Transcript Highlights:

• We're taking out that language that's underlined, and we're adding investor-owned electric utilities
• On page four, line 22, strike out that language, and we're adding: investor-owned electric utilities
• The second change is on page five, line 17, after 'test,' we're adding: investor-owned electric utilities
• demonstrate added value and cost effectiveness of energy efficiency resources for investor-owned electric
• This gives electric utilities more flexibility to design effective EE portfolios, helps align planning

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 254, which would allow investor-owned electric utilities to include avoided greenhouse gas emissions in evaluating the cost effectiveness of energy efficiency resources. The sponsor explained an amendment making the emissions calculation optional for utilities, while requiring the Public Regulation Commission to consider it if a utility elects to use it. Utilities, energy efficiency advocates, and environmental groups supported the bill, saying it would help expand energy efficiency programs, lower bills, and better reflect emissions benefits. After brief questions about prior concerns, the committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill on a unanimous due pass vote. The committee then heard House Bill 185, which would change the process for suspending school board members so the Secretary of Education could suspend individual members rather than only an entire board. The sponsors and supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, protect good board members from being punished for others’ misconduct, and create a clearer process with notice, remedial action, and appeal rights. School superintendents and some current and former school board members supported the bill, but the New Mexico School Boards Association and several board members opposed it, saying it was vague, threatened local control, and gave too much power to an appointed official. After extensive debate, the committee voted 4-5 against the do pass motion, and the bill failed in committee. The committee next considered House Memorial 29, condemning the U.S. invasion of Venezuela. The memorial sponsor said it was intended to oppose the administration’s actions and affirm democratic norms. A supporter from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry backed the memorial on moral and legal grounds. Representative Block raised multiple factual objections, arguing the memorial mischaracterized Nicolás Maduro’s status and the events in Venezuela. The committee amended the memorial to add the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, and the New Mexico congressional delegation as recipients, then passed it on a 6-3 vote after debate and vote explanations. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 93, which would raise the state income tax standard deduction to 205% of the federal standard deduction. The sponsor said the bill was intended to reduce tax burdens for New Mexicans and noted that staff and the tax department had determined nonresidents would only receive a prorated benefit under existing rules, so no amendment was needed. With no public testimony and no opposition, the committee moved the bill forward on a do pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are proposed fee caps to address the rising service, maintenance, electricity, and water costs.
• able to afford to go, and at the same time, when people are bringing in their tour bus and their electric
• vehicle, that you're paying for the electricity that you're using there.
• vehicle that you're paying for the electricity that your life is there.
• So I'm requesting, electricity that your life is there. So we will bring those back.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from February 9 and February 11, 2026. It then heard Senate Bill 1328 from Senator Harris, a cleanup bill related to the Department of Lands’ authority to use its own general counsel under the 2024 changes in Senate Bill 1292. Harris said the bill aligns statutes with current practice by replacing references to the Attorney General in multiple land-management and enforcement provisions, while preserving some AG involvement. The Attorney General’s office, through Phil Skinner, opposed the bill as unconstitutional, arguing it strips core duties from a constitutional officer and transfers sovereign litigation authority to agency attorneys. Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller and General Counsel John Richards testified in support, describing confusion and overlap in recent cases. After debate, a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee failed 2-7, and the original motion to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation passed 7-2. The committee then considered three Idaho Department of Fish and Game rule dockets. Docket 13-0103-2501, covering public use of Fish and Game lands, added definitions and restrictions related to camping, leashes, exploding targets, and air guns; it was approved unanimously. Docket 13-116-2401, on trapping and fur-bearing animals, clarified bait definitions, adjusted reporting and reimbursement provisions, and added allowances or restrictions tied to snow-covered routes, bridges, wildlife crossings, and wolf trapping; it was also approved unanimously. Docket 13-119-2501, governing licensed vendors, revised selection and termination criteria, lowered the active vendor ceiling, barred new out-of-state vendor applications, and allowed vendors to pass through credit card processing fees; it was approved unanimously. Finally, the committee heard Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Director Susan Buxton on docket 2601-2501. She proposed fee increases for motor vehicle entry, commercial vehicle entry, boat launching, moorage, and reservation-related charges, while asking the committee to reject two sections: one adding employee enforcement language and one increasing campsite fees, which she said should be revisited later to better protect affordability for Idaho residents. The committee agreed to reject those two sections and approved the remainder of the docket, with members noting the changes were intended to focus fee increases more on non-residents and align with prior legislative intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this is "The Body Electric," and we have two soloists.
• The Body Electric, and we have two soloists.
• And it is "The Body Electric." It's actually when the movie thing.
• I sing the body electric, I celebrate the me to come, yet to come. I celebrate the yet to come.
• I sing the body electric. I celebrate the me to come. I celebrate the me to come.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The meeting began with a student performance from Horizon Middle School Show Choir, including songs from an eighth grade concert and the show choir piece “The Body Electric.” After the performance, Deputy Superintendent Donna Fishbeck spoke on behalf of State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler in support of music education, emphasizing its benefits for creativity, collaboration, school climate, and student development, and noting the department’s support for music grants and professional development. She also highlighted the North Dakota Music Educators Association’s role in expanding access and quality in music education. The committee then heard a presentation from Vital Network, introduced as a DPI-funded effort focused on teacher retention. Nate Eklund and Dr. Aaron Rob described the organization’s work with schools and districts to reduce educator burnout by improving workplace conditions, especially around time management, voice in decision-making, and care/support. They said the program uses surveys, dashboards, advisory support, and facilitated school and district processes to identify local friction points and help educators and leaders solve them, with examples ranging from simplifying material requests to improving PLC time and communication. They stressed that retention is driven more by workplace conditions than pay alone, and that solutions must be local rather than one-size-fits-all. Members asked about rural teacher overload, sustainability after grant funding ends, and whether the model could inform broader policy or continuing education reforms. Vital representatives said the work is designed to be embedded in district systems and strategic plans so it can continue beyond their direct involvement, and that the approach aligns with the state’s teacher retention and recruitment task force recommendations. They reported serving about half of North Dakota educators across roughly 50 districts, with partnerships through regional education associations to reach rural areas. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• residential facilities for seniors or persons with disabilities to have generators or alternative electrical
• residential facilities for seniors or persons with disabilities to have generators or alternative electrical
• residential facilities for seniors or persons with disabilities to have generators or alternative electrical
• traffic control signals to authorize the driver of a two- or three-wheeled motorcycle or a bicycle or electric
• amend Title 40 relative to adult residential care providers, survivor generators, or alternative electrical

