Transcript Highlights:

• There are currently limited available alternatives for PASAS and many electronics internal component
• However, new alternative technologies are in development.
• Some have better connections and are better... however new alternative Technologies are however new alternative
• <01:19:56.159> meaningful<01:19:56.679> imple Alternatives meaningful imple Alternatives
• <01:37:25.840> you when we know there are alternatives you when we know there are alternatives

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternating Chair Senator Bradley, here. Senators Arrington is excused; Burgess is excused.
• Alternating Chair Smith, Alternating Chair Bradley.
• Alternating Chair Smith, Alternating Chair Bradley, distinguished members of the Joint Committee.
• Wouldn't that be perhaps a better alternative?
• It was an alternative to there being only one option on the table.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met with a quorum present and heard an update from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of the Office of Public Counsel. Trierweiler described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate cases and related proceedings, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service hearings to challenge unsupported utility costs while seeking outcomes that are “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable.” A major focus of the presentation was the office’s work on large utility dockets, especially the Florida Power & Light rate case, as well as other recent cases involving Duke, TECO, Sunshine, and St. Joe. Trierweiler said the office had settled some cases but not others, had two appeals pending, and had filed motions for reconsideration where required. He also discussed storm cost recovery, affordability concerns, and the new challenge of data center tariffs and related energy and water demands. He said the office brought in new experts on affordability and data centers and was trying to get ahead of those issues through workshops and settlement efforts. Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how the office evaluates a fair profit for utilities, the role of settlements and counterproposals, and the impact of data centers on energy and water use. Trierweiler said customer voices come in through hearings and correspondence, that utilities are entitled to a fair return but not imprudent costs, and that the office is concerned about data center growth and its resource demands. No votes were taken, and the committee concluded its agenda and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• sports betting is now being advertised as legal in all 50 states, I think that is the best part of the pathway
• states, I think that is the best part of states, I think that is the best part of the<00:02:37.760> pathway
• :38.560> allow<00:02:38.880> it<00:02:39.000> to<00:02:39.080> be the pathway
• and will allow it to be the pathway and will allow it to be heard<00:02:39.920> by<00:02:40.040
• Corridors and pathways through the chamber are frequently blocked.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Rules and Administration Committee met on March 19, 2026, to consider the referral path for Senate File 4139, the sports betting bill, rather than the substance of the proposal. Senator Franzen, the bill’s chief author, asked that the bill be referred first to the Commerce Committee, saying he had discussed the matter with the relevant committee chairs and that Commerce was the best place to address the bill’s consumer protection provisions. He emphasized that any final path to passage would still require the bill to go through State and Local Government as well. Senator Rasmusson objected and argued the bill should go first to State and Local Government, citing Senate jurisdiction rules, which he said assign gambling bills to that committee. He noted that prior sports betting bills had been referred there first and said a predictable referral process is important. Senator Maye Quade, Senator Dibble, Senator Bar, and Senator Jasinski also supported sending the bill to State and Local Government first, arguing that the committee has primary jurisdiction over gambling and that the bill’s consumer protection language does not change that basic referral. Senator Champion and Senator Miller supported the Commerce referral, saying authors may request an initial committee and that the bill’s consumer protection sections fit Commerce jurisdiction. Senator Marty moved to re-refer Senate File 4139 to the Committee on State and Local Government. Before the vote, members continued debating whether the bill’s structure and prior referral history justified Commerce or whether committee jurisdiction rules required State and Local Government first. The transcript ends with the motion pending and no final vote or disposition shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We still should be members of our community, and there should always be a pathway to encourage us to
• We have a very clear pathway here to understanding, and counsel's right.
• <01:11:38.320> a<01:11:38.560> very<01:11:38.800> clear<01:11:39.120> pathway
• <01:11:39.600> here<01:11:40.000> to We have a very clear pathway here to We have a
• very clear pathway here to understanding<01:11:41.280> and<01:11:41.600> council's<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe this bill, the Minnesota Civic Fund, is one of the pathways to put voters back at the center
• I believe this bill, the Minnesota Civic Fund, is one of the pathways to put voters back at the center
• I believe this bill, the Minnesota Civic Fund, is one of the pathways to put voters back at the center
• I believe this bill, the Minnesota Civic Fund, is one of the pathways to put voters back at the center
• I believe this bill, the Minnesota Civic Fund, is one of the pathways to put voters back at the center

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moreover, our medical career and business pathway ensures that students are successful beyond their first
• c> business moreover our medical career and business moreover our medical career and business pathway
• > ensures<00:43:07.359> that<00:43:07.559> students<00:43:07.960> are pathway
• ensures that students are pathway ensures that students are successful<00:43:08.920> beyond<00
• > students The average wages for students leaving our medical career adult basic education pathway

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the final alternative, the final decision, was a balanced alternative, encapsulating BLM's multiple-use
• So the final alternative, the final decision, was a balanced alternative, encapsulating BLM's multiple-use
• The final alternative, the final decision, was a balanced alternative, encapsulating BLM's multiple-use
• > alternative conservation focused alternative conservation focused alternative incorporating<
• horse people another alternative to it. horse people another alternative to it.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We deferred evaluation of possible alternatives for PFAS in sealants and cookware until Cycle 2.
• For the other Cycle 1.5 products we reviewed, we were unable to determine safer alternatives were both
• alternatives for PFAS in sealance and cookware until cycle 2.
• So I think that forces the hand of industry to find alternatives.
• But the challenge that we have is that the alternatives, when there's a general ban like that, aren't

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when a substance is known to cause cancer and respiratory harm and safer alternatives do exist, the
• 00:02:17.360> harm<00:02:17.920> and<00:02:18.080> safer<00:02:18.360> alternatives
• respiratory harm and safer alternatives respiratory harm and safer alternatives do<00:02:19.080>
• for Telone that are alternatives for Telone that are registered<00:04:45.200> for<00:04:45.360
• It appears that other pineapple growers have transitioned away to other alternatives.

Bills: HB1979

Keywords: environmental review, affordable housing, clean energy, judicial proceedings, public participation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee held an AEN hearing on Friday, March 20, in Room 224 with remote participation streamed live. The first measure, HB 1880 HD3, would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2030, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-D (Telone). Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and HAPA, argued that 1,3-D is a probable carcinogen, can drift off target, and poses risks to farm workers, nearby families, children, and vulnerable communities, while safer alternatives exist. Opponents, including the Western Plant Health Association and Dole Food, said the product is federally registered and regulated, is needed for pineapple production, and that banning it could threaten jobs, local food production, and the pineapple industry; Dole also noted a petition signed by 95 employees opposing the bill. The chair recorded 73 in support, seven opposed, and two comments for the measure. The committee then took up HB 1931 HD2, which would establish a state noxious weed coordinator, update the process for designating and managing noxious weeds, allow public proposals to change designations, require notice and reporting, classify weeds into three categories, and strengthen enforcement and penalties. Testimony was generally supportive, with DLNR and DAB submitting support and CGAPS backing the bill as a modernization of outdated 1950s-era statutes, arguing that more flexible administrative rules would better address changing agricultural and invasive species conditions. The measure received 38 supportive testimonies, with no opposition or comments recorded. Because the committee did not have quorum, no final decision was made on the measures. The chair announced that decision-making would be rolled to Wednesday, March 25, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 224, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So last year we gave monies for, uh, pathways for the community college. Is that correct?
• >> Uh<03:35:08.479> not<03:35:09.200> pathways. >> Uh not pathways.
• >> Uh not pathways.
• <03:36:59.439> We We have pathways from the DOE.
• What you got to do to watch either Leeward or KCC and Mānoa—pathways.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead of letting their past define them, we must create pathways that allow these folks to rewrite
• That's why I introduced the BRIDGE Act last month, which expands pathways to employment and economic
• them, we of letting their past define them, we must<01:41:27.760> create<01:41:28.159> pathways
• that allow these must create pathways that allow these folks<01:41:30.239> to<01:41:30.480>
• to employment and economic pathways to employment and economic freedom<01:41:55.600> for<01:41

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, April 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yeah, we're not too sure why you had to come out to this pathway. >> Yeah, thank you for all your
• Director Sniffen, through his federal pathways, is trying to see if those people that are assigned to
• Um Director Sniffen through his<01:18:23.760> federal<01:18:24.159> pathways<01:18:25.120
• are trying to see his federal pathways are trying to see if<01:18:26.640> those<01:18:26.960>
• CNA to LPN glide pathway um graduation. CNA to LPN glide pathway um graduation.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• require judges to give this alternative require judges to give this alternative sentence<00:29:44.600
• Stronger diversion or mitigation laws are a practical and effective alternative.
• Stronger diversion or mitigation laws are a practical and effective alternative.
• information I do have alternate information I do have alternate sentencing<00:48:40.520> hearings
• We'll still get motions for alternate sentencing.

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:20 Discussion of 25RS HB 479 00:03:22 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 479 00:04:51 Discussion of 25RS HB 574 00:21:49 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 475 00:23:41 Discussion of 25RS HB 291 01:04:38 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 291 01:05:42 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first took up House Bill 479, which would require one hour of dementia training for DCBS workers. Representative Derrick Lewis and the Alzheimer’s Association said the bill was a straightforward, bipartisan effort to address dementia awareness and improve worker training, with no fiscal impact. Members spoke in support, including remarks about personal family experiences with dementia and the importance of recognizing symptoms early. The committee voted 11-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 574, the “Baby Maya” child protection bill, sponsored by Representatives Dossett and Lewis. The bill would require reporting when a child is born to a parent who previously had children removed for neglect or abuse, create a rebuttable presumption allowing the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to make an initial safety determination, authorize emergency custody procedures, and name the measure the Baby Maya Law. Sponsors said it was intended to add guardrails after the Baby Maya case and stressed that it would not automatically remove children or add new mandatory-reporter penalties. Members asked about hospital involvement, HIPAA, and information-sharing; the Cabinet commissioner said the agency would be open to better data-sharing with hospitals, but currently has no such system. The bill passed 12-1 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 291, the Family Preservation and Accountability Act, with a committee substitute. The bill would expand sentencing alternatives for primary caregivers convicted of nonviolent offenses, allowing judges to consider family status and use options such as counseling, parenting classes, and related services. Supporters argued it would keep families together, reduce harm from parental incarceration, and save money; one witness cited a report estimating $4 million in direct incarceration savings and broader economic benefits. Another witness, Amanda Hall, gave emotional testimony about the long-term harm of parental incarceration and said access to help would have been better for her family than prison. The committee adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 12-1 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• the federal diploma and the alternative the federal diploma and the alternative diploma.<00:59:52.320
• The alternative diploma is not diploma.
• The modified diploma is basically the current alternative diploma.
• alternative assessments. alternative assessments.
• current alternative diploma. current alternative diploma.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mean by alternative mean by alternative uh, uh, uh, by<00:06:37.919> by<00:06:38.200>
• by by alternative uh, delivery support? by by alternative uh, delivery support?
• Uh, so, alternative >> Uh, yes, sir.
• Alternative<00:06:56.520> delivery<00:06:56.960> includes<00:06:57.400> things Alternative
• things that may happen with alternative things that may happen with alternative delivery.<00:07:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved a motion and then deferred a large batch of 246 contracts totaling about $187.8 million until the April 2026 meeting. It then moved through the agenda and reviewed several pulled items, beginning with four Attorney General contingent-fee contracts. Committee members questioned why the contracts were new, what the $20 million maximums meant, and how the fees would work; the AG’s office explained they were new awards from a September RFP, that the $20 million was an outside estimate tied to a full recovery, and that one contract would require a $380 million recovery to pay out the maximum. The committee voted to consider those contracts reviewed without objection. The Department of Highways then explained an “alternative delivery support” contract, describing it as a procurement method different from the usual design-bid-build model and noting it can help with innovation, speed, timeliness, or cost reduction. After that explanation, the committee again voted to consider the contract reviewed without objection. The Kentucky Horse Park/Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation presented eight legal services contracts; members focused on differing hourly rates and retroactive approval. The corporation said it had selected four firms through an RFP to maintain flexibility and avoid conflicts, would use in-house counsel first, and did not expect to use the maximum rates. Senator Thomas argued the committee’s statutory hourly rate cap is outdated and should be revisited. The committee then approved the contracts. One Transportation Office of the Secretary contract was deferred to the April meeting, consistent with the agency’s prior request. The committee then reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services items from the Department of Community Based Services: three contract amendments and one memorandum of agreement. Members asked about funding sources, service outcomes, and whether the programs reduce future need; the agency said one amendment was a $55,000 increase offset by reductions elsewhere, that the total contract amount with the agency did not change, and that follow-up data show over 90% of children remain in the home after services. The committee approved those items. Finally, the committee reviewed a LIHEAP contract amendment from the Division of Family Support, which the agency said used federal funds, not state general funds, to add newly appropriated federal money for low-income home energy assistance and crisis heating support. Members asked about future funding and were told that continuation depends on Congress. The committee approved that item. It then began reviewing Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities memoranda of agreement tied to Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center staffing; members asked for a count of personnel, and the agency said it would provide that information, after which the discussion continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission of Alaska and inflation adjustment of the maximum price of natural gas, relating to an alternative
• Commission of Alaska and inflation adjustment of the maximum price of natural gas, relating to an alternative
• volumetric tax and... ...maximum price of natural gas, relating to an alternative volumetric tax on
• volumetric tax. ...of the maximum price of natural gas, relating to an alternative volumetric tax on
• volumetric tax on natural gas throughput. ...on the price of natural gas; relating to an alternative

Keywords: 905, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to this language option the alternative to this language >> Senator<00:08:45.440> D.
• That's an option, as an alternative to a single report released all at the same time.
• That's an option, as an alternative to a single report released all at the same time.
• That's an option, as an alternative to a single report released all at the same time.
• So with that in mind, let's take a quick look at four alternatives to the current process.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Budget Caucus Public Commission met with a quorum present, approved the September 3, 2025 minutes, and then heard a presentation from Legislative Budget Office Director Christian Larson on proposed updates to the fiscal note uniform standards and procedures. The main changes clarified that agencies must still complete a fiscal note when a bill or section cannot be implemented because of federal law, with the note explaining the implementation issue and costing only the portions that can be implemented. A second change said technical comments about possible future litigation may be included in the narrative but not in the cost tables. Members discussed how these rules would apply when only part of a bill is unimplementable versus when an entire bill is, and whether requiring a note in those cases is the best use of agency time. The commission also approved a new procedure on funding-source assumptions for expanded programs, including assuming the current funding source unless the bill says otherwise and defaulting to the general fund if no source is identified. The updated standards and procedures were adopted by a 7-0 roll call vote, with Senator Wickland excused. The commission then received a second presentation from Director Larson on a possible analysis of the accuracy of fiscal estimates and budget items after enactment. He described this as a variance analysis comparing fiscal note estimates to actual fiscal impacts, intended to improve future estimates, inform the legislature, and increase accountability. He summarized practices in other states, noting that most variance reviews are ad hoc, while Utah and Tennessee have more formalized legislative reports; he also referenced an LBO pilot review done in 2022 based largely on Tennessee’s model. The presentation outlined possible report formats, including a single annual report, standalone briefs, or topic-specific reviews, and raised implementation questions such as who would select items for review, whether the analysis should be limited to fiscal notes, what statutory authority or data access would be needed, and what resources would be required from both agencies and the LBO. Members did not take action on the second presentation. Representative Anderson and Vice Chair Pratt commented that the proposal is complicated but potentially useful for improving future fiscal notes and transparency, and the chair indicated the discussion was for future consideration rather than an immediate decision.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's an expensive, very poor alternative. We have state lands. I fully agree.
• That's an expensive, very poor alternative. We have state lands. I fully agree.
• That's an expensive, very poor alternative. We have state lands. I fully agree.
• You have two: the deep monitor well statewide, and then the Waimānalo Pathways. For the lapse.
• Unfortunately, that's too bad because, you know, we've seen the old building and what the alternatives

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There would be an environmental review with an alternatives analysis.
• analysis so we are Alternatives analysis so we are supportive<00:13:46.920> of<00:13:47.120><
• <00:15:42.079> power understand what alternative power understand what alternative power opportunities
• Representative Acomb follows up, asking whether there are alternative forms of generators that could
• <00:37:06.480> to governments can use as an alternative to governments can use as an alternative

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The board will see the three alternatives for the design repairs in the next board meeting coming up
• The board will see the three alternatives for the design repairs in the next board meeting coming up
• The board will see the three alternatives for the design repairs in the next board meeting coming up
• The board will see the three alternatives for the design repairs in the next board meeting coming up
• The board will see the three alternatives for the design repairs in the next board meeting coming up

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:30 Office of the Attorney General 00:01:50 Kentucky River Authority 00:12:50, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met without a quorum at first, then heard an update on child exploitation enforcement efforts from the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Criminal Investigations. The presenters described the specialized investigation and prosecution unit funded in House Bill 6, saying the added resources allowed them to hire four staff members and expand work on cyber tips, search warrants, arrests, forensic processing, victim advocacy, and training for local law enforcement. They highlighted a recent rescue of a 5-year-old victim from a Discord-related case and said the office had also filed a civil lawsuit against Roblox, alleging the platform lacked adequate age verification and allowed predators access to children. Senators asked about the lawsuit, and the presenters said Kentucky was one of only two states to sue Roblox and that the complaint was based on evidence collected by the office. The committee then received an update from the Kentucky River Authority on lock and dam repairs funded in the 2024-2026 budget. The authority reported progress on three capital projects: upper guide repairs at Locks 2 and 3, design and repair work at Dam 7, and design work to reopen Lock 5 for navigation. Officials explained that river construction is limited by flooding and fish-spawn restrictions, and they described the engineering and safety issues involved in replacing guide walls and repairing Dam 7’s spillway. They also said the authority had demolished three obsolete lockmaster houses and filled a fifth lockmaster position, while continuing to work on pay retention for those employees. Members asked about the transfer of the lock and dam properties from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the permitting process through the Division of Water, and the timeline for reopening navigation. The authority said the Corps had transferred the properties to Kentucky, that permits for river work are handled through the Division of Water and the Army Corps, and that Locks 1 through 4 are open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. Officials said Lock 5 would add 14 miles of navigation if reopened, but that it would still take a few more years before that project is complete.