Transcript Highlights:

• McCoy trail system has been a big help to us, but it took them about 20 years to sell their first permit
• We got our first funding in 2000, and under the leadership of Scott Smith we sold our first permit this
• <00:04:39.199> we<00:04:39.320> got years to sell their first permit we got years to
• this year in Martin County first permit this year in Martin County and<00:04:47.280> it<00:04
• of the development and your dedication<00:05:06.160> to<00:05:06.400> that<00:05:06.720

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:02 Attendance Roll Call: 03:09 SB 245 (Sen. Smith): 05:55 Adjournment: 11:21, 958, all

Summary: The committee met, established a quorum after some initial roll-call and IT issues, and recognized several guests, including a student page, local tourism representatives, and Scott Smith of the East Kentucky trail authority. Members also briefly highlighted ongoing tourism and trail development efforts in eastern Kentucky and thanked guests for their work and local support. The main item of business was Senate Bill 245, sponsored by Senator Brandon Smith. He explained that the bill closes a loophole in the confirmation process for board appointments and reappointments, so that if the Senate declines to confirm a reappointment—or takes no action on it—the person cannot continue serving for an extended period without confirmation. In response to questions, he clarified that the bill is aimed narrowly at preventing unconfirmed members from remaining in office and making major fiduciary decisions, while preserving the governor’s appointment authority. After discussion, a motion and second were on the bill, the clerk called the roll, and the committee voted to pass Senate Bill 245 favorably. The chair announced that the bill is now eligible for consideration on the House floor, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• we will get we will request a permit we will get we will request a permit from<01:16:08.080>
• The 60 days should start when we pull the permit, not on an affidavit, because if we pull the permit
• Uh the permit has been submitted.
• start when we pull the permit. start when we pull the permit. not<01:19:19.760> not<01:19
• It would require an on that permit.

Bills: HB1697, HB1678, HB1679, HB2282, HB1940, HB1671, HB1481, HB2015, HB2207, HB2486

Keywords: natural hair braiding, registration, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Act, public health, sanitation, cumulative voting, associations, unit owners, board of directors, elections, Hawaii Revised Statutes, condominium, association meetings, electronic voting, proxy voting, mail voting, insurance, premium increase, policy cancellation, licensing

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1697, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions. The DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it recognizes braiding as within the scope of cosmetology practice but warned that a broad exemption could create consumer protection gaps, especially around sanitation training, tool use, and enforcement. Supporters from the Institute for Justice and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued the current licensing regime is overly burdensome and unrelated to braiding, citing the 1,250-hour training requirement, high tuition costs, barriers for low-income entrepreneurs, and the fact that many other states already exempt braiders. Committee members asked whether a standalone sanitation course or similar training could address the board’s concerns, and the board said it would bring that idea back for discussion. The committee also noted 16 written testimonies in support and 2 in opposition. The committee then took up HB 1678, relating to condominium and planned community association elections using cumulative voting. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, said the bill would clarify that cumulative voting applies to all candidates, including write-ins, and would help resolve confusion in association elections. One testifier urged the committee to remove proxy voting, calling it an abuse of power in some associations, while another asked whether cumulative voting and proxies could be manipulated to stack votes. In response, the parliamentarian explained that cumulative voting and proxy voting are different, that proxies simply allow someone to vote on another’s behalf, and that existing deadlines and counting procedures reduce opportunities for abuse. Testimony also emphasized that electronic or mail voting can be secure and efficient, and that the bill would make the process clearer and more democratic. Finally, the committee heard testimony on HB 1679, which would clarify an association board’s authority over electronic meetings, electronic voting, voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Supporters said the measure would clean up statutory language, make electronic voting optional, and fix problems created by a 2024 change that made written-consent timing rules difficult to use for association actions. They also said the bill would clarify that proxies are only used at meetings, not for actions taken without a meeting. One opponent argued the bill needs further amendment because electronic voting is not well defined and could be abused, and questioned the neutrality of parliamentarians testifying on condominium bills. No votes were taken on any of the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:33:26.200> for resource management and development for resource management and development
• Or some permit.
• In terms of permitting, we've been actively working with Maui County in particular on developing a streamlined
• On this website, you can access all of our permits, licenses, and permits, whether they're from State
• trust getting um that developing trust getting um developing<02:50:56.200> trust<02:50:56.479>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our next update for you is on our water development plan.
• Our water development plan is statutorily required.
• First off, we are required with the State Water Commission to develop a comprehensive water development
• water development plan.
• Water development plan participation as a requirement: so we go through this very robust water development