Bills: SR146 , SCR12 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , HB221 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR114 , HCR58 , HB723 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB83 , SB131 , SB143 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB283 , SB333 , SB353 , SB367 , SB384 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB448 , SB450 , SB465 , SB468 , SB469 , SB484 , SB495 , SB496 , SB509 , SB56 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR32 , HB59 , HB89 , HB153 , HB243 , HB335 , HB342 , HB407 , HB451 , HB513 , HB595 , HB682 , HB688 , HB690 , HB730 , HB762 , HB802 , HB816 , HB940 , HB1003 , HB1011 , HB1029 , HB1053 , HB1058 , HB1062 , HB1064 , HB1079 , HB1084 , HB1098 , HB1161 , HB1189 , HB1203 , HB1215 , HB1247 , HB1248 , HB1251 , HB1253 , HB1257 , HB1258 , HB17 , HB27 , HB36 , HB41 , HB73 , HB140 , HB166 , HB181 , HB205 , HB211 , HB223 , HB226 , HB259 , HB271 , HB308 , HB337 , HB399 , HB410 , HB487 , HB626 , HB712 , HB740 , HB750 , HB759 , HB775 , HB812 , HB844 , HB906 , HB966 , HB968 , HB979 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1018 , HB1036 , HB1038 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1155 , HB1220 , HB1242 , HB1252 , HB1256 , SB42 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB401 , SB449 , SB487 , HB74 , HB119 , HB134 , HB210 , HB258 , HB468 , HB784 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1117 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB43 , SB78 , SB149 , SB441 , HB359

Keywords: SR146, Senate Resolution 146, Louis Thomas Nelson, Thomas Nelson, condolences, memorial resolution, tribute, obituary, public service, St. Martinville, Cade, St. Martin Parish, police juror, mayor, community center, water system, school bus driver, school board, Louisiana Senate, sympathy

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a guest prayer by Pastor Lee Shipp, and conducted routine opening business including journal adoption, receipt of confirmation appointments, and House messages naming conferees on several Senate bill disagreements. The chamber also adopted or recognized several personal privilege resolutions and commendations, including honors for Grady Hazel, the Acadiana Veterans Hockey of Louisiana national championship team, Grambling State University’s 125th anniversary and related athletics/band centennials, the 2026 Governor’s Fellows, and a brief address by special guest Ms. Benson. Members then acted on a series of resolutions and concurrent resolutions. The Senate adopted measures creating or requesting study task forces on child permanency, medical malpractice review panels, driving school fees, the Minimum Foundation Program, and earthquake activity in north Louisiana, and it concurred in House resolutions on illegal dumping, gaming board review, behavioral health crisis center reimbursement, Medicaid incentive payment reporting, and a physician review panel study. Several condolence and commendation resolutions also passed, including those honoring Lewis Thomas Nelson and Josephine Ruth Kennedy, and the Senate adopted a resolution urging local governments to consider generator requirements for unlicensed senior and disability residential facilities. The chamber also took up House Bill 723, a motorcycle traffic-signal bill allowing certain two- and three-wheeled vehicles to proceed through malfunctioning vehicle-actuated signals under specified circumstances; after debate about safety and enforcement, it passed 33-3. The Senate then considered numerous House amendments to Senate bills, concurring in most, including bills on fluoridation/local opt-out, public assistance, nutrition, human trafficking training, bulletproof vests, adult residential care generators, cell-cultured food products, public benefits eligibility, attorney-fee limits in disciplinary proceedings, critical infrastructure protections, debit card surcharges, bank stock certificates, child welfare proceedings, digital student IDs, watershed restoration funding, innovation hubs, sports agent registration, and manufactured housing regulation. It rejected House amendments to SB 283 and SB 408 for further negotiation. The session ended with announcements for committee meetings and a recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• residential facilities for seniors or persons with disabilities to have generators or alternative electrical
• residential facilities for seniors or persons with disabilities to have generators or alternative electrical
• residential facilities for seniors or persons with disabilities to have generators or alternative electrical
• traffic control signals to authorize the driver of a two- or three-wheeled motorcycle or a bicycle or electric
• amend Title 40 relative to adult residential care providers, survivor generators, or alternative electrical

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• recommendation, House Bill 2367 repealed the sales and use tax exemption for coal purchased to generate electric
• recommendation House Bill 2367 repealed the sales and use tax exemption for coal purchased to generate electric
• We'll also evaluate for the second time a public utility tax exemption for electricity sales to electrolytic
• firms that use the electricity to process, to produce chlorine in a process called electrolysis.
• then finally, we'll review a partial sales and use tax exemption for sales of hydrogen fuel cell electric

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• recommendation, House Bill 2367 repealed the sales and use tax exemption for coal purchased to generate electric
• recommendation House Bill 2367 repealed the sales and use tax exemption for coal purchased to generate electric
• We'll also evaluate, for the second time, a public utility tax exemption for electricity sales to electrolytic
• firms that use the electricity to process, to produce chlorine in a process called electrolysis.
• then finally, we'll review a partial sales and use tax exemption for sales of hydrogen fuel cell electric

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on May 6, 2026, with quorum present and unanimously approved the October 21, 2025 minutes. The Attorney General’s Office then provided its annual open government refresher, covering key points of the Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, including broad disclosure requirements, records retention, response timelines for public records requests, and rules for meetings, special meetings, emergency meetings, and executive sessions. JLARC staff gave a 2026 legislative session update on tax preference bills. They highlighted 20 bills affecting tax preferences, including repeal of the coal-related sales and use tax exemption, changes to data center exemptions, new property tax exemptions for renewable energy facilities and land bank authorities, and a broad tax package in engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6346 that created multiple credits, deductions, and exemptions. Staff also presented the 2026 expedited tax preference review report covering 64 preferences, noting it is based on prior JLARC reviews and Department of Revenue studies and is now available in an interactive searchable format. The commission approved the 2026 public testimony questions without changes and then adopted the 2027–2036 tax preference review schedule, along with a new rolling 10-year schedule that will be updated each May. During discussion, commissioners raised concerns about how preferences are prioritized for full review versus expedited review, especially for older or high-revenue preferences without performance statements, and staff explained that legislative mandates, expiration dates, and workload constraints drive the schedule. The meeting also included a public and staff recognition of Commissioner Grant Forsyth’s 13 years of service and leadership, with remarks praising his collaborative approach and long tenure; the next meeting was set for August 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The trades, plumbing, electrical.
• The trades, plumbing, electrical.
• The trades, plumbing, electrical.
• The trades, plumbing, electrical.
• The trades, plumbing, electrical.

Committee: Joint Economic and Workforce Development

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 409, 31 March, 2026; 9:30 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was some concern in this committee related to water usage and electricity usage by data centers
• The new items three and four on page three talk about having a data center that has to receive electricity
• service under an electricity rate schedule or energy service agreement that would fully recapture the
• Chairman, members of the committee, so the new criteria specific to the water usage and electricity usage
• But I will tell you, the current facility... ...electricity usage would be a look forward.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, nuclear energy is not only vital to a clean, reliable and affordable electricity system, it's also
• operations, whether it's big tech or onshoring of, of manufacturing, they're looking for clean, reliable electricity
• and affordable electricity, and they're primarily looking at nuclear energy.
• credits are also helping to reduce the cost to the ratepayers that would be, uh, utilizing that electricity

Committee: House S/C on State-Federal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, nearly all water and wastewater systems depend on electricity for their operations.
• Public infrastructure delivered that electricity, delivered the water, it took care of your wastewater
• I mean, I mentioned electricity, you can't work, you can't work the wastewater systems or water systems
• without electricity.

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance and funding repairs; House Bill 1561, requiring notice to landlords relating to gas or electric
• insurance and funding repairs; House Bill 1561, requiring notice to landlords relating to gas or electric
• An act requiring notice to landlords relating to gas or electric shutoffs, House Bill 1561.

Summary: The House received a gubernatorial message proposing fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations to respond to recent federal actions, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Members also adopted several procedural orders, including extensions of reporting deadlines for the Committees on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities and on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, and they concurred in a Senate-passed sick leave bank petition for a Department of Corrections employee. The House suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of two petitions: one to further regulate state and local participation in federal civil immigration enforcement, and another on energy costs, transparency, and sustainability. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling also reported a slate of bills for consideration, including measures on school exemptions for Hancock and Warwick, homeowners insurance repairs, landlord notice for utility shutoffs, locksmith notice requirements, retirement benefits, regional transit authority advisory boards, and a Sandwich overpass naming. Several bills were advanced on the floor. The House ordered the scheduled bills to third reading, then passed to be enacted Senate 24 on the Great Barrington Fire District and House 4589 authorizing Ludlow to pay an unpaid bill. It also engrossed House bills authorizing Rochester to keep its fire chief, waiving the Boston police maximum age requirement for one applicant, increasing Orange’s selectboard membership, and establishing a sick leave bank for a Suffolk County Sheriff's Office employee. The House also adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to Senator McNurney, SB 327, electrical rates, political influence activities, the action SB
• 327, electrical rates, political influence activities.
• Senator Perez, SB 742, Electrical Infrastructure Permanently Abandoned Facilities.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met in a vote-only suspense file hearing with no public testimony. The chair explained that measures would be taken up alphabetically, with some bills amended before voting and addendum analyses to follow on the committee website. A quorum was present, and the committee then moved through a long list of Senate bills covering topics such as battery recycling, property tax exemptions, rail safety, military protective orders, affordable housing and youth housing bonds, workers’ compensation, metal shredding facilities, elections, family research centers, electrical rates and political influence, AI standards, student health, air quality, abandoned electrical infrastructure, disaster preparedness, contracts bid preferences, presidential election qualifications, unlicensed contractor work, alcohol and drug programs, generative AI, kratom and nitrous oxide, unmanned aircraft, adoptees’ birth certificates, body-worn cameras, physician discipline, and deprivation of constitutional rights. Several bills were amended before passage, including measures on railroads, military protective orders, housing bonds, workers’ compensation, metal shredding facilities, youth housing, property taxation, kratom/nitrous oxide, adoptees’ birth certificates, and constitutional rights. The committee repeatedly substituted prior roll-call votes for similar measures, resulting in many bills passing on unanimous 7-0 votes or 5-2 votes with Republicans voting no. SB 691 on body-worn cameras passed on a 6-0 vote, and SB 742 on abandoned electrical facilities was approved after a brief roll-call correction. Overall, the committee advanced all measures heard that day and adjourned after the chair noted it was their last meeting presiding over Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> Rising costs of food, health care, Rising costs of food, health care, school<00:12:47.600><c> supplies
• and</c><00:12:48.440><c> gas</c><00:12:49.360><c> combined</c><00:12:49.720><c> with</c> school supplies
• , and gas combined with school supplies, and gas combined with massive<00:12:50.440><c> federal</c><00
• Paying their excessive usage of electricity, excessive usage of water.
• ,</c> excessive usage of electricity, excessive usage of electricity, excessive<03:30:40.240><c> usage

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to Senator McNerney, SB 327, Electrical Rates, Political Influence Activities, the action SB
• 327, Electrical Rates, Political Influence Activities.
• Senator Pérez, SB 742, Electrical Infrastructure, Permanently Abandoned Facilities.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee held a vote-only suspense file hearing with no public testimony, taking up a long list of Senate bills and amendments. Measures discussed included battery recycling, property tax exemptions, railroad wayside detector systems, military protective orders, an affordable housing bond, fireworks permits, workers’ compensation earnings, metal shredding facilities, election system inspection, family research centers, electrical rates and political influence, AI standards and safety, youth housing bonds, student health, air quality standards for hydrogen sulfide, electrical infrastructure, disaster preparedness, property taxation for family homes and farms, state agency contract bid preferences, presidential election qualifications, unlicensed contractor work, alcohol and drug programs, generative AI in legal settings, kratom and nitrous oxide, unmanned aircraft, adoptees’ birth certificates, body-worn cameras, physician certificate revocation, and deprivation of constitutional rights. Several bills were amended before passage, including changes to bond measures, technical fixes, narrowed remedies, and other author-requested revisions. Most measures advanced on unanimous 7-0 votes, while a number of higher-profile or more controversial bills passed on 5-2 votes with Republicans voting no. SB 667 on railroads passed 4-2 after amendments; SB 691 on body-worn cameras passed 6-0; and SB 742 on permanently abandoned electrical infrastructure passed after a roll call that was corrected on the floor. The committee repeatedly substituted roll calls from earlier bills to record votes on many items, reflecting the suspense-file process. No testimony was taken, and the chair emphasized that all items had already been heard previously. At the end of the hearing, the chair announced it was their last meeting presiding over Appropriations, thanked the committee staff and members, and the committee adjourned after noting that results and addendum analyses would be posted online for amended bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to Senator McNurney, SB 327, electrical rates, political influence activities, the action 327
• Electrical rates, political influence activities. The action is due pass.
• Senator Perez, SB 742, Electrical Infrastructure Permanently Abandoned Facilities.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 99, prescriptive easements for electricity delivery.
• You would for electricity delivery.
• </c> to allow the construction of electrical to allow the construction of electrical distribution<04:
• </c> electricity to the area residents. electricity to the area residents.
• Before electric the page, it adds G.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 80 last year created jurisdiction for the Liquor Commission to also look at the whole supply chain
• SB 80 last year created jurisdiction for the Liquor Commission to also look at the whole supply chain
• SB 80 last year created jurisdiction for the Liquor Commission to also look at the whole supply chain
• Used to work for Electric Boat in the Navy.
• collars, but the the head electric collars, but the the head halters,<04:32:30.520><c> they're</c><04

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the demographics of access to electricity out here? Has that been looked at?
• Yeah, if we go solar, then It's called electric.
• So in return, Sikora Electric gives funding to the Alamo Chapter through Tri-State.
• How about electricity? How many homes have access to electricity in the community?
• I'd probably say about ninety to ninety-five percent of people here have electricity.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead of the intern doing important electrical things, the intern would get coffee and answer the phone
• <00:07:37.199><c> contractor</c><00:07:37.800><c> after</c><00:07:38.080><c> graduation</c> electrical
• contractor after graduation electrical contractor after graduation from<00:07:38.800><c> an</c><00:07
• The same thing for the electric grid or for gas transmission lines and for school buildings.
• grid or for gas thing for the electric grid or for gas transmission<00:41:56.319><c> lines</c><00:41

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 46, which would allow lottery winners of $1 million or more to remain anonymous. After brief discussion and a motion with a second, the committee approved the bill unanimously and sent it to the House floor. Members then heard House Bill 54, a workforce and education measure aimed at aligning dual credit and project-based learning with licensed construction trades and other high-demand careers. The sponsor and witness said the bill is intended to help students meet both education and on-the-job training requirements, address labor shortages, and speed entry into the trades. Several members raised concerns about possible abuse of internships, the need for input from unions and other trade groups, and the amount of authority left to the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction to write regulations. The sponsor said the bill does not replace current hands-on training requirements and expressed willingness to continue discussions. The committee passed the bill, with some members explaining their votes as conditional or in hopes of further amendments. The committee also approved House Bill 261, which would let retired CPAs provide certain uncompensated services, such as nonprofit work, while retaining their CPA designation, and would create a retirement-based CPE waiver for those limited services. A question from Representative Donworth focused on how retired CPAs would disclose their status to nonprofits; the board representative said retired status is noted in board records, but there is currently no separate requirement governing use of the CPA designation. The bill passed. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 262, which would remove restrictions on small CPA firm names after an owner dies or retires. The sponsor said Kentucky is an outlier because current law requires the remaining owner to change the firm name. The bill passed unanimously. After that, the chair turned the gavel over to the vice chair and began presenting House Bill 306, which would change engineering education requirements for licensure, especially to help Eastern Kentucky University fire protection engineering technology graduates qualify for licensure in Kentucky rather than leaving the state. The sponsor and witnesses explained that the bill would not change the rest of the PE licensure pathway, only the education component, and said most other states already allow this route. Members noted that engineers may have concerns and encouraged continued discussions before the bill advances further.