Transcript Highlights:

• So when it's used as part of a claims evaluation or pursuit of a lawful claim, it becomes public data
• /c><00:09:34.640> of<00:09:34.720> a<00:09:34.880> claims<00:09:35.279> evaluation
• <00:09:35.920> or as part of a claims evaluation or as part of a claims evaluation or pursuit
• for forensic psychological examiners, an important step in addressing rising demand for timely evaluations
• <00:30:40.080> in demand for timely evaluations in demand for timely evaluations in criminal

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee met late on Friday evening to discuss the Public Safety and Judiciary budget agreement, beginning with a brief exchange among members about concerns that the executive branch had been delaying the committee’s work by waiting to approve legislative decisions. Members emphasized that the legislature should retain its independence while still allowing normal collaboration with the governor’s office. The committee then moved through several outstanding policy items and adopted them without opposition, including the A38 amendment addressing data-sharing concerns involving disability-related information, a study of firefighting services by the state fire marshal, and an A46 amendment governing access to unredacted portable recording system data in collision investigations, with guardrails on disclosure and use. The committee next reviewed the spreadsheet and budget targets. Fiscal staff explained the judiciary side of the agreement, including funding for court operating costs, a one-time Justice Partner Access Program appropriation, forensic exam rate increases, guardian ad litem funding, public defense, human rights, the competency attainment board, the cannabis expungement board, and fee increases for civil filings and motions. On the public safety side, staff described the target as well as the discretionary items funded, including nonprofit security grants, BCA staffing changes, fire marshal initiatives, a 10-year arson statute of limitations, prosecutor training grants, legal representation for children, E911 funding for critical infrastructure, Philando Castile Training Fund support, corrections-related savings from the Stillwater phased closure and sentence-to-serve elimination, a mandatory minimums task force, a victims of crime account transfer, a decommissioning study, in-service use-of-force training, and extensions of several expiring appropriations. The committee also noted a correction to a spreadsheet label related to the Stillwater closure item. After the spreadsheet walkthrough, the committee took testimony from Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and State Court Administrator Jeff Shorban on behalf of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Hudson thanked the committee for its work and said the agreement covers some unavoidable costs, including insurance, lease expenses, forensic examiner pay, and the new access system, but argued it does not adequately address the judiciary’s most urgent problem: staffing and judicial compensation. She said court employees are leaving for better-paying jobs, judicial salaries are frozen for two years, and applicant pools for judgeships have declined, especially in greater Minnesota. She also said the judicial branch was not meaningfully consulted on the budget target and urged lawmakers to recognize the courts as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary program.

Transcript Highlights:

• obviously a level of compliance<00:59:23.200> that<00:59:23.440> we<00:59:23.680> evaluate
• c> uh<00:59:24.880> is<00:59:25.040> it So it is a level of compliance that we evaluate
• Moving on to the compliance comments, observation number five on page 14 recommends the lottery evaluate
• :51.239> 14<01:35:52.239> recommends<01:35:52.719> lottery<01:35:53.199> evaluate
• page 14 recommends lottery evaluate page 14 recommends lottery evaluate whether<01:35:54.080>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state. A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item. The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• A $5,000 payment for the co-ops to become certified, so to go through a process where we would evaluate
• A $5,000 payment for the co-ops to become certified, so to go through a process where we would evaluate
• A $5,000 payment for the co-ops to become certified, so to go through a process where we would evaluate
• one specific type of product or isolated practice but more a holistic farm approach where you can evaluate
• You're going through their criteria, evaluating how they're implementing the water quality certification

Bills: HF363, HF2155, HF1524, HF821, HF1677, HF1292

Keywords: HF363, property tax credit, agricultural water quality credit, Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program, clean water fund, class 2a, class 2b, certified acres, conservation incentive, water quality, agricultural property, county assessor, county auditor, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture, property tax reimbursement, school district reimbursement, legacy finance, taxes committee, southeastern Minnesota

Transcript Highlights:

• So when evaluating these tax exemptions here today in this bill, we encourage Minnesota to adopt that
• <00:27:11.919> Dakota<00:27:12.760> so<00:27:12.960> when<00:27:13.200> evaluating
• and North Dakota so when evaluating and North Dakota so when evaluating these<00:27:14.200> tax
• it<00:27:30.799> that<00:27:30.960> Virginia's<00:27:31.559> incentives evaluated
• it that Virginia's incentives evaluated it that Virginia's incentives concluded<00:27:32.679> that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your institutional legislative horizon is about 25 years too short to evaluate how to help the earliest
• Let's get going so your reports and evaluations in the bill can proceed.
• :45.280> to Horizon is about 25 years too short to Horizon is about 25 years too short to evaluate
• how to help the earliest evaluate how to help the earliest childhood<01:12:48.679> population
• in the bill can and evaluations in the bill can proceed<01:13:35.760> we<01:13:35.880> are

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolution No. 53 by Representative Schamerhorn is a resolution to establish a study committee to evaluate
• concurrent resolution to urge and request Louisiana Economic Development to consider studying and evaluating
• a concurrent resolution to urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to evaluate
• it is a concurrent resolution to urge an request Department of Transportation and Development to evaluate

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is not affected by this, and This is simply the evaluation of the home itself.
• especially homes that are lived in for a long, long time by the homeowners, it would slow down the evaluation
• And over the course of 10 years, are you seeing who's evaluating the number of folks that are getting
• I believe it's the district attorneys council is going to form a board to evaluate each one of those

Bills: SJR50, SJR51, SJR52, SJR53, SJR54, SJR39, SB1290, HB4028, HB4029, HB4073, HB4074, HB4075, HB4076, HB4077, HB4078, HB1250, HB2951, HB2961, HB3151, HB3581, HB3705, HB3970, HB3972, HB3980, HB3981

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so a good amendment there, and any transaction fees would need to be further evaluated.
• ><01:37:12.000> further fees would need to be uh further fees would need to be uh further evaluated
• 14.719> good<01:37:14.960> amendments<01:37:15.679> uh<01:37:15.840> look evaluated
• So um good amendments uh look evaluated.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education and Agriculture, sorry, to advance pilot studies and to more importantly evaluate
• 10:13.120> to<00:10:13.440> more<00:10:13.760> importantly<00:10:14.160> evaluate
• studies and to more importantly evaluate studies and to more importantly evaluate those<00:10:14.959

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:09 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:59 Report of Committees 07:10 Orders of the Day 08:11 HJR 25 08:26 HB 66 11:58 HB 305 16:20 HB 432 22:44 HB 313 27:29 HB 44 30:26 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 34:30 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 42:07 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 43:38 ConC/Rules Report 47:26 Floor Amendments 48:25 Adjournment 48:54, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 94 members present. The chamber excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 136 and 183 and requested concurrence. The journal was approved, and several bills were reported for second reading, including measures on vehicle wheels, proactive post-secondary admission, choking prevention in schools, state parks, background checks, public post-secondary employment, tuition waivers, veterans benefits, and a resolution urging a federal accreditation pathway for veterans-benefits assistance companies. Committee reports advanced a number of bills, including measures on privacy protection, theft by deception, social work, licensed occupations, members of the bar, and alternative high school diplomas. The House then adopted House Joint Resolution 25, which declares Kentucky a “food is medicine” state and directs agencies to coordinate pilot studies and partnerships around nutrition, public health, and Kentucky-grown products; the resolution passed 95-0. The chamber also passed House Bill 66, as amended, on video teleconference meetings for agencies and boards. The bill requires posting board member contact information, permits video-only meetings for informational or routine matters, requires a physical quorum for final actions on law, regulation, taxation, and large grants, and allows agencies to set their own video-meeting procedures; it passed 95-0 after adoption of a committee substitute, floor amendment, and title amendment. House Bill 305, the grand jury service bill renamed the Crystal Rogers Act, was amended by committee substitute and floor amendment after a successful motion to suspend the rules for a technical correction. The bill strengthens grand jury confidentiality rules, prohibits knowing recording or disclosure by those present, and extends the statute of limitations for violations; supporters cited the Crystal Rogers case as the reason for closing a gap in the law. It passed 93-0. House Bill 432 on local purchasing also passed, 82-7, after committee substitute changes clarified the 75% threshold for used vehicles and equipment and updated rules for noncompetitive purchasing and local government flexibility. The House then passed House Bill 313, reducing the notice period for city utility franchise agreements from 18 months to 6 months, by a vote of 93-0, and House Bill 44, which creates a robotics program trust fund and grant program for grades 7-12 to support STEM and workforce training, by a vote of 91-0. The session concluded with motions and announcements, including the bringing up of House Resolution 60 from committee and a resolution recognizing February 11, 2026 as Recovery Advocacy Day in Kentucky, with remarks on overdose deaths, recovery efforts, and the importance of prevention and services. Members also announced upcoming receptions and meetings, and one bill, House Bill 372, was withdrawn.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the statewide system used to evaluate teachers across the state.
• different items, because obviously we are here because we are required to do all of this assessment and evaluation
• So as we went over yesterday, part of the Continuing Education and Continuing Adequacy Evaluation Act
• Evaluation Act, which is the entire adequacy, what we're here for, it stipulates that part of the duties

