Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, were members of NCSL, $293,000 for the biennium; Energy Council, $76,000; Council of State
• for<00:02:28.160><c> the</c><00:02:28.319><c> bienium</c><00:02:29.200><c> to</c><00:02:29.440><c> energy
• </c><00:02:29.920><c> council,</c> for the bienium to energy council, for the bienium to energy council
• On the bottom of page eight is $20,000 for members, primarily the Capital Financing and Investment Select

Bills: HB0105 , HB0107 , SF0002

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• It's numbers, it's accounting, it's finance, it's economics, and engineering, and it is an intense review
• And then the legislature went ahead and passed the new energy policy. Thank you.
• And then the legislature went ahead and passed the new energy policy.
• 1, 2025, right up front, guided by the following goals, ensuring a cost-effective and affordable energy
• And you spoke about data centers, which I have a real concern about, not only the amount of energy that's

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met to receive an overview from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of his office. He described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate and service cases, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters, storm cost recovery, fuel clauses, storm protection plans, and specialized dockets. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service-hearing testimony to challenge unsupported utility costs and seek “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable” outcomes for customers. Trierweiler highlighted several current issues, including affordability, data centers, and the growing use of AI in reviewing large utility filings. He said the office has begun using affordability experts and data center witnesses, and that data center-related utility proposals raise concerns about energy demand, water use, and community impacts. He also expressed caution about AI and machine learning because of confidential utility information, while acknowledging that utilities, regulators, and his office are increasingly using such tools. Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how profit is evaluated in rate cases, the role of settlement agreements, and whether the office is considering water consumption impacts from data centers. Trierweiler said customer feedback largely comes in through hearings, correspondence, and direct calls rather than office-led canvassing, and that his office seeks to limit imprudent costs while allowing utilities a fair return. He also explained that the office may file motions for reconsideration and appeals after PSC orders, and that it sometimes submits alternative settlement proposals even when approval is unlikely, to present a different option for the commission’s consideration. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after concluding its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 3899 is recommended to pass and referred to finance. And referred to finance.
• Senate File 3899, as amended, is referred to finance.
• All those in pass and refer to finance.
• Senate File 4338, as amended, is referred to finance. Thank you, Senator Hoffman. >> Thank you, Mr.
• </c><01:43:04.960><c> grids,</c> health, environment, energy grids, health, environment, energy grids

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Townhomes are unique in that they are financeable, they're buildable, and there is demand.
• Town homes are unique in that they are financable, they're buildable, and there is demand.
• standards for a qualified plug-in photovoltaic system, or plug-in PV for short, to function as an energy
• This new technology allows electric customers to access affordable clean energy and helps take control
• These systems are a type of technology that allow users to directly access affordable, clean energy,

Committee: Senate Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• We run projects in resiliency, water, outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife, and energy.
• We run projects in resiliency, water, outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife, and energy.
• </c><00:23:30.480><c> crime</c> Public Safety fraud and finance crime Public Safety fraud and finance
• In fact, I know it hasn't because it would have come to state government finance.
• I I I want us state government finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• It restricts cities' and HOAs' ability to add costly requirements beyond those needed to meet energy
• Colleagues, we know that many residents want to weatherize their windows to lower their energy costs,
• It's scarcities driving up prices of these energy capacity contracts.
• But this bill highlights a much larger problem with California's energy policy.
• Just saying the germaneness, we wouldn't have to do that bill if we had cheap reliable energy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, and reliable energy for Kuckians.
• We're hitting our finance corporation.
• My first question is about the finance corporation.
• </c><00:35:10.400><c> corporation</c> time, this a finance corporation time, this a finance corporation
• Commissioner Sher is the chair of the finance corporation.

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process. Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work. Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Water agencies do use energy.
• It leaves us with not only high-cost energy, but unreliable sources of energy.
• And as we look at making up the shortfall, where are we getting our energy?
• A third of our energy is coming from other sources.
• He was known for his infectious energy and his street wisdom.

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a large procedural and floor agenda. Members suspended rules for adjournments in memory, guest introductions, and expedited committee action, rereferred AB 1199 to Health and AB 2728 to Local Government, and removed several items from calendars or returned bills to the Senate at authors’ requests. The chamber then moved through concurrence and third-reading files, with many measures passing on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including AB 230 on Pierce’s disease control, AB 1636 on a Cerritos College seamless enrollment pilot, AB 1982 on alcoholic beverages, AB 2120 on school district employees, AB 2413 on political reform and billboard use, AB 2437 and AB 2453 on vehicles, AB 2596 on housing, AB 1760 and AB 1873 on technical clarifications, AB 2312 on tidelands, AB 2390 on housing cleanup, AB 2685 and AB 2778 on agriculture, and ACR 194 on Women’s Equality Day. The Assembly also adopted several resolutions and Senate measures. HR 112 designating Black Music Month drew extensive remarks about Black artists’ influence and was adopted with 62 coauthors. HR 132 declaring September Young Women’s Reproductive Health Awareness Month was adopted with 50 coauthors. SJR 8 urging federal immigration reform passed 45-2, with supporters emphasizing immigrant contributions and the need to modernize the registry system. SCR 7 on permanent standard time was debated at length, with supporters citing health benefits and opponents warning about darker mornings and voter intent; the resolution ultimately passed 41-3 after a roll call. Other Senate bills passed included SB 105 on penny rounding for local agencies, SB 928 on AI guardrails in CSU classrooms, SB 1038 on CalPERS audit notices, SB 308 on community college reporting, SB 1172 on tax-sharing consultant fees, SB 1159 on AI-generated public participation, SB 1055 on flood project procurement, SB 1285 on juvenile dismissals, SB 1274 on industrial cities and transportation funding, SB 965 easing library card access for 16- and 17-year-olds, SB 1375 creating a narrow CEQA exemption for certain transit projects, SB 952 on clean energy accounting for water agencies, and SB 917 expanding farmers market wine sales eligibility. Several measures drew notable opposition or discussion. On SB 965, one member objected that the bill should preserve parental decision-making, while supporters argued it would remove an unnecessary barrier to library access. On SB 952, one member criticized state energy policy and the bill’s project labor agreement, but the measure still passed 64-1. On SB 1375, supporters framed the bill as reducing duplicative environmental review for major transit projects like Diridon Station while preserving other protections. The chamber also added coauthors to consent-calendar resolutions and adopted the second-day consent calendar items without objection. The meeting concluded with multiple adjournments in memory, including tributes to Eric L. Washington Jr., Ivan Garza, Darryl Preston Jackson, Richard “Dick” Oliphant, and former Madera Mayor Santos Garcia. Members described Washington as a community leader and peacemaker, Garza as a young athlete whose life was cut short, Jackson as a mentor and founder of the 1020 Club, Oliphant as a civic leader who helped shape the Coachella Valley, and Garcia as a labor advocate and public servant who fought for working families and helped reopen Madera Community Hospital. The Assembly observed moments of silence in their honor before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jessica Deitchman with the Department of Finance.
• Alex Anablaskis with the Department of Finance.
• Finance does note that the University of California recently did inform finance, the legislature, and
• Department of Finance?
• But we remain optimistic that the Department of Finance will proactively seek solutions. final finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Appointments by the President: I'm appointing Senator Kuby to the Committee on Finance to temporarily
• I am also appointing Senator Alston to the Committee on Finance to temporarily replace Senator Bravo
• future of the port as a key gateway to Europe and Ireland's southeast hub for offshore renewable energy
• Finance. HB 2781, decommissioning solar energy standards fund. InRue.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recognized the doctor of the day and several guests, and then moved through a long floor agenda. Members received House messages, handled committee appointments, and considered a large number of bills in Committee of the Whole, including SB 1046 on information technology, SB 1066 on civil liability and fraudulent scientific research, SB 1332 on light rail expansion participation, and SB 1286 on veterinary prescriptions. Amendments were adopted on each of those measures, with SB 1332 drawing a notable objection from Senator Kuby over state interference in local transit decisions and preference for autonomous vehicles over light rail. SB 1286 was described as a compromise between stakeholders on electronic veterinary prescribing, including limits for antimicrobial drugs and longer windows for flea and tick medications. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on several bills. SB 1009 on school curriculum passed 16-10 after debate over AED training and whether it created an unfunded mandate. SB 1086 on the Arizona health care cost and payment system passed 18-8. SB 1317, appropriating money to the Attorney General for a coordinated jail reentry program, passed 22-4 amid discussion about the program’s success and concerns over the funding source. SB 1580, SB 1582, SB 1709, SB 1550, and SB 1761 also passed, with comments focusing on school safety funding, probation revocation for dangerous crimes against children, a Queen Creek-related appropriation, and university cooperative extension and experiment station needs. SB 1046 and SB 1286 later passed third reading as well. The chamber also paused for a St. Patrick’s Day recognition, welcoming Speaker Murphy of the Irish Parliament and reading a proclamation honoring Irish heritage and the Phoenix-Ireland relationship. Afterward, the Senate returned to business, received House requests to return HB 4027 and HB 2444 for reconsideration, heard a personal privilege statement on an ICE detention death, and announced upcoming committee meetings and caucus schedules. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is standard operating procedure in Senate Finance. It removes the appropriation.
• I'm the General Counsel for the Department of Finance and Administration.
• We come into Senate Finance with a 2.7% overall increase in recurring spending.
• And $75 million for clean energy investments, focused on grid modernization, also geothermal energy development

Bills: HB2 , SB145 , SB143

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 143, which would raise caps on certain agriculture fees so they can keep pace with inflation. Senator Woods explained that the bill only adjusts fee ceilings, not automatic increases, and an amendment was adopted to tie the caps to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the U.S. Department of Labor. There was no public support or opposition testimony, and the bill was then passed on an 8-0 do-pass vote, with several members excused. The committee then took up Senate Bill 145, which would change the state audit system by raising thresholds for smaller local public bodies and creating a statewide federal single audit for state agencies. The State Auditor and DFA said the bill was intended to streamline audits, reduce delays, and align New Mexico with federal rules and other states, but multiple CPA and audit witnesses opposed the statewide single-audit concept, warning it could reduce transparency, weaken accountability, and increase the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. Committee members pressed for clarification on how the audit structure would work, which agencies would be covered, and whether DFA or independent auditors would conduct the work; the sponsors said amendments were needed to clarify the bill and remove problematic language, including the appropriation and references to gifts and donations. The committee adopted an amendment striking the appropriation language and then continued questioning without taking final action in the excerpt. The final portion of the meeting shifted to the House Bill 2 budget presentation. Committee members reviewed the Senate Finance version of the budget, which included about a 2.7% increase in recurring spending, 30% reserves, and major investments in health care affordability, early childhood, public education, housing, clean energy, water, and agriculture-related priorities. Members asked about water testing needs, water settlement funding, career technical education funding, and the contingency fund/disaster reserve structure. The presenters said some items still needed technical work and that additional adjustments would be made before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Finance Authority's Opportunity Enterprise Fund fills a gap in housing development financing
• And it's at the Finance Authority. You did it a couple of years ago.
• In reality, you can only bond what you can finance, and that $9.1 million finances about $100 million
• They have been approved by the Board of Finance. They've been approved by the Finance Authority.
• And your energy is incredible, Mr. Chairman. That reminds me of coaching.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Occupational and Professional Licenses have been reviewed and approved by the House Environment, Energy
• House Bill 854, by the Ways and Means Committee, is an act relating to the Department of Finance and
• addition of a new section 67-201, Idaho Code, to establish provisions regarding the Department of Finance
• is amended to provide that the director may utilize or administratively combine the divisions of finance
• House Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee will not meet Tuesday, March 10th.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also, we already have a great law that governs sort of campaign finance and foreign nationals.
• Now, I know there's some issues in the state and it's not campaign finance related and foreign national
• And also, we already have a great law that governs sort of campaign finance and foreign nationals.
• Now, I know there's some issues in the state and it's not campaign finance related and foreign national
• introducing his other who is in energy introducing his other prime<00:31:40.960><c> bill.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Puerto Rico's energy crisis is not a partisan issue.
• </c> ...critical balance of payments financing.
• We feel, ladies, find your death goddess energy and use it.
• But for those of us that have, this death goddess energy is unmistakable and it's unstoppable.
• </c><08:04:40.718><c> is</c> have this death goddess energy is have this death goddess energy is unmistakable

Bills: HR736 , HR692 , HR965 , HR975 , HR386 , HR224

Keywords: diaper need, infant health, family well-being, basic needs, public health, childcare, September 11, terrorist attacks, education, curriculum, first responders, national security, temporary protected status, Haiti, immigration, refugees, quorum, House of Representatives, business proceeding, legislative procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we are independently reviewed by an auditor of our finances. We do not own or operate housing.
• I forgot to mention the Energy Efficiency. I assume it’s probably increased quite a bit.
• We are assisting Face to Face with the financing of this project.
• We are assisting Face to Face with the financing of this project.
• We are assisting Face to Face with the financing of this project.

Bills: HF2148 , HF2693 , HF2542 , HF1141 , HF1770 , HF1489 , HF1709 , HF244 , HF1266 , HF807 , HF2619 , HF1340

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• An act for the Department of Finance and Administration disbursing officer appropriation for the 2026
• An act for the Department of Finance and Administration disbursing officer appropriation for the 2026
• I mean, the energy sit there and said in testimony, we've got planners here a couple years ago.
• Because, like I said, energy already said, we're not going to, these are not going to cause rates to
• Energy already said, we're not going to, these are not going to cause rates to be raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• schools and teachers; repealing Section 33-356, Idaho Code, relating to school building design and energy
• schools and teachers; repealing Section 33-356, Idaho Code, relating to school building design and energy
• House Bill 598, by the State Affairs Committee, regarding campaign finance.
• House Bill 598, by the State Affairs Committee, regarding campaign finance.
• Respectfully, Vito Barbieri, Chairman, House Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm so happy to see so much energy in the room.
• Our recent report on the clean energy workforce, released in December, highlighted issues relating to
• permitting and financing clean energy projects that have our skilled construction workers facing delayed
• Our recent report on the clean energy workforce released in December highlighted issues relating to permitting
• and financing clean energy projects that have our skilled construction workers facing delayed start

Bills: HB2405 , HB2406 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2492

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: mental health, PTSD, treatment program, research, pilot program, veteran support, trauma, healthcare funding, labor, communication, Department of Labor and Industries, workplace standards, modernization, collective bargaining, labor relations, employee rights, union representation, non-covered employees, wage enforcement, labor standards

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm so happy to see so much energy in the room.
• Our recent report on the clean energy workforce, released in December, highlighted issues relating to
• permitting and financing clean energy projects that have our skilled construction workers facing delayed
• Our recent report on the clean energy workforce released in December highlighted issues relating to permitting
• and financing clean energy projects that have our skilled construction workers facing delayed start

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several Labor and Workplace Standards bills. HB 2492 would require building and construction apprenticeship programs, beginning in 2027, to include two hours of behavioral health and wellness training covering topics such as suicide prevention, substance use disorder, recognizing distress, peer support, and connecting to resources. The prime sponsor and many labor, apprenticeship, and contractor witnesses supported the bill, describing high suicide and overdose rates in construction and sharing personal stories about losses and struggles in the trades. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 2405, a Department of Labor and Industries request bill creating a pilot to allow earlier treatment for PTSD claims in workers’ compensation, including up to 11 treatment sessions before claim adjudication and limited follow-up treatment after closure. L&I and NFIB supported the measure as a way to speed treatment and reduce barriers, while one legal advocate supported it but raised technical concerns about pre-claim treatment and urged more focus on workplace prevention; another witness cautioned against emphasizing psychiatric drug treatment. The bill was heard only; no action was taken. HB 2406 would expand L&I’s ability to send notices electronically, with opt-in/opt-out provisions and some changes to timing rules for workers’ compensation and WISHA notices. L&I supported the bill as a modernization measure, while labor and workers’ advocates opposed changes affecting workers’ compensation notices, arguing that email should not become the default for vulnerable workers who may miss deadlines. HB 2478 would give L&I discretion, rather than a mandate, to investigate wage complaints and allow penalties when the department initiates an investigation; L&I supported it as a more efficient enforcement tool, and the committee discussed how complaints would still be handled and communicated. Finally, HB 2471 would create a state collective bargaining framework for private-sector workers if federal labor law or the NLRB no longer covers them. Supporters said it would preserve organizing and dispute-resolution rights if federal protections fail, while agricultural employers and NFIB opposed it, arguing it would inappropriately apply to agriculture and small businesses, could disrupt perishable harvests, and should rely on secret-ballot elections rather than card check. No votes were taken on any of the bills in the hearing.