Transcript Highlights:

• I can't comment on what might happen with the Farm Bill; that's unknown at this time.
• There was a very large boom in production after the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill.
• I'm the Food and Farming Program Director for the Ecology Center.
• If we do not see funding for CNIP, we will lose farms, we will lose farm income, and we will see farmers
• And anyone that's on SNAP actually have access to healthy and farm-to-fork food.

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision proposals from the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Technology, and the Franchise Tax Board, with public comment to come later and all items held open. CDFA presented funding for the animal care program implementing Proposition 12, including a one-time $5.2 million General Fund transfer to the Ag Fund and $2.8 million ongoing, and the LAO recommended approval while noting the Legislature should revisit the funding once litigation and federal preemption questions are resolved. CDFA also proposed ending state oversight of industrial hemp and moving to the federal USDA program by January 1, 2028, with an $8.3 million General Fund transfer to cover startup and transition costs; the LAO supported the transition. Additional CDFA items included $204,000 ongoing and one position to preserve agricultural statistics reporting after USDA reorganization, and trailer bill changes to clarify the department’s 5% indirect cost cap; both drew no objections from Finance or LAO. The Government Operations Agency and Cradle to Career items focused on implementing the new federal Workforce Pell program. Finance described trailer bill language establishing state eligibility processes, with the California Student Aid Commission as the authorizing entity in consultation with the Workforce Development Board, and proposed $1.3 million one-time General Fund for Cradle to Career to build data linkages. The LAO urged caution because federal rules were just finalized and said more information was needed on workload, costs, and whether existing data systems could support the work. Senators raised policy concerns about limiting the program to public institutions and about aligning the proposal with broader workforce and labor goals. The committee also briefly discussed SB 53/Cal Compute, with GovOps saying no appropriation had been provided for its consortium work, and Finance saying the administration was not proposing funding at this time. The Department of Technology presented a $30 million operational backstop for the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, intended to cover any shortfall if expected revenues from the Golden State Net third-party administrator do not materialize in time. The LAO initially recommended rejection over broad spending authority, then suggested amendments with stronger reporting and legislative review; committee members questioned the revenue assumptions, oversight, and whether the request could recur. CDT also sought $1 million for Poppy, the state’s GenAI digital assistant, to expand secure statewide use; the LAO had no concerns, and members asked about data security, model bias, training restrictions, and possible local-government use. Finally, FTB proposed realigning CalFile resources after the federal Direct File program was discontinued, retaining three ongoing positions and returning the rest of the funding and positions to the General Fund; the LAO said the reduced scope was reasonable, and members discussed keeping the free filing system user-friendly and ready for future federal changes. The committee also heard the administration’s digital pre-written software tax proposal, which would extend sales tax to electronically delivered software and SaaS beginning January 1, 2027, generating an estimated $450 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $900 million ongoing, plus local revenue. The LAO supported modernizing the tax base but recommended broadening the proposal to include more digital products while considering a business-use exemption or reduced rate, and flagged a newly added video game exemption as a revenue downside. Senators generally supported the goal of raising revenue and aligning California with other states, but questioned the local revenue distribution and equity effects, and one senator said they would not support expanding the tax to books, music streaming, and similar consumer products. All items were left open without votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Doug Holmesie, and we farm lemons, avocados, and my wife and I do all the farming, and by
• doing it all, I mean that we actually do all the work. do all the farming.
• We bought the family farm from these folks. Then we just want to continue to farm.
• But if you’re a water pumper... ...right, and you have a farm, and you’re going to lose your allocation
• I mean, this is, especially if you have a farm, that’s your life’s blood.

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused largely on legal ethics, access to justice, public notice, water-rights notice, and protections for vulnerable people. AB 2305 would bar corporate investors such as private equity and hedge funds from directing or influencing litigation decisions; it was supported by the Consumer Attorneys of California and others, with the Civil Justice Association of California supporting if amended to add disclosure requirements. AB 2039 would tighten discipline for attorney misconduct, protect whistleblowers inside law firms, and restrict certain client-loan arrangements; it drew support from consumer attorneys and a support-if-amended position from CJA. AB 2109 would require the State Bar to adopt the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ Universal Bar Exam after the troubled February 2025 California bar exam; members discussed the need for broader review and possible reciprocity, but supported moving the bill forward. The committee also advanced AB 2115, which would issue a formal legislative apology to California Native peoples for the state’s role in historic violence and dispossession, with strong support from tribal leaders and Native organizations. Members spoke at length about the need for acknowledgment, healing, and a Capitol plaque memorializing the apology. AB 2179 would expand electronic filing and remote appearance options to workplace violence restraining orders, aligning them with other protective order procedures; it received support from local governments, prosecutors, labor groups, and advocacy organizations. AB 2534 would allow restraining orders based on forced marriage or attempts to compel marriage, and the committee heard powerful testimony from a survivor and support from family violence advocates. Two other measures addressed notice and transparency. AB 2323 would modernize public notice by keeping print publication as the legal standard while requiring online availability, with supporters emphasizing access, archival value, and the role of community newspapers; a special districts group opposed unless amended. AB 2125 would require courts in water-rights adjudications to consider proof of notice and receipts before proceeding, prompted by testimony from Ventura County farmers who said they lost water allocations without adequate notice. The committee approved the bills it heard, including several on consent, and later took roll-call votes to move the measures forward, generally sending them to Appropriations or to the floor as noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• This leaves farmers and developers in a state of limbo: the development can't proceed yet, but farming
• The development can't proceed yet, but farming must stop.
• The big saving is once you get it developed and you're building houses instead of farming it.
• I farm in the Arlington area, which is right above the Gillespie Dam.
• It's going to go out on the farms, not just my farm, but a bunch of families in Arlington.

Bills: SB1137 , SB1176 , SB1287 , SB1335 , SB1336 , SB1445 , SB1677

Committee: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Keywords: underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park

Transcript Highlights:

• They worked on the farm. They were there for a misdemeanor.
• a comment, just for the edification of the committee here, was that the one person lived out on a farm
• a comment, just for the edification of the committee here, was that the one person lived out on a farm
• , they worked on the farm, they were there for a misdemeanor.
• So that way he could still go out and farm.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee substitute combining House Bills 2592, 2834, and 2787 into one measure. The combined substitute was then voted do pass by a unanimous roll call, recorded as 15 ayes and 0 noes after a brief correction to the tally. The committee then heard House Bill 1786, which would raise the Highway Patrol’s spending threshold for purchasing vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, and related specialized equipment without returning to the legislature from $100,000 to $500,000. The sponsor and Highway Patrol witnesses said the current cap is outdated because boats, armored vehicles, bomb trucks, and aircraft equipment now cost far more than $100,000, while members asked about inflation, the revolving fund, and whether a lower increase might be more appropriate. No opposition testimony was offered. Next, House Bill 2885 was heard. It would redirect the first $1 million in annual boat registration fee revenue away from general revenue and into the Missouri Water Patrol Division. The sponsor and Highway Patrol said registration revenue has declined while operating costs have risen, and the division needs the money to support enforcement, search and rescue, dive operations, and boating safety programs. Members asked how much revenue is collected and whether the change would affect other programs; testimony indicated the bill would mainly earmark existing revenue rather than increase overall department funding. The committee also heard House Bill 2694, which would exempt four fee-supported funds from the end-of-biennium sweep to general revenue: the Highway Patrol Academy Fund, the State Forensic Laboratory Account, the Boiler and Pressure Vessels Safety Fund, and the Elevator Safety Fund. The sponsor and Department of Public Safety witnesses said the sweeps make long-term planning difficult and can disrupt training, lab support, and safety inspection operations, though members raised concerns about excess balances, guardrails, and whether fee reductions should be considered if reserves grow too large. Finally, House Bill 1712 was heard; it would make intentionally failing to charge an electronic monitoring device a crime, closing a loophole in existing tampering law. The sponsor, a sheriff, and other witnesses said the bill addresses deliberate attempts to evade monitoring, while members discussed battery warnings, rural access to electricity, and the costs and benefits of pretrial release. No votes were taken on the later bills before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• cattle may have an astronomical amount of these drugs on their Casper reports, or if you own a horse farm
• </c><00:03:07.840><c> as</c> reports or if you own a horse farm as reports or if you own a horse farm
• I'm for this bill as a farm kid, 100%.
• I'm I'm for this bill as<00:04:01.599><c> a</c><00:04:01.760><c> farm</c><00:04:02.080><c> kid</c><00
• My dad would have a as a farm kid 100%.

Committee: House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order 00:05 Roll Call 1:00 HB 357 Discussion 4:53 HB 357 Vote 6:40 HB 45 Discussion 8:00 HB 45 Vote 9:29 HB 48 Discussion 15:00 HB 48 Vote 16:25 HB 212 Discussion 20:17 HB 212 Vote 21:50 HB 49 Discussion 25:55 HB 49 Vote 27:16 Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• case across the state of Washington or just what I'm seeing in eastern Washington where most of the farm
• Some farms are forced to rely on guest worker programs to fill these shifts.
• Other farms are going out of business at an alarming rate, and workers are losing their jobs.
• Have you heard that within the Farm Bureau?
• Have you heard that within the Farm Bureau?

Bills: HB2513 , HB2524 , HB2611

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: plumbing contractor, plumber, license suspension, credential suspension, administrative penalty, infractions, repeat violator, consumer protection, residential plumbing, construction licensing, Washington Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, plumbing certificate fund, code enforcement, professional licensing, trade regulation, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards

Transcript Highlights:

• Whenever you look west from my house at the farm, you're going to see some...
• I look out across our landscape and I see all the farms that the Interstate Stream Commission has bought
• We have to keep our farm families and ranches in the families.
• We can't afford to go out there and buy up any more farms, because those farms are...
• If a person really wanted to make a good living, they would sell their farms, maintain the water rights

Transcript Highlights:

• It'll allow landowners to pay off debt and improve their farming and ranching operations, expand and
• It'll allow landowners to pay off debt and improve their farming and ranching operations, expand and
• Our open spaces, farms, ranches, watersheds, and historic landscapes are not just scenic.
• And therefore, a lot of farms in Pennsylvania were sold for development because the landowners couldn't
• These are folks who have been farming and keeping our acequia culture alive in northern New Mexico for

Summary: The committee first heard HB 186, which would update New Mexico’s Land Conservation Incentives Act by increasing the conservation tax credit cap from $250,000 to $2 million, raising the credit percentage, and making the credit refundable. The sponsor and conservation groups said the bill is intended to help land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve working farms, ranches, watersheds, habitat, and cultural resources, while also leveraging federal conservation dollars and supporting rural economies. Supporters from land trusts, Realtors, conservation organizations, and local landowners testified that current caps are too low to make easements feasible for smaller properties and that the bill would reduce pressure to sell to developers. Some members raised concerns about fiscal impact, whether refundable credits should be limited, and whether wealthy landowners could benefit; the sponsor said the bill is aimed at smaller landowners and that the fiscal estimates may be overstated. The committee voted 6-3 to do pass HB 186. The committee then considered HB 92, which would phase out the state income tax on Social Security benefits over eight years. The sponsor argued that Social Security income should not be taxed and said the phase-out would help seniors, attract retirees, and support the economy. An amendment was adopted to strike language related to a prior date. Opposition testimony focused on fairness and revenue concerns, with one witness arguing the bill would mainly benefit higher-income filers and reduce funds for schools, infrastructure, and housing. Several members questioned the fiscal impact, the income thresholds, and whether the bill was ready without more data; the sponsor said the phase-out was designed to avoid a cliff effect and that the current estimates were uncertain. The committee then voted 5-3 to table HB 92. Finally, the committee heard HJM 1, a memorial supporting stronger relations between Taiwan and New Mexico and the United States in trade, technology, education, and official exchanges. The sponsor and a representative from Taiwan’s economic office described the long-standing sister-state relationship and said the memorial would reinforce goodwill and people-to-people ties. Members spoke in support of the relationship, with one noting Taiwan’s importance in technology and chip manufacturing. One member questioned tariffs and the need for the memorial but still acknowledged the strong bilateral relationship. The committee approved HJM 1 on an 8-1 do pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The outdoor recreation account, habitat conservation, and the farm and forest account.
• Last, we have the Farm and Forest account. This is really to protect Washington's working lands.
• well as upgrading, so irrigation or things like that where there might need to be upgrades on, say, a farm
• off WWRP by just saying, as I've kind of mentioned, this one program can do anything from protect a farm
• as I've kind of mentioned, we've, this one program this developed can do anything from protective farm

