Transcript Highlights:

• The American Society of Civil Engineers just recently downgraded our drinking water and wastewater infrastructure
• proposed to be spent will yield water at the tap, water in the fields, and water to drive the economic engine

Bills: SB7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My lab has tried for years to reverse engineer reported data.
• These costs are founded on our planning review, engineering...
• These costs are founded on our planning review, engineering, working with different departments.
• These costs are founded on our planning review, engineering...
• These costs are founded on our planning review, engineering, working with different departments.

Summary: The committee heard several housing, local government, coastal, and infrastructure bills. AB 306 would create a statewide appeal and code-interpretation process for building code issues at the California Building Standards Commission; supporters said it would reduce inconsistent local interpretations and speed housing delivery, while no opposition testified, and it was moved on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 956 would clarify ADU law to allow up to two detached ADUs on a property and address ADUs in HOAs/common interest developments; supporters framed it as a flexibility and housing-supply measure, while local government and county groups raised concerns about ministerial approval, parking, density, and impacts on neighborhood character. After committee questions, the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the bill remaining on call. Members also considered AB 1751, which would create a ministerial approval path for qualifying townhome projects and allow local inclusionary ordinances for larger projects. Supporters said it would expand attainable homeownership and help produce missing-middle housing, while cities and counties objected to reduced density, by-right approval, and potential housing-element net-loss issues. The bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and remained on call. AB 912, which would revise the governance structure of the Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District board, drew unanimous support from the district, city, and county; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1710, aimed at preserving housing project entitlements from later regulatory changes, also advanced on a 4-0 do-pass-as-amended vote after opponents said they were awaiting the committee amendments. The committee also heard AB 2080, which would make county treasurer investment authority delegations ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal; supporters said it would reduce technical noncompliance and administrative burden without reducing oversight, and it was moved to the Senate Floor. AB 1740, a coastal bill for Santa Monica, would set timelines and reporting for a local coastal program and create an expedited Coastal Commission process for bike, transit, and pedestrian projects; supporters said it reflected a negotiated path forward with the city and commission, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 2181, backed by Unite Here, would limit use of hypothetical density bonus value in hotel and motel appraisals; supporters said it would protect hospitality jobs from speculative lease-rent increases, and it was moved to the Senate Floor on a 4-0 vote. Finally, AB 2469 on data centers and water use drew the most extended debate. The bill would require water supply and water use assessments before approval, and shift infrastructure costs to project proponents; supporters said it would improve transparency, protect ratepayers, and ensure local governments have information before approving water-intensive facilities. Opponents, including business, city, county, and tech groups, argued existing law already covers water assessments and fees, warned the bill could create a separate permitting regime, and raised concerns about privacy, security, and investment impacts. The committee had not yet taken final action on AB 2469 when the transcript ended, and members were still asking technical questions about data center cooling and water reuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's a type of work that we're currently trying to handle, and we have one safety engineer who's
• trying to address allowing the use of And we have one safety engineer who's trying to address allowing
• And in fact, I'm not here with the engineers, so it's possible we already have AI-operated tractors.
• I'm representing the professional engineers in California government.
• We need to make sure we maintain the traditional 90/10 PY/PYE staffing ratio for engineering work.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department described funding for EDD Next document management work, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit increases, WIOA adjustments, UI and school employee benefit changes, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to an EDD Next reversion. PERB discussed reduced funding requests for AB 288 due to litigation and a proposal to implement AB 1 covering legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and removing a salary cap for the DWC administrative director. CalHR proposed consolidating employee assistance services into a statewide contract with enhanced support for first responders, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs, state contributions, and benefit overpayments. Members focused heavily on the unemployment insurance debt and interest payments, asking why the administration had no concrete plan to pay down principal. Finance and LAO explained that the state’s UI tax structure has long been insufficient and that any long-term solution would need to address both the outstanding federal loan and the structural imbalance in employer taxes. Questions also centered on EDD Next costs and timelines, with the chair asking for clearer long-term project cost estimates and Finance noting that future maintenance and operations costs will continue after implementation. On DIR’s emerging technologies unit, members asked whether it would address AI-driven workplace harms; DIR said the unit would focus on physical workplace safety issues involving AI, robotics, autonomous equipment, and related guardrails, while LAO noted broader labor-practice questions would likely fall outside Cal/OSHA’s scope. In the CalPERS discussion, members raised concerns about transparency in private equity and external management fees, while CalPERS said higher fees reflect a strategy of greater private-market and active-management exposure and are offset by higher net returns. Members urged more information on specific investments and future reporting. For CalSTRS, Finance presented routine contribution and overpayment adjustments, but members also raised broader transparency concerns that CalSTRS staff said they would follow up on separately. Public comment in Part A was dominated by strong support for an immigrant worker emergency relief fund, along with support for apprenticeship and workforce proposals and PERB staffing. The chair and members said they would follow up on where the immigrant relief proposal should be considered, noting it may belong in another policy area. The hearing then moved into Part B with an overview of Judicial Branch-related May Revision items, including court interpreter funding, appellate court security, workload cap changes, lactation room implementation delays, and a reduction to the state court facility construction backfill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also would not stop safety reviews, the enforcement of engineering standards, or any other reasonable
• </c><01:35:07.280><c> standards,</c><01:35:08.240><c> or</c> enforcement of engineering standards, or
• enforcement of engineering standards, or any<01:35:08.560><c> other</c><01:35:08.800><c> reasonable<
• WKU graduate with his degree<01:46:23.840><c> in</c><01:46:24.000><c> civil</c><01:46:24.440><c> engineering
• </c> degree in civil engineering. degree in civil engineering.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Panjiway came to us about four years ago wanting to develop a solar array that would have exceeded engineering
• Panjiway came to us about four years ago wanting to develop a solar array that would have exceeded engineering
• Panjiway came to us about four years ago wanting to develop a solar array that would have exceeded engineering
• Panjiway came to us about four years ago wanting to develop a solar array that would have exceeded engineering
• Panjiway came to us about four years ago wanting to develop a solar array that would have exceeded engineering

