Transcript Highlights:

• are voluntarily working with independent municipalities across Connecticut, but there's no state-mandated
• We work across the EV battery value chain with vehicle OEMs, secondary handlers, and automotive recyclers
• And isn’t it possible, since we’re dealing with OEMs, among other things, EV manufacturers, among others
• this proposal than a more robust and/or aggressive EPR framework that does not make sense for this EV
• this proposal than a more robust and/or aggressive EPR framework that does not make sense for this EV

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The hearing focused mainly on two subjects: expansion of the Massachusetts bottle bill and bills to remove woody biomass from state clean-energy and greenhouse-gas programs. On the bottle bill, supporters from municipal, environmental, public health, and local government groups argued that the 5-cent deposit is outdated, redemption rates have fallen, and expanding coverage to more beverage containers—especially water, sports drinks, and small alcohol bottles—would reduce litter, cut plastic waste and microplastics, and save cities and towns money. Several speakers also backed raising handling fees for retailers and redemption centers, and some supported restoring a Clean Environment Fund so unclaimed deposits would support recycling-related purposes. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Beverage Association and the National Waste and Recycling Association, argued that curbside recycling and transfer-station systems are more convenient, that the targeted containers are valuable to local recycling programs, and that the proposal would shift costs onto consumers and municipalities. Committee members questioned witnesses about redemption rates, handling fees, the 2014 ballot question, and whether the bill had changed from prior sessions. The biomass portion drew strong support from Springfield officials, state legislators, environmental advocates, and public health groups. They said woody biomass should not count as clean energy because burning wood produces particulate pollution and carbon emissions, and they warned that current law contains a loophole that could help finance the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant in Springfield. Witnesses emphasized Springfield’s air-quality and asthma burdens, the public health impacts of PM2.5, and the need to close the loophole before a January 1, 2026 deadline. One forest-industry witness supported a separate bill promoting modern wood heat with pollution controls, arguing it is cleaner than older wood systems and has minimal ratepayer cost, while noting that those credits would be affected if the governor’s broader energy affordability bill repeals the alternative energy portfolio standard. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs managed testimony by alternating between the bottle bill and biomass topics, asking speakers to keep remarks brief and to note when they agreed with prior testimony. Several legislators also testified in support of the bills, and committee members asked follow-up questions on deposit levels, retailer handling fees, recycling economics, and the public-health rationale for the biomass restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:26.319><c> chargers</c> the operators that of EV chargers the operators that of EV chargers
• </c> parity here between what we pay as EV parity here between what we pay as EV drivers<00:09:14.880
• </c> Uh some other less quantifiable EV Uh some other less quantifiable EV benefits.<00:15:19.680><c>
• </c> and the the charges there on the EVs. and the the charges there on the EVs.
• I'm an EV owner. Um, I didn't set out to buy an EV.

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met with a quorum, approved the June 3, 2026 minutes, and then heard a presentation from Mike Proctor of Evolve Kentucky on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Proctor described Evolve Kentucky as a nonprofit formed in 2016 to promote EV adoption and charger deployment, said the group has helped place more than 135 chargers at 65 locations, and reported that Kentucky EV registrations have grown rapidly but still represent about 1% of the state’s roughly 3 million vehicles. He also outlined the group’s view that EV drivers and charger operators already contribute to state revenue through annual vehicle fees, charger taxes, utility taxes, and related business taxes, and cited figures showing rising revenue collections as EV adoption increases. A major theme of the presentation was that EV owners are paying their “fair share” rather than being overcharged. Proctor said the current $126 annual EV fee is roughly comparable to the fuel tax a typical gasoline vehicle would pay, and noted that public charging can add additional tax burdens for drivers who cannot charge at home, such as those living in apartments or condos. He also argued that EVs provide broader benefits, including lower noise and air pollution, grid-stabilizing nighttime charging, tourism spending at destination chargers, and reduced road wear for passenger EVs compared with much heavier vehicles. Members questioned Proctor about whether EV owners are paying more than their fair share, how the fee compares with gasoline taxes, and whether apartment and condo residents are disproportionately affected because they rely on public chargers. Proctor responded that the fee was intended to bring EV owners into parity with gas vehicles, not to overcharge them, and said some public chargers are free while others are used by drivers who cannot charge at home. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond the minutes approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:40.240><c> drivers</c> taxation for resident EV drivers taxation for resident EV drivers sponsored
• It has 1,00 plug-in EVs, uh hybrids, and um 9,800 pure hybrids.
• It has 1,00 plug-in EVs, uh hybrids, and um 9,800 pure hybrids.
• It has 1,00 plug-in EVs, uh hybrids, and um 9,800 pure hybrids.
• I have never wanted and don't support unfunded mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, we just did an EV pilot, our pilot, excuse me, in New Jersey with EV owners to try to
• to have individuals purchase EVs.
• EVs are in the green.
• I drive an EV. I drove down to Arizona. EV drivers do go on road trips. They get around.
• And 20% is from EVs.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee first took up three highway naming resolutions on its consent calendar: ACR 109, SCR 78, and SCR 90. The committee approved the consent calendar with 11 aye votes and no no votes, then adjourned the bill-hearing portion. Members also recognized committee science fellow AJ Mendeola for his service, noting his contributions to bill analysis and staff support. The committee then held an informational hearing on alternatives to the gas tax, focused on the projected decline in fuel-tax revenue and the need for a more sustainable transportation funding model. The chair and invited experts described how inflation, improved fuel efficiency, and growth in electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles are eroding gas-tax revenues. Presenters from the National Conference of State Legislatures and the University of California discussed state options such as higher or indexed gas taxes, EV registration fees, road usage charges, delivery fees, public EV charging fees, transportation network company fees, and managed lanes, emphasizing tradeoffs among revenue adequacy, fairness, administrative cost, and public acceptance. Committee members raised concerns that mileage-based fees or EV fees could function as new taxes on commuters and lower-income drivers, especially if the gas tax is not repealed. Presenters responded that road usage charges are generally intended as replacements for the gas tax, not additions, and argued that mileage-based systems better preserve the user-pays principle while being less tied to vehicle fuel efficiency. They also noted that flat EV registration fees are easy to administer but can be less equitable because they are not linked to actual road use. Officials from Hawaii, Utah, and Oregon described their state programs and policy choices. Hawaii said its new road usage charge began July 1, 2025, for EVs, offers a choice between a per-mile charge and a flat annual fee through 2028, and will transition to mandatory EV participation before expanding to all light-duty vehicles by 2033. Utah described its voluntary EV road usage charge program, quarterly reporting, privacy protections, and legislative scenarios for removing the cap or making participation mandatory. Oregon outlined its constitutional cost-responsibility framework and broader transportation funding challenges, including reliance on user fees and limited use of general-fund support.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a list of requirements that FERC mandates be the bidding components, and liability coverage
• that EV charging and advanced manufacturing depend on from locating here in the state.
• So anything that's locking in a static framework and mandate in that the PUC take a particular path,
• So anything that's locking in a static framework and mandate in that the PUC take a particular path,
• We appreciate all the work the author is doing on this issue, but from our perspective, another mandate