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several capital-related bills. HB 2353 would raise the pre-design threshold for state-funded capital projects from $10 million to $15 million and index it to inflation beginning in 2027. The sponsor and a testifier said the change would reduce delays and save money on projects by avoiding costly pre-design work for mid-sized projects; staff noted the bill could reduce future capital budget costs. HB 2420 would increase the Small Works roster contract cap in stages from $350,000 to $650,000 by 2030, with a proposed substitute shifting the first increase from July 2026 to January 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. Testimony from universities, cities, ports, counties, and water/sewer districts supported the bill as a way to reduce administrative burden, speed projects, and help small and diverse contractors. The committee also heard HB 2470, which would change how the School Construction Assistance Program treats school facilities on military bases. Staff explained the bill would exclude on-base instructional space from a district’s available-space calculation and adjust state assistance to account for federal funding, potentially increasing eligibility for affected districts such as Clover Park and Medical Lake. The sponsor and supporters said current rules unfairly reduce state support for districts serving military families; OSPI testified in support but said the bill would need amendment to avoid federal-law issues and was working on a revised approach that would increase the SCAP funding assistance percentage instead of directly referencing federal funds. Clover Park School District and the Veterans Legislative Coalition also supported the measure. In executive session, the committee moved HB 2338, which expands the low-income weatherization program to include community-scaled projects, out of committee with a do-pass recommendation by a vote of 17 ayes and 2 excused. The committee then held a work session with the Recreation and Conservation Office on its competitive grant programs, including Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program accounts, youth athletic facilities, community forests, aquatic lands, boating, off-road vehicle, firearms and archery, and federal grant programs. Members asked about demand, ADA compliance, geographic distribution, and technical assistance; RCO said demand is high in several programs and that it uses scoring criteria, regional allocations, and outreach to improve access statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• we look across, you know, state government right now, Department of Health is raising my shellfish farm
• That'll kill 10% of my shellfish farms in my district.
• And so when I think about that— that's just shellfish farms—when I think about what could happen with
• That'll kill 10% of my shellfish farms in my district.
• And so when I think about that— that's just shellfish farms—when I think about what could happen with

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met in executive session on three bills. For House Bill 2159, which creates the pre-K Promise account for ECEAP, the committee adopted Amendment Clark 333 to clarify that account funds may support any children enrolled in ECEAP, not just the entitlement population. Members spoke in support of the bill as expanding early learning access, and the substitute bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 29-0 vote, with two members excused. For House Bill 2251, dealing with Climate Commitment Act account structure and revenue distribution, staff briefed the proposed substitute and two offered amendments from Representative Dye. Both Dye amendments were rejected: one would have expanded allowable uses to include items such as buoys, trails, small forest landowner grants, drought and water quality projects, outdoor recreation, and marina support; the other would have restored annual rather than biennial reporting on CCA spending. Supporters said the bill would simplify and clarify CCA budgeting and better align spending with declining revenues, while opponents argued it did not sufficiently prioritize climate resiliency and accountability. The substitute bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by an 18-12 vote, with one excused. For House Bill 2521, which would let the Washington State Patrol set firearm background check fees to cover program costs, the committee considered seven amendments. All seven were rejected: proposals to cap the fee increase at $20, exempt low-income residents, people near least restrictive alternative placements, veterans and active military, domestic violence victims, and residents of counties with fewer officers per capita, and to delay the effective date until Washington no longer has the fewest officers per capita nationwide. Supporters of the bill said the fee should be cost-based to avoid subsidizing the program with general funds and to prevent delays in background checks; opponents argued the bill created an open-ended fee increase and financial barrier to a constitutional right. The bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by an 18-12 vote, with one excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also have the Kentucky Farm Bureau lead group here with us. Pleased to have y'all here.
• They are not going to be kept from being on the farm to do their job.
• wanted to push it, and I think it's just a good, solid bill to protect Kentucky farmers, Kentucky farm
• They are not going to be kept from being on the farm to do their job.
• wanted to push it, and I think it's just a good, solid bill to protect Kentucky farmers, Kentucky farm

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this room ripple across sovereign tribal nations, urban centers, suburban neighborhoods, and rural farm-focused
• Whereas Taiwan imported $3.8 billion worth of United States farm products in 2024, making it the fourth-largest
• imported $3.8 billion worth of United imported $3.8 billion worth of United States<00:11:33.040><c> farm
• </c><00:11:33.440><c> products</c><00:11:33.920><c> in</c> States farm products in States farm products

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:59:01.319><c> industry</c> days a thriving oyster farming industry days a thriving oyster farming
• </c><04:00:09.239><c> in</c> now continue seeding and and farming in now continue seeding and and farming
• </c><04:00:15.439><c> there</c> asked asking to be able to farm there asked asking to be able to farm
• </c> been denied the opportunity to farm been denied the opportunity to farm there<04:00:18.800><c> so
• </c><04:00:27.439><c> they</c> farms or do more oyster farming they farms or do more oyster farming they

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had them coming on our farm, I guess about 2009, 2010.
• We had them coming on our farm, I guess about 2009, 2010. And you couldn't kill enough of them.
• We had them coming on our farm, I guess We had them coming on our farm, I guess about<00:02:47.560><c

Bills: HB483

Committee: House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: decentralized, unincorporated, nonprofit, smart contracts, distributed ledger technology, governance, membership, economic activities, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we represent approximately 74,000 farms with beef inventory, about 2.5 million head.
• And we represent approximately 74,000 farms with beef inventory, about 2.5 million head.
• consumer knowledge of the heritage and commitment to sustainability of Idaho's multi-generational family farms
• industry in Idaho, this iconic imagery, the commitment to sustainability of Idaho's multi-generational farms

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> giant corporation that was farming giant corporation that was farming flowers,<01:40:17.520><c>
• And then also we see in the farm, even in smaller farm families, a trend toward corporate ownership of
• next</c><01:42:33.520><c> generation</c> transfer the farm to the next generation transfer the farm to
• </c> uh there were two brothers that farmed uh there were two brothers that farmed together<01:42:59.199
• even in smaller also we see in the farm even in smaller farm<01:43:38.159><c> families</c><01:43:39.199

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that focus on indigenous crops and farming practices.
• that focus on indigenous crops and farming practices.
• <c> and</c><00:59:49.240><c> farming</c><00:59:49.760><c> practices</c> indigenous crops and farming
• So now on those boxes it says that it's a legal product per the 2018 Farm Bill.
• </c> have a lab sheet here I have the farm have a lab sheet here I have the farm bill<01:54:16.199><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Chair, we've been also, uh, we did read DOA's testimony as well as, uh, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau.
• Bure we understand doa's concerns Farm Bure we understand doa's concerns and<01:09:05.960><c> we</c>
• Bureau and uh uh worked with Hawaii Farm Bureau and uh support<01:09:13.120><c> the</c><01:09:13.239
• </c><01:11:46.040><c> Bureau</c><01:11:47.000><c> in</c> OB all right thank you Farm Bureau in OB all
• </c><01:40:00.880><c> Bureau</c> providing comments Hawaii Farm Bureau providing comments Hawaii Farm

