Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, these SMRs are nuclear power generators.
• waste, and nuclear weapons proliferation.
• You can call it an SMR, but it is still a nuclear problem.
• I've practiced nuclear law, and I've come to intimately understand the robust nuclear regulatory safeguards
• The atom of nuclear waste always comes up when we talk about nuclear generation.

Transcript Highlights:

• reactors and what most people think about when they hear nuclear.
• I, too, am actually a fan of nuclear energy.
• I have practiced nuclear law before coming back home to Arizona.
• We do, with nuclear technologies, have to figure out issues like waste.
• U.S. nuclear safety culture is the best.

Bills: SB1041 , SB1363 , SB1418 , SB1419 , SB1445 , SB1447 , SB1488 , SB1519 , SB1523 , SB1560 , SB1580

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, marijuana, rural opportunity, dispensary, economic development, licensing, social equity, unserved communities, Arizona, solar energy, renewable energy, energy generation, consumer protection, installation standards

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's just Hawaii is not a place for nuclear... already know that nuclear power already know that
• </c> Small nuclear reactors don't exist. Small nuclear reactors don't exist.
• </c><01:42:09.520><c> power</c> the failure of previous nuclear power the failure of previous nuclear
• </c><02:02:10.960><c> Puno</c> trees and with nuclear power. Puno trees and with nuclear power.
• </c><02:13:03.280><c> of</c> decide to pause approval of nuclear of decide to pause approval of nuclear

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures. SB 1602 would appropriate funds to DLNR for monitoring wells for the Koho aquifer system; DLNR and HHFDC supported it, and written testimony from several organizations and individuals was also in support. Members asked whether monitoring wells are a statewide function rather than a county function, and staff confirmed they are done statewide. The second bill was an administration measure clarifying that criminal water pollution enforcement remains with the Department of Health rather than DLNR. The Attorney General’s office said it was a cleanup clarification and that DOH has stronger enforcement powers and better testing capability; DOH and DLNR supported it, and there was no opposition noted. The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1074 on environmental impact statements. The bill would let previously authorized or permitted commercial activities continue for up to one year while an agency determines whether environmental review applies after a challenge, and would allow permit renewals during that review. DLNR said it stood on written comments and suggested aligning the bill with similar House language. Supporters, including several ocean tourism and Maui business representatives, argued the bill would provide certainty and keep families and small operators working while environmental review is completed, especially in the wake of the Lahaina fires and ongoing business losses. Some supporters said the measure should be narrowed with a sunset or limited to recently renewed permits. Opponents, including the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could weaken HEPA/NEPA-style environmental review, especially for fisheries and other commercial activities. They said the bill could be used as a “Trojan horse” to avoid review and that DLNR could resolve the underlying disputes more quickly through settlement or existing exemption processes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Although the Nuclear Regulatory Essentially a mining method, although the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• is somehow involved in the nuclear weapons deterrent mission.
• They must be recognized in a field that is relevant to nuclear safety.
• So how we do voice in practice our nuclear safety advice.
• And we have some very proficient nuclear safety analysts, and we have some nuclear safety engineers that

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Global nuclear threats are on the rise and deterrence is paramount.
• General Kaine, for the first time in history, the United States faces two nuclear peer adversaries in
• weapons on the continent also prevents nuclear proliferation.
• Do you agree with the president's assessment that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon?
• But deterrence doesn't work with a terrorist with a nuclear weapon.

Committee: Senate Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: national security, military readiness, Kane nomination, defense budget, China threats, Russia, collaboration, modernization

Summary: The meeting centered on the nomination of retired Lieutenant General Dan Kane for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delving into various security concerns and the strategic environment facing the U.S. today. Testimonies highlighted the growing threats from adversaries such as China and Russia, with discussions around the necessity of maintaining and modernizing military capabilities to address these challenges. The need for agility in military operations and enhancing collaboration among various defense agencies was underscored. Further, concerns were raised regarding the defense budget and the importance of a strong national defense strategy were prevalent throughout the discussions. The committee members collectively emphasized the need for superior readiness and modernization to keep pace with global threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will never get there if we don't have nuclear part of this conversation, new nuclear, because we don't
• We will never get there if we don't have nuclear part of this conversation, new nuclear, because we don't
• :25:32.880><c> nuclear</c><01:25:34.320><c> moratorium</c><01:25:34.960><c> lifting</c> that any nuclear
• </c> never get there if we don't have nuclear never get there if we don't have nuclear part<01:26:37.679
• ,</c> part of this conversation, new nuclear, part of this conversation, new nuclear, because<01:26:40.560

Bills: HF3556

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This groundbreaking for nuclear energy.
• </c> to purchase power from advanced nuclear to purchase power from advanced nuclear resources.<01:42
• </c> of their electricity from new nuclear of their electricity from new nuclear sources.<01:42:07.119
• And it is something that New nuclear.
• </c><01:48:50.560><c> reactors</c> again the the advanced nuclear reactors again the the advanced nuclear

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• It clarifies that it's new nuclear, not existing nuclear.
• they can better track the nuclear side of it all.
• Can you explain in more detail that nuclear credits that you just mentioned?
• coming from, especially when it's new nuclear, not existing nuclear.
• And having to do with the nuclear energy credits, they say that they're tradable.

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Because every administration gets what they call a nuclear posture review, the classified version and
• That's a great point because in the nuclear business, we have lost so much of that experience.
• For years, trying to get young people into nuclear engineering is critical. So, thank you for that.
• , specifically in nuclear weapons survivability.
• I think we've crossed paths with some of the same people at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Once a nuclear facility is deemed to be commercially operational, that sales tax exemption would end
• We need nuclear energy in Iowa. We need an all-of-the-above strategy.
• Iowa is welcome to business and nuclear energy coming in.
• I appreciate the Governor's Nuclear Task Force. This years ago.
• I appreciate the Governor's Nuclear Task Force in trying to incentivize states to get on the ball.

Summary: The House took up a series of bills on a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence safeguards, health and human services district realignment, motor vehicle salvage titles, driver citizenship verification, nuclear energy tax incentives, commercial driver English proficiency, Gold Star status on licenses, mining regulation, workforce and apprenticeship programs, and judicial review of agency action. Members also introduced several appropriations and Ways and Means bills, and one introduction recognized an 11-year-old guest visiting the chamber for her birthday. Several measures were amended before passage. Senate File 2417, dealing with conversational AI services, was amended to conform to the Senate version and passed 95-0. House File 2707, which renames behavioral health districts and realigns aging services, passed 94-1 after an amendment extending review intervals and adding implementation safeguards. House File 777 on salvage titles passed 95-0 after concurrence with a Senate amendment, and Senate File 2187 on citizenship verification for driver’s licenses passed 86-7 after an effective-date amendment and debate over REAL ID-related impacts. The chamber also passed House File 2757 creating a sales tax exemption for nuclear facility commissioning or recommissioning, House File 2761 adding Gold Star status to driver’s licenses and IDs, House File 2765 regulating mining and subsidence repair, Senate File 2168 on workforce development and apprenticeship funding, and Senate File 2039 on intervention in judicial review of agency action. Senate File 2426, requiring English proficiency for commercial drivers, passed 73-22. On Senate File 2218, the House insisted on its amended position, sending the bill to conference committee. The House then transmitted several bills to the Senate, withdrew House File 2507 after SF 2417 passed, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• waste, and nuclear weapons proliferation.
• You can call it an SMR, but it is still a nuclear problem.
• I've practiced nuclear law, and I've come to intimately understand the robust nuclear regulatory safeguards
• Robust nuclear regulatory safeguards that make U.S. nuclear safety culture the best in the world.
• The atom of nuclear waste always comes up when we talk about nuclear generation.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, guest introductions, and approval of the journal. The chamber then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills and resolutions, mostly on second reading or in committee-of-the-whole format. Most measures were advanced with do-pass recommendations, often after adopting committee or floor amendments. Among the early items, SB 1515 (Industrial Commission revisions), SB 1645 (Auditor General performance audit), SB 1678 (health facilities), and SCR 1023 (Independent Redistricting Commission changes) were debated and approved. SCR 1023 drew the most discussion, with supporters arguing it would add geographic diversity, expand the commission to three Democrats, three Republicans, and three independents, and tighten population deviation standards to 5,000 people; opponents warned it could skew the commission and reduce nonpartisanship. The Senate also adopted amendments and advanced SB 1399, SB 1507, SB 1564, SB 1621, SB 1629, and SB 1811, with topics including AHCCCS cost reports, school district consolidation, electronic monitoring in long-term care, obesity prevention, behavioral health network adequacy, and public-school internet/wireless device issues. Later calendars addressed elections, public safety, and criminal justice. The Senate advanced SB 1134 (political signs) with an emergency clause, SB 1489 (ballot measures and circulators) after removing certain paid-circulator disclosure requirements, and SB 1725 and SCR 1048 concerning marijuana smoke as a public/private nuisance, shifting much of the issue into civil law and leaving only substantial, deliberate conduct on the criminal side. In public safety, SB 1416 on missing and kidnapped children reporting was amended to require law-enforcement training every two years and documentation of online information-sharing decisions; senators clarified it did not alter the Turquoise Alert. SB 1751 and SCR 1049, both related to capital punishment, were amended to make firing squad an available option rather than a mandatory method in certain cases, with one senator speaking in opposition to the death penalty. The Senate also advanced SB 1012, SB 1573, SB 1661, SB 1662, SB 1569, SB 1634, SB 1647, SB 1655, and SB 1664, covering concealed weapons notice appeals, judicial determinations and religious secular laws, paternity/genetic testing support, probation conditions, election-related voter registration and signature handling, foreign campaign contributions, election worker summonsing, and nomination petition signatures. Several bills were retained or moved between calendars, and the Committee of the Whole reports were adopted, sending the listed bills forward as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We obviously are the operator of the second-largest nuclear fleet in the nation now.
• We're exploring opportunities to continue investing in nuclear.
• Chairman Wilmeth, when we're looking at nuclear, we're looking broad...
• engaged with other utilities in the state and exploring site-selection opportunities for new nuclear
• Our nuclear power plant, for instance, goes into refueling outage.

