Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for having the Water Authority to speak to you today about the bulk fuels facility jet fuel
• of fuel that's ultimately dissolving into groundwater.
• So we had a fuel release area which the fuel release probably started in the 50s and wasn't identified
• As the water table dropped, the fuel followed it further downward.
• So, that means soil vapor Soil, groundwater, as well as where the fuel occurred.

Transcript Highlights:

• issue that hasn't been discussed up to this point, at least not that I've heard, is that EV owners who fuel
• Air pollution from fossil fuel combustion is responsible for 350,000 premature deaths in the U.S. each
• A Midwest study found that a savings of eight billion dollars could be achieved through switching from

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• It expands access to lower-cost fuel, reduces emissions, and strengthens the reliability of our fuel
• Fuel supply, all without requiring new technology or new vehicles.
• My name is Jeff Wilkerson from Pearson Fuels, California's largest E85 supplier.
• We have 1.1 million flex fuel vehicles on the road today that are capable of using gasoline or E85, switching
• We already have flex-fuel vehicles in California.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met as a subcommittee until quorum was established, then heard several transportation-related bills. AB 1614 would extend existing anti-piggybacking rules to Class 1 bikeways, prohibiting multiple riders on a single bike or e-bike; supporters emphasized rising e-bike injuries and trauma cases, while People for Bikes argued it could create unnecessary barriers and enforcement issues. The committee also heard AB 2193, which would make autonomous vehicle manufacturers responsible for traffic citations when no human driver is present; Teamsters and transit labor supported the bill as an accountability measure, and there was no formal opposition on file. AB 2629 would cap fees charged by DMV business partners for online vehicle registration services at 5% above DMV fees. The sponsor and consumer advocates said the bill would curb spoofed websites and hidden upcharges, while DMV business partners and related companies argued the cap would make the program economically unworkable and reduce service options. Members questioned how the 5% figure was chosen, and the bill advanced on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations after a roll call. The committee also heard AB 2046, which would allow EPA-approved E85 conversion kits in California to expand access to lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel; supporters cited consumer savings and emissions reductions, and the bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2346 proposed broader e-bike safety rules, including speedometers, lighting, age-based speed limits, local authority to set path limits, and consumer disclosures; supporters framed it as a response to serious injuries and illegal e-motos, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, enforcement, and potential profiling. The committee approved AB 2346, sending it to Judiciary, and later completed roll calls showing the consent calendar and the other heard bills advancing out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is supposed to bring money back due to higher fuel prices.
• So in what way would this help reduce fuel prices? Well, the bill is never to reduce fuel prices.
• Fuel prices are high alone. This bill is bringing money back to the person of that said vehicle.
• So in what way would this help reduce fuel prices? Well, the bill is never to reduce fuel prices.
• Fuel prices are high alone. This bill is bringing money back to the person of that said vehicle.

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks to Arkansas Boys State delegates about leadership, public service, and the significance of the Capitol, followed by prayer, attendance, and announcements that both chambers were organized and ready for business. The House then considered House Bill 1001, which would have increased funding for rural health care through a 10% tax on people earning at least $300,000; supporters argued it would improve access and quality in rural areas, while opponents raised concerns about fairness, funding, and driving away doctors and taxpayers. The bill failed, 24 yeas to 51 nays. House Bill 1002, aimed at funding more teachers for rural school districts and limiting how many subjects a teacher could be assigned, drew debate over teacher burnout, funding, and whether it would improve outcomes; it passed after immediate consideration, 38 yeas to 36 nays, though the transcript later includes a conflicting note that it failed. House Bill 1003, the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2026, would let counties restrict data centers and impose a 10% tax for conservation; supporters emphasized local control and resource protection, while opponents warned about jobs, economic loss, and federal issues. It passed 62 yeas to 7 nays. House Bill 1004, reducing motor vehicle registration fees, was debated as a way to ease costs for families but criticized for reducing transportation funding; it failed, 20 yeas to 46 nays. The chamber then moved to Senate bills. Senate Bill 1 proposed incentives tied to SNAP benefits and healthier food purchases, including a Double Bucks-style program; supporters said it would help address food insecurity and obesity, while opponents objected to taxing junk food and burdening non-SNAP users. It passed 43 yeas to 27 nays. Senate Bill 2 would require reading tests in earlier grades and provide state tutoring for students who fail; supporters said it would address literacy problems early, while opponents wanted clearer provisions for older students and more detail on implementation. It passed 67 yeas to 6 nays. Senate Bill 3, the Freedom to Earn Act, would lower the individual income tax rate from 3.7% to 3.0%; supporters said it would help working families and attract business, while opponents argued the benefits would mostly go to corporations and wealthy executives. It passed 53 yeas to 15 nays. Senate Bill 4 created a zoning grant program to encourage mixed-use development in growing cities, funded by a 1% hotel tourism tax up to $50 million; supporters said it would promote housing, small business growth, and downtown revitalization, and it passed 51 yeas to 7 nays. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• got answered Switching gears a little<00:37:49.160><c> bit</c><00:37:49.319><c> I'm</c><00:37:49.480
• Kind of switching topics here, I've got like three kind of random, off, very variety of questions in
• Kind of switching topics here, I've got like three kind of random, off-variety questions in terms of
• commissioner Peterson uh aviation fuel commissioner Peterson uh chair<00:54:17.160><c> putam</c><00:
• sustainable aviation fuel really working on<00:54:23.799><c> the</c><00:54:24.040><c> federal</c><00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and of the need for fossil fuels.
• You have 90 days of fuel on the ground.
• You have 90 days of fuel on resources. You have 90 days of fuel on the<01:17:32.640><c> ground.
• So I think they got 75 years of fuel stored on site up there in Bavarian.
• So I think they got 75 years of fuel stored on site up there in Bavarian.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Approval of Minutes 00:01:19 Helping Power Kentucky's Growth (LG&E/KU) 00:01:39 Update from Kentucky's Electric Cooperatives 00:47:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the previous meeting, and then heard a presentation from LG&E and KU representatives Caroline Clark and John Bevington on economic development, energy demand, and the utility’s role in supporting Kentucky’s growth. Bevington described the company’s service territory, generation fleet, and recent economic development activity, including 76 projects supported in 2024, more than $2.8 billion in private investment, and over 3,000 new jobs. He emphasized that data centers are now the dominant driver in the pipeline, with 22 data center projects representing about 8.7 of the 9.7 gigawatts of potential demand, alongside other manufacturing and commercial projects. A major focus was how data centers choose sites and how utilities respond. Bevington explained that hyperscale data centers typically approach utilities first because they need transmission-level access, and that utilities then conduct internal analyses, estimate infrastructure needs, and require financial security before proceeding. He said the company is working through formal transmission studies and long-lead infrastructure planning, and noted that Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers helped attract interest. He also outlined the economic benefits of data centers, citing an announced Louisville project of 525 megawatts and about $11 billion in investment, with an estimated $500 million in new tax revenue over 10 years, plus broader job and GDP impacts. Members asked about whether data centers could generate their own power, the reliability of the pipeline numbers given confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and cybersecurity concerns. Bevington said the company does not assume all pipeline projects will materialize in Kentucky and instead assigns probabilities to avoid overbuilding. He also said he was not the right person to address cybersecurity in detail but offered to return to a committee focused on IT or security. In response to questions about future supply, he said LG&E and KU are adding generation through a 120-megawatt solar facility in Mercer County, a 120-megawatt solar purchase in Marion County, and a 645-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle plant in Louisville, with PSC approval recently granted for additional generation and related system upgrades.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me just see if I can switch. There we go. My name is Betsy Peabody, and I am... There we go.
• When we burn fossil fuel or convert land use, that puts carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• decomposes, that releases extra carbon dioxide on top of what we're putting into the atmosphere from fossil fuels
• through the Clean Energy Transformation Act, the Climate Commitment Act, clean energy standards, clean fuel
• We had an excellent potato crop, but the excess of the contracts switched... ...crop, but the excess

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• size independent living community to purchase and install a generator with 72 hours of stored on-site fuel
• This committee has discussed generators and fuel sources extensively.
• through, like, sort of expand it to cover that full thing because you will be paying the transfer switch
• , the permitting fees, looking for the equipment, the fuel tank, and all of the other pieces that come

Bills: HB 660, HB 4845, HB 3902, HB 5396, HB 4615, HB 1825, HB 1403, HB 4336, HB 4585, HB 4371, HB 863, SB 1589, HB 5223, HB 3195, HB 2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• large-size independent living community to purchase and install a generator with 72 hours of stored on-site fuel
• This committee has discussed generators and fuel... sources extensively.
• medication room and expand it to cover that full thing because you will. ...be paying the transfer switch
• , the permitting fees, looking for the equipment, the fuel tank, and all of the other pieces that come

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• issues that really addresses this issue, but again, is of neither the size nor the capacity to really fuel
• So, again, what I would raise is an opportunity to invest in research and education as a way of fueling
• In research and education as a way of fueling this industry and helping it move forward.
• Now, if I could switch—just me—you were talking about this, our research capacity, University of California
• leave behind several important revenue streams from a tax and an assessment standpoint that really fuel

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on California’s wine industry held its first meeting at Napa Valley College, with opening remarks from Chair Senator Christopher Cabaldon and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry emphasizing the wine industry’s importance to California’s economy, communities, and tourism. The chair said the hearing was intended to gather information and ideas, not to take legislative action that day, and to prepare for future work on legislation, budget, and oversight. The first panel focused on research and trends, with experts from Sonoma State, UC Davis, and Terrain describing a major structural downturn: falling wine production and sales, rising costs, labor shortages, housing pressures, changing consumer habits, tariffs, and the loss of younger consumers. They argued the industry needs to shift toward new-customer acquisition, more accessible products and messaging, evidence-based business decisions, and greater investment in research, education, and innovation, including work on disease, climate stress, and health-related consumer questions. Committee members pressed the panel on whether the industry’s future depends on adaptation by existing producers or market-driven consolidation, and on how California can reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining standards. Witnesses said the state’s universities are a “superpower” but are underfunded for wine research, especially on the business and regulatory side, and they urged review of outdated rules, better data collection, and more efficient compliance systems. They also discussed trade competitiveness, especially with imports and the collapse of exports to Canada after tariffs, and raised the need for transitional support for vineyard removals and replanting. The chair and majority leader emphasized that regulations should be evaluated for effectiveness and that California should use its research capacity to improve both industry practices and regulatory implementation. A second panel included representatives from growers, the Wine Institute, and family winemakers. Michael Miller of the California Association of Wine Grape Growers described a severe grower crisis: grapes left unpicked, vineyards abandoned or removed, falling vineyard values, and a need for relief on regulatory costs, trade barriers, water policy, and vineyard removal expenses. Honor Comfort of the Wine Institute focused on consumer outreach, especially younger drinkers, and described the Share Wine Co-Lab, an open-access marketing platform with research, webinars, case studies, and office hours to help wineries better reach Gen Z and millennials. Jane Lisa Tamayo of Family Winemakers of California was present but her remarks were largely garbled in the transcript. Committee members again stressed the need for education, better messaging, and caution about simplistic policy fixes, while also noting the importance of Canada as an export market and the risks of tariffs. The final panel addressed tourism, farmworker impacts, and water regulation. Visit Napa Valley CEO Lindsay Gallagher said Napa’s tourism economy remains relatively strong but is feeling the same international headwinds as the wine sector, including reduced Canadian visitation; she said Napa is broadening its message beyond wine to cuisine, wellness, and outdoor experiences. Sonia DeLuca of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation said declining sales and rising costs are reducing hours, wages, and training opportunities for farmworkers, and urged targeted relief, removal of barriers to sales, wage-loss support, and continued bilingual workforce training. She also said Napa’s workforce-development model is ready to support technology adoption if legal changes allow more automation. Finally, State Water Board official Annalisa Kihar gave an update on the Winery General Order, explaining that it was created in 2021 to streamline and standardize wastewater permitting, with tiered requirements and exemptions for very small wineries; she said 56 wineries have enrolled and 122 are under review, and that the board is working with industry and regional agencies to improve compliance support and flexibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• start with the first set of preferences, which are related to natural gas used as a transportation fuel
• The legislature also set an objective around estimated fuel savings by Washington...
• The legislative intent was to provide the same tax treatment of natural gas as a transportation fuel
• But the taxation of the fuel used outside of Washington is different between the two fuel types.
• Switching to Washington, this is our dashboard of Washington indicators.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or wood chip fuel.
• , first heating fuel.
• switching, and whether that is because of a higher capital outlay for a more stable, lower-cost fuel
• switching: higher capital outlay for a more stable, lower-cost fuel in the long run.
• It got switched, okay?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And overall, we're not taking into account switching to crops. If I may, Mr. Chair.
• But that's the most efficient from a transit fuel standpoint.
• He may switch to another commodity or stop production at all.
• we just convert fuel into things, and it does matter.
• They don't get their fuel tax dollars, they don't get grants from us, and they don't get loans from us

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We fully support this bill because it will create a transparent process that reflects the existing fuel
• Our other states have fuel type riders, which we think this is like a fuel type cost.
• It is a little bit different from fuel in that regard.
• So I'll switch to you. Costs: Entergy's not making any money from these costs.
• Yeah, well those formulas are set, so sometimes pass through and go up and down, like the fuel cost or

Bills: SB483, SB522, SB783, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1762, SB1856, SB1877, SB1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• start with the first set of preferences, which are related to natural gas used as a transportation fuel
• And when we talk about... ...four preferences related to natural gas as a transportation fuel.
• The legislature also set an objective around estimated fuel savings by Washington...
• But the taxation of the fuel used outside of Washington is different between the two fuel types.
• Switching to Washington, this is our dashboard of Washington indicators.

Summary: House Finance met in work session on January 13, 2026, beginning with the introduction of new member Rep. Janice Zahn and a reminder about short-session amendment deadlines. The committee then heard JLARC’s 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine preferences. JLARC recommended continuing several preferences, including natural gas transportation fuel exemptions, reduced B&O rates for travel agents and tour operators, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, a property tax exemption for multipurpose senior centers, a sales and use tax remittance for disabled veteran adapted housing, a trade convention attendance nexus exemption, a B&O exemption for agricultural fertilizer and seed sales, and a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides. JLARC also recommended allowing unused silicon smelter-related preferences to expire. Members asked about legislative intent, data limitations, and how performance metrics should be tied more clearly to policy objectives; committee leaders and JLARC staff discussed a new standardized rubric for future tax preference performance statements and fiscal note review. The committee also noted that bills related to some of the reviewed preferences were already introduced. For the low-income housing exemption, JLARC said nonprofit developers were building homes as intended but that the current spending-based metric did not fully reflect the policy goal, and it recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify the preference. For multipurpose senior centers, JLARC said the exemption met its inferred objective and recommended continuation, with possible consideration of making it permanent. For the disabled veteran adapted housing remittance, JLARC said few eligible veterans were claiming the benefit and recommended continuation with changes to improve access and consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs. On the trade convention attendance exemption, JLARC said use was unknown but the preference likely helped keep Washington competitive with other states and recommended continuation, though members questioned the lack of direct evidence and the administrative-burden rationale. The committee then received an update from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. The forecast showed the U.S. economy slowing but still growing, with Washington expected to have modest growth, weak employment gains, continued personal income growth, and slow construction. ERFC said tariffs and trade policy remained the biggest risks, inflation was expected to stay elevated in the near term, and the Federal Reserve had cut rates three times in 2025 with two more cuts projected in 2026. State revenues were up $105 million in the current biennium compared with the November forecast, but down $185 million in the next biennium, with growth driven in part by recent legislative changes and improved estate tax collections. Members asked about sector-specific employment trends, the impact of high-income households on retail sales, and how state revenues compare with personal income over time. The meeting adjourned after the forecast presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota from the harm and the significant financial burden of the continued use of dirty fossil fuels
• Minnesota from the harm and the significant financial burden of the continued use of dirty fossil fuels
• </c><00:31:44.679><c> and</c> continued use of dirty fossil fuels and continued use of dirty fossil fuels
• When I turn the switch on, and I don't mean to get away from your question because I can't answer it,
• on and um uh and I don't mean to switch on and um uh and I don't mean to get<00:36:17.319><c> away</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Seven Acres has a transfer switch.
• We've had our turnkey switch gear for about 18 years, and we've used it three times.
• We needed to get fuel out if there was no power.
• Our fuel has gone bad; the proper word escapes me right now, but you know it has sediment.
• This does not take into account the issue of lack of space to locate these massive generators and fuel

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• There were some additional amounts added on diesel fuel above that.
• fuel consumed in the state looks like.
• And fuel is 100% your job.
• And fuel is 100% your job.
• As Barb says, this is about fuel and how much fuel you want to put into that plane. I like that.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on October 16, 2025, for a budget and revenue overview, a traffic safety presentation, and a discussion of potential transit and active transportation grant programs. Committee staff reviewed the adopted 2025-27 transportation budget, noting $15.5 billion in expenditures, the large share for WSDOT, and the mix of revenue sources including fuel tax, vehicle-related fees, federal funds, Climate Commitment Act revenue, and new 2025 revenues from SB 5801 and SB 5802. Staff said the 2025 session produced a balanced four-year plan, preserved major project schedules, maintained highway preservation funding, and added money for culverts, local preservation, and other priorities. They also described a September forecast showing lower motor fuel consumption than previously expected, but still enough revenue growth to keep the transportation plan balanced. For the 2026 supplemental, staff said agency requests were relatively modest overall, with most capital requests reflecting reappropriations and timing shifts rather than new projects, while WSDOT’s addendum identified much larger future needs for maintenance, preservation, paving, culverts, and safety work. Senators asked for more detail on how revenues are distributed by fund type and geography, how much of the maintenance and preservation request is actual maintenance versus equipment, whether paving needs could be supported through bonding, and how electric vehicle sales trends might affect forecasts. The committee then heard a remote presentation from Dr. Jessica Chikino of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on traffic safety trends and countermeasures. She said U.S. traffic fatalities have risen sharply over the past decade, with especially large increases for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and argued that the U.S. lags other high-income countries in roadway safety. Her presentation highlighted IIHS’s “30 by 30” goal to reduce fatalities 30% by 2030 through safer speeds, stronger impaired-driving countermeasures, better pedestrian protection, and safer commercial vehicles. She discussed research linking higher speed limits to higher fatality risk, the benefits of lower urban speed limits, speed safety cameras, traffic calming, lighting, pedestrian beacons, and safer intersection design. She also described ongoing work with Bellevue on smart signal technology and pedestrian safety pilots. Committee members thanked her for the presentation and said they would share the materials with others. In the final work session, the committee revisited transit and active transportation grant concepts that had been included in the Senate budget proposal but did not advance in 2025. Barb Chamberlain of WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division explained how grant programs need runway, staff capacity, applicant readiness, and clear criteria, and compared program design to getting a plane off the ground. She discussed the proposed Senior Transportation Emphasis Program and regional trails/cycle highways concepts, noting that some projects could be structured as funding-first programs while others would work better as project-line or project-first models. She said regional trail projects are already eligible under existing programs but often score lower because current criteria emphasize safety and population served. Justin Leighton of the Washington State Transit Association then reviewed transit grant programs and argued that transit safety and security needs remain underfunded, including operator barriers, lighting, shelters, behavioral health coordination, and non-uniformed security staff. He said many transit capital programs are oversubscribed, that operator barrier retrofits alone could cost $20 million to $30 million, and that agencies face uncertainty about how recent sales tax changes apply to security-related contracts. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, HB 2367 redefines the classification of a motor vehicle powered by alternative fuel
• So I can appreciate the intent of this, trying to reduce prices for fuel, but it will also take a lot
• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2401 requires ADEQ to review the fuel formulations that are available
• It requires the review to assess the impact of switching to various fuel formulations not currently authorized
• consider the reduction of fuel and gas prices in Arizona as its primary objective.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged. Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source. The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we're going to switch to the work session, and then we're going to do the other bills a little bit
• ongoing nuclear impacts to affected tribes, including contamination, waste, transportation of spent fuel
• refers both to the raw materials that are needed to operate an SMR facility, like advanced nuclear fuel
• actually able to proceed with building new nuclear reactors, the interim decade or more of fossil fuel
• A vote for this bill means you have to be okay with at least another decade or more of fossil fuel use

Bills: SB5821, SB6004, SB6010, SB5941

Keywords: nuclear energy, energy strategy, advanced technology, sustainability, state policy, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, tribal consultation, government-to-government consultation, federally recognized tribes, energy facility siting, RCW, clean energy, alternative energy