Summary: The committee hearing covered a long agenda of energy, utility, and data-center bills, with members hearing extensive testimony on affordability, ratepayer protections, wildfire liability, and grid planning. Several measures were presented by Assembly Member Irwin and others, including AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency incentives, AB 2396 on allowing community choice aggregators to develop transmission projects, AB 2589 on returning federal tax savings to ratepayers, AB 2508 on shifting public purpose program costs off utility bills, AB 1577 on data center reporting, and AB 2383 on large energy-use facility rate design. The chair noted the hearing began without a quorum and later proceeded once quorum was established for the data-center and AB 2383 votes. AB 2182 and AB 2589 were discussed but not acted on during the portion shown, while AB 2396 drew substantial debate over wildfire liability, financing, and whether CCAs should be allowed to own transmission lines. AB 2508 generated the most divided policy discussion, with supporters arguing that public purpose programs and energy efficiency costs should not be borne by ratepayers and should instead be funded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund or other public sources. Opponents warned that moving those programs to GGRF would threaten funding stability, undermine cost-effective efficiency programs, and jeopardize important safety-net and wildfire-related spending; wildfire survivor advocates asked for amendments to ensure victims are paid first before any reallocation. Committee members raised concerns about whether GGRF is an appropriate and stable funding source, and several said they could not support the bill as drafted. AB 1577, requiring data centers to report energy, water, and noise information, passed on a 10-1 vote after supporters said the bill would help local and state planners manage rapid load growth, while opponents argued it was burdensome, duplicative, and could expose proprietary or security-sensitive information. AB 2383, which would direct the CPUC to create a new rate structure for large energy-use facilities and require long-term contracts to prevent cost shifts and stranded assets, also drew strong support and opposition. The Little Hoover Commission and NRDC backed the bill as a way to protect ratepayers from data-center-related costs, while CCAs, the Chamber of Commerce, manufacturers, and petroleum interests objected to the bill’s scope and to CPUC oversight, especially as it could affect CCAs and other large users beyond data centers. After discussion about preserving local authority and avoiding stranded costs, the committee approved AB 2383 on a 13-0 vote and left the roll open for absent members. The hearing then moved to AB 1774, a wildfire accountability bill by Assembly Member Berman, which was introduced with testimony from fire survivors and consumer advocates emphasizing the need to verify that utility wildfire mitigation spending is actually performed before ratepayers are charged.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think I've made it publicly clear that I lost my own granddaughter to a drunk driver, Christmas Eve
• And I think I've made it publicly clear that I lost my own granddaughter to a drunk driver, Christmas Eve
• The bill mandates a practical... ...education-first approach to reduce accidents, protect California's
• and Assembly Member Wilson, was really designed for a collaborative approach to this educational mandate
• . ...designed for a collaborative approach to this educational mandate.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard a long agenda of transportation-related measures, with testimony focused on housing, safety, environmental access, and fuel affordability. Several bills dealt with Caltrans surplus or former freeway properties in the Los Angeles area: AB 1338 would let the City of Linwood transfer a public-purpose covenant to another parcel to enable 55 units of affordable housing; AB 1594 would remove a net-equity repayment requirement for Ronald McDonald House’s purchase of former SR 710 properties in Pasadena; and AB 2329 would create a more transparent process for tenants and cities to facilitate sales of former SR 710 homes, with support from South Pasadena and Pasadena officials and tenants. AB 2679 addressed safety and access around Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay corridor by allowing Caltrans and local Tahoe agencies to manage parking and improve pedestrian, transit, and public access infrastructure. The committee also heard several public safety bills aimed at impaired driving. AB 1685 would increase DMV points for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated from two to three, and AB 1687 would extend the license revocation period for a third DUI conviction from three years to eight years, with an interlock option after four years. Both measures drew strong support from law enforcement, MADD, and victims’ families, including emotional testimony about repeat offenders and drunk-driving fatalities. AB 1613 would require an off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship course before access to off-highway lands beginning in 2029, with supporters describing it as an education-first response to rising OHV injuries and fatalities. Other bills focused on transportation efficiency and affordability. AB 2046 would allow EPA-approved E85 conversion kits in California, which supporters said would give drivers a cheaper, lower-carbon fuel option and improve fuel resiliency. AB 2168 would revise the Active Transportation Program to better prioritize transit-connected biking and walking projects and add stronger accountability for grantees that do not spend funds on time. AB 2263 would authorize the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to reserve some affordable housing units for its employees, and supporters said it would help workers live closer to their jobs and reduce long commutes. The committee reported no opposition on most measures, and after quorum was established it approved the bills, sending them onward mostly to the Committee on Appropriations, with AB 2679 sent to Natural Resources and Water. Several votes were unanimous, while AB 1613 and AB 2168 drew some no votes but still advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to the state and federal taxes, California also mandates a special blend of gasoline designed
• These efforts include major investments in clean energy infrastructure, zero-emission vehicle mandates
• It includes a five-year mandate, which we don't believe is justified, imposing new monitoring requirements
• behalf of Conservation International, TreePeople, the Green Hydrogen Coalition, H-Cycle, and Orange EV
• But as we're looking into the EV funding, I think it's something that we need to look into with the ag

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee heard three major bills. SB 237, by Senator Grayson, proposed a package of fuel-supply and permitting changes aimed at stabilizing gasoline prices during California’s energy transition. Supporters, including state officials, Kern County representatives, labor groups, and industry groups, said it would help retain in-state refining and drilling capacity, reduce price spikes, and protect jobs. Opponents, including environmental justice and conservation groups, argued it would expand oil drilling without enough community protections and would not meaningfully address climate goals. After extensive testimony and questions about emissions, sunsets, and long-term strategy, the committee passed SB 237 on a due pass vote, with some members voting no or not voting. SB 352, by Senator Reyes, sought to strengthen implementation of AB 617, the community air protection program, by codifying the Environmental Justice Bureau in the Department of Justice, extending monitoring requirements, and requiring annual legislative reporting. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability and ensure that funding for impacted communities actually produces emissions reductions. Some environmental justice advocates were neutral or not fully supportive because they wanted stronger language, while business and industry groups opposed the bill, arguing it was added late and duplicated existing processes. The committee approved SB 352 on a due pass vote. SB 840, by Senator Limon, was the cap-and-invest reauthorization package. It would update offset protocols, adjust how revenues are spent, and continue funding for key climate, housing, transit, and community programs, including AB 617. Support came from environmental groups, labor, local governments, housing advocates, and clean transportation organizations, while some agricultural interests objected that the package did not sufficiently prioritize climate-smart agriculture and methane reduction programs. The committee passed SB 840 on a due pass vote as well. All three measures were later confirmed out of committee after calls were lifted.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, we just did an EV pilot, our pilot, excuse me, in New Jersey with EV owners to try to
• to individuals purchasing EVs.
• EVs are in the green.
• I drive an EV. I drove down to Arizona. And so EV drivers, they do go on road trips.
• I drive an EV. I drove down to Arizona. And so EV drivers, they do go on road trips.

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee first took up three highway memorial naming resolutions on its consent calendar: ACR 109, SCR 78, and SCR 90. The committee approved the consent calendar on an 11-0 vote, with the roll not held open. The chair also recognized committee science fellow AJ Mendeola for his service before adjourning the bill-hearing portion and moving to an informational hearing. The informational hearing focused on alternatives to the gas tax and how other states are responding to declining fuel-tax revenue. A first panel of researchers and policy experts described the erosion of gas-tax receipts due to inflation, improved fuel efficiency, and growth in electric vehicles, and compared options such as EV registration fees, kilowatt-hour charging fees, delivery fees, transportation network company fees, managed lanes, and road usage charges. Witnesses generally said road usage charges best preserve the user-pays principle, but they also emphasized that implementation costs, privacy concerns, and public understanding remain major obstacles. Committee members raised concerns about fairness for commuters, low-income drivers, and EV adoption, while some members argued a mileage-based system could amount to a new tax unless the gas tax is actually repealed. The second panel featured state officials from Hawaii, Utah, Oregon, and Virginia describing their programs. Hawaii said it launched its road usage charge program on July 1, 2025, using existing safety-check and registration systems, with EV owners initially choosing between a per-mile charge and a flat annual fee before mandatory EV participation begins in 2028 and a broader transition plan is due by 2026. Utah described its voluntary EV road usage charge program, annual flat fee option, quarterly reporting, privacy protections, and recent cost reductions as enrollment grows. Oregon began outlining its structural funding challenges and constitutional cost-responsibility framework, while the hearing overall underscored that states are experimenting with different approaches but have not settled on a single replacement for the gas tax.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Eves, you are recognized to present House Bill 3314. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Again, it does not mandate single-stair construction.
• Again, it does not mandate single-stair construction.

Bills: HB3091 , HB3314 , HB3435 , HB3748 , HB3913 , HB3919 , HB4132 , HB4203 , HB4303

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Summary: The committee considered a series of county, municipal, housing, and public-safety bills. House Bill 3748 would allow county governments to partner with four-year institutions and was reported out after a brief explanation and no questions. House Bill 4203, with a PCS adopted, would let the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission explore guidelines for small-unit multifamily housing of eight units or fewer and four stories or fewer; it passed 5-1. House Bill 3919, also with a PCS, would let county commissioners reduce county fair boards from nine members to five to help achieve quorum; it passed 6-0. House Bill 3091, with a PCS changing the residency requirement from 80% to 70%, would require county elected officials to maintain a principal residence in the county and occupy it at least 70% of the time. Members discussed whether the bill should use “may” or “shall” and how it would apply in hardship or medical situations; the author said he was open to further language changes. The bill passed 6-0. House Bill 3314, creating a county-option retail sale public safety impact fee on marijuana, also passed 6-0. House Bill 3435, requiring a single-subject rule for municipal bonds so voters can consider bond issues separately, passed 6-0. House Bill 3913, which would allow municipalities to authorize single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories if they meet modern fire-safety standards, failed on a 2-4 vote after no questions or debate. House Bill 4132 would provide liability protection for local governments that follow recognized cybersecurity frameworks and passed 6-0. House Bill 4303, a collaborative measure extending the deadline for municipalities to publish ordinances from 15 days to 30 days, also passed 6-0. The committee adjourned after completing the posted agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• For EV drivers, planning every trip around charging availability... ...is already a challenge.
• Texas now has the third largest number of registered EVs in the country.
• Just as we respect fuel pumps as central infrastructure, we must treat EV charging stations the same
• It does not mandate lower speeds. It simply lets local experts do their jobs to save lives.

Bills: HB535 , HB2120 , HB2822 , HB3243 , HB3457 , HB3544 , HB4089 , HB4192 , HB4669 , HB4868 , HB4955 , HB5253 , HB5669 , SB1371 , SB1919 , SB2001

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: motor vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, traffic safety, municipality, criminal offense, pedestrian safety, traffic regulations, municipal law, bicycle regulations, motor vehicle passing, traffic law, municipalities, bicycle operation, traffic laws, municipal regulations, port commission, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, San Patricio County

Transcript Highlights:

• prolonged pause will result in installation or delay of critical service initiatives, including our EV
• charging centers, our off-grid EV charging solutions paired with solar battery storage.
• To train workers on the installation, maintenance, and operation of the expanding EV charging network
• federal government essentially through executive order and this current president essentially trying to mandate

Transcript Highlights:

• We, too, are mandated to comply with the ACF and have similar issues with complying with the regulation
• At some point, we have to reevaluate our strategy and start throttling back a little bit on mandates
• them into compliance with stuff that... ...and things like that, to mandate them into compliance with
• I think we have to address the bigger problem, which is we have too many mandates that are creating more
• led on ZEV things, especially with hydrogen, the market and industry, especially on ZEV with either EVs