Bills: HF3458, HF3777, HF3778, HF3912

Keywords: electric utilities, service areas, Tribal lands, Minnesota statute, energy regulation, utility rates, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, ratepayer, consumer protection, affordable energy, energy affordability, ability to pay, just and reasonable rates, rate regulation, electric rates, natural gas rates, energy conservation, renewable energy

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:32:25.760><c> the</c><00:32:25.919><c> architects</c> builders, the engineers, the architects
• builders, the engineers, the architects that<00:32:26.559><c> we</c><00:32:26.720><c> work</c><00:32
• facility or this picture, we do have extensive damage that has been identified by the structural engineer
• 00:58:17.599><c> by</c><00:58:17.839><c> the</c><00:58:18.000><c> structural</c><00:58:18.400><c> engineer
• </c><00:58:18.880><c> to</c> identified by the structural engineer to identified by the structural engineer

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary met without a quorum and heard an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on the judicial branch budget. AOC Director Zach Ramsey and budget director Carol Henderson outlined the branch’s current funding structure, noting that fiscal year 2026 general fund support is about 2.77% of the state general fund, below the National Center for State Courts’ typical 2% to 4% range. They emphasized Kentucky’s unusual responsibility for courthouse facilities, with the judicial branch directly involved in construction, maintenance, and operations across 229 facilities in all 120 counties. AOC said nearly 91% of its general fund is spent on personnel and other non-discretionary costs, and that the branch has long relied on agency revenue, restricted fund carryforwards, and vacancy credits to balance court operations. Members were told that Senate Bill 25 required a $34.5 million transfer into a reserve account, part of which was used to purchase the Chamberlain Avenue building in Frankfort. AOC reported that only $11.9 million remains in restricted funds, while it projects needing about $13.5 million to cover fiscal year 2026 obligations, not including roughly $9 million in flood-related remediation costs for Hardin and Franklin counties, much of which it expects to recover through insurance and FEMA. Looking ahead to the next biennium, AOC said it will seek full funding of court operations at $341 million annually, a $13.5 million increase to bring current services into the base appropriation rather than relying on reserves. It also previewed additional requests, including a 15% across-the-board pay parity plan for Kentucky Court of Justice personnel, replacement of declining master commissioner fee revenue tied to 141 deputy circuit court clerk positions, funding for technology subscription and case management system costs, JAV audiovisual system upgrades, AEDs and medical kits for courthouses, and other staffing and operational needs. Senator Funky Frommeyer asked whether the 15% salary proposal was included in the $13.5 million increase; AOC said it was not, and that it would be an additional request. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since I'm an automotive engineer, let's do some math.
• We support granting planners and engineers greater flexibility to design roads that meet their local
• Instead, the area the tire contacts, an engineering term called contact patch, increases, effectively
• Instead, the area the tire contacts, an engineering term called contact patch, increases, effectively
• Instead, the area the tire contacts, an engineering term called contact patch, increases, effectively

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• societies that have members who are licensed and certified by the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering
• Chair: the Society of Professional Engineers support letter and the American Institute of Architects
• </c><00:03:06.440><c> land</c><00:03:06.720><c> surveying</c> Architecture engineering land surveying
• Architecture engineering land surveying Etc<00:03:08.080><c> if</c><00:03:08.239><c> you</c><00:03:08.360
• As a licensed engineer and member of MSP, I encourage a yes vote on this. Thank you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, our engineering folks are looking at these devices, and we want to make sure that if they
• But one of the concerns our engineering team had as part of that is while the bill speaks to a cap on
• Um, our<01:48:49.679><c> engineering</c><01:48:50.159><c> folks</c><01:48:50.560><c> would</c><01:48:
• 50.880><c> need</c><01:48:51.040><c> to</c><01:48:51.360><c> be</c> our engineering folks would need
• Uh, the question our engineering folks would have is in the event that this does lead to some form of

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not what we're going to be doing, although we definitely will need AI engineers.
• </c><00:29:13.600><c> Um,</c><00:29:13.919><c> you</c> student to be an AI engineer.
• Um, you student to be an AI engineer.
• Um, but it's making sure AI engineers.
• It's about critical problem-solving skills that every student needs, whether they become an engineer

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 0:25 Approval of Minutes – 3-50 2025 RS SB 253 – 4:25 Computer Science and AI Literacy – 27:36 Fayette County School District Budget Update – 51:46 Adjournment – 2:09:46, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, introductions, and approval of the previous meeting minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation on SB 253, focused on expanding support for teacher apprenticeship and teaching-and-learning pathways. Senator Hickman and staff from the Kentucky Department of Education and Nelson County Schools described how the program uses dual credit, work-based learning, and registered apprenticeship to help students earn an associate degree in high school and continue toward a teaching degree. They said the goal is to address the teacher shortage by creating a sustainable pipeline into the profession. Witnesses emphasized that the main barrier is cost. Mary Taylor said Kentucky’s youth apprenticeship model has been successful in other fields and that education should be added as an in-demand sector, but an associate degree alone will not solve the teacher shortage because teachers still need a bachelor’s degree and certification. Laura Arnold of Nelson County Schools described the district’s Lead Nelson program, saying the district has invested more than $800,000 since 2021, currently has 37 students in the pathway and seven committed apprentices, and spends about $85,000 per apprentice from freshman year through certification. She said district staffing, planning, and university partnerships are also significant hurdles. Members asked about job guarantees, tenure, and retirement; Arnold said employment is performance-based and retirement issues are being considered. Senator Hickman said the bill would use lottery funds to help cover tuition and dual credit costs so more districts can participate, noting that a prior version died because of a high fiscal note. Representative Payne and Representative Tipton praised the program but stressed the need for funding and noted inconsistencies between statute and budget language on Work Ready Kentucky and dual credit support. Representative Tipton also cautioned that lottery revenue may not keep pace with demand and said the General Assembly may need to make broader funding decisions. After the apprenticeship discussion, the chair moved the committee to the next agenda item on computer science and AI literacy, where Code.org began a presentation on the importance of computer science for all students.

