Transcript Highlights:

• This is a large load ratepayer protection bill.
• We've certainly heard a few things that we're starting to hear more and more about: these large loads
• to make sure that those loads, those costs to provide those loads, are not socialized to general ratepayers
• What we've defined is that a large load is going to be 50 megawatts or larger over a 60-month period,
• Then what has to happen is you have to go out there. ...and determine that these loads meet a no-harm

Transcript Highlights:

• specialized that there's just no way that our local Commonwealth attorneys in their offices can handle the load
• specialized that there's just no way that our local Commonwealth attorneys in their offices can handle the load
• /c><00:09:59.720><c> can</c><00:09:59.959><c> handle</c><00:10:00.279><c> the</c><00:10:00.399><c> load
• </c><00:10:00.800><c> I</c><00:10:00.920><c> didn't</c> offices can can handle the load I didn't offices
• can can handle the load I didn't know<00:10:01.320><c> where</c><00:10:01.519><c> we</c><00:10:01.680

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 24, a measure aimed at combating property and casualty insurance fraud. Senator Girdler and witnesses from the Insurance Institute of Kentucky and the National Insurance Crime Bureau said the bill would expand the definition of a fraudulent insurance act to cover statements that misrepresent the scope of property damage or repair costs, with the goal of addressing inflated storm-damage claims and out-of-state bad actors. Members discussed whether existing prosecutors were already handling these cases, the role of Commonwealth’s attorneys versus the Attorney General, and the need to keep the bill narrowly tailored to criminal intent rather than negligence or ordinary disputes over value. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill received favorable expression, and a title amendment was also adopted. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, which would address a shortage of insurance options for automobile dealers by allowing nonadmitted carriers to provide garage liability coverage in Kentucky. Testimony from an insurance agent and a legislative agent for Big I Kentucky described a shrinking market in which some small dealers cannot find coverage at all, risking closure. Members asked about the meaning of garage liability, consumer protections, solvency concerns, and whether more competition could lower prices; witnesses said surplus lines carriers already operate in Kentucky, agents play an important vetting role, and errors-and-omissions coverage would apply to the agent. The bill was supported as a way to preserve dealer businesses and expand coverage options, and it passed the committee with favorable expression after roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• is an important issue as we're going into another wildfire season in the panhandle where our fuel load
• loading system.
• It's 5 or 6 minutes to get the airplane loaded. It doesn't need to refuel on every turn.
• Stuff stirred and ready to load in the airplane, is that correct?
• To fill up with the fire retardant stuff, then back to the northern panhandle to dump their load, but

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> expansion uh that's a pretty big load expansion uh that's a pretty big load about<00:09:08.080><
• our probabilities of success with the project pipeline that we've got, factor that into kind of a load
• our probabilities of success with the project pipeline that we've got, factor that into kind of a load
• our probabilities of success with the project pipeline that we've got, factor that into kind of a load
• And in that case, we have proposed a high load factor tariff, which would require data centers to sign

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force held its third meeting and adopted the prior minutes after a motion and second. The main presentation came from John Bevington of LG&E and KU, who described the utility’s Kentucky service territory, its vertically integrated operations, and its role in economic development. He said the company supported 76 projects in 2024, representing about $3 billion in announced investment and roughly 3,000 jobs, and noted that about 45% of statewide investment announcements were in its service area. He also outlined a large project pipeline of about 8.5 gigawatts, with data centers making up roughly two-thirds of that interest. Bevington explained that data center siting differs from traditional manufacturing site selection because it is driven primarily by transmission access and grid capacity rather than a process of eliminating locations. He said large data centers must locate near transmission lines, that utilities must conduct formal studies to ensure existing customers are not harmed, and that the buildout timeline for utility infrastructure is much longer than for data centers. He cited a Deloitte study and other industry data to argue that power constraints and timeline mismatches are the biggest challenges, while also emphasizing that data centers can generate significant construction activity, indirect jobs, and tax revenue. He said Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers was a key enabler that increased interest in the state. Members asked about the number and size of potential data center projects, how Kentucky compares with other states, and whether regulatory reform is needed. Bevington said the 20 projects in Kentucky reflect current interest, that other states such as Ohio have had similar incentives for years, and that Kentucky is still early in the market. He also said data centers can vary in size, from 200 to 600 megawatts or more, and that they can be located anywhere with sufficient transmission capacity and, in some cases, access to workforce and roads. In response to concerns about energy supply, he said LG&E and KU are pursuing an “all of the above” strategy, including solar, batteries, and new natural gas combined-cycle units, and noted ongoing and proposed projects totaling additional capacity if approved by the Public Service Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the average case load is 52. We are working on trying to get that average down into the mid-40s.
• </c><00:32:27.919><c> We</c><00:32:28.240><c> are</c><00:32:28.399><c> working</c> average case load
• We are working average case load is 52.
• </c><00:37:43.200><c> average</c> So this is our APS case load average So this is our APS case load average
• </c> see, COVID um, dropped our case loads see, COVID um, dropped our case loads down<00:37:49.200><c

