Transcript Highlights:

• It then heads to tank cleaning and test, or T-CAT, for pressure testing and cleaning.
• We're tracking client satellites, we're collecting energy from the sun, and then we transmit energy in
• How do you store any of that energy? You know, because you got weight factors and all that, right?
• energy assurance, supercharge satellites by transmitting energy to them directly.
• “We’re still the number one economy.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Committee of Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security heard a series of informational presentations focused on Florida’s aerospace and space ecosystem. Blue Origin described its Florida operations at Rocket Park, Launch Complex 36, and Port Canaveral, highlighting New Glenn and Blue Moon development, recent launch activity, workforce development efforts, and major capital investment in the state. Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) outlined its low-Earth-orbit broadband network, customer terminals, satellite and gateway architecture, dark-sky mitigation efforts, and Florida investments including a payload processing facility and launch support infrastructure. Starcatcher Industries presented its concept for an orbital energy grid that would beam power to satellites, discussed demonstrations in Florida, customer interest, and plans for a first satellite launch next year. Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace industry, citing billions in private investment, growth in aerospace establishments and projects, spaceport infrastructure investments, workforce and university partnerships, and the importance of maintaining Florida’s competitiveness against other states. NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro then emphasized Artemis II preparations, rising launch demand, aging infrastructure, and the need for stronger state-federal coordination and investment in research, workforce, and common-use infrastructure. She compared Florida’s support structure with Texas and argued that Florida must act to avoid losing aerospace leadership. Members asked questions about mobile and aviation applications for Amazon Leo, dark-sky impacts, satellite counts, Starcatcher’s power transmission losses and storage approach, and NASA’s funding and infrastructure constraints. Petro also discussed limits on commercial investment in common infrastructure under federal rules and suggested that state investment and better alignment among partners could help. No bills were considered and no votes were taken beyond adjournment; the committee concluded by adopting a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, a public announcement as noticed in the Daily File, the Utilities and Energy Committee is
• Item 1, SB 739, Arreguín, related to the California Clean Mile Standard and Incentive Program.
• And SB 739 updates the original 2018 Clean Miles Standard targets to reflect the realities of what's
• California's Clean Miles Standard targets were set using 2018 data before a global pandemic reshaped
• Benjamin Lou, and I'm the clean air advocacy manager for the American Lung Association.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with several bills on the agenda, beginning with SB 739 (Arreguín) on the Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program for transportation network companies. The author and supporters from Lyft, Uber, and TechNet said the bill would update EV miles traveled and greenhouse gas targets to reflect current market conditions, add flexibility for CARB and the CPUC, and protect drivers from losing platform access while also creating a path for future electrification. Opponents including the American Lung Association, Sierra Club California, and NRDC argued the bill would weaken a program meant to accelerate EV adoption and should retain stronger targets. Members discussed affordability, charging infrastructure, and the need to balance climate goals with feasibility. The committee approved SB 739 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, later recording a 9-0 vote when the roll was completed. The committee then heard SB 1190 (Grove), the “Safe Passage for Youth Act,” which would regulate private youth transport services used for out-of-state residential placements. The author and sponsor testimony described abusive practices such as nighttime pickups, blindfolds, restraints, and emotional trauma, and said the bill would require CPUC permitting, TrustLine background checks, training, parental consent, and bans on certain practices. Support came from youth and disability advocates, with no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended recommendation and later passed 9-0. SB 1191 (Ochoa Bogh) would extend the sunset for California High Cost Fund A and B universal service programs that help provide affordable telephone service in rural and high-cost areas. Supporters from rural telecom companies and industry groups said the funds are essential for maintaining service, 911 access, and emergency communications in remote communities. There was no opposition, and the committee advanced the bill on a due pass recommendation; it later passed 9-0. The consent item, SB 985 (Strickland) on the 911 emergency system, was also approved. Finally, the committee heard SB 1246 (Cortese) on autonomous vehicles and emergency response. The author and supporters from SEIU California and the California Professional Firefighters said the bill would require AV companies to provide incident response, notify local jurisdictions during system failures, ensure U.S.-based remote drivers, and prevent public safety workers from having to manage AV breakdowns. Industry opponents argued the bill intrudes on federal vehicle standards, gives local governments enforcement authority they should not have, and could create overly broad notification and response requirements. Members raised questions about local control, response times, and whether the bill was premature given existing DMV regulations. Despite those concerns, the committee passed SB 1246 on a due pass as amended recommendation, later recording a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed and returned to complete roll calls before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm mostly here today in Minnesota.
• </c><01:01:46.240><c> addresses</c> the way the state of Minnesota addresses the way the state of Minnesota
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• The Big Big Eye Minnesota is. Uh, yes.
• </c> healthcare workforce needs in Minnesota. healthcare workforce needs in Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Minnesota.
• </c><00:44:41.040><c> with</c> impact on the state of Minnesota with impact on the state of Minnesota
• </c><00:53:24.079><c> will</c> keys in the state of Minnesota will keys in the state of Minnesota will
• </c> is Kirk adelka with the Minnesota is Kirk adelka with the Minnesota Pollution<01:04:25.119><c> Control
• </c> Amendment um just clarifies and cleans Amendment um just clarifies and cleans up<01:10:05.040><c

