Transcript Highlights:

• I just advise you again that the ratepayers, the residential and small businesses are feeling a significant
• Ultimately, ratepayers care about the rates they pay.
• Barclay, we have a copy of the Ratepayer Protection Pledge.
• statutory challenges that preclude your agency from carrying out your duties to protect residential ratepayers
• before the commission and there are litigation expenses involved, those often fall on the backs of ratepayers

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce convened to discuss critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, particularly focusing on Texas's power grid and associated vulnerabilities. The meeting highlighted Texas's recent ranking as 10th in electricity affordability, emphasizing the state's commitment to maintaining a reliable and resilient electric grid. New committee members introduced themselves, and the agenda included testimony from ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission regarding the implementation of the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, which aims to mitigate risks posed by foreign entities to the power grid. Chad Sealy from ERCOT presented updates on the attestation process for market participants, revealing that over 1,500 entities had submitted attestations regarding their corporate structures and affiliations with designated foreign countries. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of the current vetting process, particularly regarding indirect relationships with foreign adversaries. Testimonies from the PUC and the Attorney General's office underscored the challenges of enforcing compliance and the need for improved legislative measures to enhance oversight and security. The committee also heard from experts, including Dr. Emma Stewart from Idaho National Laboratory, who discussed the evolving threats to the grid from foreign adversaries and the importance of securing communication systems. Recommendations included prioritizing inspections of critical components and enhancing collaboration with national laboratories to address vulnerabilities. The discussion concluded with an acknowledgment of the balance needed between ensuring grid security and maintaining affordability for consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're here to extract free money from utility ratepayers, I'm ready to call you out and stop you.
• Hampshire is one of 47 states, including the District of Columbia, that has some sort of official ratepayer
• confidence, think it is important that the person who does what I do, leading a team of official ratepayer
• Thank you so much for your service to the state and the ratepayers, and for immediately clarifying some
• Increase and this committee that it would be in the public interest and in the interest of residential ratepayers

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that that increase in net metering has imposed $220 million per year of additional costs on Maine ratepayers
• also know that here in New Hampshire, our largest utility, Eversource, has reported $29 million in ratepayer
• expansions of net metering, but when you take them together, they do expand net metering, which drives up ratepayer
• going to have to stop subsidizing these technologies and let them compete in the marketplace for ratepayer
• 43:25.599> that<00:43:26.400> the Representative Doug Thomas: If I also know that ratepayers

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• these large projects very often offset the need for grid upgrades, which actually saves money for ratepayers
• So the delays in these projects not only are hampering school costs, they're also impacting ratepayers
• This is a ratepayer, consumer issue.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's on the back of ratepayers in that case, not on the back of taxpayers.
• We certainly don't want to ratepayers, but not taxpayers either.
• statewide standards to strengthen the system while ensuring ... their approach remains affordable for ratepayers

Bills: SB1468, SB1612, SB1789, SB2530, SB2571, SB2717, SB2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• Most importantly, this bill leaves intact statutory protections to ratepayers.
• they: 1. provide lower cost financing, and 2. provide a tangible, quantified, viable benefit to ratepayers
• changes do not adversely affect their current arrangements. are somewhat protected, and that future ratepayers

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• The IOUs provide some financial relief to their low-income ratepayers, but public water systems, which
• not partly, but because of Prop. 218, which passed in 1996, that imposes limitations on providing ratepayer-funded

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard several bills, with SB 811 pulled by the author and deferred to a later hearing. The committee first took up SB 501 by Senator Allen, which would expand California’s battery extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries such as those used in e-bikes, scooters, lawn equipment, and portable power systems. Supporters from local governments, stewardship organizations, and recycling groups said the bill would reduce fire risks, worker hazards, and disposal costs; opposition was limited, with some industry groups seeking clarification or expressing neutrality after amendments. The bill was moved out of committee on a do-pass vote, with one no vote recorded from Assemblymember Ellis and later additional ayes added after quorum was established. The committee then heard SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar, which would create a statewide low-income drinking water rate assistance program administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, contingent on funding. The author and supporters argued that many Californians face water debt and that public water systems lack a statewide affordability program because of Proposition 218 constraints. Water agencies, environmental justice groups, and local governments testified in strong support, and there was no opposition. The bill passed the committee on a do-pass vote, again with one no vote from Assemblymember Ellis and later additional ayes after quorum. SB 1259 by Senator Blakespear, as amended, would require petroleum refineries to provide advance closure, cleanup, and cost information to the state to improve planning for refinery transitions and site remediation. Supporters, including the City of Benicia and environmental groups, said communities need transparency and early planning to avoid leaving local governments and workers with cleanup and redevelopment uncertainty. Opponents, including the Western States Petroleum Association, the State Building and Construction Trades Council, and business groups, argued the bill was burdensome, duplicative of existing regulation, and could send the wrong signal to remaining refineries. After extensive discussion, the committee approved SB 1259 on a do-pass-as-amended vote to the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee. The consent calendar, including SB 1253 and SJR 13, also passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The IOUs provide some financial relief to their low-income ratepayers, but public water systems, which
• not partly but because of Prop. 218 that passed in 1996, which imposes limitations on providing ratepayer-funded

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard three main bills after initially lacking a quorum and deferring the consent calendar. SB 501 by Senator Allen would expand California’s battery extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries, such as those used in e-bikes, lawn equipment, and portable power systems. Supporters from local governments, recycling groups, environmental organizations, and battery stewardship interests said the bill would reduce fire risks, improve collection and recycling, and close a gap in existing law. One industry witness sought clarification about off-highway vehicles and a battery association requested guardrails for mixed battery formats; the California Retailers Association moved from opposition to neutral after discussions with the author. SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide, state-funded low-income drinking water rate assistance program administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, contingent on funding. The author and supporters said many Californians face water debt and that the bill would help address affordability while working around Proposition 218 limits on local ratepayer-funded assistance. Water districts, local governments, environmental justice groups, and conservation organizations testified in support, and there was no opposition. SB 1259 by Senator Blakespear, as amended, would require refineries to provide advance information on closure, cleanup costs, and timelines to help communities plan for refinery transitions and remediation. Supporters, including the City of Benicia, environmental justice groups, and advocacy organizations, argued that communities need transparency before closures occur and that other energy sectors already provide similar planning information. Opponents from labor, petroleum, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, burdensome, and could discourage refinery investment or signal premature decline of the industry. After extensive debate, the committee voted to pass SB 1259 as amended to the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee, and also approved SB 501 and SB 1125; the consent calendar items SB 1253 and SJR 13 were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• extension of coal plants slated to close within the MISO region, and that's impacting our state's ratepayers
• extension of coal plants slated to close within the MISO region, and that's impacting our state's ratepayers

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House DFL leaders held a press event outlining an affordability agenda focused on housing, child care, health care, groceries, energy, and taxes. Speakers argued that Minnesota families are being squeezed by rising costs and income inequality, and said the caucus would pursue policies aimed at lowering everyday expenses and shifting more costs onto corporations and wealthy residents. Representative Bierman said health care costs are pushing people to skip care and called for system reforms, including moving toward a more universal model and reducing the role of insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. Representative Kotiza-Wazhushk said the caucus is pushing for universal or low-cost child care, expanded pre-K and community-based care, and a bill to stop grocery surveillance price gouging. Representative Acomb and other energy leaders said the House DFL wants to lower utility bills through more energy assistance, weatherization, renewable energy support, limits on utility cost recovery for lobbying and executive pay, and stronger PUC authority to prevent shutoffs and limit rate increases. Representative Agbaje described housing as unaffordable for many renters and homeowners, cited a shortage of housing units, and said the caucus supports restricting private equity and corporate purchases of single-family homes. Leader Stevenson framed the agenda as a response to a budget picture that he said reflects gains for corporations and wealthy Minnesotans, and he criticized federal tax policy and Medicaid cuts. In response to questions about cost, he said several proposals would not require state spending, while others could be funded by looking at new revenue and at those who benefited most from recent tax changes. The event also included a detailed explanation of the grocery surveillance pricing proposal, which would restrict the use of personal data and AI to set individualized prices and limit rapid electronic shelf price changes. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• and he's been acceptable to this, is this amendment that requires a water. ...utility to refund ratepayers
• To you, Senator Perry, make sure that we protect the ratepayers. Are you recognized?

Bills: SB203, SB317, SB731, SB801, SB823, SB867, SB1232, SB1380, SB1798, SB2082, SB2603, SB2607, SB2717, SB2797, SB2841, SB2919, SB3074, HB2, HB6, HB18, HB43, HB47, HB120, HB143, HB149, HB171, HB180, HB285, HB305, HB449, HB647, HB742, HB748, HB908, HB1024, HB1240, HB1306, HB1397, HB1443, HB1445, HB1533, HB1866, HB1902, HB2001, HB2011, HB2026, HB2282, HB2355, HB2402, HB2434, HB2440, HB2492, HB2516, HB2518, HB2560, HB2674, HB2688, HB2697, HB2712, HB2713, HB2715, HB3153, HB3161, HB3421, HB3424, HB3464, HB3486, HB3510, HB3627, HB3966, HB3986, HB4042, HB4044, HB4076, HB4263, HB4384, HB4396, HB4413, HB4426, HB4429, HB4945, HB4996, HB5033, HB5246, HB5436, HB5515, HB5667, SJR5, SB3, SB4, SB9, SB20, SB21, SB23, SB27, SB33, SB34, SB40, SB75, SB213, SB269, SB379, SB458, SB528, SB647, SB648, SB650, SB681, SB740, SB840, SB843, SB924, SB1061, SB1120, SB1121, SB1150, SB1188, SB1198, SB1202, SB1253, SB1318, SB1333, SB1405, SB1423, SB1535, SB1566, SB1574, SB1621, SB1709, SB1789, SB2037, SB2078, SB2268, SB2544, SB2570, SB2601, SB2778, SB1, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB1833, SB2155, SB2308, HB2525, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB1749, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3038, SB3045, SB1538, SB3071, SB3065, SB823, SB3062, SB3074, SB1380, HJR133, HB2715, HB2, HB26, HB388, HB2712, HB1633, HB685, HB1606, HB1458, HB1240, HB2791, HB1397, HB2061, HB647, HB4738, HB2563, HB128, HB766, HB2259, HB2358, HB4384, HB748, HB5180, HB3806, HB3804, HB3803, HB1522, HB3597, HB1612, HB4224, HB1314, HB1237, HB3126, HB2856, HB3114, HB3505, HB5652, HB2025, HB3395, HB18, HB2516, HB2713, HB24, HB519, HB609, HB1592, HB120, HB1533, HB2421, HB2273, HB2464, HB2011, HB5084, HB3424, HB4396, HB43, HB5686, HB2518, HB4310, HB180, HB149, HB4945, HB2434, HB3161, HB3745, HB4044, HB5155, HB5667, HB4996, HB2697, HB2492, HB2355, HB2282, HB2001, HB1902, HB1866, HB1445, HB1443, HB1306, HB1024, HB908, HB305, HB285, HB449, HB171, HB47, HB3464, HB2637, HB4263, HB5436, HB4429, HB3986, HB3966, HB3510, HB2560, HB2026, HB2688, HB4076, HB5246, HB3487, HB3486, HB4226, HB216, HB742, HB2402, HB143, HB5033, HB4413, HB4042, HB2440, HB4426, HB49, HB4112, HB3233, HB2310, HB5515, HB3627, HB2674, HB322, HB1481, HB126, HB3062, HB3421, HB3180, HB2530, HB2524, HB1916, HB3153, HB5650, HB4894, HB3120, HB1629, HB103, HB3234, HB3680, HB5698, HB3171, HB5693, HB2694, HB5664, HB3732, HB2508, HB2293, HB1991, HB2014, HB5331, HB5247, HB4751, HB4690, HB4668, HB4464, HB4395, HB4063, HB3833, HB3623, HB3214, HB3512, HB3250, HB3016, HB2520, HB2221, HB2213, HB3824, HB2067, HB1732, HB1562, HB700, HB1545, HB252, HB146, HB5596, HB1851, HB3619, HB3071, HB3556, HB851, HB4230, HB5320, HB5651, HB5670, HB5665, HB5437, HB5679, HB5699, HB5661, HB5662, HB5654, HB5672, HB5656, HB5149, HB4903, HB4743, HB4666, HB4377, HB4535, HB4129, HB3812, HB3801, HB3595, HB3057, HB2035, HB721, HB35, HB346, HB2974, HB2512, HB5695, HB5694, HB5671, HB5674, HB5688, HB1586, HB5154, HB2038, HB163, HB413, HB3463, HB3185, HB2761, HB2593, HB2348, HB2073, HB1828, HB1422, HB75, HB1871, HB108, HB2306, HB2017, HB1135, HB144, HB3689, HB5308, HB101, HB2193, HB5666, HB5677, HB5682, HB5680, HB5658, HB5696, HB4144, HB3159, HB3254, HB3866, HB3010, HB4520, HB3642, HB3928, HB3815, HB2686, HB2012, HB1960, HB227, HB654, HB1690, HB2128, HB4158, HB4530, HB4630, HB5659, HB1523, HB2078, HB2427, HB145, HB1973, HB3333, HB3697, HB3546, HB3225, HB3181, HB3133, HB3053, HB2885, HB2820, HB2294, HB2253, HB1661, HB1506, HB1234, HB640, HB621, HB551, HB521, HB493, HB272, HB229, HB223, HB201, HB186, HB119, HB2080, HB2818, HB5394, HB4795, HB4466, HB4454, HB3940, HB3749, HB3151, HB3284, HB1403, HB1106, HB2844, HB2851, HB1500, HCR141, HCR118, HCR127, HCR40, HCR59, HCR10, HCR135, HCR142, HCR9, HCR76, HCR108, SB823, SB1380, SB3074, HB47, HB143, HB149, HB171, HB285, HB305, HB449, HB742, HB908, HB1024, HB1240, HB1397, HB1443, HB1533, HB1866, HB1902, HB2001, HB2011, HB2355, HB2402, HB2434, HB2440, HB2492, HB2560, HB2688, HB2697, HB2712, HB3153, HB3161, HB3421, HB3424, HB3464, HB3486, HB3510, HB3986, HB4042, HB4076, HB4263, HB4413, HB4426, HB4429, HB4945, HB4996, HB5246, HB5515, HB2, HB2282, HB3627, HB5033, SR560, SR561, HB1904, HB2240, HB3686, HB3793, HB4202, HB1904, HB2240, HB3686, HB3793, HB4202

