Transcript Highlights:

• And just last week, the MBTA kicked off a procurement to buy new battery-electric locomotives to provide
• This builds upon the battery-electric locomotives and multiple units for the Fairmount Line.
• The comment is: I saw that the electric locomotives procurement—you're very excited about that.
• The battery-electric obviously will electrify Providence, but we will look to test them in other routes
• the battery electric obviously will electrify providence but we will look to test them in other routes

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 4987, the administration’s transportation bond bill centered on Chapter 90 roadway funding and related capital programs. Administration officials described the bill as a roughly $5.5 billion package that would continue $300 million per year for Chapter 90 over four years, with part of the funding distributed by the traditional formula and an additional $100 million based solely on road miles to better support rural and smaller communities. They also highlighted authorizations for municipal pavement work, Shared Streets and Spaces grants, accelerated bridge and pavement repairs, MBTA rail modernization and reliability, housing-related transportation improvements, and a new DCR-focused PRISM program for parkways and related infrastructure. Officials emphasized that the bill is financed through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues, and said it would help municipalities plan more predictably, speed project delivery, and support housing, safety, and climate goals. Committee members and witnesses discussed the bill’s broader scope beyond traditional Chapter 90, especially the $200 million for transportation projects that support housing development and the $200 million for MBTA modernization and rail reliability. Members asked about the rationale for a four-year authorization amid fiscal uncertainty, federal funding volatility, and the status of commuter rail electrification. Administration officials responded that the capital authorization is backed by dedicated transportation revenues rather than the operating budget, and said multi-year certainty helps cities and towns make better long-term repair decisions. They also said the MBTA’s rail modernization funds would support locomotive procurements, including battery-electric and Tier 4 diesel locomotives, as part of a longer-term regional rail and electrification strategy. Municipal officials and regional advocates strongly supported the bill. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, along with town and city officials from Sherborn, Conway, and Yarmouth, said the increased Chapter 90 funding and road-mile-based distribution are especially important for small and rural communities with limited local revenue capacity, and that multi-year funding would let them bundle projects, bid at better prices, and address backlogs more proactively. A Better City and MAPC also supported the bill but urged the committee to treat it like a traditional bond bill by adding policy provisions and considering new transportation revenue tools, such as TNC fee changes, road pricing, parking taxes, and other mechanisms. The committee took no vote during the hearing and adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A6. >> I recognize a member from Monoka, Representative Norris. >> Thank you,
• Uh, they are living off of Social Security. amendment is coded A6. amendment is coded A6.
• The amendment to the amendment is coded A1. has a choice or well really uh it's it's has a choice or
• Minnesota has some of the highest electric rates in the country, and it's continuing to climb.
• We have some of the highest taxes in the nation. We're the third highest tax state in the nation.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 1141, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency supplemental budget bill. Representative Howard described it as a bipartisan housing package aimed at addressing Minnesota’s housing shortage by funding housing infrastructure bonds, Greater Minnesota workforce housing, homeowner education, a senior housing pilot, and family homelessness assistance and prevention. He said the bill is budget-neutral, using unspent interest earnings and other redirected funds, and includes transparency and accountability reforms for MHFA. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing housing supply, affordability, and the need for more homes across the state. The main floor debate centered on the Norris A6 amendment and the Igo A1 amendment to it. Norris proposed changing rent-increase limits in low-income housing tax credit properties from area median income to the lower of area median income or the consumer price index, arguing that seniors on fixed incomes were being priced out as rents rose faster than Social Security COLAs. Igo’s A1 amendment instead would have preempted cities, counties, and townships from adopting or renewing rent control ordinances statewide, with supporters arguing rent control harms development and affordability. Opponents said the proposal had not been fully vetted in committee and that public subsidies justify rent limits. Both the A1 amendment to the amendment and the underlying A6 amendment failed on tied 67-67 votes. After the amendments were defeated, the bill received its third reading and further discussion. Howard and other supporters reiterated that the bill would help produce an estimated 2,000 to 2,200 housing units, with HIB-funded projects historically spread across the metro and Greater Minnesota. Members also highlighted the bill’s support for first-time homebuyers, manufactured housing, senior housing, and homelessness prevention. No final passage vote is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem with CPAP is given to about 93% of patients with sleep apnea across the nation is that only
• I'm the ambassador to the United Nations under the auspices of the Sioux Nation of Indians.
• I'm also Director of Asian American National Committee, where we work together trying to figure out how
• We have the Navajo Nation, for example, the largest in the United States.
• The insurance code that's discriminatory per the medical code is appropriate.