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Water and Land Committee heard several measures related to DLNR, coastal management, and public lands. SB 561, which appropriates funds for conservation enforcement equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, drew broad support from DLNR and multiple organizations, with the chair noting 18 supporters and no opposition. SB 465 would require DLNR to study the carrying capacity of Kīkiʻola Small Boat Harbor on Kauaʻi and report to the Legislature; DLNR supported the intent but suggested the study be timed with an ongoing $41 million capital improvement project. Senator Kouchi explained the bill was meant to close a permit loophole that has allowed operators to increase passenger capacity without additional approval, while one testifier opposed the measure as unnecessary and late. Supporters included county and community representatives, while some written testimony opposed it. The committee also heard SB 1456, which broadens the definition of beach restoration to include work on eroded beaches and degraded dune systems, including sand management, native vegetation, and removal of abandoned materials. DLNR, the University of Hawaiʻi, and other testifiers supported the measure as an administrative update. SB 1460 would require BLNR lease extensions to use updated forms reflecting current leasing practices; DLNR supported it as an administrative bill. SB 1517 would authorize public land leases for recreational residential use by public lottery limited to county residents. DLNR supported the bill, and Chipper Wiman and others testified that it would help preserve Kauaʻi’s historic recreational cabins and create fairness for local families; the committee also heard concerns about older cabins, market-based auction prices, and the need to keep these leases affordable for residents. The committee then heard SB 1511, which would prohibit vessels longer than 75 feet from entering Honoliʻi Bay, with an exemption for government vessels; DLNR and at least one additional testifier supported it. SB 1019 would allow the Ocean Stewardship Special Fund to be used for beach restoration planning and grants to nonprofits for cleanup, but DLNR said that purpose fit better under the separate Beach Restoration Special Fund, and the Ocean Tourism Coalition opposed the bill on that basis. Finally, SB 1457 would authorize DLNR to issue interim rules on commercial and recreational water sports equipment use for up to two years; DLNR described it as an adaptive-management tool for changing conditions, while multiple water-sports operators and residents opposed it, arguing it would reduce public participation, expand agency power, and target the foiling community. The hearing closed with the chair noting heavy opposition to SB 1457, including 88 written testimonies against it and only a few in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• You will see on there the number two is farming, fishing, and forestry at about 3,700 openings.
• Now, I think some of the stories you're hearing is really some misunderstanding from our farm and ag
• It's really helped out our farm and ranchers out there.
• It's really helped out our farm and ranchers out there.
• Husband had an opportunity to take over family farms, so moved out of town, we lost that person.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous minutes, and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has been reviewing statewide cash, liquidity, and investment practices, finding that the state generally manages money well but could improve forecasting, automation, and coordination across agencies. He highlighted that the state has about $35 billion in liquid assets and investments, with most in longer-term investments, and described a change already underway replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work. Members also discussed the impact of House Bill 1176 on Legacy Fund earnings and the possibility of future legislation to avoid losing investment returns when large transfers are made all at once. The board also noted that some agencies still hold funds outside the Bank of North Dakota system, and that this is being reviewed. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the Task Force on Government Efficiency, saying the group has focused on how to measure whether programs are actually working. He said the task force has not yet proposed legislation, but the administration has agreed that new and expanding programs should answer five questions, including who is affected, what outcome is expected, whether there is another way to do it, and how success will be measured. Members discussed the need for dashboards, program evaluators, better data collection, and possible use of artificial intelligence to identify duplicate or outdated programs. Toman said the task force will continue reviewing agency workflows, with upcoming presentations from courts, the university system, the auditor, and other agencies, and that future legislation or rule changes may be needed to require performance metrics. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota presented labor market and program updates. He reported that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5%, labor force participation is about 68.7%, and the state continues to rank near the top nationally. He reviewed job openings, in-demand occupations, and several workforce programs, including H-2A agricultural worker inspections, the Job Placement Partnership Program with DOCR, and virtual and in-person job fairs. Davis said the DOCR partnership has shown strong results, with lower recidivism and higher earnings for participants, and he emphasized that Job Service tracks outcomes and reports them to federal and state partners. Members asked about child care subsidies, workforce participation, agency coordination, and whether more staff are needed for H-2A inspections. Finally, Allen Knutson presented the updated S&P Global revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the last update, making the revenue outlook more favorable but still volatile. S&P’s baseline forecast showed the current biennium’s four major tax collections about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and a much larger increase for the next biennium, though he cautioned that federal tax changes and oil market uncertainty could alter the numbers. In an alternate scenario using higher near-term oil prices, he estimated about $242 million more in oil and gas tax collections and roughly $120 million more for the Strategic Investment Fund. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about changes in tribal oil production assumptions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I toured Corona Wind Farm and learned about the economic impact for those landowners.
• Yards away from a loggeron, extremely productive solar and battery farm, a water-guzzling, air-polluting
• We know that air pollution will decrease solar farm productivity by up to 25%.
• Solar farms significantly reduce soil erosion, improve water retention, and combat desertification of
• Years ago, when I was a child, they put a sod farm out in the middle of the desert out in this area.

