Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, and welcome to the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education.
• technical education, and institutional operations.
• technical education, and institutional operations.
• When I view education, when I view education policy, I view it mostly through the lens of access for
• This is a higher education committee and a higher education bill.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education first took up a block of confirmation hearings for trustees and board members at several public universities and state colleges. Appointees from Florida A&M University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, South Florida State College, Valencia College, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Florida described their backgrounds and emphasized themes such as governance, student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, research growth, and institutional reputation. Members asked a few questions, but most nominees received no substantive opposition. The committee then voted unanimously to recommend confirmation of the group of appointees on tabs 3 through 18 and forwarded them to Ethics and Elections. The committee next heard Senate Bill 114 by Senator Trumbull, which would create the Florida Center of Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at Florida State University, move the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide funding for the effort. Trumbull said the bill is intended to strengthen the state’s insurance research capacity and broaden study of insurance lines beyond wind risk. Senators asked about the impact on FIU and the distinction between the new center and existing FIU work; Trumbull said FIU’s Wall of Wind would remain and that the state-owned model would simply be contracted to FSU instead of FIU. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1624 by Senator Calatayud, a wide-ranging higher education bill addressing tuition, workforce programs, institutional operations, and naming changes. Amendments were adopted to create state college regional consortium service organizations for rural colleges, remove a proposed out-of-state fee change for nonresident online students, extend university master plan update cycles from five to 10 years, and rename Hillsborough Community College as Hillsborough College. The bill also changed several references from specific minority categories to “underrepresented,” revised aid and waiver provisions, adjusted adult education and career program rules, and made other technical changes. Senators Smith and Davis questioned the shift away from enumerated categories, arguing it could obscure disparities affecting groups such as Black students, women in STEM, and students with disabilities; Calatayud said the intent was to focus on socioeconomic access and flexibility for institutions. After debate, the committee voted 6-2 to report the bill favorably, with Senators Davis and Smith voting no, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee.
• These students who need financial support across higher education, support to access higher education
• Many institutions of higher education call this a strategic enrollment management plan or a STEM plan
• However, she was very committed to education.
• And access to that education is so very important.

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee heard two work sessions focused on student access and retention, then held public hearings on gubernatorial appointments before taking executive action. Washington Student Achievement Council staff presented the Washington Completes FAFSA campaign, created by Executive Order 2508, describing its advisory board, outreach strategy, dashboard tracking, and progress toward goals of 46,000 FAFSA/WASFA completions and improved equity in completion rates. They also highlighted broader college access tools such as trainings, printed materials, completion events, Otterbot texting support, and the new “Changing the Narrative” report and College Toolkit, which emphasize multiple postsecondary pathways, relatable messengers, and short video content. The committee then heard from the Council of Presidents and Central Washington University and Evergreen State College on student support services. Presenters discussed retention data, FERPA-related limits on parent communication, and the impact of budget cuts on advising, tutoring, wellness, and other services. Evergreen described the Shelton Promise program, including recruitment, summer bridge, basic-needs supports, peer mentoring, texting outreach, and early retention results showing 52 of 53 students continuing. Central Washington outlined its learner access and support plan, including required advising, University 101, early academic alerts, peer mentoring embedded in coursework, the Students First Center, and a Paying for College Guide, while noting that budget reductions have limited some support offerings. In the public hearing, the committee considered Latasha Wortham’s appointment to the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees and a panel of student appointees to various boards and councils, including Evergreen, Washington Student Achievement Council, the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, Edmonds College, and Western Washington University. Testimony emphasized first-generation and immigrant backgrounds, student advocacy, basic needs, and the importance of student voice in governance. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute and gave Senate Bill 6325 a due pass recommendation to Ways and Means; the bill would shift certain higher education cost increases from tuition to state funds over time and direct a WSIPP study on essential student services. The committee also recommended confirmation for the listed gubernatorial appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• . service, family, education, and mentorship.
• educator effectiveness, and college and career readiness across the state.
• The last 15 years—21 years at the county board, the county office of education.
• textbooks with free open educational resources.
• Advancing access to education at our community colleges throughout the state of California.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As in Hawaii, as we struggle to develop effective strategies to stem the growing tide of gun violence
• As in Hawaii, we struggle to develop effective strategies to stem the growing tide of gun violence, we
• Uh, we work with the Department of Education on the public schools on military installations, which helps
• Uh, we work with the Department of Education on the public schools on military installations, which helps

