Video & Transcript : 'energy equity' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- energy fuel source to power the energy fuel source to power the electrolysis<00:50:02.359><c> process
- </c> the energy we have energy within the energy we have energy within Municipal<00:52:50.520><c> solids
- </c> will be uh used and uh saving uh energy will be uh used and uh saving uh energy in<00:59:26.160>
- Energy.
- </c> nonprofit advocate for energy nonprofit advocate for energy consumers<01:15:07.080><c> um</c><01
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 02/03/2026
Energy And Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- systems as a primary source of energy.
- with any renewable energy that they want to use.
- But we can now also say that clean energy is cheaper than conventional sources of energy.
- We talk about the price of energy, and you were talking about the price of energy set by gas.
- We hear a lot about renewable energy driving up the cost. Renewable energy is so expensive.
Committee:
Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Summary:
The Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications met under Chair Senator Kevin Parker and considered several bills related to clean energy, transmission, storage, schools, and microgrids. Bill 1456, which would require certain watercraft, aircraft, and trains to be zero-emissions and direct NYSERDA studies and incentives, was discussed as technology-neutral and advanced with one no vote to the Finance Committee. Bill 286, increasing statewide energy storage capacity, drew concerns about battery safety, fire risk, and volunteer fire department training, but was advanced to the floor with two no votes. Bill 2482, the Go Green Schools Act, would let schools convert to renewable energy and keep savings for school operations; it advanced to the floor despite concerns about siting solar on school grounds. Bill 2485 on expanding electric transmission lines and Bill 5510 directing NYSERDA to develop microgrid recommendations were both advanced to the Finance Committee, each with one no vote.
The committee then heard testimony from Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. She argued that wind, solar, storage, and transmission have made New York a leader in clean energy and said renewable energy is increasingly cost-competitive, with much of recent bill increases driven by grid upgrades and gas prices rather than renewables. She also said clean energy helps hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices, pointed to community solar and offshore wind as savings and reliability tools, and said the state’s permitting and interconnection processes have improved.
Members questioned Wells about farmland use, decommissioning, recycling of solar and wind equipment, battery storage safety, local control, and misinformation. Wells said utility-scale projects require decommissioning plans and financial assurances, farmland must be restored under agricultural guidelines, and recycling capacity is developing. On battery storage, she said New York has rigorous codes and monitoring requirements, that not all storage is lithium-ion, and that state-level permitting is appropriate for large facilities. Several senators raised concerns about fires, contamination, winter performance, and siting projects in densely populated areas or on farmland, while others emphasized farmland protections and the value of renewable projects to host communities.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Geothermal energy debate program.
- Co-chair Switzinski, that is Xcel Energy. Xcel Energy is there, okay.
- Koto Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of RAR Corp, and I also serve as the President of Koto Energy
- spent on energy.
- The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, a nonprofit research organization, researched energy
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (04/29/2025)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- It notes uh energy efficiency. embracing um distributed energy embracing um distributed energy resources
- It notes uh energy efficiency.
- </c> energy within one year. energy within one year. Sound<00:32:51.360><c> right?
- Defining the Clean Energy and Department of Energy 10-year state energy strategy, including the technology
- </c><01:03:23.039><c> me,</c><01:03:23.200><c> is</c> energy or clean energy, excuse me, is energy or
Committee:
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Apr 21st, 2026 at 08:25 am
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Our vision statement captures it well: change the world's energy future, primarily nuclear energy, but
- We're pretty excited about where this Secretary of Energy is leading the Department of Energy, and why
- And you see our Office of Nuclear Energy is by far our largest sponsor, followed by other energy-related
- X-energy.
- So the big techs, which need energy, are investing in energy, and especially in nuclear energy, right
Committee:
Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:02.800><c> Their</c> thermal energy networks. Their thermal energy networks.
- ><c> an</c> Thermal energy networks are an Thermal energy networks are an innovative<00:03:10.320><c>
- </c> expect from our NGI plan are deep energy expect from our NGI plan are deep energy retrofits,<00:
- </c> thermal energy networks or TENS. thermal energy networks or TENS.
- </c> source and a and a load no carbon energy source and a and a load no carbon energy source,<00:07:
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- a renewable energy portfolio standard by the 2045 date, and we need to look at all forms of viable energy
- ><c> energy</c><00:01:34.280><c> portfolio</c><00:01:34.920><c> standard</c> have renewable energy portfolio
- Maria Tomy, State Energy Office.
- Our state, for whatever reason, is not taking to clean firm energy as an energy plant at all.
