Transcript Highlights:

• The best practices for how these programs are operated around the state and around the country is on
• :39:44.160><c> was</c> collaboration with Pellsby it was collaboration with Pellsby it was decided<00
• </c> oversee the Kugmeck or collaborative oversee the Kugmeck or collaborative urban<00:39:50.560><c>
• We've worked collaboratively districts.
• Practice your speech tonight and make sure it's two minutes or under.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We collaborated on most things fishing and almost always agree. Welcome, Dr. O'Keefe.
• around those projections that I talked about that can cause lower catch limits, improving fishing practices
• And ultimately, the continued success for the scallop fishery will rely on maintaining a collaborative
• This is a collaborative research effort that we started back in 1999 with the scallop industry.
• That success is due in large part to industry investment in science and collaborative governance.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, with particular attention to Massachusetts ports, federal scallop management, the proposed reopening of the Northern Edge on Georges Bank, and permit stacking/consolidation. The chair opened by noting the hearing would take written and oral testimony, that time was limited, and that the discussion was intended to inform legislative engagement with federal regulators rather than decide the issue directly. Dan McCarron of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council outlined the federal management structure under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the role of annual catch limits and rotational closures, and the economic importance of scallops to New Bedford, Gloucester, and other Massachusetts ports. O’Keefe said the council’s current scallop framework is based on annual management, research surveys, and public input, and that recent environmental changes and uncertainty are affecting catch advice and biomass. Dr. O’Keefe and later Dr. Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the fishery’s recent condition: abundance has increased in some areas, but biomass has fallen because many scallops are still too small to harvest, and changing ocean conditions and natural mortality are affecting the stock. They said the Northern Edge action was considered as a joint scallop/habitat framework but was discontinued in 2024 because the council could not reconcile competing objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and impacts on other species such as cod, lobster, and herring. Stokesbury emphasized the long-running collaborative survey work with industry, said the fishery remains highly productive, and argued that the science supports careful rotational management and that the Northern Edge could be highly productive for scallops, though he acknowledged habitat tradeoffs. Committee members pressed both witnesses on why the issue had remained unresolved for so long and whether the council could revisit it through a future framework. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund, including attorney Drew Kavage, John Lees, Sam Blasley, and Tony Alvernes, urged support for reopening the Northern Edge and for permit stacking, which would allow more than one scallop permit on a vessel while keeping ownership caps in place. They argued the fishery is a major economic driver, that industry-funded research has supported sustainable management, and that stacking would help family-owned operators reduce costs, improve safety, and avoid financial distress. They also stressed the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure in New Bedford and other ports. The chair said he was not opposed to stacking in principle but wanted to avoid a slippery slope toward excessive consolidation or private equity control; he noted that any stacking change would require an amendment to the fishery management plan or federal action. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded with an invitation for continued engagement and future updates on the council process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this is a rare moment of collaboration.
• Good morning, Kyle Jones, on behalf of the San Joaquin Valley Water Collaborative Action Program, with
• And that's because I think you've put forward something practical here that can actually move our state
• Just as importantly, this bill strengthens and formalizes collaboration.
• Otherwise, you end up in court, and lien is the most practical way.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair subsidence damage in the State Water Project and to fund Delta levee repairs. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to protect water deliveries for 27 million Californians, prevent major infrastructure and flood risks, and address long-term threats to California’s water supply. Support came from a broad coalition of water agencies, local governments, environmental groups, and business interests; there was no opposition testimony. Members discussed the scale of the funding, the beneficiary-pays issue, and whether the bill should more clearly address risk and identify likely project areas. The committee adopted amendments, and SB 872 passed 5-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. The committee then took up SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author, tribal sponsors, and conservation supporters framed the bill as a science-based roadmap that would examine habitat, impacts, and implementation, while recognizing the grizzly’s cultural significance to tribes and its ecological role. Opponents, including sheriffs, cattle groups, county representatives, and a former Fish and Wildlife law enforcement official, argued that California lacks the staffing, funding, and public-safety capacity to manage another apex predator and that the state is already struggling with wolves and mountain lions. Members raised questions about the scope of the feasibility study, local control, and whether the bill should address conflict risk earlier in the process. The author agreed to work on additional amendments, and the bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations and remained on call. SB 1079, creating a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to speed the testing and deployment of wildfire technologies, was heard next. The author and supporters said California has strong wildfire innovation but lacks a formal pipeline to move promising tools from pilot projects into statewide use. Supporters included Megafire Action, Fireworks, the Orange County Fire Authority, and the California Association of Realtors, which sought amendments related to nonprofit administration of grants. There was no opposition testimony. The bill passed 5-0 to Emergency Management and was placed on call. The committee also heard SB 997, which would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to collect fines and fees tied to its groundwater sustainability plan. Supporters said the change would allow more efficient enforcement and avoid lengthy civil litigation; no opposition appeared. Members asked whether the authority should be extended more broadly to other statutory GSAs, and the author said discussions were ongoing. SB 997 passed 2-0 to Judiciary and was placed on call. The committee later caught up on votes for the earlier bills and then moved to SB 894, a wildfire resilience loan program modeled on Go Green to help homeowners finance home-hardening measures; it passed 5-0 to Emergency Management and was placed on call. Finally, SB 1229 was introduced by Senator Allen to strengthen coastal protections for rebuilding after disasters, beginning with the Palisades fire context, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full hearing concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• This context requires great collaboration across multiple entities, including middle and high schools
• In these areas, though a single entity might be named the lead, we work collaboratively to ensure we
• have a shared and common understanding of policies and practices across the state.
• I just want to highlight again, when Julie was talking about collaboration, we really are working so
• When Julie was talking about collaboration, we really are working so closely together in all aspects

Bills: SB6209, SB6217, SB6227, SB6235

Keywords: financial aid, higher education, private institutions, student awards, affordability, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, educational access, data collection, parenting students, education, support services, academic performance, college athletics, private equity, sovereign wealth funds, student athletes, financial agreements, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• The key, however, is coming together to work collaboratively.
• </c><00:16:00.279><c> I</c> together to work collaboratively I together to work collaboratively I attended
• <00:30:19.880><c> standard</c> so I thought that was a standard so I thought that was a standard practice
• 21.360><c> is</c><00:30:21.679><c> interesting</c><00:30:22.600><c> um</c><00:30:22.840><c> I</c> practice
• this is interesting um I practice this is interesting um I appreciate<00:30:23.720><c> that</c><00:30

Bills: HF1419, HF500

Keywords: nursing facilities, reimbursement rates, elderly care, minimum wage, healthcare funding, nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 500, which would require the legislature to fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s standards before they could take effect. An author’s DE2 amendment was adopted first; the amendment was described as pausing the board’s standards unless the legislature estimates and fully pays the cost for each nursing home. The bill author argued that mandates without money create serious consequences for seniors and providers, and said the measure would keep budget authority with the legislature rather than an appointed board. Supporters, including nursing home operators and the Long-Term Care Imperative, said the board’s holiday pay and minimum wage standards would create large unfunded costs, citing estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for individual facilities and more than $200 million statewide. They argued that some facilities could face debt, reserve depletion, or reduced access to care if the standards are not funded. Opponents, including SEIU workers and union leaders, said the board has improved staffing, recruitment, morale, and worker safety, and that caregivers deserve higher wages and holiday pay. They argued the bill would weaken the board’s ability to address chronic understaffing and would shift focus away from worker protections. Members also debated whether nursing home reimbursement rates have already risen enough to cover wages and whether the problem lies with how funds are used by providers. After public testimony closed, several members spoke in opposition and support. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted 9-7 to re-refer House File 500, as amended, to the Committee on Labor and Workforce and Economic Development Finance and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Unfair Practices Act only regulates predatory pricing, right?
• I mean, I think we all know that the goal is to stop predatory practices.
• This is a practical and long-overdue framework.
• These are not unduly burdensome practices; they're best practices in the industry.
• This has long been the practice.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have any consumer protection unfair or deceptive trade practices complaints against me.
• </c><00:19:05.240><c> complaints</c> or deceptive trade practices complaints or deceptive trade practices
• </c> work in collaboration on borderlines. work in collaboration on borderlines.
• </c><00:52:02.760><c> on</c> They can work in collaboration on They can work in collaboration on borderlines
• ,</c> this phrase codifies existing practice, this phrase codifies existing practice, but<01:39:42.000

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And can you explain if that's adding to the population, if that's adding a new scope of practice that
• I've talked about the unique issue that we're facing, the collaboration of these departments creating
• </c> collaboration that will continue. collaboration that will continue.
• I'm tending to support best practices.
• I'm tending to support best practices.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and again, this was a, um, that our policies and practices are different now.
• </c><01:09:31.679><c> are</c> a um that our policies and practices are a um that our policies and practices
• And so I think we want to do it collaboratively with DEED.
• I also do it collaboratively with DED.
• </c><01:20:44.480><c> as</c> to implement th those um practices as to implement th those um practices

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• this is what we're about collaboration this is what we're about collaboration<00:28:04.440><c> and</
• </c> and research showing that collaboration and research showing that collaboration with<00:30:52.200
• Therefore, we ask you to hold DHS accountable. collaborative manner specifically collaborative manner
• But collaboration means, like, a partnership, and you collaborate; there's one side, and at the end you
• And that's for the word collaboration, because it was comprehensive, coordinated, and collaborative,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1009 addresses this in a practical way.
• Wilma Franco from the Sala Collaborative, the Southeast L.A. Collaborative.
• Collaborative.
• For over a decade, trial courts allowed this practice.
• I appreciate the committee's collaboration with us.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• switched roles with that would have resulted in more That would have resulted in more growth and more collaborative
• They want policies grounded in affordability, practicality, and common sense.
• That additional balance and collaboration Collaboration matters a lot, and it mattered this session.
• Because I believe Vermonters are practical and independent people who recognize the difference between

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And bless Senate leadership and committee chairs as they collaborate and guide the work ahead.
• May they lead with... ...chairs as they collaborate and guide the work ahead.
• the Senate, Senate Bill 1254, by Health and Welfare Committee, an act relating to the Chiropractic Practice
• the Senate, Senate Bill 1254, by Health and Welfare Committee, an act relating to the Chiropractic Practice
• And this, again, was a collaborative effort to come up with this, but it will provide more expertise.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a collaborative effort to work with our youth in a community-based system within the juvenile
• So there's a gap there that we're not recognizing, and so some best practice validation, whether it seems
• wanted to bring to the attention of our committee and to you all as well that this is... have been in practice
• and that is what we've been working all along this time to try to identify a partner willing to collaborate
• But to start this program requires a lot of planning and collaboration, especially given that part of

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:54:15.200><c> on</c> continue collaboration on continue collaboration on paraprofessional<00:
• </c><01:14:55.080><c> and</c> This provision is a practical and This provision is a practical and balanced
• </c><01:41:44.480><c> among</c> professional practice among professional practice among teachers,<01:
• ,</c><01:43:13.880><c> especially</c> and I think best practice, especially and I think best practice
• ,</c> de-escalation and restorative practices, de-escalation and restorative practices, and<01:55:00.920

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill requires developers and contractors to submit disclosures about their workforce development practices
• The council will have the power to establish and review standards on best practices for minimizing and
• bill establishes and codifies an advisory council to protect wildlife by requiring input on best practices
• What makes this bill especially impactful is its emphasis on collaboration and strategy.
• And in this period of transition, it's appropriate to explore new ideas and collaborative opportunities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on offshore wind, battery storage, solar, nuclear study proposals, and a bill to redefine clean energy. Several Barnstable-area legislators and witnesses raised concerns about offshore wind transmission infrastructure near neighborhoods, beaches, and drinking water supplies, and supported bills to create a special commission and increase local input and oversight. In contrast, environmental, consumer, labor, and clean energy groups strongly backed offshore wind expansion bills, arguing that offshore wind lowers long-term costs, improves winter reliability, reduces fossil fuel dependence, supports jobs and local supply chains, and should include wildlife protections, labor standards, and community benefits. Some witnesses and committee members noted that parts of the offshore wind legislation overlap with the Governor’s energy affordability bill, and asked for clarification on which provisions were new versus duplicative. The committee also heard testimony on battery storage and solar legislation. Two student witnesses and several industry representatives supported a bill to study grid battery storage, saying storage can reduce outages, lower peak prices, and improve grid resilience during extreme weather. Witnesses from solar and storage companies supported a broader clean energy transition bill that would expand storage procurement, create a retail-style storage program for distributed batteries, set a 10-gigawatt solar target by 2035, and streamline siting and interconnection. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether these provisions were already included in the Governor’s affordability bill and asked for a section-by-section breakdown of what was new. One witness also urged allowing developers to bond interconnection payments to reduce financing costs. Another major topic was a bill defining clean energy, especially whether existing pumped-storage hydropower should qualify for subsidies or be excluded. Supporters of the bill argued that existing pumped storage should not receive additional ratepayer subsidies because it is already built, can have environmental impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Opponents said pumped storage is an important reliability resource and should remain eligible. The committee also heard testimony on nuclear-energy study bills: some witnesses supported creating a commission to examine nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free option, while others opposed nuclear study bills and argued that nuclear is costly, unsafe, and inconsistent with the state’s clean energy goals. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This creates a recurring administrative hurdle that serves no practical oversight purpose, but, will
• This creates a reoccurring administrative hurdle that serves no practical oversight purpose, but, This
• Those ties between our two states represent a shared past and collaborative future together in policies
• Those ties between our two states represent a shared past and collaborative future together in policies
• This resolution emphasizes diplomacy independent of federal policy shifts, emphasizing collaboration

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with soft skills. ...collaborating with soft skills.
• Well, we want to create practices that can be scaffolded at their own institutions.
• Well, we want to create practices that can be scaffolded at their own institutions.
• What they've learned so we can replicate these practices.
• Let's figure out a longer-term collaboration.

Summary: The meeting focused heavily on planning the upcoming AI Symposium and on fundraising strategy. Nellie Sanders, former Secretary of Education, introduced herself and described her background in education, workforce development, and fundraising, saying she would help in a volunteer capacity. The committee discussed the symposium theme, “The ground has moved, building Oklahoma’s AI-ready future,” and confirmed the event dates at the Hard Rock Hotel in Tulsa from June 8 to June 10. They also reviewed the event’s structure, including keynote and speaker slots, vendor participation, and the need to finalize the agenda and printed materials soon. A major portion of the discussion centered on sponsorship levels and the need to expand fundraising beyond the original food-cost-based tiers. Members debated whether the current $6,000, $15,000, and $25,000 levels were too low and proposed adding larger sponsorship tiers, including $50,000 and $100,000 event sponsor options. Based on projected costs of roughly $130,000 to $150,000 and a goal of creating reserve funds for future AI work, the group ultimately discussed aiming for a $300,000 budget and increasing attendance from 200 to as many as 400 participants if funding allows. They also talked about using the symposium to create long-term value for sponsors by offering visibility, networking, and follow-up opportunities. The committee reviewed participant categories and numbers, including innovation grant recipients, libraries, higher education, CareerTech, K-12, corrections, tribal representatives, and commission members. They emphasized that attendees must complete a microcredential and leave with actionable deliverables, such as projects, cohort meetings, and shared AI practices they can replicate at their institutions. Several members stressed the importance of broader K-12 participation, especially for rural districts, and suggested adding administrator and teacher tracks if attendance grows. The group also discussed outreach to Google, tribal partners, and other vendors, and set a planning meeting for Monday at 5 p.m., with a follow-up full committee meeting scheduled for the 30th at 1 p.m. The meeting also included an update on legislation, especially proposed changes to bill 1782. The revised bill would create an AI-related infrastructure without state appropriations, allow funds from private and federal sources, add FERPA, accessibility, and transparency protections, and accelerate council activation. Members discussed using the bill to support future AI initiatives and possibly the symposium, though they noted that any such use would need to be written into the legislation. The meeting ended with updates on the commission’s podcast, “AI Unpacked: The Oklahoma Edition,” and a brief discussion of the commission’s unique cross-sector makeup and its role in representing learners across Oklahoma.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are submitting language and trying to work collaboratively with the Department of Ecology and give
• Trying to work collaboratively with the Department of Ecology and give them ideas.
• We are in strong support of House Bill 2426 because it is a balanced approach that offers a practical
• This bill supports performance measures that capture improvements in agency practices, training, and
• a practical framework for expanding affordability while maintaining existing protections, and we're

Bills: HB2426, HB2606

Keywords: pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our focus is on working proactively with developers to navigate these challenges together, finding practical
• Our focus is on working proactively with developers to navigate these challenges together, finding practical
• And the ability to do this is constrained by a combination of legacy policy, preference, and just practice
• So I very much support what Addison mentioned with regard to collaboration.
• We appreciate the committee's focus on implementation and look forward to working on practical solutions

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held an oversight hearing on accelerating clean energy development and helping projects capture expiring federal tax credits. The chair framed the hearing around federal actions under HR 1, which sharply shortens the timeline for wind and solar projects to qualify for tax credits, and Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-3325, which directs state agencies to speed siting, permitting, and construction. Sarah Fitzsimmons of the Independent Energy Producers Association explained the federal deadlines, the shift from the 5% safe-harbor test to a physical-work test, and the main bottlenecks California projects face, especially interconnection delays, environmental review, and limited transparency around self-build options for network upgrades. Panelists from the Union of Concerned Scientists, Southern California Edison, and EDF Power Solutions largely agreed that transmission constraints, permitting, and queue management remain the biggest barriers. UCS emphasized long-standing transmission delays, the need for more accountability and standardized reporting, and the importance of keeping reforms focused on the projects most likely to reach completion. SCE said it has increased interconnection throughput through process changes, digital tools, and coordination with regulators, while noting that developers and utilities must work closely together on project-specific issues. EDF described how overlapping permitting, interconnection, and procurement timelines create risk, and argued that clearer policies on self-builds, equipment standards, and affected-system studies could help reduce delays. State agency representatives from the CPUC, CAISO, and Go-Biz reported strong recent clean energy progress, including record levels of new capacity and battery storage coming online, and described ongoing efforts such as the Integrated Resource Planning process, General Order 131-E updates, the Transmission Project Review Process, the Transmission Development Forum, and the TED Task Force. They said these efforts are helping identify delays, improve transparency, and coordinate solutions, including possible self-build arrangements and local permitting reforms. Committee members pressed the agencies on who is ultimately in charge of the effort, whether the state has quantified the ratepayer impact of losing federal tax credits, and whether the 90-day report required by the executive order is complete; the agencies said the report is still in development. Public commenters echoed the need to move beyond monitoring toward stronger prioritization and accountability to meet the 2029 and 2030 project deadlines.