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several measures, with most of the agenda taken up by AB 1944, AB 2453, and SJR 16 after a consent calendar of eight items was approved. AB 1944 by Assembly Member Alex Lee would delay the schedule for reducing the allowable axle weight limits for zero-emission buses while keeping the final cap in place, to give transit agencies and manufacturers more time to develop lighter buses with sufficient range. Supporters, including the California Transit Association and several transit districts, said the bill would help agencies comply with zero-emission bus mandates. Opponents, led by the League of California Cities, argued heavier buses would accelerate pavement damage and increase local maintenance costs. Senators raised concerns about infrastructure impacts and environmental tradeoffs, while others supported the bill as a practical adjustment to technology timelines. The bill passed on a 10-3 vote, with the roll left open and later completed. AB 2453 by Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez would clarify authority for first responders and peace officers to use off-highway vehicles in official duties, including limited travel on public roads to reach remote areas. The author and supporters, including the Carlsbad Fire Department and the City of Ontario, said the bill would improve response times for beaches, trails, deserts, and special events and reduce burdensome workarounds. No opposition testimony was offered. The committee approved the bill unanimously and sent it to the Committee on Natural Resources and Water. SJR 16 by Senator Caballero urged Congress to act on federal actions affecting California commercial truck drivers after a fatal crash and subsequent federal scrutiny of California’s commercial licensing practices, including English-language proficiency standards and rescinded credentials. The author and Teamsters California said the federal response had unfairly harmed experienced drivers and the supply chain. No opposition was presented. The resolution passed on a 9-3 vote, with the roll also left open and later completed. The consent calendar items were adopted 13-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eves is still voting aye from somebody else's desk.
• Eves, aye. Eves, aye. Eves, aye. Eves, aye. Any member wishing to vote or change your vote?
• Eves, aye. Thank you, aye. Thank you, aye.
• Eves, aye. Thank you, aye. Thank you, aye.
• Eves, aye. Williams, aye? Hill, aye. Geis, aye.

Bills: SB1687 , HB1687 , HB4431 , HB2894 , HB2979 , HB3262 , HB3298 , HB3369 , HB3431 , HB3462 , SB1226 , SB1876 , SB1916 , SB1920 , HB3467 , HB3498 , HB3500 , HB3521 , HB3581 , HB3650 , HB3673 , HB3764 , HB3767 , HB3781 , HB3800 , HB3831 , HB3834 , HB3941 , HB2749 , HB3970 , HB3972 , HB3979 , HB3980 , HB3981 , HB3996 , HB4095 , HB4104 , HB4191 , HB4248 , HB4298 , HB4338 , HB4427 , HB4428 , HJR1023 , HB3660 , HB3718 , HB4326 , HB3443 , HB3880 , HB3649 , HB3000 , SB1651 , SB504 , SB372 , SB1326 , SB1633 , SB248 , SB1242 , SB1238 , SB423 , SB1989 , SB1286 , SB904 , SB1213 , SB1216 , SB1827 , SB65 , SB1390 , SB259 , SB1944 , SB540 , SB2139 , SB346 , SB1595 , SB1400 , SB1555 , SB1209 , SB2110 , SB1670 , SB1061 , SB2104 , HR1057 , SB1946 , SB1734 , SB1316 , SB1360 , SB1557 , SB1684 , SB2049 , SB1410 , SB2011 , SB1437 , SB1204 , SB1732 , SB1775 , SB2084 , SB1380 , SB1572 , SB1772 , SB1224 , SB710 , SB1338 , SB1266 , SB1303 , SB1307 , SB1562 , SB1794 , SB1191 , SB1983 , SB1832 , SB1448 , SB1534 , SB1593 , SB1597 , SB1630 , SB1489 , SB1726 , SB1796 , SB1806 , SB1877 , SB1451 , SB1553 , SB1632 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1502 , SB2180 , SB1725 , SB2182 , HB3003 , HB3004 , HB4434 , HB4324 , HB4342 , HB2137 , HB4432 , SJR50 , SJR52 , SJR53

Summary: The House recognized several visitors and groups during the day, including the Norman North High School Cheer and Stunt Team, a student page, Bartlesville Day at the Capitol, and Leadership Elk City. The chamber then took up a long series of Senate amendments and final passage votes on a wide range of measures, with most amendments adopted without objection and many bills passing by wide margins. Topics included advanced health care directives, the Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act, motor vehicle and insurance changes, food truck fire suppression, foreign adversary land ownership restrictions, plumbing licensing reform, probate procedure, financial institutions, riots, Medicaid, court reporters, public finance, district attorney recruitment incentives, child care, the Oklahoma Brine Development Act, adjunct teachers, workers’ compensation, and other technical or policy updates. Several bills drew substantive debate. The Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act prompted questions about the additional $15 million funding tranche, return on investment, and the use of out-of-state fund managers; supporters said the program had created thousands of jobs and generated strong tax revenue, while opponents criticized the lack of independent ROI data and transparency. House Bill 3500 on probate procedure also drew questions about a nine-month deadline for successor affidavits, with the author saying the change would prevent a “gotcha” that could defeat a decedent’s wishes. House Bill 3660 on natural organic reduction was the subject of extended debate, with supporters arguing for personal freedom and rejecting claims about misuse of the resulting material, while opponents raised concerns about the practice and its regulation. The House passed most measures by comfortable margins, including bills on advanced health care directives, professions and occupations, motor vehicles, Medicaid, insurance, child care, court reporters, public finance, and criminal law. A few measures failed or were reconsidered: Senate Bill 1916 initially failed on a 46-39 vote, but the House later voted to reconsider and then passed it on reconsideration. Several bills also carried emergency clauses, which were adopted where required by two-thirds votes. The session ended with the House still considering debate on House Bill 3660 after the chamber had recessed and returned to order.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have driven electric vehicles (EVs) since 2012.
• We can index the current $75 annual EV tax to the gas tax.
• The points I'm going to discuss will affect the perception of EVs.
• Regarding the weight of EVs, I want to mention that EVs are not heavier than other popular personal vehicles
• So at $200, we would have the third highest EV tax in the entire country.

Bills: HF2438

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The one area of resistance we always get in this general domain is if we're imposing unfunded mandates
• Why do we need to mandate it versus just educating instead of legislating?
• Part of the reason we're putting this language here is to say it's a mandate that Mass Save take on this
• batteries, EV charging stations... ...consider heat pump water heaters, solar PV, batteries, EV charging
• It's not a mandate. It's an educational tool. It starts us down that road. It costs us nothing.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of energy efficiency, building decarbonization, school modernization, and lighting bills. Testimony generally came from municipal leaders, labor unions, environmental groups, and advocates who supported measures such as H. 3529/S. 2294 on building energy and decarbonization, H. 3577/S. 2286 on a zero-carbon renovation fund, H. 3476/S. 2275 on healthy and sustainable schools, H. 3565 on Mass Save zero-carbon assessments, H. 3477 on clean lighting and appliance efficiency standards, and the Dark Sky bills on outdoor lighting. Supporters argued these bills would cut emissions, lower utility bills, improve indoor air quality and school conditions, and direct resources to environmental justice, gateway, and low-income communities. Witnesses emphasized that Massachusetts’ older building stock and school facilities need major upgrades, and that state funding and financing tools are needed to close gaps left by declining federal support. Mayors, labor leaders, and environmental advocates said the proposals would create local jobs, expand apprenticeships, and help municipalities and schools undertake retrofits, ventilation improvements, heat pump installations, and other decarbonization work. Several speakers also defended Mass Save as highly cost-effective while urging new funding sources beyond ratepayer bills for larger-scale building upgrades. One representative asked about the difference between current Mass Save audits and proposed zero-carbon assessments, and the sponsor explained the new assessments would include heat pumps, solar, storage, wiring upgrades, and rate-structure guidance. There was also testimony on the Dark Sky bill, with astronomers and museum representatives arguing that better-shielded, downward-facing lighting would reduce energy waste, protect wildlife and human health, and preserve night skies without compromising safety. Committee members raised concerns about pedestrian safety and whether education might be enough instead of legislation; supporters responded that the bill follows established lighting standards and targets only unnecessary glare and skyward light. On the school bill, an open-shop contractor group opposed the measure, arguing its PLA and apprenticeship requirements would restrict bidding and reduce competition, while labor organizations strongly supported the workforce standards and prevailing wage provisions. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee heard extensive testimony and several members asked clarifying questions, but the transcript does not show any final action or disposition on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is sort of a general issue now with local government mandates overall.
• And the Constitution requires that whenever we have a mandate we reimburse.
• This is not a mandate.
• So it's not as if the nonprofit is getting to mandate that.
• can your EV charger go?

