Video & Transcript : 'solar retailer' :

Page 30 of 276
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • floor, if the votes are there, because we had discussions with the Restaurant Association and other retailers
  • Additionally, we have another 2,500 megawatts of solar, wind, and battery storage.
  • Are the feds giving any incentives like they do for solar, such as tax credits?
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • decade, in order to achieve our clean energy goals, California needs to site over 19 gigawatts of solar
  • And under AB 825, retail customers would benefit from these savings, either through lower transmission
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard two bills focused on electricity affordability and utility costs. AB 745, by Assembly Member Irwin, would restructure the California Climate Credit by shifting it from lump-sum payments to direct reductions in volumetric electricity rates and moving the credit to the summer months when bills are highest. The author and UC Santa Barbara economist Dr. Kyle Meng argued this could significantly lower summer rates and better help households during extreme heat. Supporters, including UCS, NRDC, and some labor representatives, favored the concept, with some urging that the gas climate credit also be redirected. No opposition testimony was presented, and the bill passed 18-0 to the floor. The committee then considered AB 825, also presented as an affordability package aimed at reducing electric bills by addressing wildfire mitigation costs, transmission financing, permitting delays, and a review of ratepayer-funded programs. The bill would authorize securitization for undergrounding expenses, remove the first $15 billion in undergrounding capital investments from the rate base for return purposes, create a public transmission financing program using Proposition 4 funds and IBank support, revive the California Power Authority as a public sponsor, and establish a task force to review energy efficiency and demand response programs. The author and witness Matt Friedman of The Utility Reform Network said the bill could save ratepayers billions over time through lower-cost public financing and securitization. Testimony on AB 825 was mixed. Support came from several consumer and clean-energy groups, while utilities and labor raised concerns about the bill’s impact on utility financial stability, wildfire fund participation, liability, and whether the $15 billion securitization cap could discourage undergrounding. Some witnesses also objected to the task force’s potential effect on energy efficiency and demand response programs. Committee members discussed the need to balance affordability with utility creditworthiness and wildfire safety, and several asked for more analysis of market impacts and liability issues. Despite those concerns, AB 825 passed the committee 13-0 and was sent to the floor.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm with the California Retailers Association.
  • I'm going to take it back to either the grocers or the retailers.
  • Retailers have had conversations with the senator's office.
  • Please continue to go to the retailers with you.
  • Please continue towards retailers, which you've agreed on.
Summary: The committee first heard SB 753, which would modernize California’s shopping cart recovery rules by allowing cities and counties to return abandoned carts directly to retailers, recover documented retrieval costs, and avoid the current impound-and-wait process. The author and supporters, including San Jose officials and the League of California Cities, said the bill would help clear streets, sidewalks, and waterways and reduce local costs. Grocers and retailers opposed the measure unless amended, arguing it would turn cart retrieval into a new cost burden and could create incentives for cities to charge too much for stolen property. After extensive discussion about notice periods, cost caps, and local ordinances, the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 6-0 as amended. The committee then took up SB 445, which would speed up permitting and approvals needed for high-speed rail by requiring early engagement, setting rules for third-party coordination, and creating a dispute-resolution process. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier, broader transit proposal and was intended to reduce delays caused by utilities, local governments, and other entities. Supporters said permitting bottlenecks add major costs and delays to infrastructure projects, while opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts raised concerns about safety, reliability, affordability, and the need to review the pending amendments. The bill passed 8-1 to the Utilities and Energy Committee. The committee also heard SB 9, a narrower housing bill focused on accessory dwelling units. The author explained that it would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards control if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the bill would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then began hearing SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops; the author and supporters framed it as a response to the housing shortage and transit underuse, and the hearing continued with extensive support testimony as the transcript ended.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

House in Session Mar 4th, 2026

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • took the language and we put it in this bill because it was very important to what we do with our solar
  • took the language and we put it in this bill because it was very important to what we do with our solar
  • whether it's information communicating back to the government or information communicating between retailers
  • whether it's information communicating back to the government or information communicating between retailers
  • where we use our digital driver's license. information communicating between retailers where we use
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum call, and several recognitions, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the Middle East conflict. The chamber adopted the special order report and then took up several bills on the special order calendar. Early action included passage of CS/CS/HB 981 on tributaries of the St. Johns River and Ocklawaha River restoration after debate over environmental benefits versus concerns about impacts to Rodman Reservoir, rural communities, property values, and long-term uncertainty. The bill passed 107-3. Members then considered CS/HB 1389 on affordable housing and the Live Local Act. The bill would expand multifamily and mixed-use allowances, limit local setback/stepback restrictions, remove local opt-out authority, address accessory dwelling units, and waive sovereign immunity for certain land-use discrimination claims. Supporters argued it would increase housing supply amid a statewide shortage; opponents objected to further state preemption of local control and the ADU provisions. The bill passed 78-29. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1085, codifying the local government cybersecurity grant program and prioritizing fiscally constrained counties, by a unanimous 109-0 vote. The chamber next debated CS/HB 273 on special districts, which would allow certain agreements in rural areas of opportunity and impose new transparency and budget rules on larger downtown development districts. Questions focused on the meaning of “directly benefit,” the 10% administrative cap, budget approval authority, and the bill’s effect on downtown development authorities. An amendment to remove the downtown district provisions failed, and the bill passed 88-0. The House later returned to the temporarily postponed CS/HB 989 on motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers, which limits allocation of new vehicle lines to any one dealer group; it passed 109-1. Finally, the House took up CS/HB 1329 on local government spending transparency. The bill requires tentative budgets to be posted 14 days before hearings, final budgets to remain online for five years, and budget data to be searchable and downloadable, with waivers for smaller governments. Members debated whether the bill would impose costs despite the sponsor’s claim of zero fiscal impact. An amendment by Representative Cheney would have added hardship assistance for small governments and CFO support, but the transcript ends during debate on that amendment before final disposition is shown.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, December 12, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • There shouldn’t be any solar panels. There shouldn’t be any renewables at all.
  • to grant certainty to energy developers so the President can’t just arbitrarily cancel a wind or a solar
  • to grant certainty to energy developers so the President can’t just arbitrarily cancel a wind or a solar
  • to grant certainty to energy developers so the President can’t just arbitrarily cancel a wind or a solar
  • some retail outlets out there, though some factories<04:15:53.680><c> as</c><04:15:53.920><c> well,<
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Feb 23rd, 2026

Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies

Transcript Highlights:
  • So what I'm just showing you here is inflation-adjusted retail energy prices—electricity, residential
  • The blue is a national average, showing you what you already know: California retail electricity prices
  • And research that I have done with Berkeley colleagues and others has established that our retail prices
  • So since 2018, when SB 100 was enacted, the contract prices of solar and wind have doubled and tripled
Summary: The committee heard an overview of CARB’s proposed amendments to California’s Cap-and-Invest program, implemented under AB 1207 and SB 840 after last year’s reauthorization through 2045. CARB said the draft rule changes are intended to support affordability, market certainty, and the state’s 2030 and 2045 climate targets, while also addressing offsets, utility allowance transfers, leakage protections for industry, and post-2030 allowance budgets. Members emphasized the importance of completing the rulemaking on schedule this spring so the changes can take effect by September 1, 2026. A major focus was how allowances are allocated among electric utilities, natural gas utilities, industry, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. CARB explained that the proposal transfers natural gas utility allowances to electric utilities over time to support electrification and ratepayer protection, while maintaining free allowances for industry to reduce leakage risk and preserve in-state manufacturing and refining. Several members and panelists questioned whether the proposed utility changes could raise rates, whether the transition from gas to electric credits should happen faster, and whether the industrial allocation changes reduce climate credit and GGRF revenues more than necessary. CARB and panelists said they were open to additional data and comments, and noted that the proposal is still in public comment. The committee also discussed carbon capture, carbon removal, and refining. Members asked CARB to ensure that CCUS and CDR are clearly recognized as viable compliance pathways and to keep SB 905 rulemaking on track. On refining, members raised concerns about imported gasoline, leakage, and the need for better data on the carbon intensity of imported fuels; CARB said cap-and-invest applies to fuel suppliers at the rack, while life-cycle accounting issues are handled more through the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and related modeling. CARB said it is continuing technical work on those data tools. In the second panel, the LAO, IEMAC, EDF, and SCAPA representatives generally agreed that the program faces real tradeoffs between affordability, ambition, and leakage protection. The LAO and IEMAC stressed that the Legislature should scrutinize how CARB divides the allowance “pie,” since more free allocations to utilities or industry mean less revenue for GGRF. EDF argued the program could be somewhat more ambitious in the near term without harming affordability, while SCAPA said the proposal would reduce allowances for publicly owned utilities and could undermine early decarbonization investments and ratepayer benefits. No votes were taken during the hearing.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Feb 23rd, 2026

Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies

Transcript Highlights:
  • So what I'm just showing you here is inflation-adjusted retail energy prices: electricity, residential
  • California retail electricity prices are relatively high.
  • And research that I have done with Berkeley colleagues and others has established that our retail prices
  • So since 2018, when SB 100 was enacted, the contract prices of solar and wind have doubled and tripled
Summary: The Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policy heard an overview from CARB on proposed amendments to California’s Cap-and-Invest program, which was reauthorized through 2045 by AB 1207 and SB 840. CARB said the draft rules are intended to preserve affordability, market certainty, and progress toward the state’s 2030 and 2045 climate targets. The agency described the program’s main features, including the declining emissions cap, utility and industrial allowance allocations, offset changes, the allowance price containment reserve, and new reporting and oversight requirements. CARB also said the rulemaking is on a public comment timeline, with board consideration planned for late May and an effective date targeted for September 1, 2026. Committee members focused heavily on electricity affordability, the planned shift of free allowances from natural gas utilities to electric utilities, and whether the proposal would raise rates for investor-owned and publicly owned utilities. CARB said the proposal is meant to protect ratepayers from compliance costs and that the utility allocation is based on updated data showing utilities are greener than before, but members and utility representatives argued the transition should happen faster and that the current draft could reduce expected revenues and disrupt long-term planning. Members also pressed CARB on carbon capture and sequestration, asking that the regulations clearly recognize it as a compliance pathway, and on whether the SB 905 rulemaking for carbon capture should move forward on schedule. A second major topic was industrial allocations, especially for refiners and other sectors at risk of leakage. CARB said it is keeping all industries at high leakage risk through 2030, maintaining the current cap-adjustment approach, and leaving room for additional comments and data on whether refiners need more allowances to avoid economic leakage and preserve in-state refining. Members also questioned how imported gasoline is treated, and CARB explained that transportation fuel is regulated at the rack and through the low-carbon fuel standard, while cap-and-invest covers in-state tailpipe and smokestack emissions rather than full life-cycle emissions. CARB said it is open to using additional data, including SB 253 reporting, to improve fuel carbon-intensity estimates. The panel of outside experts largely agreed that the program must balance affordability, ambition, and leakage concerns, but they differed on how much allowance value should go to utilities, industry, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The Legislative Analyst’s Office emphasized that the Legislature should scrutinize CARB’s allocation choices now because they will be hard to change later. An IEMAC representative said the proposal appears to shift more allowance value to industry and utilities, which could reduce GGRF revenues, while EDF argued the cap could be tightened further in the near term without triggering price containment. SCAPA, representing publicly owned utilities, warned that the proposal would reduce utility allowances and could raise costs for ratepayers and undermine early decarbonization investments. No votes were taken at the hearing.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Feb 23rd, 2026

Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies

Transcript Highlights:
  • What I'm just showing you here is inflation-adjusted retail energy prices—electricity, residential and
  • The blue is the national average, showing you what you already know: California retail electricity prices
  • And research that I have done with Berkeley colleagues and others has established that our retail prices
  • So since 2018, when SB 100 was enacted, the contract prices of solar and wind have doubled and tripled
Summary: The committee heard an overview and discussion of CARB’s proposed amendments to California’s Cap-and-Invest program, implemented under AB 1207 and SB 840. Chairs and members emphasized the program’s role in meeting climate targets while balancing affordability, and CARB described the proposal as intended to preserve market certainty, strengthen cost containment, address utility affordability, and support the state’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goal. CARB also noted the public comment period, the planned board hearing, and the goal of an effective date of September 1, 2026. Members questioned CARB on several implementation issues, including whether the rulemaking would be completed on time, the treatment of carbon capture and sequestration, the timing of the transfer of allowances from natural gas utilities to electric utilities, and the impact on ratepayers. CARB said it was on track to meet the May deadline, that CCUS/CDR could be further refined in the proposal and would also be addressed in a separate SB 905 rulemaking later in the year, and that it was seeking to protect ratepayers while inviting more utility data during the comment period. The committee also discussed refining-sector leakage risk, gasoline imports, and how imported fuel is accounted for under cap-and-invest versus the low-carbon fuel standard. A second panel of outside experts and stakeholders then testified. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and IEMAC representatives explained the major statutory changes, including putting offsets under the cap, shifting allowances from natural gas to electric utilities over time, and changing how allowance value is divided among utilities, industry, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. They stressed that CARB has significant discretion in setting the allowance “pie,” and that more free allocations to utilities or industry reduce GGRF revenues. EDF’s representative argued the proposal should be adopted this spring, said the utility transition should happen faster, and urged a tighter near-term emissions cap. SCAPA, representing publicly owned utilities, opposed the proposed utility allocation changes, saying they would reduce expected allowances, undermine long-term planning, and could force higher rates or reduced decarbonization investments.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Feb 23rd, 2026

Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies

Transcript Highlights:
  • So what I'm just showing you here is inflation-adjusted retail energy prices: electricity, residential
  • What you're already know: California retail electricity prices are relatively high.
  • And research that I have done with Berkeley colleagues and others has established that our retail prices
  • So since 2018, when SB 100 was enacted, the contract prices of solar and wind have doubled and tripled
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • This is happening in retail. It's happening in housing.
  • They started sort of easy with film and television production, wind and solar.
  • by the state's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found the state's exemption for state retail
  • by the state's joint legislative audit and review committee found the state's exemption for state retail
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its fourth meeting, held October 27-28 in Santa Fe, with Representative Duncan moving approval and no opposition. The chair then introduced a panel on the cost of providing medical care in New Mexico, focusing on physician shortages, rising practice costs, and access problems, especially in southern New Mexico and Las Cruces. Panelists included family physicians, a pediatrician, a cardiologist/electrophysiologist, and a community health center medical director, who described their backgrounds and practices before turning to the policy discussion. The doctors argued that New Mexico is losing physicians because of three main pressures: medical malpractice exposure, gross receipts tax on medical services, and low Medicaid reimbursement. They said malpractice premiums are much higher than in neighboring states, punitive damages and venue shopping increase risk, and the patient compensation fund and attorney fee structure create additional costs. They also described administrative burdens from insurance billing and referrals, the high debt and long training period for physicians, and the effect of corporate medicine and private equity on practice decisions. One panelist emphasized the economic impact of each physician on jobs and local spending, while another noted that shortages force patients into emergency rooms and delay specialty care. The panel presented a list of proposed solutions: reform punitive damages, limit venue shopping and stacking, restore lifetime medical payments from the patient compensation fund, enact apology protections, cap attorney fees, continue Medicaid funding improvements, and eliminate gross receipts tax on medical and dental services. Committee members generally agreed the presentation was thorough and useful, but several noted that some proposals fall outside this committee’s jurisdiction and would likely need to move through other committees, especially judiciary and tax. Some members supported drafting legislation or working on separate bills, while others urged caution, requested more input from hospitals and economists, and raised concerns about local government revenue impacts from GRT changes. The chair concluded by encouraging members to continue discussions offline and noted that the tax-related issue would be taken up further in the next day’s work.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Local Government Committee Jul 16th, 2025

