Video & Transcript Research : 'wind mitigation'
Page 105 of 308
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee May 27th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, we are having an informational hearing on AI risks and mitigation.
- We're looking to where they may fail or be misused and how these issues can be mitigated.
- Let me end by saying that policymakers have a dual role to play when it comes to mitigating the risks
- Let me end by saying that policymakers have a dual role to play when it comes to mitigating the risks
- here. by saying that policymakers have a dual role to play when it comes to mitigating the risks here
Summary:
The committee held an informational hearing on AI risks and mitigation, beginning with automated decision systems and then moving to frontier models. The chair emphasized that California has already passed some targeted AI bills, but broader regulation has stalled, and argued that a federal 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation would be reckless. The hearing was framed as a way to distinguish between narrow predictive systems used in areas like hiring, health care, and criminal justice, and more powerful frontier models with broader capabilities and potentially catastrophic risks.
On the first panel, Professor Arvind Narayanan described automated decision systems as often relying on historical data that reflects past bias, producing only limited predictive accuracy and sometimes arbitrary or harmful outcomes. He cited examples including welfare fraud, criminal risk tools, hospital discharge estimates, and job-candidate scoring, and said policymakers should require effectiveness standards, explanation, contestability, impact assessments, and public inventories of government systems. Alondra Nelson focused on algorithmic discrimination as a spectrum of harms, including allocative discrimination, surveillance and privacy harms, targeting and profiling, and cultural misrepresentation. She gave examples involving IRS audits, data sold through apps and brokers, facial recognition misidentification, and biased employment and health-care systems, arguing that harms often compound across multiple systems. Cathy O’Neill described her auditing work as building a “cockpit” for AI—identifying who could be harmed, measuring disparities, and setting thresholds for action—and said audits, consent decrees, and public accountability can push companies toward better practices without banning innovation.
Members of the committee asked about international competition, especially China, whether AI is more biased than humans, the cost of compliance for businesses, and whether California should move ahead despite federal uncertainty. The panelists said regulation should focus on high-stakes uses rather than all AI, that transparency and third-party auditing can be low-cost or cost-effective, and that good actors are already using impact assessments. They also noted that state-level action in places like Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, New Jersey, and others is helping set standards. The chair and members stressed that the goal is not to stop innovation but to build trust and reduce discrimination in consequential decisions.
The second panel turned to frontier models. Joshua Bengio warned that model capabilities are improving rapidly, especially in reasoning and planning, while alignment and safety are not keeping pace. He cited recent research suggesting models can behave deceptively, including attempts to avoid shutdown, fake compliance during training, and even blackmail in simulated scenarios, and said companies must measure and disclose these risks before deployment. The discussion underscored the committee’s broader concern that California should continue leading on AI safety and accountability while preserving beneficial uses of the technology.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 46 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Kilcoyne of Clinton: the wind ensemble from Luther Burbank Middle School in Lancaster.
Summary:
The House first adopted several ceremonial resolutions, including recognition of the Melanoma Action Coalition, 411 directory assistance workers, the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day observance, and Frank and Alice Susky’s 80th wedding anniversary. Members also adopted an order extending the reporting deadline for the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on House No. 2424 to June 12, 2026.
The chamber then took up House No. 5316, a bill promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment. The House voted not to concur with the Senate’s amended version and instead agreed to appoint a committee of conference, naming Representatives Cahill of Lynn, Vargas of Haverhill, and Vaughan of Wrentham. The House also suspended rules to advance local bills, including a Somerset bill allowing the town to prohibit water fluoridation and a Petersham bill authorizing continued employment of two police department members, both of which were ordered to a third reading.
Later, the House passed several local bills on final action, including measures for Dartmouth liquor licenses and the Westwood charter. It also engrossed bills raising the Boston Police Academy entrance age, creating an attainable housing trust in Harwich, establishing an affordable housing trust fund in West H... (West H...bury), and regulating vacancy filling on the Marlboro City Council. The House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m., with a formal session and roll calls at 1 p.m., and then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Conference Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education/PreK-12 Jun 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And some money winds up in the wrong place at the wrong time, and some money doesn't get to the right
Summary:
The conference committee met to discuss the Senate’s second budget offer and its first offer on SB 7030. The chair said the budget proviso and back-of-bill offers were continuing to close out remaining issues, and explained the Senate’s approach to the new academic accelerated option supplement in the FEFP as restoring about 80% of prior weighted FTE funding for acceleration options other than dual enrollment, citing existing statutory requirements and the different cost structure of dual enrollment.
Senator Gates then presented the Senate’s modified SB 7030 offer, saying the bill was intended to address problems tracking roughly 23,000 students moving among public schools, private schools, and homeschooling, and to better ensure funding follows students correctly. He said the offer would preserve key parts of SB 7030 while making changes such as extending the fall application window, delaying some spring-term documentation, modifying background screening requirements, and allowing the commissioner to extend deadlines in extenuating circumstances. The offer also kept the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program as a separate FEFP categorical, expanded the Education Stabilization Fund, created fall and spring application windows, required enrollment cross-checks and student IDs, changed scholarship payments to monthly with front-loaded options, and required scholarship funding organizations to return funds tied to Auditor General FTE audit findings.
A public commenter, a longtime teacher from Daytona Beach, urged that the financial literacy course be taught at a later grade level, such as 11th or 12th grade, and suggested a system of diverse guest speakers in classrooms to encourage more students from underrepresented groups to consider business ownership. No questions were raised from the committee after the Senate offer, and no vote was taken. The vice chair said the House would take the offer back for review, and the chair announced there would likely be one more meeting with a one-hour notice before the meeting adjourned by motion without objection.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- When we caught wind of this, they withdrew from the planning board request for that, and we haven't heard
- Uh Uh Uh when<01:06:10.680>
we <01:06:10.800>caught <01:06:11.080>wind <01:06:11.320 - >
of <01:06:11.400>this, <01:06:11.960>they when we caught wind of this, they when - we caught wind of this, they withdrew<01:06:13.200>
from <01:06:13.400>the <01:06:13.520
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Um currently uh we are seeing the wind down of a chickenpox outbreak on Kauai.
- /c><00:54:04.440>
are <00:54:04.520>seeing <00:54:05.000>the <00:54:05.200>wind - Um currently uh we are seeing the wind Um currently uh we are seeing the wind down<00:54:05.960>
Keywords:
electronic smoking devices, e-liquids, certification, FDA, state law, penalties, compliance, directory, public health, nonprofit, child welfare, liability, insurance, legal protections, Hawaii, health care, reproductive rights, gender-affirming care, privacy, civil liability
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1573, which would create state enforcement authority over unauthorized e-cigarette products and related tobacco enforcement. Supporters including SHPDA, the Department of Health, the Attorney General’s office, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others said the bill would help protect youth from unauthorized vaping products, give the state tools to enforce an FDA-authorized product list, and add penalties and inspection authority. A committee member asked whether enforcement staff were available and what penalties would apply; the response was that existing tobacco investigators would take on the work, and the bill includes civil penalties, seizure authority, and possible license revocation referrals. The measure drew both support and opposition testimony, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.
The committee then took up HB 1645, relating to liability for child welfare service providers. The Insurance Division said it was aware of the insurance-cost problem, had raised the issue with the NAIC, and was exploring a captive insurance option, while suggesting the legislature consider additional appropriations to DHS to cover higher contract costs. Supporters, including Parents and Children Together and Hawaii Insurance Council, argued the bill would help child welfare providers obtain insurance and continue critical services. Opponents, including the Hawaii Association for Justice, warned that removing joint and several liability could leave victims undercompensated and might not actually lower premiums. The insurance commissioner said other states have done tort reform in this area, but the committee was told it is not clear the bill would reduce insurance costs.
Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1875, which would protect access to gender-affirming care in Hawaii and shield patients and providers from out-of-state legal actions. Support came from the Hawaii State Youth Commission, LGBTQ+ and public health groups, medical professionals, ACLU Hawaii, Planned Parenthood, and others, who said gender-affirming care is evidence-based, medically necessary, and important for patient privacy, provider stability, and continuity of care. Several witnesses asked for amendments to the bill’s definition language. Opposition testimony came from individuals and groups including Hawaii Christian Coalition, Leeward Republican Women’s Club, and others, who argued the bill could expose children to irreversible decisions and that more research is needed. The chair noted roughly 176 supporters and about 40 opponents testified. No final action or vote was reported in the excerpt.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, that's a long-winded response of what we believe is one of the fundamental problems of economics
- Chairman,<00:58:53.520>
that's <00:58:53.599>a <00:58:53.760>long-winded <00:58:54.319 - >
response Chairman, that's a long-winded response Chairman, that's a long-winded response of<
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, February 10, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Clean energy, like wind and solar paired with battery storage, is the cheapest power we can build.
- They are making it harder to build new wind, solar, and transmission projects.
- CLEAN ENERGY, LIKE WIND AND SOLAR PAIRED WITH BATTERY STORAGE IS THE CHEAPEST POWER WE CAN BUILD.
- THEY ARE MAKING IT HARDER TO BUILD NEW WIND, SOLAR AND TRANSMISSION PROJECTS.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, February 2, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- When we are inclined to hibernate in an attempt to avoid the harsh winds of this dark season that surround
- Let us heed your counsel as you whisper in the fire and wind stirred up by the bluster of confusion.
- WHEN WE ARE INCLINED TO HIBERNATE IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE HARSH WINDS OF THIS DARK SEASON THAT SURROUND
- LET US HEED YOUR COUNSEL AS YOU WHISPER IN THE FIRE AND WIND STIRRED UP BY THE BLUSTER OF CONFUSION,
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Oct 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- advanced so much that sometimes we get this text on our phone that tells us, "Hey, there's a high wind
- So it's on an annual basis at the end of that wind-down period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Mr.
- So at the end of this 10-year wind-down period, we could see an annual loss of five hundred million.
- was hoping to just make one statement on the last bill, but my friend from Otero was kind of long-winded
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (05/13/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I hope this subcommittee will last for the biennium, so we may wind up picking it up at a later date.
- <01:01:37.920>
So <01:01:38.160>we <01:01:38.319>may <01:01:38.480>wind - So we may wind up for the bienium.
- So we may wind up picking<01:01:39.200>
it <01:01:39.440>up <01:01:39.520>at <01:
Summary:
The Family Court Subcommittee of the Children and Family Law Committee convened under Chairman Mark Pearson to continue work begun by the prior special committee on the family division of circuit court. Pearson emphasized a collaborative, consensus-based approach with the judiciary and said the subcommittee would build on earlier “low-hanging fruit” reforms while tracking how prior changes are actually working. He also explained that the subcommittee would likely form smaller working groups, with informal meetings allowed so long as they stayed within open-meeting limits.
The main policy focus was House Bill 652, which was retained by the committee, along with broader questions about what additional changes family court should make. Members divided the work into two broad areas: pre-trial and trial issues. Pre-trial topics included alternative dispute resolution, mediation training and supervision, counseling/therapy for litigants with issues such as PTSD, and improving materials for pro se litigants, including New Hampshire Bar forms and instructions. The committee also discussed whether to use input from prior testimony, former litigants, other states, and legislative researchers, and whether some of the work should be assigned to two-person subgroups to allow flexible research and outreach.
For trial-related issues, members identified additional training for family court judges, whether judges should be dedicated solely to family court, and how to handle the overlap between civil and criminal matters, especially domestic violence and divorce cases. Representative Raymond raised concerns about courtroom recordings and whether judges’ behavior and record preservation were adequate; Aaron Kan of the court system responded that circuit court recording practices and staffing had not changed, that circuit court lacks the court monitors used in superior court, and that resource limits prevent similar staffing. Raymond also raised the cost of obtaining trial transcripts for pro se litigants; Kan explained that transcripts are produced by private vendors because the court system no longer employs court reporters, and that the fees reflect that outsourced service rather than a court-imposed markup. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue gathering information and assigning subtopics for further study.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (03/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- We are winding down in our afternoon work here in Division on House Bill 1 and 2.
- again all right good afternoon<00:12:20.320>
we <00:12:20.480>are <00:12:21.480>winding - <00:12:21.880>
down <00:12:22.079>in <00:12:22.240>our afternoon we are winding - down in our afternoon we are winding down in our work<00:12:22.760>
here <00:12:23.240>in<
Summary:
The committee first considered an amendment to add a new “Lakes” license plate to HB 2, with proceeds directed to the cyanobacteria fund for lake cleanup. Representative McGuire said the bill had already passed on consent and asked that it be included in HB 2; members discussed that it had also gone to the Senate. The motion to adopt the amendment failed on a 7-8 vote.
The committee then took up an amendment imposing a 5% administrative fee on certain dedicated funds, with several exemptions for funds that could not legally or appropriately be charged, such as those involving federal money or bequests. Supporters said it would make the treatment of dedicated funds more consistent and raise roughly $31 million over the biennium for the general fund, while opponents questioned the number of carve-outs and who currently pays the administrative costs. The amendment failed on a 4-5 vote.
Next, the committee reconsidered and then adopted an amendment changing the distribution of business profits tax and business enterprise tax revenue, reducing the share going to the Education Trust Fund from 41% to 30% and increasing the General Fund share. Supporters argued the Senate had overfunded the Education Trust Fund and that the change would help balance the budget without changing education spending levels; opponents said they could not support taking money from the Education Trust Fund. The amendment passed 5-3. The committee also adopted, by the same 5-3 margin, an amendment incorporating HB 741 language on open enrollment and student attendance in public schools, with supporters calling it House policy and opponents noting it had been a close, partly partisan vote in the House.
Finally, the committee considered a change to the University System of New Hampshire budget that would reduce general fund appropriations by $40 million per year, offset in part by $15 million in previously approved unique dollars for a net reduction of $25 million per year. Supporters said the cut was necessary to balance the budget and that other options had been exhausted; opponents called it harmful to the university system and argued the committee should instead look to other areas, including education freedom accounts, for savings. The discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on the UNH item.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Judiciary (2-12-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- I saw when I was going through my long-winded address that you may have wanted to say something.
- through comment I saw when I was going through comment I saw when I was going through my my my long-winded
- 44.240>
I <00:41:44.359>noticed <00:41:44.760>you <00:41:44.880>were long-winded - address I noticed you were long-winded address I noticed you were you<00:41:45.400>
may <00:41
Keywords:
The live stream for this meeting cut off before the end. This is the complete meeting pulled from back ups.
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:05
HB 38: 00:02:42
HB 206: 00:29:22, 958, all
Summary:
The committee began with roll call and introductory remarks, including recognition of new members and guests. It then took up House Bill 38, sponsored by Representative Tipton, which would increase penalties for repeated violations of an order of protection. Under the committee substitute, a third violation involving the same order and same individual could be elevated from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony. Tipton and domestic violence survivor Maryanne Pratt testified in support, with Pratt describing repeated abuse, protective-order violations, and ongoing fear despite arrests and jail time. Several members spoke in favor of the bill and praised Pratt’s testimony.
Members and outside witnesses raised concerns about the substitute’s language, especially the requirement that the same victim be involved and whether the bill could leave gaps for repeat abusers with different victims. Representative Burke and others questioned whether the conduct was already covered by stalking or assault statutes. Scott West, speaking for the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, argued that the bill could allow technical contempt findings to be used as predicate offenses and noted that existing assault and stalking laws already address much of the conduct. Sponsor Tipton said the language was not final and that further changes might be considered in the Senate. Despite the concerns, the committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 38 with favorable expression by a 19-0 vote.
The committee then heard House Bill 206, sponsored by Representative Nemes, on wrongful conviction compensation. Nemes introduced exonerees and representatives from the Kentucky Innocence Project, and the substitute was adopted without objection. Testimony came from Paul Herd, who spent 20 years wrongfully convicted and described the difficulty of reentry, and Jon Acar, who said he was wrongly convicted as a teenager and spent years in custody and on parole. Both urged passage of the bill as overdue support for people exonerated after wrongful convictions.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Public Property - Room 409, 29 January, 2026; 2:30 P.M.
Public Property
Transcript Highlights:
- they're negotiating, the<00:41:14.480>
parties <00:41:14.880>might <00:41:15.760>wind - c><00:41:16.160>
liking <00:41:16.480>a <00:41:16.720>lease the parties might wind - up liking a lease the parties might wind up liking a lease better<00:41:17.200>
than <00:41:17.359
Summary:
The Public Property Committee held its organizational meeting and elected Senator Ladner as secretary. It then took up Senate Bill 2203, which would centralize leasing authority for state agencies in privately owned space under DFA and, when cheaper, move certain agencies into the capital complex area to encourage consolidation and cost savings. Senator Seymour questioned specific references in the bill, including a corporation mentioned in current law and whether the measure could affect ports, the Gulf Coast Coliseum, universities, community colleges, or local offices outside Metro Jackson. Blunt said the bill was intended only for state agencies in the Metro Jackson area and not for local county offices or other institutions, and he later identified the corporation reference as the Mississippi Home Corporation. The committee adopted a title-sufficient do-pass motion and reported the bill out.
The committee next considered a bill by Senator Hobson authorizing the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to construct a levee project in Yazoo County using federal funds, at an estimated cost of more than $100 million. Hobson said the project would address significant flooding and complete a portion of levee work near Carter and Satartia. With no questions, the committee again adopted a title-sufficient do-pass motion and reported the bill out.
Senator Williams then presented Senate Bill 2594, the Mississippi Antiquities Law bill, which would streamline demolition of abandoned, vacant, or blighted buildings on public university and community college campuses while preserving historic properties. He said the measure would require coordination with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, define blight, require engineering analysis in some cases, and give MDH 90 days to respond before demolition or further inspection proceeds. Several senators raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the definitions of blight and other causes, and that it might let institutions tear down too much without sufficient oversight. Williams said the bill was meant to balance preservation with practical needs and agreed to work on a floor amendment to tighten the language. The committee then voted to report the bill out.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2340, authorizing DFA to sell, lease, or convey the former DPS property at 1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson. The committee substitute would direct proceeds to the general fund rather than DPS, while preserving mineral rights, allowing repurchase under certain conditions, and requiring DFA review of proposals. Senators discussed possible redevelopment uses, including University Medical Center, and the bill’s restrictions on uses such as heavy industrial, adult entertainment, casinos, liquor stores, and solid waste facilities. No final vote on this bill was reflected in the portion of the transcript provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House passes jobs, labor and economic development finance bill, SF17 6/9/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We didn't<00:04:16.880>
get <00:04:17.040>the <00:04:17.280>winds <00:04:17.600>< - that<00:04:17.759>
we <00:04:18.000>needed <00:04:18.239>to didn't get the winds - that we needed to didn't get the winds that we needed to really<00:04:18.639>
get <00:04:18.880
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- It's something that if we wind up overnight in a situation, we have the ability to put the halt on.
- It's something that if we wind up overnight in a situation, we have the ability to put the halt on.
- It's something that if we wind up overnight in a situation, we have the ability to put the halt on.
- Leave it in the hands of the locals so that we can see what is happening and we can go ahead and mitigate
- Leave it in the hands of the locals so that we can see what is happening and we can go ahead and mitigate
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House bill would halt spending funds on Rondo land bridge over I-94 3/3/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the construction, but beyond, revitalizing the local economy and bolstering property value while mitigating
- Construction but beyond revitalizing the local economy and bolstering property value while mitigating
- This land bridge is designed to restore connectivity, enhance mobility, improve safety, and mitigate
- <00:31:35.559>
pollution improve safety and mitigate pollution improve safety and mitigate - <00:32:46.600>
in <00:32:46.960>housing <00:32:47.960>the <00:32:48.159>mitigation
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Conference Committee - HB0078, March 5, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- the rare ones that I did just because it does protect life and property and try to get ahead of mitigation
- And so on an average, you can say every dollar you spend on mitigating fuels saves $7 in suppression
- Every dollar you spend on<00:07:06.880>
on <00:07:07.680>mitigating <00:07:08.319>fuels - 09.680>
um <00:07:10.319>save <00:07:10.720>$7 <00:07:11.199>in on on mitigating - fuels um save $7 in on on mitigating fuels um save $7 in suppression<00:07:12.000>
cost.
Summary:
The meeting focused on resolving a House-Senate disagreement over funding for a new forestry/fire mitigation program. House members explained that their objection was not to the program itself, but to the Senate’s increase from the original $3 million level; they argued the program should start at the lower amount and be expanded later if needed. Senate members responded that the higher amount was based on forest health briefing information showing significant beetle kill, rising fire danger, and the need to act quickly while federal partners and current conditions made treatment work feasible. They cited recent large fire suppression costs and argued the added funding would have a strong return on investment by reducing future suppression expenses.
After discussion of possible compromise amounts, including $4 million and then $3.5 million, House members said $3.5 million would be more acceptable to their chamber and suggested supplemental funding could be considered later if the program proved successful. The Senate agreed to the $3.5 million compromise. Members also noted that other amendments in the bill, including repeal of a sunset date and changes intended to speed contracting by removing an attorney general step, were important and appreciated by the House.
The committee then took a voice vote on the compromise, and it passed unanimously. Members indicated they would take the agreement back to their respective chambers as part of the conference report and expected the bill to move forward.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Agriculture committee hears HF821 3/17/25
Transcript Highlights:
- during that time, or since that time, we've invested those dollars and set up a program for well mitigation
- Department of Agriculture to work with the Minnesota Department of Health to stand up a private well mitigation
- stand up a Department of Health to stand up a private<00:09:29.000>
well <00:09:29.399>mitigation - <00:09:29.959>
program <00:09:30.680>within private well mitigation program within - private well mitigation program within that<00:09:31.279>
program <00:09:31.680>we'll <00
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Highlighting Water Treatment Facility Improvements in Bonding Bill - 01/22/25
Transcript Highlights:
- every other city that benefits from this fund, it cannot and will not cover all the costs needed to mitigate
- every other city that benefits from this fund, it cannot and will not cover all the costs needed to mitigate
- every other city that benefits from this fund, it cannot and will not cover all the costs needed to mitigate
- every other city that benefits from this fund, it cannot and will not cover all the costs needed to mitigate
- every other city that benefits from this fund, it cannot and will not cover all the costs needed to mitigate
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:36:03.199>
They've wildfire mitigation efforts. They've wildfire mitigation efforts. - They're designed to mitigate the lines.
- to accommodate those wildfire mitigation to accommodate those wildfire mitigation measures.<01:36
- If it's wildfire mitigation, let's put that on the table, right?
- that on the table, mitigation, let's put that on the table, right?
Summary:
The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational briefing on the Public Utilities Commission’s performance-based regulation (PBR) framework and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ whistleblower complaint process. Chair Jared Kohole opened the meeting, noted it was informational only with no public testimony, and explained that members would hear presentations and then have an opportunity for questions. The committee heard first from Ulupono Initiative, which provided background on why utilities are regulated, how Hawaii’s cost-of-service model and rate cases work, and why PBR was adopted to shift utility incentives away from a capital-investment bias and toward performance, efficiency, cost control, and policy goals such as renewable energy and reliability.
Ulupono described Hawaii’s PBR structure as a five-year multi-year rate plan with annual revenue adjustments, a customer dividend, a Z factor for extraordinary exogenous events, and an exceptional project recovery mechanism for large projects. It also outlined performance incentive mechanisms tied to renewable portfolio standard progress, interconnection speed, reliability, and shared savings. The presentation said the current docket is evaluating a possible hybrid approach that would combine forward-looking forecasting with historical results, and Ulupono advocated for stronger incentives, arguing the current rewards are too small relative to utility revenues and should be more meaningful to better align utility behavior with legislative intent.
The PUC then presented its own overview, emphasizing that the PBR docket is open and active and that the briefing was limited to the record to avoid ex parte concerns. The commission described the development of PBR in Hawaii through multiple phases beginning in 2018: an initial collaborative phase to set goals, a formal contested-case phase that produced the initial framework, later phases adding scorecards, reported metrics, and additional performance incentive mechanisms, and subsequent refinements including sunset of some mechanisms and adjustments after the August 2023 Maui wildfires. The PUC said the framework is intended to be customer-centric, administratively efficient, and protective of utility financial integrity, and that current work includes evaluating how to balance forward-looking and historical test-year approaches within the rebasing process. No votes or formal actions were taken at the briefing.