Transcript Highlights:

• 3316 by Perez of Harris relating to creating criminal funds for interfering with the motor vehicle metering
• device or motor fuel unattended payment terminal and prosecution of certain organized criminal activities
• HB 368 by land graft relating to relating to a prohibition on remotely controlling electronic devices
• HB 407 by Morales of Harris relating to the municipality of county requirements for solar energy devices
• HB 487 by Tupper relating to criminal offenses applicable to unauthorized uses of gambling devices, including

Transcript Highlights:

• If they do not decide to participate, there is a voluntary temporary metering program.
• So again, is this bill going to require people to put meters on their water wells?
• So again, is this bill going to require people to put meters on their water wells?
• But if I wanted to switch to the five-year rolling average, then I could do a meter.
• Representative, behind the meter for residents, did you come up with that on your own?

Bills: HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464

Keywords: HB4246, water rights, rural water, wastewater, drinking water, environmental quality, DEQ, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Rural Water Association, technical assistance, water infrastructure, small systems, utility operators, emergency water response, nonprofit contractors, vendor qualification, competitive bidding, best value procurement, central purchasing act, rural utilities

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of energy, agriculture, wildlife, water, and utility bills, adopting PCS drafts and amendments on several measures before voting them out. Early bills, including HB 4246 and HB 423, would let DEQ obtain technical assistance and instruction from outside suppliers, and both passed with 11-1 votes. HB 3617, the agricultural equipment right-to-repair bill, drew the most extended debate; supporters said it would help farmers and ranchers keep equipment operating and preserve access to parts, tools, and diagnostics, while opponents raised concerns about private contracts, intellectual property, and government mandates. The author agreed to continue working on the language and to strike the title later, and the bill passed 13-9-2. HB 3657, updating agricultural wage reporting and adding the Workforce Commission to employment-data recipients, passed 15-0. HB 2976, directing DEQ to set water-quality criteria for aluminum using EPA guidance as a tool, passed 14-1. HB 3391, requiring licensed commercial pet breeders to display their ODAF license number in advertisements, passed 15-0. The committee also advanced several natural resources and land-use measures. HB 4459 created a voluntary five-year averaging option for permitted water users, with metering required only for participants; members emphasized that nonparticipants could continue current practices unchanged, and the bill passed 12-1-3. HB 4128, as amended, moved Oklahoma’s bear season earlier by two weeks; the author said it was intended to address nuisance bears in southeast Oklahoma and protect hunters and landowners, while members raised concerns about population impacts and whether the Wildlife Department could manage harvest levels. The bill passed 13-1-2. HB 3989, described as a cleanup bill from the earlier “one megawatt fight,” passed 15-1 after the author said a compromise had been reached. HB 2989, as amended, authorized electric utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans and created a revolving fund, with the amendment limiting recovery to reasonable and prudent mitigation costs; the author said it was not a liability shield, and the bill passed 14-1. Later, the committee considered utility and renewable-energy regulation. HB 4060, the Plug-in Solar Act, addressed interconnection agreements and behind-the-meter solar for residents; it passed 14-1. HB 3145 cleaned up language affecting the commercial hunt industry and passed 14-1. HB 2992, the Data Center Customer Protection, Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, would require new large-load customers such as data centers, crypto mining, and AI facilities above 75 MW to cover their own infrastructure and provide collateral so costs are not shifted to ratepayers; members discussed protections for existing contracts and utility oversight, and it passed 14-1. Finally, HB 3464 imposed common-sense regulations on wind, solar, and battery storage projects, including surety bonds for land restoration, permit fees to support local fire departments, and a 30-day Fire Marshal response timeline; the author said more amendments were likely, and the bill passed 14-0. The meeting then recessed and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're most known for our work repairing and replacing smartphones and other handheld devices, but we
• have also expanded our business into repairing, replacing, and installing all consumer electronic devices

Bills: HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833, HB146, HB150

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Bills: SB 1036, SB 1566, SB 1664, SB 2268, SCR 5, SCR 8, SCR 9, SCR 32, SCR 46

Keywords: residential solar, solar retailer, solar salesperson, solar panel sales, solar lease, solar installation, renewable energy, clean energy, consumer protection, deceptive sales, door-to-door solicitation, occupational registration, TDLR, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, Public Utility Commission, electrical contractor, interconnection, net metering, Truth in Lending Act

Bills: SB1036, SB1566, SB1664, SB2268, SCR5, SCR8, SCR9, SCR32, SCR46

Keywords: residential solar, solar retailer, solar salesperson, solar panel sales, solar lease, solar installation, renewable energy, clean energy, consumer protection, deceptive sales, door-to-door solicitation, occupational registration, TDLR, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, Public Utility Commission, electrical contractor, interconnection, net metering, Truth in Lending Act

Bills: SB1169, SB1285, SB1583, SB1611, SB1898, SB1976, SB2160, SB2161, SB2658, SB2661, SB2662, SB2692, SB1055, SB1359, SB2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I'm sure that they are billing at the meters for the water being purchased by the consumer.
• don't know what the economic value of 88 million gallons was to them when they charged down at the meter
• With smart meters, we're able to do more.
• But we don't, particularly the rural utilities I do some work with, have smart meters because of the

Bills: SB1169, SB1285, SB1583, SB1611, SB1898, SB1976, SB2160, SB2161, SB2658, SB2661, SB2662, SB2692, SB1055, SB1359, SB2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• not being compensated for the water that's pumped, but yet I'm sure that they're billing for the meters
• water, I don't know what 88 million gallons economic value was to them when they charged out at the meter
• How do you tell and how do you identify individual households that are overpumping with smart meters?
• more, but we, we don't all, not particularly the rural utilities I do do some work with, have smart meters

Bills: SB 1169, SB 1285, SB 1583, SB 1611, SB 1898, SB 1976, SB 2160, SB 2161, SB 2658, SB 2661, SB 2662, SB 2692, SB 1055, SB 1359, SB 2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• implementing anti-solar rates and fees, we don't believe that El Paso Electric would replace net metering
• And rolling back net metering could greatly slow the expansion of rooftop solar and ultimately harm the
• So the criticism, I was curious about the criticism by public. citizen related to net metering, but I
• Nothing in your bill prevents El Paso Electric from having a more aggressive net metering program, does
• people see is that a possible outcome is that El Paso Electric could decide to go away from net metering

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: Please make sure cell phones and other communication devices are turned off or placed on silent
• This would be no different than if a meter reader came on your property to read the meter.
• Again, you have a water meter in your house.
• They come in, Representative Connelly: Read your water meter if it happens to be in the front.
• Electric meters are the exact same thing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It still has to be tied into a device.
• One of the questions was: is it going to have separate metering for that facility so that it can be separated
• where they currently are at the old campus to the gymnasium so that they can have them separately metered
• Just to get that gym on its own utilities, metered separately, and a sewer system that can be dealt with
• So, the processes that will set up the old gym to be metered, all of the things that you just described

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. Thank you. Senator Jones is excused from today's meeting.
• Please silence all electronic devices.
• To qualify for the exemption, electricity must be separately metered at the point of delivery from the

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax met and reported several bills favorably after brief presentations, no substantive opposition, and mostly unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls. CS/SB 118, by Senator Trunow, clarified how non-ad valorem special assessments may be levied on recreational vehicle parks, and an amendment removed a requirement that local governments consider RV park occupancy rates when apportioning assessments. The bill was supported by the Florida Retail Federation and passed favorably. SB 1520, by Senator Kalatayud, made changes to the Live Local Act’s missing middle property tax exemption, including allowing vesting upon final site plan approval for one year and expanding the data used for local government opt-out decisions; it also passed favorably with support from Landlord Housing Partners. The committee also approved CS/SB 678, by Senator Mayfield, which reestablishes the framework allowing distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax calculations and applies retroactively to January 1, 2025. Support came from the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, Wine and Spirits Distributors of Florida, and Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. CS/SB 680, also by Senator Mayfield, addressed double taxation of electricity used at EV charging stations by creating a sales tax exemption for separately metered electricity sold to station operators and transferred to consumers; Tesla and the Florida Retail Federation supported it, and Senator Gates spoke in favor, describing the bill as a fair solution to a prior tax administration problem. CS/SB 450, by Senator Polsky, updated property tax exemption rules for permanently and totally disabled veterans’ surviving spouses, including allowing transfer of up to 120% of the prior homestead exemption amount to a new residence. The amendment and bill were supported by the Property Appraisers Association of Florida and passed favorably. Finally, CS/SB 1074, by Senator Gates, was amended to establish uniform rules for rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of penny distribution issues, while protecting sales tax calculations and providing liability protections; it also included safeguards for pawn and recycling transactions. The Florida Retail Federation, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Associated Industries of Florida supported the measure, which was reported favorably. Senator Gates requested to be recorded as voting yes on all bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. Thank you. Senator Jones is excused from today's meeting.
• Please silence all electronic devices.
• To qualify for the exemption, electricity must be separately metered at the point of delivery from the

Bills: S0118, S0450, S0678, S0680, S1074, S1520

Keywords: recreational vehicle parks, special assessments, property tax, occupancy rates, commercial assessment, ad valorem, homestead exemption, disabled veteran, veteran surviving spouse, first responder, line of duty, service-connected death, tax exemption transfer, remarriage, primary residence, Florida Statutes 196.081, property appraiser, local government revenue, surviving spouse tax relief, alcohol distribution

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard several bills, most of them focused on tax policy and property-related exemptions. CS/SB 118 clarified how non-ad valorem special assessments apply to recreational vehicle parks, and an amendment removed a requirement that local governments consider RV park occupancy rates when apportioning assessments. The bill was supported by a Florida Retail Federation representative and was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SB 1520, which modifies Live Local Act property tax exemption provisions by extending the vesting period for the missing middle exemption and expanding the data used for local government opt-outs; SB 678, which reestablishes the framework allowing distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax; and CS/SB 680, which creates a sales tax exemption to address double taxation on electricity used at EV charging stations. Each of these bills had support from industry or trade groups, and CS/SB 680 drew comments from Senator Gaetz praising the bill as a solution to prior tax collection confusion. The committee then approved CS/SB 450, which updates property tax exemption rules for surviving spouses of permanently and totally disabled veterans by allowing transfer of a larger portion of the exemption to a new homestead; an amendment raised the transferable amount to up to 120% of the prior exemption. The final bill, CS/SB 1074, was amended to establish uniform rules for rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of the Federal Reserve’s suspension of penny distribution, while preserving tax calculations and providing liability protections; it also included safeguards for pawn and recycling transactions. All bills considered were reported favorably, Senator Gaetz asked to be recorded as voting yes on all bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, excuse me, smart meters and the wireless infrastructure surrounding them, including 5G towers,
• What's more alarming is that many of..." meters and the wireless infrastructure meters and the wireless
• Wired analog meters, the safest and most time-tested option, are being phased out, and there is talk
• , and a smart meter is continuous and it pulses.
• , and a smart meter is continuous and it pulses.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Make America Healthy Again task force held its first meeting to set interim priorities rather than take formal action. Co-chairs and members said the group’s goal is to identify practical policy ideas to improve Kentucky’s poor health outcomes, with an emphasis on prevention, and to gather input from members and outside stakeholders. Roll was called, several members were present, and the co-chairs noted the meeting would be limited in length and would not include a lunch break. Members identified a wide range of possible focus areas, including childhood and adult obesity, nutrition in schools, food deserts, agriculture and support for local farms, health responsibility, physical activity, mental health, and provider education on nutrition. Several speakers stressed that Kentucky’s health care costs are rising unsustainably and that prevention is cheaper than treatment. Others emphasized that the task force should work with agencies, hospitals, universities, and experts, and should narrow its work to a few actionable areas rather than “chase every rabbit.” There was also discussion of food as medicine, improving the quality of food in schools and hospitals, and making healthier choices more accessible and affordable. Members referenced conversations already underway with industries, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and agricultural leaders. No votes or formal motions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the main action was the exchange of priorities and direction for future task force work.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> transitioning uh with behind the meter transitioning uh with behind the meter resources<00:06:29.280
• <01:18:53.920><c> traditional</c><01:18:54.280><c> net</c><01:18:54.400><c> metering</c> metering traditional
• net metering metering traditional net metering tariffs<01:18:55.960><c> um</c><01:18:56.960><c> which
• </c> public housing authority paid meters public housing authority paid meters from<01:49:13.360><c>
• ><c> are</c> megawatt or more and those meters are megawatt or more and those meters are not<01:51:07.480

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• session, the legislature and governor took customer choice one step further by adopting advanced metering
• informed decisions on when it is best to wash their laundry or dishes and charge their electronic devices
• Massachusetts residents have paid millions of dollars already to deploy and leverage smart meters for
• small temperature changes in the homes of customers who use smart thermostats and other connected devices
• populations, such as households with young children or individuals who rely on electronic medical devices

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• 524 relative to the sale of tobacco products,<00:57:24.079><c> ecigarettes,</c><00:57:25.280><c> devices
• ,</c> products, ecigarettes, devices, products, ecigarettes, devices, e-liquids,<00:57:26.640><c> and
• for the committee of conference on the following entitled bill: Senate Bill 538FN, extending net metering
• Senate Bill 538FN extending net metering<04:19:31.120><c> eligibility</c><04:19:31.840><c> terms</c><
• 04:19:32.239><c> for</c><04:19:32.479><c> municipal</c> metering eligibility terms for municipal metering

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• wishing to </font> <font color="aaaaaa">please silence all electronic </font> <font color="aaaaaa">devices
• for </font> <font color="aaaaaa">the offense of applying a </font> <font color="aaaaaa">substance device
• That affects the </font> <font color="aaaaaa">substance device covering, et </font> <font color="aaaaaa
• ">or other otherwise interferes </font> <font color="aaaaaa">license plate obscuring device </font> <
• By </font> <font color="aaaaaa">meters length. I Senate Bill </font> <font color="aaaaaa">594.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In many cases, the inconvenience of bringing a device to a technician makes it easier to throw it out
• These devices end up in the landfill, and the consumer pays hundreds of dollars for a new one.
• This bill excludes medical devices.
• The original seller of electronic devices should control the lifespan of what you own.
• We currently serve about 6 meters per mile of distribution line.

Bills: HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213, HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• This doesn't remove the meter, probably the pipe.
• I believe that includes things like capping and removing the meters.
• I believe that includes things like capping and removing the meters.
• They go and they remove the meter. Doesn't cost a lot.
• Net metering, for example, began life as a way to drive consumer adoption of rooftop solar.

Keywords: 988, house, all