Transcript Highlights:

• Financial assistance program for nuclear energy related projects.
• Financial assistance program for nuclear energy related projects.
• Financial assistance program for nuclear energy related projects.
• Financial assistance program for nuclear energy related projects.
• </c><00:39:32.080><c> energy</c> construction of nuclear energy construction of nuclear energy facilities

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> eliminated the threat of a nuclear eliminated the threat of a nuclear weapon<00:57:19.839><c> so
• </c> successfully ended a nuclear armed Iran. successfully ended a nuclear armed Iran.
• </c> attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran. attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran.
• We don't know whether Iran still has nuclear material.
• We don't know whether Iran still has nuclear material. Whether Iran still has nuclear material.

Bills: HR519 , HR538 , HR530 , HR537

Keywords: Minnesota lawmakers, political violence, domestic terrorism, assassination attempt, state legislators, Melissa Hortman, John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman, Mark Hortman, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, public safety, law enforcement response, civil discourse, democracy, gun violence, elected officials, House resolution, condemnation, bipartisan unity

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> application process for new nuclear application process for new nuclear energy<00:20:20.240><c>
• </c><00:43:22.720><c> Now,</c> uh deck here and nuclear, etc. Now, uh deck here and nuclear, etc.
• ><c> years</c><01:01:53.600><c> with</c> nuclear agreement for 25 years with nuclear agreement for 25
• </c> process by which to bring new nuclear process by which to bring new nuclear into<01:46:25.080><c
• ,</c> point about new generation is nuclear, point about new generation is nuclear, natural<01:47:34.960

Transcript Highlights:

• On the energy side, I wish that our state would, you know, find their brain and look at nuclear energy
• Nuclear energy, because that's the cleanest and safest energy in the world right now.
• waste like what would be in fusion, excuse me, with fission or other historical nuclear energy sources
• But there's not nuclear waste like what would be in fusion, excuse me, with fission or some of the other
• historical nuclear energy sources.

Bills: SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Transcript Highlights:

• You have natural gas, you have nuclear, and there are some thoughts of maybe geothermal coming online
• Nuclear is a technology that is developing, and it will be commercially available.
• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has an eight-year cycle process.
• So if you want to have nuclear in place in eight years, and the technology is going to be ready eight
• A smaller nuclear reactor that they have successfully built and permitted with the NRC.

Transcript Highlights:

• So enforcement and deterrence are best accomplished by involving the California agency that is best equipped
• So enforcement and deterrence are best to account. who would seek to violate the law.
• I think the deterrence is also critical here.
• And compliance is going to be improved through enforcement and deterrence, I think, with a state agency
• that everyone knows is well equipped... ...and deterrence, I think, with a state agency that everyone

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on AB 518, which would create an opt-in state framework for low-impact camping areas on rural private property. The author and supporters said the bill would reduce duplicative state permitting, expand outdoor access, and help rural landowners and local recreation economies. Opponents, including county and campground representatives, argued it could weaken existing protections, create enforcement problems for counties, and allow online marketing of sites in jurisdictions that have not opted in. Members raised questions about fire safety, sewage, local control, and whether the bill should require clearer posting and permit verification. The committee ultimately passed AB 518 as amended on an 8-0 vote. The committee also approved AB 635, which would require HCD to refer up to 25 of the most serious mobile home residency law complaints to the Attorney General each year. Supporters said the bill would strengthen enforcement for vulnerable mobile home residents facing eviction, unauthorized charges, and other abuses, while opponents argued the existing program is underused, has a large surplus, and should be allowed to sunset rather than expanded. After discussion about the program’s effectiveness and the size of the fee reserve, the bill passed 9-1 with a recommendation to the Judiciary Committee. AB 893, which expands ministerial approval for mixed-income housing near college campuses and extends affordability eligibility to students, faculty, and staff, also advanced. Supporters emphasized student homelessness and housing insecurity, while the League of California Cities opposed unless amended, citing local control and height-limit concerns. Several members spoke in favor, and the bill passed 10-0. AB 925, the Mobile Home Emergency Safety Act, drew support from resident advocates and legal aid groups who cited wildfire risks and the need for working hydrants, accessible exits, and utility shutoffs, but opponents said the bill added unnecessary requirements and an unfunded fee increase. It was moved to Appropriations on a 6-1 vote and left on call. The committee also adopted the consent calendar and heard the opening presentation of AB 712, which would increase penalties and attorney-fee remedies for public agencies that violate state housing laws; testimony on that bill began with strong support from housing advocates and industry groups, followed by initial opposition from special districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what's happening is we're having what's called nuclear verdicts, where someone is getting sued and
• And what's happening is we're having what's called nuclear verdicts, where someone is getting sued and
• what is driving this expansion. ...maybe part of what is driving this expansion of these sort of nuclear
• maybe part of what is driving this expansion of these sort of nuclear awards that we're seeing.

Bills: HB1977

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: indemnification, liquor, commercial servers, liquor liability, business protection

Transcript Highlights:

• We want deterrence, and we would fully support a full education campaign to educate the public before
• offenders, so this technology not only works to improve safety but also serves as a significant deterrent
• This surcharge is an important deterrent to this process.
• This surcharge is an important deterrent to this process.
• Again, we think that the surcharge is an important deterrent for this.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The hearing focused on a broad package of traffic and roadway safety bills, with repeated emphasis on work zone safety, the Move Over law, automated enforcement, and protections for pedestrians, cyclists, and roadside workers. MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver strongly supported a bill allowing MassDOT vehicles to use blue flashing lights in limited work-zone settings, arguing that blue lights reliably slow drivers and could help address a rise in work-zone crashes and fatalities. District Attorney Marion Ryan, State Police representatives, and police association leaders supported a separate Move Over bill that would raise penalties for repeat violations and add an education component, citing officers and workers killed or injured roadside and saying the goal is deterrence and safer driver behavior rather than revenue. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to automated enforcement bills for speed and red-light violations, including proposals for school zones, work zones, and broader local options. Senator Brownsberger and Senator Jalen argued that automated enforcement is needed because speeding and red-light running remain common while police traffic enforcement has declined, and they described the bills as civil, opt-in tools that issue tickets to vehicles rather than drivers. Supporters from WalkMass, T4MA, Safe Roads Alliance, MassBike, Medford officials, and other advocates cited fatal pedestrian crashes, neighborhood speeding, and the need to protect vulnerable road users, while also pointing to privacy and equity safeguards in the bills such as limits on photographs, data retention rules, public reporting, and local approval processes. Several local and advocacy witnesses backed targeted camera programs. Senator Lovely and Representative Cruz supported a Salem school-zone camera bill, describing repeated violations around schools and buses. Medford officials and school-safety advocates supported a similar statewide camera bill, citing recent pedestrian deaths and dangerous cut-through traffic. AAA Northeast and the Massachusetts Aggregate and Asphalt Pavement Association also supported targeted enforcement in work zones and school zones, while urging public education and warning periods. Some witnesses raised concerns about the color of lights for highway workers, with State Police representatives preferring green over blue to avoid confusion with law enforcement, and committee members asked about constitutional issues, surchargeability, and possible targeting concerns. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just heard this yesterday in the House floor with regard to nuclear power, opposing clean nuclear
• </c> power PL so to get to the uh nuclear power PL so to get to the uh nuclear power<04:04:46.239><c>
• Do we go nuclear, solar, wind power?
• Do we go nuclear, solar, wind power?
• Do we go nuclear, solar, wind power?

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• What the goal of this bill is looking to accomplish is to establish nuclear regulatory frameworks within
• There are currently federal Supreme Court cases where the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is being challenged
• There are currently federal Supreme Court cases where the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is being challenged
• So, as a state, we need to begin establishing what a nuclear regulatory framework would look like within

Committee: House A&B General Government Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• He followed that up with, uh, an executive order, actually four executive orders, around expanding nuclear
• </c><00:03:28.159><c> energy</c><00:03:28.480><c> in</c><00:03:28.640><c> in</c> around expanding nuclear
• energy in in around expanding nuclear energy in in America.<00:03:30.159><c> And</c><00:03:30.400><c
• Um, and as a reminder, uh, you know, the nuclear fuel process, you mine the uranium, mill it and, uh,
• Um, and as a reminder, uh, you know, the nuclear fuel process, you mine the uranium, mill it and, uh,

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Callaway Nuclear. Tom S... Hydro. Tom Sock Hydro. Mark Twain, Clarence Dam.
• just for clean energy sources and not for other forms of energy infrastructure, including oil, gas, nuclear
• We do have very dense green energy sources like nuclear, very, very clean, and that is the way of the
• Do you have anything to say if you have a problem with wind and solar being different than oil, nuclear
• And I would argue that nuclear is not renewable energy because it uses uranium, but we won't go there

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The Special Committee on Rural Issues heard House Bill 3375, sponsored by Rep. Koslow, a broad eminent domain reform measure aimed at protecting landowners, especially farmers and ranchers. The bill would create protections for beginning farmers and ranchers, require 15 days’ notice before surveyors enter property, extend the response period in eminent domain cases from 10 days to 60 days, bar eminent domain for wind and solar facilities, require land restoration and maintenance after construction, increase compensation to 125% of fair market value in certain cases, add tax-liability compensation, change treatment of heritage and blight-related compensation, and allow attorney’s fees when a landowner wins a higher award than the condemning authority offered. Members raised concerns about the bill’s scope, its effect on energy development, and several drafting and implementation issues, including surveyor access, maintenance standards, and whether the bill could create conflicts with existing attorney-fee provisions. The sponsor said he was open to changes and noted that an HCS would address some drafting errors and feedback. Testimony in support came from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, a landowner/banker, and attorney Brent Hayden, who argued that landowners are often pressured into quick, low offers and should be treated as partners rather than obstacles. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency, due process, compensation, and restoration standards, and that it would not stop infrastructure development. Hayden described current eminent domain practice as giving landowners little leverage over route selection or restoration and said the bill would create needed discipline for condemning authorities. Several supporters also defended the wind-and-solar restriction as a response to the amount of land those projects can require and to concerns about using eminent domain for generation projects. Opposition came from the Missouri Energy Development Association, municipal utilities, and MoDOT. Opponents said they agreed some reforms may be reasonable but warned the bill, as written, could increase costs, delay projects, and create litigation risk that would ultimately be passed on to customers and taxpayers. MoDOT said the fiscal impact could be substantial, potentially doubling annual right-of-way spending. Utility representatives also cautioned that the bill could conflict with existing attorney-fee rules and should be aligned with compromise language from other legislation. The hearing ended without a vote or committee action, with the sponsor and witnesses indicating further negotiations and possible revisions were expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you're dealing with things like fuel rods for nuclear reactors, that's still NRC jurisdiction.
• COP 29, they basically said to fight climate change they were going to triple the use of nuclear power
• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulates all mills, but there's an increase in processing later on
• Affected are those who lived close to a nuclear dump site, as is the case in Missouri.
• There are no safe ways to test nuclear devices, and we have an 80-year history of that.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've known that my whole life, certainly since I was aware of nuclear energy.
• All or nothing with nuclear destroys us. Okay?
• And there's a difference between nuclear power and nuclear bomb technology. Okay?
• We could be, we are the birthplace of nuclear stuff in general, but certainly bombs.
• But now we should be the place of nuclear power because we can do it in New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work really seriously on nuclear policy. We've done a lot in that space this year.
• I've worked with it... ...on nuclear policy. We've done a lot in that space this year.
• We created a new task force on nuclear energy, along with the governor's office.
• are working on a response to a DOE request for information on doing more, expanding more in that nuclear
• We've also done a lot in... ...expanding more in that nuclear space here in Idaho.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• last meeting we heard from a panel of experts concerning that concerning the promise of advanced nuclear
• What you're also seeing here are our nuclear units there in green and are very large ghastly there in
• So by scaling solar fleet adding batteries, operating them in combination with their nuclear units in
• Having said that, the other 30%, what's that is a nuclear by 10%. New clues about 20%.
• My colleagues was in here last week talking about, you know, some advanced nuclear technologies as well

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's start at the deterrent. The tool it needs.
• It creates a sufficient deterrent. It gives law enforcement. Okay, let's start there.
• Let's start at the deterrent. The two it needs. Enforcement. Okay, let's start there.
• And this will be a deterrent to him behaving in ways that he shouldn't.
• That's obviously not a sufficient deterrent.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Summary: The committee first approved the April 28 minutes and announced that Senate Bill 499 was voluntarily deferred. It then heard several House bills, beginning with HB 168, a reentry/transitional housing program for female parolees near release; supporters said it would improve public safety and reduce recidivism, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 322, a cleanup bill from the Maggie Grace Act clarifying that victims or families requesting transcripts would not be charged, was also reported favorably without objection. HB 622, which aligns Louisiana criminal history information practices with federal rules, was amended and then reported favorably. HB 821, moving the School for Safe Centers from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, was reported favorably as well. The committee then took up HB 364, which directs State Police to partner on public awareness efforts about the illegality of discharging firearms, especially around holidays. An amendment removed a proposed printing cost and shifted the bill toward PSAs; the bill was reported favorably with amendments. HB 568, which strengthens enforcement of drug-free school zone laws by creating a clearer offense for openly smoking or vaping illegal drugs in school zones and setting a specific penalty for marijuana, drew extensive debate. Supporters, including the author and governor’s office, said it was needed to protect children and families and to give law enforcement a workable deterrent. Opponents argued it would impose harsh, geography-based penalties, sweep in medical cannabis patients and veterans, and worsen racial and fiscal disparities. After roll-call, the committee reported HB 568 favorably by a 3-2 vote. The committee also approved HB 296, a cleanup bill removing long-defunct programs from statute, without objection. HB 823, creating an Orleans Parish DA pilot diversion program for unhoused people accused of nonviolent offenses, was supported by Covenant House and others as a way to avoid criminalizing homelessness and was reported favorably without objection. Finally, HB 1038, a major bill revising the authority and liability structure of city marshals and local governments, prompted extensive testimony. The bill and amendments would limit some marshal powers in smaller jurisdictions, require local approval for certain staffing/insurance matters, and allow local governments to restore powers by ordinance. Supporters said it would reduce liability, clarify authority, and address problems in some marshal offices; opponents, including multiple marshals and law enforcement supporters, said it would undermine elected marshals, hurt small offices, and was too broad and under-studied. The transcript ends amid that hearing, with no final committee action shown on HB 1038.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I would add that it would be a lot stronger and more deterrent if we could talk to the...
• It would be a lot stronger and more deterrent if we could talk to the recorder of deeds and the banks
• But we believe the state does have a role to play in deterrence and enforcement.
• So increasing those penalties to make it more of a deterrent, more of an enforcement mechanism is extremely
• So our recommendation would be to do what we can on enforcement and deterrence, and let's see where we're

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• This ratification is for the nuclear planning and response program, which was moved in July 2025 to the
• During the transition, the department continued to perform nuclear testing, but it should have been under
• This is a new contract for radiation testing and analysis at Nuclear 1.
• This is a new contract for radiation testing and analysis at Nuclear 1.
• This is a new contract for radiation testing and analysis at Nuclear 1.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a series of appropriation requests and contract reviews across multiple sections. In Section B, members approved temporary appropriations for the Court of Appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics, and Insurance-related payments and refunds. Section C ARPA requests from DHS were approved to return unused federal funds. Section D infrastructure-related appropriations, including wildfire preparedness, broadband BEAD funding, forestry support, recycling, and oil and gas sample preservation, were approved after questions about broadband audit controls and performance safeguards. Section E DHS reallocations were approved, including large transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical to private and public nursing home lines, along with smaller transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services; members asked about the source and purpose of the medical services transfer. Sections F and G were reviewed, covering cash fund requests, federal grants, and miscellaneous grants, including community college storm repairs, corrections commissary and maintenance, 911 enhancements, maternal health, disability determinations, state police equipment, digital newspaper archiving, and CDL data improvements. In Section H, the committee reviewed pay plan appropriations and performance fund transfers tied to the new Class and Comp pay plan. Section I reviewed three methods of finance for UA Little Rock, UAMS, and the University of Arkansas system. In Section J, the committee reviewed discretionary grants, including a $1.4 million HIV services grant and nine tobacco prevention subgrants through UAPB. Members questioned the effectiveness, metrics, and addresses of some tobacco-cessation arts-based grantees, especially Arts Absolutely Inc.; after discussion, Representative Kavanaugh moved to expunge the vote on J2 and refer it back for review at a later ALC meeting, and that motion passed. J3, a Department of Energy and Environment grant for propane safety training and e-waste recycling services, was then reviewed. The committee also reviewed contracts in Section K. K-1 ratified emergency management nuclear planning work performed during a transition between agencies. K-2 construction contracts included architectural and engineering services for corrections, National Park College signage, a Razorback Road parking facility, and UAMS cyclotron installation. K-3 intergovernmental contracts covered health, education, autism waiver, stroke, newborn screening, Medicaid evidence review, and radiation testing services. K-4 out-of-state contracts included staffing, IT, tobacco prevention, audit, marketing, planetarium, recruitment, and janitorial services; Senator Irvin noted one contract appeared to belong in the out-of-state list rather than intergovernmental. K-5 in-state contracts covered staffing, cleaning, re-entry and treatment services, foster care and disability services, hearing officers, asbestos abatement, campus IT support, and janitorial work. The meeting ended after a brief personal update from Senator Irvin about tornado damage in Stone County and thanks to members for their concern, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• under, I think, Title 30, which essentially says it will be regulated like medical waste, not like nuclear
• We've been building nuclear reactors for 70 years.
• comes to these future technologies, obviously, you know, we're not manufacturing, we're not licensing nuclear
• But when it comes to these future technologies like fusion, what I worry about, we talk about nuclear
• The nuclear reactor was invented in the basement of the University of Chicago football field during World

Bills: HB2809

Committees: House Science & Technology , House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Keywords: cybersecurity, post-quantum encryption, CMMC 2.0, state agencies, data protection, US-based vendors