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 3040, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Supporters, including Moms Demand Action and a crime-victim advocate, argued the office would improve data collection, research, and coordination to help reduce gun violence. Opponents, including several gun-rights advocates, said the proposal was duplicative, lacked oversight, and would exclude the firearms community. The chair noted 41 testimonies in support and 77 in opposition, but no vote was taken on the bill in the portion provided. The committee then moved through a series of decision-making items and adopted the chair’s recommendations on several measures. SB 17 on wildfire mitigation passed with amendments from multiple agencies and a report date shifted to the 2028 session. SB 2730 on criminal justice reform passed with a defective effective date amendment, SB 2749 on sentencing passed with a defective effective date, SB 2688 on compassionate release passed with amendments narrowing eligibility and adding notification and funding language, and SB 2798 on law enforcement passed with a defective effective date to make the agricultural enforcement pilot program permanent. SB 2645, a short-form bill, was amended to insert substantive provisions and recommitted to the committee. SB 2383, which would have provided a $15,000 retention bonus for sworn law enforcement officers, was reconsidered and held in committee because it was identified as a duplicate. The committee also passed SB 2575, relating to firearms, with amendments adopting a proposed SD1 that would establish minimum mandatory prison terms for certain class A firearm felonies and add clarifying language. SB 2720, which would create a Hawaii firearm injury restitution fund funded by firearm manufacturer licenses, also passed with amendments clarifying the fund’s scope and eligible injuries. Later, the committee began hearing SB 3107 on parole eligibility. The Office of the Public Defender and the Hawaii Paroling Authority supported language allowing the parole board to waive certain program requirements, while the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission opposed the bill, warning it could keep people incarcerated longer if program access remains limited. The Department of Corrections said it is working on classification changes and a pilot project to move inmates through the system faster.

Transcript Highlights:

• On January 15th, Seek medical care, education, attend mass, or leisure.
• Tom Jong, a STEM educator with Encela Games in full support.
• I am Tom Jong, a STEM educator with the Zella Games, and I support. Thank you.
• My name's Tom Jong, a STEM educator with the Zilla Games, and I support.
• We sell to special education teachers, therapists, and those with disabilities, affordably.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on child safety, immigrant community transparency, agricultural land security, consumer protection, estate transfers, detention commissary pricing, and public works wage enforcement. SB 1234 would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; the author said it was a narrow child-safety measure, and there was no opposition. SB 1257 would require the Attorney General to publish annual reports on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations; supporters said it would improve accountability and document fear in immigrant communities, while questions centered on how the data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 would bar foreign adversary entities from buying or controlling California agricultural land; supporters framed it as a national security measure, while committee members pressed the author on enforcement, who would verify buyers, and possible discriminatory application. The bill was moved on a 2-4 vote and placed on call after the author said he would work on clarifying responsibility and nondiscrimination concerns. The committee also heard SB 1146, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, saying it would curb deceptive deepfake ads and protect consumers; it passed unanimously, 7-0. SB 988 would restrict assignment of benefits in auto glass claims, require claim numbers and itemized estimates, and update repair disclosure rules to curb overbilling and steering; supporters said it would protect consumers and stabilize insurance costs, while independent glass shop concerns about steering and market concentration were discussed. The bill passed 7-0, with one member abstaining because of a conflict. SB 1288, presented on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make good-faith efforts to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would simplify access requirements, especially for nonprofits. Supporters described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements; SIFMA and the California Bankers Association opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactive burdens. The bill passed 8-0. SB 941 would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; supporters said detainees often pay excessive prices for basic necessities, and the bill passed 8-0. Finally, SB 909 would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors warned of uncapped costs and reduced transparency. The discussion continued with questions about enforcement and whether stronger penalties or license restrictions would better deter repeat violators.

