Transcript Highlights:

• They have the authority to properly.
• We can of those powers and authorities.
• There have the authority to subpoena.
• <01:11:56.880> to agreement by federal authorities to agreement by federal authorities to
• <01:15:35.120> under under our statutory authority under under our statutory authority under

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the four bills authored by the state sorry by the Senate policy committees listed at the end of
• SB 704 Aragine firearm barrels do pass with author amendments to add exemptions and authorize DOJ to
• SB 306 Becker, healthcare prior authorization do pass with author amendments related to treatment modifications
• Do pass with author amendments to among other things modify regulatory fee and enforcement provisions
• SB 596 Menjivar, nursing staff ratio penalties do pass with author amendments to remove timelines.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SECTION 120.52(17) DEFINES RULEMAKING AUTHORITY AS A STATUTORY LANGUAGE THAT SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZES
• THERE IS NO UNIVERSAL DEFINITION OR STANDARD FOR GRANTING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.
• RULEMAKING AUTHORITY MAY BE MANDATORY.
• THE RULE IS WITHIN THE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY DELEGATED BY THE LEGISLATURE.
• JAPC DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DIRECT AN AGENCY TO ADOPT A RULE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we'll turn it back to the author for close.
• All right, calling all authors to Senate EQ.
• I would love to be a co-author on this.
• I would love to be a co-author on this.
• So thank you to the author.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the four bills authored by the Senate policy committees listed at the end of the agenda.
• SB 306, Becker, health care prior authorization, do pass with author amendments related to treatment
• SB 596, Menjivar, nursing staff ratio penalties, do pass with author amendments.
• Sanchez as a principal co-author. SB 603, Nilo, base year value transfer, held in committee.
• Do pass with author amendments to modify enforcement, among other changes.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its August 29, 2025 suspense hearing on Senate bills, with the chair emphasizing the state’s ongoing budget constraints and the need to make difficult choices among 261 bills on the suspense file. After establishing a quorum, the committee began taking action bill by bill, with many measures receiving do pass or do pass with amendments recommendations, while others were held in committee or designated as two-year bills. The chair noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later on the committee website. The hearing covered a wide range of topics, including insurance and claims data, wildfire relief and prevention, water planning, energy and utility regulation, housing and land use, health care, labor and employment, criminal justice, education, environmental policy, and election-related measures. Several bills were amended before passage, often to narrow scope, remove sections, adjust definitions, delay implementation, or clarify funding and enforcement provisions. Some notable actions included moving bills on AI regulation, transit-oriented housing, paid family leave, wildfire mapping, chemical hair relaxers, and pharmacy benefit managers, while other bills on subjects such as controlled substances, high-speed rail, and certain education or housing proposals were held. The committee also took formal roll-call votes on selected bills, with some passing on A roll calls and others on B roll calls; a number of measures were advanced with Republicans not voting. One highlighted vote was SB 79 by Senator Wiener, which passed after amendments and a recorded roll call. At the end of the hearing, the committee reported that 190 bills were moved to the Assembly Floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, concluding the suspense hearing for the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2020, a lot has happened, uh, with the Finance Authority.
• Finance Authority board does not make decisions. which projects get funded.
• One of them was the PPRF authorization bill that started the Senate Bill 115.
• Our Water Trust board authorization bill, um, uh, authorized us to make grants and loans for 62 entities
• Um, so the Economic Development Department has rulemaking authority there.

Transcript Highlights:

• The author may begin at his convenience.
• Additionally, the amended bill authorization for booting would not be triggered after Authorization for
• The ACLU respectfully opposes the committee's proposal to give local authorities the authority to immobilize
• and Climate Authorities, both in support.
• Again, I wasn't the author last year.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The<00:16:13.959> author The author of House File 856, Representative Norris.
• I also asked that author if that author was all right with the process.
• Allow the House process, the House author, who has always been the author on this bill.
• The motion does not prevail. had debate on a DE from the author, had had debate on a DE from the author
• from someone with authority from someone with authority like<00:28:47.400> an<00:28:47.480

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• section 18 um confirms the authority section 18 um confirms the authority operate<00:03:53.920><
• <00:04:30.320> service inside the county's authority service inside the county's authority
• creation of the authority; authorizes a lease of system assets from the city; includes authorization
• authority authority um<00:18:14.960> enacts<00:18:15.600> legislation<00:18:16.080>
• <00:18:50.160> Authority manager to authority. Authority manager to authority.

Keywords: Energy - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 4:15 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several energy, utility, and infrastructure bills. Bill 2527 on solar decommissioning was presented as a landowner consumer-protection measure that would set statewide baseline requirements for solar lease agreements, preserve some freedom of contract, preempt duplicative local rules, and protect landowners from reclamation costs; after no questions, it was moved and passed. The committee also discussed changes to the Gulf Coast Regional Utility Act in HB 2058 and HB 2309, including new first-right-of-refusal language, prohibitions on unauthorized service, civil penalties and enforcement tools, and legislative intent language aimed at preventing duplication and protecting public investment; both were adopted as committee substitutes and passed. HB 2018 was amended to extend similar oversight to water systems, and it was reported after questions about the scope of the change. Several bills focused on water and wastewater oversight. SB 2311 and SB 2312 would create statewide A-to-F grading systems for drinking water and wastewater systems, require annual public reporting, and direct the health and environmental agencies to adopt objective scoring rules; both were passed. SB 2526 would create a Mississippi Rural Water Oversight Committee, require rate studies, capacity studies, and asset management plans for water associations, and provide staffing and funding support from existing revolving-fund resources; it was adopted as a committee substitute and reported, with supporters saying it would help identify and assist troubled associations. The committee also heard a bill creating the Metro Jackson Water Authority, allowing a lease of city system assets, special revenue bonds to refinance legacy debt, and supplemental revenue sources such as sanitation fees and possibly sales tax revenues; the sponsor said no general fund money would be used, and the bill was reported. The committee also advanced HB 2641, which was stripped down to a study committee on wind turbine facilities, grandfathered existing projects, and imposed a moratorium on new construction until the study is completed; members asked about existing projects and were told current projects under construction would not be penalized, and the committee substitute passed. SB 2783 would make targeted definition changes to BEAD-related broadband grant programs so remaining federal funds could support other state initiatives, including AI workforce training, and it was reported after questions about future federal guidance. Finally, HB 2787 would add propane to the school gas-leak testing statute; the sponsor said the inspections would not require additional state funding because propane dealers and the State Fire Marshal’s office already handle the checks, and the bill passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I understand that as providing some degree of preemptive authority to intervene. authority to intervene
• Does the United States have any authority or recourse with the Panama Canal Authority under our current
• to bring the Canal back into full authority?
• is the authority where people will pay into the Panama Canal.
• Well, the canal authority... It sounds easy, so maybe it's not quite as simple.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:10.320> in What we are allowing or authorizing in What we are allowing or authorizing
• Airport Authority. Airport Authority.
• <00:04:51.400> a Humphreys County, this is authorizing a Humphreys County, this is authorizing
• <00:05:14.600> the<00:05:14.680> contribution authorizing the contribution authorizing
• Authority to them to enter into an agreement with an operator. >> [snorts] They already have the authority

Keywords: Local and Private - Room 210, 24 March, 2026; 10:45 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up a long list of local and special-purpose bills, mostly involving county or municipal utility districts, repealers on local taxes, and small local appropriations. Early actions included House Bill 2210 for Bolivar County, creating a utility district in Choctaw for sewer operations and maintenance, and Senate Bill 3408, which by committee substitute renamed the Yazoo economic partnership to the Yazoo Economic Alliance and clarified its economic and industrial development powers. Members asked whether the Yazoo entity already existed and whether it could own property; the sponsor said it was already in statute and the change was primarily a name update with added flexibility to share and contribute funds to projects. Both bills passed without opposition. The committee also approved Senate Bill 3409 for Lowndes County, authorizing the Mississippi Industrial Fire and Rescue District to serve as the site of a megasite around the Golden Triangle Regional Airport Authority. Other local measures passed included House Bill 1599 extending Brandon’s prepared-food sales tax repealer for tourism and parks, House Bill 1811 for Noxubee County extending justice court assessment repealers for county capital improvements, and several Humphreys County bills authorizing one-time contributions to the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation and the Belzoni Humphreys Development Foundation. Additional bills extended or renewed local tourism, parks, and recreation taxes in Belzoni, Oakland, Ripley, Southaven, and Fulton, and authorized or extended local court-cost assessments in Prentiss County. Later, the committee approved House Bill 1870 for Bolivar County, creating a sewer district and allowing the county to operate it, noting it duplicated the earlier Senate bill at the senator’s request. It also passed House Bill 1887 authorizing a $5,000 contribution to the Benevolent Protection of the Elks World Hill Lodge, House Bill 4000 for Grenada allowing construction, acquisition, and maintenance of wastewater collection and treatment systems, and House Bill 4112 for Tupelo restoring funds for the Northeast Mississippi Regional Wastewater District after an unintended consequence of a prior grocery tax change. Finally, Senate Bill 3410 was added off-agenda to authorize Brandon and the West Rankin utility system to enter into an agreement with a local operator for use of treated water for industrial purposes; a member asked who would approve the contract, and the sponsor said the board and city would approve it. All measures discussed were reported out or passed, generally by unanimous or voice vote, with no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have Senate Bill 1536, SD2, relating to Hawaii Tourism Authority, uh, repeals the exemption
• of the president and chief executive officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority from the State Employees
• officer of the Hawaii tourism Authority officer of the Hawaii tourism Authority from<00:10:27.279
• First up, we have Hawaii Tourism Authority. Aloha, we stand on our written testimony. Thank you.
• relating to the Hawaii tourism Authority relating to the Hawaii tourism Authority repeals<00:16:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Professor Lawrence Friedman, author of a constitutional law casebook and co-author of the leading state
• Professor Lawrence Friedman, author of a constitutional law casebook and co-author of the leading state
• This is a substantial grant of authority, and neither the scope of authority assigned to any executive
• Separation of powers divides authority, while checks and balances prevent abuse of authority.
• Elon Musk has no authority.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee hearing focused on whether the Office of the State Auditor may constitutionally audit the Massachusetts Legislature under Chapter 250 of the Acts of 2024 and what such an audit could include under generally accepted government auditing standards. Chair Cindy Friedman opened by explaining the background: voters approved Ballot Question 1 in November 2024, the law took effect in January 2025, and the Auditor then initiated audits of both chambers. The chair said the subcommittee was seeking expert testimony because the proposed audit scope, constitutionality, and possible bias concerns remained unresolved. Public testimony was invited, but no members of the public pre-registered; written testimony remained open for a short period after the hearing. The hearing then proceeded with invited experts on constitutional law/state government and auditing-related issues. Professor Lawrence Friedman testified that the ballot initiative’s approval by the Attorney General and by voters did not resolve constitutional questions, and he argued Chapter 250 violates the Massachusetts Constitution. He said the Legislature has constitutional authority to set its own rules and manage its proceedings, and that an executive-branch audit would intrude on legislative deliberation, speech and debate protections, and separation of powers. He also warned that even audits of supposedly administrative matters could become a vehicle for repeated document demands and litigation that would indirectly burden legislative functioning. In questioning, senators pressed him on the line between administrative and deliberative functions, the role of the Attorney General versus the courts, the possibility of retroactive audit scope, and whether prior legislative consent to audits mattered; he said prior consent would not bind future legislatures and that constitutionality is ultimately for the courts. Professor Ray La Raja also opposed the audit, framing it as a threat to institutional independence and representative democracy. He argued that allowing an executive-branch official to audit the Legislature without consent would upset separation of powers, chill internal debate, and create a precedent for broader executive intrusion. He said voters often support “transparency” reforms without fully appreciating institutional consequences, and that legislatures should defend their autonomy, especially amid what he described as broader executive overreach nationally. Senators asked about chilling effects, the practical distinction between administrative and core legislative functions, and whether the courts or the Legislature should resolve the issue; he said the courts would ultimately adjudicate disputes, but the Legislature should not waive its constitutional authority lightly. Jean Kempthorne took the opposite view, arguing the audit is permissible and should proceed. She said the state auditor is a constitutional officer accountable directly to the people, that the audit power can be expanded by statute, and that separation of powers does not require watertight compartments. She contended the audit would not displace core legislative powers because the auditor can only evaluate operations, report findings, and make recommendations. She also argued the Legislature itself already conducts audits of other branches, so it is inconsistent to claim an audit of the Legislature is unconstitutional. In response to senators’ questions, she said there are guardrails against truly intrusive requests, but that the administrative-versus-legislative distinction is not a workable bright line; she suggested disputes should be handled case by case, with objections, negotiation, or litigation if specific requests go too far. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:53.920> They of Rapids taxes authorized. They of Rapids taxes authorized.
• > Rapids<00:14:01.839> to authorizes the city of Rapids to authorizes the city of Rapids
• This does have a authorization.
• And so um authorization.
• of taxing authority authorizes the city of taxing authority authorizes the city of Little<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It precludes the agreements from inhibiting the OIG's authority to investigate.
• It precludes the agreements from inhibiting the OIG's authority to investigate.
• It precludes the agreements from inhibiting the OIG's authority to investigate.
• It precludes the agreements from inhibiting the OIG's authority to investigate.
• So, we independent oversight authority.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, we increase federal funds spending authority by $38.3 million
• > totaling<00:29:12.400> $420 authorize capital projects totaling $420 authorize capital
• Communications Network Authority Audit. Communications Network Authority Audit.
• President, we authorize $2 Also, Mr.
• We also authorize performance fund.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd like to thank the author and principal co-author for all their work and staff. Appreciate it.
• I appreciate the author.
• So appreciate the efforts done by the author and sponsors. We'd like to be added as a co-author.
• So appreciate the efforts done by the author and sponsors. We'd like to be added as a co-author.
• So I'm happy to be a co-author.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility affordability, transparency, clean energy, and consumer access. SB 327 would bar investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds to oppose municipal utility formation and would clarify the Public Advocates Office’s authority to inspect utility books; supporters framed it as a ratepayer protection and accountability measure, while utilities and industry groups raised concerns about municipalization language and data-request procedures. After discussion about the scope of the bill and existing guardrails from prior legislation, the committee voted SB 327 out on a due pass as amended basis to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later updated to 12-2. SB 1350, a hydrogen bill, would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen in turbines. The author and supporters said it would help California meet clean energy goals, support the Lancaster hydrogen project, and create jobs, while opponents, especially environmental groups, warned about NOx emissions, the risk of paper transactions, and the need for stronger safeguards on feedstocks and delivery. Members discussed amendments already taken and the need for continued work on environmental protections; the committee passed the bill 14-0 to Natural Resources. SB 868 would create a framework for plug-in or balcony solar devices for renters and others without rooftop solar, with safety standards and a cap on system size. Supporters said it would lower bills and expand access to solar, while utilities and some others raised safety and backfeed concerns and asked for more review through existing interconnection processes. The author and witnesses said the devices are small, non-exporting, and covered by safety certifications; the committee approved the bill 17-0, later updated to 18-0, and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1233 would require additional disclosure about utility cash on hand, capital structure, and related information in existing reports to help inform rates and affordability. Utilities opposed the measure as duplicative of existing proceedings and potentially delay-inducing, while supporters said it would improve transparency for ratepayers. The committee passed SB 1233 10-3 to Appropriations. The committee also dispensed with the consent calendar, passing the remaining consent items, including SB 925, SB 667, SB 952, SB 742, SB 929, SB 943, and SB 1138, and noted that SB 905 had been pulled from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:42.200> and means that grantmaking Authority and means that grantmaking Authority and
• It also authorizes OGM, if and as needed, there was a strengthening of OGM's authority to establish and
• <00:07:40.680> to strengthening of omm's authority to strengthening of omm's authority to
• Authority before but that enforcement Authority before but now<00:49:21.920> we<00:49:22.119>
• <01:09:48.400> to difference between omm's authority to difference between omm's authority

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The New Mexico Finance Authority was a natural for me.
• I know that a couple of years ago, the Finance Authority had tried to do.
• My time at the New Mexico Finance Authority. Well, thank you so much.
• Marquita Russell from the New Mexico Finance Authority.
• So, a great role for the New Mexico Finance Authority to have.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we're very Authority a success.
• I have submitted my own Authority.
• And we had to try and stand up a the authority members, where we have a the authority members, where
• ,<00:10:16.400> move as an island, as an authority, move as an island, as an authority, move
• I mean, another authority members.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts held a confirmation hearing on GM 742 for John Komeiji, the gubernatorial nominee to serve as chairperson of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority through 6/30/2029. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. The executive director of the authority, representatives of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation and the Mauna Kea observatories, and authority member Noenoe Wong-Wilson all praised Komeiji’s leadership, describing him as fair, transparent, steady, and effective at building trust and relationships among stakeholders. Chris Matsuda also supported the nomination, citing Komeiji’s presence at community workshops, his neutral facilitation of public discussion, and his careful handling of the authority’s work on observatory leases and the comprehensive EIS. In his remarks, Komeiji described the authority’s work as implementing Act 255 by building a new state agency, developing a master plan, drafting rules and regulations, and beginning the process for a comprehensive environmental impact statement related to observatory leases. He said the authority is trying to balance community voice, cultural and spiritual concerns, and the state’s policy supporting astronomy. He also discussed staffing and recruitment challenges, saying the authority is repurposing positions, using special project positions, and looking for creative ways to recruit qualified staff despite the controversy surrounding Mauna Kea. He noted that the authority is working through asset transfers from UH, managing operational needs, and addressing a projected $4 million federal funding gap affecting CMS. Members asked about timelines, contingency planning, staffing capacity, and financial sustainability. Komeiji said the authority is on track for the master plan and EIS, but would return to the legislature if delays require more time. He acknowledged that no detailed contingency plans have been developed yet for possible IT or other implementation problems, but said the board is continuing to monitor progress. He also said the authority is accelerating contracts to encumber funds while available and expects to cover planned EIS and master plan consultant costs if funding remains at current levels. After discussion, the committee voted to advise and consent; the chair and acting vice chair voted aye, with excused absences noted for Senators Inouye, Chang, and Lamosao. The measure was adopted and the committee adjourned.