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we've had a 20% increase in evaluation orders, too.
• we can get y'all some more information on that as well. >> So, those are the ones that come and evaluate
• I mean, we do. >> So, those are the ones that come and evaluate in the jail while they're in the jail
• So, that's what that number is based on. >> Evaluation. >> Yes, sir.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 8:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Department of Mental Health presented its FY27 budget request and described its statewide responsibilities, including more than 600 grants totaling about $140 million, 11 community mental health centers, and state-operated programs for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The request included $291.2 million in general funds, about $33.4 million above the current year, plus spending authority tied to ID regional programs and the IDD waiver. Major components included funding to enroll 250 additional people in the IDD home- and community-based waiver, a projected waiver rate increase, and added support for state-operated 24/7 programs facing staffing and operational shortfalls. The agency also asked to continue selected ARPA-funded services before those dollars expire, including 988 call center support, peer respite sites, court liaison positions, intensive community services for children and youth, and adolescent offender programs. Other requests covered salary adjustments and longevity increases for hard-to-fill positions, electronic health record support, IT security upgrades, a Jackson County crisis stabilization unit expansion from 8 to 16 beds, capital needs such as generator and boiler/chiller replacements, inflation-related increases for community mental health center grants, and restoration of general funds under a Joint Legislative Budget Committee recommendation. Officials emphasized that community-based care now accounts for 58% of funding and that the goal is to keep people out of institutions unless they need the highest level of care. Committee members asked about ARPA balances, forensic referrals, Jackson County’s request, and county support for community mental health centers. The department said about $25 million in ARPA funds remained and should be spent by September 30, with some delays due to reimbursement revisions. On forensic services, officials reported the new 81-bed maximum-security unit at State Hospital has cut the wait list roughly in half, but admission orders are up 51%, and some referrals may be unnecessary or used to delay proceedings. Members also discussed county contributions to community mental health centers, which the department said total about $9–10 million statewide, with most counties now meeting their obligations and only a few using small in-kind contributions.

Transcript Highlights:

• nonprofits, and communities can follow: clear partnership pathways, clear pilot priorities, and clear evaluation
• coordinate with KHA and KDA and partnerships to advance those pilots and partnerships, and importantly to evaluate
• nonprofits, and communities can follow: clear partnership pathways, clear pilot priorities, and clear evaluation
• coordinate with KHA and KDA and partnerships to advance those pilots and partnerships, and importantly to evaluate

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and approved the journal. The House clerk communicated that the House had passed House Bills 34 and 306 and requested concurrence. The State and Local Government Committee reported Senate Bills 20 and 68 favorably, and several new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on Kentucky-grown agricultural procurement, an endowed research fund, unemployment insurance, postsecondary education, wrongful conviction compensation, massage therapy, local fiscal reporting, and a resolution honoring John and Debbie Rogers. The main floor action was on Senate Joint Resolution 23, as amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state and directing state agencies to advance food-as-medicine initiatives. The sponsor described the resolution as a statewide framework to connect nutrition, health care, agriculture, and local food systems, emphasizing partnerships with the Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, better health outcomes, and support for Kentucky farmers and rural communities. Senators from Taylor and Callaway spoke in support, citing local examples and the goal of building Kentucky-based solutions rather than importing them. The committee substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the resolution then passed 35-0. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 56 honoring Elder Nathan Craig and Sister Amy Craig, and Senate Resolution 33 honoring Robert E. “Bob” Pernell, Sr. Senate Resolution 22, honoring Brian J. Hat, was likewise adopted. After the day’s business, the Senate recessed for meetings of the Rules Committee and the Committee on Committees. Later, the Committee on Committees referred Senate Bills 1-4 to Education, Senate Bill 48 to Judiciary, and Senate Bills 84 and 102 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. Several members made announcements about upcoming committee meetings and events, including the VMAP committee, Judiciary, the Kentucky Japan Caucus, the Kentucky Israel Caucus, and an American Cancer Society action day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Studies evaluating the impacts of this policy change found that it led to a five-fold increase in the
• We also had validating sessions with both unions to get their feedback and the internal evaluation we
• At the end of every year, we conduct an evaluation to ensure that the project and what we're providing
• and we will be looking at a memorial in the upcoming session to bring together all stakeholders to evaluate

Transcript Highlights:

• members of the committee, as previously mentioned, my name is Garrett Mosley, and I'm a program evaluator
• Thanks to our two evaluators.
• And thank you for, thank our evaluators. Thank you, Madam Secretary.
• Representative Garrett, in the 2019 child care evaluation, I believe we did look at third grade proficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, the division must consider the financial hardship on the campground operators when evaluating
• administering disaster relief grants will consider an organization's certification status when evaluating
• So how they're applied for, how they're evaluated, how they're dispersed.
• um, you know, guidelines, developing rules for those programs, and then accepting applications, evaluating

Bills: HB1, HB 2, HB18, HB19, HB20

Keywords: youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license

Transcript Highlights:

• we've had hearings and then we have 30 days to get those pending claims that are pending under evaluation
• pending claims that are<00:38:15.839> pending<00:38:16.079> under<00:38:16.359> evaluation
• /c><00:38:17.359> So<00:38:17.599> we<00:38:17.839> look are pending under evaluation
• So we look are pending under evaluation.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, trying to evaluate which areas in the state have certain screening rates, we really help to identify
• So, trying to evaluate which areas in the state have certain screening rates, we really help to identify
• So, trying to evaluate which areas in the state have certain screening rates, we really help to identify
• So, trying to evaluate which areas in the state have certain screening rates, we really help to identify

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100, then heard from the Kentucky Department of Tourism on a contract with the United Kingdom and other European markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar international marketing contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the work includes marketing, public relations, familiarization trips, and media outreach. After questions about costs and effectiveness, the contract was approved by roll call. Members then reviewed Finance Cabinet facilities contracts 29 and 48 for engineering and architectural services tied to project design, including a specialized lab expansion project. The chair raised concerns that the fees seemed high for services that do not include construction, while the agency explained the work covers design for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural planning, and that the lab project’s specialized pathogen-related work limits the pool of firms. The committee voted to approve the contracts. The Attorney General’s office then presented an opioid abatement agreement. Senator Meredith asked how the commission coordinates with other state behavioral health efforts, and staff explained that the commission allocates settlement funds based on applications and includes related agency representation to help avoid duplication. The contract was approved. The committee also approved a behavioral health contract for 988 chat and text services, which will expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage to 24/7 and move more of the state’s calls, chats, and texts from a national center to local specialists. A related amendment for the Voices of Hope overdose response contract was approved after staff said the increase simply extends services into the next fiscal year. Finally, the committee approved a DCBS contract for the Building Bridges Initiative, which provides training and peer mentoring for residential child care providers, and then approved three contracts for the Council on Developmental Disabilities. Those contracts were explained as necessary because the council is the designated state agency for federal DD Act funding, and one questioned item involving an advocacy and sexuality initiative was described as part of the council’s five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, systems change, and capacity building. The committee also discussed a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit, with staff saying the organization was chosen for its statewide network and ability to gather raw data, while members raised concerns about whether the study should distinguish between lack of food and poor diet. All of the reviewed contracts were approved by roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, trying to evaluate which areas in the state have certain screening rates, we really help to identify
• So trying<00:36:44.880> to<00:36:45.040> to<00:36:45.520> evaluate<00:36:46.240>
• which<00:36:46.560> areas<00:36:46.880> in<00:36:47.119> the trying to to evaluate
• which areas in the trying to to evaluate which areas in the state<00:36:47.599> have<00:36:47.839

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100 on a roll call vote, with Chairman Douglas voting no but the items still passing. It then took up a Kentucky Department of Tourism contract involving the United Kingdom, France, and Germany/Austria/Switzerland markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the effort supports marketing, public relations, and familiarization trips. The committee approved that contract as well, with Chairman Douglas voting yes after expressing support for tourism promotion. Next, the committee reviewed two Finance Cabinet facilities and support services items involving engineering and architectural services for a specialized lab expansion project. Members discussed why the design work was expensive, and the cabinet explained that the project’s pathogen-related complexity required specialized firms. Chairman Douglas said he believed some architectural and engineering reimbursement rates were too high and should be reexamined, but the committee still approved the items by roll call. The committee then heard from the Attorney General’s office and the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission on an MOA related to substance use disorder funding. Senator Meredith asked how the commission’s work coordinated with behavioral health programs, and staff explained that the commission allocates funds based on applications and includes relevant state officials. The contract was approved. After that, the committee considered behavioral health items: one new 988 chat-and-text contract to expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage, and a Voices of Hope amendment that doubled funding to continue services into the next fiscal year. Officials said the 988 contract would move more chats and texts in-state, and that the Voices of Hope increase reflected continuation of SAMHSA-funded services; both were approved. Finally, the committee reviewed DCBS contracts, including a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit and a Building Bridges Initiative training contract. Members questioned whether the food survey group’s advocacy role created a conflict, but DCBS said the organization was chosen for its statewide network and that the cabinet would receive the raw data. For Building Bridges, DCBS said the program began in the fall and provides training and peer mentorship for residential child care providers, with results still too early to assess. Both items were approved. The last set of contracts, under the State Treasurer for the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities, prompted questions about why the funding flowed through the treasurer’s office and about a sexuality-related capacity-building initiative. Staff explained the treasurer serves as the designated state agency for federal DD Act funds, and that the sexuality initiative is part of a broader five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, system change, and capacity building; the committee then moved to approve those contracts as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're experiencing that with the Lahaina climate catastrophe that happened, forcing insurance to re-evaluate
• /c><00:42:14.599> to happened um forcing insurance to happened um forcing insurance to re-evaluate
• <00:42:16.960> whether<00:42:17.359> Hawaii<00:42:17.760> is re-evaluate whether
• Hawaii is re-evaluate whether Hawaii is investable.<00:42:19.200> Um,<00:42:19.680> one