Transcript Highlights:

• you you're not wanted here, and our nation loses out on cancer researchers, biotech researchers, engineers
• So you said that as soon as you turn your engine on, right, your insurance policy increases, right, or

Bills: HB75, HB188, HB199, HB4029, HB330, HB507, HB524, HB1517, HB 1065, HB1375, HB1630, HB1398, HB 1227, HB689, HB1814, HB2160, HB2140, HB4897, HB5600, HB5489, HB4188, HB2881, HB2048, HB3900, HB4074, HB5568, HB5528, HB3811, HB3726, HB3382, HB4507, HB4775, HB3626, HB3569, HB5212, HB5248, HB5178, HB3453, HB3231, HB3941, HB1571, HB1969, HB1865, HB2879, HB2643, HB4799, HB4891, HB5567, HB5549, HB5187, HB5118, HB3191, HB1730, HB1687, HB2192, HB4511, HB4805, HB1863, HB3195, HB3199, HB5562, HB5551, HB5169, HB3290, HB3712, HB3996, HB5098, HB5097, HB5089, HB3897, HB3868, HB3829, HB4840, HB3753, HB4368, HB4142, HB2841, HB3457, HB3784, HCR46, HCR109, HCR10, SB1844, SB1833, SB2284, SB2052, SB1666, SB1265, SB1146, SB1921, SB480, SB1734, SB296, SB2039, SB462, SB1646, SB2173, SB2925, SB682, SB1173, HB4535, HB4520, HB3824, HB3066, HB2442, HB3863, HB4773, HB4327, HB5115, HB5515, HB3372, HB5659, HB 127, HB386, HB 115, HB2868, HB 1249, HB4766, HB3720, HB4879, HB5383, HB4621, HB5431, HB5678, HB5534, HB4212, HB3954, HB3966, HB3918, HB1422, HB4765, HB4732, HB4742, HB4518, HB5084, HB3986, HB4144, HB3976, HB4473, HB3425, HB3641, HB3642, HB3475, HB3424, HB4744, HB4539, HB3159, HB5228, HB5370, HB4359, HB4443, HB4466, HB3849, HB4240, HB5141, HB5686, HB3629, HB3554, HB3567, HB2015, HB3575, HB5381, HB4398, HB3514, HB4614, HB4546, HB5681, HB5663, HB4271, HB4350, HB4035, HB3812, HB3540, HB3715, HB3664, HB4233, HB3333, HB3510, HB4222, HB2070, HB2854, HB2347, HB 113, HJR218, HB5623, HB4921, HB5673, HB5520, HB 105, HB4685, HB5354, HB4683, HB75, HB983, HB4847, HB1449, HB3833, HB5151, HB265, HB1845, HB782, HB 108, HB1960, HB158, HB1954, HB1955, HB2512, HB605, HB2581, HB2803, HB627, HB2667, HB1738, HB636, HB3679, HB2638, HB2655, HB871, HB2438, HB 1107, HB1765, HB1822, HB2153, HB4099, HB3732, HB3171, HB3178, HB3182, HB3749, HB2814, HB3977, HB4204, HB4207, HB4449, HB1820, HB1876, HB1939, HB1347, HB2593, HB2136, HB2132, HB2658, HB2413, HB2757, HB2080, HB3154, HB3063, HB3009, HB3448, HB3006, HB2844, HB3241, HB3680, HB3169, HB2078, HB2507, HB4559, HB3946, HB3460, HB3405, HB475, HB3463, HB3441, HB3441, HB3520, HB2060, HB4731, HB4991, HB1991, HB5596, HB2014, HB2142, HB2673, HB2731, HB2417, HB2399, HB2301, HB2301, HB3335, HB3234, HB3320, HB5573, HB5573, HB4848, HB4848, HB4748, HB4769, HB4795, HB2086, HB2086, HB2234, HB2234, HB2203, HB4916, HB5624, HB4505, HB139, HB5093, HB5302, HB5402, HB5606, HB2333, HB4630, HB4701, HB2583, HB2983, HB4924, HB3339, HB3339, HB3793, HB3631, HB4882, HB5509, HB5499, HB5430, HB5561, HB5561, HB5611, HB5043, HB5064, HB5064, HB3733, HB3733, HB3781, HB3219, HB32, HB4515, HB5348, HB3902, HB4420, HB3269, HB469, HB336, HB316, HB5396, HB993, HB1342, HB1342, HB5216, HB2046, HB2046, HB2188, HB2188, HB2450, HB2813, HB2857, HB4075, HB4075, HB2911, HB4682, HB4682, HB3117, HB3253, HB3442, HB4820, HB4336, HB5356, HB3669, HB3428, HB5465, HB3662, HB2590, HB2288, HB2288, HB1886, HB3458, HB3458, HB5603, HB5620, HB1489, HB1489, HB4101, HB4990, HB5685, HB5685, HB4950, HB4950, HB4980, HB5684, HB3507, HB3507, HB3566, HB4487, HB4487, HB4462, HB4462, HB4876, HB4915, HB4663, HB5570, HB2929, HB5261, HB2920, HB4642, HB4746, HB1609, HB5403, HB5453, HB3844, HB2336, HB1572, HB 1226, HB 1226, HB2806, HB2806, HB2617, HB2617, HB2827, HB3948, HB3948, HB3945, HB4266, HB4542, HB3319, HB1772, HB2496, HB1970, HB3434, HB5545, HB5545, HB5577, HB5577, HB31, HB31, HB279, HB370, HB370, HB4768, HB513, HB875, HB982, HB 1085, HB 1085, HB2677, HB2874, HB5478, HB4880, HB4798, HB4514, HB4958, HB4958, HB4508, HB4508, HB3758, HB3830, HB3744, HB3622, HB741, HB741, HB2204, HB2204, HB2860, HB4659, HB4578, HB813, HB712, HB712, HB1551, HB2790, HB2698, HB3365, HB3504, HB3118, HB3118, HB2959, HB1862, HB1862, HB 1026, HB4401, HB4401, HB4164, HB4164, HB3920, HB4737, HB4966, HB4966, HB4967, HB1958, HB4979, HB4979, HB5459, HB3862, HB1823, HB1823, HB4415, HB4893, HB2343, HB 1228, HB4337, HB188, HB199, HB4029, HB330, HB507, HB524, HB1517, HB 1065, HB1375, HB1630, HB1398, HB 1227, HB689, HB689, HB1814, HB2160, HB2140, HB4897, HB5600, HB5489, HB4188, HB2881, HB2048, HB3900, HB4074, HB5568, HB5528, HB3811, HB3726, HB3382, HB3382, HB4507, HB4775, HB3626, HB3569, HB5212, HB5248, HB5178, HB3453, HB3231, HB3941, HB1571, HB1969, HB1865, HB2879, HB2879, HB2643, HB4799, HB4891, HB5567, HB5549, HB5187, HB5118, HB3191, HB1730, HB1687, HB1687, HB2192, HB4511, HB4805, HB4805, HB1863, HB3195, HB3199, HB5562, HB5562, HB5551, HB5169, HB3290, HB3712, HB3996, HB5098, HB5098, HB5097, HB5089, HB5089, HB3897, HB3868, HB3829, HB4840, HB3753, HB4368, HB4142, HB2841, HB3457, HB3784, HCR76, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141, HCR46, HCR46, HCR109, HCR10

Keywords: magistrate, criminal procedure, probable cause, written findings, law enforcement, Texas STRONG defense fund, severance tax revenue, oil and gas revenue, constitutional transfers, rainy day fund, economic stabilization fund, state highway fund, oil and gas production, qualifying county, county grants, water infrastructure, first responders, public safety, DPS staffing, commercial motor vehicle safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The jacks are down and Yarbrough guns his engine. You should... Yarbrough guns his engine.

Bills: HJR 73, HB 31, HB 279, HB 370, HB 4768, HB 513, HB 875, HB 982, HB 1085, HB 2677, HB 2874, HB 5478, HB 4880, HB 4798, HB 4514, HB 4958, HB 4508, HB 3758, HB 3830, HB 3744, HB 3622, HB 741, HB 2204, HB 2860, HB 4659, HB 4578, HB 813, HB 712, HB 1551, HB 2790, HB 2698, HB 3365, HB 3504, HB 3118, HB 2959, HB 1862, HB 1026, HB 4401, HB 4164, HB 3920, HB 4737, HB 4966, HB 4967, HB 1958, HB 4979, HB 5459, HB 3862, HB 1823, HB 4415, HB 4893, HB 2343, HB 1228, HB 4337, HCR 141, SB 250, SB 1883, SB 617, SB 2411, SB 2306, SB 2929, SB 552, SCR 27, HJR 218, HB 168, HB 2545, HB 5436, HB 4926, HB 5165, HB 4811, HB 4755, HB 3179, HB 4310, HB 4611, HB 3637, HB 3153, HB 2786, HB 2966, HB 2159, HB 5081, HB 638, HB 640, HB 876, HB 4809, HB 5308, HB 4687, HB 5623, HB 4412, HB 3284, HB 3420, HB 3449, HB 4098, HB 4281, HB 4120, HB 4504, HB 4370, HB 4421, HB 1106, HB 4070, HB 2370, HB 2407, HB 2253, HB 2273, HB 2040, HB 1586, HB 3788, HB 3993, HB 4690, HB 4696, HB 2308, HB 1142, HB 1533, HB 1621, HB 2242, HB 2012, HB 2193, HB 2464, HB 2348, HB 2313, HB 2289, HB 1942, HB 2011, HB 1629, HB 2993, HB 3592, HB 4076, HB 4623, HB 4535, HB 4327, HB 4520, HB 3824, HB 4921, HB 2494, HB 3066, HJR 112, HB 2695, HB 3138, HB 2442, HB 3863, HJR 73, HB 4773, HB 1091, HB 5115, HB 5515, HB 3372, HB 5659, HB 127, HB 386, HB 115, HB 2868, HB 1249, HB 4766, HB 3720, HB 4656, HB 4879, HB 105, HB 5383, HB 4621, HB 5431, HB 5678, HB 5534, HB 4174, HB 4212, HB 3954, HB 3966, HB 3636, HB 3918, HB 1422, HB 4765, HB 4732, HB 4742, HB 5122, HB 4518, HB 5084, HB 3986, HB 4045, HB 4144, HB 3911, HB 3976, HB 4473, HB 3425, HB 3641, HB 3642, HB 3475, HB 3509, HB 3424, HB 3383, HB 4744, HB 4531, HB 4539, HB 3159, HB 5228, HB 5370, HB 4359, HB 4398, HB 4443, HB 4466, HB 3861, HB 3849, HB 4240, HB 4706, HB 4685, HB 5354, HB 5141, HB 5686, HB 3629, HB 3554, HB 3567, HB 2015, HB 3575, HB 5381, HB 1431, HB 3514, HB 4614, HB 4546, HB 4683, HB 5681, HB 5673, HB 5663, HB 4271, HB 4350, HB 4035, HB 3807, HB 3812, HB 3552, HB 3540, HB 3715, HB 3710, HB 3664, HB 4196, HB 4233, HB 4173, HB 1998, HB 3333, HB 3510, HB 4222, HB 2070, HB 2854, HB 2347, HB 113, HB 983, HB 4847, HB 1449, HB 3833, HB 5151, HB 265, HB 1845, HB 782, HB 108, HB 1960, HB 158, HB 1954, HB 1955, HB 2512, HB 605, HB 2581, HB 2803, HB 627, HB 2667, HB 1738, HB 636, HB 3679, HB 2638, HB 2655, HB 871, HB 2438, HB 1107, HB 1765, HB 1822, HB 2153, HB 4099, HB 3732, HB 3171, HB 3178, HB 3182, HB 3749, HB 2814, HB 3977, HB 4204, HB 4207, HB 4449, HB 1820, HB 1876, HB 1939, HB 1347, HB 2593, HB 2136, HB 2132, HB 2658, HB 2413, HB 2757, HB 2080, HB 3154, HB 3063, HB 3009, HB 3448, HB 3006, HB 2844, HB 3241, HB 3680, HB 3169, HB 2078, HB 2507, HB 4559, HB 3946, HB 3460, HB 3405, HB 475, HB 3463, HB 3441, HB 3520, HB 2060, HB 4731, HB 4991, HB 1991, HB 5596, HB 2014, HB 2142, HB 2673, HB 2731, HB 2417, HB 2399, HB 2301, HB 3335, HB 3234, HB 3320, HB 5573, HB 4848, HB 4748, HB 4769, HB 4795, HB 2086, HB 2234, HB 2203, HB 4916, HB 5624, HB 4505, HB 139, HB 5093, HB 5302, HB 5402, HB 5606, HB 2333, HB 4630, HB 4701, HB 2583, HB 2983, HB 4924, HB 3339, HB 3793, HB 3631, HB 4882, HB 5509, HB 5499, HB 5430, HB 5561, HB 5611, HB 5043, HB 5064, HB 3733, HB 3781, HB 3219, HB 32, HB 4515, HB 5348, HB 3902, HB 4420, HB 3269, HB 469, HB 336, HB 316, HB 5396, HB 993, HB 1342, HB 5216, HB 2046, HB 2188, HB 2450, HB 2813, HB 2857, HB 4075, HB 2911, HB 4682, HB 3117, HB 3253, HB 3442, HB 4820, HB 4336, HB 5356, HB 3669, HB 3428, HB 5465, HB 3662, HB 2590, HB 2288, HB 1886, HB 3458, HB 5603, HB 5620, HB 1489, HB 4101, HB 4990, HB 5685, HB 4950, HB 4980, HB 5684, HB 3507, HB 3566, HB 4487, HB 4462, HB 4876, HB 4915, HB 4663, HB 5570, HB 2929, HB 5261, HB 2920, HB 4642, HB 4746, HB 1609, HB 5403, HB 5453, HB 3844, HB 2336, HB 1572, HB 1226, HB 2806, HB 2617, HB 2827, HB 3948, HB 3945, HB 4266, HB 4542, HB 3319, HB 1772, HB 2496, HB 1970, HB 3434, HB 5545, HB 5577, HB 31, HB 279, HB 370, HB 4768, HB 513, HB 875, HB 982, HB 1085, HB 2677, HB 2874, HB 5478, HB 4880, HB 4798, HB 4514, HB 4958, HB 4508, HB 3758, HB 3830, HB 3744, HB 3622, HB 741, HB 2204, HB 2860, HB 4659, HB 4578, HB 813, HB 712, HB 1551, HB 2790, HB 2698, HB 3365, HB 3504, HB 3118, HB 2959, HB 1862, HB 1026, HB 4401, HB 4164, HB 3920, HB 4737, HB 4966, HB 4967, HB 1958, HB 4979, HB 5459, HB 3862, HB 1823, HB 4415, HB 4893, HB 2343, HB 1228, HB 4337, HCR 76, HCR 127, HCR 9, HCR 40, HCR 118, HR 559, HCR 59, HCR 135, HCR 141

Keywords: ad valorem tax, property tax, tax limitation, elderly, disabled, low-income, homestead exemption, constitutional amendment, juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit

Transcript Highlights:

• He holds an engineering degree.

Bills: HJR73, HB31, HB279, HB370, HB4768, HB513, HB875, HB982, HB 1085, HB2677, HB2874, HB5478, HB4880, HB4798, HB4514, HB4958, HB4508, HB3758, HB3830, HB3744, HB3622, HB741, HB2204, HB2860, HB4659, HB4578, HB813, HB712, HB1551, HB2790, HB2698, HB3365, HB3504, HB3118, HB2959, HB1862, HB 1026, HB4401, HB4164, HB3920, HB4737, HB4966, HB4967, HB1958, HB4979, HB5459, HB3862, HB1823, HB4415, HB4893, HB2343, HB 1228, HB4337, HCR141, SB250, SB1883, SB617, SB2411, SB2306, SB2929, SB552, SCR27, HJR218, HB168, HB2545, HB5436, HB4926, HB5165, HB4811, HB4755, HB3179, HB4310, HB4611, HB3637, HB3153, HB2786, HB2966, HB2159, HB5081, HB638, HB640, HB876, HB4809, HB5308, HB4687, HB5623, HB4412, HB3284, HB3420, HB3449, HB4098, HB4281, HB4120, HB4504, HB4370, HB4421, HB 1106, HB4070, HB2370, HB2407, HB2253, HB2273, HB2040, HB1586, HB3788, HB3993, HB4690, HB4696, HB2308, HB 1142, HB1533, HB1621, HB2242, HB2012, HB2193, HB2464, HB2348, HB2313, HB2289, HB1942, HB2011, HB1629, HB2993, HB3592, HB4076, HB4623, HB4535, HB4327, HB4520, HB3824, HB4921, HB2494, HB3066, HJR112, HB2695, HB3138, HB2442, HB3863, HJR73, HB4773, HB 1091, HB5115, HB5515, HB3372, HB5659, HB 127, HB386, HB 115, HB2868, HB 1249, HB4766, HB3720, HB4656, HB4879, HB 105, HB5383, HB4621, HB5431, HB5678, HB5534, HB4174, HB4212, HB3954, HB3966, HB3636, HB3918, HB1422, HB4765, HB4732, HB4742, HB5122, HB4518, HB5084, HB3986, HB4045, HB4144, HB3911, HB3976, HB4473, HB3425, HB3641, HB3642, HB3475, HB3509, HB3424, HB3383, HB4744, HB4531, HB4539, HB3159, HB5228, HB5370, HB4359, HB4398, HB4443, HB4466, HB3861, HB3849, HB4240, HB4706, HB4685, HB5354, HB5141, HB5686, HB3629, HB3554, HB3567, HB2015, HB3575, HB5381, HB1431, HB3514, HB4614, HB4546, HB4683, HB5681, HB5673, HB5663, HB4271, HB4350, HB4035, HB3807, HB3812, HB3552, HB3540, HB3715, HB3710, HB3664, HB4196, HB4233, HB4173, HB1998, HB3333, HB3510, HB4222, HB2070, HB2854, HB2347, HB 113, HB983, HB4847, HB1449, HB3833, HB5151, HB265, HB1845, HB782, HB 108, HB1960, HB158, HB1954, HB1955, HB2512, HB605, HB2581, HB2803, HB627, HB2667, HB1738, HB636, HB3679, HB2638, HB2655, HB871, HB2438, HB 1107, HB1765, HB1822, HB2153, HB4099, HB3732, HB3171, HB3178, HB3182, HB3749, HB2814, HB3977, HB4204, HB4207, HB4449, HB1820, HB1876, HB1939, HB1347, HB2593, HB2136, HB2132, HB2658, HB2413, HB2757, HB2080, HB3154, HB3063, HB3009, HB3448, HB3006, HB2844, HB3241, HB3680, HB3169, HB2078, HB2507, HB4559, HB3946, HB3460, HB3405, HB475, HB3463, HB3441, HB3520, HB2060, HB4731, HB4991, HB1991, HB5596, HB2014, HB2142, HB2673, HB2731, HB2417, HB2399, HB2301, HB3335, HB3234, HB3320, HB5573, HB4848, HB4748, HB4769, HB4795, HB2086, HB2234, HB2203, HB4916, HB5624, HB4505, HB139, HB5093, HB5302, HB5402, HB5606, HB2333, HB4630, HB4701, HB2583, HB2983, HB4924, HB3339, HB3793, HB3631, HB4882, HB5509, HB5499, HB5430, HB5561, HB5611, HB5043, HB5064, HB3733, HB3781, HB3219, HB32, HB4515, HB5348, HB3902, HB4420, HB3269, HB469, HB336, HB316, HB5396, HB993, HB1342, HB5216, HB2046, HB2188, HB2450, HB2813, HB2857, HB4075, HB2911, HB4682, HB3117, HB3253, HB3442, HB4820, HB4336, HB5356, HB3669, HB3428, HB5465, HB3662, HB2590, HB2288, HB1886, HB3458, HB5603, HB5620, HB1489, HB4101, HB4990, HB5685, HB4950, HB4980, HB5684, HB3507, HB3566, HB4487, HB4462, HB4876, HB4915, HB4663, HB5570, HB2929, HB5261, HB2920, HB4642, HB4746, HB1609, HB5403, HB5453, HB3844, HB2336, HB1572, HB 1226, HB2806, HB2617, HB2827, HB3948, HB3945, HB4266, HB4542, HB3319, HB1772, HB2496, HB1970, HB3434, HB5545, HB5577, HB31, HB279, HB370, HB4768, HB513, HB875, HB982, HB 1085, HB2677, HB2874, HB5478, HB4880, HB4798, HB4514, HB4958, HB4508, HB3758, HB3830, HB3744, HB3622, HB741, HB2204, HB2860, HB4659, HB4578, HB813, HB712, HB1551, HB2790, HB2698, HB3365, HB3504, HB3118, HB2959, HB1862, HB 1026, HB4401, HB4164, HB3920, HB4737, HB4966, HB4967, HB1958, HB4979, HB5459, HB3862, HB1823, HB4415, HB4893, HB2343, HB 1228, HB4337, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141

