Video & Transcript : 'energy equity' :

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Opening Day Floor Session 01-21-2026 10:00am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Wakai is the chair of energy and intergovernmental affairs.
  • We face some of the highest energy costs in the nation.
  • </c> of energy and intergovernmental affairs. of energy and intergovernmental affairs.
  • energy costs in<00:21:05.600><c> the</c><00:21:05.840><c> nation.
  • Renewable energy implemented for profit.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • for residential units for low-income families or individuals, or homeless people; improvements to energy
  • 01:38:31.560><c> uh</c><01:38:31.760><c> improvements</c><01:38:32.280><c> to</c><01:38:32.440><c> energy
  • </c> people, uh improvements to energy people, uh improvements to energy efficiency<01:38:33.520><c>
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • This is not a debate about whether energy is important to Oklahoma, because it is.
  • But this is not a bill about energy or reducing costs to our taxpayers.
  • This bill will help keep our energy prices stable.
  • This bill will keep us the lowest in the country in energy and cost of living.
  • Or do we want reliable and stable energy prices?
Bills: HR1046, SB1733, SB1439
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several special recognitions tied to the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. The chamber honored the 138th Fighter Wing Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department as Veterans of the Week, and also recognized Dr. Camissa Stewart as Doctor of the Day and Tammy Powell as Nurse of the Day for their roles in the 1995 bombing response. A lengthy floor presentation followed, featuring remarks from legislators, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, memorial museum leaders, Justice Stephen Taylor, and Pastor Ronnie Fields, all focused on remembrance, the Oklahoma standard, the victims and survivors, and the importance of hope, civility, and the rule of law. On legislation, Senate Bill 1733 was presented and debated. The bill requires school personnel who have reason to believe a student is a victim of child sexual abuse or sexual misconduct to report it to law enforcement within 24 hours. Supporters said it clarifies and strengthens reporting requirements to protect children, while opponents warned it could trigger harmful public accusations and undermine trust in educators and administrators. The House passed the bill 92-1, and the emergency clause also passed 92-1. The House also considered Senate Bill 1439, an oil and gas measure intended to bar speculative climate-related lawsuits and limit liability to actual violations and provable harm. Supporters argued it would prevent frivolous litigation, protect the state’s energy economy, and keep costs down for consumers; opponents said it would create a special legal carve-out for industry and shift costs to taxpayers and families. The bill passed 74-16. In addition, Senate Bill 2184 was assigned to Rules, and H.J.R. 1078 and H.J.R. 1079 were withdrawn from Rules and sent to appropriations and budget committees. The House adjourned after announcements and introductions.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • and it's in the testimony, but we have in the budget $15 million that is for actually the state's equity
  • <c> state's</c> million that is for actually the state's million that is for actually the state's equity
  • :34.520><c> yes,</c><00:56:35.000><c> the</c><00:56:35.040><c> answer</c><00:56:35.359><c> is</c> equity
  • So yes, the answer is equity for this.
Summary: The House Housing Committee opened its Friday morning hearing by noting potentially catastrophic flooding on the island and acknowledging that some members were absent helping their communities, so quorum for voting was uncertain. The committee then heard testimony on several housing-related measures, with most bills drawing support from housing agencies and community organizations and little or no opposition in the room. On SB 2069 SD2, SB 2177 SD2, and SB 2342 SD2, witnesses largely supported the measures. HHFDC supported SB 2069 and SB 2177, and HPHA supported SB 2342. For SB 2342, HHFDC raised concerns that the bill would alter the Qualified Allocation Plan outside the normal open, public process required by federal law and could exclude stakeholders; Kathy Charities echoed those concerns and also objected to changing point allocations in ways that could raise rents and weaken long-term affordability. Members questioned HHFDC about how the QAP is normally updated, the meaning of the point system, and whether a legislative working group could mandate changes; HHFDC said recommendations would still need public hearing and board approval. The committee also heard SB 2060 SD2, which would create a mixed-income subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund. HHFDC said the subaccount would likely use tier-two funds, estimated at about $100 million total, to support mixed-income projects above 60% AMI, citing Front Street Apartments as a possible example. Members asked about project selection and funding needs. On SB 2544 SD2, OHA opposed the bill’s Chapter 6E-related exemptions and mandatory review timelines, arguing that burial review protections should not be weakened and that the SPEED Task Force process was a better venue for streamlining. The sponsor later clarified that the bill was not meant to eliminate the 60-day review process but to make the deadline clearer. For SB 3011 SD1, which concerns public housing and pet ownership, HPHA and several humane organizations supported the measure, saying it would help low-income residents and seniors keep pets and benefit from animal companionship. HPHA explained its existing pet policy, including deposits, monthly fees, and restrictions, and said the requested funding would support ADA-accessible pet areas and related administration. Finally, on SB 2061 SD2, HCDA supported the bill while OHA opposed it unless protections for Hawaiian Crown and Government lands were strengthened. Committee members questioned the project’s 60/40 split between income-restricted and market-rate units, the 10-year owner-occupancy restriction, and the procurement exemption; the sponsor said the exemption was tied to a real estate transaction and that the project would still use 103D-like solicitation procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several items were left for later action because quorum was uncertain.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • of new proven technologies, offering immediate relief from skyrocketing energy bills.
  • Put this in perspective. too long, the benefits of solar energy too long, the benefits of solar energy
  • So, it's a low-cost system that allows people to save energy, save on their energy bills over a long
  • So, I urge the passing of this on affordability and equity stand. Mahalo. Thank you.
  • </c> we knew Hawaii has extremely high energy we knew Hawaii has extremely high energy prices<01:35:35.760
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1697, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions. The DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it recognizes braiding as within the scope of cosmetology practice but warned that a broad exemption could create consumer protection gaps, especially around sanitation training, tool use, and enforcement. Supporters from the Institute for Justice and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued the current licensing regime is overly burdensome and unrelated to braiding, citing the 1,250-hour training requirement, high tuition costs, barriers for low-income entrepreneurs, and the fact that many other states already exempt braiders. Committee members asked whether a standalone sanitation course or similar training could address the board’s concerns, and the board said it would bring that idea back for discussion. The committee also noted 16 written testimonies in support and 2 in opposition. The committee then took up HB 1678, relating to condominium and planned community association elections using cumulative voting. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, said the bill would clarify that cumulative voting applies to all candidates, including write-ins, and would help resolve confusion in association elections. One testifier urged the committee to remove proxy voting, calling it an abuse of power in some associations, while another asked whether cumulative voting and proxies could be manipulated to stack votes. In response, the parliamentarian explained that cumulative voting and proxy voting are different, that proxies simply allow someone to vote on another’s behalf, and that existing deadlines and counting procedures reduce opportunities for abuse. Testimony also emphasized that electronic or mail voting can be secure and efficient, and that the bill would make the process clearer and more democratic. Finally, the committee heard testimony on HB 1679, which would clarify an association board’s authority over electronic meetings, electronic voting, voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Supporters said the measure would clean up statutory language, make electronic voting optional, and fix problems created by a 2024 change that made written-consent timing rules difficult to use for association actions. They also said the bill would clarify that proxies are only used at meetings, not for actions taken without a meeting. One opponent argued the bill needs further amendment because electronic voting is not well defined and could be abused, and questioned the neutrality of parliamentarians testifying on condominium bills. No votes were taken on any of the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
  • We're kind of riding as a team and this energy as a team and this energy funding bill amends Alabama
  • It directs surplus funds from the Alabama 21st Century Fund toward energy infrastructure and economic
  • energy infrastructure and economic development initiatives.
  • Infrastructure Bank to begin the energy plan.
  • The effect is to provide $16 million annually to the Energy Bank.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

House Chamber - Wed Mar 18, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 29

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • now my 10th session, and this past year has truly revealed to me just how much time, expertise, and energy
  • It tells us that supply chains are under stress, that energy costs are volatile, and that for a state
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • We want it very clear that this is the preeminent energy state in the country.
  • This is not a debate about whether energy is important to Oklahoma, because it is.
  • But this is not a bill about energy or reducing costs to our taxpayers.
  • This bill will help keep our energy prices stable.
  • This bill will keep us the lowest in the country in energy and cost of living.
Bills: HR1046, SB1733, SB1439
HI
Summary: The House Committee on Health held its first hearing of the session and opened with housekeeping notes, introductions of members, and an explanation that the agenda would be taken out of order to accommodate a sign language interpreter. The committee first heard HB 469, relating to parking for disabled persons. Testimony from the Disability and Communications Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill, explaining that a travel placard would help people with disabilities who must travel interisland or to the mainland for medical care. Members asked about emergency travel, misuse prevention, and how to distinguish the travel placard from existing disabled parking placards; witnesses said the bill would need to be tied to administrative rules, and agreed the placard should clearly show an expiration date and likely be a different color. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 218, relating to hospital surgical smoke. The Department of Health supported the measure, and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii supported it with amendments, saying hospitals already follow existing standards but that any new policy should account for different procedures and provider safety. A committee member questioned the proposed amendment language and whether it was too flexible; the witness explained the intent was to allow case-by-case application because some procedures generate only brief exposure. Members also asked what surgical smoke is, and the witness explained it is produced when electrical or cauterizing tools are used on tissue and creates vapor or fumes. The bill remained under discussion with no final action reported. The committee next took up HB 814, which would fund a public information campaign and related services on cannabis use among youth. The Department of the Attorney General said the bill should be amended to clarify whether the funding would be used for contracts or grants and to include proper grant standards if grants are intended. The Department of Health supported the bill and said the funds would expand prevention, treatment, recovery, and public education efforts, including social media outreach, PSAs, and school-based youth services. Multiple organizations and individuals testified in support, emphasizing the harms of youth cannabis use and the need for prevention and treatment resources. Members asked what the department currently does, whether it is fulfilling existing law on science-based cannabis information, and what kinds of treatment would be provided; the department said services would mainly be intensive outpatient, outpatient, counseling, and related youth-focused supports. No vote was taken during the hearing.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Budget Feb 24th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Capital Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • million of Climate Commitment Act spending that I previously mentioned for purposes including clean energy
  • Chair Tharinger, we are sending loving, healing energy, and Vice Chair, and members of the committee.
  • Chair Tharinger, we are sending loving, healing energy, and Vice Chair, and members of the committee.
  • On behalf of our system, we do appreciate this House's strong investment in decarbonization and energy
  • in as other today because while we are pleased to see the additional investments in housing, clean energy
Bills: HB2295
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Budget Jan 15th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Capital Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • From the Climate Commitment Account, investments are proposed in the oversubscribed Clean Energy Fund
  • fund. $1,000 provided last year, and $2.5 million from the Amazon housing equity fund to ensure that
  • efficiency, and clean energy technology. works.
  • efficiency and clean energy technology.
  • To provide Washingtonians low-cost financing for solar, energy efficiency, and clean energy technologies
Bills: HB2295