013 by Senator Cervantes would tighten ALPR privacy rules through DOJ audits, employee training, hot-list limits, and a 30-day retention cap; privacy advocates supported it as a needed safeguard, while law enforcement groups opposed the retention limit and query restrictions as too restrictive. SB 1218 by Senator Arreguín would block DMV registration renewal for vehicles with unpaid illegal dumping fines, modeled on parking citation enforcement; Oakland officials and local government groups strongly supported it as an accountability tool, and the bill drew no opposition in the room. SB 1136 by Senator Blakespear would require intercity and regional rail operators to better coordinate service, fares, and trip planning for large events; transit and rail advocates supported it, while some agencies were neutral or “work with author” pending further changes. SB 1425, the chair’s bill, would create a permitting process for encroachments in the high-speed rail right-of-way; supporters said it would streamline construction and protect the project, while utilities and the City of Burbank raised concerns about reciprocity, enforcement, and local infrastructure impacts. SB 1411 by Senator Stern would expand high-speed rail authority to pursue public-private partnerships and early works, removing a project cap; supporters said it could leverage private capital and save costs, while local agencies from Merced expressed concerns but noted amendments addressed some issues. After roll calls, SB 1013 failed to advance on a 4-1 vote and remained on call, while the consent calendar and the other bills moved forward on unanimous or near-unanimous committee votes and remained on call pending final action.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we are tracking well for a contribution to the lapse for our payroll lines.
• So that is still tracking well. that<00:05:39.680><c> Senator</c><00:05:40.080><c> Rosen</c><00:05:40.479
• So, I think that's why we wanted to track this and related to this item.
• So that is still tracking every month. So that is still tracking well. well. well.
• </c><00:06:34.240><c> this</c><00:06:35.039><c> um</c> that's why we wanted to to track this um that's

Summary: The Joint Fiscal Committee met on March 20, 2026, approved the minutes, and adopted the consent calendar after removing two items for separate discussion: FIS 26048 from the Department of Safety and FIS 26053 from the Department of Environmental Services. The committee then adopted both of those items after brief questioning. Safety explained that a $2 million transfer would reduce its lapse, though it still expected a lapse of just under $4 million. Members, especially Senator Gray, emphasized concern about lapses and the need to track them closely given prior-year shortfalls. On the Environmental Services item, members discussed the Heavy Falls dam removal. The commissioner said the dam is old, not grounded in bedrock, and does not meet current safety standards, so removal was the practical option because replacement funding was unavailable. He said the aquatic resource mitigation fund and Army Corps of Engineers support made the removal feasible, and that the town had been involved in discussions for years. The committee adopted the item. The committee also adopted a Department of Transportation item, with staff noting high snowfall and a roughly 25% vacancy rate but saying contractors and bonus incentives had allowed plowing operations to continue. A Judicial Council item was then adopted, with the director saying it would likely be his last appearance this fiscal year. The committee next reviewed information materials on YDC claims administration, where DOJ staff said current spending would leave about a $10 million buffer into the next fiscal year and described reduced staffing and ongoing claims work; no action was taken. The committee then heard audit presentations for the Liquor Commission and Lottery Commission. The Liquor Commission audit reported seven findings, including a material weakness on reconciliations, issues with NextGen data/reporting, gift and promotional card controls, procurement and leasing practices, and one nonconcurrence on whether certain purchases were exempt from bidding requirements; members discussed whether attorney general review or legislation might be needed. The commission said it had completed a year-end reconciliation and was about 70% reconciled through February. The Lottery Commission audit reported three internal control comments, all concurred with by the lottery, focused on written procedures, filling the controller position, annual risk assessments, disaster recovery testing, user access controls, and training compliance; the lottery said it was hiring to reduce reliance on one employee and had no unresolved findings. The committee took no vote on the audit materials and adjourned after setting the next meeting for April 17 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll have to track that.
• And so no, but they'll be tracking, and we'll figure out how to do that.
• But we will track the dollars. I mean, that's our responsibility. That's our deal.
• They have a lot of money to track and a lot of projects to focus on.
• They have a lot of money to track and a lot of projects to focus on.

Bills: SB20 , SB21 , SB166 , SB177 , SB181 , SB189 , SM6

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, of course, the hometown favorite DJ David Hagley, who won't be spinning some tracks today,
• And then, of course, the hometown favorite DJ David Hagley, who won't be spinning some tracks today,
• We appeared to be on track to receive a substantial portion of what was needed.
• So really finding a way to fast-track that permitting, especially for solutions like ours, to fast-track
• And track that carbon removal. So we're very happy to have this working.

Summary: The Select Committee on Climate Innovation and Infrastructure held a hearing focused on emerging technologies for climate resilience and infrastructure. The first panel discussed the Calistoga Resiliency Center, a utility-driven microgrid that keeps the city powered during public safety power shutoffs using hydrogen fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, and liquid hydrogen storage. PG&E described microgrids as a resilience tool but emphasized that cost remains the main barrier to wider deployment. Energy Vault explained the project’s design, its ability to provide at least 48 hours of backup power on a small parcel of land, and its use of green hydrogen and battery storage to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. A Calistoga councilmember and NCPA representative also discussed the Lodi Energy Center hydrogen project, saying it could help decarbonize power generation and transportation, but that federal and state funding changes, tax credit timing, and other policy shifts have made the project difficult to advance. The Green Hydrogen Coalition supported the Calistoga model as a blueprint and urged policy changes to create demand and reduce barriers for renewable hydrogen, including addressing behind-the-meter rules and recognizing hydrogen in state energy planning. The second panel focused on water resilience and desalination, with the California Desal Association and Oneka Technologies discussing wave-powered desalination for the City of Fort Bragg. Cal Desal said California’s changing hydrology, reduced snowpack, and drought conditions make local water supply options increasingly important, but noted that conventional desalination is expensive and slow to permit. Oneka described its offshore, wave-powered system as a zero-electricity desalination technology that produces drinking water without greenhouse gas emissions and with limited land use, and said the Fort Bragg pilot is intended to demonstrate the technology under California conditions. The company and Cal Desal both stressed that permitting is a major obstacle, with the project requiring multiple agencies and a timeline far longer than in other jurisdictions. They also said the technology’s autonomous operation could improve water resilience because it does not depend on the electrical grid. The final panel featured the Climate Foundation’s marine permaculture proposal, which aims to restore kelp forests and support carbon removal and coastal food systems. The presenter said warming oceans and nutrient loss have devastated kelp forests along the California coast and argued that offshore platforms that raise and lower seaweed to access nutrients and sunlight could help regenerate ecosystems while producing food, feed, fertilizer, and carbon benefits. He said the technology has shown strong growth rates and storm resilience in other regions, but that California permitting remains a major hurdle, involving 17 state and federal agencies. He proposed a streamlined, code-based permitting approach for smaller projects and said the group is seeking matching funds to complete a first California pilot. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly highlighted the tension between innovation and the high cost, complexity, and length of California’s permitting and funding processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then our track blew out again, so now we're not utilizing that wood.
• So we can track along with our JTIP, along with our incentives, what are the job wage levels?
• They also have a bump track.
• So a bump track is—it's a Bunch of moguls kind of thing, and you get on your bike and you never pedal
• But it's the largest Red Bull certified bump track in New Mexico on the Pueblo.