Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 3, Protection of Nuclear Facilities, sponsor: Minerals.
• I ask that Senate File 3, Protection of Nuclear Facilities, be removed from the consent list.
• 06:45.760><c> three,</c><01:06:46.559><c> protection</c><01:06:46.960><c> of</c><01:06:47.200><c> nuclear
• </c> >> Senate File 3, Protection of Nuclear Facilities, sponsor: Minerals. >> Senator Nethercott. >>
• The nuclear facilities in our state have asked us to pull this bill back so we don't have conflicting

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, last year I started the Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus with Senator Risch [ID: member_3592
• That's fossil fuels, alternative energy, conservation, and nuclear.
• This was called a nuclear option exercise in 1996.
• It doesn't mention nuclear energy for any form of energy that is affordable and accessible.
• You can debate this, but right now nuclear energy is both of those.

Committee: Senate Senate Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:08.000><c> duties</c> investigations and some nuclear duties investigations and some nuclear
• </c><01:58:01.520><c> Um</c> Seabbrook nuclear power plant. Um Seabbrook nuclear power plant.
• So we have seen nuclear in the queue in recent years, but it's typically existing nuclear plants find
• So we have seen nuclear in the queue in recent years, but it's typically existing nuclear plants find
• So we have seen nuclear in the queue in recent years, but it's typically existing nuclear plants find

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we talking about nuclear? Are we talking about really getting into the grit of these things?
• So let's take, for example, where we are with nuclear.
• So we propose to eliminate that so that it's easier to bring nuclear in the state.
• We are ahead in many areas; MIT and other organizations already have nuclear.
• So we are currently working with an open solicitation in Connecticut on nuclear.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The hearing opened with welcomes from the co-chairs and local legislators, followed by remarks from UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes, who highlighted the university’s research, sustainability, transportation, and workforce contributions and thanked the administration and legislature for support of public higher education. MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, along with agency leaders, presented the administration’s transportation budget package. They described a combined funding plan through House 2, a Fair Share supplemental budget, and a Chapter 90 bill, emphasizing investments in MassDOT operations, snow and ice response, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, bridge and pavement repair, housing-related transportation improvements, sustainable aviation fuel, microtransit, and local road programs. Officials also highlighted record highway construction activity, safety initiatives such as work zone speed cameras and pedestrian protections, RMV service and equity improvements, airport and drone technology programs, and MBTA gains in reliability, accessibility, ridership, and service expansion. Committee members asked about Western Massachusetts priorities, especially Chapter 90 funding for rural road mileage, bridge repairs, and the Compass Rail/West-East Rail program. MassDOT officials said pending federal grants were moving forward, with some awards recently obligated and others expected as federal processes advance, and they said Palmer Station remains part of the long-term rail plan. Members also raised the Cape Cod bridges and the need for multi-year Chapter 90 funding. Officials said the Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, with construction targeted for 2027, and reiterated that transportation investments support jobs, local economies, and municipal infrastructure statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• once fully built out, which is more than 950 megawatts generation capacity of the state's largest nuclear
• once fully built out, which is more than 950 megawatts generation capacity of the state's largest nuclear
• once fully built out, which is more than 950 megawatts generation capacity of the state's largest nuclear
• once fully built out, which is more than 950 megawatts generation capacity of the state's largest nuclear
• power plant in monacell and so nuclear power plant in monacell and so the<00:48:03.760><c> these</c>

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• governor needs to be able to declare an emergency if there's a terrible tragedy or a tornado or a nuclear
• Melton or a Cyber attack or a nuclear Melton or a Cyber attack or a terrorist<00:41:23.359><c> attack
• These actors attack nuclear plants in the UK, India, and a failed attack here on U.S. soil.
• These actors attack nuclear plants in the U.K., India, and a failed attack here on U.S. soil.
• </c> our families these actors attack nuclear our families these actors attack nuclear plants<00:44:20.520

Transcript Highlights:

• would like us to see, since this is New Mexico and we have built the technology here, I'd love to see nuclear
• I know that would probably be a hill too hard to climb at this point, but at this point nuclear reactors
• even though the technology exists and the protective measures have been put in place to handle the nuclear

Summary: The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on February 3 and first took up House Bill 153, the Low Carbon Construction Material Rebate Act, with a committee substitute that added an Environmental Product Declaration program and shifted administration to the Environment Department. Sponsor Representative Dixon said the bill would create rebates for buyers of lower-carbon construction materials, support local manufacturers, and reduce industrial emissions. Support came from the New Mexico Home Builders Association, Sierra Club, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Some members questioned whether the bill would actually lower housing costs or instead create future price pressure once subsidies expire, and raised concerns about rulemaking and whether some materials would be incentivized even without state help. The committee voted 7-4 to do pass the committee substitute and do not pass the original bill. The committee then heard House Bill 154, which would broaden and decouple New Mexico’s advanced energy tax credit definitions from federal law and add fusion energy and related components as eligible advanced energy products. Representative Dixon said the change would give the state more flexibility to include emerging technologies while keeping the existing credit structure and cap intact. The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, a Santa Fe fusion company, a Los Lunas economic development official, and an online fusion company all testified in support, arguing the bill would provide certainty, attract investment, and help build a local supply chain. One member suggested future consideration of nuclear fission, while another questioned whether some renewable technologies were still appropriate, but the committee ultimately voted 9-2 to do pass HB 154. House Bill 184, a technical fix to the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, was then presented by Representative Small. The amendment adopted by the committee delayed the three-year moving average for distributions by one year and extended the time to use funds from two years to three years, with the sponsor saying this would better reflect the fund’s growth and give projects more time to complete. Witnesses from Western Resource Advocates, conservation districts, and Conservation Voters New Mexico supported the measure, saying it would strengthen successful outdoor, watershed, and conservation programs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill unanimously. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 20, which would create a study group to examine barriers to renewable energy transmission and project development. The sponsor said the goal was to bring agencies, stakeholders, and possibly courts together to identify ways to speed up renewable infrastructure while preserving environmental review and public input. Sierra Club, Western Resource Advocates, Defenders of Wildlife, and the League of Women Voters supported the memorial, but several members said it should be broadened to include all energy infrastructure or more clearly address transmission, permitting, tribal, federal, and military coordination. In response to those concerns, the sponsor asked to roll the memorial for further discussion and possible revisions rather than advancing it that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• He proposed the Peace Corps, Medicare, and the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
• He proposed the Peace Corps, Medicare, and the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
• He proposed the Peace Corps, Medicare, and the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just not the military's radiological nuclear detection.
• You'll be proud to know that here at the Capitol Police and the Capitol complex, we have radiological nuclear
• And I know that it's the first time I retired the domestic nuclear detection office hired me to go help

Transcript Highlights:

• Radiological nuclear detection.
• be proud to know that here at the Capitol Police and at the Capitol Complex, we have radiological nuclear
• Tonight... ...I know that the first time I retired, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office hired me to

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee heard a series of domestic security and law enforcement presentations from the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Highway Patrol, and FDLE. Sheriff Rob Hardwick outlined the sheriffs’ legislative priorities, focusing on adding xylazine to Florida’s trafficking statute and increasing penalties for luring or enticing a child under 12 from a misdemeanor to a felony. He also discussed domestic security coordination, fusion center intelligence sharing, and jail-based reentry efforts. Members asked about xylazine prevalence in Broward County and whether canine units can detect it; Hardwick said he would follow up with data and noted that dogs are not specifically trained for xylazine, though fentanyl-certified dogs may alert on mixtures. Chief Charlie Vasquez of the Florida Police Chiefs Association presented three priorities: stronger protections for law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and their families when threatened because of their jobs; faster and more consistent access to blood-borne pathogen testing results after exposure incidents; and mandatory life without release for anyone convicted of murdering a police or correctional officer, reviving a version of the Jason Raynor Act. Senators asked about delays in blood testing after exposure, and Vasquez said officers can be forced to take prophylactic medication while waiting for results and that the process should be streamlined. Florida Highway Patrol Director Dave Kerner described FHP’s domestic security role, including criminal interdiction, canine units, traffic homicide investigations, aviation, drones, border operations, and responses to threats such as human smuggling and the October 7-related security posture at synagogues and campuses. He said staffing remains constrained by vacancies and pay disparities, so he was not seeking more authorized troopers at this time. FDLE Deputy Commissioner David Binder then reviewed the state’s domestic security structure, fusion centers, critical infrastructure assessments, and grant funding, warning that federal homeland security dollars have declined sharply while threats remain high. He highlighted work on drone mitigation, radiological detection, vehicle barriers, and school security assessments, and emphasized the need for continued interagency coordination. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've worked with the Chair on nuclear and carbon capture bills.
• bipartisan legislative possibilities for permitting, highways and transit, water infrastructure, nuclear

Bills: SB347 , SB351

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: brownfields, brownfield cleanup, site remediation, environmental cleanup, contaminated property, redevelopment, revitalization, CERCLA, Superfund, EPA grants, state response programs, environmental justice, disadvantaged communities, small communities, local government grants, nonprofit eligibility, community engagement, Alaska Native tribes, Regional Corporations, Village Corporations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> What if they had had a nuclear weapon? What if they had had a nuclear weapon?
• Iran cannot get a nuclear weapon.
• Either they believe Iran should obtain a nuclear weapon or they hope the regime's nuclear program will
• Iran cannot get a nuclear weapon.
• the regime's nuclear program will hope the regime's nuclear program will magically<02:14:52.400><c>

Bills: HB3422 , HB3394 , HB1998 , HB2808 , HR1190 , HB3381 , HB3301 , HB2225 , HB3352 , HB1713 , HR910 , HR1082 , HB1520 , HB1664 , HB1767 , HB2269 , HB1679 , HB2481 , HB1737 , HR260

Keywords: small business, capital formation, securities exchange act, SEC, Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, underrepresented entrepreneurs, rural businesses, natural disasters, hurricanes, small business investors, capital raising, fundraising, crowdfunding, angel investors, venture capital, state securities commissions, blue sky laws, business outreach

Transcript Highlights:

• I don’t fully understand the nuclear lawsuits and nuclear settlements.
• Um I don't fully understand the<01:17:54.719><c> um</c><01:17:55.040><c> nuclear</c><01:17:55.840><c>
• lawsuits</c><01:17:56.400><c> and</c><01:17:56.640><c> nuclear</c> the um nuclear lawsuits and nuclear
• the um nuclear lawsuits and nuclear settlements.<01:17:58.000><c> Um</c><01:17:58.480><c> my</c><01:
• </c><01:18:15.520><c> Thermon</c><01:18:15.920><c> nuclear</c> Nuclear verdict is a judgment in excess

Transcript Highlights:

• Briefly, to explain: when a nuclear weapon is detonated in the exo-atmosphere, a high-altitude nuclear
• </c> worst threat which is nuclear EMP E3. worst threat which is nuclear EMP E3.
• </c><03:45:09.680><c> blast,</c> we're talking about a nuclear blast, we're talking about a nuclear blast
• </c> but I think if there was a nuclear but I think if there was a nuclear blast,<03:45:14.720><c> there'd
• Um or a nuclear device. I get damaged. Um or a nuclear device.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• I like nuclear. Nuclear is the future. I like CWIP. We voted on CWIP for the gas lines.
• After I made my comments with concerns about the uncertainties about the timeline of traditional nuclear
• Representative Thomas continued that even nuclear would come close to reaching its capacity, but the

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• study of the top 100 verdicts across the country, and for the first time in 2024, there are more mega-nuclear
• In 2024, there are more mega-nuclear verdicts, which are awards over $100 million, than nuclear verdicts
• I've always thought that's just crazy low, just as opposed to sometimes, you know, we get mega-nuclear

Committee: House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard House Bill 2926, which would extend sovereign or derivative immunity and a liability cap to private contractors, subcontractors, and employees working on Missouri Department of Transportation projects. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to protect contractors from being named in lawsuits before they begin work, and to limit exposure when they are following MoDOT plans and specifications, arguing that contractors are often sued as “deep pockets” even when they did nothing wrong. Several members pressed the sponsor on the bill’s wording and timing, noting confusion over whether immunity applies only before work begins or throughout the project and after completion. Supporters, including representatives from asphalt, construction, insurance, and business groups, said the current system drives up insurance costs, increases legal expenses, and discourages firms from taking roadwork jobs. They cited examples of contractors being sued before starting work or after following approved traffic-control plans, and argued that the bill would align Missouri with other states that provide similar protections. Opponents, including trial attorneys and injured workers and family members, argued that the bill would improperly extend government immunity to private businesses, reduce accountability, and limit recovery for seriously injured people. They said existing tort law already protects non-negligent actors and warned that the bill could make it harder for injured parties to find counsel or recover full damages. Testimony also focused on the $500,000 state liability cap, with opponents calling it too low and supporters saying it is already the standard for public entities and should apply to contractors acting on the state’s behalf. Several witnesses described tragic crashes and work-zone incidents on MoDOT projects, while others emphasized that distracted drivers, not contractors, often cause the accidents. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee took only testimony and then adjourned after hearing from both proponents and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• energy we need until we can build that transmission and try to find new renewable sources, such as nuclear
• Nuclear power is still 10 to 15 years out, so this is just the gap energy we need, in my opinion.
• First panel is... nuclear power but that's still 10 15 years out so this is just the gap energy we need
• transmission, and I just want to make sure we keep the reliability of the grid 100% until we can get the nuclear

Summary: The committee began with member and staff introductions, then held a work session on emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) under Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Ecology staff reviewed how cap-and-invest works, explained EITE no-cost allowance allocations, and summarized a new report to the Legislature on policy options for 2035-2050. Ecology recommended continuing no-cost allocations but adjusting them to fit the cap, considering a consignment approach that would require EITEs to invest part of the value of free allowances in decarbonization, and studying additional benchmarking and leakage-mitigation refinements. Quebec officials described their cap-and-trade system, including a consignment model that withholds part of free allocations, holds the value in trust for facilities, and requires technical studies and investment in mitigation projects; they said it has encouraged industrial investment and no business closures. Members asked about facility closures, compliance costs, eligible uses of consigned funds, and adaptation spending. The work session then closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2296, which would expand distributed energy resources by allowing portable plug-in solar devices and meter-mounted devices. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to lower barriers and startup costs for renters and homeowners who want to electrify or add solar. Supporters, including a nonprofit promoting plug-in solar and a physician group, said the devices could broaden access to clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas and health harms. Utilities, labor, and industry groups opposed the bill as written, citing safety concerns, lack of national electrical code standards, possible backfeeding and fire risks, utility-worker hazards, unclear interconnection rules, and concerns about multifamily housing and small-utility review burdens. Some witnesses said they were open to continued work on the proposal. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2285, which would allow natural gas generation paired with carbon capture, utilization, storage, or mineralization to count toward Clean Energy Transformation Act compliance. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would provide a “bridge” for firm power, help address reliability and transmission constraints, and support jobs while reducing emissions compared with conventional gas. Opponents said the bill would weaken CETA’s 100% clean electricity target by allowing resources that still emit carbon to qualify, and they questioned whether 75% capture is sufficient. Other testimony raised cost concerns and warned that carbon capture could increase ratepayer costs. The hearing on HB 2285 was later suspended and reopened briefly for additional testimony from Ecology, which said the bill would permanently weaken CETA standards and likely reduce emissions reductions. The committee also briefly received a staff briefing on House Bill 2272, a ski-area terminology bill, and then suspended that hearing to take it up later.

Transcript Highlights:

• automotive, biotechnologies, maritime industrial defense and shipbuilding, supply chain and automation, nuclear
• of the future, advancing artificial intelligence education for American youth, reinvigorating the nuclear
• So we've had discussions with Arkansas Tech about developing a nuclear program for technicians.
• So in that case, if Nuclear One, Entergy wanted to do that, maybe they already do. I don't know.

Summary: The committee first approved the November 3 minutes, then received an extensive update from Arkansas Division of Higher Education and Division of Career and Technical Education officials on LEARNS and ACCESS implementation. Witnesses said the state’s goal is for students to graduate employed, enrolled, or enlisted, and described expanded career pathways, student success plans, merit and distinction diplomas, and school accountability measures tied to pathway completion and tangible credentials. They reported increases in K-12 CTE enrollment and concurrent enrollment, and explained that some secondary career center programs were reduced or eliminated because they no longer aligned with state workforce demand. Members asked detailed questions about how merit/distinction affects school letter grades, how AP, concurrent credit, CTE completers, apprenticeships, and work-based learning fit into the system, and whether homeschool and private school students can access the same opportunities. Officials said multiple pathways can satisfy the requirements, including AP Scholar, concurrent credit, technical certificates, and apprenticeships, and that counselors are being trained to advise students. They also discussed scholarship changes: ACCESS broadened eligibility for the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Scholar awards, with diploma of merit or distinction now qualifying students for additional aid, while the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship itself remained unchanged. Questions were raised about whether homeschool and private school students can meet the new diploma-of-distinction criteria; officials said the intent is to make them eligible if they meet the same standards, and that guidance is being finalized. The discussion also covered workforce scholarships and grants. Officials said the Workforce Challenge was expanded to include vocational-technical schools and increased funding, and that the Division is reworking policy around “professional skills training” to support shorter-term, stackable programs. They reviewed the new federal Workforce Pell Grant, noting its narrow hour and duration limits and the need for programs to meet completion, placement, and earnings thresholds. Members also asked about the state lottery scholarship fund balance and whether more aid should be directed to students; officials said the fund remains healthy and that ACCESS has already increased awards and expanded eligibility, with more implementation data still to come. The final presentation came from the Director of Workforce Connections on a $35.8 million U.S. Department of Labor cooperative agreement for the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund. Arkansas will administer the national fund, which is aimed at expanding advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeships across the country through a pay-for-performance model. Officials said the program will support occupations in aerospace, automotive, biotech, maritime, nuclear, semiconductors, supply chain, and automation, and that applications will open soon. Members asked who can apply and how the money will be distributed; the answer was that registered apprenticeship sponsors—sometimes companies, sometimes colleges, sometimes intermediaries—will apply, with Arkansas setting eligibility criteria, vendor requirements, and outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, there's a group called Nuclear Care Partners.
• them, but they help. workers that were in DOE or DOD at the time in relation to exposures on the nuclear
• When you're working around nuclear weapons, you wear a dosimeter, and then these people would be like
• The Nuclear Care Partners have been trying to advocate for many, many New Mexicans. who have been exposed

Transcript Highlights:

• most expensive forms of electric power production right up there with trash and tree burning and nuclear
• there with trash and tree<00:36:12.640><c> burning</c><00:36:12.880><c> and</c><00:36:13.040><c> nuclear
• </c><00:36:13.440><c> power</c><00:36:13.760><c> as</c> tree burning and nuclear power as tree burning
• and nuclear power as documented<00:36:14.560><c> by</c><00:36:14.720><c> the</c><00:36:14.880><c> federal

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Committee on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard several resolutions, with most public testimony focused on Senate Concurrent Resolution 159 and Senate Resolution 129, which urge continued U.S. support for the Ukrainian military. Testimony on those measures was largely opposed, with witnesses arguing Hawaii should prioritize local needs such as homelessness, infrastructure, and cost of living over additional aid to Ukraine; one support testimony was noted from the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Despite the opposition, both committees recommended passage with technical, nonsubstantive amendments, and the recommendations were adopted. The committees also considered transportation-related resolutions. Senate Concurrent Resolution 182 and Senate Resolution 152 would initiate a summer streets pilot program, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 200 and Senate Resolution 180 would ask AMPO to coordinate a transportation management training program. Testimony on the summer streets proposal included support and opposition, with one witness saying community input should be gathered through existing district and community meetings rather than creating a pilot. The training-program measure drew opposition from a witness who argued it would add unnecessary bureaucracy. Both pairs were recommended for passage, with the summer streets resolutions passed unamended and the training-program resolutions passed with technical amendments. In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee, Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 and Senate Resolution 14, concerning relocation of the Pearl City post office to Navy property, were recommended for passage with technical amendments. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate Concurrent Resolution 136 and Senate Resolution 150, which call for a geothermal energy working group. Supporters included the State Energy Office, PUC, consumer advocate, and others, though the energy office asked to move the report deadline to 2027. Opponents raised concerns about cost, health impacts, environmental risks, and Native Hawaiian representation. The chair proposed amendments to add a Native Hawaiian member, the consumer advocate, and the House and Senate energy committee chairs, clarify participation by utility, geothermal, and nonprofit representatives, and extend the report deadline to 2027. The resolutions were then recommended for passage with amendments, and all recommendations were adopted before adjournment.