Video & Transcript Research : 'drip pricing'
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AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/03/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Transcript Highlights:
- The price of gas is going up. It is volatile. The price of gas is going up.
- This raises the price for us as constituents driving during those times.
- We're all for lower gas prices. We're all for lower taxes. We're all for lower gas prices.
- Down gas prices, and what in particular have you done?
- I can tell you, and this is how important... ...is the price of that.
Bills:
HB2014, HB2113, HB2145, HB2331, HB2340, HB2389, HB2400, HB2401, HB2428, HB2494, HB2696, HB2756, HB2795, HB2955, HCM2008
Keywords:
air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, energy reliability, electric service providers, reliable resources, public power entity
Summary:
The committee heard several energy and transportation bills, with testimony largely split between sponsors, industry groups, local governments, and environmental advocates. HB 2428, dealing with county and ADEQ authority to issue voluntary permits certifying emission reduction credits for mobile and non-road sources, drew neutral support from ADEQ and support from Maricopa County; it was amended and passed 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2145, which expands who may petition on gasoline supplier alternative standards, also passed, 5-4, with no amendment.
A lengthy debate followed on HB 2331, as amended, which would require electric utilities to ensure 85% of generating capacity serving retail load comes from “reliable resources” by 2030. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill was needed to preserve affordable, dependable power and prevent overreliance on intermittent renewables, while opponents from the Sierra Club and Rural Arizona Action said it would effectively favor fossil fuels, raise costs, and limit cleaner energy options. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and the sponsor’s amendment, then passed the bill 6-4. HB 2795, which limits county zoning authority over small modular reactors once federal permitting and certification steps are met, drew strong support from nuclear and business advocates and opposition from county, city, and environmental representatives concerned about local control, safety, waste, and preemption; it passed 6-4 after amendment-related discussion.
The committee also passed HB 2340, which allows the power plant and transmission line siting committee to evaluate the plant itself when reviewing transmission line applications, by a 5-4 vote. Finally, HB 2400, an emergency measure to suspend the motor vehicle fuel tax in Areas A and C during summer months and replace the lost revenue with state highway funds, prompted testimony about gas prices, boutique fuel requirements, and transportation funding needs; cities and counties opposed the diversion of highway funds, while the sponsor argued it would help consumers facing higher fuel costs. The Griffin amendment was adopted, and the bill passed with a due pass recommendation after debate on affordability versus road funding.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Housing Sep 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- What they see is a nice, clean schedule with a sort of price for each affordable unit.
- What they do is take that price schedule and their project and tax liability, add a few affordable units
- The CLT uses grants and donations to lower the initial purchase price of a home.
- So 75 or 80% of the folks in the Metha Valley cannot afford the median home price.
- So this in San Juan County, where Lisa hails from, the blue line is median house price.
Summary:
The Senate Housing Committee heard presentations on a range of housing finance, permitting, and affordability tools. Chattanooga described its affordable housing PILOT program, which uses a per-unit property tax abatement tied to the rent loss from providing affordable units, with a 15-year term and annual compliance monitoring. Committee members asked about the program’s structure, whether it had been used elsewhere, and who was participating; the presenter said the first mixed-income project would bring 278 units with 42 affordable units and that the model was attracting private market-rate developers. Shoreline then described its MFTE and inclusionary zoning approach, emphasizing that longer tax exemption periods and station-area zoning changes had helped spur development, with most current pipeline projects concentrated near light rail stations.
The committee also heard from the Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce on tax increment financing, proportional impact fees, and permit timelines. Commerce explained that TIF can fund public improvements such as roads, utilities, broadband, and some affordable housing or child care facilities, while proportional impact fee guidance is intended to help jurisdictions charge fees more closely aligned with actual project impacts. On permit timelines, Commerce presented its first annual report under recent law changes, using 2024 as a baseline year and noting that reported timelines were generally longer than statutory goals; members asked about outliers, paper versus electronic processing, and whether back-and-forth between applicants and staff was driving delays. Commerce said it would follow up with more data, including on CHIP funding and permit reform practices.
Several local governments then shared permitting process improvements. Auburn reported relatively short review cycles and described its move to fully electronic permitting, internal performance standards, and a stock plan program that speeds review for repeated home designs. Bellevue described an AI permitting pilot with a local startup to help with pre-application questions, document triage, and plan review, aiming to reduce incomplete applications and revision cycles. Seattle presented a pilot for accessory dwelling unit co-development in which a mission-driven partner would help homeowners split lots, finance, build, and manage ADUs, with the homeowner eventually buying out the partner and retaining ownership; committee members asked about rent setting, management fees, and default risk, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief overviews of community land trusts and limited equity cooperatives as permanent affordability models, with presenters urging continued state and local funding support and policy recognition for these approaches.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Andrew Hughes, of Texas, to be Deputy Secretary, David Woll, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, both of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Michelle Bowman, of Kansas, to be Vice Chairman for Super Apr 10th, 2025 at 09:10 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Consumers are anticipating brutal price hikes on everyday goods.
- Wages weren't even close to keeping up with the price of goods. Basics.
- Energy prices are down 30%. Egg prices are down 50%. Private sector employment is surging.
- I want to ask you about the oil price cap, which is in place.
- Last 81 days, prices have come down. Good. That's good. Okay.
Keywords:
legislation, housing affordability, financial regulation, public testimony, accountability, oversight
Summary:
The meeting involved significant discussions around key legislative proposals, primarily focusing on various bills such as HB2 and SB5. The committee examined the implications of these bills on issues like housing affordability and financial regulation. Notable members engaged in debates, providing differing perspectives on the potential economic impacts of the proposed bills. The meeting witnessed public testimony, which included a call for accountability in government actions and oversight of current financial policies. Members echoed concerns about following through on commitments to address critical issues affecting everyday Americans.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it the promise of the builder saying these prices will not be exceeded?
- It's only if the house is $525,000 or less from a sales price. Okay. Does that make sense?
- When that happens, all housing prices will go down because now somebody is leaving.
- It's the reason we put it and tied it to an index instead of just having a price, because the price could
- I think you were right in not setting a price point.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- price for condo units.
- And we can see, The national median price for condo units.
- We've seen a flattening in the sales prices in Florida.
- But since 2022, the prices in both the state and the nation have risen.
- And The prices in both the state and the nation have risen.
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries met for a panel discussion on current issues affecting Florida condominiums. DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin highlighted the department’s expanded condo education, complaint, and ombudsman services under HB 1021, including new online resources, board member certification, increased outreach, and broader complaint jurisdiction. She said the division has filled most of its new positions and that the new condo website is intended to improve transparency and access to records and information.
Other panelists focused on insurance, inspections, and market impacts. Insurance agent Mike Clarkson said the condo insurance market remains difficult, especially for older buildings, and raised concerns about roof replacement demands, Citizens’ depopulation practices, and the mismatch between reserve studies and insurer timelines. Building officials representative Ron Laceca described challenges with phase one and phase two inspections, including incomplete databases, limited contractor capacity, and the need for local flexibility and better recordkeeping. University of Florida researcher Bill Hughes said his data show the condo market has not suffered a major overall decline from the new laws; he argued the rules have made costs more transparent and may strengthen the market over time.
Community association manager Jamie Ballard said the biggest pressures on associations are rising insurance costs and early roof replacement requirements, and she supported board certification while opposing the continuing education exemption for long-tenured CAMs. In committee discussion, members pressed witnesses on whether recent condo laws caused insurance and roof-cost problems, and witnesses generally said those issues are driven more by the market than by the legislation. Senators also discussed possible reforms, including better data collection, clearer reporting duties for managers, and possible changes to insurance and reserve practices. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It requires the food prices in prison vending machines align with the average market rate retail price
- I've never price gouged, and I would not price gouge.
- If you look at the community, our prices are cheaper. My prices are cheaper than everywhere else.
- There is no regulation when it comes to the prices.
- There is no regulation when it comes to the prices.
Summary:
The committee heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. AB 837 by Assemblymember Davies would add ketamine transportation to existing drug trafficking law; supporters, including district attorneys and peace officer groups, said it would address a growing and dangerous drug trend, while opponents argued increased penalties do not reduce drug supply and can worsen health harms. The bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote and sent to Appropriations. AB 352 by Assemblymember Pacheco would make threats against judges and court commissioners an aggravating factor in sentencing; judicial and law enforcement groups supported it as a response to rising threats, while ACLU and criminal justice advocates said existing law already covers threats and the bill is unnecessary. It also passed to Appropriations.
The committee then took up AB 938 by Assemblymember Bonta, which expands vacatur and affirmative-defense relief for survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, including for some violent offenses. Survivors and advocates testified that the bill would allow people coerced into crimes to tell their full stories and seek relief, while district attorneys and sheriffs warned it could sweep too broadly and affect public safety. The chair and several members strongly supported the measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 475 by Assemblymember Wilson would make prison work assignments voluntary and is tied to a broader effort to remove involuntary servitude language from the state constitution; supporters framed it as a rehabilitation and dignity issue, while one member objected to the premise and cited the defeat of a related ballot measure. The bill was voted out to Appropriations but left on call pending additional votes.
Assemblymember Lowenthal presented AB 704, which would allow people convicted of low-level offenses before age 26 to petition to seal and destroy records after a waiting period. Supporters said the bill addresses the limits of expungement in the digital age and recognizes young adult brain development; prosecutors and police groups raised Brady/disclosure concerns and objected to treating 18- to 25-year-olds like children. The committee debated those issues at length before sending the bill to Appropriations. Lowenthal also presented AB 812, which would expand resentencing opportunities for incarcerated firefighters who serve on conservation fire crews; supporters emphasized rehabilitation, wildfire response, and reduced recidivism, and the hearing continued with support testimony and the start of opposition testimony as the transcript ended.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Those prices are set for a specific amount of time and they have to hold those prices.
- They contract with those prices. Okay? They contract with those prices.
- were able to get the best price for it. were able to get the best price for it.
- They're getting it at a cheap price, but they're not selling it at a cheap price.
- <01:50:56.719>
So determine your price. Okay? So determine your price. Okay?
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would codify the department’s interpretation that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary coverage for a newborn, unless the mother has no insurance or coverage under an employer-sponsored plan. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure is a clarification of existing practice and intended to protect vulnerable newborns; a question from Rep. Miles clarified that if a young woman is on her parents’ policy, the newborn would generally be covered under that family coverage. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Sen. Kevin Avard, which would require insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, Medicare Advantage plans. Commissioner Benton Court said the bill arose from disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers, brokers, and the department were confused by carriers changing or ending offerings; he said the department wanted a simple notification requirement so it could better advise consumers. Members discussed network adequacy, county-based service areas, and the fact that the bill would make notice a condition of licensure, with possible fines or license action for noncompliance. Witness Paula Rogers of AHIP said her group supported the bill if amended, and the department indicated it would support a change from a 120-day notice period to 90 days to align with state rules; the committee planned to work on an amendment in subcommittee.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Rep. Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion of pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole argued the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell drugs at a loss, describing PBMs as middlemen and saying the measure is a compromise that protects local pharmacies. Members questioned whether consumers would pay more and whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts; Cole responded that the bill would let pharmacies refuse unprofitable fills while consumers could still obtain the drug through mail order or other channels. He also said the issue has changed over time because the practice now affects a much larger share of generics and is concentrated among a few PBMs. The hearing remained open as questions continued, with no vote taken in the excerpt.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works May 26th, 2026
Transportation, Highways & Public Works
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman Price, on your bill, on your resolution. Thank you, Mr.
- It lets the DOTD look at things other than just the price.
- I'm here to speak today strictly on the concept of average bid price award.
- Florida tested multiple bidding award methods, including average bid price.
- With the average bid price approach, that will no longer be the case.
Keywords:
highway maintenance, signage, transportation safety, DOTD, infrastructure, public safety, federal grants, job creation, Utility Terrain Vehicles, UTVs, safety regulations, transportation, Louisiana, task force, vehicle operation, legislation, accidents, HCR112, House Concurrent Resolution 112, Louisiana Highway 1
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met on May 26 with a quorum present and took up several resolutions and one Senate bill. SCR 64 created a task force to study construction management at risk (CMAR) in Louisiana public works; an amendment added representatives from the Louisiana Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors, and the resolution was reported with amendments. HR 282 created a task force to study utility terrain vehicles with state agencies; an amendment added the State Fire Marshal, and it was also reported with amendments.
The committee then considered SB 513 on public works project delivery methods. The bill originally included an average-bid award method for certain pilot projects, along with airport design-build provisions. Testimony from a Reason Foundation analyst and from the Louisiana Associated General Contractors raised concerns that average-bid contracting could encourage collusion, raise costs, and lacked supporting data or use by U.S. transportation departments, while airport design-build was supported. The committee adopted an amendment in concept to strike the average-bid provisions, leaving the airport-related design-build language in place, and SB 513 was reported with amendments by a vote of 11 yeas and 4 nays.
