Video & Transcript : 'commissioner disclosure' :

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AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/13/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 2023, land divisions disclosure. Mr. Berry. Curriculum acquired.
  • HB 2023, land division disclosure. HB 2024, water supply development definition.
Summary: The House convened with prayer by Deacon Ernesto Ramirez and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Representative Rachel Keshel. The journal from January 12 was approved, and Dr. Andrew Carroll was introduced as Doctor of the Day. Members also heard a proclamation recognizing January 13 as Arizona Human Trafficking Awareness Day, with remarks highlighting the work of the Arizona Human Trafficking Survivor Coalition and the importance of survivor-led prevention and awareness efforts. The chamber then handled routine business, including messages from the Senate and two motions related to adjournment. The House agreed to grant the Senate consent to adjourn after Thursday, January 15, 2026, until Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and also requested the Senate’s consent for the House to do the same. Members observed personal remarks for former Senator Barbara Left and Representative Kyle Powell. A long list of bills and resolutions was introduced and read for first and second reading, covering topics such as elections, water policy, education, public safety, health care, agriculture, taxation, and several memorials and resolutions. No substantive debate or votes on those measures occurred in this transcript. Committee announcements were made for several meetings, and the House adjourned until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs May 9th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • It requires licensing from TDLR and disclosures and protection for folks who are being scammed by salesmen
  • RCAT strongly supports SB 1036's approach to registration, insurance requirements, clear disclosures,
Bills: SB1036 , SB1566 , SB1664 , SB2268 , SCR5 , SCR8 , SCR9 , SCR32 , SCR46
Committee: House State Affairs
OR
Transcript Highlights:
  • the other thing I'd like to share with the joint committee is that there is robust reporting and disclosure
  • the other thing I'd like to share with the joint committee is that there is robust reporting and disclosure
  • And I, as superintendent, and my senior leadership team, have fiduciary responsibilities of disclosure
  • We have fiduciary responsibilities of disclosure and transparency: no secrets, no surprises, regular
Summary: The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committee met for informational presentations on the Oregon State Hospital and civil commitment, followed by a planned tour of the hospital. Oregon Health Authority and Oregon State Hospital leaders reported that Sean Murphy will become the next permanent superintendent on July 13, with Sarah Castle to follow as permanent chief nursing officer on July 20. They described recent leadership turnover, a major organizational restructure, and efforts to build a culture of safety, transparency, and accountability. Officials said the hospital regained Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and they highlighted daily safety huddles, incident review processes, stronger escalation procedures, and improved management of seclusion and restraint. Committee members pressed hospital leaders on past prolonged seclusion practices, falls, staffing, and the need for better public reporting; OHA said it is building a public dashboard of key safety and workforce metrics. The committee then heard a civil commitment overview from the Oregon Judicial Department. The presenter explained that civil commitment is a separate legal process from criminal cases, usually beginning with a hospital hold, investigation, court review, appointed counsel, and a hearing within five days. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised standards for danger to self, danger to others, and basic-needs commitments, plus a second 14-day diversion option. She cautioned that the new law has only been in effect since January and that it is too early to draw firm conclusions from the data, though there has been a recent uptick in commitments and a decrease in diversions. Testimony from NAMI Oregon and a forensic psychiatrist emphasized that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospitals because community services, housing, and outpatient supports are insufficient. They argued that the state needs more less-restrictive alternatives, including better use of assisted outpatient treatment or outpatient civil commitment, and more supported housing so people do not cycle between homelessness, incarceration, and hospitalization. A family member described a relative remaining psychotic in jail for more than 120 days before ending up back at the state hospital, urging faster intervention and better collaboration among courts, counties, hospitals, and state agencies. Committee members and witnesses also discussed workforce shortages, the expansion of secure residential treatment beds, and the need for broader system reforms beyond the hospital itself.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Local Government Committee Jun 10th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill requires extensive disclosures regarding prior labor violations, including technical and administrative
  • not have large compliance departments or in-house legal teams to navigate increasingly complex disclosure
  • Wages may be much higher, much lower, or average among the competitors, but requiring disclosure of wage
  • Santa Cruz City Council, somebody breastfed it to Council Diasin, so there were no issues about disclosure
Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several housing, water, labor, and local governance bills. AB 1621, by Assembly Member Wilson, would tighten timelines and limit repeated plan checks in post-entitlement housing permitting; supporters said it would reduce delays and costs, while cities and counties opposed or sought amendments over concerns about health-and-safety review and litigation risk. AB 2005 would expand SB 9 lot-split eligibility to certain owners using trusts or LLCs and allow partnerships with small builders; supporters framed it as a homeownership tool, while Realtors and others warned it would weaken SB 9’s owner-occupancy guardrails and invite speculative development. AB 2397 would create a financing tool for rural housing infrastructure districts, with the author and a developer witness saying it would help projects secure roads, water, and sewer funding. The committee also considered AB 2180, which would clarify Proposition 218 rate-setting standards for public water agencies. Water agencies, cities, counties, and other local entities supported the bill as a response to conflicting court decisions and rising litigation, while taxpayer and consumer opponents argued the Legislature should not intervene while the issue is pending before the California Supreme Court and warned the bill could weaken constitutional protections against cost shifting. After debate, the committee voted 3-2 to send AB 2180 to the Senate floor. AB 1838 would require bidders on public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations; labor groups supported it as a transparency and worker-protection measure, while contractors opposed it as burdensome and likely to reduce competition. The committee voted 2-2 on the bill, leaving it open. Members also heard AB 2134, which would allow local elected officials to take parental leave without publicly disclosing private medical or family information in order to avoid removal for missed meetings; it received broad support and passed unanimously to Judiciary. AB 2308 would extend an existing tax-increment financing timeline for the San Francisco Transbay/portal project, and AB 2397 advanced on a unanimous vote. After the hearing, the committee later took up the bills on call and reported most of them out, including AB 1621, AB 2005, AB 2134, AB 2308, and AB 2397, while AB 1838 remained tied and AB 2180 was sent forward on a divided vote.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/11/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • Director Jorgensen, yeah, we do an audit of their financial disclosures.
  • attest to their residential address when filing a committee statement of organization or financial disclosure
  • Committee statement of organization or financial disclosure statement, if certain conditions are met,
  • So the information on their nominating petition and on their financial disclosure report, the address
Summary: The Committee on Federal and Military Affairs and Elections met with all members present and began with an extended presentation on an investigative referral packet concerning alleged voter registration anomalies from March 2023 to the present. The presenter described multiple examples of registrations tied to out-of-state residents, deceased individuals, temporary residents, and registrations allegedly generated through Service Arizona, MVD, Access, county recorders, and third-party/NGO channels. The committee also discussed a Secretary of State email about party-preference changes, discrepancies between county and state counts, and a proposed criminal referral to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice. Members asked questions about whether the issues were glitches or intentional, and several members said the examples reflected serious problems with voter-roll maintenance and automatic voter registration. A roll call was taken on whether members wished to sign onto the referral; some declined, while others agreed, and the committee said the referral would be transmitted after the meeting. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1259, which would allow certain protected individuals to use an alternate mailing address when filing candidate and financial disclosure paperwork. The sponsor said it closes a confidentiality loophole for people whose addresses are protected for safety reasons. Members raised concerns about how the bill interacts with in-district residency requirements, but the bill passed on a 6-1 vote. Senate Bill 1281, dealing with state land procedures for covered federal designations and notification of legislative leaders about land takings, drew opposition from the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter, which argued the bill was unnecessary, unfunded, and insufficiently protective of tribal consultation; it passed 4-3. Senate Bill 1037, concerning election equipment security and internet connectivity, prompted debate over whether the bill could be read to permit internet-connected election equipment and over a hostile strike-everything amendment that would have expanded voter-registration and election-administration programs, including ERIC participation and new funding. The amendment failed, and the underlying bill also failed on a 3-3-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1040, which would require county recorders to provide public online access to voter registration rolls and prohibit fees for downloading them. Staff explained that the bill would replace the current chairperson-request process with public access, while still excluding sensitive information such as Social Security numbers. Members debated how much information would be public and whether the bill adequately defined “voter registration rolls.” The bill passed on a 4-3 vote. The chair closed by asking members to look into school app data-sharing contracts and offered to show unredacted materials privately, then noted that dinner had been provided.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Feb 17th, 2026

Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • Section 316 on good standing, Section 317, which requires, along with AB 488, conspicuous disclosures
  • consent, subject to meeting requirements and discharging their responsibilities as platforms, from disclosures
  • And the requirements for fairly extensive disclosures, and particularly to enable...
  • Extensive disclosures and, particularly, to enable donors of very small donations.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Republican Press Conference 1/29/25

Transcript Highlights:
  • We also want to require the disclosure of individuals or organizations that pay bail for offenders.
  • 16.360><c> the</c> prosecutors we also want to require the prosecutors we also want to require the disclosure
  • <00:03:17.400><c> of</c><00:03:18.319><c> individuals</c><00:03:18.920><c> or</c> disclosure of individuals
  • or disclosure of individuals or organizations<00:03:20.239><c> that</c><00:03:20.440><c> pay</c><00:
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education Mar 18th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • They require disclosure.
  • We allowed the TA commissioner.
  • Commissioner. who we empower to do that. And I'm trusting that they'll do it.
  • So it will be approved by the commissioner. Last question.
  • As the T.E.A. commissioner, an appointed commissioner.
Bills: HB6 , HB27 , HB 123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222 , HB610 , HB 1085 , HB1481 , HB6 , HB27 , HB123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 17th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So whether when I was a county commissioner, the county would get the ballots.
  • Chairman Magrum, members of the committee, Brent Sanford, Commissioner of Higher Education.
  • Chairman Magrum, members of the committee, Brent Sanford, Commissioner of Higher Education.
  • Are you just Commissioner? I was thinking you were Chancellor. Yeah, just Commissioner.
  • As a former county commissioner for 12 years, I've been at the local level.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education May 6th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Full disclosure, I was a school board member in 2007.
  • Senate Bill 57 directs the Commissioner.
  • I gave him a box that had the entire decision from Commissioner Morath. Okay.
  • Commissioner Morath was claiming that HB 900 didn't provide the clarity.
  • We had an administrative law judge recommend that to the commissioner, and then the commissioner agreed
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26

Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • And, like you said, just for full disclosure, this is one of the areas that I work in, and my goal is
  • this is one of just for full disclosure this is one of the<00:45:00.560><c> areas</c><00:45:00.880><
  • </c><01:26:59.280><c> on</c><01:26:59.520><c> fees</c> would require clear disclosures on fees would
  • It creates mandatory disclosures around optional fees. It caps transactional fees.
  • </c><01:31:16.639><c> It</c> disclosures around optional fees. It disclosures around optional fees.
Bills: HF2400 , HF1724 , HF3437 , HF4333 , HF2874 , HF4052
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And several commissioners have noted that one of the best ways, one way to lower rates, is..." "...noted
  • I was actually with Commissioner Hoke and we were in Keene, California, where it's most famous for, you
  • At any given time, the most at the commission, the most number of commissioners who would even be on
  • a case is two... ...commission, the most number of commissioners who would even be on a case is two,
  • For example, the last PG&E general rate case, where I was the assigned commissioner, we did have parties
Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, reliability, and wildfire-related costs. The chair framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while keeping bills affordable and the system reliable, and noted the hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and Public Advocates Office. Professor Severin Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining the split between deregulated generation and regulated transmission/distribution, the basics of cost-of-service regulation, and the role of return on equity. He argued that high allowed returns can encourage capital-intensive spending and that many public policy costs now embedded in rates would be better funded through the state budget, while warning that price caps or performance-based regulation are not silver bullets. CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds described the commission’s role as economic regulator of investor-owned utilities and said affordability is being addressed through rate case scrutiny, reasonableness reviews, and legislative direction. She said wildfire mitigation and insurance costs have been major drivers of rate increases, but some wildfire-related costs are time-limited and will roll off rates over time. She also highlighted progress on clean energy procurement, battery storage growth, and integrated resource planning to meet climate goals while maintaining reliability. Reynolds said the CPUC is reviewing utility spending, disallowing imprudent costs where appropriate, and litigating at FERC to challenge transmission costs. Members pressed both witnesses on several issues, including whether rates are being inflated by legislative mandates and balancing accounts, whether utility returns are too high, and whether the state should shift more public-policy costs off electric bills and into the General Fund. Senators also raised concerns about load growth from data centers and ports, gas-system stranded assets as electrification advances, and whether the CPUC is over-regulating or discouraging innovation. Reynolds said the CPUC is working with the Energy Commission, CAISO, and the Air Resources Board on a holistic planning process, and pointed to tools such as interconnection reforms and demand flexibility. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up requests for reports and data.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 3rd, 2026

Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:
  • And several commissioners have noted that one of the best ways to lower rates is…” “…supporting load
  • And then just a situation going on in my district yesterday: I was actually with Commissioner Hoke and
  • Yeah, I think, so we are working with the Energy Commissioner, I would add, with the Air Resources Board
  • At any given time, the most at the commission, the most number of commissioners who would even be on
  • For example, in the last PG&E general rate case, where I was the assigned commissioner, we did have parties
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • When disclosure requirements are in place, contamination levels drop.
  • From Facts Up Front to digital disclosures like SmartLabel, CPG companies lead the way in delivering
  • We would also like to make sure that the disclosure specified in the bill more clearly states that the
  • I think the mechanism of disclosure, obviously, is a concern.
  • I think the mechanism of disclosure, obviously, is a concern.
Summary: The committee heard several energy, environmental, recycling, and land-use bills, beginning with SB 925 by Senator McNerney, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy. Supporters said the bill would help California retain leadership in fusion research and commercialization, attract investment, and create jobs, while some members emphasized the need to avoid overregulation and keep the state competitive. No opposition testified, and the bill was later approved on a 4-0 vote and held on call. The committee also heard SB 1350, another McNerney bill, to expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for turbines using renewable hydrogen. Supporters framed it as a way to support clean energy reliability, preserve tax credits, and create jobs, while opponents including TURN and Earthjustice warned about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions. The author and chair described committee amendments as adding guardrails, and the bill passed 4-0 and was held on call. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145, which would streamline CEQA and related review for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, part of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. The bill is intended to speed a long-planned transit-oriented development with housing, commercial space, parks, and open space; supporters included local officials, labor groups, and business organizations, while a housing group raised concerns about affordable housing guarantees but still supported the CEQA exemption. The committee described the bill as balancing streamlining with retained environmental review and approved it 4-0, held on call. Senator Cabaldon’s SB 1341, dealing with CalRecycle processing fees for bag-in-a-box wine and spirits containers, also drew support from the wine industry and some environmental groups that wanted a workable recycling market, while glass packaging and other opponents objected to giving CalRecycle too much discretion; it too passed 4-0 and was held on call. The committee then heard SJR 13 by Senator Padilla, urging the U.S. to seek enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution at the 2026 USMCA review. Supporters described severe public health and environmental harms from sewage and runoff in the Tijuana River and New River watersheds, especially for border and farmworker communities, and the resolution passed 4-0. Padilla’s SB 1033, requiring protein product manufacturers to test for and disclose heavy metals, drew support from consumer and public health groups citing Consumer Reports findings, while industry groups argued for narrower scope, QR-code options, and thresholds tied to health standards; the bill passed 3-0 and was held on call. Senator Ashby’s SB 1010, creating a manufacturer-funded system for refrigerant recovery from discarded appliances, was supported as a climate and enforcement measure but opposed by appliance manufacturers and recyclers who said existing law already regulates refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and reduce recycling; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. Finally, Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley. Supporters said the bill would help ensure solar development benefits local communities and farmland, while solar industry groups argued it duplicated existing work and should better reflect solar’s benefits; the bill was heard but no vote was taken in the portion provided.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/03/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it’s exciting to know that we can finally have some reforms with HOAs and disclosure.
  • all can agree and so it's exciting to know that we can finally have some reforms with HOAs and disclosure
  • And if they are, then the people at least deserve disclosure of measure, this affects local initiatives
  • And if they are, then the people at least deserve disclosure of And if they are, then the people at least
  • deserve disclosure of that fact.
Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and a series of guest introductions, including the day’s Doctor of the Day and many school board members and students visiting for Arizona School Board Association Advocacy Day. Members repeatedly highlighted concerns about school facilities funding and welcomed local education leaders from across the state. The chamber then moved through attendance, committee assignments, and a large number of Senate and House bill readings and referrals. A major portion of the day was spent in Committee of the Whole considering numerous bills and amendments. Among the most notable was SCR 1054, a memorial resolution honoring former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, which was unanimously adopted after remarks praising his public service and consumer-protection work. The House also considered HB 2728 on Department of Economic Security continuation and policy changes; after divided-question debate and a recorded division vote, the amended bill received a do-pass recommendation by 32-25. Other bills receiving do-pass recommendations in committee included measures on school safety center funding and governance (HB 2142), school board training (HB 2379), HOA disclosure reforms (HB 2397), credit freezes for foster youth (HB 2321), and several health and human services and judiciary measures. The House then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 2053, appropriating money to the Department of Water Resources, passed 32-24; HB 2175, on sentencing, failed 25-31; HB 2327, on records confidentiality, passed 54-2; HB 2416, appropriating money to the Department of Public Safety, passed 33-23 after debate over immigration enforcement funding; HB 2492, relating to urban growth boundaries and initiative/referendum effects, failed 27-29; and HB 2805, making school board races partisan, passed 31-25 despite strong opposition from members who argued school boards should remain nonpartisan. The transcript ends with the House continuing through additional business and votes.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • Madam Whip and members, as passed the House, House Bill 2010 provides advertising disclosure requirements
  • with hb 2010 please madam whip and members as past the house house bill 2010 provides advertising disclosure
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/13/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 2023, land divisions disclosure. Mr. Bery.
  • Curriculum acquired 2022 as that's an observers 2023 land division disclosure after day day at 2024 water
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Jan 12th, 2026

Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • They must be recorded and transcribed and remain confidential and exempt from disclosure unless a court
  • They must be recorded and transcribed and remain confidential and exempt from disclosure unless a court
Bills: S7000 , S7002 , S7004 , S7006 , S7008 , S7012 , S7014 , S7016 , S0350
Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met and first postponed SB 350 for a future meeting. The committee then considered a series of Open Government Sunset Review bills preserving or extending public records and public meeting exemptions. SB 7000, relating to emergency shelter recipients’ address and phone information, and SB 7002, relating to Department of Military Affairs records in Department of Defense systems, were both amended to set a new sunset date of October 2, 2031 and reported favorably. SB 7012, concerning Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles records, was amended to conform its effective date with the House companion and also reported favorably. The committee next heard SB 7006, which preserves exemptions for certain Florida Public Service Commission hearing portions involving confidential proprietary utility information, and SB 7008, which preserves similar exemptions for the Florida Gaming Control Commission; both were reported favorably without amendment. SB 7004, concerning conviction integrity unit investigation information, was also reported favorably after testimony that state attorney conviction integrity units support keeping the exemption in place beyond its current repeal date. Later, the committee took up SB 7014, presented by Senator Arrington on behalf of Senator Leitz, and adopted a committee substitute extending to October 2, 2031 two exemptions tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations of social media platforms. The committee also approved SB 7016, which preserves the exemption for certain financial information used by economic development agencies to administer small business loan programs. At the end of the meeting, members recorded affirmative votes on several bills and the committee adjourned.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

April 3, 2025 - 08:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • baseline of confidence through informed consent, including standards for sourcing and requiring disclosures
  • before administration. ...for sourcing and requiring disclosures before administration of available
Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard six bills. HB 1617 on stem cell therapy was presented as a way to expand access to biotherapy options through informed consent, sourcing standards, and required disclosures; an amendment clarifying definitions was adopted, supportive testimony was heard, and the bill passed 16-0. PCS for HB 1399 would give the legislature authority to terminate or refuse to extend a declared public health emergency; members raised a concern about what happens if the emergency prevents the legislature from meeting, but the sponsor said she was working on a fix, and the bill passed 16-0. PCS for HB 555 would change medical marijuana card renewals from annual to every two years and exempt veterans from the $75 fee; members described it as reducing barriers and helping seniors and veterans, and it passed 16-0. PCS for HB 1487 would strengthen licensure for volunteer-based EMS providers such as Hatzalah South Florida; testimony and debate emphasized the value of these zero-cost, volunteer emergency services, and the bill passed 14-0. HB 115 on clinical laboratory personnel addressed workforce shortages by aligning Florida licensure more closely with federal CLIA standards and allowing qualified applicants with relevant bachelor’s degrees and federal training to work with on-the-job training; a strike-all amendment was adopted, industry witnesses supported the bill, and it passed 15-0 as amended. HB 1513 would require health care practitioners to refund patient overpayments within 30 days of learning of the overpayment, excluding insurer and HMO overpayments; it drew supportive debate and passed 15-0. The meeting then adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EEP-LAB Joint Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • that the bill impact analysis disclosure should<00:36:29.640><c> be</c><00:36:29.800><c> reasonably<
  • It would require a standardized disclosure form to be developed by the DCCA for use in all residential
  • Even apart from just the right to be informed in a standardized disclosure.
  • So what you have before you is a bill that has a disclosure requirement. That's great.
  • requirement. that has a disclosure requirement.
Bills: SB3326
Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Labor heard SB 3326, a bill concerning a study of separating transmission from generation in Hawaii’s electric system. Testimony was largely opposed. Life of the Land argued that true separation on an isolated island grid has not been shown to work anywhere and said the bill would waste taxpayer money. Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission also opposed the measure, saying Hawaii already uses competitive bidding for new generation, that the bill would add cost, complexity, and reliability risks, and that a new study would duplicate prior work. In response to questions, the PUC explained its existing competitive bidding framework and said it had not seen an island system fully restructure in this way. The chair then amended the bill’s intent to require the PUC to open a proceeding for an independent, comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy pathways, including cost reduction, financial risk, state energy goals, and reliability, rather than narrowly focusing on separation. Both committees voted to pass SB 3326 SD2 with amendments, with the Energy committee adopting the recommendation unanimously and the Labor committee adopting it with one reservation and two no votes. The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee then took up SB 2497 SD2, which would require electric utilities other than cooperatives to provide transparent, publicly accessible customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the PUC. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the PUC offered comments, with the PUC supporting the intent. Life of the Land said the proposed disclosure requirements would be too complex for most ratepayers to use meaningfully, while Hawaiian Electric said the bill could raise costs and slow projects, though it acknowledged some of the language changes and said much of the information is already available through existing planning and regulatory processes. Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and one individual testified in support. No vote was taken on SB 2497 SD2 during the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 3183 SD2, which would bar higher-income taxpayers from claiming the renewable energy technologies income tax credit for certain residential solar systems and would change refundability rules. The Department of Taxation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Tax Foundation offered comments, while the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and numerous companies and individuals opposed the bill. Opponents raised concerns about impacts on financing models and the solar market. Members asked the Department of Taxation for data on how credits are claimed by homeowners versus third-party owners and on the refundability of the credit; the department said it did not have the information immediately available but would follow up. The chair indicated decision-making would likely be deferred to allow further review, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.