Bills: HB2176, HB2333, HB2435, HB2447, HB2617, HB2683, HB2686, HB2725, HB2726, HB2906, HB2953, HB2958

Keywords: health care, licensure, complaints, investigation, safety, patient care, regulatory compliance, prosthetics, orthotics, health insurance, Medicare, medical necessity, disability rights, coverage, reimbursement, internationally trained physicians, medical board, clinical training, provisional license, healthcare workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• I am an electrical engineer.
• And what you have seen for about the past 25 years, all of a sudden, the demand for electric power is
• Those are on the endangered species list, and of course, it's our national bird, right?
• It charges and discharges electricity six times faster than traditional batteries.
• The national interest..." ...electrical transmission corridor.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a registered lobbyist for Kit Carson Electric Co-op.
• I'm a registered lobbyist for Kit Carson Electric Co-op.
• And they involve not only water, but electric grid issues.
• We fence them out on the Navajo Nation.
• We fence them out on the Navajo Nation.

Bills: HM45, HB276, HB300

Keywords: Taos County, Questa, produced water, treated produced water, water reuse, water quality control commission, freshwater conservation, rural communities, acequias, Indian nations, tribes, pueblos, water rights, industrial water use, data centers, artificial intelligence, AI, quantum computing, economic development, renewable energy

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Miranda Hoover with 3C House, representing the National Electrical Contractors Association
• It is a national model for how to deal with these kinds of thefts.
• It is a national model for how to deal with these kinds of thefts.
• Many pharmacies and hospitals purchase medicines through national or original buying groups or national
• contracts based on national pricing indexes and transactions that occur out of state.

Bills: AB6, AB102, AB131, AB212, AB213, AB220, AB259, AB282, AB376, AB396, AB479, AB503, AB570, AB572, AB574, AB576, AB593, SB185, SB207, SB507, AB6

Keywords: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, FASD, prenatal alcohol exposure, children's health, developmental disability, early intervention, treatment assistance, Aging and Disability Services Division, Department of Health and Human Services, Autism Treatment Assistance Program, public health, parent education, evidence-based treatment, Nevada NRS 427A, disability services, behavioral health, emergency medical services, ambulance, licensing, health district

Transcript Highlights:

• easements for electricity delivery. easements for electricity delivery.
• This is Senate File 99, prescriptive easements for electricity delivery.
• I'm the executive director of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association.
• they need to upgrade the electricity they need to upgrade the electricity they<00:08:22.000>
• Thank you for your time, strong nation.

Bills: SF0099, SF0116, SJ0006

Keywords: easement, electricity delivery, public utility, prescriptive easement, landowner rights, surface water, drainage utilities, municipality, elections, environmental management, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:11.360> College like to say at Red Lake Nation College like to say at Red Lake Nation
• <00:05:27.720> College Minneapolis Red Lake Nation College Minneapolis Red Lake Nation College
• at have right now at Red Lake Nation at have right now at Red Lake Nation College<00:27:26.480><
• I believe one of them works for White Earth Nation, one of them works for Leech Lake Nation, and the
• one of them works for Leech Lake Nation one of them works for Leech Lake nation<00:40:43.560> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:45.279> and including construction codes and including construction codes and licensing
• And that the construction code fund.
• The next item are the construction code and licensing fee increases.
• <00:46:12.319> and are the con construction code and are the con construction code and licensing
• revenue or IRS code that would please<02:26:41.040> everybody.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
• Since 2002, it has been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, and the ship is also
• And I want to point out that year after year, the nation of Finland supports public sector unions, and
• And I want to point out that year after year, the nation of Finland supports public sector unions, and
• I work in the municipal code compliance division.

Summary: The committee took up several bills and confirmations. It reported favorably SB 332, as amended, on a narrow public-meetings/public-records exemption for legal strategy and settlement communications during the pre-suit period in Burt Harris claims; SB 464, requiring K-12 schools to formally observe Veterans Day; SB 984, clarifying firefighter cancer/death-benefit provisions and related prevention language; SB 576, expanding and codifying the local government cybersecurity protection program under Florida Digital Service; SB 964, revising how certain gifts and honoraria are reported to the Commission on Ethics; SB 1612, requiring local governments to accept electronic payments with exceptions and a delayed effective date; SB 830, creating public-records exemptions for certain local government administrators and their families; SB 1096, clarifying the filing deadline for Florida Civil Rights Act complaints; and SB 1656, designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship. The committee also considered a large confirmation package. Jeffrey Aaron’s appointment to the Public Employees Relations Commission was discussed separately after Senator Polsky raised concerns about his political connections and prior work; the committee still recommended him favorably. The remaining appointees on tabs 12 through 30 were also recommended favorably in one vote. The longest and most contentious item was SB 1296, with a committee substitute, on the Public Employees Relations Commission and public-sector unions. The PCS would change union certification/recertification rules, require a recent showing-of-interest form, create different voting thresholds for public safety and non-public safety employee organizations, limit paid union leave for non-public safety unions unless reimbursed, require equal access to certain employer communication spaces, and speed up impasse procedures for legislatively funded salary increases. Senators raised constitutional concerns, especially about the single-subject rule and collective-bargaining rights, and many speakers opposed the bill as union-busting and harmful to teachers, bus drivers, nurses, utility workers, and other public employees. Supporters argued it would improve accountability, ensure genuine member support, and prevent taxpayer-funded union activity. The committee continued debate on SB 1296 after extensive testimony, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
• The November 2021 report by the National League of Cities found that out of the 112 local public officials
• Since 2002, it has been recognized on the National Historic Places list, and the ship is also a first
• And I want to point out that year after year, the nation of Finland supports public sector unions, and
• I work in municipal code compliance division.

Bills: S0332, S0464, S0576, S0830, S0964, S0984, S1096, S1296, S1298, S1612, S1656

Keywords: public records, public meetings, property rights, transcripts, settlement negotiations, Veterans Day, K-12 schools, holiday observance, education, Florida statutes, cybersecurity, local government, grant program, data-sharing, Florida Digital Service, ransomware protection, county administrators, city managers, exemption, privacy

Summary: The committee first heard a committee substitute for SB 332, which creates a narrow public meetings and public records exemption for certain pre-suit settlement communications in Bert Harris claims involving local governments and private property rights. The sponsor said the change is intended to allow confidential legal strategy and negotiation during the 90-day pre-suit period while keeping settlements and outcomes public. The strike-all amendment was adopted, supportive testimony was waived in, and the bill was reported favorably. Members then approved several other measures, including SB 464 requiring K-12 schools to formally observe Veterans Day as a school holiday; SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention, which was amended to add a statement of important state interest and reported favorably after testimony from firefighters both supporting the bill and urging a longer benefit window; SB 576 on local government cybersecurity, which was amended to route the program through the Florida Digital Service and strengthen state-local coordination; SB 964 clarifying how certain gift and honoraria disclosures are filed with the Commission on Ethics; SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments with a delayed effective date; SB 830 creating public records exemptions for certain local government administrators and their families; SB 1096 clarifying the filing deadline for employment discrimination complaints; and SB 1656 designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship. All were reported favorably. The committee also considered a slate of appointments, including a separate vote on Jeffrey Aaron to the Public Employees Relations Commission, which was recommended favorably after Senator Polsky objected to the appointment and cited concerns about political ties and prior work. The remaining appointees on tabs 12 through 30 were also recommended favorably. After a recess, the committee took up SB 1296 on the Public Employees Relations Commission, as substituted by a committee PCS. The PCS would change union certification and recertification rules, require stronger showing-of-interest and voting thresholds, limit paid union leave in some cases, require equal access to employer communication spaces, and speed up impasse procedures for state-funded salary increases. The bill drew extensive testimony, with supporters arguing it would improve accountability, transparency, and taxpayer fairness, and opponents—many of them teachers, bus drivers, and other public employees—saying it would weaken collective bargaining, burden workers, and function as union busting. Members raised constitutional concerns about the single-subject rule and collective bargaining protections, and debate was ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Electric has been a longtime member of our board.
• Hawaii Electric has been a longtime member of our board.
• Hawaii Electric has been a board.
• Hawaii Electric has been a longtime<00:21:21.440> uh<00:21:21.679> member<00:21:21.919>
• <00:48:07.839> bills in uh dealing with uh electric bills in uh dealing with uh electric bills

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: A joint informational briefing of the House Committee on Labor and the Senate Committee on Labor and Technology was held on August 19, 2025, to hear testimony on the Office of Community Services’ proposed Community Services Block Grant state plan for federal fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Ray Domingo of OCS explained that the plan is intended to maintain federal CSBG funding and focuses on compliance monitoring, coordination among community action agencies and state agencies, and strengthening partnerships. He also reviewed the program structure, noting that Hawaii’s four CAAs serve low-income residents, that the state must pass through at least 90% of the grant to CAAs, and that Hawaii received about $3.8 million in FFY 2025, with allocations to HCAP, Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, Kauai Economic Opportunity, and Maui Economic Opportunity. He said statewide CAAs reported serving 40,980 individuals in FFY 2024. Representatives from each CAA testified in support of the plan and described how CSBG functions as flexible “glue” funding that supports overhead, fills gaps, and helps leverage other public and private resources. HCAP’s Robert Piper said the grant helps sustain its broad service network, including Head Start, job training, weatherization, shelter, food assistance, and energy programs, and emphasized its tripartite board structure and annual service to about 20,000 people. Hawaii County’s Chad Hosigal highlighted support for senior farmers market coupons, Meals on Wheels, and transportation services. Kauai Economic Opportunity’s Mabel Fujiuchi said the agency fully supports the plan and described CSBG as nucleus funding that helps support shelter, Meals on Wheels, weatherization, mediation, and other services, including assistance for homeless families and special needs items such as dentures and hearing aids. Maui Economic Opportunity’s Gay Sabonga described CSBG’s role in disaster response after the 2023 wildfires, including shelter transitions, document recovery, housing and utility assistance, bridge grants for small businesses, youth prevention programs, and employment services. Committee members asked about the stability of future federal funding, the frequency of federal assessments, and how satisfaction scores in the state plan were measured. OCS said federal funding information has been mixed and uncertain, that communication with federal partners has been limited and informal, and that the federal assessment website appears outdated; staff said assessments are done every two years. On the satisfaction metric, OCS said the score was 92 out of 100 and believed it reflected participant responses, though they offered to follow up with more detail. No votes or formal actions were taken at the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now that is compared to a national average of 85%.
• Dante Bataki, CTO of Eleanor Codings, who continues to build his company.
• I would say compliance for state board policy and century code compliance.
• But collapsing programs in like CIP codes, we've also identified new programs.
• So that piece is still in Century Code, but was not funded in the 25-27 biennium.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 137 relating to electric utilities.
• of an electric of an electric utility<00:08:02.639> uh<00:08:02.759> before<00:08:
• Hawaii has led the nation in many respects. We are the first state to go 100% renewable.
• Hawaii has led the nation in many respects here. We are the first state to go 100% renewable.
• <00:38:13.240> Electric pill 137 relating to electrical Electric pill 137 relating to electrical

