Transcript Highlights:

• I am the division director of business opportunities... My name is Brooklyn Wasser.
• I am the division director of business opportunities with Economic Development.
• Someone else who has a tax liability, if the person receiving the tax credit does not have a tax liability
• So regarding this, the business facility headquarters tax credit, I had some background.
• Yeah, is the business facility headquarters tax credit program here in the summary?

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The House Budget Committee met with a quorum and reviewed the state’s tax credit programs, using a distributed packet and taking member questions rather than hearing formal presentations. Representative Mayhew questioned the Department of Economic Development about the Business Facility Headquarters Tax Credit Program. Agency staff explained that the program is limited to headquarters operations, requires a Missouri headquarters to be at least 50 years old, and has only been used by Burns & McDonnell. To qualify, a company must create at least 25 new jobs, make at least $1 million in new investment, and maintain an average of at least $20 million in business facility investment. Staff also said the credit is transferable and sellable, has no annual cap, and currently sunsets on December 31, 2028; a proposal to extend the sunset to 2031 was noted, but the committee discussion did not address that legislation directly. Mayhew said he had intended to offer an amendment or motion related to the credit but would hold off, citing commitments from involved parties to make significant changes next year. Representative Fogle then asked about the broader tax credit motion, confirming that expired credits listed for approval were ones the state no longer had authority to issue, and that the low-income housing and historic preservation caps matched fiscal year 2026 levels. Representative Martin asked whether the packet or motion was changing the separate legislation on the headquarters credit; the chair and others clarified it was not, and that the committee’s action was a routine budget-related tax credit authorization distinct from standing committee legislation. The committee then moved into executive session and adopted the FY 2027 tax credit authorization motion. The roll call passed 21 ayes, 1 no, and 0 present. Representative Mayhew voted no; the remaining recorded votes were in favor.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to set limits on strict liability for utility wildfire damages that creates unlimited ratepayer
• community, small business, commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers in the state.
• The crisis is real. 3.4 million customers are in arrears on their power bills today, and businesses are
• and inverse condemnation as we go forward, because the liability fund is not sustainable for ratepayers
• Because of inverse condemnation in the state of California, we have a very strict liability construct

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy convened with a quorum and first heard SB 254, a major utility affordability and wildfire package authored by Senator Becker and coauthored by Assemblymember Petrie-Norris. The bill was described as combining wildfire mitigation reforms, $6 billion in securitized financing for future fire-mitigation capital spending, a public ownership/transmission financing program, tighter scrutiny of utility profits, clean energy permitting streamlining, stronger customer connection timelines, and a successor wildfire fund/continuation account to replace the current fund. Supporters, including the Governor’s office, TURN, labor, clean energy groups, utilities, and public advocates, said the measure would lower bills, stabilize utilities, protect fire victims, and reduce wildfire-related bankruptcy risk. Opponents and some local government groups raised concerns about affordability impacts, the volumetric wildfire fee, strict liability, and provisions they said could affect local control. After discussion, the committee approved SB 254 on a 16-0 vote and sent it to the floor. The committee then held an informational hearing on AB 825, which would enable California to participate in a West-wide electricity market. The authors said the proposal could save ratepayers up to $1 billion annually, improve reliability by allowing California to draw on a larger regional supply, reduce curtailment of renewable power, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Support came from environmental organizations, labor, utilities, community choice aggregators, large energy users, and the Public Advocates Office, all emphasizing cost savings, reliability, and cleaner energy integration. TURN opposed the measure, warning that last-minute amendments removed safeguards against subsidizing out-of-state fossil generation and could expose California ratepayers to unwanted costs. Members questioned governance, exit rights, CPUC oversight, and local control, and the authors responded that the bill includes multiple safeguards, legislative reporting, the ability to exit without penalty, and continued local consultation. No vote was taken because the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that retroactive liability just does send a bad message to the entire business community.
• Petroleum, whether in the agricultural business, the pharmaceutical business, the tech business.
• It imposes retroactive liability on businesses for conduct that...
• It imposes retroactive liability on businesses for conduct that federal and state governments not only
• This is liability.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As I was talking local business climate.
• </c><00:36:50.480><c> insurance</c> professional liability insurance professional liability insurance
• There's no fiscal impact. liability insurance coverage is not liability insurance coverage is not maintained
• </c> does not maintain professional liability does not maintain professional liability insurance<00:37
• Clerk, read the next bill. performance bond and liability performance bond and liability insurance.<00

