Video & Transcript Research : 'utility tariffs'

Page 17 of 480
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses

Transcript Highlights:
  • We hear cost of living, cost of doing business, utility costs, tariffs, of course, and so this is a time
  • where we’re really going to lean on... ...utility costs, tariffs, of course, and so this is a time where
  • One of the things that we've seen on the residential side for utilities is... ...utilities.
  • Because of the tariffs, it doubled.
  • So our members are very concerned with the tariffs. We oppose the tariffs.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held an informational hearing focused on the conditions facing small and micro businesses in Massachusetts and the state programs intended to support them. Chairs Andy Vargas and Adam Gomez opened by emphasizing equitable economic development, the importance of CDFIs, and the need to help underserved entrepreneurs, especially women, minorities, veterans, immigrants, and other groups facing barriers. Committee members noted the hearing would not take up bills, and testimony was limited to 10 minutes per organization. State and quasi-public agency witnesses described current programs and funding. Dico Gibral of the Executive Office of Economic Development highlighted the Business Front Door, multilingual access, small business office hours in Gateway Cities, and funding in the Mass Leads Act, including support for CDFIs, small business technology, and capital grants. Tom Hooper of Commonwealth Corporation described workforce training programs such as the Workforce Training Fund, Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and Career Technical Initiative, saying they help small businesses train workers, fill labor shortages, and support returning citizens and people with disabilities. Committee members asked about federal funding uncertainty, workforce migration, training schedules, and program uptake. Business and advocacy groups focused on cost pressures and regulatory burdens. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association urged continuation of outdoor dining and takeout alcohol sales, and pressed for relief from high credit card swipe fees, support for surcharging, and streamlining municipal licensing. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts cited survey results showing inflation, utility costs, payroll taxes, health insurance, and interchange fees as major concerns, and said many members might sell or close within five years; it also backed ending the state prohibition on surcharging and creating an Office of Main Streets Massachusetts. MACDC, BECKMA, and the Coalition for an Equitable Economy emphasized the need for more technical assistance, CDFI and small business funding, and protections against rising costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and immigration enforcement impacts on immigrant-heavy business districts. No votes were taken.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (7-2-26) - Reupload

Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • A crisis fixed income utilizing that.
  • The one major utility that has not come in for any HLF tariff is Big Rivers Electric, but they have a
  • Is that that that—" "They all must comply with their filed tariffs. It's the filed tariff doctrine.
  • tariff we're going to ask for." tariff we're going to ask for."
  • <01:01:34.080> So, evaluating the tariff. So, evaluating the tariff.
Bills: SB8
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Transcript Highlights:
  • Tariffs. And again, some of this has already been talked about.
  • So every day there's new news about tariffs, but we know that there are tariffs on steel and aluminum
  • So every day there's new news about tariffs, but we know that there are tariffs on steel and aluminum
  • and that there will tomorrow be tariffs on vehicles and options.
  • So it would seem... ...is likely to go up because of these tariffs.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee held a hearing on the impact of the Trump administration’s federal climate policy changes on Massachusetts, with a focus on threatened grants, regulatory rollbacks, and state options to continue climate work. Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts still has a 2050 net-zero mandate and needs contingency plans for clean energy, transportation electrification, offshore wind, resilience, and financing if federal support is reduced or withdrawn. Executive branch witnesses said Massachusetts has already experienced disruptions to more than $1 billion in climate-related federal funds, though many suspended grants were restored after litigation by the Attorney General’s office. EEA reported continued uncertainty around a $389 million Grid Innovation Program award and a FEMA dam-safety reimbursement, while MassDOT said its NEVI fast-charging program remains on track with about $50 million obligated, but a $14.4 million competitive charging grant is on hold and future unobligated NEVI funds remain uncertain. Senators also discussed EV rebates, charging infrastructure, the role of the Community Climate Bank, and whether the state can expand independent financing and support for municipalities, higher education, and nonprofits. The Attorney General’s office described successful multi-state litigation that won a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the federal funding freeze, restoring access to many EPA, DOE, USDA, and Interior funds, while noting continued enforcement actions over FEMA manual reviews and other barriers. The office said it is also preparing to defend the endangerment finding, California vehicle-emissions waivers, offshore wind permits, and other federal climate protections. Outside advocates warned that federal tax-credit rollbacks, tariffs, and possible repeal of IRA and infrastructure funding could slow EV adoption and raise costs, while offshore wind testimony said federal permitting pauses and legal challenges are delaying projects and could leave Massachusetts far short of its 2030 offshore wind goals. Nonprofit witnesses also described canceled or delayed grants for wetland restoration and urban heat mitigation, and urged the Legislature to increase state funding, including for the environmental bond bill and municipal vulnerability preparedness work.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources & Energy.(7-2-26)

Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Fixed income utilizing that.
  • <00:24:30.680> that in in conjunction with utilities that in in conjunction with utilities
  • , EHLF tariffs, that factor tariffs, EHLF tariffs, that specifically<00:47:53.840> deal<00:47:
  • Um, the one major utility that has not come in for any HLF tariff is Big Rivers Electric, but they have
  • tariff we're going to ask for." tariff we're going to ask for."
Bills: SB8
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (01/27/2025)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • relating to you know energy or utilities relating to you know energy or utilities I<00:11:29.959
  • <01:05:19.400> who it's critical for the utilities who it's critical for the utilities who
  • <05:36:28.760> rates<05:36:29.240> tariffs is unfamiliar with utility rates tariffs
  • is unfamiliar with utility rates tariffs metering<05:36:30.240> data<05:36:30.480> sharing
  • rate applies or what about what utility rate applies or what tariff<05:44:35.958> applies<05:
Keywords: 1189, house, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Transportation, Highways and Public Works May 26th, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, Member, House Resolution 282 by Representative Henry creates a task force on utility terrain
  • Was there any benefit to utilizing this method to assist with getting projects through the process in
  • Utilizing this bid method will not reduce change orders that are a result of omissions and errors in
  • And so this has been utilized in the private world, which was our very first concept.
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 26 with a quorum present and took up several resolutions and one Senate bill. SCR 64 created a task force to study construction management at risk (CMAR) in Louisiana public works; an amendment added representatives from the Louisiana Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors, and the resolution was reported with amendments. HR 282 created a task force to study utility terrain vehicles with state agencies; an amendment added the State Fire Marshal, and it was also reported with amendments. The committee then considered SB 513 on public works project delivery methods. The bill originally included an average-bid award method for certain pilot projects, along with airport design-build provisions. Testimony from a Reason Foundation analyst and from the Louisiana Associated General Contractors raised concerns that average-bid contracting could encourage collusion, raise costs, and lacked supporting data or use by U.S. transportation departments, while airport design-build was supported. The committee adopted an amendment in concept to strike the average-bid provisions, leaving the airport-related design-build language in place, and SB 513 was reported with amendments by a vote of 11 yeas and 4 nays. The committee also reported SCR 62 favorably, which urges DOTD to evaluate school zones on state highways in response to safety concerns and near misses, including a fatal incident referenced by the author. HCR 112 was reported favorably to study flooding on Louisiana Highway 1 in Shreveport, and HR 275 was reported favorably to study an interstate highway signage maintenance and reporting program. The meeting concluded after all items were disposed of and the committee adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