Transcript Highlights:

• ensure that our constituents have access to health care, have access to housing, have good quality education
• AB 2398, Alvarez, graduate medical education report, holding committee.
• AB 2660, Alvarez, STEM education partnership, do pass on an A roll call. AB 2694...
• AB 2114, Brian, educational asylum programs, holding committee.
• AB 1861, Lackey, special education complaints, held in committee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, your Committee on Education has had the bill under consideration. Senate Bill 1497... Mr.
• Chairman, your Committee on Education has had the bill under consideration.
• Members, just a reminder for this bill: pharmacist doctoral-level education curriculum does not include
• PharmD education is designed to implement a care plan in collaboration with the patient and other health
• Pharmacists are educated and trained to do this already, which is why they do it in so many other states

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is no secret that higher education is facing uncertain times.
• The RMV is also developing a plan to improve driver education in Massachusetts.
• The RMV is also developing a plan to improve driver education in Massachusetts.
• Our STEM education and workforce development efforts are making a positive impact.
• We’ve got some of the best educational institutions in the world.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a former teacher and the former safety and preparedness at the County Office of Education, I often
• They may be other things like the flexible stem lighters that we have to cut off the stem in order to
• Sacramento, Seventh Generation Advisors, Active San Gabriel Valley, Agilead Marine Research and Education
• Region Monterey, the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority, Save Our Shores, Save the Bay, Social Eco Education
• I am a drug policy advocate representing Seven Hope Alliance, a nonprofit for science and public education

Summary: The committee heard a series of environmental safety and toxic materials measures, with several bills moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Early in the meeting, the consent calendar was approved, including AB 372, AB 455, AB 1096, AB 1102, and AB 754. AB 362 by Assembly Member Ramos, which would recognize tribal beneficial uses of water and strengthen consultation and protection for tribal water uses, drew strong support from tribes and environmental groups. Water agencies and local government representatives opposed unless amended, raising concerns about CEQA requirements, co-management language, and conflicts with existing water law. The bill advanced to Appropriations, with some members voting aye and others not voting or absent. AB 728 by Assembly Member Lee would require age verification for the sale of certain anti-aging skin care products to minors. The author and a youth witness described social media-driven use of adult skin products by children and alleged skin damage, while supporters argued age checks are a reasonable consumer protection. Dermatologists and retailers opposed the bill, saying it could restrict legitimate acne and other medical uses of over-the-counter products, create compliance problems, and lacked a clear scientific basis. The committee discussed possible ambiguity in the bill’s definition of anti-aging products, but the measure still passed to Appropriations. AB 532 on low-income water rate assistance, AB 773 on copper-based anti-fouling paint, AB 998 on household hazardous waste disposal of vape pens, AB 1031 on geothermal hazardous waste fees, and AB 864 on solar panel hazardous waste and recycling all received strong support and advanced to Appropriations. Supporters for AB 532 emphasized water affordability and local program authority; AB 773 supporters said conflicting state water and pesticide rules are creating confusion for harbors and cities; AB 998 was presented as a practical way to let schools and local facilities dispose of confiscated vape devices safely; AB 1031 was framed as reducing DTSC fee burdens on geothermal development in Imperial County; and AB 864 would ease recycling and reuse of end-of-life solar panels. The committee also began hearing AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals, with the author and supporters arguing it would phase out the most harmful ultra-processed foods from school meals by 2032, but the transcript cuts off before the full discussion and any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we've got to have some flexibility in our educational system, our certifications, our licensures,
• So the further we can get into the school programs, we do a lot of educational programs, a lot of the
• STEM programs, and a lot of the technical schools are really where we need to be looking for that next
• Uh, there's been a lot of erosion in the main stem of the Trinity River that's due to a lot of flows
• We hope that the educational sessions and the portal have been helpful to you and to your staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got to have some flexibility in our educational system, our certifications, our licensures.
• So the further we can get into the school programs, we do a lot of educational programs, a lot of the
• STEM programs.
• We have the privilege of providing the educational support for the Texas Water Caucus.
• We hope that the educational sessions and the portal have been helpful to you and to your staff.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> Assistance</c> Education Student Financial Assistance Education Student Financial Assistance for<
• STEM and Robotics Program Study.
• </c> &gt;&gt; House 531, state department of education &gt;&gt; House 531, state department of education
• Board of Education membership, educational support member.
• </c> Education, student member voting. Education, student member voting.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Morrill Act forever changed higher education.
• So we go beyond education and research, we really create opportunities to go beyond the campus.
• education and workforce, and so on.
• I'm the Director of Planning Education with the Department of Water Resources.
• And if nothing else, you educate yourself. So...

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases. Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.