Keywords: ad valorem tax, property tax, tax limitation, elderly, disabled, low-income, homestead exemption, constitutional amendment, juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:10:32.880><c> performance,</c> remote starts, engine performance, remote starts, engine performance
• That's a subscription now. your car and the other one is engine your car and the other one is engine
• &gt; Engine performance is um &gt;&gt; Engine performance is um let<04:19:56.399><c> me</c><04:19:56.479
• Now the check engine light, like I take my car in the check engine light and then they plug it into that
• Now the check engine it Yeah, exactly.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vaccines introduced new technologies like... mRNA vaccines introduce new technologies like genetic engineering
• And I'm a data guy, so I just want to mention I'm an engineer by trade.
• I'm an engineer by trade.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management held a hearing on several emergency management bills, with most of the testimony focused on Senate Bill 539, which would prohibit COVID-19 mRNA vaccination or gene-altering procedures as a condition of entry, employment, school attendance, or access to public venues. Senator Durant and many public witnesses supported the bill, arguing that COVID-era mandates were coercive, ineffective, and harmful, and that the state should not require proof of vaccination in future emergencies. One witness, Joanne Tuller, testified in opposition, saying the government should retain authority to impose public health measures in emergencies and warning against permanently limiting that power based on the COVID experience. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 540, concerning the prevention of radioactive material discharge, with a Sierra Club representative and local residents opposing Holtec’s disposal of wastewater from the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant and citing health, environmental, and economic concerns in Plymouth and nearby communities. Senator Driscoll testified in support of Senate Bills 537 and 538, describing them as measures to strengthen the Commonwealth’s strategic preparedness stockpile and to create a framework for emergency response during surges in hospitalizations, including temporary waivers of prior authorization when hospitals are over capacity. In addition, Dr. Jennifer Carlson testified in support of H.885, a resolve creating a special commission on the field of emergency management, arguing that the profession should be more fully professionalized and staffed by dedicated experts rather than part-time “second hat” officials. Several other bills on the docket, including H.883 and H.84, had no sign-ups. The chair closed each bill’s testimony section as the list was exhausted, and the hearing was adjourned without any votes taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• inspections by allowing homeowners to utilize a certified, qualified third party—a professional engineer
• allowing homeowners to utilize like a certified, you know, qualified third party, a professional engineer
• or an electrician. qualified, you know, qualified third party, a professional engineer or an electrician

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on ways Massachusetts can accelerate solar deployment, lower costs, and preserve reliability as electricity demand rises and federal support for solar and other renewables changes. Chair Creem opened by emphasizing solar’s role in meeting climate mandates and peak demand, citing June heat-wave data showing behind-the-meter solar reduced wholesale prices and saved ratepayers money. Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney of DOER said Massachusetts has grown from 3 MW of solar in 2008 to 3.5 GW today, highlighted SMART 3.0 as a flexible, evergreen incentive program, and said DOER is working on updated rates, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, net crediting, and a petition to the DPU to speed implementation. She also said Massachusetts joined the lawsuit over canceled federal Solar for All funding. Committee members and witnesses discussed several policy changes to speed projects before federal tax credits expire, including automated permitting, remote inspections, faster interconnection, and changes to caps on municipal and regional solar development. Senator Barrett pressed Mahoney on whether the 10 MW municipal cap and regional caps should be lifted, and on whether the state should increase its solar tax credit to offset the loss of the federal residential credit. Mahoney said the municipal cap should be revisited and that interconnection cost allocation and other market issues need to be worked out before lifting broader caps. She also said DOER is open to automated permitting and is already developing a permitting portal under the 2024 climate law. Industry and advocacy witnesses largely supported streamlining measures. Sunrun’s Bronte Payne urged removal of a proposed requirement that all net-metered facilities enroll in SMART, and recommended automated permitting, remote inspections, flexible interconnection, better hosting-capacity information, consumer protections, and continued support for Connected Solutions and virtual power plants. Permit Power’s Hannah Bernbaum and Solar App’s Matthew McAllister argued that smart permitting and remote inspections can significantly reduce soft costs and delays, with McAllister saying Solar App now operates in over 320 jurisdictions and saves about three weeks on average. They said remote inspections are already common and can be done safely with photos, video, and qualified third parties. Community solar and clean energy advocates, including CCSA’s Kate Daniel and Vote Solar’s Lindsay Griffin, supported a 10 GW solar target by 2035, a higher refundable state tax credit for low-income households, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, and preserving the option to build outside SMART so projects can retain renewable energy certificates. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members requested follow-up materials and draft language from witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• equipment to maintain urban transportation infrastructure, in particular, sidewalks, streetlights, engineered
• We have more engineered stormwater treatment requirements in cities than they do in counties, and some
• then in most cases deeded over to the local government to maintain in perpetuity and we have more engineered

Summary: The committee held a work session on local government issues, beginning with an update from the State Building Code Council on four legislatively mandated code amendments now in CR-102 rulemaking: temporary emergency shelters, reduced minimum dwelling unit size, multiplex housing up to three stories and six units, and single-exit apartment buildings up to six stories. Council staff also described a separate embodied-carbon appendix proposal that remains under public review, with testimony both supporting and opposing it. Members asked about the rationale for some of the code limits, including the restriction on connecting multiplex buildings. The committee then heard a panel on annexations from MRSC, Pierce County, and the Association of Washington Cities. Witnesses reviewed annexation methods, including petition, election, and interlocal agreement approaches, and said larger annexations are increasingly using interlocal agreements because they can address infrastructure, revenue sharing, and public process concerns. They described barriers such as inconsistent local standards, the cost of infrastructure, referendum risk, census requirements, and the difficulty of persuading residents and local officials to support annexation. Members asked about the five-year restriction on residential zoning changes in one annexation method and whether a hearing examiner could reduce political pressure on local decision-makers. A second panel discussed subdivision reform. The Master Builders Association urged raising the short-plat threshold within urban growth areas to 30 lots as a simpler first step, citing permitting delays and added housing costs. The City of Spokane described implementation problems with recent housing laws, including uncertainty about how to review plats under HB 1110, lot-splitting administration, and added notice requirements for unit lot subdivisions. AWC said there was broad agreement that subdivision decisions should be more administrative, but public hearings remained a point of disagreement. The committee also heard from FutureWise, the Washington State Association of Counties, and Lewis County on county development regulation and enforcement, with witnesses emphasizing underfunded code enforcement, inconsistent standards between counties and cities, and the need for better coordination, incentives, and possibly stronger enforcement tools. No votes were taken; the chair said the committee would continue working on possible solutions in future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an upward spiral of employment, and Mass Save is the engine that keeps it going.
• To that end, we reached out directly to our architects, developers, engineers, and practitioners across
• higher-performing buildings, but also provide on-the-job training and technical expertise for architects, engineers

Summary: The hearing focused on the value of Mass Save, with committee members and witnesses largely emphasizing that the program lowers energy bills, reduces peak demand, supports climate goals, and delivers benefits beyond direct participants. The chair opened by noting Mass Save’s long-term savings, its role in weatherization and heat pump deployment, and recent statutory changes directing the program toward emissions reductions, low- and moderate-income households, and fossil-fuel restrictions. Elizabeth Mahoney of the Department of Energy Resources said the program has evolved to broaden access and control costs, citing large weatherization totals, heat pump installations, avoided emissions, and budget controls that removed $500 million from the approved plan. She also said the governor’s proposal to have only electric utilities administer Mass Save was intended to reduce administrative and procurement costs, and she explained that outreach to low- and moderate-income communities is counted within marketing spending. Several witnesses addressed the program’s workforce and business impacts. Dave Betcher of Abode Energy Management and Rick Taglienti of Rogers Insulation said Mass Save sustains small businesses, contractors, and thousands of jobs by creating stable demand for energy-efficiency work, while warning that sharp budget cuts would lead to layoffs and discourage investment in training, equipment, and hiring. Committee members pressed them on who administers the program, and both said the program administrators and utilities collaborate, with day-to-day contractor oversight and customer work largely delegated to private vendors and community partners. Other witnesses, including Brian Biot and James Collins of the low-income network, described the “quarterbacking” model used for income-eligible customers, where community action agencies provide full project management, technical support, and wraparound services to help households access fuel assistance, discount rates, weatherization, and electrification measures. A major theme was cost-effectiveness and system-wide savings. Anna Johnson of ACEEE and Kyle Murray of Acadia Center said Mass Save returns more than it costs, reduces peak demand, and lowers prices for all ratepayers, including those who do not participate directly. They cited avoided costs in the billions, strong state rankings, and examples of peak-hour savings that avoid expensive generation and infrastructure. Amy Boyd-Rabin of the Environmental League of Massachusetts argued that energy efficiency is the cheapest way to achieve greenhouse gas reductions and that cutting the program would force more expensive power plants to run. Bronte Payne of Sunrun and Ben Sondaga of Highland Electric Fleets highlighted Connected Solutions, a Mass Save-funded virtual power plant program, saying it saves ratepayers money and can use home batteries and electric school buses to reduce peak demand and support grid reliability. Equity and affordable housing witnesses, including Mary Wampo and Barney Heath, said Mass Save has become more responsive to renters, low-income households, and designated equity communities, while also helping affordable housing projects meet passive house and electrification standards; no votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an upward spiral of employment, and Mass Save is the engine that keeps it going.
• To that end, we reached out directly to our architects, developers, engineers, and practitioners across
• higher-performing buildings, but also provide on-the-job training and technical expertise for architects, engineers

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to silica dust has become a serious public health issue, especially among workers who fabricate engineered
• We represent a number of the manufacturers of engineered stone and natural stone.
• agglomerated stone manufacturers trade organization, represents a number of the manufacturers of engineered

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced a series of bills, mostly on worker safety, wages, workforce training, and retirement savings. AB 2137 (Chen) would strengthen safety rules and certification for artificial stone fabrication shops to reduce silica exposure; AB 2499 (Gibson) would require Cal/OSHA to develop heat-illness protections for incarcerated workers and staff in correctional facilities; AB 2300 (Arambula) would streamline the disbursement of state and federal workforce funds; AB 2646 (Krell) would establish a minimum wage floor for certain agricultural workers; AB 2227 (Connolly) would tighten licensing and bond requirements for farm labor contractors and add default-judgment procedures for wage claims; AB 1869 (Haney) would create a reporting process for alleged REIT interference in hotel operations; AB 2650 (Pellerin) would expand CalSavers with emergency savings accounts and other updates; AB 2634 (Zbur) would prioritize labor-management partnerships in High Road Training Partnership grants; and AB 1888 would require skilled-and-trained workforce and prevailing wage standards for work under the Safe Home Grant Program. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create California’s approval process for short-term Pell-eligible workforce programs. The committee also took up several consent items, including AB 1904, AB 1980, AB 2550, AB 2078, and AB 2682. Most bills were described as aligning state programs with federal law or improving worker protections and program quality, while opponents generally raised concerns about costs, administrative burden, regulatory uncertainty, or reduced oversight. Testimony was largely split along labor and industry lines. Supporters included labor unions, legal aid groups, workforce boards, and affected workers or family members, who emphasized heat illness, wage theft, silica exposure, poor prison conditions, and the need for higher-quality training and retirement access. Opponents on several bills, especially those affecting agriculture, REITs, and workforce administration, argued the measures would increase costs, create uncertainty, or duplicate existing law. On AB 2227, committee members engaged in extended discussion about Labor Commissioner delays and whether the bill’s default-judgment and bond provisions would meaningfully help workers. On AB 1869, members and witnesses debated whether the bill created new standards or simply improved enforcement of existing REIT rules. The committee voted to pass all of the measures heard, generally with motions to do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations. Several bills were held open for absent members during the meeting, and later add-on roll calls recorded additional ayes, moving the bills out of committee. The meeting concluded after the consent calendar was approved and the committee adjourned.