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

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the utility analyst at the Utilities Commission.
  • > Utilities utility analyst at the Utilities utility analyst at the Utilities Commission.<01:26
  • Kato from Hawaii Island Utility Cooperative.
  • Hawaii Island Utility Cooperative.
  • Uh, I think where PC and ourselves fall in is the relationship between the utility customer, utility,
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.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/27/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Transcript Highlights:
  • utility side.
  • utility side.
  • part of the utility service district.
  • , utilities that are... ...representing both public and private utilities, utilities that are governed
  • of the utility, which are in this case... ...financing that are borne by the owners of the utility,
Summary: The committee first received an update from Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzky on Colorado River negotiations and post-2026 operating rules. He described the legal framework governing Arizona’s allocation, argued that Arizona and the lower basin have already made substantial conservation cuts, and said the upper basin is pressing positions Arizona views as inconsistent with prior Supreme Court rulings. He emphasized the need to move water from upstream reservoirs to Lake Mead, warned of continued shortage risk, and said the state is seeking an equitable deal through ongoing federal and interstate negotiations. Members asked about outside water use, tourism and recreation impacts, and tribal water rights, including the Navajo-Hopi-San Juan Southern Paiute settlement. Buschatzky said the state’s delegation and bipartisan support have been helpful and urged continued public and legislative backing. The committee then heard House Bill 2758, which would expand McMullen Valley groundwater transportation authority and add related requirements and guardrails, including an amendment increasing the La Paz County transportation cap from 10% to 50% of the annual volume and adding conditions for sales or leases from historically irrigated acres. Supporters, including bill sponsor advocates, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, and the Home Builders Association, said the bill would create a lawful, regulated transfer option similar to the Harquahala model, support housing growth, and include oversight through hydrologic studies, pumping limits, and monthly reporting to ADWR. Opponents, including La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin’s statement, local residents, Sierra Club, and rural advocates, argued the bill would accelerate aquifer depletion, harm private wells and subsidence conditions, and benefit a New York hedge fund at the expense of rural communities. After debate, the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and then passed HB 2758 as amended on a 6-4 due-pass vote. The committee next took up House Bill 2098, which would modify bonding authority and public hearing notice requirements for county water augmentation authorities and allow local repayment agreements with WIFA. Pinal County Supervisor Stephen Miller and other supporters said the bill would clean up statutory language so the Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority can finance future water augmentation and infrastructure projects, including potential Bartlett Dam-related work, and better prepare for future Colorado River uncertainty. The Home Builders Association also supported the bill, saying it included proportionality protections for private utility water charges. The bill was moved for a due-pass recommendation and the committee proceeded to a roll call vote, with the transcript ending before the final vote result was shown.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 21st, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senators, we're going to go to tab number three: Senate Bill 356 on utility terrain vehicles by Senator
  • So they can opt in to the legal street usage of UTVs, utility terrain vehicles, more commonly referred
  • The reason is that a UTV is a much more, as it says, utility terrain vehicle.
  • The reason is that a UTV is a much more, as it says, utility terrain vehicle.
Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered ten bills, beginning with SB 594 on local housing assistance plans. Senator Burton explained that the bill would make residents of mobile home parks and manufactured housing communities eligible for SHIP rental assistance and, in some cases, repair or rehabilitation funds, recognizing that many own their homes but rent the lot. Supporters from AARP and the Federation of Manufactured Homeowners said the bill would help seniors and low-income residents remain housed. The bill was reported favorably by a roll call vote. Members then approved two Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles measures: SB 488, the agency package updating Florida’s motor fuel tax compliance with IFTA, allowing online filing and private license plate agencies to act as agents, raising the crash-damage reporting threshold, expanding email communications, and updating tank vehicle compliance; and SB 490, a related public records exemption for email addresses collected for renewal notices. Both were reported favorably without opposition. The committee also passed SB 246, creating a specialty license plate for the UFC Foundation, despite concerns raised that the foundation is based out of state and that the plate was politically motivated; the bill was approved on a split vote. The committee gave favorable reports to SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility, which would tighten job-search requirements, require more frequent eligibility verification, and add reporting on fraudulent claims. The bill drew substantial opposition from labor and policy advocates who argued it would add barriers for unemployed workers, especially in rural and skilled-trades jobs, and that the state’s unemployment system remains difficult to navigate. Supporters said the bill was aimed at fraud prevention and ensuring claimants remain eligible. SB 356 on utility terrain vehicles generated extensive debate over safety, local control, and whether UTVs should be allowed on certain roads; supporters emphasized rural utility and law enforcement benefits, while opponents cited manufacturer warnings and crash risks. The sponsor ultimately temporarily postponed the bill. The committee also reported favorably SB 528 on manufacturing, which expands the Department of Commerce’s manufacturing responsibilities, codifies the chief manufacturing officer position, and creates workforce development grant support; SB 584 on commercial driving schools, which authorizes DHSMV agreements with county tax collectors to help enforce school regulation; and SB 388, which raises the annual use fee for the Florida Wildflower specialty plate from $15 to $25 to support the Florida Wildflower Foundation. The final bill, SB 470 on the Fraternal Order of Police specialty plate, was introduced as a measure to broaden eligibility for the existing plate and stabilize funding for law enforcement memorial efforts, but no final action on that bill was reached in the portion of the transcript provided.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Land & Resource Management Apr 24th, 2025

Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • for utilities once they are annexed.
  • County Municipal Utility District No. 1.
  • Utility District Number 40.
  • Members, this bill creates Montgomery County Municipal Utility District Number 258.
  • Members, this bill creates Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 263.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Natural Resources Apr 23rd, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, these changes were worked alongside the landowner groups that came by the offices, utilities
Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard House Bill 2109, which would remove certain long-proposed reservoir projects from the state water plan after 50 years without progress. Chairman Van Deaver and many landowners, local officials, timber interests, and conservation advocates testified in support, arguing that the Marvin Nichols Reservoir has burdened Northeast Texas landowners for decades with the threat of eminent domain, depressed property values, and uncertainty over homes, farms, ranches, schools, churches, and cemeteries. Supporters also said the project would flood tens of thousands of acres, require extensive mitigation, harm timber and agriculture, and that Texas now has better alternatives such as conservation, reuse, aquifer storage and recovery, and desalination. Several members expressed sympathy for the affected families and questioned whether a project could remain in the plan indefinitely without progress. Opposition came from North Texas water interests, including the North Texas Commission, Tarrant Regional Water District, and the Texas Water Association, who argued that the bill would interfere with the state’s long-term water planning process and remove needed future supply options for a fast-growing region. They said Region C faces major projected shortages by 2070, that conservation and reuse have already delayed the need for new supplies, and that reservoirs remain one tool in the state’s water-planning toolbox. TWDB staff explained the existing inter-regional conflict process and noted that the substitute would affect several unique reservoir sites, not just Marvin Nichols. After testimony, Chairman Van Deaver closed by urging passage of the bill, but the committee withdrew the substitute and left HB 2109 pending. The committee then took up House Bill 5188, a brackish groundwater bill. The author said the bill would reduce permitting burdens for wells in designated brackish groundwater production zones, and the committee substitute added requirements on monitoring, groundwater-rights ownership, and allocation of pumpage limits while removing some exclusions and export-fee provisions. Texas Wildlife Association testified against the bill, warning that the exemptions could weaken groundwater conservation districts’ ability to protect freshwater resources and surface-owner rights. San Antonio Water System testified in favor, saying brackish groundwater is a key future supply and that the substitute would help speed development of desalination and brackish projects. The Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts testified neutrally but raised concerns about reduced district oversight, especially around injection-well exclusions and the loss of export fees, and said discussions on the bill were ongoing.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Apr 23rd, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • we're the busiest port in this country, and really in the Western Hemisphere now, notwithstanding tariffs
  • Love tariffs, they're great.
  • The bill is similar to the... legislative template currently used for municipal utility districts, but
  • instead of granting. municipal utility district powers to bill specifically grants water control improvement
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Energy Resources Apr 14th, 2025

Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill, we heard previously, deals with the recovery of gas utilities' gross plant costs.
  • I figure you're probably more likely to have answers to the question about the utilization of resources
  • There was a copay... ...a plant that's being repurposed, looking at trying to utilize certain aspects
  • I saw some staff here from the Public Utility Commission; they might be able to answer that.
  • There is a resource witness from the Public Utility Commission. Do you all need him? No? Okay.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Energy Resources Apr 14th, 2025

Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Certainly, I think our goal has been to utilize lined pits, and I think members of Morales-Shaw said
  • Typically, when you do utilize these types of things, it is cheaper in the long run.
  • This is going to be a process where, by utilizing new IT software at the Railroad Commission, we'll probably