Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning to everyone, and welcome to Tuesday, February 17th, Senate Finance.
• The Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 240 appropriates $1.3 billion through capital
• The State Board of Finance usually sells the bonds in the spring.
• A chamber believes responsible energy production Excuse me. I don't think the mic is on.
• So the time and energy that a district attorney would have to spend is not manageable.

Bills: HB2 , SB152

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Summary: The committee heard a series of capital, bond, environmental, economic development, juvenile justice, and health care bills. Senate Bill 240, the capital outlay package, was presented as a $1.3 billion statewide appropriation, including discretionary capital projects and agency projects; after questions about CYFD projects and House/Senate capital allocations, the committee voted do pass on the committee substitute. House Bill 248, the general obligation bond package totaling about $392.5 million for senior centers, libraries, higher education, and tribal projects, also received a do pass after questions about project vetting, bond timing, and school bus funding. House Bill 80, which increases the share of oil and gas conservation tax revenue going to the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund to speed orphan well plugging and site cleanup, drew strong support from business, environmental, and industry groups; members discussed funding balances, procurement bottlenecks, and the distinction between abandoned and orphan wells before voting do pass. House Bill 184, making technical fixes to the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and related distribution rules, passed with little debate. The committee also heard Senate Bill 172, which expands the TRIGGER program allowing companies to access national laboratory expertise; supporters from the labs, the governor’s office, universities, and business groups cited job creation, follow-on investment, and commercialization gains, while one senator raised concerns about the long extension of the program. The bill passed do pass. House Bill 95, creating a judge for the First and Second Judicial Districts, was described as matching a previously heard Senate bill and passed do pass. Senate Bill 165, a major juvenile justice bill, generated the most extensive debate: the sponsor said it updates the juvenile code, raises the age for certain serious offenses, extends services for youth sentenced as adults, and expands community corrections; law enforcement supported it, while the Public Defender, youth advocates, the ACLU, and a Bernalillo County commissioner opposed it, arguing it expands adult sentencing and relies too heavily on incarceration. Despite those objections, the committee voted do pass. Finally, House Bill 4, which increases the Health Care Affordability Fund distribution to support premium assistance and related coverage programs, was amended so that a portion of the premium surtax would go to the Behavioral Health Program Fund and any unexpended balance would revert to the affordability fund. Supporters from BeWell, health advocacy groups, the insurance office, and homeless services said the bill would protect coverage gains and help offset federal changes; members asked about the amendment’s effect on the behavioral health fund and the bill’s flexibility if revenues decline. The amendment was adopted, and discussion on the bill continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds battery energy storage to the renewable standard as well.
• And then from the stakeholders, they wanted to add in some nuclear energy credits just to clarify how
• So I think that's probably why they were needing these energy credits was to clarify that. Okay.
• And having to do with the nuclear energy credits, they say that they're tradable.
• And certainly the goal here is not to prevent the water districts from financing trucks, financing equipment

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The biggest one is actually public finance is probably the biggest one in this.
• We've got housing and finance, and this we spent some time on and stuff on it.
• part of the five FTEs... ...finance.
• Covered the housing finance to a certain degree.
• Office of Management and Budget shall transfer for the energy research.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2014, the budget for the Industrial Commission, with Representative Kempenich walking through the agency’s major components: the administrative office, Bank of North Dakota, housing finance, Department of Mineral Resources, and the State Mill and Elevator. He described mostly special-fund operations, including bond payments, economic development programs, the rail loan program, the Rebuilder’s Loan Program, housing incentive funding, abandoned well reclamation work, lignite research, litigation reserves, and a capacity purchase arrangement for a future natural gas pipeline. He also explained several one-time funding items, such as grid resiliency grants, housing-related transfers from the Strategic Investment Fund, and enhanced oil recovery funding repurposed from a prior salt cavern study. Members asked about the reduction in housing incentive funding from the Senate version, the use of one-time Strategic Investment Fund dollars for ongoing housing programs, and whether a trigger should be added to increase housing funding later. Kempenich said no trigger was discussed and emphasized that housing needs vary widely across the state. Another exchange focused on the enhanced oil recovery grant program, which he said would be driven largely by the Energy and Environmental Research Center and would use repurposed funds. A longer discussion covered the natural gas pipeline capacity purchase, including its purpose, possible routes, and the idea that the state would be buying capacity rather than immediately building a pipeline. The committee adopted Amendment 25.0181.0207 on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. The committee then passed HB 2014 as amended on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. Representative Kempenich was designated to carry the bill. The chair then noted this was the final budget hearing for the committee, with one bill remaining to be heard later.