- </c> him can I support that waste to energy him can I support that waste to energy plan<00:47:34.000>
Committee:
Senate Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused.
The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments.
Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate - 03/24/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- Energy was, uh, I served on energy for a number of years, and it's one of the most interesting committees
- </c> Senator Pratt, welcome to the Energy Senator Pratt, welcome to the Energy Committee.<00:04:10.239
- </c> providing renewable base load energy. providing renewable base load energy.
- Fresh Energy is a 30-year-old Energy.
- </c> communities, energy, jobs, and industry. communities, energy, jobs, and industry.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes SF2, the omnibus energy bill 6/9/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate File 2 is the energy bill.
- Senate File Number 2, an act relating to energy, appropriating and transferring money for energy and
- </c><00:03:04.560><c> assistance</c> energy assist the home energy assistance energy assist the home
- However, for my fourth energy budget, this is the best energy bill I've ever seen.
- </c> safe efficient energy in Minnesota. safe efficient energy in Minnesota.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The world leader in energy.
- Geothermal energy is a unique energy source. Because it's dispatchable, right?
- Geothermal energy is the heat and energy which emanates from the Earth's core.
- This energy resource will perform well, right, because it's underground producing. Uh, energy.
- the Texas Energy Fund.
Committee:
House Energy Resources
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Our vision statement captures it well: change the world's energy future, primarily nuclear energy, but
- We're pretty excited about where this Secretary of Energy is leading the Department of Energy, and why
- X-energy.
- So the big techs, which need energy, are investing in energy, especially in nuclear energy, right?
- In an integrated energy system, don't think of nuclear as an independent energy source.
Committee:
Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Summary:
The meeting was a presentation and Q&A at Idaho National Laboratory focused on the state of nuclear energy, advanced reactors, and the lab’s role in testing, regulation, and commercialization. Speakers described INL’s broader mission beyond nuclear, including cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, but emphasized its major nuclear capabilities: the Advanced Test Reactor, TREAT, the Materials and Fuels Complex, and other test beds used to accelerate fuel and materials testing. They also highlighted the lab’s size, workforce, internship pipeline, and partnerships with DOE, DHS, DOD, and private companies.
A major topic was the federal push to speed up nuclear deployment through executive orders and regulatory reform. Speakers said DOE and the NRC are reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, streamlining environmental reviews, and working toward a goal of having three new nuclear systems achieve criticality by July 4, 2026. They discussed the difference between microreactors, small modular reactors, and traditional gigawatt-scale plants, arguing that advanced reactors can be factory-built, safer, and better suited for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, and other nontraditional uses. They also said the U.S. is rebuilding its nuclear supply chain, including enrichment and fuel fabrication, and that states willing to host parts of the fuel cycle could see major economic benefits.
The speakers addressed questions about cost, safety, waste, and international competition. They said advanced reactors rely on passive safety features, TRISO fuel, and natural circulation, and that the industry’s challenge is often cost uncertainty rather than a precise fuel or materials limit. They argued used nuclear fuel should be viewed as a resource rather than waste if recycling becomes policy, and said microreactors should produce relatively small amounts of spent fuel. They also noted that China and Russia continue to build aggressively, with China on pace to surpass the U.S. in total nuclear generation, while U.S. projects such as Palisades, Crane Clean Energy Center, Duane Arnold, Oklo, Aalo, MARVEL, and Project Pele are moving forward under DOE and private-sector partnerships.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to Environment and Energy today.
- We would like to see reporting on energy use, for example, so we know how our energy grid will be impacted
- As we see greater strain on our energy system, As we see greater strain on our energy system resulting
- energy burden over time.
- Matt Miller here for Puget Sound Energy.
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 2343, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to obtain CAFO or individual discharge permit coverage for its game farms, and to treat game farms with at least 5,000 birds as large CAFOs. The prime sponsor and local officials from Centralia said the WDFW pheasant farm has contributed to nitrate contamination in a critical aquifer, affecting drinking water and public health, and argued the state should be held to the same standards as private operators. WDFW testified that it has already voluntarily secured the permit the bill would require and is working with Ecology and local partners. Testimony from county health and residents largely supported the bill, citing elevated nitrate levels and health risks, especially for infants and pregnant people.
The committee then heard House Bill 2301, which expands Washington’s paint stewardship program to cover additional paint-related products, aerosol paints, and certain non-industrial coatings. The sponsor and industry supporters said the existing paint recycling program is working well and should be broadened to keep more materials out of landfills and reduce local hazardous waste costs. Local government witnesses supported the expansion but asked for changes on convenience standards, packaging coverage, and reimbursement for local collection costs. Ecology supported the overall concept but raised implementation concerns, including the need for uniform standards, full reporting, and more time for rulemaking. A wood preservatives industry representative opposed including wood preservatives, saying they are not paint and have different handling requirements.
The committee also took testimony on House Bill 2515, a proposed substitute addressing emerging large energy use facilities, defined mainly as large data centers and virtual currency mining facilities. The bill would require utilities to adopt tariffs or policies to protect other ratepayers, require long-term contracts, demand response or curtailment provisions, reporting on energy and water use, and new clean energy targets for these facilities, while also changing how no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act are allocated and creating an annual fee for the facilities. Supporters, including environmental groups, community action agencies, some utilities, and labor and tribal representatives, said the bill would protect ratepayers, improve transparency, and keep Washington on track for climate goals. Opponents, including data center and business groups, some ports, and several labor organizations, argued the bill is too prescriptive, could raise costs or discourage investment, may affect existing contracts and other large industrial loads, and could reduce construction jobs. No votes or final actions were taken in the transcript.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EIG-AEN, EIG-HOU, EIG Public Hearings 03-11-2025
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Mark Glick from the State Energy Office.
- </c><00:05:09.600><c> office</c> Hawaii island and uh the energy office Hawaii island and uh the energy
- </c><00:05:20.319><c> so</c> resource base of geothermal energy so resource base of geothermal energy
- </c> that we can become greater energy that we can become greater energy self-sufficient<00:05:23.759
- </c> House Bill 350 HD2 relating to energy House Bill 350 HD2 relating to energy first<00:13:25.320><
Committee:
Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Summary:
The joint committees heard testimony on several energy- and environment-related measures. HB 242 HD1 on electric vehicle batteries drew support from the Department of Health, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, SERFCO, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation; the Energy Office suggested a broader working group covering all lithium-ion batteries, and members later adopted amendments including a date change and revised timing language. HB 751 HD2 on statewide organic waste reduction and diversion received mixed testimony, with the Department of Health opposing it over concerns about compostable food packaging and incomplete testing data; the committee nonetheless moved the bill forward with amendments removing compostable food packaging from the definition of organic waste and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050.
The committees also considered HB 1020 HD1 on a statewide program to characterize carbon sequestration potential and underground water resources. The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office and Ulupono supported the measure as part of a broader geothermal and energy security effort, while members raised concerns about overlapping roles between agencies and the need for a single coordinated voice. The committee ultimately amended the bill to place DBEDT in charge, with technical changes, and passed it. In a separate portion of the hearing, HB 350 HD2 on energy was heard with support from the State Energy Office, industry, and advocacy groups; opponents argued the existing solar water heater law is working and that variances already allow flexibility. The committee passed HB 350 unamended.
Later, the committee heard HB 977 HD1 on energy financing, HB 1017 HD1 on the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, and HB 1406 HD1 on government procedures. HB 977 received support from the Public Utilities Commission, DCCA, and others and was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. HB 1017, which would repeal the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, and HB 1051, which sets energy efficiency benchmarks, were both passed unamended. HB 1406, a task force bill aimed at improving permitting and regulatory processes, was amended to add a Senate representative, include the State Energy Office, make the bill effective on approval, and note prior funding requests in the committee report; it was then adopted. Votes were recorded on each measure, with some members excused and HB 751 drawing one no vote from Senator Rhoads.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Our vision statement captures it well: change the world's energy future, primarily nuclear energy, but
- We're pretty excited about where this Secretary of Energy is leading the Department of Energy...
- The driver is energy demand.
- X-energy.
- So the big techs, which need energy, are investing in energy, especially in nuclear energy, right?
Summary:
The meeting was an extended briefing from Idaho National Laboratory officials on the lab’s mission, its role in nuclear energy research, and the federal push to accelerate advanced reactor deployment. Speakers described INL’s size and capabilities, including test reactors, fuel and materials facilities, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure work, and partnerships with DOE, the NRC, the Department of Defense, and private companies. They emphasized that the lab is supporting both commercial nuclear development and national security work, while also training a large intern workforce.
A major theme was the current federal effort to streamline nuclear regulation and speed up licensing and demonstration. The speakers said recent executive orders and DOE/NRC coordination are reducing redundant requirements, shortening environmental review timelines, and aiming for three new nuclear systems to reach criticality by July 4, 2026. They argued that regulatory uncertainty has been a major driver of nuclear cost and that the administration’s actions, along with DOE’s pilot and demonstration programs, are intended to rebuild the domestic supply chain and industrial base.
The discussion also focused on advanced reactor types, including small modular reactors, microreactors, molten salt concepts, and liquid-metal designs. Officials said these technologies are being developed for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, hydrogen production, and other nontraditional uses. They highlighted several projects and companies, including Oklo, Aalo, Radiant, X-energy, TerraPower, Kairos, and DOE’s MARVEL and Project Pele efforts, and said some reactors are expected to reach criticality or operation in the next few years. Questions from attendees covered safety, public health impacts, materials and heat management, waste or used fuel handling, costs, and whether nuclear could remain competitive against other energy sources; the speakers responded that advanced reactors are designed with passive safety features, that used fuel should be viewed as a resource, and that cost remains highly design- and supply-chain-dependent.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 05/06/2026
Energy And Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- So, you know, you're looking into our energy costs and you feel that, in other words, our energy costs
- We didn't look at other renewable energies.
- I'm glad that you favor thermal energy.
- Would that also be out of the Clean Energy Fund?
- Right, but I'm saying it references the energy.
Committee:
Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications considered a large agenda focused mainly on energy affordability, the CLCPA, utility rates, and renewable energy siting. Senator Mattera and other Republican members argued that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act has driven up utility bills, harmed reliability, and imposed costs on ratepayers, while Democratic members pushed back that rising costs are also driven by natural gas markets, infrastructure costs, and broader economic factors. Several bills sought to repeal or pause CLCPA-related policies, create a CLCPA task force, impose studies or moratoriums on new energy taxes and fees, and increase transparency around utility surcharges and state energy spending. Supporters framed these measures as ratepayer relief and accountability; opponents said some proposals would undermine clean-energy policy and existing consumer-benefit programs.
The committee defeated S.1167, which would have repealed the All Electric Building Act, and S.1173, which would have created a CLCPA task force. It also failed S.5250, a bill to study CLCPA costs and impose a moratorium on new energy taxes, fees, or regulations, and S.7075, which would have prohibited the system benefits charge on utility bills. Several other bills advanced, including S.1236A on virtual access and electronic filing for Public Service Commission proceedings, S.1552 establishing reduced residential rates for low-income electric and natural gas customers, S.2484 directing a study of replacement timeframes for battery storage and renewable facilities, S.2638 on carbon allowance auction proceeds, S.3247 on electric vehicle charging stations, S.3553 requiring utilities to post promotional and educational materials on their websites, S.4571A creating a floating solar incentive education program, S.5518 shifting Public Service Commission funding to legislative appropriation, and S.6412A requiring itemized ratepayer disclosure of surcharges. S.9251, on labor-related legal costs, was referred to the Labor Committee. S.7710, which would have restricted energy storage systems near schools and homes in New York City, failed after concerns and support were debated. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman is correct, is that hedge funds and private equity are buying up professional practices, and
- Chairman is correct, you know, hedge funds and private equity are buying up professional practices, and
- But if we start to see the market change where we see private equity purchase large swaths of dental
- And so we're happy to sit down with the other side and say, hey, let's make sure that private equity
- It gives the dentist another avenue to sell their practice other than private equity.
Committee:
House House Commerce Committee of Reference
Summary:
The House Commerce Committee heard House Bill 2181, which would extend the deadline for funeral establishments or responsible individuals to complete and submit death certificates. The committee adopted an amendment reducing the maximum extension to 14 days and clarifying that the medical certification deadline for health care providers excludes weekends and holidays. Testimony from a mortuary owner and the sponsor described delays caused by doctors’ schedules, county processing, holidays, and families needing more time; some members argued the bill did not address the underlying accountability problems for doctors and counties, while others supported the added flexibility. HB 2181 was approved 6-4-1 with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then heard House Bill 2682, which creates a DES rental assistance program providing up to two months or $5,000 in aid and appropriates $5 million from the general fund for administration. Supporters said the bill would help families facing short-term crises stay housed, reduce evictions, and serve as a preventive measure that could save money downstream; a constituent testified in Spanish about receiving emergency rental help after falling behind. Some members raised concerns about the program’s cost, the limited target population, and whether seniors should be included, while others supported it as a pilot and asked for possible amendments. HB 2682 passed 7-4.
