Transcript Highlights:

• program if one is ever developed. program if one is ever developed.
• year on temporary water agreements year on temporary water agreements made<00:59:08.000> more
• We'd have to develop that scope.
• We'd have to develop that scope.
• consumption of land through development consumption of land through development based<01:43:49.119

Bills: SF0050, SF0084, HB0133, HB0116, HB0011, HB0044

Keywords: groundwater, water resource management, state engineer, aquifer study, corrective controls, monitoring wells, public reporting, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, irrigation, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, conservation districts, supervisors, elections, agriculture, local governance, beneficial use

Transcript Highlights:

• And it happens to be the same data element that we need to do better workforce development planning,
• And it happens to be the same data element that we need to do better workforce development planning,
• And I trust the pro tem, obviously, to keep working on the issue to come to agreement.
• This bill seeks to do that, and we're very close to getting agreement on how this gets done.
• So I think we’re all in agreement that we want to support modernization.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on insurance transparency, claims handling, privacy, and regulatory enforcement. SB 877 and SB 878 by Senator Pérez addressed post-disaster claims practices: SB 877 would require insurers to disclose original and revised loss estimates and related claim materials to policyholders, while SB 878 would add automatic interest penalties for delayed claim decisions or payments and require written identification of disputed items. Fire survivors, consumer groups, AARP, the Department of Insurance, and other advocates supported both bills, while insurer groups moved to neutral after amendments. Both bills were voted out on roll call and reported to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand data sharing and reporting to improve workforce program evaluation and help counties verify work requirements for Medi-Cal and CalFresh using employer-reported hours worked. County officials, workforce advocates, and the Department of Insurance supported the measure, and no opposition was heard. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Committee on Labor and Employment. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, presented with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the commissioner stronger enforcement tools to require insurers to carry out corrective actions identified in market conduct examinations, including fines and hearings for noncompliance. The commissioner and author said the bill would close an enforcement gap and improve accountability; there was no opposition testimony, but the bill was left on call after the roll. The committee also heard SB 354 on insurance privacy, presented by Senator Padilla on behalf of Pro Tem Limón, which would modernize insurance privacy rules by expanding consumer rights over personal data, limiting sale and use of sensitive information, and increasing disclosure requirements. Supporters said the bill updates outdated 1980s-era rules, while insurers, agents, and business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance burdens, and small-business impacts. Members indicated the bill was still being negotiated and would return in a revised form in the Privacy Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• may not know, but I spent 15 years of my career doing veterans and military families, economic development
• So what that means for the local community has to do with the mutual aid agreement that we have.
• The last piece where we're seeing some impacts are on the cooperative agreements.
• For the DCCA, incompatible includes land development and military... Installations.
• I mean, that bill was something I developed with the South Sound military folks.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners. The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing. The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to establish a government employee
• <00:09:29.680> and discouraging new Housing Development and discouraging new Housing Development
• County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development in support.
• County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development in support.
• <00:15:08.440> and Housing and Community Development and Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing met on February 6, 2025, first in a joint session with the Committee on Labor and Technology. The joint committees heard SB 1235, which would create a Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation program for government employee housing, including a revolving fund and a leasehold rent-to-own program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, the Department of Budget and Finance, and UPW, with one testifier opposing the bill because it was limited to state workers and should be broader. The committees recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes, $450,000 for two positions, removal of an income restriction, and clarification that leasehold and day-one projects are eligible; both committees adopted the recommendation unanimously, and the joint meeting adjourned. The Housing Committee then took up SB 67, SB 1133, and SB 1333. SB 67 would bar inclusionary zoning requirements on certain housing offered for sale or rent to qualifying residents, and it received support from HHFDC, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and others; the committee recommended passage with technical amendments and adopted it. SB 1133 would allow counties to set rent increase limits tied to CPI and create a long-term residential lease tax credit; testimony included support from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Realtors, NAIOP Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation, which warned about rent-control consequences. The committee recommended passage with amendments that made the credit nonrefundable, allowed limited carry-forward, restricted claims in certain family-lease situations, set filing deadlines, and applied the measure to disaster-affected counties; the recommendation was adopted. SB 1333 would allow certain counties to use surcharge revenues for transportation and housing infrastructure and extend the surcharge period. DBEDT, OPSD, HCDA, county officials, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, while the Tax Foundation opposed it, arguing temporary taxes were becoming permanent. The committee recommended passage with technical amendments, and members noted concerns that prior surcharge revenues had not produced enough housing projects, which were to be reflected in the committee report. Finally, the committee deferred SB 834 indefinitely because it had already been deferred indefinitely by the Hawaiian Affairs Committee, and the Housing Committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our faculty grantees develop innovative curriculum... ...students, and our faculty grantees develop innovative
• Also, not all professional development is the same.