Transcript Highlights:

• I call the meeting of the Committee on Energy Finance and Policy to order. Uh, we have a quorum.
• this includes nuclear energy energy this includes nuclear energy climate<00:19:53.679><c> impacts</c
• Thank you, Chair, and members of the Energy Finance and Policy Committee.
• clean energy goals.
• We believe that new nuclear energy can help complement existing nuclear, solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• for Energy Industry Development.
• You know, Greg Upton does them on energy.
• We're not energy regulators. We don't want to be energy regulators.
• We're not energy regulators. We don't want to be energy regulators.
• , for the Department of Conservation and Energy.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard the FY27 executive budget review for Louisiana Economic Development (LED). House Fiscal outlined a $59.4 million LED budget, with major funding from state general fund, self-generated revenue, federal funds, and a marketing dedication, and explained reductions tied largely to the removal of one-time funding and carryforwards. The Secretary highlighted recent economic development results, including major capital investment announcements, job creation, the high-impact jobs program, Louisiana Fast Sites, and efforts to support existing businesses and small business growth. Members repeatedly asked for clearer public-facing materials on the tax and economic benefits of incentives, the use of the entertainment development fund, the structure of the high-impact jobs and Fast Sites programs, and how LED competes with other states. LED also discussed its Storyteller Initiative, regional project distribution, and the role of major events and film-related incentives. The committee then reviewed Louisiana Works’ FY27 budget of $352.7 million. Staff explained that the budget is driven mainly by federal funds and statutory dedications, with changes largely attributable to the One Door to Work Act and the transfer of workforce functions and positions into the department. The Secretary noted a planned $5 million move for the Louisiana STEM Council and a small request for elevator repairs, and members discussed the unemployment insurance trust fund’s improved balance, which lowered employer tax rates and increased benefits. Questions focused on workforce shortages, coordination with LCTCS and other training partners, the new Louisiana Talent Accelerator and workforce modernization efforts, the need for marketing to attract workers back to Louisiana, and remaining gaps in funding for rehabilitation services and disability employment programs. Finally, the committee took up the Department of Conservation and Energy’s FY27 budget of $201.3 million. Staff described decreases tied to the end of the Solar for All grant, lower orphan well spending as prior balances were drawn down, and reductions in some one-time funding and interagency transfers. The Secretary said the department’s reorganization is now largely complete and emphasized a focus on eliminating duplicative functions, strengthening enforcement and permitting, and using available funds more efficiently. Members questioned the reduction in orphan well funding, the impact of the Solar for All repeal, the use of settlement dollars, and the department’s plans for AI-assisted permitting and modernization of the Sunrise database. They also discussed ongoing work on seismic activity in Red River Parish, commercial fishermen’s claims for gear damaged by energy infrastructure, and efforts to improve financial security requirements for operators so future orphan well liabilities are better covered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Absent financing, future revenues from GGRF cannot resolve this problem.
• Second, I'll move on to financing costs and conditions.
• One of them is financing GGRF.
• Are you talking about enhanced infrastructure finance districts or tax increment financing schemes?
• One would be financing against cap and invest.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the development ethical use of AI, and building a domestic chip economy, and leading the world in energy
• In the latest national rankings, UT ranked 4th in the country. and research financed by the Department
• of Defense, sixth and research financed by the National Science Foundation, and first in Texas. and
• seventh in research financed by the Department of Energy.
• We have ideas related to a thorium reactor for not just energy, but also medical isotopes for cancer

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• natural resources, energy and water; HB 2516, watershed, energy and water; HB 2517, pollutants, energy
• and water; HB 2518, natural resources, energy and water; HB 2538, state waters rules, energy and water
• and water; HB 2549, groundwater resources, energy and water; HB 2551, Office of Energy and Water; HB
• 2552, energy management; HB 2560, energy and water and government; HB 2562, restaurants and water.
• HB 2549, groundwater resources, energy and water; HB 2551, Office of Energy and Water; HB 2552, energy

