Transcript Highlights:

• There's energy and refining it, right?
• certain point, which is a massive amount of energy.
• </c><00:45:06.400><c> It's</c> ma it's a massive amount of energy.
• It's ma it's a massive amount of energy. It's like<00:45:07.119><c> followup.
• Currently, energy manufacturers have a Currently, energy manufacturers have a set<01:13:20.800><c> of

Summary: The committee held a work session on HB 302, which would add precious metals and digital assets as potential investment options. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli said she took no position on the bill and did not see an immediate fiscal impact or operational problem, but explained that the state’s operating funds and rainy day fund require liquidity and stability, so they would not be suitable for volatile assets like precious metals or digital assets. She said the only funds that might potentially use such investments would be certain trust funds held in perpetuity, which are managed by an outside investment advisor under a contract and investment policy. Members asked about the treasurer’s current investment practices, including the types of funds managed, the role and discretion of the investment advisor, the state’s risk profile, and whether the bill would affect existing authority. Misipelli said the office follows RSA 11 and related statutes, with different objectives ranging from conservative to aggressive depending on the fund, and that the advisor meets with the office regularly, with formal performance reviews on a quarterly basis. She also said the office recently centralized management of about 40 trust accounts totaling roughly $60 million into five combined portfolios under a five-year contract with an RFP-selected vendor. When asked whether precious metals or digital assets are already indirectly available through mutual funds, she said that was possible for some mutual funds, but she was not certain about digital assets. Representative Ammon, the bill’s sponsor, said similar legislation had passed the Oklahoma House, the Texas House and Senate, and had advanced in Arizona. He argued the bill was intended to give the treasurer more tools to help balance portfolios and hedge inflation, noting concerns about federal debt and inflation. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair ended the questioning after thanking the treasurer and asking her to remain available in case further questions arose.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've spoken to both of the chairs of State Government Finance and Policy and Health Finance and Policy
• </c> chairs of state gov and health finance chairs of state gov and health finance and<00:34:11.639><
• and Policy and be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy.
• and Policy and be re-referred to the Committee on Energy Finance and Policy.
• and Policy and be re-referred to the Committee on Health Finance and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] The hour of 1:00 having arrived, I’ll call this meeting of the House Agriculture Finance and
• Market fluctuations in the fertilizer business are greatly related to energy costs.
• So obviously if it's energy related, it's not a green fertilizer.
• </c><00:25:44.039><c> related</c> the cost that fertilizer energy related the cost that fertilizer energy
• </c> ground but ultimately put our energy ground but ultimately put our energy into<00:42:00.359><c>

Bills: HF1621 , HF1701 , HF1796 , HF1676 , HF40 , HF1428 , HF1540

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Perhaps the chairman of finance can help us.
• Perhaps the chairman of finance can help us.
• We recommit the bill to finance.
• It'll come out of finance because it won't have a cost.
• And just, because we're not really moving anything with a cost out of finance.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development met on May 12, 2026, approved the April 28 minutes, and heard extensive testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 77, which urges federal action to address labor shortages affecting Louisiana’s crawfish industry and other seasonal employers. Representative Butler, Commissioner Strain, industry representatives, landscapers, nursery operators, and Farm Bureau supporters argued that H-2A/H-2B visa limits and processing delays are hurting crawfish processors, landscapers, nurseries, and related businesses, causing lost production, higher costs, and broader economic harm. Members emphasized that the workers discussed are legal guest workers, not illegal immigration, and several senators voiced support. HCR 77 was reported favorably, with a motion to co-author also noted. The committee then considered House Bill 81 on property rights and accountability for violations. Representative Boyer presented the bill, but Senator Long asked that it be voluntarily deferred so he could work on possible amendments and improve the measure before it advances. The author agreed, and the bill was deferred. The committee also heard and acted on several bills related to agricultural policy and food systems. House Bill 512, concerning cell-cultured meat, was presented as a measure to protect livestock producers and allow continued research while prohibiting the product; after questions about research and labeling, it was reported favorably. House Bill 717, a labeling companion measure for cell-cultured meat, was also reported favorably. House Bill 1194, which would direct the LSU AgCenter to study food deserts and develop a plan, drew concern from the AgCenter over capacity and funding; members agreed to report it without action so it could be recommitted to finance and worked on further. Finally, House Bill 663, revising the membership of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District board, was presented on behalf of the absent author and reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Public Schools, Individuals with Disabilities, Accessibility and Emergency Planning, Education, Energy
• Senate Bill 56, Chair, Education, Senate Bill 56, Chair, Education, Energy,<00:18:32.960><c> and</c><
• 00:18:33.080><c> the</c><00:18:33.159><c> Environment</c><00:18:33.720><c> Committee,</c> Energy, and
• Senate Bill 100, Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, Election Law, Early Voting
• Chair finance, no. No. No. Budget and tax, no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prop. 4, like I said, for water reuse, recycling, dam safety, forest health, wildfire mitigation, energy
• organic products managed locally, wherever possible, is optimal and has many benefits, such as reducing energy
• Some agencies want to have it be very easy to truck away the biosolids, and they might have extra energy
• or cheap energy based on where they're located.
• So they will do more treatment, less water... ...energy based on where they're located.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• HE GOT THE FINANCES IN THE STATE STRAIGHTENED OUT. RETIRED THREE-STAR GENERAL.
• SOLAR ENERGY AND ENERGY SYSTEM LIST OF SINGLE TRADE INSPECTIONS MAY USE ALTERNATIVE PLAN REVIEW WITH
• AS FAR AS ECONOMY CONTINUED TO GROW WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE ENERGY SOLUTIONS THAT ARE DIVERSE SECURE AND
• TO ADVANCE ENERGY SOLUTIONS THIS BILL DIRECTS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH A EXPERIMENTAL SPECIFICALLY
• WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE INCREASED ENERGY AND ENERGY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to convene today's hearing of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy.
• We support almost every ...alternative energy, alternative fuels.
• California Energy Commission and others for information about this 900-acre site.
• Because the decisions depend on the internal finances of those refineries.
• Really happy to welcome all of our energy principals today.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard SB 1259, which would require refineries to provide advance closure and remediation planning information, and SB 1425, which would authorize the High-Speed Rail Authority to create a permit process for encroachments in its right of way. The committee also held an informational hearing on California electricity reliability and the future of the Strategic Reliability Reserve. The chair opened by noting the hearing room change, testimony limits, and that the committee would proceed without a quorum at first, then later established quorum for votes. On SB 1259, Senator Blake Spear argued the bill would give communities and state agencies needed information to plan for refinery closures, cleanup, and land reuse, comparing the requirement to estate planning. Supporters, including Benicia City Councilmember Carrie Birdseye and UC Santa Barbara professor Ranjit Schmook, said the bill would help communities facing refinery closures avoid being left without information and better prepare for redevelopment and remediation. Opponents, including the Western States Petroleum Association, the State Building and Construction Trades Council, and business groups, argued the bill could send negative market signals, create conflicts with federal reporting, and potentially accelerate refinery closures. The committee passed SB 1259 on a 7-3 vote, later reopening the roll and recording additional votes before moving it out as amended to Appropriations. On SB 1425, Senator Cortese and sponsor Robert Pearsall said the bill would help the High-Speed Rail Authority manage utility, broadband, drainage, and vegetation encroachments along the project corridor and reduce delays. Labor and construction groups supported the measure as a way to add certainty and speed project delivery. Utilities and local agencies, including LADWP, Southern California Gas, Southern California Edison, PG&E, and others, opposed unless amended, saying the bill needed clearer language on emergencies, existing agreements, and potential impacts on their own rights of way and service obligations. After discussion about emergency language and utility coordination, the committee passed SB 1425 as amended to Appropriations on a 10-3 vote. In the oversight hearing, CEC, CPUC, CAISO, and DWR officials reported that California’s summer reliability outlook is better than in prior years, with substantial new procurement, storage, and demand-response resources added since 2020. They said the state is projected to meet its summer reliability standard and has not needed a flex alert for three straight years, but cautioned that extreme heat, fire, hydro conditions, and federal policy uncertainty still pose risks. Officials emphasized that the current Strategic Reliability Reserve remains important as a backstop, while longer-term planning must address rising demand from electrification and data centers and the eventual retirement of emergency resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local districts should not be forced to finance placements they did not initiate, approve, or control
• placements they did not finance placements they did not initiate,<01:04:53.120><c> approve,</c><01:04
• </c> Energy to study the RPS every 5 years. Energy to study the RPS every 5 years.
• House Bill 1718, relative to authorizing energy storage in connection with net metering.
• </c><04:00:51.520><c> storage</c> relative to authorizing energy storage relative to authorizing energy

Transcript Highlights:

• A growing interest in sustainable infrastructure has led to the identification of efficient energy sources
• districts should be allowed to support development and undertake infrastructure projects for these energy
• This is the ability to take geothermal energy and lay out a path to be able to do that—to heat and cool
• Right, to heat and cool buildings, but we're authorizing the PIDs to use assessment financing.
• Right, they authorized the PIDs to use assessment financing for geothermal energy. Okay.

Bills: SB2784 , HB23 , HB247 , HB1533 , HB2011 , HB2013 , HB2273 , HB2421 , HB2464 , HB3120 , HB3424 , HB3575 , HB3788 , HB4370 , HB4809 , HB5057 , HB5084 , HB5534 , HB5668 , HJR34 , HB23 , HB247 , HJR34

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The committee heard and left pending several local government, property tax, development, and public safety measures before later voting some of them out. Senator Birdwell explained SB 2784 for the Somerville County Hospital District, which would move the board to staggered four-year terms after a transition and was requested to be held pending until the House companion could be acted on; no public testimony was offered. HB 5084 would allow local approval for fireworks sales tied to Lunar New Year celebrations, with testimony from Hutchinson County Judge Cindy Irwin emphasizing local fire risk and the need for county discretion. HB 5534 would let county commissioners post agendas electronically instead of on a physical bulletin board. HB 4370 would expand permissible projects for certain special districts to include geothermal water conveyance systems, and HB 312 would require residential child detention facilities to enter local MOUs, report health and safety information, and conduct background checks for state-funded facilities; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. HB 5057 would give displaced solid waste providers time to wind down after a city grants an exclusive franchise, and HB 2421 would extend the life of the Save Historic Muni District to continue work on preserving Lions Municipal Golf Course; both were left pending after supportive testimony. HB 2011 would let former owners repurchase property taken by eminent domain if the acquiring entity fails to pay property taxes for two years, and the committee substitute to SB 3065 was also laid out and left pending after a technical correction to eminent-domain language. The committee then took up additional bills on development, appraisal, and local regulation, including HB 3575, HB 4809, HB 2273, HB 247/HJR 34, HB 2464, HB 3424, HB 2013, HB 5668, HB 3788, HB 1533, and HB 23, with testimony ranging from support to opposition on issues such as appraisal procedures, historic property valuation, Galveston emergency governance, border-security tax treatment, home-based businesses, chicken covenants in HOAs, municipal utility district authority, hospital authorities’ use of assets, and third-party building review. HB 23 drew the most extensive testimony, with builders, engineers, counties, and cities split over third-party plan review and inspection authority, liability, licensing, and local code enforcement; many witnesses said the House amendments created problems and the bill was left pending. In the end, the committee voted SB 2784, SB 3065, HB 5686, HB 247, HJR 34, and HB 2011 out of committee, with the first several receiving local and uncontested calendar recommendations where applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• to create an energy-proving ground on its Rellis campus that would provide a platform for companies
• House Bill 3701 seeks to provide the same opportunity for advances in energy.
• that Texas A&M would be building and creating as far as the nuclear. energy this molten salt it does
• energy okay yes thank you yes chairman thank you mr. chairman Representative Dyson, this bill is only
• As very well outlined, you know, in our energy-proven grounds, to demonstrate new energy technologies

Bills: HB42 , HB 125 , HB 1233 , HB2853 , HB3148 , HB3326 , HB3701 , HB4066 , HB4361 , HB4762 , HB4909 , HB4912 , HB42 , HB125

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to convene today's hearing of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy.
• Because the decisions depend on the internal finances of those refineries.
• Really happy to welcome all of our energy principals today.
• And these procurement orders are for clean energy and battery storage.
• Starting to see long-duration energy storage contracts that are coming online.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Energy economy, although the GZ Board of Directors already includes a diverse array of stakeholders.
• port workers and truckers, supply chain issues, and higher consumer prices and the Department of Finance
• SB 769 creates a flexible, revolving fund to support the financing of large infrastructure projects.
• Existing infrastructure finance tools are slow, over-restrictive, and unable to meet today's complex
• Also appreciate the bringing forward a flexible financing options for California especially as we enter

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, trade with the finance and the world of the people who are going to take the men in the
• corner of energy and pardoned.
• Senate Bill 1176 is withdrawn from the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Water, and additionally
• Senate Bill 1176 is withdrawn from the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Water, and additionally

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the doctor of the day. Members also introduced numerous guests and groups in the gallery, including the Dandy Project, Arizona Right to Life, Red State Reform, Reproductive Freedom for All, Somerton elected officials, Apache County Supervisor Alton Joe Shepard, and the family of the late Brad Brower. The chamber then adopted House Concurrent Resolution 2053 honoring Brower’s life and service, followed by a moment of respectful silence and remarks from members about his community leadership. The House considered several Senate bills in Committee of the Whole. SB 1020, relating to the Arizona Space Commission and a specialty license plate, drew debate over a proposed Villegas floor amendment to add a community college access and success plate; the amendment failed on a recorded division vote, and SB 1020 was then approved. SB 1127 and SB 1181 also received do-pass recommendations without controversy. The House later held an additional Committee of the Whole on SB 1426, adopted a floor amendment, and reported the bill as amended with a do-pass recommendation. On third reading, the House passed SB 1125 on child safety by a vote of 43-4 and SB 1415 on insurance adjusters by a vote of 46-1. The House also adopted the Committee of the Whole report, with a separate motion to include the defeated Villegas amendment in SB 1020 failing 19-28. The chamber announced upcoming committee meetings, made several brief personal and ceremonial announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, trade with the finance and the world of the people who are going to take the men in the
• corner of energy and pardoned.
• Senate Bill 1176 is withdrawn from the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Water and additionally
• Senate Bill 1176 is withdrawn from the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Water and additionally

Transcript Highlights:

• We have much more stable finances as a state without an income tax.
• And the Democratic majority keeps kind of nibbling at the sides when it comes to the energy code issues
• I think the big ones are permitting reform, Growth Management Act, energy code.
• need is you figure out a better way to make GMA work in the 21st century, you figure out a better energy

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a session-opening media availability on the second day of Washington’s 60-day legislative session, criticizing Governor Bob Ferguson’s State of the State address and previewing their priorities. They said the central issue this session is affordability, and argued the state should respond with less spending, fewer taxes, and less regulation rather than new taxes or expanded government. They also said they expect a major fight over the operating budget, warned against using the rainy day fund or weakening the balanced-budget requirement, and said the state should look for savings in areas where caseloads are down but spending continues to rise, including reducing middle management in state agencies. A major focus was the governor’s proposal for a tax on high earners, which Republicans repeatedly described as an income tax and said they would oppose. They argued it would eventually expand beyond millionaires, said voters have rejected income taxes repeatedly, and said a constitutional amendment would not pass. They also criticized past tax increases such as the capital gains tax, death tax, document recording fees, and climate-related charges, saying Democrats have not provided meaningful tax relief for working families. Republican leaders said the Working Families Tax Credit is one area where they can support using existing Climate Commitment Act revenue, and they suggested other uses for those funds, including transportation and wildfire prevention. The leaders also discussed public safety and immigration, saying the governor and Democrats have been inconsistent on federal law enforcement and that coordination between agencies is essential. They said concerns about masked federal agents and immigration enforcement should be left to investigations rather than political conclusions. On child care and DCYF, they said allegations of fraud and waste should be investigated through audits or other oversight, and they rejected the idea that looking into possible fraud is offensive to honest providers. They also said they see potential bipartisan overlap on transportation and housing, but argued the governor’s housing plan relies too much on public spending and not enough on permitting reform, Growth Management Act changes, and energy code changes to increase supply.

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this meeting of the Committee on Housing Finance and Policy to order.
• We see things that move through the Energy Committee that raise the cost.
• Whether it be Energy, we see a lot of these types of new mandates, code regulations, and changes that
• bills going through—just 10 bills—that could potentially raise costs by $30,000, you know, due to new energy-efficient

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 621 by Representative Coates is an act in Title 30 relative to renewable energy, to require
• recycling of decommissioned renewable energy components or infrastructure.
• Referred to Finance.
• Committee on Finance: Senate Bill 25 reported with amendments. Report of the Committee on Finance.