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• business, big business?
• You know, LLCs, anybody that's a business—small business, big business, all of them.
• And so the changes in H.R. 1 that could affect small businesses, I think there are some small businesses
• So do you have any ideas of the kinds, how complex a business is, or what size the revenue of a business
• The distressed business.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard a series of bills, many dealing with cryptocurrency and tax administration. SB 1042 would allow certain state retirement and treasury funds to invest up to 10% in virtual currency; SB 1043 would let state agencies accept cryptocurrency payments; SB 1044 and SCR 1003 would exempt virtual currency from property tax, with SB 1044 contingent on voter approval of the referral. All four measures advanced on 4-3 votes, with Democratic members largely opposing them as risky, speculative, and favoring wealthy crypto interests. The committee also considered SB 1221, which would require the Department of Revenue to notify legislative tax chairs before adopting a new tax interpretation or application that would adversely affect taxpayers and to testify if a hearing is held. Supporters framed it as transparency and good governance, while opponents worried about added red tape and administrative burden. The bill passed 4-3. Another major item, SB 1142, would opt Arizona into a new federal scholarship tax credit program administered through certified scholarship-granting organizations; supporters said it would expand scholarship opportunities for public, charter, private, and homeschool students, while opponents argued it would deepen inequities, lack accountability, and divert resources from public schools. That bill also passed 4-3. A lengthy discussion followed on the Department of Revenue’s press release about tax conformity and the governor’s executive order. DOR explained that the forms were issued assuming conformity with federal changes, including the standard deduction and certain below-the-line adjustments, and said taxpayers generally should file on time but may need amended returns if the Legislature later changes the law. Members pressed DOR on the cost and clarity of the guidance, with estimates that widespread amendments could cost the department about $20 million. Finally, the committee heard SB 1254, which would require both grantor and grantee signatures on real property conveyances before recording; county assessors said it would reduce deed-fraud risk and fix recording gaps. County officials from Maricopa and Mohave supported the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the expansion of businesses.
• and an expansion of businesses.
• And what that saves out of liability.
• And, uh, see no other business, we'll stand adjourned until the same time next week.
• adjourned</c><01:02:11.359><c> until</c> business, we'll stand adjourned until business, we'll stand

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:11 Executive Budget 00:00:50, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations. Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities. He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The meeting is open for business. At this time, I will call HB285. At this time, I will call HB285.
• children; I've got all teenagers and if ...driving my car and using my gas under my insurance, my liability
• that are in the contract. ...terms of liability that are in the terms of service.
• liability if that is breached?
• I don't think there's any liability to the parent, person, or guardian or whatever.

Bills: HB285 , HB317

Committee: House Children and Senior Advocacy

Keywords: HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, law enforcement, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law, Section 12-12-56, Children and Senior Advocacy, House Judiciary, reasonable effort

Transcript Highlights:

• We hear every day from businesses about the chilling effect it's having in their sectors and the lower
• Section 2029 requires CalPERS to disclose pension liabilities and contribution rates for state employees
• Currently, CalPERS uses a 20-year amortization for new unfunded liabilities.
• We compare the actual liabilities to the expected, and that difference gets amortized over 20 years,
• That contribute to the unfunded liability. Thank you, understand it. Appreciate the response. Sure.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement and the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement held a joint hearing required by law to receive an independent report from the California Actuarial Advisory Panel on CalPERS. Opening remarks emphasized CalPERS’ role in providing retirement security for roughly two million members and the importance of actuarial assumptions to state budgeting and long-term pension health. Scott Tarando, CalPERS chief actuary and a CAP member, presented the report with Michael Cohen of CalPERS’ investment office available for questions. Tarando explained the statutory disclosure requirements under Government Code Section 2029, including sensitivity analysis around CalPERS’ 6.8% discount rate, and discussed how investment return assumptions and the 20-year amortization period affect contribution rates, unfunded liabilities, and budget volatility. He said shorter amortization periods would raise near-term costs but reduce long-term interest costs, and noted that CalPERS’ current approach is intended to smooth contribution changes over time. He also described the timing of the annual valuation process, explaining that contribution rates for a given fiscal year are based on the most recently audited year-end data and are approved by the board before being used in the budget process. Members asked about the relationship between average employee service life and amortization, whether more current data could be used, the effect of AI and labor-market changes on future assumptions, whether retirees’ benefits change with annual valuations, and CalPERS’ funded status. Tarando said the average expected working lifetime is about 11 to 12 years, while CalPERS uses a 20-year amortization period; he also said retiree benefits are set at retirement and do not change based on later valuations. He estimated CalPERS’ funded status had risen from the mid-60% range about 10 years ago to around 79% at June 30 and above 80% more recently. Cohen said CalPERS had complied with federal information requests and that no formal federal review had been released. During public comment, a county association representative praised the improved funded status and PEPRA reforms. The chairs closed by reiterating fiduciary responsibility and the need to protect CalPERS’ long-term stability, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it liability?
• Yeah, I think it would probably be on liability.
• , and as like liability is a separate law.
• doing business.
• We should know that children have no business doing business with these big companies, right?

Summary: The committee met at Minot State to continue its study of artificial intelligence, with a focus on child safety, sexual exploitation, chatbot risks, and education policy. Members first approved the minutes and then received a Legislative Council overview of AI-related harms to children, including AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, extortion, and chatbot companion risks. The memo reviewed North Dakota and federal law, recent state enactments, First Amendment limits, and examples from other states, including Connecticut’s AI companion safeguards and federal efforts such as the Take It Down Act. Members discussed whether North Dakota’s existing 2025 laws on minors and harmful material are strong enough in light of recent court decisions, and Legislative Council indicated it would provide additional comparison material before the next meeting. Superintendent Levi Bachmeier then presented on AI in education, arguing that schools need guardrails but should not ban AI outright. He said AI should be treated as a tool that can support instruction, teacher efficiency, and digital literacy, while warning against passive use, academic integrity problems, and overreliance on machines. He suggested embedding AI and digital literacy across subjects rather than creating a standalone class, and said schools should provide basic instruction when students receive one-to-one devices. Members asked about parent concerns, local control, higher education partnerships, and how to balance access with safety; Bachmeier emphasized a “threading the needle” approach and said the department would likely seek more guidance on digital literacy and cybersecurity. Special Agent Hellseth of BCI followed with testimony on AI and child exploitation. He said AI is already being used in North Dakota to create explicit images from innocent photos, impersonate children and adults, and facilitate grooming, harassment, and extortion. He described several cases involving AI-generated sexual images and said victims often suffer lasting trauma even when the images are fake. Hellseth explained that investigators use AI tools themselves to process large volumes of data and identify synthetic images, but that the workload is growing and victim services need expansion. He urged stronger accountability for companies, more resources for law enforcement and victim support, and continued training and public education. Members asked about cyber tip volume, staffing, false accusations, and corporate reporting obligations; Hellseth said every tip is reviewed, the unit is small but expanding, and current federal reporting laws are not proactive enough. Representative Porter suggested combining the Legislative Council memo and Bachmeier’s recommendations into a comprehensive bill draft for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're carrying forward the liability. We're not carrying forward the tax credit. No, no.
• And they get $1 of liability per year. They can use that, continue to use that same credit.
• It's not on their state tax liability, and that's how this one functions.
• These origins and these businesses are going to happen whether there's a tax credit or not.
• And with that, seeing no further business in front of the Ag Committee, we will stand adjourn.

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , small business, school districts, entrepreneurial businesses, nonprofits, yes.
• Senator Dhingra, your bill on addressing the tort liability issue passed the Senate.
• Senator Dhingra, your bill on addressing the tort liability issue passed the Senate.
• Senator Dhingra, your bill on addressing the tort liability issue passed the Senate.
• But we are an outlier when it comes to the level of exposure we have for liability issues.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: Senate and House Democratic leaders held a post-cutoff media availability to review the first half of session and outline priorities for the remainder. They said both chambers made substantial progress on protecting Washington from federal overreach and on affordability, citing measures on ICE access and notice, private spaces, housing expansion, medical debt interest caps, senior property tax relief, working families and small business tax credits, and proposals to phase out sales tax on services. They also highlighted that the House moved nearly 200 bills, about 80% with bipartisan support, and said the chambers are now processing each other’s bills and preparing for a fast-paced final stretch. A major focus was the “millionaire’s tax” and related tax relief proposals. Leaders said the governor’s suggestions, including a sales tax holiday and diaper relief, were welcome and that the updated revenue forecast gives the budget more breathing room and reserves, though much of the new revenue is offset by caseload growth and federal cuts. They said the tax package is intended to support long-term fiscal sustainability and affordability, and that House members will continue shaping the bill in committee. They also discussed a separate proposal to tax large employers whose workers rely on Medicaid, saying it is being considered in light of new federal requirements to track Medicaid employment data, while noting concerns from employers and nonprofits. The conversation also covered several bills that stalled or were delayed. Leaders said the JR bill did not advance because it lacked votes, though support and stakeholder engagement increased this year. They said child welfare bills and Senator Wilson’s proposals were paused after stakeholder concerns, while Representative Fitzgibbon defended the House’s approach to child safety and said lawmakers are still working on the issue. Other topics included the transmission and cultural resources bills, where a late procedural request to read a bill in full disrupted plans to move multiple measures together, and a tort-liability bill that passed the Senate and is expected to continue in the House with amendments. They also addressed the 0.05 impaired-driving bill, the Left Plan 1 pension proposal, the farmworker unionization bill, and the initiative-related bill, with several of these measures described as still under discussion or lacking enough support to move this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to thank all of our witnesses in advance for taking the time out of their busy schedules
• For Chukchansi, gaming is not simply a business.
• Since our opening, we have given over $25 million to support businesses and organizations who serve our
• allowed our nation to become a stronger partner with California, as well as local governments, businesses
• Then purchase commercial insurance when it comes to that liability.

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regulatory authorities have 3 business days for residential plans and 15 for other projects to object
• And when I thought about where I wanted to start my next business, one of the key decisions was what
• Uh, removed from any liability on the part of a third party reviewer inspection.
• An additional insurance for professional liability policies for engineers.
• Is there any anyone, any further business to come before the committee?

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• We hear every day from businesses about the chilling effect it's having in their sectors and the lower
• Section 2029 requires CalPERS to disclose pension liabilities and contribution rates for state employees
• What is the period that we use to pay off the unfunded liability?
• Currently, CalPERS uses a 20-year amortization for new unfunded liabilities.
• And what we do is we compare the actual liabilities to the expected, and that difference gets amortized

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We hear every day from businesses about the chilling effect it's having in their sectors and the lower
• Section 2029 requires CalPERS to disclose pension liabilities and contribution rates for state employees
• Currently, CalPERS uses a 20-year amortization for new unfunded liabilities.
• We compare the actual liabilities to the expected, and that difference gets amortized over 20 years.
• There was concern about liabilities never getting paid off, extending beyond the average age of working

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think businesses want to create those kinds of images out there.
• , and fairness in order to thrive through AI-driven business transformations.
• And so I don't think Small business, maybe $20,000 or so in legal costs.
• , harms small business, and increases risk operating across multiple states.
• Second, the compliance burden hurts Washington businesses, especially startups.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three AI-related bills. HB 1170 would require large generative AI providers to offer provenance detection tools and include latent and manifest disclosures in AI-generated or altered content; supporters said it is needed to combat deepfakes and disinformation, while opponents raised First Amendment, technical feasibility, and compliance concerns, and the Attorney General’s Office said the bill needs clearer provider definitions and enforcement language. HB 2157 would regulate high-risk AI systems used in consequential decisions such as employment, housing, health care, and parole by requiring risk management, impact assessments, disclosures, and a private right of action; the sponsor said it is needed to address algorithmic discrimination and consumer protection, while industry and civil liberties groups warned it is overbroad, burdensome, and constitutionally problematic, and the AG’s Office supported the concept but asked for changes to enforcement and the right-to-cure provisions. HB 2225 would regulate AI companion chatbots by requiring disclosures, limits on manipulative engagement, and safeguards for minors and self-harm; the sponsor, governor’s office, AG’s Office, researchers, and several families testified in support, citing harms to youth and real-world suicides, while industry groups supported narrower protections but objected to the private right of action and scope. No votes were taken during the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as somebody in business, small or large, it's impossible.
• And as somebody in business, small or large, it's impossible.
• It is a And as somebody in business, small or large, it's impossible.
• Members, we in the business call this a retread.
• Okay, is there any business before the committee?

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and first postponed SB 1650. The committee then heard and favorably reported SB 308, which implements the Florida Museum of Black History task force recommendations by designating St. Johns County as the museum site and creating a board to work with a supporting nonprofit. It also favorably reported SB 7020, which reenacts a public records exemption for certain Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services aquaculture and shellfish production records. Members then considered SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability. The bill creates a presumption against liability for private businesses that follow updated cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements, and a similar protection for local governments that comply with state standards. An amendment was adopted to prevent local governments from imposing separate cybersecurity standards on vendors and to clarify vendor definitions and effective dates. The Florida Justice Association opposed the bill, raising concerns about local government immunity, the practical effect of the presumption for private entities, and retroactivity, while business and industry groups supported it. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also favorably reported SB 572, which updates ethics law to include legally recognized foster parents and foster children in the definition of relative; SB 1442, which revises the long-range program plan to require more specific performance metrics and agency-specific measures; SB 1106, which replaces references to the West Bank with Judea and Samaria in state agency and educational materials; SB 474, which revises military leave and related benefits for public employees and officials, with three amendments adopted; and SB 350, which revises public records protections for crime victims and law enforcement officers who are victims, including a 72-hour confidentiality period for officers in certain cases. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to shift more fleet management responsibility from DMS to state agencies while preserving reporting to DMS. The meeting ended after members recorded additional votes and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say, I mean, they've put out a business plan. I know that they've put out a business plan.
• The second request is for key business operations.
• Four business consultants to support veteran entrepreneurs through the process of opening new businesses
• Agency business and information technology operations.
• And I'll just make the point through different businesses.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> assets to liabilities. Right. assets to liabilities. Right. &gt;&gt; Correct.
• &gt;&gt; Projected<00:26:40.559><c> liabilities.</c> &gt;&gt; Projected liabilities.
• &gt;&gt; Projected liabilities.
• </c><00:27:42.559><c> and</c> which increases your liabilities and which increases your liabilities and
• <c> which</c> your unfunded liabilities, which your unfunded liabilities, which increases<00:28:20.240

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• McFarland: HOUSE BILL 145 PROVIDES AN UPDATE TO OUR SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY FINANCIAL LIABILITY WHICH WOULD
• WHILE THEY ARE NOT SHIELDED FROM ACCOUNTABILITY, GOVERNMENT ENTITIES ARE SHIELDED FROM FINANCIAL LIABILITY
• HOUSE BILL 145 RETAINS THE FINANCIAL LIABILITY SHIELD AND UPDATES AND MODERNIZES WAYS TO ADDRESS.
• I KNOW THE COST WILL GO UP, THE COST FOR INSURANCE, THE COST FOR LIABILITY.
• IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE?