Video & Transcript : 'EV mandate' :
Page 31 of 500
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Families & Children (2-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:06:59.880><c> to</c><00:07:00.000><c> expose</c> the Maha Commission's mandate to expose the
- Maha Commission's mandate to expose regulatory<00:07:01.400><c> corruption</c><00:07:02.000><c> and</
- But those programs aren’t federally mandated, or we have a state option on that?
- -</c> But the past 2 years it's became ev- But the past 2 years it's became ev- more<00:42:10.880><c>
- ,</c> and that was a health insurance mandate, and that was a health insurance mandate, and<01:09:10.880
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and first considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 61, sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Representative Matt Lockett. The resolution, as amended by committee substitute, would create a legislative task force tied to the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) framework to study Kentucky health policy, including Medicaid drug approvals, preventive and alternative therapies, holistic health education, oversight and transparency in health care, and research into integrative approaches. Supporters said the goal was to address chronic disease and reduce over-medication, while emphasizing the effort was not intended as an attack on agriculture or the pharmaceutical industry. The resolution received favorable expression and passed the committee 9-0.
The committee then heard Senate Resolution 18 from Senator Neal, urging Kentucky to maximize participation in the federal SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program. Testimony from Jessica Klein of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy and Secretary Eric Friedlander explained that SNAP E&T provides job training, education, and support services for SNAP participants, and that the program is federally matched and does not require additional General Assembly funding in the normal course. Members discussed how the program works, whether it could create new state costs, and how it fits with efforts to connect food assistance, workforce development, and local agriculture. Questions also focused on whether SNAP spending can be steered toward healthier foods and farmers markets, including Kentucky’s Double Dollars program, which was described as helping participants buy produce, meat, and dairy at participating markets and some retailers.
Several members expressed support for the workforce goals but asked for more information on fiscal impacts and purchasing data. Secretary Friedlander said the SNAP E&T funds are separate from nutrition benefits, and that the state match generally comes from employer, university, or workforce partner contributions rather than new state appropriations. Senator Herron explained her vote in favor by saying the program could help people gain education and employment and reduce reliance on SNAP over time. Senate Resolution 18 was then adopted by the committee.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- now a major headwind to California's decarbonization goals, including slowing down the adoption of EVs
- are now a major headwin to California's decarbonization goals, including slowing down the adoption of EVs
- The Coalition for Clean Air helped pass AB 1515 in 2015, which mandated a minimum of 25 percent of GGRF
- long... ...have long had the notion that we are willing to pay up the upfront cost of a solar panel or EV
Summary:
The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support.
Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization.
Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:17:27.400><c> of</c> The right organization to lead this effort because of its constitutional mandate
- preservation<00:26:12.039><c> um</c><00:26:12.399><c> access</c><00:26:12.679><c> to</c><00:26:12.840><c> EV
- </c><00:26:13.279><c> and</c><00:26:13.440><c> really</c> preservation um access to EV and really preservation
- um access to EV and really bringing<00:26:13.960><c> the</c><00:26:14.080><c> lands</c><00:26:14.480
Committee:
Senate Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on Senate Bill 4, which would transfer stewardship of Mauna ʻAla from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Committee chairs opened the meeting with housekeeping and noted the hearing was live-streamed, with a two-minute limit for testimony. Director Don Chang of the Board of Land and Natural Resources said DLNR had been working with OHA and had agreed to transfer certain lands subject to due diligence, including Kahana Valley and a parcel in Waimānalo, but urged the committee to finalize those mutually agreed parcels before taking on something new. He also described the current arrangement at Mauna ʻAla as a collaborative one involving the state and the royal trusts, with the state handling routine maintenance and the trusts contributing to larger repairs and improvements on a project-by-project basis rather than through direct annual appropriations.
Testimony was mixed. Supporters argued that OHA is better positioned to steward the site because of its cultural mission, Native Hawaiian governance, and ability to protect sacred places with greater cultural competency and accountability. Several speakers emphasized that Mauna ʻAla is not a state park and should be cared for by those with direct cultural ties and experience, and some cited OHA’s recent financial reforms and partnerships as reasons for confidence. Others, including representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors Makakoa, opposed the bill, citing concerns about OHA’s past financial management, transparency, and the need for more public information and testimony before any transfer. One testifier also argued the land transfer itself was unlawful and rooted in the history of the overthrow and annexation.
Members and testifiers also discussed the historical role of the royal trusts and family caretakers at Mauna ʻAla, with one descendant describing a long family stewardship and supporting OHA only if amended language preserved checks and balances and protected iwi and burial grounds. Another speaker said the family recognized James Mayo as kahu of Mauna ʻAla and supported the bill because prior DLNR efforts had not sufficiently protected traditional and customary rights. The hearing ended after public testimony and committee questions, with no vote or final action taken in the portion provided.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This day, the eve of the Declaration of Independence, signed by our founding fathers to create this great
- This day, the eve of the Independence Declaration, signed by our founding fathers, to create this great
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine matters. It adopted an emergency preamble for H. 4182, a sick leave bank bill for Jato Charlotton of the Department of Transportation, and later passed that bill to be enacted and sent it to the Governor. The Senate also adopted resolutions honoring the 14th Dalai Lama and congratulating two Eagle Scouts, Jack Geyser and Windsor Sheppler.
The chamber then considered H. 4103, establishing a sick leave bank for Stephen Forget of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. The bill was taken up out of the orders of the day, ordered to a third reading, and passed to be engrossed. A House bill, H. 4230, establishing a sick leave bank for James Caruso of the Department of Transportation, was also advanced when the Senate suspended the rules and ordered it to a third reading.
The Committee on Rules reported a petition and bill from Pavel Payano to expand access to the family self-sufficiency program in Massachusetts. The Senate suspended its rules and Joint Rule 12 so the matter could be referred to the committees on housing. At the close of session, the Senate adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar, then adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Transportation and Public Works Jan 27th, 2026 at 09:07 am
Transcript Highlights:
- As I think about our discussion in Silver City, and, you know, we had a discussion about EVs and how
- And more specifically, what you talked about in enhancing some of the costs for EVs because they are
- And I think that, you know, clearly because of, and I mentioned the issue with EVs, and I mean, we want
Summary:
The committee met with quorum and took up only HB 3, the Department of Transportation Appropriation Act of 2026 for FY27. The bill was presented as an amended budget that would increase NMDOT’s operating budget by about $132.6 million, or 10.2%, using available cash balances, additional projected revenue, and contingent revenue tied to Senate Bill 2, the highway bond bill. Staff walked through the amendment section by section, explaining changes to project design and construction, highway operations, program support, modal programs, federal and interagency transfer lines, corrected performance-measure language, and added budget adjustment authority for the current and next fiscal years.
Several members raised concerns about the late circulation of a revised amendment and the appearance of multiple bill versions, arguing the committee had not had enough time to review the changes and that the process may have violated the 24-hour rule. Others asked for clarification on how the budget distinguished between rehabilitation and maintenance, and DOT staff explained that major rehabilitation is generally tied to STIP projects while maintenance is handled through district-level plans and contracts. Members also discussed the use of cash balances for non-recurring spending, the impact of electric vehicles on road revenue, and the need for more maintenance, litter cleanup, fencing, and beautification funding. DOT and executive representatives noted the amendment includes a significant maintenance increase and said additional non-recurring funding could also come through House Bill 2 and the capital bill.
The committee first rejected a substitute motion to delay action, then adopted the amendment and later voted due pass on HB 3 as amended. Public comment was opened, but no one spoke in support or opposition. After passage, members explained their votes, with some supporting the bill as a needed transportation investment and others objecting to the process and the compressed review timeline.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
SPEED Task Force (STF) - Thu Sept 11, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The administrator was asked to proceed, and the presentation began with a note that SHPD is mandated
- </c> process, but it is recognition that EV process, but it is recognition that EV is<03:33:07.760><c
- on their property, we have some severe concerns about how EV will be treated.
- </c><03:35:45.840><c> on</c> of existing preservation plans for EV on of existing preservation plans
- EV will be<03:35:50.479><c> treated.
Summary:
The task force held its first meeting, beginning with roll call and introductions of members and participants in the room and on Zoom. The chair emphasized Sunshine Law transparency, noted the meeting was on September 11, and opened public testimony on the orientation report. No one testified in person or on Zoom, and the chair observed a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11 before moving into the agenda.
The chair then reported on several orientation presentations given statewide between July 18 and September 5, including meetings with transit-oriented development, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce on Hawaiʻi Island, the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber, and the Capo Chamber of Commerce. The main presentation item was a detailed overview from Kauaʻi County on its permitting process. County staff explained that zoning and building permits are handled separately on the outer islands, with zoning focused on form, character, and compatibility, and building permits focused on health and safety. They described a two-tier zoning system: ministerial permits that are automatically approved if not acted on within 30 days, and discretionary permits that go to the planning commission and can become lengthy contested cases if there is intervention. They also discussed special management area review in coastal areas, which can add time, and explained that building permits must conform to what was approved in zoning.