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children opened its first meeting with roll call and a reminder about the number of children in out-of-home care with active placements, which the chair said was 8,641 as of June 1, 2025. The committee then heard a presentation from the Center for Courageous Kids, a donor-funded camp in Scottville that serves children with lifelong illnesses and disabilities at no charge. Representatives described the camp’s year-round family retreats and summer sessions, its medically safe and inclusive model, and examples of campers gaining confidence and independence. They said the camp has served more than 43,000 campers from Kentucky, other states, and other countries, and that it is seeking legislative support for two capital projects: a new art barn and a medical lodge, with a combined request of $3.2 million. Members praised the program and asked about awareness, staffing, volunteer recruitment, accreditation, and how the projects would expand capacity; the camp said the medical lodge would help increase volunteer housing and allow future growth beyond its current summer cap of 128 campers per session. The committee then moved to adult protective services and state guardianship programs. Jessica Wayne, director of the Division of Guardianship, and Cliff Bryant of DCBS explained the legal framework for guardianship and conservatorship, including state guardianship as a last-resort option when no family member or private entity is available or appropriate. They outlined the court petition process, emergency appointments, and the distinction between full and limited guardianship or conservatorship. They emphasized that guardianship is based on legal incapacity to make decisions, not simply on a medical disability diagnosis, and noted that state guardianship can be arranged for some 17-year-olds aging out of youth services. The presenters said the state currently serves 4,645 individuals under guardianship, with most cases involving developmental intellectual disabilities, supported community living waiver participants, and people in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. They also described the division’s three branches: field services, which handles visits and day-to-day decisions in all 120 counties; a benefits branch that applies for public benefits; and a fiduciary branch that manages funds and pays bills. They reported 89 field workers statewide, an average caseload of 52, and said the agency is hiring to reduce that load. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• are really looking for a way to manage their rising energy costs and with the real threats of large load
• are really looking for a way to manage their rising energy costs and with the real threats of large load
• are really looking for a way to manage their rising energy costs and with the real threats of large load
• are really looking for a way to manage their rising energy costs and with the real threats of large load
• potential to overload the upstream equipment because its power flows in reverse direction relative to the loads

Summary: The meeting was an announcement and support event for a Minnesota plug-in solar bill led by Rep. Larry Craft and Sen. Rob Coop. Craft described plug-in solar as a way to expand access to affordable solar for renters, people with shaded or unsuitable roofs, and others who cannot install traditional rooftop systems. He said the bill would define plug-in solar devices as up to 1,200 watts, allow storage, require certification to UL 3700 safety standards, and exempt these devices from utility interconnection agreements and submetering requirements. Sen. Coop said he was excited to sign on after hearing from a constituent interested in deck solar and after learning Craft already had a bill. He framed the proposal as both an affordability measure and a way to democratize solar access, especially for lower-income households and apartment residents. Supporters including Bobby King of Solar United Neighbors and Patty O'Keefe of Vote Solar said interest in plug-in solar is statewide, the policy would lower barriers and energy bills, and the systems are simple, safe, and well-suited to small spaces like balconies, decks, patios, and yards. John Gouki, an electrician from Duluth, submitted a statement supporting the bill on safety and resilience grounds, saying 1,200 watts is a safe limit for UL-listed plug-in solar and that the systems can provide backup power while reducing grid consumption. Craft and Coop also pointed to examples from other places, including Utah and Germany, as evidence that the technology is already spreading. The event ended with expressions of support and enthusiasm for moving the bill forward; no vote or formal committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4481, West Virginia Load Forecast Accountability Act, third
• This bill creates the Electric Load Forecast Accountability Act for the purpose of enhancing transparency
• and accuracy in electric load forecasting.
• The bill requires the Public Service Commission to review and validate load forecasts, coordinate with
• are not double-counted across... ...and validate load forecasts, coordinate with PJM and other states

Summary: The Senate met on March 11, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest and page introductions, including school groups, prayer caucus visitors, and advocates for Home Family Education Day and Women in Blue Day. The chamber then took up committee reports and a large number of House bills, most of them on third reading, along with several resolutions and referrals. Senate Resolution 62, designating March 12, 2026, as West Virginia Athletic Trainers Day, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the value of athletic trainers in preventing injuries and tragedies in school sports. Several other resolutions and concurrent resolutions were referred to the Committee on Rules or laid over under the rules. The Senate passed a wide range of bills addressing economic development, public safety, health, licensing, and state administration. Measures approved included bills on the West Virginia Collaboratory at Marshall University, the Business Ready Sites program, volunteer fire company spending authority, the Load Forecast Accountability Act, funeral service licensure, work zone fines, biennial business reporting, correctional officer retirement law, the Right to Try Act, quick claim deed tax exemptions, an ibogaine drug-development grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide sentencing, 529 savings plan definitions, opportunity zones, barber apprenticeship, municipal and county hotel occupancy fund uses, criminal-record licensing standards, intimate image disclosure remedies, executor training materials, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS information, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, capitation rate review expansions, convention and visitors bureau board membership, peer support services, cosmetology licensure compacts, natural resource police retirement, DNR fee indexing, ALS care services, the Neighborhood Investment Program, oil and gas well plugging and carbon capture-related provisions, DUI technical changes, abuse intervention program terminology, and a youth summer employment and career readiness program. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, with a few closer votes, including the Load Forecast Accountability Act and the DNR fee-indexing bill. Several bills were amended on the floor, including title amendments and strike-and-insert changes. The Senate also debated the work zone penalty bill, with supporters citing worker safety and fatalities and opponents arguing the bill increased fines too much without requiring removal of outdated work-zone signs. On the energy-related load forecast bill, senators discussed the inclusion of provisions from Senate Bill 420 and concerns about coal plant utilization and utility impacts. After debate, the Senate adopted amendments and passed the bill. In most cases, after passage the Senate ordered the bills communicated to the House, and for a few measures it also adopted title amendments or made bills effective from passage or on a specified date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aggregated as virtual power plants to provide grid services to reduce or shift customer load or to export
• Concerns remain that requirements to reach 15% of peak load, which is approximately 300 megawatts for
• Secondly, because we're talking here, I believe it says 15% of peak load.
• What is the rationale for the 15% load, that rate? So the 15% of peak demand. Why is it 15%?
• What is the rationale for the 15% load, that rate? So the 15% of peak demand. Why is it 15%?

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• But we're going to start out, and we're looking at the JR system and looking first at juvenile case loads
• I'm Eric Cornelier, Executive Director of the Case Load Forecast Council. Thank you.
• And I'm senior case law forecast within CFC for the criminal justice related case load forecast.
• And today I will present the juvenile rehabilitation case load forecast in the next few minutes.
• We sort of started some of those in the technical work group for our case load forecast council to see

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the effects of H.R. 1 on Washington’s Medicaid, developmental disability, long-term care, and food assistance systems, followed by a separate discussion of juvenile rehabilitation caseloads and placement capacity. DSHS officials said HR1 could affect home equity rules, immigration-related eligibility, work requirements for some expansion-population enrollees, and provider taxes, while also creating a future opportunity for a new 1915(c) waiver. Advocates and providers warned that any state response that cuts home and community-based services would worsen already thin provider networks, increase waiting lists, push more people into hospitals or out-of-state placements, and strain families and workers. A pediatric behavioral health expert and a supported living provider said Medicaid reimbursement is already too low and further reductions would threaten outpatient, residential, and inpatient services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and severe behavioral needs. The committee then turned to SNAP and the state food assistance program. DSHS said HR1 would tighten work requirements and exemptions, end some immigrant eligibility for the federal program, eliminate the SNAP education program, raise state administrative costs, and eventually require Washington to share in benefit costs based on its error rate. Officials estimated large numbers of residents could lose or see reduced benefits, with significant added state costs. Anti-hunger advocates, a food bank director, and a SNAP recipient described the program as essential for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities, and said the changes would increase paperwork, reduce benefits, and worsen food insecurity while also harming local food economies. Testimony emphasized that food banks cannot replace SNAP and that work requirements may be difficult to meet for caregivers, people with disabilities, and those facing child care or transportation barriers. In the juvenile justice portion, the Caseload Forecast Council presented the JR forecast, which is currently mostly flat through the end of the biennium but expected to grow modestly over the longer term. Members discussed how policy choices, including the 2019 JR-25 law, have increased lengths of stay for adult-sentenced youth in JR, while diversion and other reforms have affected regular JR trends. A court researcher explained the data available to help forecast admissions and noted ongoing efforts to improve data sharing with JR, AOC, and county systems, though staffing and system-lag issues limit how quickly data can be produced. Juvenile court administrators and DCYF officials described the community-based juvenile justice continuum, rising complexity in the JR population, overcrowding at Green Hill and placement constraints at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, and the need for more flexible community transition and mental health capacity. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll proceed down to the north loading zone, I think, record.
• The House Sergeant's office will proceed down to the north loading zone.
• With that said, let's begin making our way to the loading zone. We're in recess for transportation.