• Also, not all professional development is the same.
• Well, that's all laudable, but this is professional development, not student development.
• They weren't doing the development work themselves.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Workforce, Labor, Economic Development, Policy and Finance Committee.
• <00:06:44.039> and legal employer employee agreements and legal employer employee agreements
• Our district incurred legal fees in development of the required MOU with bargaining units.
• <00:46:24.520> painstakingly undermine the agreements painstakingly undermine the agreements
• The example I provided was for our employees who are not under a bargaining agreement.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee opened by approving the January 16 and January 21 minutes. Members then heard testimony focused on the impact of Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and the proposed paid family and medical leave program on Minnesota school districts, with the chair framing the hearing as an opportunity to hear from major employers and school leaders about costs and operational effects. Kimberly Lewis, speaking for the Minnesota School Boards Association and related school administrator groups, said districts generally already provide generous, locally negotiated sick leave and had initially adapted to ESST by separating vacation, sick time, and ESST into different buckets. She argued that a 2024 law effectively converted previously bargained sick leave into ESST, which she said undermines contracts, creates large unfunded costs, and may raise constitutional contract-clause concerns. Lewis cited large accumulated leave banks in some districts, increased sick leave use, and estimated significant costs from paid leave, including a reported $2.5 million impact for one large district. She urged flexibility such as prorating ESST for midyear hires and part-time staff and exempting coaches, short-term substitutes, and similar employees from ESST. Superintendent Anarie Fuco of St. Michael-Albertville said her district expects about $400,000 in added fiscal 2026 costs from ESST and paid leave, plus indirect costs from substitute coverage and increased absenteeism. She said schools already have generous bargaining agreements, but the new laws reduce verification and require districts to track leave for temporary staff, creating what she described as a need for “substitutes for our substitutes.” Fuco said the district would face more than $211,000 in direct payroll costs from paid leave alone and asked for flexibility or exceptions for districts already offering comparable benefits. Members asked follow-up questions about how substitute teachers accrue leave and how many districts may be cutting budgets; Lewis and Fuco said many districts are making cuts and that substitute and staffing burdens are growing. A third testifier began by Zoom, but the transcript cuts off before her full testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, players are in agreement with this.
• Uh those are bargaining agreement.
• <00:07:23.599> almost collective bargaining agreement almost collective bargaining agreement
• Um one area where a agreement.
• <00:13:13.920> even their own benefit and development even their own benefit and development

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill most appropriately belongs in the Workforce Development Committee.
• Workforce labor and economic development Workforce labor and economic development finance<00:09:
• I've talked to both chairs and both leads, and everybody's in agreement on this.
• <00:10:32.720> on<00:10:33.200> this<00:10:34.200> any everybody's in agreement
• on this any everybody's in agreement on this any further further further discussion<00:10:36.560>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And you also develop a legal backlog, especially in areas.
• And you also develop a legal backlog, especially in areas.
• But the nondisclosure agreement...
• But the nondisclosure agreement conferees were under was far more encompassing.
• It's listed as the Standards Development Committee, something of that regard.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That land will now be lost to commercial real estate development. Watermelon acreage is down 20%.