Committee: Senate Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• second engrossment of SF1407, which is Senator Mann's bill to modify the evaluation process for mandated
• remain Clarifies that mandates remain effective even if certain procedural steps were not followed.
• </c><00:19:07.280><c> The</c><00:19:07.520><c> EV</c> are getting what they pay for.
• The EV are getting what they pay for.
• </c> the the implications of these mandates the the implications of these mandates before<00:24:56.240

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Previously, there was a lot of talent pipeline trained specifically for advanced EV manufacturing.
• Drive48 brought together... ...for advanced EV manufacturing.
• I'm not trying to mandate something that's not compatible with them.
• That is a mandate that we hear from our residents and it's an important backbone of how our city builds

Bills: HB2107 , HB2588 , HB2946 , HB2950

Committees: House Rural Economic Development , House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Keywords: SNAP, nutrition assistance, fast food, vitamins, waiver, food policy, municipal planning, homeowner association, building permits, single-family home, property rights, design standards, development fees, municipalities, infrastructure, public services, annual reporting, property development, tourism improvement area, TIA

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think many in my caucus have concerns about adding costs to EVs.
• It would deposit money from EV fees into this account.
• By the way, EVs range in price a lot lower than you think, especially if you get a used EV.
• EVs only account for about 1% of on-road vehicles in Minnesota.
• for</c> vehicles not EVS EVS only account for vehicles not EVS EVS only account for about<00:14:25.120

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to reiterate that this would, it's not mandating as, I want to reiterate that this would,
• it's not mandating zero tolerance except for the safety-sensitive positions that are already in statute
• Representative Eves, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Summary: The committee took up several business- and workforce-related bills. House Bill 381, which lowers the age requirement for fire extinguisher inspection licensing from 21 to 18 to match sprinkler and alarm installation rules, passed 8-0. House Bill 3127, with a PCS adopted, would restore an employer’s ability to use a written zero-tolerance drug policy for safety-sensitive positions; supporters said it would give employers clarity and flexibility, while questions focused on workers’ compensation and HIPAA concerns. It passed 6-2. House Bill 3128, also with a PCS adopted, creates a task force called Arise, Oklahoma to study workforce readiness, barriers to employment, and business competitiveness; the author said it would help identify gaps without overloading the new Workforce Commission, and it passed 6-2. The committee also heard House Bill 3498, a lengthy modernization of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act and LLC statutes. The author said it would update outdated corporate law, strengthen shareholder agreements, and make Oklahoma more competitive with states like Delaware to encourage investment and keep businesses in the state. Members asked for clearer examples of the bill’s effects and whether it would have prevented recent employer relocations; the author said it would not guarantee a different outcome but could improve Oklahoma’s ability to retain and attract businesses. The bill passed 7-1-1. Finally, House Bill 2035, requested by the funeral industry, would provide clarification and structure for service agreements covering transportation of human remains. The author said the agreements are already used and are not insurance, but rather prepaid service arrangements that can reduce costs for families. Members raised concerns about out-of-state transport and insurance-code exemptions, and the author said the bill was intended to clarify that these agreements are treated consistently and provide consumer value. The bill was moved forward, and the chair noted it was the last bill of the day before adjourning, with many laid-over bills expected next week.