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Pamela Murphy as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced a number of guests, including Deacon Ernie Gonzalez, local Prescott officials, Arizona Game and Fish commissioners, and advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association. A proclamation was read designating January 26, 2026, as Arizona Aviation Day, with remarks highlighting the aviation industry’s economic impact and the presence of airport and aviation representatives in the gallery. The clerk then read a long list of bills that had been first read or referred for printing, and a second-reading calendar covering measures on water and energy, education, elections, taxes, housing, veterans, public safety, and other topics. No floor votes on those bills were taken during this segment. Representative Gress also read a resolution recognizing National School Choice Week and praising Arizona’s school choice programs, including charters and ESAs. Much of the remainder of the session consisted of members’ personal privilege remarks responding to violence and immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and elsewhere. Speakers from both parties and several senators and representatives condemned ICE tactics, described constituent fear and family separations, and called for constitutional rights, due process, and accountability. Representative Sandoval requested and the House observed a moment of respectful silence in memory of Alex Pretty and Renee Good. The House then received committee and caucus announcements and adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> planning strategies to ensure energy planning strategies to ensure energy remains<00:06:19.680><
• are working on how and means and finance are working on how to to to finance<00:16:53.560><c> uh</c>
• </c> that have imposed this have high energy that have imposed this have high energy costs<00:29:47.919
• </c> the families in town um higher energy the families in town um higher energy costs<00:31:14.000><
• </c> on energy on energy uh<01:17:25.840><c> that</c><01:17:25.960><c> is</c><01:17:26.120><c> a</c><

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I have a hearing today later at 1:00 p.m. in education finance, and I think you're going to
• You know, I have a hearing today later at 1:00 p.m. in education finance, and I think you're going to
• You know, I have a hearing today later at 1:00 p.m. in education finance, and I think you're going to
• costs, not only energy costs, but costs on everything that Minnesotans have to deal with.
• </c><00:19:07.720><c> costs,</c> uh energy cost not only energy costs, uh energy cost not only energy

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders and Speaker Melissa Hortman held a press event promoting House File 3490, which would opt Minnesota into a federal education tax credit program. They argued the bill has no state cost and would keep donations made by Minnesotans benefiting Minnesota students and schools rather than out-of-state scholarship organizations. Supporters said the funds could help with tutoring, extracurriculars, school supplies, special education-related services, learning loss, and other school needs, and they repeatedly urged Governor Tim Walz to opt in or publicly explain why he would not. Rep. Andrew Myers, the bill’s chief author, said the proposal is personal to him as a parent and legislator and described recent school budget pressures, including staff and resource cuts and larger class sizes. Rep. Ben Bakeberg, a middle school principal, said the bill could generate significant funding if many taxpayers participate and argued it could help offset school district shortfalls and the Blue Ribbon Commission. Rep. Griesbach also backed the bill, calling it a “no-brainer” and saying he would not work with the governor on other budget items unless the governor opted in. In response to questions, supporters said scholarship-granting organizations could be created by a variety of entities, including education foundations, and could support both private-school tuition and public-school-related costs such as extracurricular fees, field trips, and transportation for summer learning. They rejected the idea that the bill pits public and nonpublic schools against each other, saying it is meant to expand educational opportunity for all students. No vote or formal committee action was taken during the event; it ended with questions from reporters on the bill and other Republican priorities such as rental assistance, gas taxes, and energy costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh but what we department of energy.
• is the Department of Energy the rate maker?
• </c> now shared with the Department of Energy now shared with the Department of Energy or<00:11:20.079
• the Department of Energy the rain maker?
• </c><00:11:36.720><c> has</c> policy and the department of energy has policy and the department of energy

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also... ...federal financing concerns.
• They can't get any financing for it.
• They can't get any financing for it. So there's so many complexities to what you're trying to do.
• From the perspective of park financing, it certainly adds a layer of complexity.
• And really this is about increasing access to financing and making sure that we can make this type of

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An enormous amount of time and energy during this legislative session is trying to address the Very real
• Relating to loans and grants awarded from the Texas Energy Fund. The Chair recognizes Ms.
• have no discussion with Chair Anderson on a proposed joint resolution introduced to form the Texas Energy
• The amendment adds energy co-ops as well to the bill. I move adoption. Ms.

Bills: SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR8 , SB31 , SB33 , SB3 , SB1405 , SB1948 , SB243 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB2581 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB2570 , SB1566 , SB552 , SJR1 , SB646 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SCR8 , HB3228 , HB2802 , HB45 , HB1318 , HB5560 , HB2894 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB2775 , HB34 , HB33 , HB 12 , HB148 , HB 130 , HB4273 , HB4850 , HB2733 , HB4783 , SB1833

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill has passed and is reported to the Finance Committee.
• The bill has passed and is reported to the Finance Committee.
• Charter and the General Municipal Law in relation to notice and inspection requirements for battery energy
• The bill has passed and is reported to the Finance Committee.
• The bill has passed and is reported to the Finance Committee.

Committee: Senate Cities 1

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Cities 1 met on May 7, 2026, with Senator Erik Bottcher presiding and Senator Chan offering brief opening remarks. The committee considered seven bills dealing with New York City and related municipal issues, including stormwater and groundwater analysis in southeast Queens (S.457A), a neutral-arbiter process for NYPD disciplinary decisions (S.5084), notice and inspection requirements for battery energy storage systems (S.5208), adjacent neighbor rights (S.6847), annual certification of school towers (S.8472A), and a publicly available list of people convicted of illegal dumping (S.9866). Members generally spoke in support of the measures, with comments emphasizing public safety, community impacts, and quality-of-life concerns. Each bill was moved and approved by the committee, with the bills then reported onward to either the Finance Committee, the floor, or another committee as noted during the meeting. The final bill, S.9955, sponsored by Senator Bottcher, would establish a parking placard review board; it was also approved and reported to the Transportation Committee. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• solar energy projects on your home.
• </c> businesses while lowering their energy businesses while lowering their energy bill<00:03:38.920>
• > on</c><00:04:52.759><c> your</c> finance solar energy projects on your finance solar energy projects
• It's people buying into an energy system where they self-produce and self-consume their own energy.
• c><00:14:32.839><c> system</c> people buying into um an energy system people buying into um an energy

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to House Finance. Today is Wednesday, March 4th. We're going to have a public hearing.
• Welcome to House Finance. Let's hear about your bill. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Welcome back to House Finance.
• Good morning, Chair Berg and members of the House Finance Committee.
• Good morning, Chairberg and members of the House Finance Committee.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 28, Delegate Fair, Higher Education, Private Career School, Advertising, Education, Energy
• ><c> Education,</c> Career School, Advertising, Education, Career School, Advertising, Education, Energy
• </c><00:09:10.480><c> House</c><00:09:10.720><c> Bill</c> Energy, and the Environment.
• House Bill Energy, and the Environment.
• , so we consider Establishment, Finance, so we consider the<00:09:19.440><c> reading</c><00:09:19.600

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, February 16, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and as they establish legislation and govern your people, Lord make them good stewards over the finances
• 2762 by Guerin, relating to the ownership of the poor space underlying the surface of Committee on Energy
• HB 2877 by Villalobos relating to the definition of the project financing zone for the purpose of the
• 2890 by Patterson relating to the interstate compact for the liquid I'd natural the committee of energy
• Commission of Texas, refer to the Committee on Energy Resources, HB 2892 by Hernandez, relating to the

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The patient is in a vulnerable place and they often do not have the time or physical energy to fight
• I didn't even get the energy to sit up, roll over, or talk.
• I'm a cheerleader and I even have enough energy to run track.
• My mom says I have too much energy, which is okay because I secretly love driving her crazy.
• And I know there's several trying to get to finance as well, so. Okay.

Bills: SB 53 , SB53 , SB125 , SB315 , SB379 , SB457 , SB541 , SB599 , SB896 , SB921 , SB963 , SB1038 , SB1084 , SB1330 , SB1461

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery

Transcript Highlights:

• Authority to provide conduit financing for eligible partners that request transmission financing.
• Authority to provide conduit financing for eligible partners that request transmission financing.
• Matt Shepard Conning, staff to the Environment, Energy and Technology Committee.
• use and standby energy consumption into the affordability index.
• Thank you for your time and energies.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on February 6, 2026, and first voted to suspend the five-day notice rule for all bills on the agenda. Senators Braun and Gildon objected, arguing the bill needed more public review and that the fiscal note had only just been released, but a roll call vote passed 15-9 and the committee proceeded to Senate Bill 6346. Staff briefed SB 6346 as a proposal to create a 9.9% income tax on Washington taxable income above a $1 million per-household standard deduction, with a $50,000 charitable deduction, apportionment rules for nonresidents and certain professions, quarterly estimated payments, and credits for capital gains tax and certain business taxes. Staff said the tax would begin in 2029 and eventually raise about $3.5 billion annually from roughly 30,000 taxpayers. The bill also would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, create a sales tax exemption for grooming and hygiene products, increase the small business B&O tax credit and filing threshold, and end the B&O surcharge on high-grossing businesses one year early. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, its exemption from referendum, treatment of student athletes, natural-resource industries, and whether real estate gains would be captured. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including labor groups, educators, health care advocates, counties, child care workers, and some business owners and high-income individuals, said the bill would make the tax code more progressive and provide stable funding for health care, education, child care, public defense, and other services, while expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Opponents, including many small business, construction, housing, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as a tax on pass-through businesses and retained earnings, harm housing production and investment, encourage wealthy residents and businesses to leave the state, and violate the state constitution or the will of voters. No final action on SB 6346 was taken during the hearing.