Transcript Highlights:

• municipality or charitable trust has the right of first refusal in the sale or transfer of that public utility
• A sale of a public utility to a private equity firm currently... ...that we can delay any longer.
• A sale of a public utility to a private equity firm currently engaged in a $100 billion partnership really

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At that time, it was brought to our attention that the water utilities in the city of Apalachicola had
• residents of that city could have a greater understanding of the finances that is going on with their utilities
• . understanding of the finances that is going on with their utilities.

Summary: The Legislative Auditing Committee heard several local-government audit requests and unanimously approved each one. The first item was Baker County, where county commissioners asked for an operational and financial audit because of repeated late audits, concerns about the finance office, and lack of confidence in county financial reporting. The county clerk supported an audit but argued it should be countywide and include all constitutional officers; she also described a dispute over access to the county finance system and pending litigation. After brief questions, the committee adopted a 9-0 motion directing the Auditor General to perform an operational audit of Baker County’s financial operations and records, with scope to be finalized during the audit. The committee then approved an audit request for the Concord Estates Community Development District in Osceola County. Senator Arrington said residents alleged excessive board compensation, large unexplained spending, missing financial reports, and refusal to provide records or hold open meetings. Residents and a board member testified about rising assessments, deteriorating amenities, and lack of transparency. The committee voted 10-0 to direct an operational audit of the CDD. It also approved, by 10-0 votes, operational audits of the town of Melbourne Beach, based on allegations of fiscal and operational improprieties and lawsuits that had cost the town more than $150,000, and the city of Apalachicola, where Senator Simon said longstanding water utility failures, grant issues, and consent-order problems warranted review. The final request was for a financial and operational audit of Cape Coral’s Building Department. Representative G. Lombardo said building-fee revenues appeared to be transferred for non-building purposes, permit processing was inconsistent, and the department relied heavily on a private firm while the building official had prior ties to that firm. Industry representatives testified that building funds were being diverted, service levels were suffering, and private-provider inspections were not always reflected in fee reductions. The committee adopted the motion 10-0. After completing all agenda items, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we don't burn biomass and utilize it, we can increase economic development, especially in rural California
• requires the Energy Commission to include in any relevant agency reports the value proposition from utilizing
• multitude of energy solutions to meet our collective air quality and climate goals, and biomass utilization

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with some initial delay while waiting for quorum, then approved the consent calendar items SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire mitigation, biomass use, climate resilience, and geologic hazard mapping. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance climate, air quality, public health, and land management goals, with testimony both supporting and opposing biomass-related proposals. SB 88 (Caballero) would direct state agencies to support beneficial uses of forest and agricultural biomass, including biochar and low-carbon energy. Supporters argued it would reduce open burning, improve air quality, and create rural economic opportunities; opponents, including environmental groups, argued woody biomass energy is costly, polluting, and harmful to forests and communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 653 (Cortese) defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management also passed, with supporters describing it as a voluntary framework to align wildfire fuel reduction with biodiversity and habitat restoration; no opposition was heard, and a member requested to be added as a coauthor. The committee also approved SCR 50 (Stern), which urges state climate agencies to define maladaptation and develop criteria for reviewing climate-related policies and investments, and SB 567 (Limón), a pilot program to study converting idle oil wells into gravity energy storage wells. SB 567 drew support from the sponsor and labor/local government witnesses, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, citing groundwater protection concerns in key basins and asking for additional safeguards. Finally, SB 831 (Limón) passed, clarifying the scope of geologic hazards to include conditions tied to climate change and natural disasters such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion. All measures were reported out of committee, with several absent-member votes later added to complete the roll.

Transcript Highlights:

• The screenings that are currently being utilized are covered because that is not currently covered all
• The screenings that are currently being utilized are covered because that is not currently covered all
• It is important, however, to ensure that... screenings that are currently being utilized, covered because

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Intended to help reduce utility bills. That's something that's a focus of many of ours.
• How much savings can Californians expect on their utility bill as a result of this extension?
• table every year for DMV, the courts, and the community to work on making our roads safer through utilization

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but we have, um, We have uses that they also look at that we haven't utilized.
• Using the, the, the, these dollars instead of reaching this cap, actually utilizing it like we do for
• I could think of a lot of things that we could utilize some of this money for.

Bills: SJR 4

Keywords: term limits, state offices, constitutional amendment, governor, lieutenant governor, election reform

Transcript Highlights:

• In recommendations, we reduce the general revenue by $6 million for the utilization of federal funds
• a half billion of customer rate relief bonds to mitigate the impact of winter storm Murie on gas utility
• The Railroad Commission, which we dealt with on the gas utility transaction I mentioned earlier. there's

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:34:49.520> So that we utilize in our forge studies.
• So that we utilize in our forge studies.
• The shad truck is utilized for a variety of stockings.
• <03:50:10.080> for have rigged up that we um utilize for have rigged up that we um utilize
• And so, we utilize them all summer long doing that data collection.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1569 was enacted despite broad skepticism about its utility and constitutionality when introducing
• HB 1569 was enacted despite broad skepticism about its utility and constitutionality when introducing
• HB 1569 was enacted despite broad skepticism about its utility and constitutionality when introducing
• currently there's a law that utility currently there's a law that utility companies<04:51:10.200
• <04:51:20.280> donations know if the if those utility donations know if the if those utility

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 2672 to Communications and Technology; House Bill 2674 to Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities
• House Bill 2674 to Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities; House Resolution 580 to Environmental

Keywords: Scheduler, 973, house, all

Summary: The House convened at noon with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then proceeded to routine floor business. The chamber accepted committee reports on several bills, including Transportation Committee reports on House Bill 2227 and Senate Bill 1377, and Judiciary Committee reports on House Bill 1434, House Bill 2273, Senate Bill 45, Senate Bill 111, Senate Bill 1235, and Senate Bill 1259. In each case, the House agreed to the committee action, with some bills reported as amended and others as committed. The House also referred a number of measures to committees, including Senate Bill 482, House Bills 2671-2674, House Resolution 580, Senate Bills 1206, 1212, 1273, and 1400, and House Resolution 581. Several reports were received and read into the record, including a Joint State Government Commission report on recruitment and retention challenges for police, corrections, and prosecutors, annual reports from the Pennsylvania Ireland Trade Commission, the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, the General Building Contractors Association, the Affordable Housing Center of Pennsylvania, and the Judicial Conduct Board, plus reports under the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authorities Act. The House also received notice that the Senate had amended House Bill 1667 and requested concurrence. The Majority Leader moved to recommit House Bill 2460 to Appropriations and to remove House Bill 2146, Senate Bills 971, 972, and 1259, and House Resolutions 165 and 462 from the tabled calendar to the active calendar. Finally, on motion of Representative Ledbetter, the House adjourned until Saturday, June 27, 2026, at noon, unless sooner recalled by the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just looking at what is utilized, you can see that the twice-a-day breath testing and the drug patches
• seem to be the most utilized in our counties.
• SCRAM bracelets are heavily utilized in our counties as well, which is a bracelet that is used for remote
• So just looking at what is utilized, you can see that the twice a day breath testing and the drug patches
• seem to be the most utilized in our counties.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:31.480> of<00:51:31.600> the<00:51:31.720> land,<00:51:32.360> utility
• , previous purchase of the land, utility, previous purchase of the land, utility, site<00:51:33.680
• just the natural growth that the city of Austin has had over the time since the building's been utilized
• Our current levy and utility funds go towards those efforts and make it a significant challenge for us
• Our current levy and utility funds go towards those efforts and make it a significant challenge for us

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That sets them apart from more supplemental resources that you might see utilized in schools.
• <00:09:54.399> Um, might see utilized in schools. Um, might see utilized in schools.
• looking forward to seeing what the opportunity for more school districts and schools to be able to utilize
• to<00:21:15.440> be<00:21:15.520> able<00:21:15.679> to<00:21:15.840> utilize
• and schools um to be able to utilize and schools um to be able to utilize this<00:21:16.320>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met after several reschedulings due to flooding, welcomed a new assistant, and confirmed a quorum. It first approved the March 11 minutes, then reported that the day’s agenda included 310 items totaling about $139.4 million, with all vendors registered with the Secretary of State. The committee then approved deferred items involving the Transportation Cabinet/Department of Highways, including one routine PSC green-list item and one PSC amendment item, after hearing from the Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Professional Services and noting prior questions had been answered. The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Education contracts tied to reading and literacy initiatives. Officials described a competitive grant program for high-quality instructional resources and related professional learning, explaining that resources are selected through evidence-based reviews and a quality curriculum task force, and that districts apply using an instructional resources alignment rubric. Members questioned the program’s reach, whether districts opt in, how many schools applied, and whether the effort is producing measurable reading gains. Department witnesses said about 155 schools applied and were awarded, the program is voluntary, and the University of Louisville’s Reading Research Center is collecting qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate effectiveness. Several members expressed concern that the state has repeatedly funded literacy efforts without improving reading scores, though the committee ultimately approved the education items, with Senator Meredith noting support but frustration about the lack of progress. The committee also approved an MOA amendment item supporting the Principal Partnership Project, which provides tools, resources, and professional learning for administrators and helps meet statutory evaluation-training requirements. Members asked about the use of nonrecurring federal funds and whether the arrangement affects retirement benefits; staff said the contract pays districts based on daily wage and additional workdays, which does increase retirement packages. Representative McCool voted yes but voiced caution about possible supplanting. Finally, the committee took up an Office of the Controller contract for a brokered insurance-related procurement. Representative Balman moved to disapprove the contract, arguing the winning broker was not the low bidder and that the committee lacked answers about how technical scoring outweighed a roughly $600,000 price difference. The motion to disapprove did not prevail, and the contract was approved after further discussion about procurement scoring and the committee’s limited information.

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure clarifies that the public utilities commission under the universal service program may provide
• This measure clarifies that the<00:05:27.840> public<00:05:28.240> utilities<00:05:28.639
• > commission<00:05:29.720> under the public utilities commission under the public utilities
• I'm the utility analyst at the Public Utilities Commission. I'm here on behalf of the commission.
• 247 and the public utilities commission 247 and the public utilities commission has<00:07:18.560>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 302, which would expand access to medical cannabis by removing the in-person provider-patient relationship requirement and related restrictions. The Department of Health supported the bill, and multiple advocates and organizations testified in support, including the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Cannabis Reform, Marijuana Policy Project, and others. Supporters said the measure would improve access for patients, especially on outer islands, and some urged broader amendments allowing providers to certify cannabis for any medical condition and to speed registration and treat in-state and out-of-state patients equally. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left with no questions after testimony. The committee also heard HB 1052 HD1, which clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission may use universal service fund monies to provide free telecommunications access for individuals with print disabilities. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the DCCA Division of Consumer Advocacy, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Human Services, the Public Utilities Commission, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii. Witnesses described the program as an important accessibility service that has been operating under prior appropriations and should continue under the universal service program. HB 1482, relating to controlled substances and hemp/synthetic cannabinoids, drew support from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Health, Honolulu Police Department, and others, with some comments from the Attorney General’s office. Supporters said the bill would clarify that delta-8 THC is a controlled substance and help enforcement against illegal hemp products and synthetic cannabinoids. Testimony and questioning focused on the need for better lab testing capacity, retail registry and age-gating, seizure authority, nuisance abatement, and possible use of special funds or appropriations to support enforcement. Members also discussed enforcement of illegal hemp businesses and whether additional funding or statutory changes would be needed. Finally, the committee took up HB 712, a 340B drug-discount measure affecting safety-net providers and contract pharmacies. Hospitals, health centers, and provider groups testified in support, saying the bill would protect access to discounted drugs and preserve funding for services such as chronic disease management, transportation, and specialty care. Pharmaceutical-industry representatives opposed the bill or sought amendments, arguing the 340B program has expanded beyond its original intent and lacks transparency, and they requested reporting or audit-like provisions to verify claims and revenues. Members questioned both sides about alleged abuse, the growth of contract pharmacies, and whether the bill should include transparency requirements before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• parole or permition officer from parole or permition officer from parole or permition officer from utilizing
• a post replace lines 37 on utilizing a post replace lines 37 on utilizing a post replace lines 37 on
• probation officer from by a parole or probation officer from by a parole or probation officer from utilizing
• a utilizing a utilizing a post utilizing a post so I'm talking post utilizing a post so I'm talking
• post utilizing a post so I'm talking about the post office box yes right okay about the post office box

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it for domestic farming and just utilize it for domestic farming and just to<01:04:01.559> be
• our lands how to Intel of how to utilize our lands how to take<01:04:23.960> a<01:04:24.119><
• entities to review and approve utility entities to review and approve because<01:43:52.599> the
• But again, the difference is on the utilities.
• They kept it flexible for us to be able to utilize it statewide.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2674 to Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities.
• House Bill 2674 to Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities; Senate Bill 1212, Senate Bill 1273

Summary: The House convened at noon with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then proceeded to routine legislative business. The Transportation Committee reported House Bill 2227 and Senate Bill 1377, and the Judiciary Committee reported House Bill 1434, House Bill 2273, Senate Bill 45, Senate Bill 111, Senate Bill 1235, and Senate Bill 1259, with several bills reported as amended. The House also received multiple bill referrals, including Senate Bill 482 to Aging and Older Adult Services; House Bills 2672 and 2674 to other committees; several Senate bills to Judiciary; and House Resolution 581 to Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness. The chamber received a series of reports, including a Joint State Government Commission report on recruitment and retention challenges for police, corrections, and prosecutors, along with annual reports from the Pennsylvania Island Trade Commission, the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, the General Building Contractors Association, the Affordable Housing Center of Pennsylvania, the Judicial Conduct Board, and the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority. The House also received notice that the Senate had passed House Bill 1667 with amendment and requested concurrence. On motions from the Majority Leader, House Bill 2460 was recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations, and House Bills 2146, Senate Bills 971, 972, and 1259, along with House Resolutions 165 and 462, were removed from the tabled calendar and placed on the active calendar. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn and stood adjourned until Saturday, June 27, 2026, at noon, unless sooner recalled by the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• Howitt, relative to utility services, is referred to the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities,

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House convened briefly, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several visiting groups and individual honorees, including students from France and Northbridge High School basketball standout Molly Gahan. The House also received a gubernatorial supplemental appropriations message for fiscal year 2025, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and a message validating the results of a special election in Hardwick, referred to the Committee on Election Laws. The Committee on Rules reported several resolutions for adoption, including commendations for Richard T. Herody, the IBS patient support group’s recognition of World IBS Day, and Anticoagulation Forum, Inc.’s recognition of Hypertension Awareness Month. The House suspended the rules and adopted those resolutions. The Rules Committee of the two branches also recommended suspending Joint Rule 12 on several petitions, including bills on pet shop sales of certain animals, spouses serving as MassHealth caregivers, and utility services; the House agreed to suspend the rule and referred the petitions to the appropriate committees. After a brief recess, the House adopted an order to adjourn to meet again Monday at 11:30 a.m. in informal session, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• present to the Legislature by next spring options to impose a penalty on employers whose employees utilize
• the Medi-Cal program. ...on employers whose employees utilize the Medi-Cal program.
• a taxpayer with up to like $57 million in taxable profits would pay, would still be able to fully utilize
• So taxpayers will be able to fully utilize their credits just at a later date.
• Sciences to express our opposition to the proposal in AB122 related to the permanent capping of the utilization

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For Cohasset Water Tower and Utility Extension, $3 million.
• For Minnetonka Beach, for streets and utility reconstruction, $4.54 million.
• For Proctor, I-35 commercial development utility extensions, $3.5 million.
• For Russell, phase two utilities projects, $1 million.
• For South Haven, phase three utility projects, $3.5 million.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a large bonding bill and reviewed the final spreadsheet of capital investments. Chairs and members repeatedly thanked staff, House and Senate negotiators, and the Governor’s team for a collaborative process. The bill was described as a statewide package rather than a partisan one, with major funding for higher education asset preservation, DNR projects, public safety, transportation, the Met Council, veterans facilities, corrections, DEED/local projects, and a large water infrastructure section. House Fiscal staff and Senate fiscal staff walked through the bill line by line. Highlights included University of Minnesota and Minnesota State asset preservation, education and language immersion school funding, DNR trail and flood mitigation projects, public safety facilities, local road and bridge grants, Met Council parks and I/I grants, veterans home and armory funding, corrections projects including the Faribault vocational expansion, and many local economic development and public facility projects across Greater Minnesota and the metro. The bill also included Public Facilities Authority water and wastewater grants, housing rehabilitation funding, historical society grants, a Minnesota Zoo operating transfer, airport appropriations, and several cancellations of prior appropriations to help finance the package. Members generally praised the bill and the bipartisan work behind it. Some Republicans emphasized the one-time license fee reduction and affordability, while also saying DEED’s business development infrastructure funding was too low. Senator Nelson highlighted long-awaited transportation projects such as Highway 14 and township roads. Senator Dibble supported the transportation investments but criticized the bill for having no transit funding, calling that a major omission. No vote was recorded in the excerpt, but the discussion centered on final review and support for moving the bonding bill forward.