Summary: The Justice Committee, Subcommittee, and Justice Budget Subcommittee convened and established a quorum through roll call, with several members present and others excused. The chair welcomed members to the session and explained that the meeting would be different from usual because it would include a site visit and tour of a Department of Corrections correctional institution to observe daily operations. Members were given logistical instructions for transportation by House Sergeant staff, including where to meet for the vans and the expected noon return time. The chair also noted that phones and Apple Watches could not be taken into the facility and would need to remain in the vans. No bills were heard and no votes were taken. The committee recessed for transportation to the correctional facility, with adjournment to occur on site after the tour.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> about load demand growth. about load demand growth.
• ISO New England predicts load that.
• </c> looking specifically at the state load looking specifically at the state load growth<00:41:06.560
• So that's quite a load.
• ><c> Representative</c> load.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Because in the water, you could be on a boat fishing, and you can load your boat as well because you
• I don't believe they're going to load up ice at the Grand Hotel and ask the chef to cook them up for
• That equates to about 5,500 tri-axle dump truck loads.
• What they do is they put it up on the bank, spread it out, let it dry out, and then they load it up on

Bills: HB55 , HB212

Committee: House Agriculture and Forestry

Keywords: fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama, regulations, HB212, aquatic plants, public waters, state waters, waterways, water management, aquatic vegetation, weed removal, vegetation control, lake management, river management, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR

Transcript Highlights:

• as the CPUC, regulates the investor-owned utilities in California, regulating 75% of the electric load
• My colleague, Laurel, is going to talk about the loading order, so I won't go into that.
• is mixing these We have more and more equipment that is mixing these different DER strategies with load
• And energy efficiency is currently first in the loading order.
• As the first resource dictated in the loading order, EE is a resource that is on par with these pieces

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so this shows up in the wholesale markets as disappearing load.
• Uh, so this shows up in the wholesale markets as disappearing load.
• Uh, so this shows up in the wholesale markets as disappearing load.
• Uh, so this shows up in the wholesale markets as disappearing load.
• uh less load means uh disappearing load uh less load means that<05:52:05.840><c> the</c><05:52:06.080

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Summary: The committee met on April 14 and began by welcoming a new member, Representative Samban Denier, who briefly described his background as a Clarkson University environmental engineering graduate and Air Force veteran. The committee then moved into a work session on five energy-related bills, starting with Senate Bill 65 on stormwater management for solar arrays. Representative McGee presented amendment 1594H, which would exclude projects in shoreland areas from the bill’s permit-by-notification process and require the standard alteration-of-terrain permit review instead. Members asked for clarification, and McGee explained the amendment was requested by the New Hampshire Lakes Association and others to preserve the fuller review process for shoreland projects. The committee appeared satisfied with the explanation and moved on. The committee next discussed Senate Bill 230 on electric utility restructuring and investment in distributed energy resources. Members concluded that section one was unnecessary because a better definition of advanced nuclear resources had already been added to House Bill 710, and that section two would allow investment in advanced nuclear resources in a way they had already rejected in another bill due to ratepayer risk. Several members agreed the bill was redundant and supported an ITL motion. They also discussed Senate Bill 232 on net metering terms and conditions, focusing first on whether hydroelectric generators could be listed in ISO New England while also taking net metering credits. Granite State Hydropower Association representative Heidi Kroll testified that generators are subject to checks and balances, that double-dipping is not occurring, and that rules and tariffs already require participation in one market arrangement or the other. Discussion on Senate Bill 232 then shifted to section two, which would bar retroactive changes to net metering tariffs in place as of January 1, 2025. Representative McGee proposed alternative language to protect existing customer generators, group hosts, and municipal hosts from retroactive changes, while others said the language was needed to provide stability for current participants operating on thin margins. Some members supported the clearer wording; others argued the committee should not tie the hands of the PUC and DOE, noting future circumstances could require regulatory flexibility and that conflicts could be resolved in court if necessary. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:08:17.680><c> power</c> We just don't have the base load power We just don't have the base load
• </c><03:08:42.240><c> And</c> load power of nuclear energy. And load power of nuclear energy.
• 17.359><c> electricity</c> provide lowcost base load electricity provide lowcost base load electricity
• </c> base load clean renewable energy. base load clean renewable energy.
• </c> and capture that free flowing base load and capture that free flowing base load hydro<03:54:47.040

