Video & Transcript : 'floating solar' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/03/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- Solar for All has been frozen.
- Solar for All has been frozen.
- Solar for All has been frozen.
- Solar for All has been frozen.
- That want solar for schools.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 19 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- projects, tax credits for residential clean energy improvements like heat pumps and solar panels.
- We also come up with smart solar permitting so that there's not 351 separate permitting processes across
- I think that's how... ...solar augmenting, and having a serious plan to look at nuclear going down the
- Cut large swaths of forest to put up a solar array. What that does is pollute our environment.
- In my district alone, there had been multiple large-scale solar arrays that have cleared significant
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters, including adopting a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a number of petitions. The chamber also scheduled several bills for later consideration, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating work schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection namings, handicapped parking fines, public-way safety, excavation restoration, motor vehicle safety, and a Newton police age requirement. Two engrossed local bills were passed to be enacted: one authorizing retired police officers as special police in Plainville and another allowing Orange to increase its Board of Selectmen membership.
The main policy debate centered on House No. 5151, An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. Supporters described it as a broad affordability and clean-energy package that would cut costs for ratepayers, reform Mass Save, speed clean-energy procurement and interconnection, return a portion of alternative compliance payments to customers, and address biomass and other energy issues. Opponents argued the bill relied too heavily on long-term programs and new administrative structures while offering little immediate relief, and raised concerns about costs being shifted to consumers, impacts on natural gas, and the pace of implementation. Several amendments were debated and rejected, including proposals to shift public benefit charges away from peak hours, pause public benefit charges for a year, require greater utility disclosure before rate increases, and add a forest-clearing penalty for solar development.
One amendment to the energy bill was adopted: a consolidated amendment that included budget-billing consumer protections for gas customers, requiring notice and conservation recommendations when usage rises significantly. The House also adopted an amendment to a separate conservation-restriction bill for Hanson, changing a figure in the underlying law, and passed that bill to be engrossed as amended. The energy bill’s consolidated amendment passed by roll call, while several other amendments failed by roll call votes. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring Jaden Booker, Thomas Skip Karam, former Freetown Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former Representative and Senator William Q. “Biff” McLean, Jr.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Nov 3rd, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And when we come back, everybody will hear the Opportunity Enterprise, local solar, and consideration
- We're going to move right along to the consideration of local solar access rules.
- Systems could be included as part of the solar energy system.
- Motion to approve the local solar access rules as proposed changes, correct? I second that.
- Approved rules governing the local solar access fund. Thank you.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Solar and wind takes over 17 to 20 years to offset the carbon it used to create.
- Solar and wind takes over 17 to 20 years to offset the carbon it used to create.
- Solar and wind takes over 17 to 20 years to offset the carbon it used to create.
- We talked about solar and wind.
- </c> them from investing into wind or solar them from investing into wind or solar it<01:06:35.640><c
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part II) Apr 1st, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the executive director of the Texas Solar Energy Society.
- All distributed solar, like rooftop solar, homeowners that are not participating in a DER program, would
- Senate Bill 2021 does many things that will deter potential residential solar customers from adding solar
- I'm a board member of the Texas Solar Energy Society, alongside Patricia.
- This would discourage rooftop solar adoption. Most of our members...
Bills:
SB75 , SB715 , SB776 , SB1299 , SB1405 , SB1968 , SB2021 , SB2077 , SB2148 , SB2321 , SB2330 , SB2411
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Health Service (1-14-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- think about that one for a little bit because how much income do you think can be generated on the float
- think be generated how much income you think be generated on<00:15:56.800><c> the</c><00:15:57.040><c> float
- </c><00:15:58.800><c> And</c><00:15:58.959><c> Senator</c> on the float that money?
- And Senator on the float that money?
