Video & Transcript Research : 'small modular reactor'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
ECD Public Hearing - Fri Feb 13, 2026 @ 8:30 AM HST
Economic Development & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill helps small business access to financing, and we are going to defect the effective date to
- This bill helps small business access to financing, and we are going to defer the effective date to year
- diversify Hawaii's economy<01:34:20.480>
by <01:34:20.719>supporting <01:34:21.199>small - <01:34:21.520>
business economy by supporting small business economy by supporting small business - This bill helps diversify Hawaii's economy by supporting small business innovation.
Bills:
HB1813, HB2429, HB2423, HB1996, HB1851, HB2546, HB2028, HB2583, HB2490, HB2545, HB2114, HB1859, HB2534, HB2474, HB1863, HB2475
Keywords:
taxation, general excise tax, use tax, exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, tax expenditure, tax expenditure evaluation, tax credit review, tax incentive, tax exemption, use tax exemption, income tax credit, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Taxation, fiscal oversight, budget accountability, tax policy, revenue loss, public spending
Summary:
The committee opened with HB 1813 on taxation and HB 2429 on tax expenditure evaluation, taking mostly written testimony and limited oral discussion. On HB 2429, the Tax Foundation and Department of Taxation raised privacy and federal-law concerns, warning that the bill could require taxpayers to file duplicative returns and could risk disclosure of federal tax information if released publicly. Members and witnesses discussed using anonymized or summary reporting instead of individual public release, with the department saying summarized data would be preferable and that the state can ask for the information as a policy matter, but individual public release could create problems.
The committee then heard HB 2423 HD1 on biodiesel, where Pacific Biodiesel said it can supply all biodiesel needed for B5 in Hawaii without imports and asked to move the implementation date earlier to November 2027 to allow rollout planning. HB 1996 HB1 on hearing aids drew broad support; a disability access representative said earlier insurance-based efforts had run into administrative problems and that this bill would immediately lower costs for consumers. HB 1851 HD1, also related to hearing aids, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while the Tax Foundation argued the program would be better funded directly rather than through the tax system, citing overhead costs and blank provisions that should be filled in before passage.
On HB 2546, the research activities tax credit, HCDC said the credit supports long-term R&D and should be converted from a first-come, first-served system to proration so more applicants receive some benefit; the agency described the credit as helping companies move from idea to commercialization and noted the state is leaving potential jobs and federal dollars on the table. HB 2028 HD1, relating to Labor Day for construction workers, drew support from labor representatives who said it recognizes construction workers and helps offset cost-of-living pressures, while the Tax Foundation opposed it as an industry-specific subsidy and flagged technical issues with undefined terms and blank credit amounts.
The committee also heard HB 2583, HB 2490, HB 2545, HB 2114, and HB 1859 HD1. HB 2490, concerning coastal erosion at Mokuhiki Bay, received strong support from a temple representative who described severe shoreline loss, years of temporary emergency work, and the need for a long-term, nature-based solution in coordination with state agencies. HB 2545, involving HCDC and SBIR commercialization, was supported as a way to turn R&D into economic development; HCDC said it had more applications than it could fund and that the bill could help create high-wage jobs. HB 2114, the Hawaii Benefits Hub, received comments from ETS and DHS emphasizing support for the concept but cautioning that operational, policy, cybersecurity, and data-sharing standards must be carefully aligned. HB 1859 HD1 on workforce development drew strong support from workforce and philanthropic groups, who said Hawaii faces a long-term gap between projected living-wage jobs and the number of young people entering the workforce, and argued the bill would create durable infrastructure for coordination and long-term planning. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (03/24/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- modular nuclear reactors, and that's a hand-in-glove fit for these type of things to work.
- Small modular reactors are one potential piece of the puzzle.
- Small modular reactors are one decide.
- Small modular reactors are one potential<01:28:13.440>
piece <01:28:13.760>of <01:28:13.920 - small modular reactors, and technology, small modular reactors, and and<02:56:09.439>
it's <02
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 733, a third-party litigation financing reporting bill. Representative Cole explained that the bill shifts reporting from the Secretary of State to the courts, which he said removes the fiscal note and helps insurers obtain information for underwriting and premium-setting. The committee accepted the explanation and voted ought to pass; the roll call was 8-0 in favor, with one member taking a pause.
The committee then heard House Bill 219, dealing with the renewable portfolio standard and the renewable energy fund. Representative Bose argued the bill would reduce electricity costs by lowering the REC purchase obligation from 220,000 to 170,000, which he said would reduce payments into the renewable energy fund by roughly $1 million to $2 million and save consumers only pennies a month. After questions about timing and whether to wait for a DOE report, the committee voted to retain the bill for further discussion rather than advance it; the motion to retain passed 5-4.
House Bill 365 was then discussed as an election-related bill intended to help verify citizenship for voter registration and create a voucher process for people who cannot afford a birth certificate. The sponsor said the Secretary of State may be able to use federal and state databases to verify citizenship, and if not, indigent applicants could receive a voucher reimbursed by the state, with a $25,000 appropriation included. Members raised concerns about the Secretary of State’s access to databases and the bill’s timing and cost, and the committee decided to hold the bill until Secretary Scanlan could come testify.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 552, which updates retiree health coverage rules so dependent children can remain on the plan until age 26, consistent with the Affordable Care Act. DAS officials said retirees pay the full cost for dependents, about $1,000 per month, while the state covers only the retiree and spouse. The committee voted ought to pass unanimously, 9-0. The committee then began discussion of House Bill 572, a housing bill aimed at missing-middle housing, describing a voluntary program to identify developable public land, support construction, and streamline review, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- additional piece that it does give the department is some discretion in lowering or waiving fees for a small
- onerous, there creates a mechanism to be able to have some discretion in that regard to protect our small
- And we collect a small service fee. It is allowed up to $4.50 in most parishes in the state.
- Okay, I guess we could take a small break and see if Representative Mina is on his way.
- We'll take a small break and try to locate these two representatives to see what they want to do with
Keywords:
property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, senior citizens, homestead exemption, Louisiana Constitution, motor vehicles, local fees, transaction fees, funding
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- some small business issues that we have. some small business issues that we have.
- pressures for these small businesses. pressures for these small businesses.
- small company. Thank you, Michelle Flor. small company. Thank you, Michelle Flor.
- small business, you're you're included. small business, you're you're included.
- give the exemption for small business. give the exemption for small business.
Keywords:
workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Wildlife Mar 2nd, 2026 at 10:00 am
Agriculture and Wildlife
Transcript Highlights:
- industry and kind of recognizing how many animals it would take to produce that much, knowing that most small
- But because of all the people in the middle and the dairy industry, it just isn't profitable for small
- So, for a small dairy farm, consumers become one of the last ways they can even kind of pay for anything
- The senate author and for trying to do something here for some of these small dairies.
Keywords:
landowner, energy negotiation, agricultural preservation, orphaned wells, renewable energy, raw milk, unpasteurized milk, milk products, dairy, pasteurization, food safety, consumer warning label, health warning, farm sales, direct-to-consumer sales, ungraded milk, goat milk, raw milk cheese, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, agricultural regulation
TX
Keywords:
hydraulic fracturing, sales tax exemption, oil and gas, environmental impact, water reuse, justice, judicial council, centers of excellence, court operations, recognition program, franchise tax, retail trade, tax classification, business regulation, economic impact, SB 2873, Texas Tax Code, electronic filing, e-filing, tax reports
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (03/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- We heard just today that geothermal is a big push by the administration, and small modular reactors.
- <00:53:58.319>
modular <00:53:58.920>reactors administration small modular reactors - administration small modular reactors you<00:53:59.599>
know <00:54:00.240>I'm <00:54:00.319 - <01:29:14.119>
print and they you know a lot of small print and they you know a lot of small - delivery with meals and support small delivery with meals and support small businesses<03:51:40.080
Summary:
The committee met in executive session and first discussed scheduling, noting that Town Meeting Day would cancel the next Tuesday meeting, that they would meet Wednesday instead, and that remaining bills would be handled through subcommittees and a likely final executive session on the 19th to meet the deadline for committee action on the 20th. The committee then took up several bills, with repeated roll calls and votes, often placing measures on the consent calendar after committee approval.
House Bill 185 on ambulance reimbursement rates was described as a perennial issue and was voted inexpedient to legislate, with members noting concerns that an any-willing-provider approach would make premium impacts hard to evaluate. House Bill 186 on cannabis legalization was retained for further work, with members saying the bill addressed stopping marijuana arrests but that the sales and implementation details still needed more development. House Bill 241 on treatment alternatives to opioids was also retained because the sponsor could not attend and the committee wanted more time to continue work.
The committee then considered House Bill 302 on state treasury investments in digital assets and precious metals. The amendment narrowed the proposal, removing more complicated provisions like stable tokens and staking, lowering the authorized allocation from 10% to 5%, and limiting eligible digital assets to those with very high market capitalization; members discussed volatility, the treasurer’s discretion, and oversight through bond-rating concerns. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar.
Other measures moved quickly: House Bill 451 on a paint product stewardship program was amended to remove direct funding and framed as manufacturer-run enabling legislation, then passed and was placed on consent; House Bill 499 made technical corrections to insurance laws and passed unanimously; House Bill 538 on relocating Liquor Commission positions passed unanimously; House Bill 552 on children covered under the state retirement insurance plan was cleaned up to remove a student requirement and passed unanimously; and a blockchain/digital currencies bill was amended to address noise and local regulation concerns for data mining operations, with supporters emphasizing energy-use issues, municipal authority, and a separate commission studying regulation. That bill also passed and was sent to consent.
OK
Keywords:
veterans, tax refund, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, capital improvement, donations, Oklahoma Emission Reduction, incentive, taxation, environment, revenue, investment, school funds, treasurer, education funding, financial policy, income tax, scholarship, tax credit, Oklahoma Tax Commission, school funding
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/23/26
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- Every<00:48:43.680>
single <00:48:44.000>small <00:48:44.319>town <00:48:44.480>< - town in America has a Every single small town in America has a downtown<00:48:46.240>
district - We have adopted small lot single-family zoning and ordinances to support two-family and medium-density
- These have resulted in the development of over 200 new small-lot or attached single-family homes over
- communities like ours uh to be small communities like ours uh to be able<01:18:45.920>
to <01:
Keywords:
public utilities commission, Lake City, port authority, Red Wing, terms of appointment, local government, elections, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, voter access, polling place, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, HF4295
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Kingsland is a small district in rural southeast Minnesota.
- high risk due to being such a small high risk due to being such a small pool.<00:34:10.639>
Our - So this report is a very small step but a good first step. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
- So this report is a very small step but a good first step. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
- So this report is a very small step but a good first step. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
Keywords:
microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- We don't have to guess if this would help small businesses.
- And then just the general large-group versus small-group plans: in 2025, employees at small firms faced
- significantly lower for large group compared to small group.
- Steve Kaiser with the Arizona Small Business Association, in support of the bill.
- You would be creating thousands of new small businesses across Arizona by passing this law.
Keywords:
retirement benefits, health insurance, premium payment, Arizona State Retirement System, contingent annuitant, long-term disability, benefits limitations, disability compensation, social security, retirement system, elected officials, ASRS, eligibility waiver, age 65, property tax exemption, disability, veterans, widows, income limits, Arizona Revised Statutes
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- actually applies to a relatively small actually applies to a relatively small part<00:15:29.519>
- <00:21:38.640>
parts uh parts of the market, the small parts uh parts of the market, the small - I'm a I'm a small employer and I employ I'm a I'm a small employer and I employ people.<00:25:10.000>
- And um it is a huge strain on small And um it is a huge strain on small businesses<00:25:41.440>
- ><00:26:14.240>
businesses, people cannot afford, small businesses, people cannot afford, small
Keywords:
HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from the prior day and then heard House File 400, a bill described as a defrayal measure for health insurance mandates. Representative Perryman said the bill would not block future mandates, but would require the state to pay the added costs of any new mandated benefits so those costs would not be shifted to premium payers. She and supporters framed the bill as a way to protect affordability for Minnesota employers, workers, and families, especially in the fully insured market.
Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. They argued that Minnesota has a high number of mandated benefits, that each new mandate adds cost to premiums, and that businesses—especially small and midsize employers—are already struggling with rising health insurance costs. The health plans representative said the bill would use the existing Commerce defrayal process to reimburse plans for eligible mandate-related claims, allowing those costs to be removed from premium rates. Several members echoed support, saying the bill would improve transparency by showing the fiscal impact of proposed mandates and help prevent people from being priced out of coverage.
Members also explored how mandates apply in the market and how premiums are set. Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer explained that, unless otherwise specified, mandates generally apply to the individual, small group, and fully insured large group markets, while self-insured ERISA plans and other markets are generally outside that scope. Representative Elkins noted that the affected market is relatively small and said small businesses are increasingly moving to self-insured plans because of cost. He and others raised concerns about affordability, while Representative Smith argued that mandates often ensure needed care and that the bill shifts costs to taxpayers rather than insurers. Representative Bacham added a personal example from tribal self-insurance, saying preventive physicals had saved lives and asking whether other factors besides mandates are driving insurer costs. No amendments were offered, and the bill was laid over for possible future consideration.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- directs the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage for small
- As the previous testifiers have said, this is a small investment for a really large return.
- You are raising the—look, it's going to hurt small businesses because it's going to raise the prices
- it's going to it's going to hurt small it's going to it's going to hurt small businesses<00:46:24.000
- <01:07:30.319>
a on insurance coverage for small a on insurance coverage for small a producers
Keywords:
agricultural loans, financial support, Hawaii agriculture, food security, revolving fund, agriculture, insurance, small producers, state support, biosecurity, farm coverage, public-private partnerships, agricultural policy, agricultural statistics, data collection, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, economic analysis, market development, grant funding, climate resiliency
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several agriculture-related measures, beginning with SB 2309, which would require the agricultural loan division to sell portions of its loan portfolio and use the proceeds to expand the agriculture loan revolving fund. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the bill, along with several other organizations and individuals. A committee question focused on the risk of not finding a qualified buyer for the loan portfolio; DAB said a mandatory sale of the full amount could force a less favorable rate, while flexibility to sell different amounts could produce a more equitable return. The measure drew eight supporters and no opposition.
The committee then took up SB 2317, which directs DAB to study insurance coverage for small producers and report back to the Legislature. DAB and multiple farm groups supported the bill. In response to a question about cost, DAB estimated about $250,000 would be needed, with the study likely covering crop, health, and liability insurance. The next measure, SB 2318, would establish an agriculture statistics program in statute. DAB said it strongly supported the bill and could ramp up quickly if positions were provided; the committee discussed whether a first report could be completed by year’s end if the bill became law midyear, and DAB said yes. SB 2319, which would fund and make permanent a full-time grant writer position at DAB, also drew strong support from DAB, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, the local food coalition, and others, with testifiers emphasizing the position’s return on investment and success in bringing in federal funds.
The committee also heard SB 2321, establishing a two-year pilot program to respond to the twoline spittlebug. DAB, ranching groups, and many others supported the bill, citing the pest’s spread and the need to act before it becomes unmanageable. A DAB pest control manager said he would need to research past response details and provide them later. Members emphasized the importance of early intervention. For SB 2323, which creates a farmland transition commission to study barriers to farmland access and recommend solutions, DAB offered comments and support for the intent, while farm groups generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the proposed age range and whether a separate commission was necessary. DAB said the Board of Agriculture likely would not have the capacity to perform the commission’s duties and estimated there would be costs to establish it, though no figure was available at the hearing.
Finally, the committee heard SB 2332, which reestablishes the agriculture and food security special fund, creates a carbon emissions tax and dividend fund, gradually raises carbon-related tax rates, and provides a refundable carbon cashback credit. DAB supported the measure and deferred to Taxation on details; the Department of Taxation said it would stand on its comments, and the Attorney General’s office offered comments and recommendations. Carbon Cashback Hawaii and the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development supported the bill, arguing it would reduce emissions, protect lower-income households, and be relatively simple to administer.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So, House Bill 875 seeks to provide a reasonable exception to these requirements for truly small...
- Instead, it simply recognizes us is that these requirements can be unnecessarily burdensome on small
- towns and a lot of small vendors.
- And they honestly prevent, like for a small business.
- I had a woman who worked for a small consulting company that had less than 50 employees, but this was
Keywords:
workers' compensation, municipal construction, bidding requirements, small municipalities, contracting policies, first responders, PTSD, mental health, emergency services, medical expenses, injury claims, insurance carriers, opportunity youth, workforce development, employment, education, federal funds, employment discrimination, immunity waiver, public employees
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part II) Mar 27th, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Considered high wind areas, and then small land holdings.
- I was raised in a small farming community in the Texas Panhandle.
- You all don't realize what small counties need.
- What about advanced small modular reactors and the promise of that?
- We even have folks who are doing small modular reactors, so we're discussing all of it, but specifically
Bills:
SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706
Keywords:
insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (06/10/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I know Representative or the Vice Chair had a bill in today to make a couple of little small tweaks
- modular reactors in the future.
- modular reactors in the future.
- My second area of concern is our small-scale hydro.
- My second area of concern is our small-scale hydro.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's more like a grid or an array or a design process that is modular.
- And so I think the $4 million starting point is a small risk, a small cost at the, you know, billions
- We have a lot of small producers.
- But what's the small producer to do? Like what's your forecast?
- Related to that is this concept of modulars that came up.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 5th, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- A small train derailment would be handled by a local government. But if the train derailment was a.
- nuclear reactors.
- two legislative sessions is that you have this massive long. enforcement industry and this really small
- You're talking about a... very small, minute amount of officers that were on that scene that were alleged
- Doesn't matter whether you're a big county or small county, it's just the.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/18/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- I will not be voting for this HCR, in part because the only domestic effort to create a small modular
- Um, are people around the world building small modular reactors? They are.
- modular nuclear reactors.
- <05:00:13.440>
modular <05:00:14.040>nuclear <05:00:14.558>reactors <05:00:15.520 - >
they small modular nuclear reactors they small modular nuclear reactors they won't<05:00:15.920
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- is Senate Bill 398 by Senator Foyle, relative to the Uniform Standards Code for Manufactured and Modular
- Amendment 6 provides a different ...and modular home industry. Amendments 4 and 5 are technical.
- It's just whenever someone buys a modular home.
- But smaller rooftop, small businesses that utilize distributed generation and smaller microgrids and
- I've owned large salons and small salons.
Keywords:
public utility, common carrier, regulation, Public Service Commission, New Orleans, constitutional amendment, distributed energy, energy storage, electricity demand, virtual power plants, reliability, hurricane resilience, esthetics, cosmetology, hair services, beauty industry, Louisiana regulation, Louisiana Economic Development, sunset law, legislative authority
Summary:
The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, and first advanced several Senate measures with little or no opposition. It reported favorably Senate Bill 79 recreating Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 establishing the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, and Senate Bill 375 on Class B firefighting foam, after adopting a technical amendment clarifying use in declared emergency firefighting operations. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 398, which moves manufactured and modular housing regulation under the Louisiana Contractors Licensing Board and expands inspection and enforcement provisions, after adopting two sets of mostly technical amendments and hearing testimony that the change would improve consumer safety and increase inspection coverage without adding net cost to locals. It then reported favorably Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing, after adopting an amendment providing that any future federal licensing law would preempt the state act, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks, which adds refund timelines, disclosure requirements, customer support, and reporting duties; witnesses from the banking and law enforcement community said the bill responds to common fraud complaints and improves consumer protection. The committee also reported favorably Senate Bill 54, which allows estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services, despite strong opposition from cosmetology board representatives and industry witnesses who argued the service is outside esthetics training, could create scope-of-practice and facility issues, and should instead be addressed by lowering or revising separate blow-dry licensing requirements.
The committee then considered House Resolution 197, which urges the Louisiana Public Service Commission to study the feasibility and value of distributed energy generation and storage resources. After adopting technical amendments and a second amendment changing mandatory language to requests and urging the PSC to coordinate with the LSU Energy Institute, the resolution was reported favorably. Testimony from solar and energy industry representatives, the PSC, and LSU focused on how distributed resources, batteries, rooftop solar, and virtual power plants could improve reliability, reduce costs, and help meet rising demand; members also discussed how the study would evaluate market value, avoided costs, and capacity benefits. Questions centered on methodology, grid impacts, and comparisons to Texas’s ERCOT system and Winter Storm Uri, with PSC officials emphasizing that the study would help determine whether such resources benefit ratepayers.
Representative Wright presented House Bill 744, a proposed constitutional amendment to transfer regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the Public Service Commission. He argued the change could reduce rates through consolidation and eliminate duplicative regulatory costs, while PSC officials explained the city’s authority is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921 and that Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana operate as separate companies with different regulatory environments. After discussion of rate impacts, utility structure, and whether the proposal should instead become a study, the bill was deferred. The committee then began Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, which would give consumers rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of certain uses of personal data; the sponsor introduced the bill and the committee started considering technical and substantive amendments, but the transcript ends before final action on that measure.