Transcript Highlights:

• The CPUC, under a recent general order, required the front-loading of much of the environmental review
• The CPUC, under a recent general order, required the front loading of much of the environmental review
• Today, dozens of load-serving entities, including IOUs, CCAs, and others, are forced to comply for a
• Guidelines, it applies to all, you know, of the utilities and load-serving entities and customers, or
• don't see any conflict between those pilots and the Edison application and the Energy Commission's load

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard a lengthy agenda, with AB 222 on data centers, AB 941 on CPUC permitting timelines for priority electrical infrastructure, AB 1191 on large hydroelectric resources and the RPS, AB 1280 on thermal energy storage for industrial decarbonization, and AB 1117 on dynamic electricity rate tariffs among the main items discussed. The committee also dispensed with a consent calendar of several other bills, which passed unanimously. Members repeatedly emphasized California’s clean energy goals, grid reliability, affordability, and the need to balance faster infrastructure buildout with environmental review and ratepayer protections. AB 222, by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, would require better reporting on data center energy use and aim to protect residential ratepayers from costs tied to data center growth. Supporters said the bill would improve grid planning and prevent blackouts, while environmental groups backed it. Opponents from the Data Center Coalition and business groups warned about privacy, security, trade-secret, and feasibility concerns, and argued the bill could discourage critical infrastructure. The committee approved the bill 11-3 and sent it to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 941, by Assembly Member Zbur, would impose a 270-day timeline for CPUC review of certain priority transmission and electrical infrastructure projects. Supporters said the bill would speed clean energy transmission without weakening CEQA, while opponents raised staffing and process concerns. The committee passed the bill 15-0 to Natural Resources. AB 1191, by Assembly Member Tangipa, would make large hydroelectric facilities RPS-eligible; supporters framed it as an affordability measure, but opponents said it would undermine the purpose of the RPS and raise costs. The committee rejected the bill 4-11, though the author requested reconsideration. AB 1280, by Assembly Member Garcia, would expand grant programs to include thermal energy storage for industrial decarbonization; it drew broad support and passed 15-0. AB 1117, by Assembly Member Schultz, would require utilities to offer optional dynamic rate tariffs to all ratepayers; supporters said it would lower bills and shift demand to cheaper, cleaner periods, while utilities said they supported the concept but wanted more flexibility in implementation. The hearing continued with discussion of that bill after the point shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Solar water heaters are required to handle substantially all of a home’s water heating load, defined
• as 90 to 10% of the water heating load, whereas heat pump water heaters are not.
• :14:41.560><c> home's</c><00:14:42.079><c> water</c><00:14:42.320><c> heating</c><00:14:42.720><c> load
• </c><00:14:43.720><c> that's</c> a home's water heating load that's a home's water heating load that's
• whereas heat pump water heating load whereas heat pump water heaters<00:14:48.440><c> are</c><00:14:

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several energy- and environment-related measures. HB 242 HD1 on electric vehicle batteries drew support from the Department of Health, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, SERFCO, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation; the Energy Office suggested a broader working group covering all lithium-ion batteries, and members later adopted amendments including a date change and revised timing language. HB 751 HD2 on statewide organic waste reduction and diversion received mixed testimony, with the Department of Health opposing it over concerns about compostable food packaging and incomplete testing data; the committee nonetheless moved the bill forward with amendments removing compostable food packaging from the definition of organic waste and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees also considered HB 1020 HD1 on a statewide program to characterize carbon sequestration potential and underground water resources. The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office and Ulupono supported the measure as part of a broader geothermal and energy security effort, while members raised concerns about overlapping roles between agencies and the need for a single coordinated voice. The committee ultimately amended the bill to place DBEDT in charge, with technical changes, and passed it. In a separate portion of the hearing, HB 350 HD2 on energy was heard with support from the State Energy Office, industry, and advocacy groups; opponents argued the existing solar water heater law is working and that variances already allow flexibility. The committee passed HB 350 unamended. Later, the committee heard HB 977 HD1 on energy financing, HB 1017 HD1 on the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, and HB 1406 HD1 on government procedures. HB 977 received support from the Public Utilities Commission, DCCA, and others and was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. HB 1017, which would repeal the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, and HB 1051, which sets energy efficiency benchmarks, were both passed unamended. HB 1406, a task force bill aimed at improving permitting and regulatory processes, was amended to add a Senate representative, include the State Energy Office, make the bill effective on approval, and note prior funding requests in the committee report; it was then adopted. Votes were recorded on each measure, with some members excused and HB 751 drawing one no vote from Senator Rhoads.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, you would have loading locations along the track that allow for short-line trains to be built
• know in there, you know, Milton-Freewater, there is a terminal that can accept grain right now and load
• You need to get there as fast as you can to that export facility because that boat needs to be loaded
• you actually, some of you were... ...at McCoy this fall, it's an amazing operation on how they can load
• And my concern is that as we say, well, we're going to use these roads more often, that that weight load

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• now... the word change went from large load data center to large load customer.
• </c> &gt;&gt; It's now large load customer. &gt;&gt; It's now large load customer.
• </c> load. Okay. load.
• </c><02:11:04.159><c> All</c> else on the large load moving. All else on the large load moving.
• </c> large load customers. large load customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also creates a requirement that the PSC develop minimum large load tariff requirements for public
• so that our ratepayers, our residents, do not bear any of the costs associated with having a large load
• or servicing a large load customer like a hyperscaler.
• that financial structure looks like when they are entering into some sort of agreement with a large load
• ...for comprehensive planning and land development regulation granted by law with respect to large load

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then took up a long special order calendar and passed a series of bills, often by substituting House companions. Early measures included trust law modernization to create a nonjudicial trustee discharge process, military affairs changes expanding leave and retirement-related provisions, a bill to prepare for the end of penny use by standardizing cash rounding, and a podiatric medicine bill regulating cellular or tissue-based products and informed consent. The Senate also approved veterans court expansion, RV park assessment clarification, alcohol-loss tax deduction authority, bail bond and pretrial release revisions, and a military-installation jurisdiction bill to allow juvenile cases on bases to be handled in state juvenile court under certain conditions. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with the bail bond bill passing 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and confirmation that existing law on return of charitable bail funds would remain unchanged. The chamber then paused for a lengthy farewell presentation honoring Senator Lori Berman, featuring a video, remarks from many senators, and Berman’s own closing speech reflecting on her 16 years of service, her legislative priorities, and her call for civility, bipartisanship, and continued support for issues such as school safety, Israel, anti-Semitism, and affordability. After the tribute, the Senate resumed and passed additional bills, including one expanding insurance coverage definitions for portable electronics and eyewear, a workforce and nursing education funding bill broadening support for health science programs, a recovery residences regulatory streamlining bill, a felony battery enhancement bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, and a child welfare bill extending visitor thresholds in out-of-home placements, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices program. The chamber also advanced a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and adding a House provision on recent legal name changes; debate began on that measure as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also creates a requirement that the PSC develop minimum large load tariff requirements for public
• so that our ratepayers, our residents, do not bear any of the costs associated with having a large load
• or servicing a large load customer like a hyperscaler.
• that financial structure looks like when they are entering into some sort of agreement with a large load
• that financial structure looks like when they are entering into some sort of agreement with a large load

Transcript Highlights:

• It actually to the grid will look like, oh, there's less load.
• Even to your meter, it'll look like, oh, there's less load.
• </c> will look like, oh, there's less load. will look like, oh, there's less load.
• </c><00:15:21.440><c> Um,</c> there's less load. Um, there's less load.
• ,</c><00:43:28.240><c> and</c> primarily for load-serving purposes, and primarily for load-serving purposes

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Loading onto applicators. There are regulations.
• Goes out what nutrients are in those loads of any manure.
• I'm not going to apply a single load of chicken manure or biosolids unless I know the nutrient content
• We're not going to get rid of PFAS, but we're all carrying some load. chemists have created thousands
• Uh, we're not gonna get rid of PFASS. but we're all carrying some load.

Committee: House Agriculture

Summary: The meeting focused on the use of biosolids on farm and ranch land, with testimony from Oklahoma State University experts, a conservation official, and an engineering representative about the benefits, risks, and regulatory implications. Dr. Lusk described OSU’s long history of soil fertility research and said biosolids can provide nutrients and organic matter, but also may carry contaminants such as PFAS, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and pathogens. He emphasized that many questions remain unanswered, especially about contaminant uptake into soil, crops, livestock, and humans, and said existing EPA and Oklahoma DEQ regulations address some treatment and application standards but may not fully cover PFAS. Dr. Arnell expanded on nutrient management, explaining that biosolids can function similarly to manure as a fertilizer source, especially for nitrogen and phosphorus, but should be tested, incorporated into soil, and applied under permit conditions to reduce runoff and other losses. He said PFAS testing methods are not yet standardized and that more research is needed to determine sampling protocols, movement in soil, and long-term effects. Committee members asked whether farmers and ranchers should be notified of risks, whether PFAS is currently tested, how many counties use biosolids, and what research would be needed for a dissertation-level study. The witnesses generally agreed that landowners should be informed of known risks and uncertainties, but said the science is still developing. Dr. Arnell said a unified testing method is needed before reliable PFAS monitoring can be done, and suggested that a multi-year study would be required to understand soil movement, crop uptake, and livestock impacts. Greg Scott of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission framed the issue as a waste-management problem, noting that human waste streams contain contaminants and that soil type affects how pollutants move; he said sandy soils pose greater movement risks than clay soils and that current best practice is incorporation, careful timing, and avoiding steep or sensitive sites. He also said PFAS are widespread and not naturally occurring in the way some other compounds are, and that liability and cleanup costs are major concerns. Mary Elizabeth Mock of Garver Engineering focused on the practical and financial consequences of a possible moratorium on land application, saying most of Oklahoma’s biosolids are currently land applied and would otherwise have to go to landfills. She warned that many landfills are nearing capacity, tipping fees could rise sharply, and cities such as Tulsa and Norman could face large increases in disposal costs, which would ultimately be borne by ratepayers and taxpayers. She also said septic system maintenance costs could rise if land application options shrink, potentially leading to deferred maintenance and system failures. Mock urged a tiered, data-driven approach to PFAS regulation and said advanced treatment technologies may help in the future, but they are still emerging and expensive. No votes were taken; the session consisted of presentations and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• believe this is along the same lines of the other bill that would have enabled the carrying of a loaded
• It's very dangerous to carry a loaded firearm on a vehicle where it's not necessary to do so.
• The only thing I'd add is that um it also redefines loaded, which I think is a problematic part of the
• , which I think is a problematic loaded, which I think is a problematic part<01:58:52.000><c> of</c><
• With that being said, um as loaded.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Another area of improvement for employees would be to permit front-loading of front-loaded hours for
• Another area of improvement for employees would be to permit front-loading of front-loaded hours for
• Another area of improvement for employees would be to permit front-loading of front-loaded hours for
• Another area of improvement for employees would be to permit front-loading of front-loaded hours for
• Another area of improvement for employees would be to permit front-loading of front-loaded hours for

Summary: The committee took up House File 1325 and adopted the author’s A2 amendment before hearing testimony. Representative Schultz presented the bill as a set of bipartisan changes to make Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law more workable for small businesses, public employers, and taxpayers, arguing the current law is an unfunded mandate that increases costs and property taxes. The bill’s supporters said it would add flexibility, including changes affecting coverage for certain workers, employer size thresholds, front-loading, weather-related exceptions, and a delay on penalties. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach of the Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying it would exclude about 800,000 workers, or roughly 30% of the workforce, from earned sick and safe time protections and create confusion and enforcement problems. She also objected to the proposed penalty delay, saying the department already uses compliance assistance and needs penalty authority for serious violations. The Minnesota Chamber supported modifications to the mandate, saying businesses—especially small ones—have struggled with compliance and that the law has had unintended effects on PTO policies and leave use. The League of Minnesota Cities supported parts of the bill, especially changes affecting more generous city leave policies and weather-event exemptions, saying current language creates confusion and can interfere with emergency staffing. Opponents from Education Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, and a nurse from Unity Hospital argued the bill would strip protections from part-time workers, minors, and workers with family caregiving needs, and would weaken a law they said has helped workers avoid discipline or lost wages when sick. Supporters from counties and an HR consultant emphasized administrative burdens, emergency staffing needs during weather events, and the difficulty of applying ESS rules to existing leave policies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oversized vehicles, the big wide loads that you have to measure for bridges and things.
• Oversized vehicles, the big wide loads that you have to measure for bridges and things.
• Now... ...oversized vehicles, the big wide loads that you have to measure for bridges and things.
• As soon as that load starts Get them, you pull them down. You got big four-foot cheater pipes.
• As soon as that load starts shaking, settling, it loosens up, so you've got to retighten them.

Committees: House Emerging Issues , House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to meet that load, we're going to have to build approximately 30,000 megawatts of generation
• So there's a built-in safety mechanism to prevent undue costs being loaded onto utilities.
• But because load is growing, you're worried that next year, if you don't take action now, you're going
• to see a problem where you just can't meet the load, and you might have to start reducing... ...just
• can't meet the load and you might have to start reducing the use of that wire.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills related to transportation, utilities, housing permitting, and port financing. Substitute Senate Bill 6309 would give regional transit authorities, such as Sound Transit, more flexibility to apply for permits before acquiring property, exceed certain local height/setback limits when needed for rail systems, and use development agreements to vary local standards; the sponsor and Sound Transit testified that the bill would speed delivery of light rail and bus rapid transit, and an amendment was described to allow permits on property not yet owned if the transit authority remains responsible for obtaining property rights. Substitute Senate Bill 6076 would streamline procurement rules for public utility districts on clean energy, storage, transmission, and distribution projects by raising self-performance and contract thresholds, allowing limited noncompetitive procurement in certain reliability or specialized-technology situations, and extending some provisions until 2045; supporters from PUDs, labor, and industry said the changes are needed because of rising costs, long lead times, and grid reliability demands, while committee members asked about the size of the threshold increases and the scope of the bidding waivers. Substitute Senate Bill 5729 would prohibit local governments from charging applicants for third-party plan review when a licensed local staff professional of the same discipline has already reviewed the materials, while still allowing third-party review at the applicant’s cost in certain cases; the sponsor said the bill was narrowed from a broader version and was intended to prevent duplicative fees, and builders supported it as a permitting streamlining measure. Senate Bill 6132 would create a narrow debt-limit exception for the Port of Moses Lake to support a rail project and preserve federal funding eligibility; the port and economic development supporters said the project is ready to bid and needs additional borrowing capacity because of inflation, and the sponsor clarified that the bill is intended to apply only to that port. Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5374 would require tribal governments to be included in transportation planning coordination under the Growth Management Act and create a tribal traffic safety coordinator grant program; the sponsor emphasized severe pedestrian fatality disparities for Native people and said the bill is about consultation and safety, while county representatives supported the policy goal but asked for clearer cross-references to existing GMA consultation and dispute-resolution processes. The committee also took up Substitute Senate Bill 6070/6076-related testimony and, at the end of the hearing, announced that bills would be executed the next day and amendment requests should be submitted as soon as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think we have a loaded dice. I think they're loaded in our favor. We have a loaded dice.
• I think they're loaded in our favor. And we're going to make a bet.
• And so that is one key piece that I see. have a loaded dice. I think they're loaded in our favor.

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee first discussed the state budget and employee compensation, focusing on the 1% pay increase proposal and the broader cost of state employee raises and benefits. Members noted that over the past several years the state has invested heavily in payroll, pension contributions, pay studies, and band realignments, and several senators argued that the 80/20 health insurance change and other benefit improvements amount to significant compensation increases even without an additional raise. Others cautioned that recurring revenue is limited, that recent revenue collections were weaker than expected, and that the state should be careful about committing to ongoing costs given possible economic slowdown, federal uncertainty, drought, wildfire risk, and the possibility of future budget pressure. The committee then heard extensive testimony on SB 177, a major economic development proposal centered on quantum computing, advanced energy, robotics, synthetic biology, and related technologies. Supporters described the bill as a large strategic investment intended to leverage New Mexico’s national laboratories, universities, and existing quantum workforce to attract companies, create high-wage jobs, and diversify the economy. Testimony emphasized that much of the quantum workforce would be skilled trades and technicians rather than Ph.D.-level researchers, and members asked detailed questions about whether the state would receive long-term returns, how intellectual property and clawbacks would be handled, and whether the package included recurring costs. Witnesses also explained the bill’s trade association and workforce-development components, and several senators raised concerns about energy use, water use, guardrails, and ensuring the state does not subsidize outside interests without benefits returning to New Mexico. After debate, the committee moved to table SB 177 indefinitely, with members noting that the funding and structure were already incorporated into House Bill 2. The motion passed on an 8-0 vote, with several members excused. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are starting to see load growth again, and that changes how we think about the electric system."
• </c><00:09:34.480><c> growth</c> We have are starting to see load growth We have are starting to see
• But the good news is that if done right, increases in load If done right, increases in load drive down
• We want to protect ourselves from bringing large loads.
• Wyoff's presentation talked a lot about that when it comes to load growth.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill combines the large load tariff provisions of House Bill 233 with structural and procedural
• , the large load users must incur the following costs: all of the costs that their project imposes on
• There's been no large load additions submitted to PJM by Delmarva at this point.
• Yeah, that was my next question: has Delmarva submitted any large load additions to the PJM backstop?
• Witness: But at this point, there are no large load additions in Delaware.

Summary: The Senate received communications from the House on numerous measures, including several bills and resolutions passed with amendments, committee reports on bills such as large energy use facilities, campaign finance, voting rights, and appropriations, and a list of pre-file legislation. The chamber then moved through a long floor session with confirmations, bill readings, and roll-call votes, ultimately confirming the nomination of Morgan T. Zern to the Delaware Supreme Court by a 21-0 vote. Among the major policy items considered were property tax and school tax measures tied to the statewide reassessment. The Senate passed House Bill 460, clarifying monthly municipal permit-data reporting to New Castle County; House Bill 461, granting temporary authority for New Castle County school districts to reset school tax rates for one cycle; and House Bill 462, making the split school tax rate permanent with a lower nonresidential cap. Members discussed the fiscal effects at length, including testimony from a school district finance officer that HB 461 would allow revenue-neutral rate setting and offset the fiscal note on HB 462. The Senate also passed House Bill 365 creating a Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, House Bill 458 on backflow requirements for low-hazard buildings, Senate Bill 27 establishing the Office of New Americans with a sunset and interagency coordination, and Senate Bill 315 on the Delaware Technical Innovation Program. The chamber also approved Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300, a firearms dealer regulation bill, after extensive debate over amendments, confidentiality, background checks, and the balance between public safety and burdens on lawful dealers. Several members raised constitutional and practical objections, while supporters argued the bill would reduce trafficking, straw purchases, and theft from dealers. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 305 creating a diabetes wellness pilot program, with supporters emphasizing the state’s diabetes burden and the program’s federal funding, and House Concurrent Resolution 157, which asks the State Lottery Office to report on iLottery’s impact on small businesses. Senate Bill 325, a fire prevention/background-check bill, was laid on the table after concerns about a late House amendment and requests for more time to consult stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a loaded term now, and it gives the impression that we want to control every firearm in the possession
• It's a loaded term now, and it gives the impression that we want to control every firearm in the possession
• It's a loaded term now, and it gives the impression that we want to control every firearm in the possession
• It's a loaded term now, and it gives the impression that we want to control every firearm in the possession
• It's a loaded term now, and it gives the impression that we want to control every firearm in the possession

Summary: The program covered three main topics: Minnesota’s February economic forecast, gun violence prevention efforts, and the growing debate over data centers. Minnesota Management and Budget reported a stronger-than-expected outlook, replacing a projected deficit with a $3.7 billion surplus for FY 2026-27 and a projected positive balance for FY 2028-29, though officials warned the state still faces a structural imbalance and possible federal funding losses tied to Medicaid reimbursements and fraud-related federal actions. Lawmakers also discussed affordability concerns, with Senate Republicans promoting a tax-relief package focused on property taxes, vehicle tab fees, and ending taxes on tips and overtime. A lengthy segment focused on gun violence prevention, including a Capitol rally by Annunciation Catholic Church families, students, and advocates. Senator Ron Latz said an interim working group he co-led with Senator Zeinab Mohamed gathered public and expert input and helped shape ideas for the session. He said there is no single solution, but cited measures such as red flag laws, universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, high-capacity magazine limits, safe-storage requirements, ghost gun and binary trigger bans, and more school counseling and wraparound mental health supports. Latz emphasized that he sees these as compatible with the Second Amendment and said he hopes to build bipartisan support, especially around school counseling and other “common-sense” measures. Latz said the short session and narrow margins mean compromise will be necessary, and that if a package does not pass this year, lawmakers will return to the issue next session while voters should hold legislators accountable in future elections. The final segment introduced the data center discussion, with Senator Bill Liske describing how data centers have grown from small server rooms into large industrial facilities and noting that some communities are considering moratoriums or restrictions because of neighborhood impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we might have a load of pistachios or a load of corn, and we'll do random sampling, pull the sample
• if it has a significant level of aflatoxin or microtoxins, then we have to destroy that particular load
• Load in different agencies, primarily from their CAD, which is Computer Aided Dispatch.
• It reduces peak load, and that is going to be very interesting because right now what's happening is
• load profiles are... ...totally changing.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:46:56.160><c> what</c><00:46:56.319><c> the</c><00:46:56.640><c> case</c><00:46:56.880><c> load
• </c> we really don't know what the case load we really don't know what the case load is<00:46:58.079>
• , the community mental health center "Oh, the community mental health center case<00:47:11.839><c> loads
• </c><00:47:12.240><c> are</c><00:47:12.480><c> not</c> case loads are not case loads are not correct,
• ,</c><00:47:24.040><c> but</c> unduplicated Medicaid case loads, but unduplicated Medicaid case loads

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• 47.599><c> affordable</c><00:03:48.120><c> reliable</c><00:03:48.599><c> base</c><00:03:48.879><c> load
• </c> providing affordable reliable base load providing affordable reliable base load electricity<00:03
• myo grid North Dakota's<00:04:09.680><c> traditional</c><00:04:10.120><c> base</c><00:04:10.400><c> load
• </c> Dakota's traditional base load Dakota's traditional base load generation<00:04:11.159><c> has</c
• </c> receive affordable reliable base load receive affordable reliable base load power<00:31:46.960><

Transcript Highlights:

• , and uh so I loaded the logs up and threw them in my shop.
• So<00:14:17.920><c> I</c><00:14:18.079><c> had</c><00:14:18.240><c> loaded</c><00:14:18.639><c> three
• three or four logs up in So I had loaded three or four logs up in the<00:14:20.320><c> back</c><00:14
• dosent and<00:14:24.800><c> uh</c><00:14:25.040><c> so</c><00:14:25.199><c> I</c><00:14:25.440><c> loaded
• logs</c><00:14:26.240><c> up</c><00:14:26.480><c> and</c><00:14:27.279><c> threw</c> and uh so I loaded