Transcript Highlights:

• And as the witnesses today know better than most, ratepayers will bear the brunt of those costs. costs
• It offsets. ratepayer expenses.
• That's a huge challenge and the states differ on what laws govern that, whether you can pay ratepayer

Keywords: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, water infrastructure, lead service lines, federal reauthorization, sustainability, cybersecurity

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and its implications for local water systems. Various witnesses highlighted the transformative impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has provided an unprecedented amount of funding to help address long-standing issues in drinking water infrastructure, particularly concerning lead service line replacements and sustainability in water management. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for federal reauthorization to continue supporting these initiatives, as many rural and disadvantaged communities still face substantial barriers in upgrading their water systems. Additionally, cybersecurity risks were noted, raising concerns over the vulnerability of water systems across the nation.

Transcript Highlights:

• , commercial and residential ratepayers.
• Commercial and residential ratepayers in my part of the state, of course, still reeling from being hit
• And so consequently, the fact that you would make certain through this bill that ratepayers that have
• comes to these data centers coming to their communities, with it's already been talked about the ratepayers
• To protect the taxpayer or the ratepayer in this case to make sure that they are not bearing any of the

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill. Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes. The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , commercial and residential ratepayers.
• Commercial and residential ratepayers in my part of the state, of course, are still reeling from being
• Consequently, the fact that you would make certain through this bill that ratepayers who have nothing
• amendment that was passed today, further reaffirms our commitment to protect the taxpayer or the ratepayer
• To protect the taxpayer or the ratepayer in this case, to make sure that they are not bearing any of

Bills: S0092, S0110, S0192, S0212, S0260, S0350, S0394, S0422, S0434, S0442, S0484, S0546, S0556, S0684, S0696, S0706, S0748, S0786, S0820, S0824, S0838, S0840, S0848, S0856, S0962, S1000, S1014, S1036, S1050, S1054, S1080, S1118, S1134, S1338, S1480, S1500, S1506, S1622, S1724

Keywords: employee protections, whistleblower, retaliation, public trust, ethics complaint, Commission on Ethics, Public Employees Relations Commission, public employee, local government attorney, public officer, adverse personnel action, protected disclosure, whistleblower retaliation, state agency, independent contractor, public employment, civil service, reinstatement, back pay, front pay

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and considered a long agenda of bills, many of them retained from the prior week. The most debated measure was CS for SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and designate Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport, subject to FAA approval and a trademark agreement. Amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to prevent private financial benefit from the naming. Several senators spoke in opposition, citing concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and the trademark/licensing arrangement; supporters argued there was no cost to the airport and that the bill simply set a state naming policy. The committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements, CS for CS for SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, CS for SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, SB 962 on excluding farms from certain zoning definitions, and CS for SB 820 on problem-solving court reporting requirements. The committee then approved several bills from Senator DiCeglie and Senator Arrington. SB 840, addressing land-use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, was supported by local-government and environmental advocates who said it would restore local control after SB 180’s hurricane-related restrictions; the sponsor said it was intended to correct unintended consequences of last year’s law. CS for SB 856, requiring online listing platforms to show estimated ad valorem taxes on residential listings, was amended to exclude social media platforms and broaden liability protections; the sponsor and a county property appraiser described it as a consumer-transparency measure. CS for SB 110, clarifying homestead exemption treatment for long-term leases that end at death, was also reported favorably. The committee took up a controversial strike-all amendment to SB 212, which focused on public swimming pools and added residency and related restrictions for certain sex offenders and offenders on community control or probation. The amendment drew strong opposition from advocates and affected families, who argued it would worsen homelessness, impose broad geographic restrictions, and lack evidence of improving child safety; supporters said it was a targeted public-safety measure. Despite the objections, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, SB 394 on reinsurance intermediary managers, SB 434 on property tax assessment treatment for wind-hardening improvements, CS for CS for SBs 658 and 608 on water-safety requirements for rental properties with pools or nearby water, SB 748 on adding voting-rights restoration information to sentencing score sheets, and CS for SB 824 requiring school districts to inventory unimproved real property. The meeting ended while the committee was beginning SB 848 on stormwater treatment, with an amendment being introduced as the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• these incredible benefits for participating customers, but it also then provides benefits to all ratepayers
• these incredible benefits for participating customers, but it also then provides benefits to all ratepayers
• these incredible benefits for participating customers, but it also then provides benefits to all ratepayers
• they go kaput, and I've got people I know where they have gone kaput, it's going to fall on the ratepayers
• windmills and solar, um, on how to address that so we don't artificially drive up the rates of ratepayers

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• asset generates less profit for the utility, but it becomes a lower-cost generating asset for the ratepayers
• the customer perspective, fully depreciated power plants are providing the highest value to the ratepayer
• What I wish we could talk about, as far as ratepayers and what they are paying, is compensation for CEOs
• What I wish we could talk about, as far as ratepayers and what they are paying, is compensation for CEOs
• She then said the bill is to protect the ratepayer because it's something that everybody needs and has

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, we're going to continue to push against the utilities and stand up for ratepayers, which
• If someone was a bad deal and ratepayers were going to get stiffed with a big bill, you know, my position
• And so you'll always have me as an advocate when it comes to sticking out for ratepayers and the people
• “And, you know, what we did with the recent electric and gas bill discounts that ratepayers are going
• base rate increases, delivering more than $205 million for ratepayers over the next five years.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• But if you want the $10 million, make they start dealing out pennies to every ratepayer in the state.
• But I still think that, you know, that's money that was put there by ratepayers, and they should get
• If we really want to help ratepayers in the long term, what we need to do is diversify our supply of
• If we really want to help ratepayers in the long term, what we need to do is diversify our supply of
• If we really want to help ratepayers in the long term, what we need to do is diversify our supply of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Department of Labor on several House Bill 2 sections. Members discussed raising the annual elevator certificate fee, which had been $50 since at least fiscal year 2014; the commissioner said the Inspection Division generates more revenue than its costs, and members agreed to amend the fee to $75 and later voted unanimously to accept Section 137. The department also explained a proposed change to civil penalty/warning language in Section 139 to align enforcement across labor laws; that section was accepted unanimously. The commissioner then gave a detailed overview of the second injury fund, describing how it is financed by assessments on insurance carriers, how claims are reviewed for reimbursement, and how the fund is intended to reimburse certain workers’ compensation costs. Members questioned whether the program still serves its original purpose, whether it is revenue-neutral, and whether it should be sunset; the department said the fund is a mixed bag for the state and industry, but no sunset language was adopted. Sections 140 and 141 were then accepted unanimously. The committee next heard from the Judicial Council on Sections 125 through 127. The witness said the changes would streamline payment for indigent defense services other than counsel, reduce the number of bills requiring judge review, and expand the council’s ability to contract with providers for services such as translation and evaluations. He also explained a proposed fail-safe allowing the executive director to decline to process questionable invoices and send them to a judge instead. Members generally supported the streamlining, and Sections 125 through 127 were accepted unanimously. Toward the end of the discussion, members asked about the cost impact of changing the misdemeanor/felony threshold from $1,000 to a higher amount. The Judicial Council said felony cases are significantly more expensive than misdemeanors because they involve more hearings, more discovery, and more attorney time, with assigned felony cases costing several times more on average. No action was taken on that question in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill infringes on the local and effective control already enjoyed by our ratepayers.
• over a longer period, lowering debt payments by shifting the costs of these projects to future ratepayers
• And that existing ratepayers are not paying the majority of the cost before the new system is even online
• And the cost to the ratepayer is a constant discussion on, on our city council.
• So, and this is, this is so that, you know, current ratepayers don't have to shoulder all the, the costs

Bills: HB 1520, HB 1525, HB 1530, HB 1535, HB 2068, HB 2091, HB 2347, HB 2372, HB 2805, HB 2815, HB 2867, HB 3154, HB 3482, HB 3483, HB 3663, HB 3781, HB 3901, HB 3915, HB 4135, HB 4153, HB 4158, HB 4329, HB 4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• , pricing, staffing, and service obligations, ultimately increasing costs for local government, ratepayers
• The ratepayers pay in that situation.
• So in other words, the ratepayers wind up paying for all this, including whatever it is.
• would recommend or encourage you to work with, in this case, the opposition, to make sure that the ratepayers
• And I know a lot of ratepayers, even though that's still a great bargain, are getting a little fed up

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , pricing, staffing, and service obligations, ultimately increasing costs for local government, ratepayers
• The ratepayers pay in that situation.
• So, in other words, the ratepayers wind up paying for all this, including whatever it is.
• would, if this bill goes forward, encourage you to work with the opposition to make sure that the ratepayers
• And I know a lot of ratepayers, even though that's still a great bargain, are getting a little fed up

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government transparency. SB 911 by Senator Becker would require notification to fire enforcement agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold with an agreement for the buyer to bring the property into defensible-space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 by Senator Cabaldon would bar local officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision-makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it also passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1041 by Senator Riggins would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements and add consumer protections, but it drew strong opposition from homeowner advocates, county treasurers, bankers, and others over predatory lending and lien concerns; it passed 3-2 and remained on call. The committee also considered SB 1075 by Senator Reyes, which would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality reduction measures in land-use approvals for industrial and commercial projects. Environmental justice groups supported the bill as a way to implement community air plans, while counties, cities, business groups, builders, trucking interests, and others opposed it as duplicative of CEQA and a barrier to investment and jobs. After debate over local control and environmental justice, the bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958 by Senator Cabaldon would advance the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, replacing a former arena and parking lots with housing, affordable units, parks, and a new entertainment venue; with no opposition voiced, it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Another wildfire-related measure, SB 1182 by Senator Allen, would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas and direct state technical guidance on the issue. Supporters said insurance access is now a key indicator of risk, while some members questioned whether the bill would add useful information or burden local governments; the bill received a 1-1 vote and remained on call. The committee then began hearing SB 1116 by Senator Caballero, a starter-home/infill housing bill creating a streamlined ministerial path for small projects up to 10 units, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ratepayers currently see exactly what they're paying for: fuel costs, renewable energy compliance, and
• Ratepayers currently see exactly what they're paying for: fuel costs, renewable energy compliance, and
• Ratepayers, with some effort, can see how much they're paying for the policies this body has passed.
• incentive mechanisms for utilities, but provides no ceiling on what those incentives might cost ratepayers
• Without explicit cost caps in this legislation, we risk creating a system where ratepayers fund utility

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in terms of these, I'll call it, grid modernization, include gas, and can we really expect our ratepayers
• where, you know, how is it that we expect whom to bear certain costs, and is it entirely on the ratepayers
• where, you know, how is it that we expect whom to bear certain costs, and is it entirely on the ratepayers
• where, you know, how is it that we expect whom to bear certain costs, and is it entirely on the ratepayers
• where, you know, how is it that we expect whom to bear certain costs, and is it entirely on the ratepayers