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and reviewed several measures. SB 102 would restrict third-party restaurant reservation services from listing or selling reservations without a written agreement from the restaurant; the Attorney General recommended amendments to strengthen the bill against First Amendment and Contracts Clause challenges, and the Hawaii Restaurant Association strongly supported it, saying restaurants should control who represents them. The committee also heard SB 137 on electric utility mergers and acquisitions, with support from Ulupono Initiative and IBW Local 1260. Supporters said the bill would preserve state policy protections, including renewable energy and rate-making goals, and protect workers; IBW also suggested amendments, including a severability clause. The committee discussed a possible alternative approach from the PUC involving solicitation of bids from non-investor-owned utilities, and Ulupono said it would consider that idea but was concerned about preserving time for co-op formation. Members then heard SB 142, which would require insurers paying claims by check to send them by certified mail with restricted delivery and return receipt. The Insurance Division stood on its written testimony, while the Hawaiian Insurers Council, State Farm, NAMIC, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association opposed the bill. A senator questioned whether the measure was too prescriptive and could create problems for claimants displaced by disasters; the response was that insurers and claimants usually remain in contact and that other payment methods may already be available depending on the carrier. SB 157 would ban algorithmic price setting in Hawaii’s rental market and require a public education program; the committee noted written testimony in support and comment, but no oral testimony was taken before moving on. SB 158 would create a state-owned bank implementation board within DCCA; DCCA’s financial institutions division, the Budget and Finance Department, and the Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments, while the Hawaii Bankers Association opposed and the Hawaii Credit Union League commented. The committee also heard SB 318, which would require DCCA to adopt privacy rules for direct-to-consumer genetic testing and specify whether genetic information may be used for investigative genetic genealogy. The Office of Consumer Protection and Andrew Crossland opposed the bill, saying federal law and existing state protections already cover much of the area and that rulemaking would be a better way to address it; members raised concerns about federal changes and the need for state protections, but OCP said the bill was not the best approach. SB 332 would prohibit bundling foreclosed homes at public sale and delay finality of sales; L. Strong and written testimony supported it, citing Lahaina’s post-fire foreclosure risks and warning of investors profiting from the disaster. The final measure, SB 525, would require written notice and consent before mortuaries, cemeteries, or pre-need funeral authorities sell or recycle precious metals recovered after cremation. DCCA’s consumer protection and licensing divisions offered comments, while the Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association opposed the bill, saying it was surprised by the measure and was unaware of current consumer problems in the industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's based on best practices, both nationally and locally here in New Mexico.
• But some of their concerns included, we don't know so much about electric...
• The infrastructure, how you run electric versus diesel, and the training of the technicians.
• So, an electric school bus is a great way to get to school, but for us, it is very scary.
• So, an electric school bus, I'm not sure how well that would stand up.

Transcript Highlights:

• will affect is uh uh electricity will affect is uh uh electricity generation<00:35:48.320> because
• <00:35:53.119> you uh the way we produce electricity you uh the way we produce electricity
• uh get factored into electricity rates. uh get factored into electricity rates.
• So, it doesn't matter how much the electric bill is, they would still...
• So, our electrical fossil fuels, right?

Bills: SB2309, SB2317, SB2318, SB2319, SB2321, SB2323, SB2332, SB2405, SB2485

Keywords: agricultural loans, financial support, Hawaii agriculture, food security, revolving fund, agriculture, insurance, small producers, state support, biosecurity, farm coverage, public-private partnerships, agricultural policy, agricultural statistics, data collection, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, economic analysis, market development, grant funding, climate resiliency

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture-related measures, beginning with SB 2309, which would require the agricultural loan division to sell portions of its loan portfolio and use the proceeds to expand the agriculture loan revolving fund. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the bill, along with several other organizations and individuals. A committee question focused on the risk of not finding a qualified buyer for the loan portfolio; DAB said a mandatory sale of the full amount could force a less favorable rate, while flexibility to sell different amounts could produce a more equitable return. The measure drew eight supporters and no opposition. The committee then took up SB 2317, which directs DAB to study insurance coverage for small producers and report back to the Legislature. DAB and multiple farm groups supported the bill. In response to a question about cost, DAB estimated about $250,000 would be needed, with the study likely covering crop, health, and liability insurance. The next measure, SB 2318, would establish an agriculture statistics program in statute. DAB said it strongly supported the bill and could ramp up quickly if positions were provided; the committee discussed whether a first report could be completed by year’s end if the bill became law midyear, and DAB said yes. SB 2319, which would fund and make permanent a full-time grant writer position at DAB, also drew strong support from DAB, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, the local food coalition, and others, with testifiers emphasizing the position’s return on investment and success in bringing in federal funds. The committee also heard SB 2321, establishing a two-year pilot program to respond to the twoline spittlebug. DAB, ranching groups, and many others supported the bill, citing the pest’s spread and the need to act before it becomes unmanageable. A DAB pest control manager said he would need to research past response details and provide them later. Members emphasized the importance of early intervention. For SB 2323, which creates a farmland transition commission to study barriers to farmland access and recommend solutions, DAB offered comments and support for the intent, while farm groups generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the proposed age range and whether a separate commission was necessary. DAB said the Board of Agriculture likely would not have the capacity to perform the commission’s duties and estimated there would be costs to establish it, though no figure was available at the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 2332, which reestablishes the agriculture and food security special fund, creates a carbon emissions tax and dividend fund, gradually raises carbon-related tax rates, and provides a refundable carbon cashback credit. DAB supported the measure and deferred to Taxation on details; the Department of Taxation said it would stand on its comments, and the Attorney General’s office offered comments and recommendations. Carbon Cashback Hawaii and the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development supported the bill, arguing it would reduce emissions, protect lower-income households, and be relatively simple to administer.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:37.200> showcase His efforts led to a national showcase His efforts led to a national
• <00:36:57.119> The and the nation had ever seen. The and the nation had ever seen.
• , stands, one nation, stands, one nation, indivisible,<02:06:40.159> with<02:06:40.400>
• prison camp system across our nation. prison camp system across our nation.
• under the National Labor Relations Act. under the National Labor Relations Act.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Richard Markson, for the Western Electrical Contractors Association.
• The EIR also concluded the project exceeds the applicable fire codes, so this issue has been litigated
• concluded that this is not only consistent, and the EIR concluded it exceeds the requirements of the code
• So this is better than a code-compliant project. Fire authorities in your area all approved that.
• Faith Borgias, on behalf of the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers, aligned with the

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These policies are sometimes described as spending through the tax code.
• Xcel provides a breakdown of median utilization for electricity and gas customers.
• that we're trying to do through<00:20:43.039> the<00:20:43.200> tax<00:20:43.600> code
• Um<00:20:44.960> I<00:20:45.200> just<00:20:45.440> think through the tax code
• Um I just think through the tax code.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:38.360> uh experience on viewing the national uh experience on viewing the national
• <00:18:48.280> utility funding uh to 540,000 electric utility funding uh to 540,000 electric
• renewable energy resources electricity renewable energy resources electricity suppliers<00:34:22.839
• basis the department reviews electricity basis the department reviews electricity suppliers<00:35
• <00:49:16.160> bills a seasonal basis in our electric bills a seasonal basis in our electric

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 224, which would redirect most money from New Hampshire’s renewable energy fund back to electric ratepayers. The bill sponsor argued the measure would lower energy costs, noting recent utility rate increases and estimating annual savings of roughly $2.5 million to $7.3 million for ratepayers. Supporters said the fund has accumulated money that should be returned to customers rather than used for subsidies, and they emphasized that the state has already rebated similar funds from RGGI for years. Opponents, including Rep. Kat McGee, argued the renewable energy fund is a successful, nonlapsing dedicated fund that supports local clean-energy projects, energy resilience, emissions reductions, and private investment. McGee said the fiscal note overstated the benefit of rebates and understated the loss of investment, claiming the average annual rebate would amount to less than $10 per customer while the program has helped leverage significant private dollars and nearly 10,000 projects. She urged the committee to reject the bill as a poor deal for the state and ratepayers. Committee members questioned the fiscal note, the size of the rebate, whether the bill would set a precedent for other dedicated funds, and whether the program’s incentives amount to picking winners and losers. The Department of Energy testified neutrally, explaining how the renewable energy fund works, including renewable energy credits, alternative compliance payments, and the fund’s use for renewable energy initiatives. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.