Transcript Highlights:

• This is typically a state-regulated activity, and it's a rare directive to FERC.
• Spend more than $1 million on anything in the next four years, it's in the data.
• So we use that data to advocate on behalf of ratepayers at FERC.
• So we've been able to provide that data, and now we've been able to discuss the data in a variety of
• We do not ask for that data point from developers.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held an oversight hearing on accelerating clean energy development and helping projects capture expiring federal tax credits. The chair framed the hearing around federal actions under HR 1, which sharply shortens the timeline for wind and solar projects to qualify for tax credits, and Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-3325, which directs state agencies to speed siting, permitting, and construction. Sarah Fitzsimmons of the Independent Energy Producers Association explained the federal deadlines, the shift from the 5% safe-harbor test to a physical-work test, and the main bottlenecks California projects face, especially interconnection delays, environmental review, and limited transparency around self-build options for network upgrades. Panelists from the Union of Concerned Scientists, Southern California Edison, and EDF Power Solutions largely agreed that transmission constraints, permitting, and queue management remain the biggest barriers. UCS emphasized long-standing transmission delays, the need for more accountability and standardized reporting, and the importance of keeping reforms focused on the projects most likely to reach completion. SCE said it has increased interconnection throughput through process changes, digital tools, and coordination with regulators, while noting that developers and utilities must work closely together on project-specific issues. EDF described how overlapping permitting, interconnection, and procurement timelines create risk, and argued that clearer policies on self-builds, equipment standards, and affected-system studies could help reduce delays. State agency representatives from the CPUC, CAISO, and Go-Biz reported strong recent clean energy progress, including record levels of new capacity and battery storage coming online, and described ongoing efforts such as the Integrated Resource Planning process, General Order 131-E updates, the Transmission Project Review Process, the Transmission Development Forum, and the TED Task Force. They said these efforts are helping identify delays, improve transparency, and coordinate solutions, including possible self-build arrangements and local permitting reforms. Committee members pressed the agencies on who is ultimately in charge of the effort, whether the state has quantified the ratepayer impact of losing federal tax credits, and whether the 90-day report required by the executive order is complete; the agencies said the report is still in development. Public commenters echoed the need to move beyond monitoring toward stronger prioritization and accountability to meet the 2029 and 2030 project deadlines.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I don't even know if killing contests need to be regulated directly, but they will be regulated through
• So I don't even know if killing contests need to be regulated directly, but they will be regulated through
• directly but they will to be regulated directly but they will be<00:04:08.079><c> regulated</c><00:04
• There's nothing in this bill that says you would not hold public input, although public input is not
• > is</c><00:14:24.240><c> not</c> input although public input is not input although public input is not

Committee: House Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5906 is an act relating to establishing data and personal safety
• protections within areas of public accommodation. ...relating to establishing data and personal safety
• audio part is—you can take three seconds of your voice and then now create a massive background of data
• We support the policy of data protection for children and families, as well as guidance about access.
• that input into consideration.

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Third matter, Madam President, we must address data center energy usage.
• Madam President, we must address data center energy usage.
• These bills provide very important bring-your-own-power policy solutions for data centers.
• Utility services are not designed to bring in hyperscale energy users like data centers en masse.
• Utility services are not designed to bring in hyperscale energy users like data centers en masse.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, committee reports, and approval of the prior journal. Members also granted several leaves of absence and welcomed a number of guests, including Ireland’s Consul General and Deputy Consul General, student shadows, an intern, and the Neshaminy High School baseball team, which was recognized for winning the 2026 PIAA Class 6A state championship. The chamber then recessed briefly for an Education Committee meeting and party caucuses before returning to session. On the floor, the Senate advanced several measures. Senate Bill 362, addressing SNAP skimming, passed 49-0 after remarks about protecting food assistance benefits from theft. Senate Bill 469, providing discounted fishing and hunting licenses for current and retired law enforcement, also passed 49-0 after an amendment was withdrawn. Senate Bill 730, codifying Pennsylvania POLST forms for end-of-life medical orders, saw a tabled amendment from Senator Boscola on physician-assisted dying after a 28-21 vote, then passed 49-0. The Senate also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 1206 clarifying a temporary license pending FDA approval, and sent House Bill 1344 and Senate Bill 1377 to the House after unanimous final passage. Other bills were moved to appropriations or held in order, including Senate Bill 49, House Bill 96, Senate Bill 535, Senate Bill 536, House Bill 538, Senate Bill 743, Senate Bill 1262, Senate Bill 1273, House Bill 1286, and Senate Bill 1372. House Bill 1862 and House Bill 2017 each received amendments and were re-referred to the Appropriations Committee. The Senate also agreed to consider newly reported committee bills, including measures from Finance, Judiciary, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, and Education. In petitions and remonstrances, Senators Tartaglione and Costa focused on minimum wage and utility affordability, urging action on consumer protections, LIHEAP funding, data center energy costs, and related energy policy. The session concluded with the signing of House Bill 1877 in the presence of the Senate and a recess until June 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., unless recalled earlier.

Transcript Highlights:

• They do still have to work with each individual state's rules and regulations they have.
• Each participating state retains full authority to regulate the practice of respiratory therapy within
• As I read this, any law, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a member state in conflict
• Like 20 years ago, we have not seen any issues with other states taking away our rules and regulations
• And regulations that are passed here by the General Assembly. So, happy to answer questions.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a as opposed to some of the additional federal regulations that exist with AmeriCorps nationally.
• The data was collected from 2025 and 2026; the year is currently still being collected and it has not
• Casey Foundation, which produces the premier source of data on children and families.
• It's called the Kids Count Data Book. It is the premier source of data on children and families.
• Faculty are working in coordination with the college to review data and... In our community.

Committees: House Education , House House Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:59:08.440><c> appreciate</c><00:59:09.280><c> it</c> input appreciate it input appreciate it hr13
• If you emailed us the charts, that is sufficient, but you can speak to the data.
• </c><04:32:55.000><c> the</c> fascinating watching Regulators the fascinating watching Regulators the
• :32:57.760><c> um</c> regulated community and legislators um regulated community and legislators um conversing
• If this committee wants all of the data, I mean, I'm gonna bury you with the book of it. I will.

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee met in work session on several bills, beginning with HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training. Members said the bill had been sent to the Animal Protection and Licensing Subcommittee, where Representative Kuttab is expected to schedule a meeting soon to consider possible amendments based on testimony and other ideas. The committee later returned to HB 153 and confirmed a work session was planned for February 14, with discussion also including whether to explore a task force concept raised in testimony. The committee also discussed HB 215 and HB 566, both related to landfill permitting and leachate or harm/benefit reporting. Representative Gerana said he had met with the DES director and was working on amendments that would add a preliminary screening phase for determining net public benefit and expand the list of benefits beyond capacity need to include items such as economic and infrastructure benefits. HB 566 was said to be in the same posture as HB 215, and both were slated for subcommittee review the following Tuesday morning. HB 171 was also added for subcommittee discussion, with members saying the changes would be technical rather than substantive. HB 240, which removes forfeiture penalties for non-payment of dog licenses, drew support for a simple amendment changing a statutory “shall” to “may” so municipal officials would have discretion about issuing a warrant. Representative Bixby said OLS advised that this was the cleanest way to provide flexibility, and he reported that the sponsor was agreeable to the change. The committee also discussed HB 179, concerning hazardous waste accident fees, where the sponsor proposed a revised amendment imposing a $1,000-per-day penalty after 90 days of non-payment. Members raised concerns about homeowners, hobby farmers, and whether the bill could unfairly burden people who were not negligent or whose insurance claims were delayed. The sponsor and others said the intent was to recover costs from responsible parties, especially businesses, and to protect local taxpayers and fire departments from bearing the cost of damaged hazardous materials equipment. No votes were taken; the bills were left for further subcommittee work and amendment drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• because even if the state changes its regulations, the federal regulations would still apply.
• ,</c><00:40:28.079><c> which</c> confusion from our regulations, which confusion from our regulations
• There is no data to data come from?
• </c><02:34:20.240><c> regulatory</c> is described as a regulator regulatory is described as a regulator
• in, is it that similar or the same data in, is it that similar or the same data<02:47:17.920><c> that

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• indicators that don't provide educational quality and school climate but actually provide specific input
• So you're going to be overwhelmed by what I think will be good data.
• associations, or owners of land to provide law enforcement services in and near an area managed or regulated

Bills: HB8 , HB26 , HB192

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Regulators. The theme of the week is: we are living in interesting times.
• and analytics to inform advanced, data-driven policymaking.
• I just wanted to start by giving a little data point on foreclosure delinquencies.
• I just want to start by giving a little data point on foreclosure delinquencies.
• Beyond the data, our members are staples in their communities.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The committee held an informational opening hearing for the Financial Services Committee, with Chair Murphy and Senator Feeney introducing new and returning members and explaining that no bills were being heard that day beyond brief introductory testimony. Commissioner of Banks Mary Gallagher thanked the committee for last session’s money transmission modernization law, and several members echoed appreciation for her office’s work. The hearing then featured a long series of stakeholder introductions and overviews of their priorities for the session. Testimony covered a wide range of financial, insurance, housing, health care, and consumer issues. Banking and mortgage groups discussed housing affordability, foreclosure delinquencies, flood insurance, regulatory changes, and the impact of federal policy shifts. Insurance representatives raised concerns about auto and homeowners market pressures, labor rates, tariffs, rebates, e-titling, third-party litigation funding, and public adjuster restrictions. Consumer and advocacy groups highlighted debt collection reform, earned wage access, retirement savings access, public banking, and consumer protections in financial services. Several speakers also emphasized the need for committee expertise and offered themselves as resources for future bills. Health-related organizations focused on insurance mandates, prior authorization, behavioral health access, pharmacy benefit manager reform, community health center funding, maternal health and midwifery reimbursement, and anesthesia reimbursement parity. Other groups, including credit unions, retailers, auto dealers, dental and medical associations, and behavioral health providers, described their roles in the Commonwealth and previewed legislation or policy areas they expect to follow this session. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and ended after testimony from the sign-up list and a few late additions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We hate regulation.
• We got all these data centers coming on. Yeah, we got all that happening.
• So steel plants, power plants, data centers.
• We got all these data centers coming on. Yeah, we got all that happening.
• They need to be regulating that. They need to be part of this process.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Our jurisdiction includes health facility, regulation, commercial health insurance coverage.
• Regulation is Division of Health and Life.
• Do you have the data? I want to verify that this is correct.
• I would ask you to look at the data first before making that choice to do a pilot.
• The data will be available to you in January.

Transcript Highlights:

• time when the Regulations will be promulgated.
• And do we know, are there any empirical data?
• I have often spoken to you all about data and why we need data, and I'm glad we've come to the realization
• I HAVE OFTEN SPOKEN TO YOU ALL ABOUT DATA AND WHY WE NEED DATA AND I'M GLAD WE'VE COME TO THE REALIZATION
• And who would be handling Part KK, excising insurance regulations?

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment. A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery. In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• ANOTHER THING ABOUT THIS AMENDMENT, REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN STATED, IS SHE'S GIVING YOU DATA.
• TIMES WE STAND HERE IN THIS CHAMBER AND WE TALK ABOUT MAKING, DOING LEGISLATION BUT FOLLOWING THE DATA
• IT WAS BASED ON DATA, EXPERT INPUT, AND A COMMITMENT OF ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE TOGETHER TO DO BETTER.
• We all have the facts and data on our side. This is a good law that has stood the test of time.
• It has proven wrong because the idea of Regulating behavior, and that's really what we're wrestling with

Keywords: sales tax reduction, budget cuts, boating safety, water treatment, municipal utilities, school safety, medical malpractice, firearm purchase age, cursive writing instruction, first responder support, veto overrides, veterans funding, infrastructure projects

Summary: The Florida House convened for regular business, with Speaker Perez announcing historic budget plans including the largest state tax cut in Florida history - a permanent 0.75% sales tax reduction from 6% to 5.25%, saving Floridians nearly $5 billion annually. The House will propose a budget lower than both the Governor's proposal and last year's budget. Several bills passed including Lucy's Law (boating safety), water access facilities funding, municipal utility rate corrections, hazardous walking conditions for schools, and medical malpractice 'Free Kill Law' repeal. The controversial firearm purchase age bill (HB 759) passed 78-34, lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18, despite emotional opposition citing the Parkland shooting. Other bills addressed cursive writing instruction, peer support for first responders, and government sunset reviews. Multiple veto override motions were approved unanimously, reinstating funding for veterans programs and infrastructure projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want as much input as... The RFP is out. We want as much input as possible.
• performance report, and they will capture, analyze, and disaggregate preschool special education outcomes data
• They're having to develop zoning regulations, train stuff, all kinds of things for all this new technology

Transcript Highlights:

• UC estimates, from data submitted to human resources and U.S.
• A point of confusion has been data science.
• ...via data science course, which they are teaching right now.
• of, at one point, data science courses to qualify for the math framework.
• Lastly, I would like to say that BOARS actually did look at data, and the data is in the July 17, 2023

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met with a quorum and first approved a consent calendar containing AB 341, AB 1098, and AB 1316, sending those measures to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees respectively. The committee then heard AB 977, which would require CSU to audit surplus land and work with California tribes to identify three regional burial sites for Native American remains that cannot yet be repatriated. Supporters, including tribal leaders and archaeology groups, said the bill is needed to honor ancestors and address the large number of remains still held by CSU; CSU said it is committed to repatriation but had no formal position. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. Members also heard AB 1093, creating a California-Mexico higher education exchange program, and AB 1035, expanding the California College Promise to cover tuition for students pursuing community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 1093 drew support for strengthening cross-border educational and economic ties, but some members raised concerns about border-region sewage problems and the bill’s budget implications; it was held for later consideration. AB 1035 received strong support from community college leaders and faculty who said it would help low-income and first-generation students complete workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, but several members questioned whether it would stretch Prop. 98 funding and whether the state should prioritize broader affordability concerns. AB 1035 passed to Appropriations on a 3-2 vote. The committee next approved AB 922, which would let the University of California keep access to federal criminal-history information for hiring background checks, avoiding delays and added costs if statutory authority is required. UC said the bill is needed to maintain safety and hiring operations, and it passed to Public Safety on a 5-0 vote. AB 1346, protecting military dependents from losing in-state residency status because of family travel, also passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 1212, allowing UC to use low-income housing tax credits to build affordable housing for faculty and staff on UC land, drew support from UC and labor groups but opposition from members concerned about preferential access to public resources; it was held for later action. Finally, the committee approved AB 500 and AB 684, both aimed at increasing transparency around UC admissions policy changes and UC BOARS decision-making, sending AB 500 to Education and AB 684 to Governmental Organization, each on 5-0 votes. The hearing then moved on to AB 1122 on dual enrollment, with the author and witnesses presenting the bill as a way to expand college access for high school students.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:51.919><c> by</c> disclosure of autism related data by disclosure of autism related data by
• bit more to tighter regulation on is bit more to tighter regulation on is what<00:12:40.800><c> I'm</
• I do agree with regulating this.
• I do agree with regulating this.
• </c> pharmacy that's regulated by the FDA. pharmacy that's regulated by the FDA.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We sent a series of information and data requests.
• We sent a series of information and data requests to the locals.
• There were some team members who did true data pulls. They said, hey, let us transfer that data.
• There were some team members who did true data pulls. They said, hey, let us transfer that data.
• And we're also still receiving a lot of feedback and input.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes heard first from city representatives through the Florida League of Cities, who argued that property taxes are a stable local revenue source that funds core services such as police, fire, parks, public works, and stormwater work. Casey Cook emphasized that cities are optional governments with widely different tax bases and service levels, that exemptions shift the burden to fewer taxpayers, and that transparency already exists through TRIM notices, public budgets, and local hearings. Sarah Campbell of Fernandina Beach, T. Michael Stavris of Winter Haven, and Stephen O’Kee of Port St. Lucie described their budget processes, the share of general-fund revenue coming from property taxes, reserve policies, debt and capital planning, and the impact of inflation, minimum wage increases, and personnel costs. They all said local governments need predictable revenue and that any property tax changes would require careful consideration of replacement funding or service reductions. Members questioned the city panel about whether homebuyers are clearly informed about city versus county taxes and services, the role of HOAs, how many lobbyists cities employ, reserve levels, average salaries, and whether utility revenues are used only for utility purposes. The panel said TRIM notices, realtor listings, and city websites provide tax information; HOAs generally do not provide emergency services; lobbyists help local governments track Tallahassee legislation; reserves vary by city and fund; and utility revenues are generally restricted, though some cities use limited transfers. Members also asked about revenue replacement if ad valorem taxes were reduced or eliminated, and the panel said options would likely include user fees, service cuts, or other local revenue shifts. The chair also asked about public safety consolidation, and the response was that such decisions are local and may shift costs rather than create true savings. The committee then heard from county representatives after an overview by the Florida Association of Counties’ Davin Suggs, who framed counties as shared partners with the state and emphasized the gap between rising market values and the shrinking share of taxable value after exemptions and assessment limits. He said counties face a mismatch between revenue based on taxable value and expenses driven by real-world costs, and noted that most counties either held millage steady or lowered it without reaching rollback rates. He also highlighted that property taxes are only one part of county revenue, with charges for services and intergovernmental revenue often larger in some counties, and that public safety at the county level includes more than law enforcement, such as EMS, emergency management, inspections, and corrections. Deborah Manzo of Okeechobee County described a fiscally constrained rural county with limited staff, a county-supported airport, heavy reliance on property taxes for the general fund, and major cost pressures from inflation, insurance, retirement, and state and federal mandates. She said the county lowered millage slightly over recent years but still depends on multiple revenue sources and special assessments, and she flagged Medicaid, medical examiner costs, and possible firefighter workweek changes as significant concerns. Bay County Administrator Mark McQueen said his county’s budget is shaped by Hurricane Michael recovery, non-discretionary obligations, and rapid growth; he described ongoing FEMA reimbursement delays, substantial borrowing to cover disaster costs, and continuing interest expenses while the county waits for reimbursement. The county panel was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it represented in your data, Mr. Chair? Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
• How do you get that data? Is that through test scores? Mr. Chair...
• This is based on the 120th day data we received from schools last year.
• The dashboard is available, but districts still have to input the data, and many districts are not.
• Are they federal regulations?

Transcript Highlights:

• So if they would like to put their input in, they can do that online as well.
• In recent years, the data has been very...
• So the data definitely bears us out. It's definitely more than anecdotes.
• He extended the period out from 72 hours to 21 days for the retention of data.
• He's improved the way that data is retained.

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders used the media availability to focus heavily on affordability and to criticize a newly unveiled Democratic income tax proposal. Leaders John Braun, Drew Stokesbary, and others argued the bill would function as a broader income tax, harm small and medium-sized businesses, include a marriage penalty, deny loss carryforwards, and ultimately raise costs for Washington residents. They also said the proposal would do little to offset regressive taxes and would not meaningfully improve affordability. In response to questions, they said the bill was a non-starter for Republicans and warned it could contribute to business and household outmigration. Republicans also highlighted a range of other bills they said would increase costs or worsen public safety, including proposals related to insurance, tires and 6PPD, textiles, local taxes, social media, cigarettes, and solid waste. They criticized housing-related bills on homelessness and camping near schools and parks, saying they could limit local control and expose cities to lawsuits. On public safety, they said Democratic leaders were not advancing Republican-backed bills on sexually violent predators, family safety, and related issues. Braun also said his bill on oversight of NGOs and suspected fraud had a good hearing and remained a priority, while Republicans said they were watching fraud-related bills and a SNAP-related bill on restricting purchases of unhealthy foods. The leaders said they were holding listening sessions on the initiatives because they believe the legislature must give them precedence, and they said they invited both supporters and opponents to participate. They also discussed Senate Bill 602 on automated license plate readers, saying it had bipartisan support in committee but still faced concerns from cities, counties, and law enforcement. On the governor’s statement that he could not support the income tax proposal as written, Republicans said it showed there may be room for negotiation within the Democratic side, but they doubted Republicans would be included in those talks. No votes were taken during the media availability.