The committee also reported SCR 62 favorably, which urges DOTD to evaluate school zones on state highways in response to safety concerns and near misses, including a fatal incident referenced by the author. HCR 112 was reported favorably to study flooding on Louisiana Highway 1 in Shreveport, and HR 275 was reported favorably to study an interstate highway signage maintenance and reporting program. The meeting concluded after all items were disposed of and the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, we don't have transparent pricing. You don't know how much stuff costs.
- Uh, but if people do not care about prices, pricing will never come down.
- What it does in, in our healthcare industry, we can see prices vary by a factor of 10x.
- When we as consumers buy things, we normally do it on quantity, quality, and price.
- Price in healthcare is determined by market strength. That's it.
Bills:
HB139
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee (1/12/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:07:51.919>
for how they came up with the pricing for how they came up with the pricing - <00:09:04.399>
at <00:09:04.880>$797 uh lucrative price at $797 uh lucrative price - is well below the bid or the best price is well below the 79,000?
- minimum minimum price you accept? minimum minimum price you accept?
- at an identical price. at an identical price.
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from its September 29 meeting and then took up a series of Department of Transportation and Department of Administrative Services property actions. Several DOT items involved disposal of land originally acquired for the now-dissolved Conway bypass or other highway projects, including a 445.6-acre Conway parcel proposed for sale to the town of Conway for conservation use, a 1.78-acre Chesterfield parcel for sale to an abutter, a 6.13-acre Madison parcel tied to the Conway bypass, and a bulk disposal package of 22 improved parcels in Merrimack, Litchfield, and Hudson. Members asked about appraisals, conservation easements, federal funding restrictions, tenant occupancy, and whether the state would recover its original investment; DOT said values were based on appraisal or market analysis, federal reimbursements may be required where federal funds were used, and proceeds from turnpike-related property would return to the turnpike fund. All of these disposal motions were approved.
The committee also approved several DOT lease/easement items. These included a Greenfield railroad-corridor lease for equestrian use, a Lake Winnipesaukee dock lease to CE Realty Trust, a similar dock lease to Needle Eye Association, and an easement in Carroll for Industrial Wireless to build a private road and cross Mount Deception Brook for a cell tower project. Members focused on maintenance responsibilities, liability insurance, access limitations, fencing, and the relationship between the railroad corridor and adjacent uses. DOT said lessees would be responsible for maintenance, access to the railroad would be restricted, and liability insurance would be included where appropriate. The committee also approved a separate easement for Eversource in Rochester to install utility lines serving the new courthouse, with the department explaining that the easement is a narrow strip needed to complete construction.
The Department of Administrative Services received approval for a use-of-premises agreement allowing Rockingham County to lease 300 square feet in the Brentwood courthouse for office space, and for a perpetual utility easement in Rochester for Eversource, with a waiver of the administrative fee. The committee also heard that the Rochester courthouse project needs the utility work to finish construction. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly asked about insurance, public access, valuation, and whether tenants or abutters would have first opportunity to buy or lease the affected properties. All motions before the committee were adopted.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/03/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- probably tripling quadrupling the price probably tripling quadrupling the price of<00:04:59.000>
- always will be expensive and the prices always will be expensive and the prices will<01:47:45.159
- <02:26:42.520>
um years we've seen High Energy prices um years we've seen High Energy prices - <02:38:37.680>
of <02:38:37.840>fossil price of fossil price of fossil fuels<02:38:39.800 - You can learn more about that at bitly Carbon Price Gap PDF. Thank you.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Commerce Apr 21st, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- You don't know then if that attempt you were making to price shop and find the right price for you and
- I can’t price shop very well, right?
- HB 800 is not a price control legislation, nor does it mandate any uniform pricing.
- HB 800 is not a price control legislation, nor does it mandate any uniform pricing.
- The prices are higher.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 267, which would change the membership rules for the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors by adjusting appointment qualifications, term limits, and nomination procedures. Vice Chair Thomas explained the bill was meant to address the lack of nominations from existing entities and to allow the governor more flexibility, especially in smaller districts. After adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported HB 267 favorably.
The committee then considered House Bill 478 on utility overcharge reimbursements. The bill, as amended, requires utilities to clearly label reimbursements on customer bills and sets a deadline for issuing refunds. After discussion with the Public Service Commission and utility representatives, the committee changed the reimbursement timeline from 45 days to 90 days and clarified that the bill would not interfere with larger settlement or regulatory credits. HB 478 was then reported favorably as amended.
The longest discussion centered on House Bill 924, a consumer protection measure aimed at contractors who solicit residential property owners after declared disasters. The author said the bill was intended to curb predatory storm-chasing and fraudulent insurance-related practices, while still allowing emergency mitigation work. The committee adopted technical amendments and then a conceptual amendment shortening the catastrophe response period from six months to 30 days. Testimony was split: the Insurance Commissioner and some roofing industry witnesses supported the bill as a way to deter fraud, while other contractors argued it would hurt small businesses, limit legitimate door-to-door work, and not solve enforcement problems. The bill remained under consideration after extensive testimony and public comment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cmte on Rules - Subcommittee on the Federal Impact on Minnesotans and Economic Stability - 12/18/25
Transcript Highlights:
- their prices. Other vendors have simply their prices.
- tariffs or charges instead of price tariffs or charges instead of price increases.<00:55:58.480>
- the product unsellable at the new price. the product unsellable at the new price.
- That ensuing drop in soybean prices has led to soybeans being priced at or below most farms' cost of
- <01:25:43.840>
Um, input prices are. Um, input prices are.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Regulated Industries Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- THE ORANGE LINE IS REPRESENTING THE MEDIAN SALES PRICE.
- NOW WE HAVE THE MEDIAN PRICE FOR FLORIDA IN ORANGE HERE AGAIN.
- THE MEDIAN PRICE HAS GONE UP FROM 2022 – 2024 FROM THE STATE AND THE NATION.
- WE HAVE SEEN A FLATTENING IN THE SALES PRICES.
- SINCE 2022, THE PRICES IN BOTH THE STATE AND THE NATION HAS RISEN.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Mar 18th, 2025
Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- Offset price increases as tariffs on imports from Canada drive up lumber prices and generate a local
- And the price per barrel of oil continues to drop.
- Uh, I remind the folks that when we're looking at the price of the pump or energy costs, these are.
- One of the concerns was price volatility.
- per barrel maybe, maybe just rises back up to above that $55 per barrel price.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/18/26 - Afternoon Meeting
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- Our pricing, this pricing model has been unsustainable for more than a decade and has been identified
- Our pricing,<00:03:50.080>
this <00:03:50.319>pricing <00:03:50.640>model <00:03: - 50.879>
has <00:03:51.120>been pricing, this pricing model has been pricing, this pricing - Vendors can change pricing at quickly.
- Um, frankly, than the price of the book.
Keywords:
libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, campaign finance, elections, political contributions, disclosure, reporting thresholds, economic interest statements, financial disclosure, ethics, public officials, local officials, metropolitan governmental unit, metropolitan area, candidate filings, principal campaign committee, political committee
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- What about the price? said. She said, what about the price? Is the price gonna be the same?
- The price will be the same.
- It would be priced the same across all the platforms.
- OK, so what about the price to the seller?
- Is the price price gonna be the same or different to the dealer?
Keywords:
transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not lowering prices.
- Have they lowered prices? Not grocery prices, those are up. Not gas prices, those are up, too.
- Have they lowered prices? Not they done? Have they lowered prices?
- It's in increased diesel prices. cost. It's in increased diesel prices.
- Nothing in here about the price of groceries. Nothing in here to lower the price of gas.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the President's 2025 trade policy agenda. Apr 8th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Prices are continuing to increase.
- effects, and so many things go into price.
- She'll have to either raise prices and risk customers basically.
- If Trump tariffs push workers out of their jobs and raise prices.
- Workers in my home state and across the country are paying the price.
Keywords:
tariffs, Trump administration, economy, public testimony, trade policy, market access, export controls
Summary:
The meeting focused on various significant topics concerning the recent tariff policies and their wide-ranging implications on the American economy. Members expressed their concerns regarding the negative impact of increased tariffs as proposed by the Trump administration, with specific emphasis on how families might suffer from higher costs and market access issues. The discussion was lively, with members questioning the clarity of the tariff plan and raising concerns about its potential effects on small businesses and American exports.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- today accused the entire oil industry of price gouging.
- and price spikes that benefit WISPA members.
- And when competition shrinks, prices go up.
- spikes and exorbitant prices.
- Marissa Hagerman with Tratton Price.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments.
The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations.
SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call.
Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.