House Bill 2698, which creates a rental assistance study committee to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs and repeals the committee in 2028, was heard next and passed on a 7-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2476, revising CPA certification and reciprocity requirements by creating multiple pathways to licensure and updating related rules and fees. Supporters said the bill would help address a CPA workforce shortage and align Arizona with other states; after questions about whether the bill made licensure harder or easier, the committee unanimously approved HB 2476, 11-0.
Finally, the committee began House Bill 2308, which would bar dental insurers and certain holding companies from owning dental practices. The sponsor and Arizona Dental Association argued the bill would prevent conflicts of interest and preserve separation between payers and providers, while Delta Dental opposed the measure as overbroad and potentially burdensome for nonprofit insurers and investors. After discussion about private equity, nonprofit charity care, and vertical integration, the bill was approved 8-0 with three members present. The committee then started House Bill 2118 on mobile food vendors, with the sponsor and food truck operators arguing it would streamline duplicate local permitting, while cities and some vendors opposed it as a loss of local oversight and control; testimony continued, but no final action on HB 2118 appears in the excerpt.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- flexibilities to prevent avoidable disruptions to coverage and uphold the state's commitment to health equity
- aligning my comments with the previous speakers, as well as in relation to Prop 35, ensuring that equity
- routine and preventive care, reducing costlier institutional care, improving quality outcomes and equity
- leveraging these state-directed payments to advance population health, quality of care, and health equity
- leveraging these state-directed payments to advance population health, quality of care, and health equity
Summary:
The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions.
The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs.
The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Our mission at the Energy Authority is to advance Wyoming energy and natural resources.
- </c><00:03:22.400><c> He</c> done around energy dominance. He done around energy dominance.
- </c> mineral and and energy source as well. mineral and and energy source as well.
- </c> I'd touch on the energy matching funds. I'd touch on the energy matching funds.
- That was the only energy fund.
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They cited high energy costs.
- But then you have a lot of energy...
- When you lose firm energy, you can't replace it with wind and solar because it's intermittent energy,
- And you need firm energy, which is 24/7 energy, not intermittent.
- energies, as we're finding out.
Summary:
The committee began with member and staff introductions, then held a work session on emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) under Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Ecology staff reviewed how cap-and-invest works, explained EITE no-cost allowance allocations, and summarized a new report to the Legislature on policy options for 2035-2050. Ecology recommended continuing no-cost allocations but adjusting them to fit the cap, considering a consignment approach that would require EITEs to invest part of the value of free allowances in decarbonization, and studying additional benchmarking and leakage-mitigation refinements. Quebec officials described their cap-and-trade system, including a consignment model that withholds part of free allocations, holds the value in trust for facilities, and requires technical studies and investment in mitigation projects; they said it has encouraged industrial investment and no business closures. Members asked about facility closures, compliance costs, eligible uses of consigned funds, and adaptation spending. The work session then closed.
The committee then heard House Bill 2296, which would expand distributed energy resources by allowing portable plug-in solar devices and meter-mounted devices. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to lower barriers and startup costs for renters and homeowners who want to electrify or add solar. Supporters, including a nonprofit promoting plug-in solar and a physician group, said the devices could broaden access to clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas and health harms. Utilities, labor, and industry groups opposed the bill as written, citing safety concerns, lack of national electrical code standards, possible backfeeding and fire risks, utility-worker hazards, unclear interconnection rules, and concerns about multifamily housing and small-utility review burdens. Some witnesses said they were open to continued work on the proposal.
Next, the committee heard House Bill 2285, which would allow natural gas generation paired with carbon capture, utilization, storage, or mineralization to count toward Clean Energy Transformation Act compliance. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would provide a “bridge” for firm power, help address reliability and transmission constraints, and support jobs while reducing emissions compared with conventional gas. Opponents said the bill would weaken CETA’s 100% clean electricity target by allowing resources that still emit carbon to qualify, and they questioned whether 75% capture is sufficient. Other testimony raised cost concerns and warned that carbon capture could increase ratepayer costs. The hearing on HB 2285 was later suspended and reopened briefly for additional testimony from Ecology, which said the bill would permanently weaken CETA standards and likely reduce emissions reductions. The committee also briefly received a staff briefing on House Bill 2272, a ski-area terminology bill, and then suspended that hearing to take it up later.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> to produce energy from our food waste. to produce energy from our food waste.
- You're producing energy from those waste energy facilities, but that costs you money.
- You're producing energy from those waste energy facilities, but that costs you money.
- </c> still need waste energy facilities. still need waste energy facilities.
- </c> Energy. How about you? It's all right. Energy. How about you? It's all right.
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy