Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:41.120><c> that's</c> additional uh electric capacity that's additional uh electric capacity
• Gas performed at 63% of capacity. Wind and solar at 258% of capacity.
• Gas performed at 63% of capacity. Wind and solar at 258% of capacity.
• So I un you know the of capacity.
• ,</c> renewables and with uh excess capacity, renewables and with uh excess capacity, it's<00:47:53.920

Bills: HF4770

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: biomass, anaerobic digester, renewable energy, sustainability, energy generation

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then took up House File 4770, as amended by an A1 technical amendment. The bill was presented as a proposal to help Liberty Diversified International and Liberty Paper in Becker plan for replacement steam and energy supply as the Shuro facility closure approaches in 2030. Testimony described Liberty Paper’s current closed-loop steam arrangement with Shuro, the need to study future fuel and technology options, and the potential use of anaerobic digestion, biomass, construction and demolition waste, and food waste to produce steam and possibly power. Members asked about feedstock availability, the need for a feasibility study, possible backup natural gas use, and whether waste heat or wastewater heat could be useful. The bill was laid over as amended. The committee then heard a presentation from CenterPoint Energy on Minnesota heating demand and electrification. CenterPoint staff said affordability and reliability are central concerns and outlined how the utility manages customer costs through energy efficiency, contracting, storage, peak shaving, and conservation. Dr. Joel Lynch presented research on peak heating with natural gas and the “missing piece” in Minnesota’s electrification puzzle, explaining that Minnesota’s cold climate makes winter heating demand especially challenging and that replacing natural gas would require substantial new electric capacity and renewable resources. He compared his work with prior national and state studies and said the analysis used Minnesota-specific gas throughput, COP assumptions across several electrification scenarios, and January renewable capacity data. Lynch summarized preliminary findings that Minnesota’s peak gas heating throughput could be up to 40 gigawatts, with electric resistance heating implying roughly 36 gigawatts of new demand, and lower but still substantial demand under heat-pump scenarios. The presentation was informational only; no vote was taken on the CenterPoint presentation. The meeting ended with House File 4770 laid over and the energy demand presentation continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:11.360><c> is</c> um I'm against sb38 the high capacity is um I'm against sb38 the high capacity
• </c> shoting that involves these capacities shoting that involves these capacities so<00:26:31.440><c
• </c><00:31:24.559><c> um</c> restrict access to high capacity um restrict access to high capacity um
• </c><00:49:26.960><c> automatic</c> I've said about high capacity automatic I've said about high capacity
• </c> choice is an AR-15 or a large capacity choice is an AR-15 or a large capacity automatic<00:49:39.400

Summary: The committee first took up SB 547 on water conservation, a deferred agenda item that had already been considered by the other joint committees and received no public testimony. The chair recommended adopting Department of Taxation and Department of Health amendments, passing the bill, and adding a defective date of July 1, 2050. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation; the vice chair voted yes, two senators were excused, and the recommendation was adopted. The main hearing focused on SB 1030, which would define election fraud intimidation to include carrying any firearm or weapon at or near a voter service center, place of deposit, or polling place. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill duplicated existing sensitive-places law, raised Second Amendment concerns, and could create confusion for lawful concealed carry holders using ballot drop boxes. A smaller number of supporters, including gun violence prevention advocates and labor representatives, argued the measure would improve voter safety. The committee heard more than 1,560 total testimonies for the hearing overall, and for SB 1030 staff noted over 10 in support and over 80 in opposition; no vote on SB 1030 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then heard SB 38, which would extend Hawaii’s ban on high-capacity magazines from pistols to any firearm with a detachable magazine over 10 rounds. Supporters, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Moms Demand Action, Everytown, Brady, and other gun violence prevention advocates, said the bill would close a loophole, improve consistency in the law, and reduce the harm caused by mass shootings. Opponents, including gun owners, veterans, and Second Amendment advocates, argued the bill would criminalize lawful owners, be difficult to enforce, and would not reduce crime. The committee reported receiving over 40 testimonies in support and over 400 in opposition. Finally, the committee began SB 401, which would add rifles capable of firing .50 caliber or higher ammunition to the list of prohibited weapons, excluding antiques and muzzle loaders. HPD and Everytown testified in support, describing the weapons as military-grade and dangerous, while Jerry Yuan and others opposed the bill, saying it was overbroad and would sweep in firearms and ammunition types that are not used in crime. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 401, before any committee action or vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, HB 2 original: we had $574 million in bonding capacity...
• We didn't exceed the P1 capacity... Capacity, we left it at 574.
• We didn't exceed the P1 capacity by a dollar.
• Okay, so if we stay close to capacity, which my amendments will keep us very close to capacity, you would
• And so with the amendments, our capacity is 574,000.

Bills: HB2 , HB3 , HB799 , HB1039

Committee: Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs

Keywords: bond authorization, capital improvement, general obligation bonds, financial management, state treasury, boiler safety, inspection, licensing, state fire marshal, operating certificate, regulations, local sales tax, local use tax, sales and use tax, tax audit, local collector, tax collector, prescriptive period, prescription waiver, interest suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to of course review if there's capacity to of course review if there's capacity in<00:56:48.079>
• </c> capacity issue is a school that capacity capacity issue is a school that capacity in<01:41:39.719
• School um from anywhere based on School um from anywhere based on capacity capacity capacity and<02:08
• capacity.
• We're going to lower our capacity.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• MODERATE RISK CAPACITY 72 AGES 14 TO 18 TAMPA BAY HIGH RISK CAPACITY 25 TO 37 AGES 12 TO 19 AND AGES
• SO ALTHOUGH WE HAVE SOME CAPACITY THE CAPACITY WHERE WE HAVE IT DOES NOT FIT THE NEEDS OF THE KIDS.
• >> YES. . >> BED CAPACITY. I WAS PAYING ATTENTION. >> Rep.
• Gottlieb: I'M GLAD SOMEBODY WAS. >> CAPACITY.
• OR DECEMBER WHEN IT OPENS YOU ARE AT MAX CAPACITY.

Transcript Highlights:

• Randy White says it is not at full capacity and is probably operating at about half capacity, but the
• </c> uh uh we tend to stay at capacity uh uh we tend to stay at capacity sometimes<00:03:45.360><c> the
• the</c> about half capacity there but the about half capacity there but the population<00:04:19.199>
• </c> capacity in Campbell County the capacity capacity in Campbell County the capacity the<00:04:54.280
• 05:23.840><c> the</c> not at capacity currently but again the not at capacity currently but again the

Summary: The committee heard an overview from Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White on the state’s juvenile detention network and several facility projects. He identified the currently operating detention centers as Boyd County for females, Breathitt County for low-risk males, Fayette County for high-risk males, Adair County for high-risk youth from Jefferson and surrounding counties, Warren County for high-risk males, and McCracken County for low-risk males. Members asked about capacity and staffing; White said Boyd County houses 33 and is usually near full, Breathitt County is about half full, Fayette County runs about 80-90% full, Campbell County’s operational limit is about 25 due to staffing, Adair County can hold 60 and has hit capacity several times this year, Warren County holds 43 and usually runs near capacity, and McCracken County holds 43 and is not currently full. He said staffing is generally harder in higher-risk facilities and in metropolitan areas because of wages and housing costs. White then updated the committee on the Louisville Detention Center downtown renovation and the Lyon facility project. For the Louisville downtown facility, he said schematic design and design development are complete, construction documents are expected by late February or early March, bids are anticipated in April, and completion is projected for March 2027. He explained the delay is due to extensive renovation work needed to bring the building up to current building, life-safety, ACA, and PREA standards, including security, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, food service, and roof work. The project is designed for 64 beds for high-risk Jefferson County boys, with the facility currently vacant and those youth being housed in Adair County and Campbell County. For the Lyon project, he said the contract was issued November 21, 2024, demolition is underway, completion is expected June 14, 2026, and the facility will have 34 beds in four pods for low-risk offenders; he said the project appears to be on time and on budget within the $4.5 million authorization. The committee also discussed the medical services contract. DJJ officials said they are reviewing whether to continue with the current state contract provider, Wellpath, or pursue an RFP, while retaining current merit staff and continuing oversight through four nurse program administrators. They said DJJ uses a state master agreement to staff nurses, APRNs, and the chief medical officer, and that the current contract is about $20 million per year. Members asked about Wellpath’s bankruptcy filing; officials said they were aware of it, asked questions, and were told it would not affect Kentucky service delivery or contracting, though they could not recall the bankruptcy type and offered to provide more detail later. They also said DJJ is working with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to become a Medicaid provider, and any future contractual partner will need to be a Medicaid provider. Finally, White described the proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. He said DJJ must accept court-ordered youth even when they have severe mental illness, but detention centers are not equipped to treat those youth and private psychiatric hospitals often refuse them or discharge them early. He argued that a dedicated secure treatment facility is needed for a small number of highly violent, high-need youth who require intensive psychiatric care and are disruptive in detention. The facility would provide behavioral and psychiatric treatment, reduce delays caused by lack of beds or outside placements, and serve youth determined by clinical assessment to need a secure treatment environment. No votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:30:37.039><c> is</c> being able to expand your capacity, is being able to expand your capacity
• and so right now do you have capacity and so right now do you have the<00:42:40.720><c> capacity</c>
• In the February debt capacity forecast, In the February debt capacity forecast, the<00:51:20.160><c>
• Pivoting to debt capacity.
• </c> trade-offs for future year capacity. trade-offs for future year capacity.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:10.200><c> last</c> In a variety of research capacities.
• to help increase veterinary student capacity?
• Veterinary student capacity it's it's a Veterinary student capacity it's it's a here<00:37:10.280><c
• There is some capacity limitations for communities to do that.
• </c><01:13:07.719><c> to</c> don't have the the workers capacity to don't have the the workers capacity

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• And also we would assess each facility for full total capacity to see if we needed to enhance the capacity
• <00:03:11.200><c> risk,</c> capacity risk, capacity risk, kind<00:03:12.959><c> of</c><00:03:13.120><
• :28.319><c> some</c> needed to enhance the capacity on some needed to enhance the capacity on some of
• </c> &gt;&gt; So, so and that's part of that capacity &gt;&gt; So, so and that's part of that capacity
• </c> many of our buildings only have capacity many of our buildings only have capacity for<00:08:59.920

Summary: The committee met for its fourth budget subreview session focused on personnel, public retirements, and finance. Members approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard from Finance Cabinet staff on two main items: a $7.5 million request related to generator systems and a sheriff’s fees budget request. The generator request was described as a preventive, life-cycle replacement and capacity-enhancement effort for 26 generators serving Frankfort-area state buildings, intended to protect continuity of government and expand beyond basic emergency power to support continuity of services. Members asked detailed questions about how many generators would be replaced, the cost per unit, the scope of the study, and whether the work could be phased. Staff said the $7.5 million would cover a full evaluation and any resulting engineering/replacement work, but the exact number of replacements was not yet known. They estimated the initial study would cost about $500,000 to $750,000, would take six to nine months once funded, and would produce building-by-building recommendations. Staff also said typical generator life cycles vary widely, often around 15 to 20 years but sometimes longer depending on run hours and usage. The committee then reviewed sheriff’s fees, with the Division of Local Government explaining that the state reimburses counties for several statutory sheriff-related costs, especially court security, which accounts for more than 90% of the claims. Staff said the current budget base is about $20 million, while actual spending has been running above $23 million, leading to a $3.5 million growth request to align the base with projected spending and reduce the need for non-general fund expenditure (NGE) adjustments. Members asked about claim volume, county participation, reimbursement controls, and whether the request reflected growth or underfunding; staff said all 120 counties submit claims, volumes have been fairly steady, and reimbursements are governed by statute and signed monthly certifications. No votes were taken on the requests, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we're seeing upwards of high 80s to mid-90 subscriber capacity.
• We will have better data about overall community solar capacity as they go live.
• In November of 2024, the commission set a new capacity limit, adding 300 megawatts of capacity to the
• That doesn't mean that they approved 300 megawatts of capacity to be built.
• That doesn't include opening it up for additional capacity RFP.

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> disposal capacity for the state. disposal capacity for the state.
• </c> and does it meet a capacity need? and does it meet a capacity need?
• </c> existing capacity need for the facility. existing capacity need for the facility.
• </c> the total capacity they could take. the total capacity they could take.
• </c> maintain capacity through 2034. maintain capacity through 2034.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• There was concern that capacity be misconstrued to mean financial capacity or something else.
• It's not when we talk about capacity; it's not that sort of capacity.
• What do you mean by capacity? Judges. Do that.
• That you lack good decisional capacity, right?
• So if you maintain your capacity to make your bad decision, you don't fall within here a capacity.

Bills: SB1 , SB3

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of applications setting setting capacity of applications setting setting capacity reports<00:10:
• That Roseville location is at its max capacity right now.
• </c> then and speaking of licensed capacity then and speaking of licensed capacity uh<00:13:31.600><c
• </c><00:15:38.800><c> right</c> location is at its C Max Capacity right location is at its C Max Capacity
• </c> and we don't have an increased capacity and we don't have an increased capacity she's<00:15:45.240

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:10.880><c> chaining,</c> capacity chaining, capacity chaining, capacity<00:17:13.120><c> changes
• Capacity, license capacity has grown by about 43%. So, we absolutely share your concern.
• </c> license capacity has grown by about 43%. license capacity has grown by about 43%.
• We have limited capacity.
• We have limited capacity.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reduce that so that it's a 10-capacity reduce that so that it's a 10-capacity magazine.<00:04:22.440
• </c> unconstitutional to pass a high-capacity unconstitutional to pass a high-capacity magazine<00:08
• </c> challenged high-capacity magazines. challenged high-capacity magazines.
• </c> high-capacity magazines. high-capacity magazines.
• standard capacity magazines.

Transcript Highlights:

• Overall, we created additional capacity for 250,000 housing units.
• We've added capacity within the zoning... Housing units.
• In order to remodel our growth targets and some of our land capacity information.
• I mean, do you have to be analyzing what do we have capacity-wise?
• So the next lesson, I think, is the capacity constraints.

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee held a work session to review implementation of recent housing, planning, and climate-related laws. Department of Commerce staff outlined the 2023 climate planning requirements under the Growth Management Act, including the climate resiliency sub-element for all jurisdictions and greenhouse gas reduction requirements for larger ones. They described Commerce’s guidance, the use of the University of Washington’s Resilient Washington tool and FEMA hazard mitigation resources, attention to overburdened communities through the Department of Health’s Environmental Health Disparities Map, and the climate policy explorer. Members asked about specific climate impacts, flood mapping, evacuation language access, and how environmental justice and local stakeholder input are incorporated. Commerce also said climate planning grants are being drawn down from Climate Commitment Act funding and should be sufficient through the 2029 deadline for remaining Puget Sound jurisdictions. Local government witnesses described their comprehensive plan updates and implementation challenges. Pierce County said its adopted plan was a major multi-year effort that retracted some urban growth area acreage, concentrated growth near transit, expanded middle housing and streamlined permitting, and created capacity for far more housing than its 32,000-unit growth target. County staff emphasized the difficulty of balancing rural protection, urban growth, transportation constraints, climate goals, and limited transit funding, and asked for more technical assistance. Redmond said its update leveraged light rail investments, added transit-oriented development, middle housing, planned actions, and climate resilience policies, but also required costly mid-course corrections from changing state laws and agency guidance. Redmond urged more regulatory stability, clearer statutes, and streamlined certification and accountability processes. Snohomish County said it is now in early implementation, focusing on translating adopted policy into regulations, aligning with new state housing and parking laws, and coordinating across departments and with cities; it stressed the need for clearer comp plan language, realistic timelines, and more staffing and coordination support. The committee also heard from the Washington chapter of the American Planning Association about inconsistencies in recent planning laws. APA identified three issues: the use of the undefined term “guidelines” in the design review statute, the use of “variance” in a middle housing/design review context where APA said “departure” would better fit the intended flexibility, and the lack of a cross-reference or definition for “administrative design review” in the subdivision statute. APA said these ambiguities can create confusion and delay in permit processing and offered to work with the legislature on technical fixes. Senators asked whether local codes already use “departure” and whether the proposed changes would conflict with current law; APA responded that many cities already use departure provisions and that the goal is to align the RCW with existing planning practice. The meeting ended without any votes or formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it defines rated bed capacity and designates placements at DOC facilities when rated bed capacity
• It requires DCYF to provide its annual report capacity information based on the JR capacity needs assessment
• And it defines rated bed capacity and designates placements at DOC facilities when rated bed capacity
• It requires the DCYF to provide its annual report capacity information based on the JR capacity needs
• And then we keep hearing capacities for Green Hill School, and being like a safe operating capacity is

Bills: SB6062 , SB6080 , SB6184 , SB6224 , SB6255 , SB6286 , SB6308 , SB6319 , SB5977 , SB5979 , SB6249 , SGA9299

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions, contracts, jails, federal custody, municipal agreements, incarceration, law enforcement, homeless youth, youth services, mental health, support programs, state law, behavioral health, children, support services, poverty reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• whether that capacity exists when it's needed most.
• whether that capacity exists when it's needed most.
• whether that capacity exists when it's needed most.
• whether that capacity exists when it's needed most.
• whether that capacity exists when it's needed most.

Summary: House File 4738 was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Representative Keeler presented the bill as a funding source for Minnesota’s Safe Harbor program, arguing that trafficking and sexual exploitation are statewide problems and that current shelter and housing resources are insufficient. She and several supporters emphasized that the program serves youth across greater Minnesota, not just the metro, and that state and federal funding pressures make additional support necessary. Testifiers from Place Called Home/Life House, The Link, the City of Minneapolis, and a survivor all described the impact of Safe Harbor and related shelter programs. They cited data on youth served, bed nights, mental health services, and high unmet need, including waitlists and youth turned away because programs are full. Testimony stressed that stable housing and trauma-informed services help survivors recover and move toward education, employment, and family stability. One committee member, Representative Davis, objected to the proposed funding source, saying he would not support taking money from women’s sports scholarships and urging a different source. The bill’s tax mechanism was described as ending the sales tax exemption for preferred seating, suite licenses, and related amenities at athletic and entertainment events. Alec Williams of We Make Minnesota supported the proposal as a fair way to raise revenue from high-end discretionary purchases for a public purpose. Committee discussion also focused on the size of the revenue estimate and the breakdown of the impact, with nonpartisan staff saying roughly 85% would come from suite licenses, 10% from collegiate seating, and 5% from amenities. Representative Smith and others framed the issue as both a tax and moral question, and the chair moved the bill to be laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the capacity that Vice Chair Gunda described.
• , and then future new capacity.
• We call it nameplate capacity.
• Today, most of that capacity tends to be in very urban areas like the L.A.
• Always good to see you in the professional capacity.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1026 by Assembly Member Wilson, a bill aimed at reducing delays in utility energization applications that can hold up approved housing projects. Supporters, including the Housing Action Coalition, Mission Housing, and several housing and local government groups, said investor-owned utilities should follow clearer timelines and disclosure requirements so projects can move forward predictably. Opponents from PG&E and Southern California Edison argued the bill was unnecessary, could conflict with CPUC efforts already underway, and should wait for the ongoing energization rulemaking to conclude. After discussion of the bill’s amendments and timelines, the committee passed AB 1026 on a 15-0 vote, and also dispensed with the consent calendar on a 15-0 vote. The hearing then shifted to the committee’s annual oversight hearing on electric reliability. Representatives from the CPUC, CEC, CAISO, and DWR reviewed lessons from the 2020 rolling outages and 2022 heat events, emphasizing improved planning, better coordination, and the role of strategic reserves. They reported that California enters summer 2025 in a stronger position, with no expected shortfalls under traditional planning conditions and a surplus under standard reliability analysis, though they cautioned that wildfire and extreme heat could still create risk. They also highlighted major additions of battery storage, new procurement, and transmission and market reforms that have improved reliability and flexibility. Members asked about data center load growth, the future of Diablo Canyon, the strategic reliability reserve, wildfire costs, regional market expansion, and the balance between affordability and reliability. Witnesses said data center demand remains a major variable, Diablo Canyon should be planned for as if it may retire on schedule unless policy changes are made, and demand response and energy efficiency remain important tools. CAISO described the Western Energy Imbalance Market and the upcoming extended day-ahead market as major sources of savings and reliability benefits. The panel also said the new slice-of-day resource adequacy framework is working so far, with high compliance and ongoing monitoring.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the capacity that Vice Chair Gunda described.
• , and then future new capacity.
• And this is new capacity.
• Since 2020, to the left of the gray line, and then future new capacity, and this is new capacity that's
• We call it nameplate capacity.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1026 by Assembly Member Wilson, which would require investor-owned utilities to provide clearer front-end information and follow more consistent timelines for post-entitlement energization applications tied to housing projects. The author and supporters from the Housing Action Coalition and Mission Housing said utility delays can hold up approved housing, add costs, and create uncertainty, and they argued the bill would align utility processes with recent state efforts to streamline local permitting. PG&E and Southern California Edison opposed the bill, saying existing CPUC timelines and the ongoing energization rulemaking already address the issue, that the bill could be duplicative or premature, and that some proposed timelines were too short. The committee discussed the bill’s relationship to the CPUC’s September 2024 decision, and AB 1026 was ultimately approved on a 15-0 vote, with the consent calendar also passing. The second half of the hearing was the committee’s annual oversight hearing on electric reliability. Representatives from the CPUC, CEC, CAISO, and DWR reviewed lessons from the 2020 and 2022 heat emergencies, emphasizing that California has since added significant resources, improved planning, and created backstop programs such as the strategic reliability reserve. They said the summer 2025 outlook is cautiously optimistic, with no expected shortfalls under traditional planning conditions and a projected surplus, though wildfire and extreme heat remain risks. The agencies also described major changes in planning and operations, including more battery storage, updated resource adequacy rules, expanded transmission planning, and reforms to the interconnection queue. Members asked about data center load, Diablo Canyon’s future, the strategic reliability reserve, demand response, wildfire mitigation costs, affordability, and regional market expansion. Witnesses said data center demand is a major variable but can be managed through better forecasting, flexible service arrangements, and siting in areas with existing capacity; they also said firm clean resources remain valuable while planning continues around Diablo Canyon’s scheduled retirement. On affordability, they said the agencies try to balance reliability with least-cost procurement, and that new resources can lower market prices even as they require upfront investment. CAISO also highlighted the value of the Western Energy Imbalance Market and the planned day-ahead market, saying regional coordination improves both reliability and cost savings.