Committee: House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Summary: The House AI and Innovation Committee first heard a presentation from APS on its data center strategy and the rapid growth of AI/data center demand in Arizona. APS said it is trying to protect reliability and affordability for existing customers while preserving capacity for other growth, and emphasized that “growth should pay for growth.” APS described its current peak load, projected growth, and the scale of potential data center demand, and explained that data centers differ from other customers because they use large amounts of power around the clock and require major new infrastructure. APS said it has proposed two ways to serve them: a revised data center tariff filed with the Corporation Commission and separate bilateral contracts with upfront customer contributions. Committee members asked about whether residential customers are subsidizing data centers, the proposed 45% increase for the data center rate class, possible impacts on development, self-generation behind the meter, seasonal load, and APS’s longer-term resource plans, including nuclear, gas, renewables, and possible SMRs. APS said residential customers are not intended to subsidize data centers and that the proposal is designed to assign costs directly to those customers. The committee then took up House Bill 2133, which requires commercial entities that knowingly distribute or publish sexual material online to obtain reasonable consent and age verification, including for synthetic or AI-generated or altered images, and authorizes civil penalties for violations. A five-page amendment in Representative Kupper’s name narrowed the bill by excluding internet service providers, affiliates, subsidiaries, search engines, and cloud providers from responsibility for content they do not create or directly host. Representative Kupper said the bill is intended to protect people in adult content from exploitation and non-consensual use, including trafficking-related material and revenge porn, and compared it to existing age- and consent-verification practices in the physical adult-content industry. He said the penalties mirror those used in related laws, including a $10,000-per-day structure. During debate, several members said they supported the bill’s intent but wanted to reserve the right to change their votes after further stakeholder discussions, citing First Amendment and implementation concerns. One member noted a similar federal proposal with a higher fine structure. After no public testimony was offered, the committee adopted the amendment and then voted 5-0 with two members present to give HB 2133, as amended, a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> suggest it's much like the nuclear suggest it's much like the nuclear moratorium<00:10:45.160><c
• There are no plants or any nuclear discussions or plants because we can't right now in Minnesota.
• Representative Anderson, you said that the nuclear moratorium is very similar and that nobody's looking
• at building nuclear because we have a moratorium.
• Representative Aum: There has been expressed interest in nuclear, and as I look at the hydro and a list

Transcript Highlights:

• We obviously are the operator of the second-largest nuclear fleet in the nation now.
• We're exploring opportunities to continue investing in nuclear.
• Chairman Wilmeth, when we're looking at nuclear, we're looking broad...
• Our nuclear power plant, for instance, goes into refueling outage.
• Our nuclear power plant, for instance, goes into refueling outage.

Bills: HB2133 , HB2592

Committees: House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation , House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Keywords: sexual material, consent, synthetic depiction, privacy, internet regulation, rights protection, artificial intelligence, government regulation, innovation, procurement, administrative burdens

Transcript Highlights:

• the enhanced 911 system fund, House Bill 1775 FN relative to utility ownership of natural gas and nuclear
• 02:32:38.319><c> and</c> utility ownership of natural gas and utility ownership of natural gas and nuclear
• power</c><02:32:39.200><c> generation</c><02:32:39.760><c> facilities</c><02:32:40.960><c> and</c> nuclear
• power generation facilities and nuclear power generation facilities and HB1<02:32:42.000><c> 1748FN<

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Rising nuclear verdicts further compound the risk.
• Nuclear verdicts. You know what I hear when I hear nuclear verdict? I hear gross negligence.
• That's why you have a nuclear verdict.
• That's why we have nuclear verdicts, not because people's mentality is changing.
• You sit here and say nuclear verdicts, that jury heard the evidence.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met to consider HB 6003, a bill to repeal Florida’s “free kill” law that limits certain survivors’ ability to recover non-economic damages in medical negligence wrongful death cases. The sponsor, Rep. Trabulsy, said the bill would restore access to the courts for a small class of families and noted the measure passed both chambers last year before being vetoed by the governor. She and supporters framed the bill as a fairness and constitutional issue, while opponents argued repeal would increase malpractice exposure, insurance costs, and pressure on physician access, especially in high-risk specialties and rural areas. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters included family members who described deaths they said were caused by medical negligence and who argued the current law denies accountability and equal treatment based on marital status or whether a decedent had minor children. Opponents included the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Medical Association, Florida Chamber, U.S. Chamber, Florida Insurance Council, and other health care and business groups, who warned that repeal could worsen already high malpractice premiums, contribute to physician shortages, and destabilize access to care. Several speakers on both sides discussed possible caps on non-economic damages as a compromise, though the bill itself was presented as a clean repealer with no amendments. During debate, several members spoke in support, emphasizing equal access to the courts and rejecting the idea that the law should treat some families differently from others. Opponents of the bill argued that the current system helps preserve market stability and that liability concerns, not the free kill law, are driving provider departures. After closing remarks from the sponsor, the committee voted 15 yeas and 1 nay to report HB 6003 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's still no long-term storage solution for nuclear waste.
• I'm very excited about nuclear power, about the possibility for new nuclear technology to help spread
• These SMRs are nuclear power generators.
• waste, and nuclear weapons proliferation.
• It was the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, famously signaling the dawn of nuclear power in 1955

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the governor has been I guess I've seen the governor's been pushing nuclear.
• So the discussion has been mainly around small modular nuclear reactors.
• So we have four nuclear reactors on the system. There are 1,250 megawatt units.
• We're going to go look at a nuclear reactor at the J.J. Pickle Research Center. Okay, well.
• to get nuclear generation on the grid the fastest.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:39:15.680><c> program</c> and Iran's nuclear program and Iran's nuclear program remains<02:39
• </c> and if obtained with a nuclear weapon. and if obtained with a nuclear weapon.
• The gentleman will nuclear weapon.
• </c> prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.<02:52:05.040
• </c> this is the ways that Iran's a nuclear this is the ways that Iran's a nuclear that's<03:18:34.239

Bills: HR1300 , HB2616 , HB1993 , HCR86 , SB1003 , SB2393 , HB5317 , HB4544 , HB3234 , HR1299

Keywords: H.Res. 1300, HR1300, rules resolution, House Rules Committee, veterans affairs, VA, NICS, National Instant Criminal Background Check System, firearms background check, gun control, veteran privacy, Department of Justice, disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, DIC, veterans benefits, Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, National Mall, House procedure, floor consideration

Transcript Highlights:

• Our nuclear forces used to be the most robust and effective on the planet.
• And we are facing two nuclear near-peer adversaries.
• And nuclear weapons guarantee So Mr.
• We face two peer competitors when it comes to our nuclear posture that we have.
• Well, first off, our nuclear triad was designed and built in the 1950s and 60s.

Committees: Senate Subcommittee on Cybersecurity , Senate Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: Steven Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense, national security, budget cuts, military readiness, global threats, Department of Defense

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the nomination of Steven Feinberg as Deputy Secretary of Defense. The committee emphasized the urgent need for strong leadership in response to a complex array of global threats posed by adversarial coalitions, including China, Russia, and Iran. The discussions highlighted concerns regarding budget cuts and personnel reductions within the Department of Defense, showcasing the challenges posed by the current economic context and the pressing need to maintain military readiness and capabilities. Various members expressed their apprehensions about how impending layoffs and budget reductions would impact the defense workforce and national security.