Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 631 is an act relating to energy storage goals, introduced by Representatives Campbell of
• Please listen to the first reading of the bill. >> H 631, an act relating to establishing energy storage
• goals. >> Now, the bill has been read the first time and is referred to the committee on energy and
• </c> Bill 631 is an act relating to energy Bill 631 is an act relating to energy storage<00:05:04.479
• </c> energy storage goals. energy storage goals.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While nuclear energy is one component of the energy mix, it remains the most expensive source of energy
• While nuclear energy is one component of the energy mix, it remains the most expensive source of energy
• HB 3229 is Chairman Lambert's bill relating to the recycling of certain renewable energy components and
• While nuclear energy is one component of the energy mix, it remains the most expensive source of energy

Bills: HB573 , HB1499 , HB1768 , HB3071 , HB3249 , HB3866 , HB4112

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: environmental enforcement, legislative oversight, inspection, concrete plants, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental product declaration, grant program, ready-mixed concrete, manufacturers, sustainability, concrete plant, concrete batch plant, wet batching, dry batching, central mixing, standard permit, TCEQ, environmental regulation, air quality, construction permit

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure about, I know there's different energy groups, and we need energy. I get that.
• We understand renewable energy has longer-term benefits to our society and some to our local area.
• I'll have to say that Florida Power and Light, Duke Energy have been good neighbors.
• We understand renewable energy has longer term benefits to our society and some to our local area.
• I'll have to say that Florida Power and Light, Duke Energy have been good neighbors.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and heard several bills, with SB 1742 on condos temporarily postponed. SB 1298 on building construction was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about continuing education for building professionals, rural sharing of building officials, residential inspector limits, a planning examiner internship, permitting modernization, and contractor transition liability. SB 638 on home inspectors was also reported favorably after discussion of increasing required education from 120 to 200 hours, adding subject-specific exam and course requirements, and requiring $300,000 in errors and omissions insurance. SB 960 on elevator accessibility requirements was reported favorably, allowing additional shorter support rails in elevators while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees. The committee adopted amendments and reported favorably CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms, aimed at stopping bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations; the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the bill, and members discussed how the measure would preserve direct restaurant-platform relationships like OpenTable and Resy while targeting third-party marketplaces that resell reservations. CS/SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was reported favorably after amendments that defined mRNA vaccine use and added a cosmetics-related amendment addressing harmful chemicals such as PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and mercury compounds; the Florida Retail Federation raised concerns but said it was working with the sponsor. CS/SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was reported favorably after an amendment clarifying the definition of heated tobacco products and excluding hookah, with support from the Florida Retail Federation and comments that the bill would distinguish these products from cigarettes for tax purposes. The committee also adopted a strike-all amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 1262 on construction contracting, which adds consumer protection and financial literacy topics to contractor continuing education, increases penalties for unlicensed contracting, creates a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and requires timely refunds and project completion standards; the Florida Home Builders Association supported the measure. Finally, CS/SB 1304 on solar facilities was reported favorably after extensive testimony from county commissioners and local officials supporting greater local oversight and decommissioning requirements for utility-scale solar on agricultural land; the bill would remove the current statewide by-right treatment for solar on agricultural land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances. The meeting ended with members recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator West, nuclear energy facilities.
• They have actually doubled their energy output.
• They have actually doubled their energy output.
• Texas at the forefront of advanced energy innovation.
• ><c> also</c><01:39:18.800><c> about</c> about energy, but it's also about about energy, but it's also

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and energy storage.
• We really need this to lower energy costs, lower the energy burden for our island.
• We really need this to lower energy costs, lower the energy burden for our island.
• We have Clearway Energy Group Thank you.
• </c><01:01:45.839><c> needs</c> All of us get most of our energy needs All of us get most of our energy

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> million raid on the uh renewable energy million raid on the uh renewable energy fund<01:09:15.880
• fund right it there's a renewable energy fund right it was<01:11:53.719><c> law</c><01:11:54.719><c>
• I mean, the renewable energy fund is one of the few remaining tools that we have to try to get us off
• that we currently have on natural gas, which is quite frankly what is driving up the cost of energy
• But the intent is that the renewable energy fund should be used to directly reduce rates in the near

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Department of Labor on several House Bill 2 sections. Members discussed raising the annual elevator certificate fee, which had been $50 since at least fiscal year 2014; the commissioner said the Inspection Division generates more revenue than its costs, and members agreed to amend the fee to $75 and later voted unanimously to accept Section 137. The department also explained a proposed change to civil penalty/warning language in Section 139 to align enforcement across labor laws; that section was accepted unanimously. The commissioner then gave a detailed overview of the second injury fund, describing how it is financed by assessments on insurance carriers, how claims are reviewed for reimbursement, and how the fund is intended to reimburse certain workers’ compensation costs. Members questioned whether the program still serves its original purpose, whether it is revenue-neutral, and whether it should be sunset; the department said the fund is a mixed bag for the state and industry, but no sunset language was adopted. Sections 140 and 141 were then accepted unanimously. The committee next heard from the Judicial Council on Sections 125 through 127. The witness said the changes would streamline payment for indigent defense services other than counsel, reduce the number of bills requiring judge review, and expand the council’s ability to contract with providers for services such as translation and evaluations. He also explained a proposed fail-safe allowing the executive director to decline to process questionable invoices and send them to a judge instead. Members generally supported the streamlining, and Sections 125 through 127 were accepted unanimously. Toward the end of the discussion, members asked about the cost impact of changing the misdemeanor/felony threshold from $1,000 to a higher amount. The Judicial Council said felony cases are significantly more expensive than misdemeanors because they involve more hearings, more discovery, and more attorney time, with assigned felony cases costing several times more on average. No action was taken on that question in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• That perception that schools teach to the lowest common denominator is out there, for the sake of equity
• </c><04:08:19.000><c> or</c> there uh for the sake of equity or there uh for the sake of equity or self-esteem
• Our neighboring state, Vermont, did it as well, and they focused their attention on taxpayer equity.
• so I think everybody in Vermont Equity so I think everybody in Vermont pays<05:03:23.080><c> $10</c>
• </c> student outcomes the taxpayer Equity student outcomes the taxpayer Equity follows<05:04:07.120><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which limits the maximum credits per course eligible for the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program. Representative Ladd said the bill clarifies that eligible courses may not exceed four credits and was requested by the community college system. Representative Earth offered an amendment to make the bill effective on passage, which the committee adopted 18-0. The committee then approved HB 193 as amended by an 18-0 OTPA vote and placed it on the consent calendar. The committee next retained HB 295, concerning School Building Aid program funds, after Representative Spillsbury said the building aid bills were complex and needed more work. The motion to retain passed 18-0, with the chair explaining that retained bills can be revisited later and that related language could be moved among building aid bills. HB 354 was not acted on because the chair said the Department of Education and others had suggested possible changes that should be worked out first. HB 366, another school building aid bill, was also retained 18-0 for the same reasons as HB 295. The committee then considered HB 494, which funds the math learning communities program. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program, reducing the proposed increase by a net $50,000 and keeping funding at current levels for the biennium. After discussion about budget pressures and the program’s role in supporting math instruction and professional development, the amendment passed 18-0, and the bill as amended was approved 18-0 and placed on consent. Finally, the committee took up HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid. Representative Popovici-Muller moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing charter schools should not be treated differently from other public schools, while Representatives Luno and Damon opposed the motion, saying charter schools differ in governance and financial risk and should not receive limited state building aid. The motion failed 10-8, so HB 515 was sent to the regular calendar. The committee assigned Representative Damon to the minority report and Representative Popovici-Muller to the majority report, with a noon deadline the next day. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. Representative Ladd described the program as a successful affordability measure that saves families money and supports college access. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program at current levels, reducing the proposed increase by $500,000 in each year of the biennium. Shannon Reed of the Community College System said the change could limit enrollment or the number of funded courses, though students could still take additional courses at their own expense. Representative Ladd explained the program’s tuition structure and said the funding would help meet demand; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 716.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and less food benefits, less energy and less food benefits, less energy assistance,<00:59:26.319
• You know, the lowest form cost of energy is renewable energy.
• </c> the energy realm driving up our energy the energy realm driving up our energy prices.<01:16:08.239
• </c><01:16:11.760><c> We're</c> of energy is renewable energy. We're of energy is renewable energy.
• Renewable energy is going to drive up energy costs.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules and Administration Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability met on February 20, 2026, to hear from Minnesota Management and Budget State Budget Director Anna Mingi about federal funding changes affecting the state budget. Before testimony began, Senator Rasmusson objected to a draft committee report that had been prepared in advance of the hearing, arguing it was inappropriate to summarize testimony before it occurred. The chair responded that nonpartisan staff had prepared the draft from Mingi’s submitted presentation and could revise it after the hearing if needed. Director Mingi explained that federal dollars make up more than one-third of state spending and support about 650 federal awards totaling over $23 billion this year, with more than $15 billion supporting state entitlement programs. She said the federal funding environment had changed significantly since January 2025 through executive orders, pauses, terminations, new grant conditions, delayed awards, and the July 2025 passage of H.R. 1, the federal reconciliation bill. Her main focus was H.R. 1’s effects on health care and food assistance, including work requirements for some adults, changes to eligibility for legal non-citizens, limits on retroactive Medicaid coverage and directed payments, new limits on provider taxes, and SNAP changes that shift some benefit and administrative costs to the state and counties. She estimated H.R. 1 would reduce federal funds to state-administered programs by about $327 million in the current biennium and $1.6 billion in the next, with additional costs to hospitals, counties, and other partners beyond the budget horizon. Members asked follow-up questions about whether the estimates were relative to the forecast and whether federal Medicaid funding would still rise over time. Mingi said the estimates were based on the November forecast baseline and that Medicaid federal dollars would likely continue growing overall, though the law still creates significant losses relative to prior projections. Senator Rasmusson emphasized that point in remarks to the committee. The discussion then shifted to federal grant pauses and cancellations: MMB’s tracker showed about six awards on hold totaling roughly $491 million, 13 confirmed cancellations across areas including clean energy, education, food assistance, and public health, and additional threatened or litigated cuts not included in those totals. Mingi identified two canceled violence-prevention-related grants, including a FEMA public safety grant and a justice reinvestment grant, and noted that CDC had recently moved to cancel or seek cancellation of several Minnesota public health grants, including a $65 million public health infrastructure award.

Transcript Highlights:

• In January, the governor, along with all 13 governors, the Department of Energy and the Department of
• The first one was a green energy plan. The gentleman will suspend.
• Yesterday, we passed a bill that required community development plans, water plans, energy plans, and
• of water, land, and electricity that threaten to destabilize our power grid and drive up consumer energy
• I'm proud to have authored House Bill 2150 to mandate strict energy and water usage transparency from

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests, including the Civil Air Patrol Pennsylvania Wing Cadet Color Guard, district office staff, and a guest page. A quorum was established with 202 members voting on the master roll. The chamber also noted that Deputy Sergeant Hopkins is retiring after three years of service, and several committee meetings were announced for later in the day. The main floor action was on House Bill 2198, which repeals the sales and use tax exemption for computer data center equipment. Supporters argued the exemption is no longer needed because data centers are large, profitable companies that should pay their share, and cited a projected future cost to the Commonwealth of about $517 million annually. Members in favor also said data centers place heavy burdens on local water, land, and electricity resources and should not receive taxpayer subsidies. Opponents argued the bill conflicted with broader data center policy discussions and that the House was moving too quickly after passing related infrastructure legislation the day before. After debate, the House took a recorded final vote and passed House Bill 2198 by a vote of 197-5. The bill was sent to the Senate for concurrence. The House then moved several bills from the table calendar to the active calendar and adjourned until Friday, June 26, 2026, at 12 noon unless recalled sooner by the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are surrounded by the presence of God, which is light, life. which is light, life, energy.
• We are fed from the same essence, from the same oxygen, from the same energy, which is God.
• HB 246, natural resources, energy and water. HB 2147, deer permits.
• Natural resources, energy and water. HB 2151, surface water definition.
• Natural resources, energy and water. HB 254, abortion public prohibition.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And even you're looking at the low-income energy assistance program.
• we've had so many self-inflicted wounds in the state of Washington because we've not handled our energy
• We've not had a policy of energy diversity to drive costs down and to make sure we have energy security
• And what we saw in the past week is having to fund low-income energy assistance programs because people
• innovation in the state of Washington because we ourselves as a state have not really addressed that energy

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: At this Republican media availability, Senate and House GOP leaders focused on affordability, taxes, and government accountability as the session approached cutoff. Senate Republican Leader John Braun criticized the Senate’s income tax bill and a range of other tax proposals, arguing they would raise costs for food, health care, prescription drugs, data centers, startups, grocery bags, and employers of Apple Health/Medicaid users. House Republican leaders Peter Abbarno and April Connors echoed those concerns, saying the latest revenue forecast did not justify new taxes and that Democrats were relying on tax increases rather than relief for families and small businesses. A major topic was the income tax bill that had passed the Senate and was headed to the House. Republicans said they opposed it on constitutional and policy grounds, argued it would eventually expand beyond high earners, and said the bill should be amended to remove the necessity clause so it could be referred to voters. They also said any meaningful tax reform should include broader relief such as property or sales tax reductions, not just narrow carveouts. Braun also said he hoped Governor Inslee would reconsider support for the measure, while House Republicans said they would try to stop it from advancing. The lawmakers also discussed child welfare and public safety bills, especially efforts to force votes on legislation related to DCYF and child deaths. They criticized House Democrats for not hearing or advancing several Republican-backed bills and said process objections were being used to avoid accountability. Braun noted that a bipartisan bill to add fentanyl to the endangerment statute, HB 5071, remained alive in the House. Other bills mentioned as priorities to oppose included an environmental crimes bill, a juvenile release bill, a real estate excise tax measure, and a bottle bill, all of which Republicans said would increase costs or expand state authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• reliable and that electricity is affordable for the American people and to promoting our national energy
• Forcing energy producers to comply with unattainable emissions controls jeopardizes this mission.
• of April 8, 2025, providing regulatory relief for certain stationary sources to promote American energy
• Forcing energy producers to comply with unattainable emissions controls jeopardizes this mission.
• Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and ordered printed.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 14, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• going to pass an energy policy package.
• going to pass an energy policy package.
• going to pass an energy policy package.
• going to pass an energy policy package.
• going to pass an energy policy package.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :37:28.960><c> to</c><00:37:29.520><c> firefighting</c> These amendments seek to enhance clarity, equity
• This legislation honors their service, respects local decisionmaking, and provides equity for every member
• bill or the contents of the bill or the bill or the contents of the bill or the<01:21:50.719><c> equity
• </c><01:21:52.159><c> And</c><01:21:52.320><c> if</c><01:21:52.400><c> so,</c> the equity of the age
• And if so, the equity of the age issue?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And he said that the bill would, quote, incentivize out-of-state special interests to acquire equity
• And that's all I have. interests to acquire equity in New interests to acquire equity in New Hampshire's
• And pursuant to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, known as BEAD, New Hampshire is
• And pursuant to<01:40:35.920><c> the</c><01:40:36.239><c> broadband</c><01:40:36.800><c> equity</c><01
• equity access and deployment<01:40:38.239><c> program</c><01:40:38.560><c> known</c><01:40:38.800><c

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 21:48.520><c> Sweat</c> it will cost us in terms of um Sweat it will cost us in terms of um Sweat Equity
• 21:49.960><c> go</c><00:21:50.080><c> over</c><00:21:50.240><c> there</c><00:21:50.360><c> and</c> Equity
• we're going to go over there and Equity we're going to go over there and clean<00:21:50.760><c> up</
• When the resident sells the house, the sale price from the equity, I guess, built, they can then build
• I guess built they price from the equity I guess built they can<00:53:31.960><c> then</c><00:53:32.200

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing and moved quickly through a long agenda, beginning with HB 606 on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. DHHL and several community testifiers strongly supported the bill, describing it as a way to fulfill long-standing promises to Native Hawaiians, reduce the DHHL waitlist, keep families in Hawaii, and support housing production and the broader economy. Testifiers emphasized the cultural and economic importance of stable housing and noted the large number of people still waiting for DHHL homes. The committee then heard HB 1086, also relating to DHHL, which would allow the department to use a $75 million appropriation from the dwelling unit revolving fund as collateral for loans. DHHL, HHFDC, and other supporters said the measure would help DHHL obtain better loan terms and preserve trust funds for other uses. Members asked detailed questions about how the collateral would work, whether other agencies use similar structures, and what would happen if the collateral were drawn upon; staff explained that the funds would be encumbered for the loan and that a similar model had been used for a HUD-backed project. The committee also heard HB 739, which would create the COM homes program to fund counties to buy voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or buyers. Supporters said the program could help keep local workers in Hawaii by using existing housing stock and cited examples from places like Aspen and Vail. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to remove duration requirements to avoid right-to-travel concerns, and the Tax Foundation suggested clarifying the conveyance tax exemption so it also covers the instrument imposing the restriction. Members asked whether tax dollars would be used to buy homes, who would be eligible, and how enforcement would work; supporters said the program is voluntary and income-blind, with restrictions tied to living and working in the state. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this should be energy, uh, not energy here down with, uh, Kansas testimony.
• Uh this should be energy uh not works.
• Uh this should be energy uh not energy<00:41:42.640><c> here</c><00:41:42.880><c> down</c><00:41:43.119
• </c> familiar are you all with Kucky's energy familiar are you all with Kucky's energy policies?
• c> abuts</c> anything where that energy policy abuts anything where that energy policy abuts uh,<00:46

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Intelligence Task Force met with a quorum present and approved the minutes from the August 14 meeting. The first presentation was from the National Retail Federation on artificial intelligence in the retail sector. NRF described AI use cases in three areas: consumer-facing tools such as chatbots, product descriptions, and marketing; employee-facing tools such as company-specific apps trained on employee manuals; and internal uses such as supply chain forecasting, inventory planning, fraud detection, cybersecurity, and coding support. The presenters said retail has been among the top deployers of AI and emphasized that the goal is to improve both customer and employee experience. NRF also outlined its principles for responsible AI use, organized around governance and risk management, customer engagement and trust, workforce applications, and business partner accountability. The group said retailers should maintain strong internal oversight, be transparent with customers, ensure compliance with existing laws, closely review workforce-related uses because they can be high-risk, and clearly define responsibilities between retailers and third-party developers. In policy discussion, NRF urged a tiered approach focused first on high-risk uses such as hiring, health care, financial, mortgage, and rental decisions, warned against fragmented rules that could favor only the largest firms, and encouraged voluntary standards and worker upskilling incentives. In response to a question about dynamic pricing, NRF said its members do not target consumers based on pricing and offered to follow up with more information. The committee then moved to a follow-up discussion on energy policy and data centers, hearing from Bartley Cleland of NetChoice. He explained that AI runs largely in data centers and that cloud computing shifts processing and storage away from individual devices, which he argued improves efficiency and can reduce costs. He said electricity demand has been rising over time and that AI will increase compute-related electricity use, but framed electricity as a normal input to economic growth. No votes or formal actions were taken after these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, the most important thing is food and energy innovation.
• So how do you combine energy production? We're blessed with 300 clear days in this state.
• But the big challenge is it's an energy hog. It takes a lot of energy.
• Whereas if it's right on top of us, in your face, you need a lot more energy to push it away.
• The energy from that was enough to nudge it, of course.

Committee: House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Rural Economic Development met to hear two presentations. Rep. Volk gave a lighthearted but substantive overview of invasive plant species in southern Arizona, focusing on buffalo grass and stinknet, their role in increasing wildfire risk, harming native habitat, and contributing to respiratory irritation. He described current removal efforts such as hand-pulling and volunteer work, and discussed emerging technology including drone-based mapping and targeted herbicide application. Members asked about grazing use, treatment costs, and whether the mapping covered areas farther north; Volk said the red dots represented identified but untreated stinknet locations and noted ongoing coordination with county, museum, and fire-management partners. The committee then heard from Dr. Vishnu Reddy of the University of Arizona on space defense as an economic enabler for Districts 7 and 17, with discussion of Biosphere 2, water research, food innovation, and the university’s space situational awareness work. He explained asteroid and planetary defense, including how near-Earth objects are tracked, why early detection matters, and how objects can be nudged off course with kinetic impact methods like NASA’s DART mission. He also described the Chelyabinsk meteor event, the far side of the Moon, and the value of university, small-business, and student partnerships in this research ecosystem. Reddy highlighted Biosphere 2’s visitor revenue, philanthropic support, and federal/state funding tied to these programs, and emphasized workforce development and small-business contracting. The presentation concluded with members handling meteorite, Moon, and Mars samples. No formal bills were considered and no votes were taken; the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, the most important thing is food and energy innovation.
• So how do you combine energy production? You know, we're blessed with 300 clear days in this state.
• But the big challenge is it's an energy hog. It takes a lot of energy.
• Whereas if it's right on top of us, in your face, you need a lot more energy to push it away.
• The energy from that was enough to nudge it, of course.

Committee: House Rural Economic Development

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in civic life by electing representatives in local, state, and federal offices and advocating for equity

Keywords: 1183, house