Bills: SB78 , SB235 , SB22 , SB310

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: nuclear energy, renewable energy, sustainability, carbon emissions, energy regulation, microgrid, zero carbon resources, Public Regulation Commission, energy generation, electric utilities, motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 78, which would classify nuclear energy as renewable energy. Senator Thornton and supporters argued that New Mexico needs dispatchable, baseload power and that nuclear should be added to the state’s renewable portfolio standard because wind and solar are intermittent and require extensive land, mining, and battery storage. Supporters also emphasized nuclear’s zero-carbon profile, the safety record of U.S. Navy reactors, the possibility of small modular reactors, and the fact that New Mexico already uses nuclear-generated electricity from out of state. Opponents, including Senator O’Malley and Senator Charlie, argued nuclear is not renewable because it relies on finite uranium and creates long-lived radioactive waste, and they raised concerns about uranium mining impacts, waste storage, and the bill’s lack of a limiting principle. The committee voted 5-4 to do not pass the bill, with Senators Cervantes, Hamblen, O’Malley, Lopez, and Charlie voting yes on the do-not-pass motion and Senators Ezell, Scott, and Thornton voting no; the chair then explained that the vote reflected disagreement over whether nuclear should be labeled renewable, not opposition to nuclear power itself. The committee then heard Senate Bill 235, the Microgrid Oversight Act, with a committee substitute. Sponsor Senator Steinborn said the substitute would restore existing renewable benchmarks for microgrids, require large microgrids to meet zero-carbon targets by 2045, add reporting and PRC oversight, and close a loophole that could let utilities buy microgrid power and shift costs to ratepayers. Supporters, including environmental groups and community advocates, said the bill was needed to regulate large data-center microgrids such as Project Jupiter in Doña Ana County, which they said could drive major emissions, ozone, and nitrogen oxide pollution, strain water supplies, and undermine state climate goals. They also argued the bill would protect ratepayers and ensure transparency and community benefits. Opponents, including Americans for Prosperity, the Chamber of Commerce, oil and gas associations, Xcel Energy, PNM, Consumer Energy Alliance, and economic development groups, argued the bill would impose unnecessary regulation on private microgrids, slow investment, raise costs, and reduce flexibility for reliability projects and industrial development. They said microgrids are already regulated for safety and interconnection, and that the bill could discourage projects in New Mexico. In response, Steinborn said the bill was necessary because current law leaves a loophole for large polluting microgrids and because several major projects are already planned or underway. The committee heard extensive public testimony on both sides, but the transcript ends before a final vote on SB 235 is taken.