Keywords: student privacy, numerical class rank, education policy, academic programs, high school, monuments, memorials, public property, historical significance, civil penalties, local governance, SB 731, Texas, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, TDHCA, low-income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, senior housing, 55 and older

Transcript Highlights:

• so, I think on that second front, the big challenge and what we're trying to do is ensure that ratepayers
• .. that we can serve all the residents and businesses coming here while not overly burdening any ratepayer

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, It is to create a more feasible energy supply for our ratepayers.
• And if this is going to be a burgeoning industry and help our ratepayers, we need that structure, uh,

Transcript Highlights:

• directive that those cost savings from not having to add additives to water will be passed back to ratepayers
• directive that those cost savings from not having to add additives to water will be passed back to ratepayers

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard a presentation on its 2025-2026 budget recommendations and adopted the proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The chair highlighted major funding items including more than $1.2 billion for water quality and Everglades work, citrus recovery, food bank and pantry grants, wastewater and drinking water loans, beach restoration, flood and sea level rise projects, rural land protection, disaster loans, state facilities repairs, SLERS, accounting system replacement, and continued funding for My Safe Florida Home. Staff were authorized to make technical adjustments, and members were told final proviso project lists would be printed later in the week. The committee then considered several bills and reported them favorably, including SB 796 on DEP general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems to help local governments address failing septic-related water quality problems; SB 1162 expanding boating improvement and water access facilities programs; SB 466 implementing the Florida Museum of Black History task force’s selection of West Augustine as the museum site; SB 178 creating a FAMU agronomic study on viable crops for land taken out of production; CS/SB 678 allowing pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; and CS/SB 736 updating the Brownfields program, with a technical amendment adopted. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with speakers from affected industries, local governments, and advocacy groups. The committee also took up CS/CS/SB 700, the comprehensive Florida Farm Bill, which included technical agency changes and major policy provisions such as restrictions on additives to public water supplies, labeling requirements for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, drone-related protections for farmland, disaster recovery loan updates, an honest services registry for charities, FFA scholarship and school infrastructure provisions, and a mechanism for state purchase of former solar-converted agricultural land. The water-additive provisions drew extensive debate and testimony from supporters and opponents, including dental professionals, public health advocates, and groups arguing for medical freedom and local control. Despite the controversy and a no vote from Senator Arrington, the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1226 creating a regulatory framework for pet insurance was also reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after members recorded additional votes on several bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they can only exist if they get subsidized by the electric ratepayers?
• So, that is from their report; it is a tremendous return on investment for New Hampshire ratepayers.
• So I this is not hurting ratepayers. It's not hurting families paying for electricity.
• ratepayers paid a $100 million penalty for Burgess Biomass.
• But the average ratepayers, they're just going to work today, which was said it's going to save them,

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• nuclear resources under RSA 374, which we removed from House Bill 710 because it poses risks to ratepayers
• nuclear resources under RSA 374, which we removed from House Bill 710 because it poses risks to ratepayers
• forward with nuclear, and they're looking for quote risk sharing, which to me means putting the ratepayers
• So, uh, the state of Maine adopted this, uh, a couple years ago, and the ratepayer costs in the state
• It's collected through a charge that's applied to all ratepayers.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it creates jobs and it attracts ratepayer investment in our grid infrastructure.
• It's not a $10 billion cost to ratepayers in California; it's a $1.5 billion benefit to California.
• Um, it creates jobs and it attracts ratepayer investment in our grid infrastructure.
• It's not a $10 billion cost to ratepayers in California; it's a $1.5 billion benefit to California.
• Net metering means ratepayer investment into our infrastructure.

Bills: HF845

Keywords: net metering, distributed generation, solar energy, rooftop solar, renewable energy, utility rates, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, net billing, bill credits, cost of service study, standby charge, qualifying facility, energy policy, clean energy, customer generation, interconnection, Minnesota Statutes 216B.164

Transcript Highlights:

• It's called the Ratepayer Protection Act. It was introduced by Gabe Evans.
• places of stranded power to where we could capitalize on that, and it's really not going to affect ratepayers
• There's nothing that requires that, is there, and what issues should we be considering to keep ratepayers
• Now you've just charged ratepayers for a project that they're not ultimately going to be using.
• , it's very important that we communicate that correctly, though, because if folks hear that the ratepayer

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• impact analyses that are accessible to the public in an electronic format reasonably usable by ratepayers
• impact analyses that are accessible to the public in an electronic format reasonably usable by ratepayers
• transparent isn't the type of information that'll be helpful or useful for your typical residential ratepayer
• The point of this measure is to clarify and reaffirm the ratepayer protection act of 2018 with the ratepayer
• again, bringing it back to this bill, all this bill would be doing is updating Act 5, updating the ratepayer

Bills: HB1617

Keywords: carbon emissions, tax credit, fossil fuel, agriculture, food security, environmental tax, greenhouse gas, 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on HB 1949, which would create a public dashboard for the green fee to improve transparency and accountability. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and many community and conservation groups was generally supportive, with several speakers urging that the governor’s project recommendations remain largely intact and that community-driven projects continue to guide spending. One amendment was suggested to place the dashboard at the Department of Budget and Finance for fiscal expertise, while other testimony favored keeping it with the commission. Members asked about procurement, ETS involvement, recurring hosting costs, and whether the dashboard could be funded from green fee revenues; the commission said it could work with ETS and that green fee funds could reasonably be used. The committees then voted to pass HB 1949 with amendments. The committees also heard HB 2618, which would require the governor to submit a separate bill for amounts tied to any increase in the transient accommodations tax and, in later discussion, was expanded into a broader restructuring of future green fee allocations. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, and others supported the bill and emphasized the value of more predictable, dedicated funding for conservation and climate-related work. During decision-making, the chair described amendments creating several special funds under DLNR, including a watershed biodiversity and wildfire risk reduction fund, an aquatic resources conservation fund, a coastal restoration fund, a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund, and a green fee special fund for remaining revenues, with recommended amounts discussed for some of the funds. The committees voted to pass HB 2618 with amendments. The hearing then moved to HB 1644, a consumer protection measure for residential solar sales that would require compliance with consumer protection laws, licensing or contractor affiliation for sellers, and a standardized disclosure form. Testimony in support came from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and several solar companies and individuals. Supporters said the bill would address complaints about third-party sales practices and improve disclosure, especially around financing. The committee then began hearing HB 2243, which would require electric utilities to provide public, electronic customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the Public Utilities Commission; the Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC offered comments supporting the measure’s intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• had pointed out, the removal of the Department of Energy's ability to recover expenses from all ratepayers
• generation as well, it would be a bit of a stretch at best to assess that cost to all electric ratepayers
• pointed out, um, the removal of the Department of Energy's ability to recover expenses from all ratepayers
• well, does not, uh, it would be a bit of a stretch at best to assess that cost to all electric ratepayers
• Electric ratepayers on the distribution side.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they lower utility borrowing costs and shareholder equity returns, offering potential savings to ratepayers
• I respectfully request your aye vote on this ratepayer and tax dollar protection measure.
• bill eliminates the climate credit for solar customers, which would redistribute $220 million to ratepayers
• I have recently amended this bill to clarify that it only applies to investor-owned utility ratepayers
• If these ratepayers were told there was a legislative proposal that could reduce their energy bills,

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.