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard a series of Senate resolutions focused largely on climate, sustainability, public health, and energy policy. Measures discussed included integrating Native Hawaiian and indigenous knowledge into climate policy (STR 93), creating a temporary working group to investigate the dangers of POS (STR 103), studying the feasibility of a green bonds program (STR 110), declaring a public health emergency related to climate change (STR 111), affirming the importance of marine ecosystems to decarbonization goals (STR 115), encouraging adoption of recommendations from the UN global plastics treaty and Rapanui summit declaration (STR 132), convening a geothermal energy working group (STR 136), affirming support for the Aloha Plus Challenge (STR 183), and encouraging insurers to pursue subrogation claims against polluters to reduce costs for residents (STR 198). Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive on most measures, with support coming from agencies such as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii State Energy Office, DLNR, PUC, Board of Water Supply, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Green Growth, and numerous advocacy groups and individuals. STR 111 drew both support and opposition, with supporters arguing climate change is a public health emergency and opponents disputing the underlying science and urgency. STR 136 also drew mixed testimony, including support from state agencies and one opposition submission from the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Several witnesses emphasized indigenous knowledge, climate justice, public health impacts, and the need for coordinated state action. Supporters of STR 93 said Native Hawaiian and indigenous knowledge has sustained communities for generations and should be woven into Hawaii’s future climate decision-making. Supporters of STR 111 described climate change as a threat multiplier affecting heat illness, mental health, displacement, wildfire impacts, and food insecurity, while opponents argued the resolution overstated the issue. Testimony on STR 183 highlighted the Aloha Plus Challenge as a statewide sustainability framework with regional influence across the Pacific, including Guam, and stressed its role in tracking progress toward 2030 goals. On STR 198, supporters argued that polluters should help pay for climate-related costs borne by residents and insurers. After testimony concluded, the committee moved into decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass STR 93, SD1 unamended by roll call vote, with the chair, vice chair, Rep. Kahaloa, and Rep. Kush voting aye and Rep. Quinnland excused. The transcript then begins the committee’s action on STR 103, SD1, with the chair again recommending passage as is, but the remainder of the vote is cut off in the provided record.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's budget as a spending allocation in consideration of the findings for the AB 3264 report to evaluate
• I won't go through all of them, but to highlight a few: evaluating wildfire mitigation costs, including
• Our general rate cases are the main tool for scrutinizing and evaluating costs.
• Intervenors need time to assess that and evaluate it, and provide good information to us in their filings

Summary: The hearing was an informational budget session on energy agency proposals, with no votes taken. Early discussion focused on Proposition 4 climate bond implementation, including funding for demand-side grid support, offshore wind development, and transmission financing. The Department of Finance said the budget includes allocations for demand-side grid support and offshore wind, but not yet for the $325 million transmission financing piece pending a required study. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to consider whether to wait on offshore wind funding, whether to keep shifting funds into demand-side grid support, and how to direct future transmission financing. Members also raised concerns about local technical assistance for offshore wind, Salton Sea priorities, and the need for more information before final decisions. The California Energy Commission and CPUC then reviewed the broader energy package. The CEC highlighted the demand-side grid support program’s growth, distributed energy backup assets, long-duration storage, hydrogen grants, and the SIRP clean energy reliability program. CPUC testimony emphasized affordability, wildfire mitigation costs, rooftop solar cost shifts, and efforts to reduce rates while maintaining reliability and clean energy goals. Members questioned CPUC staffing, delays in proceedings, coordination with the CEC and CAISO, and the impact of rate increases on customers. The agencies also discussed the AB 3264 transmission financing study, with CPUC saying work on the study had already begun and was on track for the July 1 deadline. Several trailer bill and implementation items were also discussed. The committee reviewed a proposal to extend the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program surcharge, with members split over whether it should be handled in budget trailer bill language or policy legislation; the administration said the surcharge supports a critical program serving about three-quarters of a million Californians. The committee also heard a CPUC data-sharing proposal to allow nondisclosure agreements for transmission and reliability data, which members generally supported as a technical fix. DWR explained a proposal to clarify language for the Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve so it can potentially sell three gas-fired units it owns, and the CEC presented a federal transmission grant proposal tied to grid-enhancing technologies and ratepayer cost recovery. Finally, the committee discussed California Lifeline and possible broadband pilot reforms in light of uncertainty around federal Universal Service Fund support, with CPUC saying it is exploring a statewide standalone broadband option for eligible customers.