Transcript Highlights:

• lower the costs for utilities to purchase new clean energy.
• lower the costs for utilities to purchase new clean energy.
• Dan Chow, on behalf of Ava Community Energy, in support.
• Alicia Priaga on behalf of San Jose Clean Energy in support.
• Mark Fenstermaker for Peninsula Clean Energy in support. Mr.

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:

• This is really focused on equity, and that's what we care the most about.
• And this kind of alignment is essential to advancing equity, reducing duplication, and ensuring that
• I'm on the equity team working to increase and retain our educators of color to better represent our
• Without addressing equity, affordability, and accessibility gaps, students can't become doctors when
• We're looking at all options, and we've invested a lot of time, energy, and money into competency-based

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several education bills. SB 6078 would provide pre-licensing supports for prospective child care providers through DCYF, fire protection consultations, and a licensing resource guide; the sponsor, DCYF, and a community nonprofit all supported it, emphasizing that it would reduce fragmented permitting barriers and help expand child care access, while a senator raised the possibility of overlap with existing early learning facilities support. SB 6089 would create a public-private partnership account to support coordination across the P-20W system and fund a public-facing data dashboard; the sponsor and many advocates supported it as a way to align early learning through workforce systems and improve transparency, while some testifiers urged stronger public oversight, caution about private influence, and explicit inclusion of early learning. SB 5859 would expand competency-based assessments as graduation pathway options; supporters said it would better reflect how students learn and provide flexibility, while the State Board of Education and school principals urged caution and suggested waiting for the board’s broader Future Ready graduation review. SB 5861 would require more school board directors to be elected from director districts in larger districts; supporters said it would improve community representation, while some districts and WSSDA warned about local control, added costs, and governance disruption. SB 6065 would allow districts in binding conditions or under enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds for temporary loans or transfers with OSPI approval; supporters said it could help districts recover financially without harming transportation needs. After the hearings, the committee moved into executive session and acted on two bills. It adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5956, which restricts certain automated decision systems, surveillance technologies, biometric data, and facial recognition uses in student discipline and school safety decisions, and then advanced the bill with a do-pass recommendation to Rules. It also adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5901, which concerns state funding for on-base school construction, and advanced that bill with a do-pass recommendation to Ways and Means. Both measures were reported out subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• It represents a thoughtful compromise that advances equity while being mindful of budget constraints.
• This amendment exempts certain home equity sharing products from the definition of interest, thereby
• This bill takes us a step in the direction of ...as amended by the Committee on Environment and Energy
• This bill's about equity. It's about again.
• This bill's about equity, it's about economic development, and it's about affordability.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5828, which would restore and adjust Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship award levels for students attending private, not-for-profit four-year institutions. Staff explained the bill would set the awards at 90 percent of the regional and state college rate rather than 50 percent of the research rate, with an estimated fiscal impact of $3.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and $18.6 million over four years. Testimony was largely in support from private college presidents, students, and school counselors, who said the bill would help low-income and first-generation students and preserve access and enrollment choices; some public college student representatives said they did not oppose the bill but argued that cuts to public-school aid should be restored first. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5911, which would prohibit DCYF from using benefits or funds of youth in extended foster care as reimbursement for their cost of care beginning in 2027, while requiring support for benefit management and payee arrangements and allowing protected accounts such as ABLE accounts. Staff estimated a net fiscal impact of $608,000 in fiscal year 2027 and $2.2 million per biennium thereafter. Testimony in support said the bill would end the practice of withholding SSI and other benefits from youth in care and better support disabled youth transitioning to adulthood. Members asked questions about fiduciary responsibility and representative payee arrangements. In executive session, the committee adopted amendments and advanced several bills. It adopted Amendment Clark 350 to House Bill 2689, raising the required provider response rate for the child care market rate survey to 65 percent, and then reported the bill out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 18-11, with two excused. It adopted Amendment H-3743.1 to Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5395 on retrospective prior authorization denials and reported that bill out unanimously. It also adopted Amendment Pool 272 to Senate Bill 5420 and reported that bill out unanimously. For Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5496, the committee adopted several amendments clarifying scope and penalties but rejected amendments that would have delayed the bill or replaced it with a study; the bill was then reported out with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard amendment briefings on other bills, including 5981, 6026, 6160, 6184, and 6211, but deferred action on some items heard that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• C4 is $183,000 to return funds from the unemployment insurance equity grant.
• C4 is $183,000 to return funds from the unemployment insurance equity grant.
• Number five is University of Arkansas with Cromwell Energy Services.
• Number five is University of Arkansas with Cromwell Energy Services.
• Number 18 is University of Arkansas, Choice Energy Services.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By using better chemistry, these manufacturers can reduce both energy use and emissions, improve efficiency
• Families advocating for a Kim Michael and toxic safety, Ray Colt Energy, CalPIRG, Long Beach Alliance
• for Clean Energy, Center for Community Action, Environmental Justice, the Environmental Defense Federation
• support, Natural Resources Defense Council, Non-Toxic Communities, Clean Earth Kids, North County Equity
• I look forward to working with my colleagues and stakeholders on this bill to implement local equity

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is Kevin Doyle, Consumer Energy Alliance.
• Next is Kevin Doyle, Consumer Energy Alliance, speaking for the bill. Mr.
• I'm Kevin Doyle, Consumer Energy Alliance.
• I'm Kevin Doyle with Consumer Energy Alliance.
• We advocate for affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy to meet the needs of all Floridians.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and voted on several bills. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and also restrict smoking in rooms and bars; the sponsor said it is intended to protect public health and outdoor spaces, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on designated smoking areas, and cannabis advocates warned about unintended effects on patients and property rights. The committee reported SB 986 favorably. The committee also passed SB 678, which restores statutory authority for DBPR’s long-standing rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise taxes; a strike-all amendment was adopted, including retroactive application to January 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 800, which increases penalties for repeat unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts, was amended and reported favorably as well. Members then considered SB 408 on vaccine advertising and liability. The sponsor argued the bill would address declining public trust in vaccines by allowing claims against manufacturers that advertise in Florida, while opponents said the measure is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and would create unnecessary litigation. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported SB 408 favorably. The committee also heard SB 484 on data centers, which would set PSC tariff requirements so large load customers pay their own costs, preserve local planning authority, and limit water permits for large data centers; testimony was mixed, with supporters emphasizing ratepayer protections and economic benefits and critics warning about overregulation and confidentiality limits. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1118, which creates a time-limited public records exemption for certain data center development information held by local governments, after the sponsor said it was meant to prevent extended NDAs while still allowing local notice and input. SB 1050, requiring veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after several members recorded votes on bills they had missed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The company I work under, Sales Washington, is a for-profit entity owned by Webster Equity Partners,
• a national private equity firm.
• I think there's a lot of time and energy and effort that sometimes go into amendments that we never see
• So even if those amendments didn't see the light of day, or all that time and energy spent working on

Bills: HB1873, HB2600, SB5957

Keywords: child care, Working Connections Child Care, WCCC, graduate students, professional students, higher education, full-time student, affordable child care, subsidized child care, child care subsidy, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, income eligibility, state median income, copayment, copay waiver, family support, workforce participation, working families, special needs child care

Transcript Highlights:

• H. 293, an act relating to health equity data and reporting and registry disclosure requirements.
• </c> racial equity, inclusion, and belonging. racial equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• President, uh, so uh Senate Natural Resources and Energy did look at the changes that came over from
• President, would it be fair to say that the electrical load or energy draw, I don't have the technical
• draw, I don't electrical load or energy draw, I don't have<01:48:32.080><c> the</c><01:48:32.200><c>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Equity-driven initiatives, right? Five times the rate of everybody else.
• Equity-driven initiatives, right, that work to change school discipline policies like LAUSD's Black Student
• this system in 2026 still benefits some, while others have 400 plus years... ...of knee on your neck energy
• Asking for that investment, we know that when young men have hope, equity, and wellness, they do way
• And it is an equity strategy.

Summary: The Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color held its second hearing, focused on cradle-to-college-and-career pipelines and education. Members opened with remarks emphasizing bipartisan support, the need to address opportunity gaps, and the committee’s prior hearing in Los Angeles, which helped generate legislation. The chair framed the day around school safety and discipline, community schools, and college/career pathways, and noted that public comment would be included at the end. In the first panel, witnesses described persistent disparities in school discipline and policing, even as suspension rates have declined statewide. Dr. David Turner cited reductions in suspensions tied to reforms such as bans on willful defiance suspensions, but warned that Black and Native boys remain disproportionately suspended and that “ghost suspensions” and police referrals still push students out of class. Other advocates called for stronger accountability, more restorative and culturally rooted practices, and greater investment in community-based supports. Members asked about the role of state and local policy, rural versus urban differences, and how to measure which interventions work best. The second panel centered on community schools. Advocates from Californians for Justice, Reclaim Our Schools LA, MILE, and the Sierra Health Foundation argued for the governor’s proposed $1 billion ongoing investment in the California Community Schools Partnership Act. They said community schools improve attendance, reduce suspensions, strengthen belonging, and create shared decision-making with families and students. Panelists described the role of community school coordinators, the importance of authentic partnerships, and the need to track informal discipline practices. Committee members pressed for a plain explanation of community schools and heard that the model is intended to be a high-return equity strategy that can save the state money over time. The final panel addressed college and career pathways. Speakers from the California Faculty Association, UC Student Association, Brotherhood Crusade, A Men, and Improve Your Tomorrow highlighted barriers facing Black, Latino, Native, and other boys and men of color in higher education, including financial aid gaps, weak transfer pathways, underinvestment in student support, and low campus belonging. They urged continued funding for community schools, expanded dual enrollment and ELOP access, and support for mentorship and culturally responsive programs. Public commenters echoed support for community schools and youth investment, including calls to redirect prison spending toward education and prevention. The chair closed by thanking the panelists, reflecting on his own school struggles and the role of mentorship, and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Equity-driven initiatives, right? Five times the rate of everybody else.
• Equity-driven initiatives, right, that work to change school discipline policies like LAUSD's Black Student
• But this system in 2026 still benefits some, while others have 400-plus years of knee-on-your-neck energy
• It is an equity strategy.
• investment given its demonstrated impact and strong alignment with California student success and equity

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Director of the Health Equity Council, and I'm here to speak in support of this bill.
• You and I saw each other in the Energy Committee a few days ago, but I haven't been able to say hello
• I work at the Health Equity Council as a health promotion specialist.
• Climate change is also a health equity issue.
• And then how are we defining health equity, and how does that relate?

Transcript Highlights:

• We serve about 3,286 students, each one bringing their own unique energy, curiosity, and talent.
• We've built pathways in Business, Health Sciences, Agriculture, Culinary, and Energy.
• In Lovington, we've put real energy into attracting, growing, and retaining great educators.
• We're still producing energy as a state, particularly down in this region.
• And the time and the energy, and I'll talk about that in a little bit in just a second.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here gives you a snapshot of how the energy is used on our campus.
• This gives you another breakdown on how our energy is broken up currently between gas and electricity
• the building, so that is how the geo-eco building is trading energy across campus.
• Of course, energy efficiency and conservation are a part of that.
• All that happens is we are simply pulling the energy out during either heating or cooling.

Bills: SGA9314, SGA9282, SGA9288, SGA9296, SGA9232, SGA9233, SGA9235, SGA9236, SGA9237

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I also am mindful and recognize that the new cost of eggs is now your energy bill.
• Number one driver of your increased energy bills over the last decade.
• , a regional energy market that will also increase reliability at the same time it lowers energy bills
• clean energy for at least part of 9 out of 10 days.
• Two-thirds today, two-thirds of our energy comes from clean sources.

Summary: The Assembly met, initially lacking a quorum, and the Clerk called the roll until a quorum was established. The chamber then proceeded through routine opening business, including prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, recognition of Native lands, approval of procedural motions, and several unanimous-consent actions to re-refer bills and allow committees to notice bills pending re-referral. The Assembly also recessed regular session to convene a joint convention for the Governor’s State of the State address. In the joint convention, Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his final State of the State speech, focusing on California’s economic performance, education investments, housing reforms, public safety, homelessness, climate policy, insurance issues, and the state’s response to federal actions. He highlighted budget plans, including a proposed $248.3 billion general fund, increased reserves, major education funding, child care and after-school investments, housing and affordability measures, mental health and homelessness funding, infrastructure projects, clean energy goals, and wildfire recovery efforts. He also praised legislative collaboration on AI regulation, tax credits, and other policy areas while criticizing federal policies and calling for continued state action. After the address, the Governor’s speech was ordered printed in the journal, the joint convention adjourned sine die, and the Assembly returned to regular session. The Speaker announced the desk would remain open for introduction of the budget bill, noted the next floor session would be Monday, January 12 at 1 p.m., and the House adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I also am mindful and recognize that the new cost of eggs is now your energy bill.
• That extension, close to $60 billion in rebates for your monthly energy bills.
• , a regional energy market that will also increase reliability at the same time it lowers energy bills
• It lowers energy bills.
• Two-thirds today, two-thirds of our energy comes from clean sources.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It in this class of renewable energy.
• Thank you. >> It's renewable energy. Thank you. >> Questions?
• </c><01:14:57.360><c> storage</c><01:14:58.159><c> energy</c> bill adds battery energy storage energy
• bill adds battery energy storage energy storage<01:14:58.880><c> systems</c><01:14:59.520><c> best</
• And uh this this energy storage systems.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• City equity and inclusion initiatives by certain governmental entities are particularly on the state
• property of the School District Maintenance and Operations at Valerian Tax Purposes under the Texas Job Energy
• HB 1640 by Mendeeva relating to a customer guide of home solar energy devices.
• value of the residential real property that arises from the installation of the property of certain energy
• the exploration for the production or export of oil, gas, and other minerals for the Committee on Energy