Kauaʻi County staff also outlined the building permit process, including online and in-person submission, coordination with planning, engineering, water, wastewater, health, and fire agencies, and the county’s fully electronic review system using ProjectDox and related software. They noted that applicants are encouraged to check zoning, water, wastewater, and floodplain issues before hiring someone to prepare plans, especially for homeowners. The county shared permit and utility statistics and said the public can check permit history through Click2Gov. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; after the Kauaʻi presentation, the chair opened a question period for members.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- those warehouses, increasing... ...vehicles to operate at those warehouses, increasing the amount of EV
- account, and I am aware of the AQMD allowing funding and giving funding to the infrastructure to allow EVs
- We don't have EV infrastructure.
- Because we have so many EV trucks that aren't able to get the charge or the companies going back to their
Summary:
The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and a referral item. It first acted on appointments not required to appear, including Michael Gunning to the Teachers’ Retirement Board, Eric Hines to the Gambling Control Commission, several nominees to the Civil Rights Council, nominees to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and Omar Passens to the Contractors’ State License Board. The committee also took up a reference of bills to committees. Most of these items were initially left open for absent members, then later approved on add-on votes, with some passing unanimously and others on split votes.
The committee then heard testimony from two nominees to the California State University Board of Trustees, Kelly Dermody and Andrea Evans. Both emphasized access, student basic needs, housing affordability, enrollment balance across campuses, and the need to use artificial intelligence responsibly while preserving critical thinking and data privacy. Senators asked about intersegmental cooperation, CSU bachelor’s degree authority, tuition increases, and how the trustees would evaluate affordability and student outcomes. No public opposition was heard, and both nominees were advanced to the full Senate after committee votes.
Finally, the committee heard from Dr. Cedric Jamie Rutland, nominated to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board. He described his background as a pulmonologist and said he would bring a public health and science-based perspective to air quality policy, especially regarding pollution’s effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health. Senators focused on goods movement, warehouse growth, AB 617 communities, environmental justice, refinery and trucking impacts, and balancing emissions reductions with economic realities. After public comment, the committee voted to advance his nomination to the Senate floor, and the meeting concluded after add-on votes and a brief recess/closed session.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 58-1 May 14th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Also with us today are the coaches, Coach Matt Robertson and head coach Mikey Eves.
- Coach Eves, you always clap for them.
- Coach Eves was also named as a 2025 National Federation of State High School Associations Girls Golf
- This is Coach Eves' third girls state championship team. He had one in 2017, 2023, and now 2006.
Summary:
The House convened, completed roll call, and heard an invocation and pledge before moving through several ceremonial presentations. Members recognized Monty Smith for 43 years of service with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, honored the Marlow Lady Outlaws girls golf team for winning the Class 3A state and academic state championships, and acknowledged the final group of pages for the 60th Legislature. The House also adopted HCR 1030, which sets the legislative procedure schedule and deadlines for the 61st Oklahoma Legislature.
The chamber then met in a joint session with the Senate to observe Veterans Awareness Day. Speakers from both chambers and the Oklahoma Veterans Council delivered remarks honoring veterans, Gold Star families, and military service, and highlighted recent policy achievements for veterans, including the full tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans, the exemption of military retirement pay from state income tax, improved funding for veterans’ homes, and restructuring of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission. The Veterans Council also presented its annual awards, naming Sen. Kerry Hicks as Outstanding Senator of the Year, Rep. Andy Menz as Outstanding Representative of the Year, Aaron Higgins as Veteran of the Year, and the Speed family as Veteran Family of the Year, and recognized Scott Howell for his service to the council. The joint session then adjourned.
Back in the House, members took up Senate amendments to House Bill 1370, which concerns the Corporation Commission plugging fund and a repealer tied to a state fuel-tax offset provision. The bill’s author explained that the amendment would prevent the state from capturing savings if the federal fuel excise tax is reduced, so any reduction would benefit consumers rather than state revenue. After questions about fiscal impact and the well-plugging fund, the House adopted the Senate amendments without objection and passed HB 1370 on final passage by a vote of 89-1; the emergency clause also passed 89-1. The House then recessed, later returned for a staff appreciation and sine die-style recognition, including a tribute to long-serving bill drafter Mark Carter, and recessed again while awaiting any additional legislation from the Senate.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Like, you've had some bills already come through that would mandate that insurers offer a policy to a
- And then look at the Eve component. It was suggested it is $20 at Home Depot.
- CDI's Safer from Wildfires regulation has been in place since 2022, with insurers mandated to provide
- We're not mandating it, but the California Supreme Court will decide that.
- So on those two pieces around codifying as well as strengthening the coverage mandate...
Committee:
Senate Insurance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Governmental Organization Committee Jun 9th, 2026
Governmental Organization
Transcript Highlights:
- It is set to expire at the end of this year, so we have an urgency clause in it to allow New Year's Eve
- So we have an urgency clause that is also in it to allow simply for New Year's Eve to, clause that is
- also in it to allow simply for New Year's Eve to be included as opposed to waiting for the bill to kick
Committee:
Senate Governmental Organization
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Jan 13th, 2026
Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact
Transcript Highlights:
- with making sure that all of California is benefiting from the investments that are being made in the EV
- To be simply put, we are a prime location to make sure that all facets of manufacturing of EVs, whether
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee May 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- commitments related to water rights, and she has publicly expressed opposition to proposals that would mandate
- It also recognizes the opportunity for improving EVs and alternate technologies that are clean for the
- declining levels, for example, in petroleum, we still do not have the alternate system, which is the EVs
- this issue, and also our executive director, Drew Bohen, who has direct statutory and regulatory mandates
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Rules first handled several routine actions, including approving three governor’s appointments not required to appear: Anthony Surich as Executive Director of the California Housing Finance Agency, Craig Snelling J.D. to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and Nicholas Mueller to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission. The committee also approved referral of bills to committees, all by 4-0 votes. It then took up appointments requiring testimony, beginning with Jereen DiAdamo to the State Water Resources Control Board.
DiAdamo focused her remarks on safe drinking water, groundwater sustainability, conservation, and Bay-Delta restoration. She said the number of Californians without safe drinking water has fallen from 1.6 million to 800,000 since 2019, credited the SAFER program, technical assistance, and mandatory consolidation authority, and described ongoing work on failing and at-risk systems, domestic well mitigation, SGMA implementation, and the Bay-Delta Plan. Senators pressed her on audit follow-up, measurable goals for reducing the remaining unsafe systems, funding uncertainty, and concerns from environmental and tribal groups that the board has favored water users over ecosystem protections. Supporters from water, agriculture, business, and local agencies praised her collaborative style and consensus-building, while opponents argued she had not done enough to protect the Delta and called for new leadership. The committee ultimately voted 4-0 to advance her appointment to the full Senate.
The committee then heard from Sivagunda Gunda for reappointment to the California Energy Commission. He highlighted progress on grid reliability, zero-carbon generation, and planning for California’s energy transition, including transportation fuels, building electrification, and the eventual retirement of Diablo Canyon. Senators questioned him about the future of Kern Energy and small refineries, the state’s transportation fuels plan, fuel imports and costs, and whether California can retire Diablo Canyon by 2030 without harming reliability. Gunda said the state is planning as if Diablo Canyon retires in 2030, that current resource additions make reliability manageable, and that affordability and market coordination remain key issues. The committee then voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate, and the hearing recessed afterward.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- commitments related to water rights, and she has publicly expressed opposition to proposals that would mandate
- It also recognizes the opportunity for improving EVs and alternate technologies that are clean for the
- declining levels, for example, in petroleum, we still do not have the alternate system, which is the EVs
- this issue, and also our executive director, Drew Bohan, who has direct statutory and regulatory mandates
Committee:
Senate Rules
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/19/2026 - House Rural Economic Development
House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- Previously, there was a lot of talent pipeline trained specifically for advanced EV manufacturing.
- I'm not trying to mandate something that's not compatible with them.
- That is a mandate that we hear from our residents and it's an important backbone of how our city builds
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 2950, which would allow a governing body to approve a tourism improvement area to promote tourism and lodging. Supporters from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, Visit Yuma, and Visit Phoenix said the bill would give communities a voluntary, locally controlled tool to market destinations, attract events, and strengthen rural and urban tourism economies without raising taxes on residents. Members discussed tourism’s economic importance in places like Yuma and other rural communities, and the bill was moved forward with a due pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote.
The committee then held a presentation on rural economic development in Pinal County, focusing on the Lucid Motors project and its workforce partnership with Central Arizona College. Speakers from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Central Arizona College, and Lucid described the Drive48 training program, the creation of a skilled workforce pipeline, and broader economic impacts such as higher wages, job creation, and related growth in housing and infrastructure. The committee also read proclamations recognizing Lucid Motors and Central Arizona College for their contributions to economic development in rural Arizona.