• They're the leading exporter for new nuclear to the developing world, and China today is building 22
• As we become the epicenter for nuclear, the economic development opportunity is huge.
• The industry will have to rebuild itself, the manufacturing processes, the workforce development.
• The COFA agreements are perpetual with periodic reviews of their financial provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Development Fund to a separate account within the State Highway Fund.
• My district is for economic development in this region.
• The local entities should be able to get it done by agreement.
• We can come up to an agreement because that would give us the opportunity to develop other ports or maybe
• We'll consult with DPS to develop those rules. For drivers and construction.

Bills: SB249, SB546, SB744, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1365, SB1366, SB1394, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1745, SB1746, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB1939

Keywords: memorial markers, law enforcement, officer memorials, killed in the line of duty, highway signage, school bus, school district, student transportation, child safety, seat belts, three-point seat belt, two-point seat belt, bus retrofit, bus warranty, Texas Education Agency, TEA, transportation code, school activity bus, multifunction school activity bus, school-chartered bus

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we put any new housing developments or retail outlets or parks there?
• We think those agreements are probably much more comprehensive.
• There is a whole range of forecasts that are developed for different purposes.
• And we've really seen a robust April and May for resource development.
• How do you see that developing over the next couple of years?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We saw developed back in December 2023.
• So you've offered this agreement, what, two years back?
• So you've offered this agreement, what, two years back?
• So you've offered this agreement, what, two years back?
• So you've offered this agreement, what, two years back?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• developed by faculty from all three systems.
• AB 2236 would solve this by charging faculty leadership to develop a process. Thank you so much.
• developed by faculty from all. have continued to work on developing courses to the course templates
• developed by faculty from all three systems.
• AB2236 would solve this by charging faculty leadership to develop a process. ...transfer.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on student access, equity, and campus safety. AB 2236 would require a streamlined system-level articulation process for California Community Colleges’ common course numbering so transfer students receive credit consistently across CSU and UC; it drew broad support from student groups and higher education advocates, with opposition from the CSU Academic Senate, and was moved on a do pass and re-refer motion. AB 2771, the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education sunset bill, would extend the bureau to 2031 and make technical and policy changes; it received support from the bureau and some advocates, but Vice Chair DeMaio opposed it over concerns about bureaucracy and potential fee increases, and the bill was advanced on a 4-1 vote. AB 2422 would require colleges and universities to protect students from penalties when financial aid is delayed for reasons beyond their control, including soft holds and enrollment protections; it was supported by student groups and moved forward on an amended do pass motion. The committee also approved AB 1669, which would create clearer medical and mental health leave-of-absence policies and a protected path for students to return without reapplying; testimony emphasized the strain on students facing mental health crises and the bill passed with support from students and campus advocates. AB 1713 would require colleges to accept an IEP or 504 plan as proof of disability for accommodation purposes, reducing the need for students to undergo costly re-diagnosis; it received strong support from disability advocates and students and was advanced. AB 1734, the Count Hunger Act, would fund and expand California’s food insecurity research through UCLA’s California Health Interview Survey to replace lost federal data; it drew support from food banks and anti-hunger organizations, but Vice Chair DeMaio opposed it over cost and procurement concerns, and it moved forward on a 3-1 vote. The committee also heard AB 2766, which would expand priority housing and related supports for current and former foster youth and students experiencing homelessness at California colleges and universities, including deferring housing deposits until aid is disbursed; it was backed by foster youth advocates and student groups and advanced. Finally, AB 2212 would update California’s sexual harassment laws for higher education to address AI-generated explicit material, deepfakes, cyberstalking, and other tech-facilitated abuse, and to require campus policies and resources; it was supported by student survivors, advocacy organizations, and campus groups, with no opposition noted, and was moved forward by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you and I are in violent agreement. Yes. Sorry, I overtalked you. I apologize.
• Well, you know, our institutions of higher ed, you know, they do a lot of research and development on
• Members, this is the bill relating to agreements between sheriffs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• service model agreement with ICE.
• with the feds to do this work. ...has agreements with the feds to do this work.

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, heard an invocation and pledges, and approved several routine motions, including excuses for absent members, permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, and postponements of some bills. The chamber also received a Senate message listing measures passed by the Senate and adopted a memorial resolution honoring the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, with remarks entered into the House Journal after a moment of silence. The House then took up a long third-reading calendar and passed a series of Senate bills on topics including criminal justice and corrections sunset provisions (SB 2405, 2406, 2407), election equipment testing (SB 2166), electric grid reliability and attack-preparedness exercises (SB 2148), firefighter collective bargaining (SB 777), DFPS and foster care procedures (SB 1141 and SB 1398), Medicare durable medical equipment billing (SB 1330), property tax administration (SB 1453), probate cleanup and record transfers (SB 1448 and SB 1839), mental health filing procedures (SB 53), school residency for children in safety placements (SB 226), diabetes-related amputation study (SB 1677), rapid DNA analysis (SB 1723), utility rate transparency and capacity cost recovery (SB 1664 and SB 1856), community supervision eligibility (SB 552 postponed), and other measures. Several bills passed with broad support, while others drew notable opposition and narrower margins, including SB 777, SB 2137, SB 2111, SB 1677, SB 1936, SB 1453, and SB 38. Two bills drew especially extensive debate. SB 2148, dealing with electricity supply chain reliability and tabletop exercises for critical facilities, was discussed as a grid-security measure aimed at coordinating utilities, law enforcement, ERCOT, and the PUC in the event of physical attacks; it passed unanimously. SB 1936, changing how LSD is measured for criminal prosecution from dosage-based to weight-based calculations, prompted extended discussion about lab consistency, carrier mediums, and fairness in charging, with supporters saying it would help crime labs and law enforcement and opponents warning it could distort penalties depending on the medium used; it passed 108-26. The House also passed SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, after questions about overlap with TDEM and the cost of adding personnel. Late in the day, the House debated SB 38 on eviction procedures, with supporters saying it targeted squatters and streamlined removal of unauthorized occupants, and opponents arguing it would make evictions too easy and worsen homelessness; it passed 85-44. The chamber also began debate on SB 37, a major higher-education governance bill that would expand governing-board oversight of curriculum, hiring, and faculty senates; members raised concerns about academic freedom, faculty governance, and the impact on humanities programs, and debate was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Following graduation, Zyla plans to pursue graduate studies at Columbia University to further develop
• It terminates existing sister city agreements as of July 1, 2026, if they are with foreign countries
• It provides that remaining linkage institutes may not enter into any agreement with a foreign country
• We didn't have an opportunity to understand the depth, the complexity of surrogacy agreements.
• and the adoption agreements.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored retiring Senate staffer Susan Miller and recognized a veteran injured in combat. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to returning messages from the House and began taking up bills and amendments. The Senate concurred in House amendments and passed SB 118 on RV park assessments and SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, both by 38-0 votes. It then took up the elections bill, CS/CS/HB 991, which drew extensive debate. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity by tightening citizenship verification and ID rules; opponents argued it would burden eligible voters, especially students, seniors, disabled voters, and others without the newly required documents. The bill passed 27-12. The chamber also passed the education package SB 182 after adopting a Senate amendment to the House amendment, and approved SB 474 on military affairs, SB 425 on historic cemeteries, HB 929 on local regulation of chickees, and HB 35/SB 1370 on habitual traffic offender designation, all with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate then considered SB 902/ HB 733, the Department of Health package. Members adopted an amendment and amendment-to-amendment that preserved most Senate provisions while modifying or removing several House additions, including some early steps and medical marijuana-related changes, and the bill passed 37-0. The chamber also began work on HB 905, the foreign influence bill, with a strike-all amendment offered to expand restrictions on foreign influence, sister-city agreements, linkage institutes, and related activities, but the debate on that measure was still underway when the transcript ended. Several other returning messages and bills were temporarily postponed, and the Senate recessed briefly before resuming business.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was a later development, but that's because of the situation in Washington.
• This was a later development, but that's because of the situation in Washington.
• It does not supersede a collective bargaining agreement.
• It does not supersede a collective bargaining agreement.
• Program and systems development is called HSD at the Student Aid Commission.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate measures focused on student access, workforce needs, and institutional stability. Senator Laird presented SJR 4, which urges the federal government to restore NIH funding cuts and protect California’s research universities; UC testified in support and there was no opposition. Senator Ashby presented SB 761, the CalFresh for Students Act, to connect Cal Grant applicants with potential CalFresh eligibility and expand qualifying programs; the bill drew broad support from higher education, student, anti-hunger, and county groups, with members sharing personal experiences with food insecurity and no opposition. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 520 to create a California Nurse Midwifery Education Fund for a new master’s-level nurse midwifery program, citing maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and Central Valley communities. Supporters from the California Nurse Midwives Association and the Black Wellness and Prosperity Center emphasized workforce shortages and maternal mortality; one member raised concerns about the bill’s use of inclusive language, but the bill was otherwise well received. Cabaldon also presented SB 640, which would create a statewide direct admissions process to CSU for eligible high school seniors using existing data systems; supporters said it would reduce barriers, improve equity, and help declining-enrollment campuses, while members raised questions about special education students, rural access, dual enrollment, and measuring effectiveness. The committee voted SB 640 out on a 6-0 roll call. Cabaldon’s SB 744 would preserve California students’ access to enrollment and financial aid if a federally recognized accrediting agency loses approval, by treating affected institutions as accredited for state purposes; the bill drew no public testimony and advanced on a 4-2 roll call. Senator Cortese’s SB 494 would require classified school employees’ disciplinary appeals to be heard by an administrative law judge, matching protections already available to teachers and community college faculty; labor groups supported the bill, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, local control, and implementation concerns. The committee also heard SB 550, a revised pilot to allow San Jose State and a nonprofit, state-accredited law school to jointly develop a public law school pathway; supporters argued it would expand affordable legal education and public-interest careers, while UC and independent colleges opposed it as inconsistent with the Master Plan. Members debated access, jurisdiction, funding, and bar pass rates, and the bill advanced on a 4-2 roll call to the Judiciary Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• way do I think a service level agreement should be different for every agency.
• way do I think a service level agreement should be different for every agency.
• , no way do I think a service level agreement should be different for every agency.
• Some don't, and that's an example of a variable service level agreement for agencies.
• way do I think a service level agreement should be different for every agency.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 30, 2025, and first organized itself by electing Senator Jim Gray as vice chair, electing Representative F as clerk, appointing Michael Caine as legislative budget assistant, and adopting the committee’s rules and procedures. The committee also adopted an amendment to the rules allowing audits to be automatically released to the public once placed on the Fiscal Committee agenda, with members discussing that the change would improve transparency and reduce paper handling. The minutes from the November 15, 2024 meeting were approved, with members who were absent abstaining. The committee then worked through a consent calendar and several individual items. It removed or noted withdrawals on a few items, including item 25004 for further discussion, item 25016 withdrawn by the Department of Education, item 257 removed by Representative F, and item 25001 removed under Tab 4. Item 25004, concerning the newborn screening program, prompted testimony from the Department of Health and Human Services explaining that the program is mandatory with an opt-out provision; officials said 99.2% of newborns were screened in 2023, meaning the opt-out rate was under 1%. The committee also approved item 25007, related to DHHS community health workers and telework policy, after hearing that the workers are not placed in schools and that DHHS follows statewide telework policy. On the regular calendar, the committee approved a Department of Administrative Services request to extend the release date for fiscal year 2024 numbers to March 31, and approved a Department of Fish and Game item. It also approved winter maintenance funding for the Department of Transportation after hearing that the $5.7 million request might not last through the winter if additional storms occur; DOT said even a small storm can cost more than $1 million and that crews are dispatched based on road conditions and supervisory judgment. The committee then approved items for the Judicial Council and the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant. The final discussion focused on the Health and Human Services dashboard and the Youth Development Center claims. DHHS acknowledged a data error in the APS client line and said Community Mental Health Center caseload data is still not fully accurate because two centers are undergoing EHR conversions. Members also asked about the low census at the Sununu Youth Development Center and about the process for managing future claims related to the YDC settlement fund. Witnesses from the Attorney General’s office said the fund is handled through a unique arrangement involving DOJ appropriations and judicial branch staff, that current judicial budget cuts are not yet affecting the litigation pace, and that the average resolution so far has been about $500,000, though future claims may vary. No votes were taken on the discussion items beyond the approvals noted above.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:19.960> has of a review process if a developer has of a review process if a developer
• resolve the issue between the developer resolve the issue between the developer and<00:31:31.840
• <00:32:13.200> based your fees are to your developers based your fees are to your developers
• small solar developer small solar developer >> Packy<00:33:07.160> Campbell,<00:33:
• members of the utilities and developer members of the utilities and developer and<00:54:55.120><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with quorum and seating issues, including the temporary appointment of Representative Shaw to fill in for a House member, followed by approval of the previous minutes and the consent calendar. Two items were then postponed to next month: Mechanical Licensing Board item 25-241 and Board of Veterinarian item 25-223. The committee then took up Department of Energy rulemaking on distributed energy resources interconnection procedures, including items 25-220 and related sections on fees, additional controls, and equipment. The Department explained revised language to address concerns that the original draft improperly suggested agency or PUC approval of utility fees; under the amended language, utilities would set fees designed to recover costs, with complaints handled through existing complaint procedures. Committee members and the Department discussed the statutory basis for that approach, including cost responsibility versus fee-setting authority. Public testimony was mixed. A small solar developer argued the rules still exceed statutory authority, impose unfair costs on customer generators, and allow utilities to shift transmission-related study costs onto interconnecting customers. Clean energy advocates supported the Department’s revised language but asked for clearer limits on charging customers for later-added controls, arguing costs should be tied directly to the customer’s interconnection and not to later utility-driven changes. Eversource supported the revised fee language, said most prior concerns were resolved, and recommended conditional approval, while also suggesting a minor wording change in the “Additional Equipment” section to clarify that only operational performance is covered.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they're keeping it, and they're probably investing it in the end of their own workforce development
• But I think our focus as a state—the governor has said, number one in workforce development by 2030—I
• In relation to what Peter said about the articulation agreement in the Central Florida chapter, we...
• Yeah, in relation to what Peter said about the articulation agreement, in the Central Florida chapter
• I had a question about the local education agreements.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met to discuss apprenticeship education and workforce development, with panelists from Santa Fe College, the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, ABC East Coast/ABC Institute, and Piper Fire Protection. Members heard that apprenticeships are growing in Florida, with panelists emphasizing that these programs offer paid, tuition-free training, progressive wage increases, and strong job placement in high-demand fields such as HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and construction. Panelists also described efforts to expand into new areas like accounting, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and surgical technology, while stressing the importance of aligning programs with employer demand. A major topic was funding and reimbursement. Panelists said the current model is complicated and often leaves providers with only a portion of the funds appropriated for apprentices, with one provider saying reimbursement can be as low as 44% and others describing caps, contract delays, and inconsistent CareerSource support. They argued that more of the money should reach training providers, that small businesses need more support to participate, and that transparency and contract reform could help expand enrollment and improve program quality. Several also raised barriers such as instructor approval rules, paperwork, and facility costs. Members asked about admission criteria, program costs, employer incentives, outreach to high school students, and whether apprenticeships should have greater access to other funding sources. Panelists said the main requirements are being employed and willing to work and learn, and that outreach through schools, career fairs, community partnerships, and public awareness campaigns is essential. They also discussed articulation agreements that can provide college credit for apprenticeship training and suggested statewide credit recognition and possible direct funding to providers as policy improvements. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with the subcommittee adjourning.