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Subcommittee on Property Tax Appraisals, HB 553, by Patterson, relating to the permitting of renewable energy
• facilities, including the amount of sylvalin and other administrative penalties, refer to the Committee on Energy
• appraisals HJR40 by Swanson proposing a constitutional amendment to remove the requirement that a home equity

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1050 by Hinojosa of Hidalgo, relating to energy savings performance contracts for local governments
• Senate Bill 1105 by Parker, relating to the establishment of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Authority
• procedure and to certain public school requirements and prohibitions regarding instruction and diversity, equity

Summary: The Senate met briefly and referred a large number of first-reading bills and resolutions to standing committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including hemp regulation, dementia research funding, parental rights and public education, municipal library funding, tax and local government issues, criminal justice, health care, education, transportation, natural resources, and election law. Several constitutional resolutions were also referred, including proposals related to the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and a severance tax revenue fund. Most of the transcript consists of the reading of bill captions and committee referrals, with no substantive debate or testimony recorded. The listed measures included proposals on school uniforms, charter schools, Medicaid fraud remedies, insurance practices, occupational licensing for people with criminal convictions, water and sewer utility cybersecurity, agricultural protections, public meeting broadcasting, and various local and state governance matters. No votes were taken on the bills in this segment. The only formal action reflected was referral of the bills and resolutions to the appropriate committees, followed by adjournment of the Senate until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Certain energy-related components.
• So the, Under the Advanced Energy Tax Credit, the caps do not change.
• of eligible advanced energy products.
• of eligible advanced energy products.
• Is that not considered an advanced energy? Mr.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 108, which amends the Watershed District Act to fix a problem created by last year’s changes: appointed watershed district boards could not legally levy taxes, even though several districts already had mill levies. The sponsor and staff explained the bill would preserve the existing tax authority by tying it to the soil and water district responsible for the watershed district. There was no public opposition, and the committee voted do pass on HB 108 as amended. The committee then heard House Bill 154, a tax credit bill intended to decouple New Mexico’s Advanced Energy Equipment Tax Credit from changing federal definitions and to add fusion machines and related components to the state definition. Supporters from economic development, industry, utilities, and education argued the bill would provide certainty, attract advanced manufacturing, and help New Mexico compete for investment without changing the credit’s caps or fiscal impact. Members questioned why hydrogen, geothermal, and small modular reactors were not included; staff said those technologies were not in the federal definition and that adding them now could create unintended consequences. The committee voted do pass on HB 154, with one member voting reluctantly yes. House Bill 291, the Taxation and Revenue Department’s annual tax code cleanup bill, was then presented and amended twice. The first amendment preserved New Mexico’s independent definition of qualified research for the tech jobs and R&D credit. The second removed a proposed expansion of the film tax credit to certain tribal expenditures after concerns about fiscal impact; members discussed possible future approaches for tribal film activity and the film partner loophole. The bill also makes technical and policy changes including rounding certain payments to the nearest nickel, waiving interest when tax deadlines are extended for good cause, removing small late-filing penalties in some cases, allowing delinquent taxpayers to renew permits under installment agreements, intercepting excess delinquent property tax auction proceeds for other state tax debts, clarifying tobacco tax treatment for larger vape cartridges, and tightening film credit rules. After public opposition from business groups and discussion from members, the committee voted do pass on HB 291 as twice amended.