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, on top of that, in terms of loading boxes, we have city staff that are going to be assisting her
• Then, on top of that, in terms of loading boxes, we have city staff that are going to be assisting her
• ,</c><00:08:41.760><c> in</c><00:08:42.000><c> terms</c><00:08:42.159><c> of</c><00:08:42.399><c> loading
• </c> Then on top of that, in terms of loading Then on top of that, in terms of loading boxes,<00:08:43.839

Committee: House Mobile County Legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• Zone four is the future loading dock.
• existing building zone four is<00:01:38.040><c> the</c><00:01:38.159><c> future</c><00:01:38.479><c> loading
• </c> is the future loading is the future loading dock<00:01:41.640><c> uh</c><00:01:41.799><c> a</c><
• Currently, zone four, which again is the new loading dock, we have not begun construction on that yet

Transcript Highlights:

• That fuel loading is causing major impacts on how you have to fight fires, and so...
• The reduced fuel load significantly slowed the fire and allowed staff to contain it safely.
• Those treatments reduced fuel loading. Prescribed fire and other mitigation work.
• I think first on the list I had include fuel load and prescribed fire tracking.
• And it does increase the fuel load significantly.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from the new chair and members, who emphasized Texas’ energy leadership and the committee’s focus on natural resources, regulatory certainty, private property rights, and stewardship. The first agency update panel included the Railroad Commission, TCEQ, and the General Land Office. The Railroad Commission reported record oil and gas production, low flaring rates, progress on orphan well plugging, implementation of SB 1150 on inactive wells, new federal primacy for Class VI carbon sequestration permitting, and work on petroleum theft through the STOP theft task force. TCEQ described its broad environmental permitting and enforcement responsibilities, including air, water, waste, emergency response, and implementation of SB 1145 transferring land application permitting for produced water to TCEQ. The GLO discussed management of permanent school fund minerals, lease compliance, orphan well coordination, and emerging opportunities such as lithium extraction from brine and rare earth mining. Members questioned the agencies about orphan wells, bankruptcy as a cause of orphaning, priorities for plugging wells, contested permits, data center oversight, water rights, and the division of authority between the Railroad Commission and TCEQ. A recurring issue was the need for clearer jurisdictional lines, especially for treated produced water and related treatment, discharge, and land application activities. TCEQ said it was using existing TPDES and T-LAP frameworks, conducting rulemaking, and relying on technical staff and consortium data to develop site-specific permits. The Railroad Commission said it wanted clearer legislative guidance on where its authority ends and TCEQ’s begins. The committee then took up monitoring charges for SB 1145 and HB 49 on the treatment and beneficial reuse of produced water. Witnesses from the Railroad Commission, TCEQ, the Texas Independent Produced Water Association, the Texas Produced Water Consortium, and the Permian Basin Petroleum Association testified that produced water volumes are large and disposal capacity is tightening due to seismicity and pressure concerns. They argued that beneficial reuse, land application, and surface discharge could help sustain oil and gas production, but only if Texas creates prompt, predictable permitting pathways and liability certainty. TCEQ said it had received and was reviewing multiple discharge and land application applications, while consortium researchers reported that treated produced water can meet high water-quality standards and may be suitable for irrigation, river augmentation, and industrial use. Members pressed for faster permitting, clearer definitions, stronger standards, and more certainty about future capacity and agency roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• He says many communities, especially base-load communities, have been trying for years to revitalize
• Comm communities that hosted Bas load Comm communities that hosted Bas load<00:04:26.759><c> have</c
• have been scrapping for many years load have been scrapping for many years trying<00:04:29.120><c> to
• power units are are decommissioned load power units are are decommissioned um<00:04:35.960><c> after
• </c><00:12:26.279><c> growth</c> the energy impacts and load growth the energy impacts and load growth

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> load was still taking default service. load was still taking default service.
• So contracts that were load following.
• Um and we requirements load following.
• </c><05:19:06.160><c> settlement,</c> sources metering, load settlement, sources metering, load settlement
• </c><05:21:26.160><c> settlement</c> purchase in load settlement purchase in load settlement for<05:21

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy