Transcript Highlights:

• They aim to revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of historic commercial districts.
• They aim to revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of historic commercial districts.
• Minnesota in 2025 made their preference less generous because they removed an exemption for power sales
• There is language in the statute around encouraging data centers to use more energy-efficient equipment
• We did reach out to all of the data center owners to ask information about energy use and water use,

Summary: The committee met on July 15, 2026, but began without a quorum, so it could not adopt the previous minutes. Chair Jerry Pollett welcomed new member Senator Victoria Hunt and introduced new JLARC staff. The committee then heard a preliminary JLARC performance audit of DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation programs. Auditors said overcrowding, staffing shortages, weak training, unreliable risk assessments, and uneven program access combine to create unsafe conditions and limit rehabilitation. They reported that about 74% of youth are in two large secure facilities, incidents rise as population rises, 47% of frontline staff leave within a year, current assessments are not valid for the population, and program offerings are tied more to facility location than individual need. JLARC made eight recommendations, including one to the legislature to address crowding and seven to DCYF on retention, training, incident procedures, validated assessments, program alignment, individualized programming, and better data. DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter agreed overcrowding is a major problem, said the agency would respond in detail later, and noted the department needs legislative help on staffing, pay, education, and program funding. Senators and representatives asked about JR-25, training adequacy, assessment validation, contraband, education access, and possible retaliation concerns, and JLARC staff and DCYF answered that the issues are interrelated and that a fuller agency response would come later. The committee next heard JLARC’s preliminary audit of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker labor laws. JLARC concluded that L&I generally meets timelines for health and safety inspections but not for wage-and-hour or retaliation complaints, largely because complaint volume exceeds staff capacity and delays occur before assignment to investigators. Auditors said recent agency changes and 2026 legislation may help, including added staff, screening processes, workload reorganization, the ability to prioritize complaints, a later start date for the 60-day wage complaint clock, and authority to expand some investigations to similarly affected workers. JLARC recommended that L&I report back in December 2026 and December 2027 on backlog reduction and implementation of the new law. L&I’s deputy policy director said the agency appreciates the report, is hiring additional investigators, and expects the new laws to substantially change how wage complaints are handled. Members asked for clarification on what counts as a wage complaint, the share of farm worker complaints, and how the new authority will work. JLARC then provided an update on the Department of Health’s strategic management plan for hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff summarized prior recommendations and noted that House Bill 2577 clarified hospital inspection timing. DOH officials described a detailed plan with measurable milestones for improving inspection compliance, verifying accreditation standards, expanding complaint forms into more languages, addressing language-access barriers, and seeking long-term funding for adverse event reporting and financial data reporting. DOH said acute care inspection compliance had risen from 28% to 61% and projected further increases through 2028, while also working on staffing, a new licensing system, and public reporting tools. Committee members praised the specificity of the plan but raised concerns about the long timeline for language access and whether hospitals should do more outreach as part of their community health assessments. After lunch, the committee began the 2026 tax preference performance reviews preliminary report. JLARC staff introduced the first three reviews, starting with the Main Street tax credit and program. Auditors said the preference appears to have met the legislature’s broad goal of increasing Main Street communities and businesses overall, though results vary by community. They reported that Main Street communities grew from 9 in 2005 to 40 in 2025, business counts in those communities rose overall, and donations and tax credits have remained high, with many local businesses donating to support their own downtowns. The committee then moved into the rest of the tax preference review presentation, with additional reports to follow later in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas' long-term prosperity. sits at the strategic crossroads of Texas's future where education, economy
• As soon as you get clean and sober your tolerance has gone down and we have to educate them because As
• soon as you go out, I probably read about 50 names in the past two weeks of people that got clean and
• overtake France and put us number seven in world economies.
• I struggle to meet basic needs like eating properly, resting, and staying clean.

Bills: HB1784 , HB2088 , HB3062 , HB3475 , HB3741 , HB4279 , HB4763 , HB5154 , HB5294 , HB5508 , SB1401 , HB232 , HB232 , HB232

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: students, homeless, foster care, higher education, liaison officer, housing assistance, transition support, law school, Rio Grande Valley, legal education, public university, accreditation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, mental health resources, substance abuse education, El Paso, university system, funding, public education

Transcript Highlights:

• Iran's economy is in moment of leverage.
• Look what he's doing economy behind him.
• They are the backbone of Main Street and our economy.
• </c> backbone of Main Street and our economy. backbone of Main Street and our economy. the<08:07:44.638
• :51.360><c> just</c> Energy and Commerce Committee just Energy and Commerce Committee just finished<08

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a very clean bill.
• So this is a very clean bill.
• So this is a very clean bill.
• The renewable energy fund is intended to support renewable energy initiatives.
• way to lower their energy bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:05.519><c> chambers's</c> according to the Minnesota chambers's according to the Minnesota
• </c> data points from across the Minnesota data points from across the Minnesota Chamber<00:05:15.360
• In 2024, the Minnesota Chamber's Grow Minnesota program released its report on the state of business
• Minnesota's economy expanded at a slower rate than the U.S. economy, averaging just 1.7% annually in
• 1.7%</c> the US economy averaging just 1.7% the US economy averaging just 1.7% annually<00:07:46.440>

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• reduce the beds to no more than six, which would have the effect of draining not only beds in our care economy
• these fees fund, for example, in committee testimony, what was stated was that this helps to fund the Clean
• Madam Chair and members, by way of background, statute requires the installation of solar energy devices
• and verify the structural integrity of the roof and roofing components before installing a solar energy
• powers and duties of the Environmental Protection Agency and end its regulatory overreach on the economy

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills spanning elections, transportation, health care, criminal justice, housing, water, and local government. Early discussion focused on SB 1037, which would tighten security and custody requirements for electronic voting systems, and SB 1568, which would require testing of election equipment timekeeping functions. Members also discussed several election-related measures, including SB 1687 moving the primary date to May starting in 2028 and SB 1825 changing the process and deadline for filling precinct committeeman vacancies. Some members raised concerns about whether election-related bills had testimony from people who actually work elections. Several transportation, land use, and local-government bills were summarized, including SB 1024 on roadable aircraft, SB 1205 on motor vehicle booting, SB 1473 on assisted living occupancy limits, SB 1566 on penalties for malicious permit delays, SB 1787 on exactions and appeals, and SB 1419 on solar installation and roof integrity requirements. Members flagged SB 1624, which caps photo-enforcement civil penalties at $75 and bars points and insurance impacts, as well as SB 1478, a liquor omnibus bill with cider-related changes. There was also discussion of water and land issues, including SB 1200 on commingling effluent in water systems, SB 1447 extending a Pinal County groundwater fee diversion, SB 1560 increasing the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund loan cap, SB 1075 creating a foreign entity review commission for land conveyances, and SB 1280 prohibiting transport of Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona. Health and human services bills included SB 1095 and SB 1094, both related to gender transition care for minors, which drew strong opposition from members who called them harmful and unnecessary; both were pulled from consent for further discussion. Other health-related measures included SB 1165 on breast cancer screening cost-sharing, SB 1253 allowing newborn surrender at hospitals, SB 1446 reducing dialysis documentation requirements, SB 1561 on assisted living notices and vulnerable adult study work, SB 1162 and SB 1164 on health care institution licensing and ownership-change claims processing, and SB 1178 expanding naturopathic IV drug administration authority, which was noted as having mixed votes and was pulled for closed caucus discussion. The caucus also reviewed criminal justice and public safety bills such as SB 1092 on probation for dangerous crimes against children, SB 1239 on sex-offender registration prosecutions, SB 1240 on probation success incentive payments, SB 1493 on reinstatement costs for law enforcement officers, SB 1502 on unlawful flight and reckless endangerment, SB 1512 on vulnerable adult theft definitions, SB 1520 on immigration data sharing, SB 1540 on motor fuel theft, SB 1635 on warning someone about an imminent arrest, and SB 1669 on rape-shield evidence rules. Several bills were pulled from consent, some were noted as split votes or controversial, and the meeting ended with plans to move into closed caucus for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then after parents come to pick up the kids, it's time to clean, curriculum, development, paperwork,
• County's economy, above the entertainment industry.
• Fourth largest economy in the world.
• and to the nation's economy and to families.
• Children, the economy, and the labor force, as was discussed today.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on the Trump administration’s freeze of federal child care and social services funding and its potential impact on California. The chair opened by emphasizing that child care is economic infrastructure and warning that the freeze could destabilize California’s $10 billion child care system. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Social Services explained that California child care programs rely on roughly $1.4 billion in federal CCDF and TANF funds, which are blended with state dollars and support hundreds of thousands of children and families. CDSS said the state and four other Democratic-led states quickly sued, obtaining a temporary restraining order that has kept the funds flowing for now. Witnesses including Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, child care provider Amisha Griffin, and parent advocate Mara Linda Bustamante described the practical consequences of a funding interruption: providers could lose reimbursement, close centers, cut enrollment, or lay off staff; parents could lose child care, jobs, or school opportunities; and counties could not backfill the lost federal dollars. Several speakers stressed that child care centers also provide wraparound supports such as nutrition, developmental screening, and referrals, especially in rural and low-income communities. Mitchell and others argued that the freeze would worsen child care deserts and disproportionately harm women, single parents, and communities of color. Members repeatedly challenged the federal rationale of “waste, fraud, and abuse,” asking for oversight details. CDSS said providers face extensive audits, fraud policies, monitoring, and recoupment procedures, and that identified fraud amounts to about $7 million over two years compared with roughly $6.5 billion in annual child care spending. Several members said the fraud rate is under 1 percent and criticized the freeze as politically motivated and illegal. They also discussed the need for a state “bridge plan” to protect families if federal funds remain disrupted, and some members referenced prior legislation to modernize CalWORKs and child care eligibility. During public comment, parents, providers, county representatives, and advocacy groups echoed the same concerns, citing waiting lists, workforce losses, and the risk of families falling back into homelessness or poverty. No formal vote was taken; the hearing concluded with broad bipartisan expressions of support for child care funding and a commitment to continue working on state protections and federal advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in every one of your districts, there's work of this department that makes a difference in our economy
• We have commercial real estate holdings and do clean energy and communications projects.
• work with all the parties and see if we can do some things that really benefit the trust and rural economies
• And it cleans up some old language.
• And it cleans up some old language.

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session with an update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Commissioner Dave Upthe Grove outlined DNR’s size and scope, previewed agency-request legislation, and emphasized budget priorities. He said DNR will seek authority to sell ecosystem service credits, better use underutilized water rights with tribal consultation, add a tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources, make minor timber-sales efficiencies, and include wildland firefighters in the LEOFF pension system. He also urged restoration of wildfire prevention and preparedness funding, warning that reduced funding would mean fewer firefighters, less forest health work, and less support for rural fire districts. He noted DNR’s wildfire suppression costs are rising and argued prevention spending can reduce larger, more expensive fires. State Forester George Geisler followed with a detailed wildfire season review. He said Washington now responds to fires year-round and also assists other states, including Texas. He described DNR’s use of 31 aircraft, 691 firefighters, and corrections-based crews, and said the agency’s success rate for keeping fires under 10 acres improved slightly from 93.7% to 94.1%. He highlighted increased arson activity, especially around Spokane, and described the Crescent Road Fire as an example of early detection, rapid response, and the use of bulldozers, aircraft, and hand crews to contain a fire to 182 acres with no structure losses. Senator Saldan praised the emphasis on prevention and the use of bulldozers as cost-effective tools. Assistant deputy supervisor Dwayne Emmons then reviewed the trust land transfer program, which was codified in statute in 2023 after being funded through the capital budget for decades. He said more than 130,000 acres of underperforming trust land have been transferred since the 1990s to other public or tribal entities for more appropriate use, while DNR acquires replacement lands to keep the trust whole. He described the current application and ranking process, including tribal input, and said DNR is requesting funding for remaining parcels from the last round, including portions of Tract C, Babcock Bench, and Middle Fork Snoqualmie. In questions, Senator Wagoner raised concerns about DNR’s decision to remove some acres from timber harvest rotation and its impact on local revenue and mills; the commissioner responded that current five-year harvest plans provide short-term stability and that any changes would be explored through the Board of Natural Resources process, not through immediate reductions in supply. The committee then received a history briefing from staff member Jeff Olson on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and agency structure. He traced the evolution from early fish and game commissioners to the current commission-appointed director model adopted by voter-approved Referendum 45 in 1995. Olson explained the commission’s statutory duties, membership requirements, and how Washington compares with other states. Chair Chapman said he had no plans to hear a bill this session changing the commission’s makeup, but he expressed personal interest in exploring reforms, accountability, and possibly a future broader coalition or referendum process. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair adjourned the session with holiday and New Year’s wishes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can also see where it could also slow clean energy development by putting our utilities back where
• > putting</c><01:48:45.199><c> our</c> clean energy development by putting our clean energy development
• <01:56:29.440><c> energy.
• </c> used for renewable energy. used for renewable energy.
• </c> our uh in our energy producers hands. our uh in our energy producers hands.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• respect I have for her as a working mother, as many of you are, and navigating the financials and economy
• So that's just cleaning.
• This is, she wants to clean up language as she should when she gets a chance, and as we get the chance
• Every dollar that goes to pay their fees leaves the state and is not circulating in our local economy
• We are in an economy now that is based on fees for service.

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We had no shelter, clothes, clean underwear, or toothbrushes.
• I'm a senior vice president for Puget Sound Energy.
• These same customers already face higher energy burdens.
• These same customers already face higher energy burdens.
• California is the third-largest economy in the world. It can sustain a fund.

Bills: HB2275 , HB2238

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: wildfire prevention, Washington wildfire council, fire safety, environmental protection, state regulations, HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance, anti-hunger, nutrition education, food system literacy, agricultural viability, supply chain resilience, Washington Department of Agriculture, food policy forum

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, moving on to the next bill, House Bill 242, HD1. energy office um I just uh in in support energy
• </c> Administration measure to help energy Administration measure to help energy self-sufficiency<03:
• </c> lawnmowers of the sea because they clean lawnmowers of the sea because they clean the<03:40:34.040
• Long Road Energy, in support. West, Vice President of Development for Long Road Energy.
• Clearway Energy Group was next in support.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• My goal is to get a Superfund within the federal government to help mitigate and clean that up before
• Laura McCaffey, the State Forestry Division, Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department; James
• lot of the programs that we're talking about today, specifically with firewood, were driven by the energy
• We're working with the group there, the San Joaquin de Rosilla, to go in and clean the acequia and get
• I want to thank Ian for the time and energy dedicated to ensuring that we had a very successful interim

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Management and Budget's latest financial forecast for the state is out.
• If that happens, Minnesota policymakers would be faced with very difficult choices.
• </c> something we can address now Minnesota something we can address now Minnesota is<00:03:09.760><c
• </c><00:08:16.240><c> and</c> go higher and slow down the economy and go higher and slow down the economy
• </c> within the boundaries of Minnesota within the boundaries of Minnesota attended<00:26:29.279><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• That's part of the economy. So we have to balance it is, I guess, what I.
• The brain is the number one... client for energy use.
• So all. of these share that common energy failure. So cognitive decline.
• utilization and we're going to have alternate sources for that energy.
• I was just trying to figure out how grants maybe got to the economy.

Bills: HB5 , HJR3 , HB155 , HB513 , HB5 , HB155

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: dementia, research, health care, Texas Institute, grants, medical breakthroughs, oversight, prevention, funding, healthcare, Texas, autopsy, confidentiality, public records, medical examiner, law enforcement, HB 513, surgical smoke, surgical plume, smoke evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• has 147 high-priority occupations that require a bachelor's degree in fields tied to the national economy
• students to stay in the community, complete their degrees, and contribute to California's growing economy
• I mean, I think to the point I made earlier, just about California being the fifth largest economy in
• And the answer is, well, we're the fourth largest economy in the world and we can just do it better.
• And the answer is, well, we're the fourth largest economy in the world and we can just do it better.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I THINK ABOUT BEING CLEAN TODAY.
• I AM SO GRATEFUL TO GOD; THAT'S WHY I AM SO HAPPY I AM CLEAN AND SOBER.
• As the economy demands continue to grow, we need to recognize that energy solutions are diverse, secure
• CS for CS for Senate Bill 654, an act relating to energy infrastructure investment.
• CLEAN, AND TRANSPARENT, AND HELP MANY, MANY MORE. I REALLY DO TRULY CARE ABOUT ALL OF YOU.

Bills: SCR4 , SCR18 , SCR43 , SB227 , SB269 , SB330 , SB434 , SB437 , SB438 , SB463 , SB528 , SB584 , SB604 , SB663 , SB668 , SB682 , SB747 , SB841 , SB912 , SB968 , SB1013 , SB1020 , SB1044 , SB1137 , SB1138 , SB1143 , SB1164 , SB1169 , SB1200 , SB1236 , SB1244 , SB1299 , SB1325 , SB1335 , SB1369 , SB1410 , SB1418 , SB1422 , SB1455 , SB1468 , SB1495 , SB1534 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1612 , SB1624 , SB1667 , SB1734 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB1760 , SB1784 , SB1860 , SB1862 , SB1864 , SB1896 , SB1898 , SB1920 , SB1940 , SB1952 , SB1998 , SB1999 , SB2004 , SB2032 , SB2052 , SB2068 , SB2073 , SB2121 , SB2127 , SB2141 , SB2145 , SB2161 , SB2167 , SB2196 , SB2207 , SB2216 , SB2246 , SB2323 , SB2332 , SB2395 , SB2429 , SB2431 , SB2439 , SB2443 , SB2581 , SB2601 , SB2629 , SB2702 , SB2705 , SB2717 , SB2798 , SB2873 , SB2881 , SB2964 , SB3034 , SCR4 , SCR38 , SB39 , SB227 , SB240 , SB330 , SB401 , SB407 , SB467 , SB506 , SB512 , SB527 , SB584 , SB618 , SB619 , SB636 , SB648 , SB663 , SB715 , SB732 , SB758 , SB801 , SB843 , SB847 , SB870 , SB957 , SB1013 , SB1020 , SB1065 , SB1152 , SB1164 , SB1181 , SB1183 , SB1257 , SB1283 , SB1299 , SB1325 , SB1349 , SB1395 , SB1433 , SB1455 , SB1490 , SB1558 , SB1574 , SB1624 , SB1626 , SB1640 , SB1717 , SB1718 , SB1727 , SB1734 , SB1756 , SB1757 , SB1789 , SB1832 , SB1845 , SB1868 , SB1920 , SB1924 , SB1964 , SB2004 , SB2018 , SB2031 , SB2037 , SB2052 , SB2073 , SB2075 , SB2080 , SB2111 , SB2117 , SB2154 , SB2161 , SB2196 , SB2206 , SB2253 , SB2268 , SB2322 , SB2323 , SB2349 , SB2533 , SB2540 , SB2570 , SB2623 , SB2626 , SB2658 , SB2660 , SB2692 , SB2705 , SB2717 , SB2722 , SB2742 , SB2743 , SB2753 , SB2788 , SB2877 , SB2900 , SB2920 , SB3031 , SB5 , SB260 , SB1786 , SB1 , HJR4 , HB135 , HB 1109 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR84 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR38 , SCR4 , SCR18 , SCR43 , SCR46 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SB2023 , SB1257 , SB240 , SB1727 , SB870 , SB618 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB619 , SB1122 , SB732 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB529 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1860 , SB2037 , SB1924 , SB2253 , SB2018 , SB2206 , SB1299 , SB841 , SB668 , SB584 , SB1085 , SB2431 , SB1490 , SB1868 , SB2314 , SB434 , SB2046 , SB1667 , SB2127 , SB1975 , SB1760 , SB1734 , SB1335 , SB2246 , SB2439 , SB1624 , SB1244 , SB1468 , SB2717 , SB1612 , SB1262 , SB604 , SB2395 , SB1832 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB2207 , SB1784 , SB1524 , SB528 , SB437 , SB269 , SB1137 , SB968 , SB636 , SB747 , SB1325 , SB1455 , SB2056 , SB1940 , SB2052 , SB1579 , SB2068 , SB3034 , SB1920 , SB1558 , SB1236 , SB1044 , SB884 , SB463 , SB227 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1626 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2216 , SB2681 , SB1717 , SB2141 , SB2323 , SB2200 , SB2332 , SB2199 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB1138 , SB2458 , SB1864 , SB2201 , SB1862 , SB1055 , SB2660 , SB1898 , SB2662 , SB2161 , SB2964 , SB2881 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2743 , SB2533 , SB2073 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB2702 , SB2629 , SB2443 , SB2349 , SB2167 , SB2145 , SB2121 , SB758 , SB648 , SB647 , SB512 , SB438 , SB1721 , SB2268 , SB1495 , SB2705 , SB2366 , SB1422 , SB1369 , SB1013 , SB682 , SB2692 , SB2570 , SB2797 , SB2111 , SB1896 , SB1164 , SB1020 , SB663 , SB2371 , SB1152 , SB2196 , SB2383 , SB2581 , SB2798 , SB330 , SB646 , SB843 , SB1998 , SB1418 , SB2788 , SB1169 , SB2873 , SB1754 , SB1534 , SB1718 , SB2779 , SB2004 , SB1143 , SB1756 , SB912 , SB2119 , SB2032 , SB527 , SB1580 , SB1952 , SB2601 , SB2322 , SB2448 , SB1777 , SB1283 , SB407 , SB2392 , SB2076 , SB2786 , SB3031 , SB2877 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB2225 , SB1540 , SB2920 , SB2929 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB1183 , SB2742 , SB2595 , SB2217 , SB2117 , SB715 , SB2330 , SB1964 , SB1383 , SB500 , SB1640 , SB39 , SB2001 , SB2080 , SB2722 , SB506 , SB2514 , SB2623 , SB2658 , SB1574 , SB2900 , SB2753 , SB2398 , SB401 , SB1241 , SB2927 , SB2173 , SB2538 , SB898 , SB467 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB1531 , SB2846 , SB2476 , SB2031 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2864 , SB31 , SB2880 , SB1359 , SB2386 , SB771 , SB2844 , SB2550 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1931 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB2807 , SB2351 , SB410 , SB659 , SB816 , SB2776 , SB2693 , SB2580 , SB1980 , SB1886 , SB1234 , SB739 , SB482 , SB456 , SB127 , SB1666 , SB2843 , SB2801 , SB800 , SB2055 , SB784 , SB2986 , SB735 , SB1012 , SB324 , SB2926 , SB2938 , SB2007 , SB2138 , SB1242 , SB843 , SB1152 , SB1164 , SB1299 , SB1349 , SB1868 , SB2037 , SB2349 , SB2788 , SB39 , SB1183 , SB1717 , SB1832 , SB2743 , SR429 , SR432 , SCR38 , SB39 , SB240 , SB618 , SB870 , SB1183 , SB1257 , SB1717 , SB1727 , SB1832 , SB2743 , SB2 , SB3058 , SB3059 , HB6 , HB14 , HB43 , HB 100 , HB136 , HB149 , HB204 , HB206 , HB307 , HB467 , HB685 , HB 1130 , HB1393 , HB1644 , HB2027 , HB2118 , HB2176 , HB2468 , HB2488 , HB2525 , HB2596 , HB2890 , HB2894 , HB3077 , HB3114 , HB3204 , SCR4 , SCR18 , SCR43 , SB269 , SB330 , SB434 , SB437 , SB438 , SB463 , SB528 , SB604 , SB663 , SB668 , SB682 , SB747 , SB841 , SB912 , SB968 , SB1020 , SB1044 , SB1138 , SB1143 , SB1236 , SB1244 , SB1325 , SB1335 , SB1369 , SB1418 , SB1422 , SB1455 , SB1468 , SB1495 , SB1534 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1612 , SB1624 , SB1667 , SB1734 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB1760 , SB1784 , SB1860 , SB1862 , SB1864 , SB1896 , SB1898 , SB1920 , SB1940 , SB1952 , SB1998 , SB2032 , SB2052 , SB2068 , SB2073 , SB2121 , SB2127 , SB2141 , SB2145 , SB2161 , SB2167 , SB2196 , SB2207 , SB2216 , SB2246 , SB2323 , SB2332 , SB2395 , SB2431 , SB2439 , SB2443 , SB2581 , SB2601 , SB2629 , SB2702 , SB2705 , SB2798 , SB2873 , SB2881 , SB2964 , SB3034 , SB227 , SB584 , SB1013 , SB1137 , SB1169 , SB1200 , SB1299 , SB1410 , SB1999 , SB2004 , SB2429 , SB2717 , SB3058 , SB3059 , HB6 , HB14 , HB43 , HB 100 , HB136 , HB149 , HB204 , HB206 , HB307 , HB467 , HB685 , HB 1130 , HB1393 , HB1644 , HB2027 , HB2118 , HB2176 , HB2468 , HB2488 , HB2525 , HB2596 , HB2890 , HB2894 , HB3077 , HB3114 , HB3204

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee will please come to order.
• We are in the Minnesota Senate Building, room 11:50, and a quorum is present.
• We have just concluded the business of the energy committee this morning.
• </c> to the floor of the Minnesota Senate. to the floor of the Minnesota Senate.
• </c> concluded the business of the energy concluded the business of the energy committee<00:02:04.479

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• And importantly, they are energy hogs.
• Your stewardship of California's innovation economy is essential in this moment.
• ..that as well, that this body and the Senate in SB 100 saw that the transition to something like energy
• Just transition and moving towards a green economy, I talk to workers every single day that have not
• had the promise of those retrained, reskilling jobs show up for them as we moved away from energy.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition. CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist. In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:22.720><c> and</c> renewable biomass from Minnesota and renewable biomass from Minnesota and
• </c><00:05:17.120><c> Bofuels</c> director of the Minnesota Bofuels director of the Minnesota Bofuels
• </c> deputy commissioner at the Minnesota deputy commissioner at the Minnesota Department<00:13:06.240
• Um Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
• They'd have to do document and demonstrate that... state of Minnesota and how many farmers state of Minnesota

Bills: HF858 , HF2577 , HF2576

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy