Transcript Highlights:

• We don’t even know how much of a tariff... We don’t know what that means.
• We don’t even know how much of a tariff is going to be on.
• And therefore, prior to the current national tariffs, they were able to ship them in with no tariff to
• So it's not like it was bid for that utilization. Oh, so.
• So it's not like it was bid for that utilization, correct?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several procurement-related bills. Senator Lovely and steel industry witnesses supported S. 2167/H. 3411, which would require preference for U.S. manufacturers on public construction projects using steel and other materials. They argued that Canadian and other foreign fabricators underbid Massachusetts firms because of exchange rates, subsidies, and different labor-cost structures, causing local job losses and economic leakage. Committee members asked about tariffs, market share, and whether the bill should be folded into broader municipal legislation; the witnesses said public work should stay in Massachusetts and that the bill would help preserve local industry and jobs. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2107, a bill to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in state and municipal contracting. Work Inc. testified that a preference for contractors employing people with disabilities would expand competitive employment, reduce reliance on public assistance, and generate net savings for taxpayers. Members asked about the estimated savings and whether recent federal changes to benefits would affect the numbers; the witness said the figures may need updating but that the underlying employment opportunity remains important. Another bill, H. 3339/S. 2187, would prohibit state and municipal contracts for new artificial turf fields containing zinc, plastic, or intentionally added PFAS. Sponsors and supporters cited health risks, heat retention, injuries, and PFAS contamination, while committee members discussed local bans, disposal problems, and whether indoor facilities or alternative materials could be used. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified in favor of H. 12 and H. 13, which would update Chapter 30B procurement thresholds and allow municipalities to bundle snow hauling and removal with plowing contracts. He said the changes would give local governments more flexibility, reduce confusion between school and municipal procurement rules, and make snow contracts more attractive to vendors. Members questioned whether quasi-public agencies and state entities should also be subject to 30B, and Shapiro said many public entities have their own procedures but that transparency and fairness should apply across the board. The committee also heard support for S. 2150, a software licensing bill aimed at preventing vendor lock-in by ensuring state agencies can run purchased software in the infrastructure that best fits their needs; the witness said restrictive licensing can drive up costs and create cybersecurity and modernization problems, and that similar laws have already passed in several other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• hii<00:22:31.919> Figures the utility and the utility hii Figures the utility and the utility
• We do appreciate the intent of this bill, which seeks to protect utility customers when a utility has
• <00:58:12.559> assistance need for ancillary utility assistance need for ancillary utility
• Utilities is the next big issue.
• questions sorry uh Public Utilities questions sorry uh Public Utilities Commission<01:01:41.200>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 19, 2025, and first heard SB 137 SD2 HD1 relating to electric utilities. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the Public Utilities Commission said they stood on their written comments, IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill, and Ulupono Initiative also supported it. Hawaiian Electric supported the intent but asked for an amendment, saying the bill’s definition of “acquiring entity” was too broad and could unintentionally cover purely local utility transactions. A later witness from Life of the Land supported the bill only if the merger/acquisition language were removed, arguing the PUC would not have a workable mechanism to let a cooperative intervene in a utility sale process. Committee members questioned whether the bill could still work without that section, and Ulupono said it was open to clarifying language but did not seek to remove the provision; the discussion ended without a vote in the excerpt provided. The committee then took up SB 1220 SD2 relating to a renewable gas tariff. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC again stood on written comments. HGas strongly supported the measure, saying it would create a faster, more cost-effective path for a voluntary renewable gas tariff without requiring a full rate case, while preserving PUC oversight and consumer protections. The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas also supported the bill, emphasizing that it would expand consumer choice and help Hawaii’s clean energy goals while keeping the program voluntary and shielding non-participating customers from costs. Henry Curtis of Life of the Land opposed the bill, arguing that HGas already had an active rate case and could have raised the issue there, and that the proposal did not increase renewable gas supply or speed up acquisition; he called it a gimmick. In response, HGas said the bill was mainly a mechanism to speed filing and that the details would be worked out in a PUC docket. Committee members pressed HGas on whether the measure would actually add renewable gas, what source would be used, and whether customers would simply be paying more for the same gas; HGas said it had two projects in development, including banagrass and hydrogen-related work, and that the tariff would be a voluntary opt-in rate for customers seeking renewable natural gas to meet sustainability goals. No vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tariffs, Tariffs Tariffs The warehouse in Amarillo, who procures all our produce and our meat and our
• Tariffs, Banana prices are going to go down as tariffs are coming off of nabacada.
• Earthwork, utilities, dirt work going on.
• The bottom line that we need is utility infrastructure.
• For data centers and the roads, I think once we get the utility, the basic utility infrastructure to

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're merely investor-owned utilities.
• The utilities have done a phenomenal job of embracing...
• For the utility, the benefits are huge.
• However, the utility said no.
• , a tariff for... ...is a tariff, a tariff for large load companies and that all of the other things

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met to receive an overview from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of his office. He described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate and service cases, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters, storm cost recovery, fuel clauses, storm protection plans, and specialized dockets. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service-hearing testimony to challenge unsupported utility costs and seek “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable” outcomes for customers. Trierweiler highlighted several current issues, including affordability, data centers, and the growing use of AI in reviewing large utility filings. He said the office has begun using affordability experts and data center witnesses, and that data center-related utility proposals raise concerns about energy demand, water use, and community impacts. He also expressed caution about AI and machine learning because of confidential utility information, while acknowledging that utilities, regulators, and his office are increasingly using such tools. Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how profit is evaluated in rate cases, the role of settlement agreements, and whether the office is considering water consumption impacts from data centers. Trierweiler said customer feedback largely comes in through hearings, correspondence, and direct calls rather than office-led canvassing, and that his office seeks to limit imprudent costs while allowing utilities a fair return. He also explained that the office may file motions for reconsideration and appeals after PSC orders, and that it sometimes submits alternative settlement proposals even when approval is unlikely, to present a different option for the commission’s consideration. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after concluding its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyway, they they were adding utilities Anyway, they they were adding utilities to<00:19:55.360>
• utilities were added to that paragraph. utilities were added to that paragraph.
• investment on the part of the utility. investment on the part of the utility.
• And an electric distribution utility And an electric distribution utility should<02:16:49.439>
• tariff can waver or policy can change. tariff can waver or policy can change.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tariffs, including the tariffs that have already been placed, are going to increase inflation in Minnesota
• Tariffs, including the tariffs that have already been placed, are going to increase inflation in Minnesota
• Tariffs, including the tariffs that have already been placed, are going to increase inflation in Minnesota
• Tariffs, including the tariffs that have already been placed, are going to increase inflation in Minnesota
• Tariffs, including the tariffs that have already been placed, are going to increase inflation in Minnesota

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• What tariff policies will be implemented?
• So the net effect of all of that is what we look at, and it's really not just tariffs; it's tariffs,
• I want to get into tariffs.
• Tariffs did hurt U.S. jobs, but if the U.S. had imposed tariffs on China much earlier, in the '90s and
• So, as you know, we don't do tariff policy, and we don't do commentary on tariff policy.

Bills: SB257

Keywords: supply chain resilience, critical supply chains, critical goods, manufacturing, domestic manufacturing, reshoring, nearshoring, supply chain security, supply chain shock, supply chain disruption, critical infrastructure, emerging technologies, semiconductors, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, advanced manufacturing, blockchain, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• , I'm concerned that major across-the-board tariff increases could hurt rural America.
• Also, tariffs. We went through this.
• So this is why I'm particularly concerned about the tariffs. Everyone's talking about tariffs. Mr.
• China retaliated and put 25% tariffs on soybeans, fruits, pork, and some other items.
• So we put on the tariff, got into a trade war, and ended up with our farmers in trouble.

Transcript Highlights:

• attachment pole attachers and utilities attachment pole attachers and utilities as<00:29:59.760>
• > poles<00:32:00.240> and provide access to utility poles and provide access to utility
• No utility that has been granted or which is condemned an easement for the utility poles and wires has
• Several of the utilities that have pole attachment tariffs actually have a requirement in their tariff
• pole several of the utilities that have pole attachment<00:48:00.079> tariffs<00:48:00.560>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met in August with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee then reviewed several regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection, and heard brief explanations from agency representatives on each item. The Board of Pharmacy regulations would clarify what registered and certified pharmacy technicians may do under supervision and what certified technicians may not do, while updating registration applications. The Board of Cosmetology package included changes to executive director authority, licensure and reciprocity rules, school requirements, training hours, instructor ratios, sanitation and disease-related rules, complaint procedures, and permit terms; members asked about straight razor language and the increase in student-to-instructor ratios, and the board explained that cosmetologists are not permitted to use straight razors and that the higher ratio was intended to give schools flexibility, especially for part-time students and schools with wait lists. The Occupational Therapy emergency compact regulation added four compact rules adopted in April 2025, and Senator West raised a technical question about certification requirements under House Bill 6; the agency said it had been instructed to file the regulation as submitted. The Department for Fish and Wildlife Resources presented a package covering wildlife management area rules, a northern pintail bag limit increase, reportable disease reporting, and a repeal tied to boat registration fees. After a brief explanation of the new wildlife disease reporting rule, the agency requested and received a deferral of 301 KAR 2:031 to avoid a gap while replacement language is finalized. The Economic Development Finance Authority explained an emergency regulation for the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program, saying it was needed because the program had become oversubscribed and because administration was shifting to a new film office and council; members also asked about certification issues under House Bill 6, and the agency said it had filed the regulation as directed. The Department of Workplace Standards emergency PPE regulation was also discussed, with members asking about HB 6 certification language, and the agency gave the same response. The Department of Insurance regulation would create a $10,000 registration fee and a $1,000 annual licensing fee for pharmacy benefit manager licenses, with an agency amendment exempting PBMs that solely serve workers’ compensation plans. Members asked how many PBMs would be affected and why workers’ compensation PBMs were carved out; the agency said there were 70 registered PBMs total, four solely workers’ comp, and that workers’ comp rates are set by statute and could not absorb the fee. Finally, the Public Service Commission’s pole attachment regulation was summarized as a broadband-expansion measure that speeds application review, increases the number of poles allowed in a single application, and shortens dispute timelines; the commission explained it grew out of earlier legislative direction and subsequent emergency amendments, and the committee adopted the staff amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• As well, tariffs have been community.
• > driven<00:43:25.760> record incoming tariffs have driven record incoming tariffs have
• So they're lobbying hard against tariffs and reciprocal tariffs.
• So they're lobbying hard against tariffs and reciprocal tariffs.
• new tariff change. new tariff change. >> Yeah.<01:37:24.320> Okay. >> Yeah.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability. Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people. Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's a couple of different ways, you know, one is with tariffs, Dan Diorio: ...utility tariffs
• You said the word tariff that you said. Dan Diorio: Yes, utility tariffs in Texas. Mr.
• You have data centers utilizing recycled wastewater.
• I think for the transmission and distribution utility, Oncor is a utility that we have been adding employees
• I will say broadly over the last several years, things like tariffs, not our rate tariff, but tariffs

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's a couple of different ways, you know, one is with tariffs, Dan Diorio: utility tariffs
• You said the word tariff that you said. Dan Diorio: Yes, utility tariffs in Texas. Mr.
• Diorio: You have data centers utilizing recycled wastewater.
• I think for the transmission and distribution utility, Oncor is a utility that we have been adding employees
• I will say broadly over the last several years, things like tariffs, not our rate tariff, but tariffs

Transcript Highlights:

• The question I have that I haven't heard any talk about is the tariffs, possible tariffs.
• They were going to co-locate, but 50% tariffs on aluminum and 50% tariffs on steel added $75,000.
• We're definitely interested in healthy utilities because without a healthy utility, we don't get power
• There is a cost causation principle in utilities, and so when utilities are building out, let's say,
• Are you a high-tech utility?

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, one is with tariffs, utility tariffs, or contracts or policies which allocate costs appropriately
• It's often referred to as a tariff. There's an added rate.
• You have data centers utilizing recycled wastewater.
• I think for the transmission and distribution utility, Oncor is a utility that we have been adding employees
• I will say broadly over the last several years, things like tariffs, not our rate tariff, but tariffs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In regard to Florida's public utility code, the bill creates...
• large load tariff requirements for public electricity utilities.
• Senator Avila, develop a minimum large load tariff.
• So as it relates to our utilities or public utilities, a tariff is essentially just numerous documents
• We will not place a burden on Florida's utilities or local infrastructure.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and voted on several bills. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and also restrict smoking in rooms and bars; the sponsor said it is intended to protect public health and outdoor spaces, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on designated smoking areas, and cannabis advocates warned about unintended effects on patients and property rights. The committee reported SB 986 favorably. The committee also passed SB 678, which restores statutory authority for DBPR’s long-standing rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise taxes; a strike-all amendment was adopted, including retroactive application to January 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 800, which increases penalties for repeat unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts, was amended and reported favorably as well. Members then considered SB 408 on vaccine advertising and liability. The sponsor argued the bill would address declining public trust in vaccines by allowing claims against manufacturers that advertise in Florida, while opponents said the measure is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and would create unnecessary litigation. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported SB 408 favorably. The committee also heard SB 484 on data centers, which would set PSC tariff requirements so large load customers pay their own costs, preserve local planning authority, and limit water permits for large data centers; testimony was mixed, with supporters emphasizing ratepayer protections and economic benefits and critics warning about overregulation and confidentiality limits. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1118, which creates a time-limited public records exemption for certain data center development information held by local governments, after the sponsor said it was meant to prevent extended NDAs while still allowing local notice and input. SB 1050, requiring veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after several members recorded votes on bills they had missed.

Transcript Highlights:

• They all have higher tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers, and subsidies. They treat us poorly.
• The two top countries with tariffs, India and China, do have the most tariffs and no inflation.
• But I have a more simple view of tariffs sort of guy.
• That's not the ordinary tariff.
• I think Chinese tariffs should be the highest.

Transcript Highlights:

• tariffs are jacking up prices. tariffs are jacking up prices.
• ,<06:54:00.160> Mexico, tariffs and tariffs on Canada, Mexico, tariffs and tariffs on Canada
• independent estimates, Trump's tariffs independent estimates, Trump's tariffs are<06:56:18.240><
• branches with respect to tariffs. branches with respect to tariffs.
• should be the ones determining tariffs. should be the ones determining tariffs.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of adjudicating compliance with utility of adjudicating compliance with utility regulation<00:07
• application made by a regulated utility application made by a regulated utility uh<00:23:21.039>
• approach in US utility approach in US utility regulation<00:27:35.960> to<00:27:36.240>
• The utility property tax is still going to be paid by utilities and those who own utility property, and
• that our overall tariffs are written and going through rate cases with the Public Utilities Commission

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the City of Sunland Park, make no mistake, is going to create its own utility department.
• My contact there said they're about to lay off some people because of the tariffs.
• How many times are you going to get whacked with a tariff at 30%?
• But it was the poster child for the effect of tariffs in this state. Mr.
• They are importing product, anticipating tariffs; they're being preemptive, and so our work...

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think you've all heard about the tariffs, and, you know, there's been many tariffs, many changes
• to how the tariffs are being implemented, but really they fall into two broad categories.
• So there's the reciprocal tariffs, which are basically Trying to address trade deficits.
• The ones that touch health and human services are the so-called fentanyl tariffs.
• So there was a blanket 10% tariff on all origin goods from those three countries, and that tariff was