Transcript Highlights:

• as the difference between two very firsthand what it means for a family to see higher education as the
• We need to, no one is going to approach their education in a positive way if they don't feel safe and
• So we want to make sure that our kids are safe, especially if the community college or any education
• It provides a lot of good education for the businesses that are restaurants and bars.
• As well as to the businesses themselves to try to educate them around the rules.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments, bill referrals, rule waiver requests, and floor acknowledgments. The committee approved multiple non-appearance appointments, including Peter Briar-T to the Southern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission, several appointees to the Acupuncture Board, Roy Mathur to the Board of Pilot Commissioners, and Davina Hurt to the California Water Commission; the Water Commission appointment drew a 3-2 vote. The committee also approved bill referrals, two rule waiver requests allowing guests on the Senate floor on March 16 and March 23, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Afterward, the committee returned to the earlier appointment of Peter Briar-T and added it to the record by roll call. The committee then heard testimony from Lillian Corral, nominated to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Corral emphasized her background as a Colombian-born immigrant and first-generation college graduate, and said her priorities would include helping students navigate a changing economy shaped by AI, improving data and digital infrastructure, supporting Vision 2030 goals, and expanding pathways to jobs. Senators questioned her about community college bachelor’s degrees, achievement gaps, dual enrollment, staffing, and her work at New America and the Open Technology Institute, focusing on privacy, student safety, age verification, TikTok, and financial aid fraud. Corral said safety and security should come first, that she supports privacy and technically feasible verification tools, and that the community college system is using identity verification, AI tools, and human review to reduce fraud. The committee voted 3-0 to advance her nomination to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Paul Tupi, nominated to lead the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Tupi described a career in law enforcement and ABC enforcement and said he would focus on public trust, timely licensing, licensee education, community responsiveness, and accountability when alcohol-related harms occur. Senators asked about enforcement against sales to minors, alcohol-related traffic deaths, delivery compliance, agency responsiveness, fund stability, and potential policy changes such as entertainment zones and cocktails-to-go. Tupi outlined ABC’s decoy, shoulder-tap, delivery decoy, and TRACE programs, and said the department also works with local agencies through grants and training. Supporters from the alcohol policy, wine, brewing, and former ABC legal communities praised his open-door approach and enforcement focus. The committee unanimously approved his nomination to move to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> provide for Community saf education provide for Community saf education programs<00:19:00.559><c
• trust fund for the condominium education trust fund for Bing Bing Bing arbitration<01:01:33.599><c>
• The problem stems from lower-level disputes where there's fines that exist that can be abused by the
• Jeff Sadino. owners to pursue that the problem stems owners to pursue that the problem stems from<01:
• </c><01:26:38.440><c> requirements</c><01:26:39.239><c> for</c> applicable education requirements for

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity to demonstrate improvement, not because of neglectful or harmful behavior, but primarily stemmed
• opportunity to demonstrate improvement, not because of neglectful or harmful behavior, but primarily stemmed
• opportunity to demonstrate improvement, not because of neglectful or harmful behavior, but primarily stemmed

Keywords: 00:11 Call to Order/Roll Call 01:02 Discussion of 25RS SB 26 07:48 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 26 08:43 Discussion of 25RS SB 85 28:04 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 85 29:37 Discussion of 25RS HB 805 40:30 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 805 41:32 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 26, presented by Senator Brandon Storm, Family Court Judge Marcus Vanover, and Crystal Adams on behalf of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The bill would ensure Kentucky complies with the ADA by prohibiting disability alone from being used to terminate adoption petitions, parental rights, or child-placement petitions. Testimony cited Kentucky Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases involving parents with intellectual or developmental disabilities and national data showing high removal rates for parents with psychiatric, intellectual, or physical disabilities. The committee approved the bill 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 85 from Senator Steve Meredith and State Auditor Allison Ball, which continues the transition of the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Auditor’s office. Testimony focused on completing the transfer by clarifying access to the ITWIST database, ensuring complaints go directly to the Ombudsman, adding whistleblower protections, and making the office a separate office within the Auditor’s office for efficiency. Members asked about the prior conflict of interest when the Ombudsman was housed within CHFS, the database access dispute and lawsuit, and whether the office still remained independent. The bill passed with favorable expression after some members voted pass. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 805, with Representative Nick Wilson and Representative Sarah Stalker explaining a committee substitute and amendment. The bill would set timelines for the Cabinet to physically locate children reported at immediate safety risk and require annual kinship-care reporting to be automatically provided to the legislature and posted publicly. Wilson said the bill also cleans up language from last year’s House Bill 271, including changing “threats” to “risks” in the safety-plan definition and other terminology fixes. The committee adopted the substitute and amendment and advanced the bill with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• "Stems from the commission's order in a 2016 docket.
• </c><01:45:07.360><c> Uh</c> have online uh education to tests.
• Uh have online uh education to tests.
• So, I don't know if many of education.
• expenses and eligible education providers, ensuring that EFA dollars are only used for appropriate educational

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with housekeeping items, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and reminded the public that JLCAR’s role is limited to determining whether agency rules are within statutory authority, not to decide policy. Testimony was to be limited, and members noted that policy concerns should be addressed through the legislature rather than the committee process. The first major item was Public Utilities Commission rule 25-215 concerning natural gas suppliers. Staff said the proposal had been postponed because the PUC appeared to lack authority to impose fines and penalties in this rule set, especially suspending or revoking registrations, and recommended either a conditional approval removing those provisions or a preliminary objection for lack of statutory authority. PUC counsel responded that the cited authority had been incorrect, that the Department of Energy now has most registration rulemaking authority, but argued the commission still has jurisdiction over mediation and dispute resolution and may still have authority over fines because natural gas suppliers are not expressly excluded from public-utility status. Committee members discussed the split between PUC and DOE authority and the possibility that the transition in authority had not been fully cleaned up in statute. The committee then voted to grant a waiver of the time limit and postpone the item for another month so the agencies could work with counsel and clarify which parts of the rule could proceed. Members also urged that any needed legislative fix be brought forward quickly, noting that the Senate was not taking up non-germane amendments and suggesting the House as the likely venue for a cleanup bill. The committee next took up Department of Energy EN900 and EN1000 rules. Staff said the EN900 net-metering rules had been postponed previously and that the main remaining issue was a retroactive requirement in EN909.03(b), which the agency agreed to revise so the language would apply only on or after the 2026 effective date of the chapter. The agency described the EN900 rules as implementing net metering authority transferred from the PUC and expanding the chapter to cover municipal group net metering and low- and moderate-income community solar projects. The EN1000 interconnection rules were described as implementing 2024 legislation requiring uniform procedures for distributed energy resources. The department said both sets of rules were developed through extensive stakeholder input and asked for approval subject to the oral amendment already discussed."}】【。json

Transcript Highlights:

• So you'll hear from Wyndham, but they do our education within the prison system.
• Yes, in chapter 19 of the education code, yes.
• As I was until very recently on the public education committee, although after hearing Dr.
• All these additional beds and the education.
• We do have GED and adult basic education programming.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just quickly, you know, my opposition to this stems from the private right of action.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Banks Committee met with Chair James Sanders Jr. and members including Senators Brisport, Borrello, and newly introduced Senator Eric Botcher. The chair emphasized the committee’s willingness to debate and revise bills, with several members noting the value of open dialogue and bipartisan cooperation on banking issues affecting unbanked and underbanked New Yorkers. The committee considered five bills. S.70 (mortgage loan services) drew opposition from one member over its private right of action, with concerns that litigation would raise costs and make mortgages less affordable; it was nevertheless moved and reported out. S.2027 would create a banking development district working group; supporters said the program needs an overhaul and more funding, and the bill was moved and referred to finance. S.2327 would dedicate 10% of fines and penalties imposed by the Department of Financial Services to a community development financial institution fund; it was reported out and referred to finance. S.3177 would regulate commercial finance licenses and was also voted out and referred to finance. The final bill, S.3615, would support minority depository institutions establishing home or branch offices in unbanked or underbanked communities. A co-sponsor highlighted that rural areas also face banking access problems and praised the bill as a nonpartisan effort. The committee approved the bill and referred it to finance. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all listed bills were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• The combined effect of reducing Medicaid funding, new barriers to medical education, and the loss of
• , and the loss of premium education, and the loss of premium assistance<00:58:40.000><c> create</c><00
• working on mental health educators working on mental health<01:31:32.280><c> and</c><01:31:32.480><c
• ,</c> health challenges, disrupted education, health challenges, disrupted education, we're<02:00:40.480
• ICE has made it harder for me to provide care and halted the education I need to better serve people.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all