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, RDA fund is a tax that's levied on ratepayers across the state in Xcel territory.
• You know, RDA fund is a tax that's levied on ratepayers across the state in Xcel territory.
• You know, RDA fund is a tax that's levied on ratepayers across the state in Xcel territory.
• So, yes, the RDA fund is funded by Xcel ratepayers. I am one of those. best.
• <00:27:38.559> Um,<00:27:39.039> but The ratepayers—I am one of those.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Ratepayers in King County fund the majority of our program through fees on solid waste and wastewater
• As you can see on the pie chart, over 90% is paid for by ratepayers in King County.
• This is at a time when ratepayers, as you know, are facing increasing costs of gas, groceries, and other
• This provides needed financial relief for local governments and ratepayers.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The committee’s interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), with presenters from industry, nonprofits, and state agencies describing Washington’s geologic potential, the role of basalt formations, and the difference between point-source capture, direct air capture, utilization, and permanent storage. Industry and project developers emphasized that Washington has major opportunities to reduce industrial emissions, create jobs, and support hard-to-electrify sectors, while state agencies explained current policy touchpoints in the Cap and Invest Program, emissions exemptions for permanently stored CO2, and the Clean Energy Transformation Act. Several presenters urged clearer statutory and regulatory pathways, including rules for pore space, subsurface rights, pipeline siting, and long-term liability; others cautioned that CCUS should be limited to real emissions reductions and not treated as a substitute for broader clean energy measures. Committee members asked about public comment opportunities, whether mineralized carbon would qualify for exemption under the Climate Commitment Act, the energy intensity of capture systems, aquifer protection, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Ecology said it is developing guidance through a public engagement process running through late June and that mineralized or otherwise permanently stored CO2 would likely qualify if it meets the 1,000-year permanence standard. DNR and outside experts also discussed trust lands, water rights, and the need for additional geophysical surveys and test wells. The panel did not take any votes or formal actions. The second half of the meeting turned to hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility. Ecology reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described how moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste are currently collected through county facilities and events. Ecology said the electronics program is its best model, while the mercury lamp program is currently in transition after the prior stewardship organization exited and a new organization is seeking approval. Ecology recommended that future EPR programs have clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong enforcement authority. Local government witnesses from King County and Douglas County described rising costs, access barriers in rural areas, and the need for stable funding and flexible local delivery models. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and argued that EPR could reduce costs for ratepayers and improve equity. Douglas County stressed that rural residents are willing to participate when services are available, but travel distance and operating costs make access difficult. An industry representative supported narrowly scoped stewardship programs like PaintCare but warned that broad household hazardous waste EPR systems can become difficult to administer and may require legislative revisions if responsibilities are not clearly defined. No votes were taken on the hazardous waste topic either.

Transcript Highlights:

• planning by clarifying the role and capabilities of water systems during wildfire events, protect ratepayers
• And ultimately, the lawsuit gets resolved in one way or another, but it's expensive because the ratepayers
• And ultimately, the lawsuit gets resolved in one way or another, but it's expensive because the ratepayers

Summary: The Committee on Emergency Management heard several bills related to public safety, wildfire preparedness, and fireworks regulation. SB 1299, by Senator Arreguín, would place in statute a certification and training framework for fire sprinkler fitters and apprentices after a court decision disrupted prior State Fire Marshal regulations. Supporters said the bill would protect life safety by ensuring qualified installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems, while opponents raised concerns about added costs, housing affordability, and labor-related effects. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Labor and Employment on a roll call vote, with DeMaio and Hadwick voting no. SB 1153, by Senator Caballero, would require urban retail water suppliers to incorporate wildfire-specific procedures into emergency plans and clarify that water systems are not designed to serve as wildfire defense systems. Supporters from water agencies and fire organizations said the bill would improve coordination, planning, and ratepayer protection while acknowledging infrastructure limits. Members discussed transparency, backup generators, and whether the bill should require more public disclosure; the author said he would continue working on possible amendments. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. SB 828, by Senator Cabaldon, responds to the Esparto fireworks warehouse explosion by requiring fireworks licensees to disclose storage locations, verify local permits, and meet other compliance conditions. The author said the bill was developed with the State Fire Marshal and local public safety partners to close information gaps and improve enforcement. An opposition witness argued the permit-verification requirements could not be met in all jurisdictions, especially for hobby rocketry and small-scale uses, prompting discussion about clarifying different rocket categories and administrative implementation. The committee passed SB 828 as amended to the Committee on Local Government, and the meeting then adjourned after all bills were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• The result is higher costs for ratepayers, slower clean energy deployment, and increased reliability
• It's good for ratepayers and brings down costs. And it's good for California's economy as a whole.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact heard AB 2516 by Assemblymember Petrie-Norris, which would create the California Grid Manufacturing Initiative within GO-Biz. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to address supply chain delays and rising costs for critical grid equipment, speed clean energy deployment, improve reliability, and encourage in-state manufacturing and high-road jobs. Support came from labor and industry representatives including UAW, IBEW, the California Labor Federation, CWA District 9, BlueGreen Alliance, California Labor for Climate Jobs, TURN, and Ingersoll Rand; no opposition was registered. Committee members raised affordability concerns, and the bill was moved to Appropriations and passed 7-1. The committee also heard ACR 173 by Assemblymember Carrillo, which would formalize a sister-state relationship between California and Jalisco, Mexico. Carrillo emphasized cultural, economic, and demographic ties, cooperation on issues such as agriculture, labor, technology, and education, and immigrant protections. There were no witnesses in opposition, and the resolution was adopted. The consent calendar included AB 2163 by Gonzalez and ACR 164 by Bains and ACR 166 by Avila Farías, all of which were approved. After quorum was established, the committee took roll, recorded multiple aye votes from absent members, and then adjourned after reporting all items out.

Transcript Highlights:

• The result is higher cost for ratepayers, slower clean energy deployment, and increased reliability risks
• It's good for ratepayers and brings down costs. And it's good for California's economy as a whole.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , we think ultimately the answer is to find a way to not impose those underrecovery balances on ratepayers
• , we think ultimately the answer is to find a way to not impose those underrecovery balances on ratepayers
• Um, but can you give me an estimate of how much money and how it would affect ratepayer bills?
• Um, but can you give me an estimate of how much money and how it would affect ratepayer bills?
• , how do you not increase the cost to individual ratepayers?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• while allowing Eversource to continue building its asset condition projects and charging them to ratepayers
• So, no money spent by Eversource on these so-called asset condition projects was refunded to ratepayers
• So, no money spent by Eversource on these so-called asset condition projects was refunded to ratepayers
• Nobody has examined the prudency of the costs to ensure that the costs that hit ratepayers' bills are
• It's an automatic charge to the ratepayers with no examination of the cost whatsoever by any agency.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this has ratepayers very concerned because in the end, if we're not really careful, we'll build as
• were going to, or if they didn't have enough capacity to serve them, so that then their other ratepayers
• Um, you know, you talked about how that works and how ratepayers could be negatively affected.
• The ratepayer gets the benefit of the excess energy.
• , and we can protect ratepayers.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:12 Approval of Minutes 00:02:25 Co-Chair & Member Comments 00:02:48 Discussion of 2025 SB 137 00:06:58 Outdoor Adventure Tourism Opportunities 00:41:56 Public Service Commission Update 01:21:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior minutes. Members also observed a moment of reflection for Charlie Kirk and offered condolences to Representative Bobby McCool on the death of his mother. Representative Fugate then made announcements about the ongoing ATV/UTV trail system, including an October 21 opening in Letcher County and an October 2 groundbreaking in Knott County, and staff was asked to circulate the dates to members. The main agenda item was Senate Bill 137, presented by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong with testimony from George Ecklan of the Coalition of the Homeless and Wesley Bryant, a flood survivor and Eastern Kentucky resident. The bill would prohibit utility disconnections for non-payment during dangerous weather and emergencies, including extreme cold, excessive heat, and declared natural disasters. Supporters said the measure is narrow, does not forgive past-due balances or change reconnection policies, and is intended to protect vulnerable residents, reduce risks to first responders, and create a minimum statewide standard amid a patchwork of utility policies. They cited weather thresholds and historical examples of extreme weather and disaster declarations in Kentucky. Testimony emphasized the human impact of shutoffs, especially for low-income households, older adults, and families facing illness or disaster recovery. Bryant described experiences with people shivering without heat or struggling to keep children cool when power was cut off, calling electricity a lifeline rather than a luxury. Representative Gu raised concerns that utility bills have become unaffordable due to broader policy and rate issues, argued that some customers may not pay if shutoffs are prohibited, and questioned whether the bill was needed. Senator Chambers Armstrong responded that the proposal is limited to non-payment shutoffs during short periods of dangerous conditions and is meant to keep people safe during emergencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.