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• This water plant was built by a private developer.
• This water plant was built by a private developer.
• The bill revises permit holders.
• A third or subsequent violation... ...and potential suspension or revocation of permits.
• Programs can be developed and actually have been developed to train VPAs to the equivalency of DVMs in

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several bills, reporting each favorably after hearing sponsor presentations, public testimony, and member questions. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it received support from Americans for Prosperity and passed without debate. SB 606 clarified when guests in public lodging or food service establishments may be removed for nonpayment, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from hotel and restaurant industry groups; it also passed favorably. Members then heard SB 202, which addresses a municipal water utility surcharge issue affecting Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach by requiring the utility to charge residents where the plant sits the same rate it charges its own residents. The sponsor and supporters described it as a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach argued it would shift costs and threaten utility finances; the bill was reported favorably. SB 570 modernized and clarified the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and SB 928, as amended, regulated non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display, increasing inspections and penalties, and adding a school-buffer provision; both were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 346, which repeals state preemption over local regulation of hoisting equipment and cranes, prompted by concerns after Hurricane Milton and a crane collapse in St. Petersburg. Supporters said local governments need authority to address storm-related crane safety, while industry representatives warned against patchwork regulation and said local oversight already exists in some areas. Finally, the committee took up SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks, including limited surgeries under veterinarian supervision; animal welfare groups supported it as a way to expand access, while some veterinarians opposed the surgery provisions. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. The committee then began SB 354, a major overhaul of Public Service Commission oversight, including expanding the commission, adding financial expertise, tightening rate-setting and storm-hardening review, and increasing transparency for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the substitute amendment was adopted and public testimony was heard from consumer advocates and utility-related groups, but the transcript ends before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, that emphasis on workforce development.
• economic development activities of our state.
• We've heard a lot about increased permitting fees, where your permitting fee is $150.
• It permits exemptions, excuse me, I'm sorry.
• It permits exemptions, excuse me, it permits exemptions from ECGs for parents objecting on the basis

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, they cannot get permits self-issued.
• You know, soil and dust mitigation for developments.
• , And all of those require permitting.
• When they're going to develop their properties, Mr.
• We do that in Albuquerque when we're developing properties, especially when we develop large residential

Transcript Highlights:

• action plans, and developers of permanent affordable housing also need to be consulted in developing
• Since 2005, my city has historically permitted less than 5,000 new homes per year.
• , we permitted approximately 8,500 new homes.
• In 2023, we permitted nearly 10,000 new homes in my city. and in 2024.
• In 2020, we permitted nearly 10,000 new homes in my city.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on California’s homelessness funding, focusing on the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HAP) Grant and the Encampment Resolution Grant Program. HCD described new accountability requirements, including regional action plans, stronger reporting and expenditure conditions, housing-element compliance, encampment response plans, and public dashboards that track fiscal spending, service outcomes, and encampment resolution status. Officials said the goal is to use the data to identify underperforming grantees, provide technical assistance, and, if needed, withhold or reallocate funds. Local officials from San Diego, Fresno, and Santa Cruz said the programs have helped expand shelter, outreach, and permanent housing, and that state dollars have leveraged local and federal resources. Mayor Todd Gloria said San Diego has used HAP to expand shelter and safe sleeping options, reduce downtown encampments, and increase housing production, but argued the state’s new accountability website is too high-level and does not fully reflect countywide conditions, behavioral health outcomes, or the role of continuum-of-care partners. Fresno officials said HAP and other state funds helped the city add shelter beds and reduce homelessness, while Santa Cruz emphasized that state funding helped build local coordination and draw in federal vouchers. Members pressed the panel on whether HAP is actually reducing homelessness, what the best success metrics should be, and whether the state is getting full, usable data from grantees and subcontractors. Several members asked for more granular jurisdiction-level reporting, better tracking of nonprofit spending, and clearer measures beyond point-in-time counts and “people served.” HCD said it is still improving HMIS participation and data quality, but can already show outcomes such as exits to permanent housing and returns to homelessness. The hearing ended with broad agreement that transparency is important, but disagreement remained over the best measures of success and how much emphasis should be placed on housing, prevention, shelter, and treatment.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, about 550 days on permits you know, about 550 days on permits delays delays delays on,
• Well, park development. Well, park development.
• But you used to permit much. But you used to permit aquaculture,<03:02:23.960> right?
• well that we developed well that we developed Hi,<03:31:28.840> Senator.
• permits actually come to us. permits actually come to us.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to issue discharge permits and other permits.
• of at whip, as per the permit requirement.
• Um, the potash, uh, development there was just the company saying they didn't intend to develop, but
• Reason they would develop these leases.
• So we do have active leases that um they have a right to develop and they are not developing.

Transcript Highlights:

• If disconnected while presenting testimony, you may be allowed to continue if time permits.
• rider course approved by the Department of Transportation before becoming eligible for a permit.
• <00:21:58.080> to<00:21:58.240> success instruction permit to success instruction permit
• or haven't asked for development, and they are the way they are because of that.
• some form of development or haven't asked<00:58:23.039> for<00:58:23.240> development<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on February 11, 2025, and heard a series of bills focused on transportation funding and roadway safety. HB 1154 would cap Central Services assessments from the state highway, airport, and harbor funds, with a CPI-based process for additional deductions; the Department of Transportation supported it and the Department of Budget and Finance offered comments. HB 1164 would restore highway revenue bond authorization for DOT capital projects, and HB 1286 would prohibit pedestrians from walking along interstate and certain state highways except for authorized duties; both drew DOT support, with Ulupono Initiative and an individual offering comments or support on HB 1286. HB 1162 would require motorcycle instruction permit applicants, beginning July 1, 2026, to complete an approved basic rider course before becoming eligible, and HB 537 would require helmets and chin straps for all operators and passengers of two-wheel motorized vehicles; both had DOT support, with HB 537 also drawing support from AAA Hawaii and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and opposition from one individual. The committee then took up HB 387, which would expand negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing current law already covers drunk driving and that the proposal would turn alcohol-caused negligence causing injury into a felony; prosecutors from Honolulu and Hawaiʻi counties and DOT supported it, saying serious injuries short of “substantial bodily injury” are not adequately punished and that circuit court would better handle restitution and related proceedings. Members asked about data on cases that might fit the new felony category, and prosecutors said they did not have exact numbers but could try to provide more information. The committee also heard HB 1084 and the related HB 1387, both of which would lower Hawaiʻi’s per se DUI blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05. Support came from DOT, police departments, the Department of Health, prosecutors, the Governor’s office, MADD Hawaii, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Alcohol Policy Alliance, AAA Hawaii, and the National Transportation Safety Board, all citing research that lower BAC limits reduce impaired driving and fatalities. The Public Defender opposed the change, and some testimony raised concerns about enforcement and the need for an amendment in HB 1084. Several individuals and advocates gave emotional testimony about crashes and losses tied to impaired driving, while supporters emphasized that a 0.05 standard would save lives and would not harm alcohol sales or the tourism economy. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The town of Exeter supports this request, which will allow for the future development of the site and
• The town of Exeter supports this request, which will allow for the future development of the site and
• The grantee shall also be responsible for obtaining a drive permit from New Hampshire DOT District 3
• <00:26:28.720> regarding Resources and Development regarding Resources and Development regarding
• <00:26:39.440> two Resources and Development. two Resources and Development. two memorandums

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met and first approved the June 30, 2025 meeting minutes. The committee then took up a series of Department of Transportation property actions, including authorization to grant an access point in Exeter, sell two small tracts in Keene, amend a prior Guilford disposal based on a revised survey and appraisal, sell 0.42 acres in Lincoln, list and sell 9.77 acres in Chesterfield, sell 0.54 acres in Fremont, and approve a permanent access easement in Belmont. The committee also approved a utility easement in Albany and a permanent access easement on Route 153 for the Bickfords. Most of these items involved direct sales or listings, administrative fees of $1,100, and conditions requiring surveys and local/state approvals; several were approved unanimously after brief or no questions. Representative Faulkner declared a conflict of interest on the Chesterfield item, and Representative Newman sat in for that matter; later, Faulkner was recused from the Belmont item as well. The committee also approved a Department of Administrative Services request to grant a perpetual utility line easement to Public Service Company of New Hampshire for a facility under construction at the Hampstead hospital property, with the administrative fee waived because the grant was in exchange for utility service. During discussion of informational item LRCP25-038, staff explained that no committee action was needed because the item was only to notify members that a parcel’s fair market value had been reduced due to a change in access. The committee received additional informational materials from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development, including minutes from its May 8 meeting and memorandums on surplus land review for Meredith and Hampstead. The next meeting was set for December 9 at 9:30 a.m. at Granite Place, Room 228, and the chair noted the meeting would be on a Tuesday because of building scheduling. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, in fact, controlling commercial development is exactly what Act 250 is for.
• This is telecom towers are definitely commercial development.
• to Act 250 but not telecom developments to Act 250 but not telecom towers?
• commercial development. commercial development.
• with even less cell tower development with even less public<00:31:43.400> input.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first debated House Bill 527, extending the sunset of 30 V.S.A. chapter 248A, which governs telecom tower siting. Members discussed a Senate proposal of amendment that would require a mandatory local hearing with the developer and the Department of Public Service present. Supporters said the change would improve public participation and local control, especially for rural towns, while opponents argued it could either stall telecom development or speed it up with less input. Several members also raised concerns about health effects of RF radiation and cited scientific studies and court actions, while others said they had not seen evidence of the harms claimed and emphasized the importance of connectivity. A proposed further amendment to shorten the sunset to one year was defeated by roll call, 52-89, and the House then concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment by roll call, 122-14. The House then took up House Bill 686, relating to expanding identification of certain lobbying advertisements. After suspending rules, members heard a summary of the Senate’s strike-all amendment, which broadened the definition of lobbying communications and required clearer identification and reporting for paid lobbying ads, while avoiding duplicate reporting where campaign finance disclosures already apply. The Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee reported a 10-1-1 straw poll in favor, and the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. Next, the House considered Senate Bill 326, miscellaneous amendments to motor vehicle laws. The Transportation Committee described the changes as largely technical, including provisions related to hands-free cell phone use for commercial drivers and to mufflers, motorcycles, and annual inspections. After testimony from Legislative Council and the Department of Motor Vehicles, the committee recommended concurrence on a 9-1-1 straw poll, and the House concurred and then voted to message its action to the Senate forthwith. The chamber also took up the conference report on House Bill 642, youthful offender proceedings, with the conference committee restoring House language allowing victims to attend and present impact statements at both hearings and making several technical cross-reference corrections; the report was presented for House consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 18 permitting the Senate Bill 18 permitting the Commissioner<00:25:11.520> of<00:25
• <00:28:12.559> for 566 requiring permit applications for 566 requiring permit applications
• This bill would require municipalities to permit multifamily residential development on commercially
• <00:38:52.560> benefits, development would have many benefits, development would have many
• industrial manufacturing is permitted. industrial manufacturing is permitted.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gossett Seidman: PCS HB 669 addresses the permitting and jurisdiction of public moorings fields and Florida's
• Gossett Seidman: The City of Orlando could apply for a permit in Miami-Dade.
• Overdorf: but what it does do is give an opportunity for a landowner or a developer or whatever it may
• Gonzalez Pittman: And allows the enhancement credits from these provisional permits to be used by permit
• I understand that there are developments that are in process and we are waiting on rulemaking for some

Transcript Highlights:

• , then another permit, and now that permit is going to finish off their season on the other side of the
• shall be conducted on the permitted shall be conducted on the permitted track<00:36:10.560> for
• holder<00:36:12.320> was track for which the permit holder was track for which the permit
• <00:36:28.640> then<00:36:28.960> another<00:36:29.440> permit permit then another
• permit permit then another permit and<00:36:31.599> uh<00:36:31.839> that<00:36:32.079

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:57.760> process a permitting process a permitting process um<00:21:00.400> we're
• <00:23:40.960> process signage but the permitting process signage but the permitting process
• to preempt the existing permitting to preempt the existing permitting statutes<00:33:00.399>
• ohrv highway Crossing connector permits ohrv highway Crossing connector permits are<00:40:51.000
• but maintain the current permitting but maintain the current permitting processes<00:43:42.359><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee heard testimony on House Bill 375, which would allow municipalities to designate certain road segments for ATV travel, create maps and signage for those routes, set seasonal limits, and require certain equipment on ATVs such as lights, a horn, flashers, and directional signals. The sponsor, Rep. Dan Maguire, said the bill is intended to support tourism and give towns a structured, optional way to permit ATV use on roads, not to override existing uses. Members asked about possible overlap with agricultural vehicle rules, golf carts, speed limits, and whether the bill could allow ATV use on busier roads or expressways; the sponsor said he did not intend to interfere with existing lawful uses and believed golf carts would only be included if they met the relevant statutory requirements. NHDOT State Maintenance Engineer Alan Hennessy said the department had concerns with language exempting municipalities and the Bureau of Trails from the permitting process, arguing that the existing permit system provides needed review, public notice, and signage requirements. He also raised questions about road funding and maintenance if ATVs were allowed on state highways. Fish and Game Captain Michael Eastman testified that his commission opposed the bill as written, citing concerns about the ATV definition, the distinction between ATVs, UTVs, and other OHRVs, and the potential impact on state highways and road maintenance. He said towns can already open roads to OHRV use under existing law, and he noted that accident data for road use would generally be handled by local police or State Police rather than Fish and Game. Craig Reny, chief of the Bureau of Trails, said the current Bureau of Trails/DOT permit process for highway crossings and connectors works well and is used to ensure safety through engineering review. He said his bureau was not taking a position on the bill but wanted to clarify that existing procedures already address many of the issues the bill appears to cover. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are fees to be had when you issue bonds or fees to be had when you join in developers and developer
• Development.
• , Partner with other utilities, state agencies, and developers; develop and participate in energy projects
• Okay, so on to D, streamlining permitting: one finding, long permitting timelines at federal, state,
• Develop and participate in energy projects that promote economic development, energy reliability, and

Summary: The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives. Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad. The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two municipal members to our Jewish Development Council. Chair: Questions for the sponsor?
• Gossett Seidman: and serve the new development.
• And if something comes back with the septic tank permit, it falls on them.
• Borrero: Get a development application reviewed.
• Developers have to go through just an egregious amount of cost and red tape in order to get a development

Transcript Highlights:

• It starts with typically action on developing or amending a regulation.
• we are to develop emission control regulations.
• And so when we develop regulations currently, we simply draw down our cost to develop, implement, and
• the permit regulation and permit portal.
• So I think we’ve got to look at reality as we’re developing these.

Keywords: 988, house, all