Transcript Highlights:

• While I was overseas in Germany, I decided to get my life together.
• Would you allow me to take my last 3 classes overseas and you'd be and I got my degree from Florida State

Transcript Highlights:

• like to see something for someone that’s in the Guard or the reserves if they’re on a military deployment
• , you know, they could have easily been going through school and they would get called up for a deployment
• </c><00:19:24.640><c> or,</c><00:19:25.120><c> you</c><00:19:25.200><c> know,</c> on a military deployment
• or, you know, on a military deployment or, you know, they<00:19:25.520><c> could</c><00:19:25.679><c
• where they would be up for a deployment where they would be gone<00:19:30.559><c> or</c><00:19:30.720

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, most of our fertilizer comes from overseas. You know, Russia, Morocco, whatever.
• You know, Russia, Morocco, overseas.
• If you buy something overseas, it takes about 30 days to get here.
• If you buy something<00:16:08.000><c> overseas,</c><00:16:08.560><c> it</c><00:16:08.720><c> takes</c
• ><00:16:08.959><c> about</c><00:16:09.199><c> 30</c> something overseas, it takes about 30 something

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum, approved the June 5, 2025 minutes, and heard a presentation from Don Pemberton and David Buchanan of AgriKim/AgriCam on the Eddyville Riverport fertilizer terminal. They explained that the company supplies fertilizer, crop protection, and seed across western Kentucky, with the Eddyville port serving as a key source for about 100,000 tons of fertilizer annually and supporting roughly 20 counties and 19 wholesale customers. They said the existing facility is aging and vulnerable to river humidity and corrosion, and they proposed reconstructing the fertilizer bins into a fully enclosed, more durable facility with an estimated cost of about $1.76 million, far less than rebuilding from scratch. The presenters argued the project is important to keep fertilizer moving quickly during a short application season, to manage global supply disruptions and tariffs, and to avoid higher freight costs if product had to come through other ports. They also emphasized environmental benefits from a contained facility that would reduce runoff into nearby waters. Committee members asked about supply sources, demand trends, ownership, lease terms, and whether the building’s capacity would change. The witnesses said demand is increasing, much of the product still comes from overseas or other domestic ports, and the building would be owned by the company while the Riverport Authority owns the ground. Several members expressed support for the port’s importance to western Kentucky agriculture and noted the need for timely fertilizer storage and delivery. One member, however, said he was not in favor of using public money to subsidize a private, for-profit business and urged the company to negotiate a longer lease with the Riverport Authority before making such a capital investment. The discussion ended without a vote or formal action on the project, though members indicated the issue may be revisited and that the Riverport Authority will later present additional needs to the transportation committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds a definition of pre-deployment, impact assessment, and system card.
• the first bill, which is 2157, regulating high-risk artificial intelligence system development, deployment
• activities regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and we think it will help the developer, deployer
• And so I am hoping that we have some sort of a guideline in our laws that shows developers and deployers
• Operating standards and developers and deployers using reasonable care from known or reasonably foreseeable

Bills: HB2157 , HB2351 , HB2365 , HB2357 , HB2446 , HB2523 , HB2606

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI regulation, algorithmic discrimination, high-risk AI, machine learning, generative AI, synthetic content, impact assessment, risk management policy, consumer protection, civil rights, discrimination, facial recognition, automated decision-making, deployers, developers, Washington RCW, Title 19 RCW, employment, housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Some more that I showed you on that slide of note, though, the first some are deployments that we may
• The Legislature could support new state or federal grant funding for deployment of advanced nuclear and
• to continue to have flexibility to approve new cost base rate schedules, speak specifically for deployments
• Vance is an acronym for accelerated deployment of versatile. Advanced nuclear clean Energy.
• As you can tell, there's a lot of activity move into deployment of advanced nuclear technology for Mike

Transcript Highlights:

• And I hope that both of you will remain committed to research and deployment of storage capacity.
• First is Grid Deployment Office.
• You look on the Grid Deployment Office as an important part, an important function of the Department
• And the work that the department does on the great reliability and deployment is very important, especially
• projected growth of the need for electricity. almost exponential, and we've looked both at the Grid Deployment

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Keywords: nominations, Undersecretary of Energy, Undersecretary of Science, Preston Griffith, Dario Gil, energy policy, scientific innovation

Summary: The meeting was convened to discuss several significant nominations, particularly focusing on Preston Wills Griffith III for Undersecretary of Energy and Dr. Dario Gil for Undersecretary of Science. The committee underscored the importance of these roles in shaping American energy policy and scientific innovation. The discussion highlighted the nominees' backgrounds, with Griffith having extensive experience at the Department of Energy and the White House, and Gil bringing expertise in quantum technology and energy research. Members expressed a strong desire to understand the nominees' perspectives on current challenges facing the energy sector, including regulatory mandates and national security concerns. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ensuring thorough evaluations of the candidates and their proposed approaches to pressing issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• understanding of what it's like to be downrange and have community with other individuals fighting overseas
• understanding of what it's like to be downrange and have community with other individuals fighting overseas
• understanding of what it's like to be downrange and have community with other individuals fighting overseas
• understanding of what it's like to be downrange and have community with other individuals fighting overseas
• understanding of what it's like to be downrange and have community with other individuals fighting overseas

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very different kind of deployment class. Microreactors.
• It's a very different kind of deployment class.
• They tend to be much higher cost, but much more deployable.
• So, you know, development interests can come before deployment.
• So, you know, development interests can come before deployment.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• 5 states that it is the goal of the Minnesota state of Minnesota to support the development and deployment
• 5 states that it is the goal of the Minnesota state of Minnesota to support the development and deployment
• 5 states that it is the goal of the Minnesota state of Minnesota to support the development and deployment
• 5 states that it is the goal of the Minnesota state of Minnesota to support the development and deployment
• 5 states that it is the goal of the Minnesota state of Minnesota to support the development and deployment

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So as they're looking at this nuclear-ready community certification process, it's not just about deployment
• going to have a nuclear project in their county, to raise the literacy and drive toward nuclear deployment
• going to have a nuclear project in their county to raise the literacy and drive towards nuclear deployment
• Raise the literacy and drive toward nuclear deployment in the state.
• you haven't solicited interest, you have done some pre-identification of technically where the deployment

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the people who do this are sitting in call centers overseas and they're running that same script
• Caps new customers at 2,000 a day, blocks transfers to overseas criminal wallets. ...thousand a day,
• blocks transfers to overseas criminal wallets, and then when fraud happens to operator, refunds the fees
• The overseas wallet block cuts the money pipeline before it leaves the country, and then the cap on transactions
• And the people who pay are overseas criminal networks. Enforcement stays in Idaho.

Transcript Highlights:

• equipment, energy compliance, workforce training, and the costs are obviously higher than that of overseas
• . ...are obviously higher than that of overseas.
• We're doing a little something overseas ourselves right now, and ammunition is getting hard to come by

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee met with quorum and first took up several bills in executive session. It adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 2080 and then voted the substitute do pass on a 6-2 roll call. The committee also voted House Bill 1745 do pass by 6-2 and House Bill 3230 do pass unanimously, 8-0. HB 2080 was described as a proposal related to state investment in cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, other crypto and stablecoins, with a trigger tied to constitutional changes and language allowing staking of assets. In public hearing, House Bill 3490, sponsored by Rep. Mike Jones, would modify Missouri’s Local Historic Preservation Act so that in certain large cities, property owned by public or private colleges and universities could not be designated as historic landmarks by local commissions. Supporters argued the bill would protect property rights and allow universities to develop campus property, while opponents and some members said it appeared aimed at a specific Kansas City dispute and could be overbroad or an overreach into local historic preservation. No one testified in formal support or opposition, and the hearing closed without action. The committee then heard House Bill 3316, a Department of Revenue cleanup bill sponsored by Rep. Jeff Knight. The department said it would simplify vehicle registration and titling, including flat registration fees instead of horsepower-based fees, changes to alternative fuel decals, disabled placards, Real ID document retention, out-of-state vehicle tax collection, legal-name titling, higher late-registration penalties, and ending even-odd year registration. Members asked about water-damaged titles, dealer plate thresholds, emissions inspections, and temporary tags; the department and sponsor said they were open to amendments on some points. Copart testified in informational support, asking that resale exemptions remain intact. The committee then heard House Bill 3027, also by Rep. Knight, which would create tax incentives for companies producing critical minerals, materials, and certain pharmaceuticals in Missouri. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was aimed at reducing dependence on foreign supply chains and encouraging mining and processing in-state; a chemical manufacturer suggested tightening the bill by making credits nontransferable and tying them to actual production and profitability, and the Missouri Chamber supported the concept. After the hearings, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> now the department of financial now the department of financial regulations<00:30:41.279><c> overseas
• </c> regulations overseas. regulations overseas. uh<00:30:43.600><c> he</c><00:30:44.159><c> performed

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission to develop pathways toward medical licensure for those who have graduated from universities overseas
• Commission to develop pathways toward medical licensure for those who have graduated from universities overseas

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• the system architecture, reduces operational risk for the PSAPs, and accelerates the long-term deployment
• "So when it comes to system deployment, over the period of time between 2019 and 2024, Cal OES and its
• We find that that's better suited for maintenance and operation phase rather than deployment phase.
• It's a mischaracterization to think of deployment of the Next Generation 911 system as having an end
• That is an inefficient deployment of economic resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• the system architecture, reduces operational risk for the PSAPs, and accelerates the long-term deployment
• So when it comes to system deployment, over the period of time between 2019 and 2024, Cal OES and its
• We find that that's better suited for maintenance and operation phase rather than deployment phase.
• It's a mischaracterization to think of deployment of the next generation 911 system as having an end
• That is an inefficient deployment of economic resources.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard updates from the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Department of Justice. Cal OES Acting Director Tina Curry described the department’s proposed budget, disaster response and recovery work, Los Angeles wildfire recovery, FEMA reimbursement delays, hazard mitigation grant applications, planning for major events like the FIFA World Cup and LA28 Olympics, and the state’s next generation 911 priorities. Senators raised concerns about Operation Stonegarden, small-disaster recovery delays, FEMA reimbursement timing, VOCA funding, and the need for more detailed reporting on federal grants and recovery costs. The committee then focused on Next Generation 911. Cal OES staff said the current regional deployment encountered call-routing and transfer failures, leading the department to pause further rollout and propose a new phased plan centered on a statewide provider, followed by an open procurement for a long-term vendor. They said the plan is intended to improve reliability, simplify architecture, and support Los Angeles-area PSAPs ahead of the Olympics, with a target of full statewide transition by summer 2030. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to pause major changes until it receives more information, including a clearer explanation of the problems, alternatives considered, costs, cybersecurity and privacy issues, and oversight needs. Members expressed mixed views, with some supporting a joint oversight hearing and requesting quarterly fiscal reports and monthly progress updates. The Department of Justice then presented its overall workload, emphasizing public safety enforcement, fentanyl and human trafficking prosecutions, housing enforcement, civil rights work, and extensive federal litigation against the Trump administration. DOJ said the additional federal accountability work has significantly increased staffing and overtime demands, though it has hired 44 additional employees. The committee also heard DOJ’s firearms workload proposal, including funding for SB 704 implementation, continued firearms IT modernization, and a proposed shift of Bureau of Firearms costs to the General Fund. The LAO recommended using special funds and loans instead of ongoing General Fund support where possible, and asked DOJ to develop a framework by January 2027 for determining which firearms and ammunition workload should be supported by fee revenue. The Department of Finance largely agreed with the need for SB 704 funding but disagreed with the LAO’s proposed loan approach for the firearms account.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then you have deployers.
• And those are leveraged for different deployments in applications.
• And so that car is then the deployer; that's the app layer.
• So you have the developers, the deployers, and then the users.
• Arizonans innovating and delivering some of those solutions that you can use in the day-to-day deployment

Committee: House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Committee heard a presentation from Steven Garrison of the Cicero Institute on how Arizona state government could use AI to improve service delivery, reduce costs, and streamline procurement. He argued AI should be treated as software, with agencies proactively identifying use cases, tracking outcomes, and avoiding unnecessary agency-level regulation or new bureaucratic structures. Members questioned him about workforce impacts, privacy, agency involvement, and the balance between innovation and guardrails; he said AI would likely augment workers in the short term and create new jobs over time, while legislative oversight should focus on specific harms and gaps in law rather than broad agency rules. The committee then considered HB 2592, which directs the Arizona Department of Administration to require budget units to identify AI opportunities, reduce administrative duties, streamline procurement, and establish AI governance, while also sending emergency or temporary AI rules to the legislature for approval. An amendment added reporting requirements to the governor, legislative leaders, and Secretary of State on efficiency measures and barriers encountered. After limited testimony, including support from Jeannie Magdua of Conservative Ladies of America, the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill as amended on a 4-2 vote, with one member absent. The final bill, HB 2452, would add data centers and small modular reactors to county comprehensive planning considerations and adjust county planning requirements for land use and energy-related development. Supporters, including Russell Smolden of the Arizona Municipal Power Users Association and Dave Morris of Americans for Prosperity Arizona, said the bill would improve long-term planning for data centers, energy infrastructure, and emerging technologies. The County Supervisors Association opposed it, arguing it improperly singled out specific uses, blurred comprehensive planning with zoning, and reduced local control. The committee passed HB 2452 on a 4-3 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then you have deployers. And that's like the car. That engine could run a car.
• And those are leveraged for different deployments in applications.
• And so that car is then the deployer. That's the app layer.
• So you have the developers, the deployers, and then the users.
• Arizonans innovating and delivering some of those solutions that you can use in the day-to-day deployment

Bills: HB2452 , HB2592

Committees: House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation , House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Keywords: comprehensive plans, county governance, data centers, zoning, state regulations, land use, energy production, infrastructure, environmental impact, artificial intelligence, government regulation, innovation, procurement, administrative burdens

Transcript Highlights:

• of wind and solar and battery deployment of wind and solar and battery significantly.<00:10:48.680><
• It's a smaller deployment, but if it saves people money and moves us in the right direction, we'll take
• It's a smaller deployment,<00:14:18.680><c> but</c><00:14:18.800><c> if</c><00:14:18.920><c> it</c><00
• :14:19.040><c> saves</c><00:14:19.360><c> people</c><00:14:19.680><c> money</c> deployment, but if it
• saves people money deployment, but if it saves people money and<00:14:20.040><c> moves</c><00:14:20.280

Summary: The program focused first on Minnesota’s energy and affordability agenda, with Senator Nick Frentz discussing the state’s clean-energy leadership, rising electricity demand, and the Senate’s 100% clean energy framework. He said Minnesota’s clean energy growth supports jobs, lowers costs for ratepayers, and includes recent wins such as sustainable aviation fuel tax treatment in the supplemental budget. Frentz also said the Senate passed an energy omnibus bill that continues clean-energy permitting reforms, promotes conservation and demand response, and includes a nuclear study rather than lifting the nuclear moratorium. Frentz spent much of the interview defending data centers as both a challenge and an opportunity. He said large hyperscale projects can create major construction jobs and substantial local property-tax revenue, while a 2025 law requires data-center companies to contribute to low-income energy assistance and report water use. He pointed to the Google data center planned for Pine Island as an example, saying it is air-cooled, will pay $5 million a year, and will fund 1,600 MW of clean energy at its own expense, which he argued could save Xcel ratepayers money over time. He also said climate change is already driving higher costs through homeowners insurance and storm damage. The second segment highlighted Senator Zach Duckworth’s housing and banking bills. Duckworth said Senate File 4168 would make it easier to finance investment properties by giving buyers more flexibility to roll closing costs and lender fees into payments, while keeping strong protections in place for primary residences. He emphasized that the bill is not about predatory lending and is intended to expand options for informed investors. He also described Senate File 4652 as an anti-fraud, no-cost measure that lets bank customers name a trusted contact so banks can alert someone if suspicious activity is detected. Duckworth said both bills passed unanimously in both chambers, and he credited quick action and good working relationships across the aisle for their success. The program closed with a broader reflection on the end of session and the Senate’s political climate. It noted that 15 senators are retiring and two are leaving for higher office, and that final floor votes often split along party lines, including one bill passing 34-33. Several retiring senators used farewell speeches to urge civility, compromise, and putting people first, while the segment emphasized that despite partisan conflict, quiet bipartisan cooperation still produced much of the session’s enacted legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• most valuable before the next disaster occurs rather than relying solely on reactive emergency deployment
• Second, the cost to meet the goals in the provisions in this bill are high and will slow deployment.
• thousands of dollars per site, as battery storage alone can double the cost of a fast-charging deployment
• The CEC today estimates we need 2.1 million chargers to achieve our deployment goals.
• The CEC today estimates we need 2.1 million chargers to achieve our deployment goals.

Committee: Senate Emergency Management