Summary:
The committee first considered Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Richardson, which would require Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for services already within their legal scope of practice. Richardson and Taylor Williams of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association argued the bill would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, reduce emergency room use, and lower Medicaid costs by using pharmacists as lower-cost providers. Members asked whether the bill’s language simply aligned Medicaid with an earlier commercial parity law, and Richardson confirmed that it did. He also cited prior study work, research articles, and examples such as strep/flu testing and medication therapy management as covered services. The bill passed unanimously, and several members commented in support, including concerns about pharmacy access and the need for pharmacists to remain available to patients.
The committee then took up a concurrent resolution sponsored by Sen. Meredith calling for a feasibility study of a proposed new Medicaid delivery model. Meredith argued that Kentucky’s Medicaid spending is growing unsustainably and that current managed care arrangements are not improving outcomes enough. He proposed an accountable community health care organization, described as a locally owned, not-for-profit public-private partnership combining elements of accountable care models, with the goal of reducing bureaucracy, improving outcomes, and lowering costs. He said the study would examine a five-year program and ultimately test the model in five regions, with initial focus on the Lincoln Trail, Green River, and Barren River area development districts. Members asked about the study timeline, vendor costs, rural versus urban impacts, and provider recruitment; Meredith said the resolution would be studied by November and that no fiscal note had been prepared. The resolution passed unanimously.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Second question I have: On your solar, which we've had a lot of discussion on solar, what percent of
- solar is not made in the U.S. right now?
- We're not really talking about predatory solar people going around out there.
- solar panels on 40,000 acres in a district.
- And it's not like solar, where the sun isn't shining. You don't get that.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Feb 26th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- students, including Star Wars Academy Award-winning visual effects artist Lone Peterson, Rose Parade float
- Rose Parade Float, designer Raul Rodriguez, graphic designer Don Strout, glass artist Trish Dugan, Amy
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including students from Florence High School’s Law Academy, a fourth-grade class from Holy Spirit School, and Brigadier General Nick Brown of Marine Corps Installation West/Camp Pendleton. The chamber also handled routine business, including a motion to remove AB 1389 (Rubio) from the inactive file.
The main floor action was on two gubernatorial appointments. Andrew Rakestra was confirmed to the Board of Environmental Safety by a vote of 28-0, and Indira Cameron Banks was confirmed to the Civil Rights Council by a vote of 28-8. Senators also announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings on resources/environmental protection/energy, health and human services, judicial branch funding and court facilities, and state administration/general government.
The Senate then took up adjourn-in-memory tributes. Senator Archuleta honored Yoshi Nakamura, a World War II veteran, educator, artist, and community activist whose life included service in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and decades of teaching in Whittier and at Rio Hondo College. Senator Blakespear honored Dr. Rosemary George Strayley, a longtime international development and women’s rights advocate who served in the Peace Corps, worked with major global institutions, and co-founded Run Women Run. The Senate expressed condolences and agreed to memorialize both individuals.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- There were pictures and memes floating around.
- There were pictures and memes floating around about me cuddling the bears.
Committee:
House Wildlife
Summary:
The Wildlife Committee first announced that House Bill 4147 would be laid over at the author’s request, and the chair said this would likely be the committee’s only wildlife meeting until more bills arrived from the Senate. The committee then took up House Bill 4128, which would move Oklahoma’s bear hunting season start two weeks earlier, to September 15. Members questioned the current bear population, harvest trends, and the effect of moving the season earlier on female harvests. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation said its estimates are based on harvest data and prior OSU mark-recapture studies, and that the bear population is believed to be slowly increasing, with current estimates around 2,500. The department also said moving seasons earlier in Arkansas increased harvests and the share of females taken. Despite concerns about population impacts, the bill received a do pass recommendation and passed 6-0.
The committee next considered House Bill 3659, a request bill for resident duck hunters that would allow nonresidents to hunt only Monday through Thursday during the last 30 days of duck season so residents could hunt weekends. There was no debate, and the bill passed 7-0. House Bill 3270, as amended with a PCS, addressed feral swine damage, especially to peanut farmers in western Oklahoma. The author said the measure was a work in progress and would need stakeholder input, including from sporting facilities that had concerns. After a brief discussion about trapping and other control methods, the bill passed 7-0.
Finally, House Bill 3145, also amended with a PCS, was described as a clarification of language governing commercial hunt areas, since different operators were interpreting tagging rules differently. The committee approved the clarification and passed the bill 7-0. The chair then said no meeting was planned for the following week unless circumstances changed, and the meeting adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Mar 18th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, there's for cloud seeding, there's for solar radiation modification, and there has been a lot of
- Solar radiation management is a very new technology, Senator Garcia did bring this up briefly.
- Solar radiation management is a very new technology.
- Solar weather modification has been authorized under federal law for many decades.
- State of the science fact sheet on solar radiation modification.
Summary:
The committee considered and reported favorably several bills, most of them sponsored by Senator Rodriguez. CS/SB 164 on vessel accountability was presented as a measure to help law enforcement identify vessel owners, create a free long-term anchoring permit program, increase penalties for derelict vessel violations, and authorize grants for local governments in FWC’s prevention program; it passed without amendment. SB 388, dealing with FWC trust funds, was also reported favorably after Senator Berman asked whether non-game wildlife funds would support immigration enforcement; Senator Rodriguez said they would not. CS/SB 1320 was amended to recreate the Resilient Florida Trust Fund and then passed favorably. CS/CS/SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System was amended to define new terms and reduce the maximum surcharge from 25 cents to 15 cents, then reported favorably. CS/SB 86 on peer support for first responders expanded eligibility to support personnel and passed with broad support from law enforcement and related groups.
The committee also took up CS/CS/SB 92, a hit-and-run accountability bill by Senator Gruters. The adopted amendment added a front license plate requirement, lowered the damage threshold from $5,000 to $2,500, and retained reporting requirements for repair shops. NFIB testified in opposition to parts of the bill, citing concerns about the lower threshold, short reporting deadlines, and potential license revocation, while supporters argued the bill would improve accountability and help solve hit-and-run cases. The bill was reported favorably after debate.
The final and most contentious measure was CS/SB 56 by Senator Garcia, which would prohibit geoengineering and weather modification activities in Florida, repeal older weather-modification statutes, create a public reporting system at DEP, and impose penalties for violations. Supporters, including individuals identifying with weather-watch and anti-geoengineering concerns, argued that the bill would address public fears and environmental risks. A cloud-seeding company representative testified that cloud seeding is distinct from solar radiation management and said permitting should exist for responsible weather modification, while warning the bill could hinder beneficial precipitation enhancement. Despite skepticism from some members about the bill’s premise and scope, the committee reported it favorably. The meeting then concluded after members recorded missed votes and the committee adjourned.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 050 Mar 5th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- solar or plug-in solar.
- devices, otherwise known as solar devices, otherwise known as balcony<01:29:43.360><c> solar</c><01:
- </c><01:29:45.520><c> These</c> balcony solar or plug-in solar.
- These balcony solar or plug-in solar.
- ,</c> traditional rooftop solar, traditional rooftop solar, this<01:30:03.760><c> provides</c><01:30:
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Historically, this is typically included solar... ...not for selling power back to the grid.
- I'm the executive director of the California Solar and Storage Association, CalSA.
- So what we're talking about here is not cookie-cutter residential solar systems.
- So what we're talking about here is not cookie-cutter residential solar systems.
- So what we're talking about here is not cookie-cutter residential solar systems.
Summary:
The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar.
Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked.
After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Wildlife Feb 23rd, 2026 at 10:00 am
Agriculture and Wildlife
Transcript Highlights:
- We did license commercial float operators on the Illinois River.
- We had the river divided into three float areas during my tenure, where we had a heavy recreational stretch
- So, there's a lot of money made on those. float trips in different various things.
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Wildlife
Keywords:
poultry, agriculture, out-of-state processing, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, regulation, food safety, elk population, wildlife management, Oklahoma State University, veterinary medicine, ecosystem health, habitat assessment, milk, dairy, dairy farm, milk products, Grade A milk, pasteurization, raw milk, milk inspection
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Feb 12th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- In many cases, the hay bales floated away, creating debris for later cleanup.
- Many of us remember what the '90 floods looked like on the news as cows floated by in places like Snohomish
- We had, I don't know, 250, 300 dairy cows that died in barns from floating and not being able to get
Committee:
House Agriculture & Natural Resources
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Feb 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In many cases, the hay bales floated away, creating debris for later cleanup.
- Many of us remember what the '90 floods look like on the news as cows floated by in places like Snohomish
- We had, I don't know, 250, 300 dairy cows that died in barns from floating and not being able to get
Summary:
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on the December 2025 flooding in Washington and its impacts on agriculture, with no public testimony. Emergency Management Division Director Robert Azel described the storm sequence, record rainfall, widespread river flooding, landslides, power outages, evacuations, rescues, and damage to homes, roads, flood control infrastructure, and agricultural land. He said the state was preparing a major disaster declaration request and noted that mitigation investments and interagency coordination helped reduce losses, while debris removal and federal reimbursement remain important next steps.
Snohomish County Emergency Management Director Lucia Schmidt focused on farm impacts in Snohomish County, where tens of thousands of acres were underwater. She described damage to equipment, fences, hoop houses, feed, hay, nurseries, and perennial crops, and said many small farms face losses not well covered by existing federal disaster programs. She urged funding for the Washington State Conservation Commission’s disaster assistance program and emphasized the importance of helping small-scale farms recover to preserve the local agricultural community.
WSDA Assistant Director Kelly McLean outlined the department’s disaster response role, including food and feed safety, animal health, livestock sheltering, and coordination of resources. She described efforts to keep feed and dairy products moving, support dairies and livestock producers, connect farmers to relief and mental health resources, and distribute food assistance. She also said WSDA is working on a report due in July with recommendations for small and mid-sized farms and noted interest in developing a broader agricultural disaster assessment tool. Washington State Dairy Federation policy director Jay Gordon described repeated flooding in the Chehalis Basin and other areas, praised state and local partnerships, and argued that continued flood mitigation, storage, levee adjustments, and basin-specific planning are needed because these events are becoming more frequent and severe. Committee members asked about debris removal, federal disaster assistance, insurance challenges, farmworker impacts, and future mitigation projects, and the chair adjourned the meeting after thanking the presenters.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (01/13/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- A viable place to build solar projects.
- The Solar Energy Industries Association reports over 1,100 solar jobs in the state.
- ... ...solar.
- They already have solar panel or solar array and having these additional things. >> Yeah, that was the
- </c> already have solar panel or solar array already have solar panel or solar array and<01:10:39.600
Committee:
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Sep 29th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Environment & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Now three have been completed on time in June 2025 and include utility-scale solar energy facilities,
- So, for example, the solar programmatic EIS looked at utility-scale solar farms of different sizes, facilities
- For solar and wind proposals, the water use is really in the construction phase.
- But no, that will not be the case for Royal Slope Solar; they will press forward.
- We are looking throughout the state for opportunities to develop wind, solar, and batteries.
Committee:
House Environment & Energy
Summary:
The committee held a work session on SEPA-related clean energy permitting and on Washington’s carryout bag law. Ecology presented on the clean energy programmatic environmental impact statements (PEISs) completed for utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and green hydrogen, with a fourth for sustainable aviation fuel in progress. Ecology and EFSEC described how these broad reviews identify likely impacts, mitigation measures, and planning tools to help developers and lead agencies move projects through SEPA more efficiently, while still requiring project-level review. Committee members and presenters discussed issues such as wildfire risk from battery storage, water use, agricultural land conversion, recycling of solar panels and wind turbines, and the need for early tribal consultation and better cultural resource studies. Grant County and Yakama Nation both emphasized the importance of early pre-application coordination, cumulative impact review, and adequate time for tribal and agency input; Puget Sound Energy said it needs more predictable permitting to meet clean energy mandates and maintain reliability, while still facing major transmission and generation needs.
The second half of the meeting focused on the state’s carryout bag law. Committee staff reviewed the law’s history, current requirements, and upcoming changes: the 8-cent charge on paper and plastic bags rises to 12 cents in 2026, thicker 4-mil bags will be required in 2028, and a temporary 4-cent penalty on those thicker bags takes effect in the interim. Commerce summarized a Washington State University study finding that plastic bag distribution fell but total plastic weight increased because reusable bags are thicker, and Ecology described its education-first enforcement approach, litter study results, and the interaction with the new Recycling Reform Act. Ecology said it has received hundreds of complaints but has not yet imposed the $250 retailer penalty, using multiple rounds of technical assistance before site visits or fines. Members questioned whether the thicker-bag requirement makes environmental sense, whether the penalty structure is administratively burdensome, and how the law applies to tribal retailers.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Sep 23rd, 2025
Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- in a Worth of solar investments and have facilitated over 1,000 jobs.
- We have over 50,000 solar systems in New Mexico.
- Down here, there's about 200 megawatts of customer-sided solar.
- Sunrun is the largest solar installer in the United States.
- So, first of all, United Solar United Neighbors, they are a non-profit.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Apr 14th, 2026
Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Second question I have: on your solar, which we've had a lot of discussion on solar, what percent of
- solar is not made in the U.S. right now?
- We're not really talking about predatory solar people going around out there.
- solar panels on 40,000 acres in a district.
- And it's not like solar, where the sun isn't shining. You don't get that.
Summary:
The House Agriculture Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2998, with Representative Riggs explaining that most of the bill would be removed in committee substitute and that the remaining provisions would focus on an Upper Mississippi River Basin feasibility study and creating a stand-alone rural development office within DED. Riggs argued the study could explore hydropower, run-of-river technology, and a longer navigation season on the Mississippi, while the rural office would better serve Missouri’s roughly 2 million rural residents and provide a more permanent focus than current staffing arrangements. Committee members asked about why the river has not been used for power before, the cost and timeline of the study, the feasibility of retrofitting old locks and dams, and how the rural office would improve coordination and funding for rural development.
Testimony in favor included Lisa Pennett, who urged keeping the coal-related language and said Missouri should protect its remaining coal plants amid growing electricity demand; Mike Sutherland of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, who supported the rural development office and described co-ops’ role in broadband, workforce, housing, and community development across rural Missouri; and MoDOT’s Pamela Harlan, who said the agency would need to coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the river study, estimated the study cost at about $3 million, and said it would likely take about three years. Informational testimony from Missouri Policy Initiative provided data on hydropower nationally, noting that only a small share of U.S. dams generate electricity, many retrofit projects are not viable, and a Mississippi River lock-and-dam project in Missouri and Illinois had recently received a federal permit to study feasibility. The hearing ended with the chair noting the bill would be narrowed in a substitute and then adjourning the committee; no vote was taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Reading of a joint resolution honoring the lives and service of Melissa and Mark Hortman 2/17/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- energy standard and community solar laws, paid family medical leave, universal school meals, gun violence
- </c><00:02:16.160><c> energy</c> including a trailblazing solar energy including a trailblazing solar
- energy standard<00:02:17.440><c> and</c><00:02:17.760><c> community</c><00:02:18.160><c> solar</c><00
- :02:18.560><c> laws,</c><00:02:19.680><c> paid</c> standard and community solar laws, paid standard and
- community solar laws, paid family<00:02:20.319><c> medical</c><00:02:20.720><c> leave,</c><00:02:21.680