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm with the California Retailers Association.
  • Retailers have had conversations with the senator's office.
  • at both the property owner standpoint and the retailer standpoint.
  • Please continue to go to the retailers with you.
  • Please continue towards retailers, which you've agreed on.
Summary: The committee began with housekeeping and then took up SB 753 by Senator Cortese, a bill to update California’s shopping cart recovery law. The author and supporters from San Jose, the League of California Cities, counties, and water districts argued the bill would let local governments retrieve abandoned carts immediately, return them directly to retailers, and recover documented costs, rather than storing carts for 30 days. Retail groups and grocers opposed the measure, saying carts are stolen property, that the bill could create a new revenue stream for cities, and that retailers should retain a first right of retrieval without added fees. Members debated notice periods, cost caps, and local control, and the author agreed to continue working on amendments. The committee adopted the bill as amended and passed it 6-0. The committee then heard SB 445 by Senator Wiener, which would speed up third-party permits and approvals for high-speed rail projects. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader transit proposal and now focuses on requiring early engagement, clear rules, and binding arbitration to prevent utilities, cities, and other entities from delaying a state-approved project. Supporters said permitting delays add major costs and can hold projects hostage; opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts said they were concerned about impacts on safety, reliability, affordability, and local authority, though many said they were willing to keep working on amendments. The committee sent SB 445 to the Utilities and Energy Committee on an 8-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 9 by Senator Wiener, a narrower housing bill dealing with accessory dwelling units. The bill would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards apply if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings within the required time. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the measure would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition testimony, and the committee passed the bill 6-0.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on State and Local Government - 03/24/26

State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • to bypass local approval and go right to state approval to put thousands of acres of farmland into solar
  • to bypass local approval and go right to state approval to put thousands of acres of farmland into solar
  • to bypass local approval and go right to state approval to put thousands of acres of farmland into solar
  • to bypass local approval and go right to state approval to put thousands of acres of farmland into solar
  • Senator Koran. acres into solar fields in my county acres into solar fields in my county with<00:25:41.440
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee Apr 14th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Good afternoon, Jacob Brent with the California Retailers Association, in respectful opposition.
  • And what we're growing are solar panels.
  • And I know the authors heard this, my mantra, which is that I'm all for solar panels.
  • And those solar panels, the jobs are low wage to begin with and they're temporary.
  • Jacob Brent, with the California Retailers Association, in respectful opposition. Mr.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on child safety, immigrant community transparency, agricultural land security, consumer protection, estate transfers, detention commissary pricing, and public works wage enforcement. SB 1234 would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; the author said it was a narrow child-safety measure, and there was no opposition. SB 1257 would require the Attorney General to publish annual reports on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations; supporters said it would improve accountability and document fear in immigrant communities, while questions centered on how the data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 would bar foreign adversary entities from buying or controlling California agricultural land; supporters framed it as a national security measure, while committee members pressed the author on enforcement, who would verify buyers, and possible discriminatory application. The bill was moved on a 2-4 vote and placed on call after the author said he would work on clarifying responsibility and nondiscrimination concerns. The committee also heard SB 1146, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, saying it would curb deceptive deepfake ads and protect consumers; it passed unanimously, 7-0. SB 988 would restrict assignment of benefits in auto glass claims, require claim numbers and itemized estimates, and update repair disclosure rules to curb overbilling and steering; supporters said it would protect consumers and stabilize insurance costs, while independent glass shop concerns about steering and market concentration were discussed. The bill passed 7-0, with one member abstaining because of a conflict. SB 1288, presented on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make good-faith efforts to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would simplify access requirements, especially for nonprofits. Supporters described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements; SIFMA and the California Bankers Association opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactive burdens. The bill passed 8-0. SB 941 would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; supporters said detainees often pay excessive prices for basic necessities, and the bill passed 8-0. Finally, SB 909 would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors warned of uncapped costs and reduced transparency. The discussion continued with questions about enforcement and whether stronger penalties or license restrictions would better deter repeat violators.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee Apr 14th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Good afternoon, Jacob Brent with the California Retailers Association, in respectful opposition.
  • And what we're growing are solar panels.
  • And I know the authors heard this, my mantra, which is that I'm all for solar panels.
  • And those solar panels, the jobs are low wage to begin with and they're temporary.
  • Jacob Brent, with the California Retailers Association, in respectful opposition. Mr.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-04 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • repeals the requirement—I'm sorry—requires erosion and sediment control plans for the construction of solar
  • took the language and we put it in this bill because it was very important to what we do with our solar
  • took the language and we put it in this bill because it was very important to what we do with our solar
  • whether it's information communicating back to the government or information communicating between retailers
  • 277, a bill to be entitled an act relating to domestic violence. information communicating between retailers
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/25/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right now, we have Congress that has a mandated solar radiation management framework.
  • Solar and wind facilities do not meet these definitions.
  • Solar and wind facilities do not meet these definitions.
  • The State Land Department now uses a solar map that prioritizes solar projects over other land uses.
  • This bill suspends the preference on solar.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Commerce and Economic Development Jan 28th, 2026 at 02:54 pm

House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • facility actually in Representative Dixon's district, where we manufacture the highest-efficiency space solar
  • different varying kinds of intensities of those zones, and ones that might allow apartments and a large retail
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Feb 4th, 2025

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are nearly 40% to our attributed sales goal through our strong retail partnerships with Walmart and
  • Well, thank you for coming today and speaking on behalf of solar water conservation. Yes, sir.
Committee: Senate Agriculture
Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture heard an update on the Florida citrus industry from Matt Joyner of Florida Citrus Mutual and Shannon Shepp of the Department of Citrus. Both described the industry’s steep decline over the past two decades due to citrus greening (HLB), hurricanes, freezes, and aging groves, but emphasized ongoing recovery efforts through research, replanting, and new therapies. They highlighted promising tools such as plant growth regulators, protective screens and covers, direct oxytetracycline application, CRISPR-based breeding, and the CRAFT program, which has expanded to more than 10,000 acres of solid-set plantings and over 20,000 acres including resets. Members discussed disaster relief, property tax pressures, grower participation, and the need for assessment relief and other state support. No votes were taken on the citrus presentation. Shepp also outlined the Department of Citrus’s marketing and research role, noting strong consumer demand for Florida orange juice, global advertising efforts, and clinical research tied to health messaging. She said the industry remains a major economic contributor, with thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact, and that the department is working to maintain demand while growers replant and reset groves. Senators asked about the CRAFT program, new grower participation, and how advertising and state policy could help sustain the industry. The committee then received a performance review of the Opa-locka Soil and Water Conservation Districts from David Jahossky of Malden and Jenkins. The review found wide variation among the 49 districts studied, with many lacking recurring revenue, staffing, proper meeting notices, records retention, formal performance goals, and timely financial reports. The report identified nearly 400 recommendations and noted that some districts had already dissolved or were considering dissolution. Senators questioned whether the districts were duplicative of other agencies and whether they still served a useful purpose; the presenter said there was overlap and collaboration but no duplication. A public commenter from Jefferson County argued that local boards still provide trusted, community-based support for producers and help connect them to cost-share and best management practice programs. The chair indicated the review would inform possible legislation to improve or restructure the districts, and the committee adjourned without taking a vote.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/25/2026 - Senate Government

Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • And our retailer said, hey, this isn't going to work for us.
  • And our retailer said, hey, this isn't going to work for us.
  • get their shopping carts returned, if the retailers pay for that service?
  • cart from the retail premises.
  • And many retailers are not posting signage saying that the removal is theft.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • unique concept just south of here that fronts McNutt and the Rio Grande, where the ground level is retail
  • phase will be 250 houses, most likely starting by the end of the year, but they'll have commercial retail
  • We saw the solar farms yesterday.