Finally, the committee heard HB 2946, which revises development fee requirements and prohibits development fees on accessory dwelling units. The sponsor argued the bill was intended to address housing affordability and reduce burdens on families and builders, while cities, towns, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and municipal attorneys opposed it, saying it would shift costs from growth to existing taxpayers and weaken the principle that growth should pay for growth. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to remove county-related provisions and make clarifying changes. The amended bill was then passed with a 4-1 vote and two members voting present.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- mentioned the gas tax, but, you know, we did increase through the budget the new registration fee on EVs
- Eventually, for sure, I think that we will be looking at a tax on energy used by the EVs, and that will
- new tax on electricity that's broad-based for everybody, that would be subject to the two-thirds mandate
- new tax on electricity that's broad-based for everybody, that would be subject to the two-thirds mandate
- Subject to the two-thirds mandate. Sorry, I just asked one more and I'll be done.
Committee:
Senate Finance
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommitee Oct 6th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The first one is, are all AVs EVs? Mr. Chairman, Representative Brown, in short, no.
- Particularly on the freight side, none of the current AVs are EVs to my knowledge.
- Peterbilt, Kenworth, on the passenger, the ride-hailing side, a lot of those are EVs.
- Jaguar I-Paces, which are EVs, but it's a mixed bag between the ride-hailing side and the freight side
- I've seen several articles about the future and that you can take a diesel semi-truck and attach an EV
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 15
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She's also a surfer and a hammer at soccer and she beats me at leftright center every single New Year's Eve
- leftright center every single<00:19:49.760><c> New</c><00:19:49.919><c> Year's</c><00:19:50.160><c> Eve
- </c> single New Year's Eve but not this year. single New Year's Eve but not this year.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee May 14th, 2026
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 2640, Hadwick, state mandates, do pass out on an A roll call.
- AB 2353, Pacheco, Hospital Mandate Review Program, do pass out with Republicans not voting.
- AB 2353, Pacheco, Hospital Mandate Review Program, do pass out with Republicans not voting.
- AB 2748, Cork Silva, affordable housing development EV charging, do pass as amended to change the sunset
Committee:
House Appropriations
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Feb 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- new sections for capital and operating, there actually is a bit of transportation, and that is for EVs
- It also reinforces the equity mandate at the heart of CCA, that 35% of these dollars and a goal of 40%
- This bill does not mandate new taxes. It provides a... This bill does not mandate new taxes.
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on several transportation-related bills. On Substitute House Bill 2251, staff explained changes to Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, including new operating and capital accounts and a revised split of auction proceeds among transportation, capital, operating, and air quality accounts. Members asked about the bill’s effect on CERA funding, the air quality account, and whether the bill responded to projected revenue declines. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the bill’s goal of clearer, more predictable budgeting; tribal testimony requested clearer protections and a dedicated tribal set-aside, while other witnesses supported the bill for its transparency and climate/transportation benefits. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee then heard House Bill 2588, which would allow county ferry districts to operate and finance vehicle ferries, not just passenger-only ferries. The prime sponsor and county officials from Whatcom and Pierce described the bill as a local option to help fund aging ferry systems without raising taxes, and public testimony from island residents, county representatives, and advocacy groups strongly supported it as a way to stabilize essential ferry service. The committee also heard House Bill 2722, which would raise the vehicle weight threshold for Transportation Benefit District fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds. Staff said the change would modestly increase TBD revenue statewide, and the sponsor argued the current law unfairly exempts heavier trucks while lighter vehicles pay the fee. Cities and local officials supported the bill, while the trucking association said it would support a compromise at 9,000 pounds instead of 10,000. The committee also heard House Bill 2727, creating an Educational Transit Access Grant Program for transit agencies and community and technical colleges to pilot free or reduced fares for students; the sponsor and transit advocates said it would improve affordability and access, and testimony emphasized equity and student retention benefits.
In executive session, the committee considered Second Substitute House Bill 1923, which would expand who can form passenger-only ferry service districts and where they can be formed, with added intent language related to southern resident orcas and a revised effective date. After discussion, the committee voted 23-4 to pass the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The chair also announced a deadline extension for amendment requests on bills heard that day and thanked staff before adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- AT&T's goal is to remove this mandate.
- Second, AB 470 does not maintain the Kohler mandate.
- Finally, AB 470 mandates a phase-out of COLAR obligations.
- The bill would mandate California Internet Service Providers.
- And so let me close with artificial price mandates should not threaten that choice.
Committee:
House Communications and Conveyance