Bills: HF737 , HF247 , HF325 , HF1330

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The kind of sort of started the the energy around a compact, if you will, right?
• We didn't want to just come up with clean opposition. We want to come up with solutions.
• A stand-alone casino with allies live racing is not additive to the economy but negative and inflicts
• Tens of thousands of jobs is a really be devastating to our economy.
• And so at the end of the day, they are critical to the functioning of our economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this current language could discourage investment in energy efficiency and clean technology by creating
• So I'll tell you this, right now, 80% of all the energy in the entire world, all the energy consumption
• That is what powers our economy, right?
• All of these different types of energy are what power our workforce and our economy, right?
• energy initiatives.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and featured a series of member introductions recognizing guests, interns, firefighters, a newly awarded PhD, and the day’s doctor. The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution honoring Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza for winning the Heisman Trophy. After routine business, the Senate moved to special order bills. The first measures taken up were CS/SB 68 on health care patient protection, which required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, readiness assessments, and a designated pediatric coordinator; it passed 36-0. CS/SB 350 on public records, protecting victim identities and temporarily exempting the names of law enforcement officers who are victims in the line of duty, passed 33-4 after questions about access for victims’ attorneys. CS/SB 576 on local government cybersecurity established a state-administered cybersecurity protection program for local governments, prioritized rural and fiscally constrained communities, and was amended before passing 37-0. CS/SB 532 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above projections and incorporating related provisions on legal notices, traffic citation distributions, and municipal fee splits, passed 38-0. CS/SB 696 on trademark registration modernized the filing system and passed 38-0. CS/SB 698 on septic system permits, addressing permit delays and aligning House and Senate language on liability if construction begins early, also passed 38-0. The longest debate centered on CS/SB 1334 / CS/HB 991 on elections and election integrity. The bill would use REAL ID data to verify citizenship for voter registration and list maintenance, revise candidate-qualification rules, change acceptable voter IDs, add citizenship markers to driver licenses and ID cards by July 1, 2027, and make other election-administration changes. Multiple amendments were offered and defeated, including proposals to allow attestations in lieu of documentation, exempt seniors, require human review over automated systems, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, and delay implementation to July 1, 2027. One amendment was adopted to retain a stock-trading disclosure for candidates. The chamber then continued debate on the underlying bill, with supporters citing state reports of non-citizen registrations/voting and opponents warning of disenfranchisement for students, seniors, and others who may lack the required documents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so we have an more uh clean up.
• Prey was killed in Minnesota.
• </c><01:04:55.119><c> Um</c> in Minneapolis and in Minnesota. Um in Minneapolis and in Minnesota.
• Senate Transportation and Energy will be meeting at 1:30 in Committee Room 352.
• 03:21:31.040><c> be</c> Transportation and Energy will be Transportation and Energy will be meeting<03

Transcript Highlights:

• Tribal economies are critical to rural job creation and overall statewide prosperity.
• Renewable and manufacturing: Navajo Nation shifting from coal to renewable energy by developing solar
• equipment manufacturing and clean energy.
• As you know, NGS closed a few years ago, and that had a huge impact on our economy, and so... ...years
• ago, and that had a huge impact on our economy.

Summary: The committee began with a series of presentations highlighting tribal communities as part of rural economic development. Representative Mae Peshlakai described Legislative District 6, emphasizing its large geographic size, the eight tribal nations within it, and the cultural and scenic importance of the Navajo Nation and other tribes. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis then presented on the Gila River Indian Community, focusing on its history, Hohokam heritage, water rights, the MAR-5 aquifer recharge project, cultural traditions, and the importance of collaboration with state lawmakers. Members praised the presentations and noted the need for greater attention to tribal issues in the legislature. The committee then took up SB 1016, with a strike-everything amendment that moved the property-owner petition requirement earlier in the process for municipal improvement districts and allowed certain notice and protest requirements to be waived. Supporters, including the mayors of Camp Verde and Clarkdale, said the change would improve transparency, reduce financial risk for small towns, and help rural communities build needed infrastructure such as wastewater systems, water lines, and housing-related improvements. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and passed SB 1016 on a 5-0 vote, with one member present and one absent. Next, the committee considered SB 1401, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act, using a strike-everything amendment that would allow municipalities to create expedited plan review and permitting for qualified workforce housing projects and exempt project proceeds from the state portion of the prime contracting sales tax. Habitat for Humanity representatives said the measure would lower carrying costs and help build more affordable homes, while one member noted the tax exemption would reduce general fund revenue but supported the bill as a targeted tradeoff to address housing shortages. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1401 by a 5-1 vote. The meeting concluded with Representative Myron Sosec’s presentation on barriers to economic development on the Navajo Nation and other tribal lands. He discussed lower workforce participation, higher unemployment and poverty, limited access to capital, trust-land financing barriers, dual taxation, infrastructure deficits, and delays caused by federal and tribal review processes. He also highlighted Navajo economic strategies such as loan guarantees, renewable energy development, and tourism investments, and urged state action on tax reform, matching funds, and annual tribal field hearings. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , to address an emerging conflict between two major industries that are both vital to our state's economy
• All combustion will be generated with clean Texas natural gas.
• All combustion will be generated with clean Texas natural 379 gas.
• Again, not including private growth for schools, hospitals, or energy systems.
• We have clean rooms. We are just like the wafer fabs.

Bills: SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1898 , SB2050

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2203, relating to certification of discovery issues in TCEQ contested cases referred to SOAH. The chair noted the House had already passed the companion HB 3249, then moved SB 2203 without amendments. The motion prevailed on a 5-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full House. The committee then heard SB 1898, which would prohibit the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for testing and training, while still allowing it in emergency firefighting. The sponsor described PFAS as “forever chemicals” and said the bill would protect firefighters, water supplies, and public health. Testimony in support came from Environment Texas, which cited contamination concerns and noted other states and federal actions restricting PFAS foams. No one testified against the bill, and after closing testimony the committee left SB 1898 pending. The remainder of the hearing focused on SB 1758, a Grayson County pilot program aimed at addressing potential conflicts between Global Wafers’ semiconductor wafer facility and a proposed Black Mountain Cement/aggregate operation. Supporters, including Global Wafers, Grayson County officials, and manufacturing groups, argued that vibration from mining or blasting could threaten a major national-security semiconductor investment and that an independent BEG study was needed to set safe parameters. Opponents from Black Mountain Cement and related industry groups argued the bill would improperly interfere with a lawful permitting process, pick winners and losers, and harm Texas’ pro-business climate; they also said they had already revised operations and removed blast mining. The discussion included extensive questioning about geology, vibration, the permitting timeline, and whether the issue was really about mining rather than the air permit. No vote was taken on SB 1758 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Energy and Natural Resources. Energy and Natural Resources.
• It's my pleasure to welcome Sam Evans Brown and visitors from Clean Energy New Hampshire.
• It is energy week in New Hampshire. Maybe they can give us a jolt of some energy here today.
• The economy and and dwelling units.
• </c><05:49:10.718><c> storage</c> Bill 1718 affirms that energy storage Bill 1718 affirms that energy

Transcript Highlights:

• So what this bill does is it says that large energy use facilities under this particular NAICS code,
• energy...
• Or $100,000 invested with certain conditions such as clean energy development or brownfield development
• Large energy users cannot both tout... Collar Jobs Act and research and development incentives.
• Whether we like it or not, Delaware is already an incredibly attractive state for large energy users

Summary: The committee heard several bills, but much of the meeting focused on House Bill 306, which would require disclosure when a consumer is interacting with a chatbot rather than a human. Sponsor Senator Townsend described it as a consumer protection measure and said the bill is meant to keep pace with rapidly changing AI technology. Committee members and witnesses raised concerns about the bill’s enforcement structure, especially private rights of action and penalties that could apply even without actual consumer harm. The Department of Justice said the bill would apply where the conduct has a Delaware nexus, and that the disclosure requirement is the key consumer protection. Industry witnesses and chambers of commerce opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it would create broad compliance burdens and expose businesses to excessive litigation risk without a harm requirement or clearer safe harbor language. Earlier in the meeting, the committee discussed House Bill 429, which would update Delaware’s step therapy exception process to include biosimilars and interchangeable biologics. Senator Poore and supporters from Highmark and the Department of Insurance said the bill would modernize insurance law, improve access to effective treatments, and reduce costs; they cited national savings from biosimilars and said the bill has agency support. Members asked about Delaware-specific savings, patient switching, and how the process would work, but no vote was taken during the discussion. The committee also heard House Bill 310, which would exclude large data centers from Blue Collar Jobs Act tax credits; the sponsor said the bill is intended to ensure large energy users contribute more to state and local revenues, while supporters and opponents debated competitiveness and community impacts. House Bill 406, on allowing insureds to choose their auto repair shop, and Senate Bill 347, a cleanup bill related to medical debt collection and personal property levies, were also presented without opposition in the hearing. House Bill 253, concerning who may receive letters testamentary or of administration, was described as a cleanup to align statute with existing practice. The committee approved the meeting minutes, but the transcript does not show final votes on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's called Energy Wire. And it's about anything, everything energy, oil, gas, electric.
• How do we move our economy forward, and instead of being a net exporter, being a value-added energy state
• and creating, being a value-added energy state and creating an economy like this chart shows that we
• In order to have energy-intensive things like value-added ag, as well as other processing, it takes energy
• Site selectors look at where they can get energy. As well as other processing, it takes energy.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, established a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from Majority Leader Hogue and the chair about the committee’s charge. Members said the goal was to build a factual foundation on AI, hear from experts and stakeholders, and develop practical North Dakota-focused recommendations rather than simply produce a large volume of bills. Legislative Council also reviewed interim committee rules and procedures before the informational presentations began. Staff and NCSL presenters then gave overviews of AI concepts and the state and federal policy landscape. The background memo and presentations covered AI categories and terms, state laws in areas such as consumer protection, algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, chatbots, children’s safety, health, education, and government use, as well as data center siting and economic impacts. NCSL described a growing number of AI bills introduced and enacted across the states, with comprehensive laws in places like Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois, and noted recurring issues around transparency, privacy, liability, and protections for minors. A major focus of the discussion was federal preemption and the tension between state regulation and national AI policy. NCSL said a recent White House executive order and related federal framework seek a light-touch, innovation-friendly national standard, with possible challenges to state laws and possible funding conditions tied to compliance, though no broad federal preemption has yet been enacted. Members asked about Commerce Clause concerns, industry pushback, oversight models, and whether AI policy is bipartisan; presenters said the issue cuts across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfake restrictions but more disagreement on broader regulatory approaches. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting, and the committee recessed briefly for technical issues during the second presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> very substantial benefit for Minnesota very substantial benefit for Minnesota and<00:04:08.680><
• Minnesota Home Care Association.
• Minnesota Home Care Association.
• Minnesota Home Care Association.
• </c> a disability in our life if Minnesota a disability in our life if Minnesota becomes<01:33:52.480

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do have a clean station right here at the marina. So the boats can...
• And we do have a clean station right here at the Marina. a while and we do have a clean station right
• And so I've reached out to other states and tribes, like in Minnesota.
• For example, where I had previously practiced in Minnesota, there's Rule 20. It's called Rule 20.
• This is also something that Minnesota already has in place, from communication from some people.

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and heard an extended discussion with Spirit Lake tribal leaders and program directors about government-to-government relations with the state. Chairwoman Street and others outlined a number of concerns and requests, including taxation of tribal and trust lands, state school support for non-beneficiary students, homelessness services, Indian-managed health care, gaming/e-tabs, the Feather Alert system, industrial farming near waterways, tourism and cultural issues, and the need for more consistent tribal consultation. Committee members responded that many of these issues had previously been passed along without direct action, and several members emphasized the committee’s role in education, communication, and preparing possible legislation or resolutions for the next session. Tribal representatives also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to help legislators better understand tribal jurisdiction and billing issues. A major portion of the meeting focused on Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife concerns, especially jurisdictional “gray areas” around hunting and fishing on the reservation, recognition of tribal licenses, and the boundary of the reservation around Spirit Lake/Devils Lake. Tribal officials said they wanted a co-stewardship agreement or MOU with the state to clarify jurisdiction, improve cooperation, and address invasive species and aquatic nuisance species. Committee members discussed whether to draft legislation or a resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and they asked for further input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at a future meeting. The committee also discussed county involvement in land status changes and trust land issues, with Spirit Lake leaders describing a past Benson County resolution that tried to block fee-to-trust transfers and saying it was later rescinded. The committee then heard from Benson County tax equalization director Randy Thompson, who explained how the county values land and handles tax-exempt, inundated, and fee-to-trust parcels. Members asked about the impact of tax-exempt lands on county services and discussed prior legislation that helped counties with large tax-exempt bases. The committee also received a presentation from Dr. Steven Smith of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, including support for non-beneficiary students and workforce training. Members asked about expanding tribal college education into correctional settings, and Smith said the idea was worth exploring through the tribal college system. Finally, HHS interim medical services director Christoph Framing presented remotely on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion, explaining current state funding mechanisms for inpatient and residential behavioral health services and the bill draft directing HHS to pursue a waiver for IMD payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• daily exposure to harmful chemicals, protect workers and consumers, and keep our recycling systems clean
• This doesn't upend, but updates the Cartwright Act to better reflect our modern economy.
• This doesn't upend, but updates the Cartwright Act to better reflect our modern economy.
• And it's not just monopolies, was... reflect our modern economy.
• We have to look at what's happening to the economy as it is now, and this is the time to do it.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Companies that are working on renewable energy.
• And it's non-polluting; it's actually really good for the economy.
• And that's why we want to grow this sector of our economy.
• It's clear and clean to that standard, but it doesn't have to be that way.
• So let's start right there and clean that up. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in greater Minnesota and in this city. in greater Minnesota and in this city.
• Clean air, clean water, Council.
• Clean air, clean water, gorgeous<00:11:39.080><c> parks</c><00:11:39.720><c> in</c><00:11:39.839><c>
• </c> providers across the state of Minnesota. providers across the state of Minnesota.
• </c><01:46:49.160><c> Uh</c> with the Minnesota Senate. Uh with the Minnesota Senate.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I am their director called Yatco Energy.
• > longstanding</c><03:20:30.479><c> uh</c> Minnesota has had a longstanding uh Minnesota has had a longstanding
• What is Lake Winnipesaukee worth to the economy? $17 billion.
• What is Lakewagi worth the economy? $17 What is Lakewagi worth the economy?
• </c> um is a huge huge part of our economy um is a huge huge part of our economy and<03:24:51.920><c>

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Jody Monolero with energy.
• Jody Monolero with energy.
• Florida, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois have similar laws already on the books.
• Florida, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois.
• I know Energy will be here.

Bills: HB267 , HB478 , HB617 , HB659 , HB800 , HB922 , HB924 , HB947 , HB1166 , HB1223

Committee: House Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• The House is on a paper from the Senate: House Bill 5175, relative to energy affordability, clean power
• place thereof the following title: An Act to Save People Money, Repair the Climate, and Grow the Economy

Summary: The House received a gubernatorial message requesting fiscal year 2027 appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Members then took up House Bill 5175 on energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. The House suspended the rules but voted not to concur with the Senate’s amended version, and then agreed to appoint a committee of conference; the conferees named were Mr. Cusack of Braintree, Mr. Mike Woods of Boston, and Mr. Jones of North Reading. The chamber next considered several bills on third reading. House 5430, designating the Hyannis Transportation Center as the Thomas C. Cahir Cape Cod Transportation Center, was passed to be engrossed. House 4924, concerning the Boston Finance Commission and establishing the Boston Inspector General Oversight Commission, was amended by substitution with House 5585 and then passed to be engrossed as amended. After a recess, the House returned to enact Senate 3106, a bill relative to toxic-free medical devices, which passed. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.