Bills: SCR63 , SCR12 , HB89 , HB451 , HB595 , HB617 , HB621 , HB730 , HB1064 , HB1125 , HB221 , HCR58 , SB106 , SB206 , SB248 , SB441 , SB104 , SB122 , SB180 , SB260 , SB424 , SB476 , SCR9 , SCR30 , SB57 , SB414 , SB525 , SB35 , SB65 , SB135 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB276 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB501 , SB513 , HCR31 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB691 , HB712 , HB720 , HB723 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB29 , HB39 , HB58 , HB67 , HB73 , HB76 , HB77 , HB82 , HB112 , HB121 , HB125 , HB132 , HB134 , HB151 , HB154 , HB155 , HB161 , HB166 , HB187 , HB191 , HB207 , HB211 , HB224 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB782 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB977 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , HB23 , HB136 , HB17 , HB21 , HB51 , HB55 , HB74 , HB106 , HB108 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB168 , HB215 , HB226 , HB263 , HB296 , HB299 , HB322 , HB364 , HB519 , HB535 , HB538 , HB568 , HB571 , HB622 , HB635 , HB676 , HB772 , HB784 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1134 , HB1237 , HB1239 , HB36 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB677 , HB726 , HB789 , HB850 , HB956 , HB966 , SB149 , SB382

Summary: The Senate convened with 32 members present, heard a guest prayer from Pastor Dr. Michael Linton, and proceeded through routine journal approval and legislative bureau reports. The chamber received numerous House messages on passed Senate bills and House bills, introduced several resolutions and concurrent resolutions, and recognized Former Legislators’ Day with remarks honoring deceased former members and welcoming back past legislators and other officials. The Senate also adopted SCR 63, which asks the Legislative Auditor to review how fiscal notes are developed and prepared, after an amendment clarifying the study’s scope and a 33-0 vote. The body then took up a series of Senate bills returned from the House. It concurred in House amendments to SB 106 (crime scene recordings/public records), SB 206 (blood pressure testing in schools, narrowed to athletes), SB 248 (polling place closures for very small precincts), SB 104 (highway memorial designation), SB 122 (bridge preservation), SB 180 (disabled veterans’ homestead exemption transfer language), SB 260 (youth athletics safety training/Coach Safely Act), and SB 476 (garnishment service wording). It rejected House amendments to SB 441 on pre-kindergarten programs. SB 57 on nutrition cleanup, SB 414 on medical debt protection, SB 525 on unclaimed property purchases, SB 501 on postsecondary health information postings, and SB 276 on bail bond producer affidavits all advanced or passed, with SB 57 and SB 414 ultimately passing and SB 525 and SB 501 also receiving final passage. The Senate also adopted SCR 30, a resolution urging Congress to ensure accountability and release of Epstein-related files, and later took up SB 513, a pilot program involving average bid/design-build contracting for certain airport-related projects, which passed 25-10 after extended questioning about its purpose and safeguards. SB 484, revising higher education governance and removing LUMCON language in favor of a study commission, passed 36-1. In personal privilege remarks, senators recognized Louisiana Arts Day and introduced guest Ed Tillman. The chamber then began a long series of House bills, including HB 462 on the Capital Area Road and Bridge District board composition, HB 547 on photographing voter registration information, HB 613 on marking driver’s licenses with citizenship status, HB 691 on voter-roll verification through the federal SAVE system, and HB 712 waiving certain OMV fees for homeless individuals; several of these bills were explained and moved toward final passage as the session continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1089 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Finance and Administration, dispersing
• House Bill 1090 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental
• This is the House Bill 1090 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Energy and Environment, Division
• House Bill 1051 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Finance and Administration, Regulatory
• House Bill 1068 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Finance and Administration appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• They generate energy when they brake. About 40% of our energy gets regenerated.
• And the other half, 20% to 25% of our energy, goes back to the grid.
• and Peninsula Clean Energy.
• We were able to reach a solution where our energy suppliers now compensate us for that energy that goes
• That saved us about a million dollars a year in energy costs.