Transcript Highlights:

• On June 30th, as temperatures soared to 100 degrees, behind-the-meter solar provided 2,400 megawatts
• The program provides a base compensation rate and then pays adders to projects that provide certain project
• Sunrun is the nation's largest provider of home solar and battery storage.
• Sun Run is the nation's largest provider of home solar and battery storage.
• So I will provide my remarks here.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on ways Massachusetts can accelerate solar deployment, lower costs, and preserve reliability as electricity demand rises and federal support for solar and other renewables changes. Chair Creem opened by emphasizing solar’s role in meeting climate mandates and peak demand, citing June heat-wave data showing behind-the-meter solar reduced wholesale prices and saved ratepayers money. Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney of DOER said Massachusetts has grown from 3 MW of solar in 2008 to 3.5 GW today, highlighted SMART 3.0 as a flexible, evergreen incentive program, and said DOER is working on updated rates, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, net crediting, and a petition to the DPU to speed implementation. She also said Massachusetts joined the lawsuit over canceled federal Solar for All funding. Committee members and witnesses discussed several policy changes to speed projects before federal tax credits expire, including automated permitting, remote inspections, faster interconnection, and changes to caps on municipal and regional solar development. Senator Barrett pressed Mahoney on whether the 10 MW municipal cap and regional caps should be lifted, and on whether the state should increase its solar tax credit to offset the loss of the federal residential credit. Mahoney said the municipal cap should be revisited and that interconnection cost allocation and other market issues need to be worked out before lifting broader caps. She also said DOER is open to automated permitting and is already developing a permitting portal under the 2024 climate law. Industry and advocacy witnesses largely supported streamlining measures. Sunrun’s Bronte Payne urged removal of a proposed requirement that all net-metered facilities enroll in SMART, and recommended automated permitting, remote inspections, flexible interconnection, better hosting-capacity information, consumer protections, and continued support for Connected Solutions and virtual power plants. Permit Power’s Hannah Bernbaum and Solar App’s Matthew McAllister argued that smart permitting and remote inspections can significantly reduce soft costs and delays, with McAllister saying Solar App now operates in over 320 jurisdictions and saves about three weeks on average. They said remote inspections are already common and can be done safely with photos, video, and qualified third parties. Community solar and clean energy advocates, including CCSA’s Kate Daniel and Vote Solar’s Lindsay Griffin, supported a 10 GW solar target by 2035, a higher refundable state tax credit for low-income households, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, and preserving the option to build outside SMART so projects can retain renewable energy certificates. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members requested follow-up materials and draft language from witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if the annexation method provides for a review, then it would be subject.
• Services can be efficiently provided.
• And it would also, I think, be helpful to provide that the relief that may be provided for serious violations
• Cities are the best equipped to provide urban services; counties are not.
• Services are provided. Water's installed. Sewers installed.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• video transmission of the meeting provided by the public body fails.
• So the 1,900 number that we provided, so schools elect to CEP on a four-year cycle.
• So the 1900 number that we provided, so schools elect to CEP on us on a four-year cycle.
• "Providing a safety net so that even if the projections are such, we can lower those numbers.
• And it provides them someone to help in that moment.

Keywords: Virginia Commission to End Hunger, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> shots even if the vaccine didn't provide shots even if the vaccine didn't provide immunity<00:33
• And in fact, to this day, the CDC’s website on COVID-19 vaccine still fails to provide any meaningful
• any meaningful discussion of to provide any meaningful discussion of safety<00:36:07.119><c> leaving
• But I do think it provides a framework for our discussions in the future, and it kind of reinforces the
• As well as see if they can provide us a response. All right.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy met briefly without a quorum because many members were tied up in legislative committee of conference work. The chair said the committee would resume in June and, in the meantime, directed members to the committee webpage and the 2024 committee’s report and COVID-19 after-action report, which he said could be reviewed for possible updates and legislative recommendations on how New Hampshire should respond to future pandemics. The chair then introduced two recent articles as framing material: one about the U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear a challenge to the Los Angeles Unified School District’s COVID vaccine mandate, and another about CDC internal emails and alleged failure to publicly acknowledge vaccine safety signals. He argued these examples raised concerns about mandates, transparency, and the balance between individual rights and public health, and said the committee would revisit the issue in future meetings. Representative Pollazok thanked the chair for presenting both legal and medical perspectives and suggested the committee focus on reviewing scientific methodology and the quality of evidence behind competing claims. A member asked whether vaccine pamphlets now include risks and benefits, and the chair responded that FDA-approved products should have patient inserts available on the FDA website, including sections listing adverse events from clinical studies and commercial use. He said he would research and email the committee copies or excerpts. Members also discussed how to evaluate studies over different time periods, dosing levels, and the timing of side effects, as well as the difficulty of comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated outcomes when definitions change over time. Before adjourning, the chair said the committee would ask the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services how it would monitor and assess vaccine or pandemic-related issues in real time and whether additional structures would be needed in a future emergency. He said the committee would likely take July and August off, resume in September, and aim to have a draft report by mid-October and a final report by late October ahead of the November elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• for today's hearing include: no talking or loud noises from the audience; public comment may be provided
• valid certificate of authority, financial institutions are already required by existing statute to provide
• This provides a practical incentive for timely compliance and reinforces accountability within the system
• And our involvement is only to provide enforcement of the court's order if people want it.
• I don't need to speak to the benefits that providing legal status would provide for so many people.

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee met without quorum for part of the hearing and proceeded on several bills, with testimony focused on probate access, domestic violence protections, child support services, and an immigration resolution. On AB 1660, the author and county public administrators said financial institutions often delay or refuse lawful requests for account information and assets, causing harm to estates and vulnerable people; banks and credit union representatives opposed the new penalties, arguing the underlying statute may be outdated and that fraud concerns require more verification. The author agreed to amend the bill to make penalties discretionary rather than mandatory, and the bill ultimately passed out of committee to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and later add-on approval. AB 1657, by Assembly Member Rogers, would bar courts from requiring domestic violence survivors seeking temporary restraining orders to notify the alleged abuser before filing; the Sonoma County district attorney and others supported it as a safety measure, and it passed unanimously to the floor with multiple members requesting coauthor status. The committee also heard AB 1643, which would automatically enroll custodial parents in child support services after a support order is entered unless they opt out. The author and child support officials argued the bill would increase access to free enforcement and collection services, reduce child poverty, and help families who do not complete the current application process; some members raised concerns about fees, opt-out clarity, and whether automatic enrollment could interfere with amicable co-parenting arrangements. After discussion about the program’s funding and the need for a clear opt-out process, the bill was moved to the Human Services Committee, with some members voting no or not voting and later add-on action placing it on call and then advancing it. The committee also considered SJR 8, urging Congress to modernize the federal immigration registry so long-term undocumented residents could qualify for lawful permanent residency on a rolling basis; supporters described it as a long-overdue pathway for immigrant families and workers, and the resolution was adopted to the floor after a vote and later add-on action. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance enforcement, fraud prevention, and access to services. Several members supported the domestic violence and probate bills as necessary fixes to existing systems, while others urged continued work with stakeholders on standardized forms, clearer procedures, and modernized safeguards. The committee also took up consent items and add-ons, including AB 1597, AB 1651, and AB 1652 on consent, and later finalized votes on the measures discussed above.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to just provide a few comments on House File 3721.
• So they're already required to provide resources.
• So they're already required to provide resources.
• Colleges can provide the link on a website, and students can do the rest.
• They are already providing the information.

Bills: HF2185 , HF1849 , HF3719 , HF3721 , HF3845 , HF3720

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: flag display, residential property rights, homeowners association, HOA, covenants, restrictive covenant, deed restriction, subdivision regulation, local ordinance, rental agreement, property rights, patriotic display, United States flag, Minnesota flag, POW/MIA flag, military flags, armed forces flag, Blue Star flag, Gold Star flag, common interest community

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we begin, I would like to provide a few reminders.
• So in 2021, and for the opportunity to provide comments and support today.
• So thank you for the opportunity to provide comments today. Thank you for your testimony.
• And we just simply want to provide housing in the way that is fair to our residents.
• This will provide consistency and clarity for applicants and cities alike.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee held public hearings on four bills and then took executive action on several measures and two gubernatorial appointments. At the start, the committee waived the five-day notice rule for Substitute House Bill 2354, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, and Second Substitute House Bill 2590. The committee also heard public testimony on House Bill 1859, which would expand affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations by lowering the affordability threshold needed to qualify for a density bonus. Supporters, including the sponsor, faith leaders, and local officials, said the current 100% affordability requirement has made projects difficult to finance and that the bill would better unlock underused church land for housing. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, which would further standardize where and how permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and shelters can be sited, while limiting local barriers and allowing some negotiated conditions near schools or when local governments provide significant support. The sponsor and supporters from King County, housing providers, the Attorney General’s office, disability advocates, medical professionals, and others argued the bill would reduce discriminatory or inconsistent local siting rules and expand needed housing. Some local government representatives supported the bill but asked for additional amendments to preserve local flexibility, require on-site contacts, and clarify how operating conditions and funding agreements would work. The committee also heard House Bill 2590, which would revise rules for limited equity cooperatives so they can better function as a long-term affordable homeownership model and remain exempt from certain Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act requirements. Supporters said the bill would help preserve manufactured housing communities and other cooperative housing while maintaining affordability and oversight. House Bill 2354, a trailer bill to WACOIA, would make technical changes affecting common interest communities, including EV charging and heat pump cost responsibility, reserve studies, and audit thresholds; the Washington State Community Association’s Institute testified in support. In executive session, the committee confirmed gubernatorial appointments Aaron T. McGrath and Ann T. Malone and voted do-pass recommendations for EHB 1687, SHB 2269, and HB 2304, all subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Presumption provides a path forward for families.
• The department also provides the full notice for download.
• and legislative intent is provided.
• The bill should also provide for the age restriction.
• This policy does not provide stability for workers.

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 618, the Eric Schrauss Memorial Act, would remove the current time-and-exposure qualifiers for the workers’ compensation presumption that certain heart problems in firefighters and law enforcement officers are occupational diseases. The sponsor and family members of fallen firefighters testified in support, describing delayed claims and arguing the bill would spare grieving families from lengthy appeals. Opponents including counties, self-insurers, cities, and L&I’s research staff said the current qualifiers are based on science, warned the change would greatly expand claims and costs, and noted a 2023 advisory committee did not recommend the change. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5379, which would extend interest arbitration rights to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission law enforcement rangers. The sponsor and a park ranger testified that rangers are commissioned peace officers who cannot strike and are paid less than comparable law enforcement, leading to staffing shortages and turnover. The bill was presented as a fairness and retention measure. Testimony on Senate Bill 6147, concerning grocery store closures in food deserts, was split: supporters from Tacoma, labor, and local government said a six-month notice requirement would help communities respond to closures like the Fred Meyer shutdown in South Tacoma, while grocers and industry groups argued the bill was too prescriptive, would add legal risk, and would not solve underlying crime and business pressures. Senate Bill 6106, requested by the Employment Security Department, would exempt tribes from the state WARN-style notice law and make employee names and addresses submitted in layoff notices confidential under the Public Records Act. ESD and business groups supported the bill as a clarification and privacy fix, and no opposition was heard. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 5927, which would cap future workers’ compensation COLAs at 3%; employers and self-insurers supported it as a way to address volatility and long-term liabilities, while labor, injured-worker advocates, and others opposed it as an across-the-board benefit cut that would erode wage replacement. L&I explained it has been studying possible COLA changes but did not bring forward its own proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 6287 on kratom would restrict adulterated or harmful kratom products, require labeling, set a 21+ sales age, and allow local regulation; supporters backed the age limit and bans on concentrated 7-OH, while some industry witnesses opposed the private right of action and local patchwork rules. The committee adjourned after public testimony; no final votes or executive action were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• > storm</c><00:05:28.960><c> shelters,</c> provided funding for storm shelters, provided funding for
• Homeowners must provide documentation Homeowners must provide documentation showing<00:07:58.040><c>
• </c> says a may, not a shall, but it provides says a may, not a shall, but it provides the<00:14:24.760
• Thank you the safety that they provide.
• But, it provides that family member.

Committee: Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It provided calculated amounts for specific suggestions.
• Populate because they didn't provide that, but the 2% they did provide.
• We are having lunch provided. Again, we're going to have Chinese, and it is being provided by...
• They have multiple entities that they want to provide services to.
• And again, it's based on each LAU they want to provide.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Educational providers, Medicaid and health providers, and child health care provision of services are
• And also that they did not provide any type of public work plan or other type of accounting for what
• They contact the family and provide services of some sort, do some sort of family assessment.
• These programs help provide the courts with external citizen reviews, dating back to the 1980s.
• Some are internal to CYFD and some are external providing that oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any willing ambulance provider, which the insurance department would like to talk more about, provides
• Any willing ambulance provider, which the insurance department would like to talk more about, provides
• us again with a that, but that provides us again with a temporary<00:12:11.519><c> bridge</c><00:12:
• have that was provided by the Department<00:14:10.720><c> of</c><00:14:10.959><c> Insurance.
• And this provides a civil remedy.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we do work very closely with them to provide services and assist with the reentry.
• We're happy to provide it to you if you'd like, Mr. Chairman. We can do that.
• Um, I'm here to, uh, provide testimony as a resource witness on, on the bill.
• The other thing they do for us is they provide training.
• We appreciate the details you provided, uh, Dean Lumpus. Yeah, uh, thank you.

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide incentives to electricity customers to reduce their load during these key times.
• When they're all done, this project will provide 700 megawatt-hours.
• Some of them are, Rogers, I would just add, provide an illustration with the DSGS program.
• To provide some brief background, DWR acted very quickly.
• They don't even have to go out and get the data; it is being provided to them.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state information does not provide.
• So I'm here today to provide testimony in support of House Bill 2193.
• These are folks that do provide individual and group-based peer support.
• We provide, um, We've trained thousands of people a year, uh, in suicide prevention.
• Counties from 100,000 to 249,000 must provide a 50% match, and counties of 250,000 or more must provide

Bills: HB101

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: voter approval, local tax, disaster declaration, tax rate increases, community funding

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're submitting written testimony, please provide our staff up front with 13 copies.
• Certainly, the bill requires that school districts must provide TCHAT if it's provided to the district
• And I want to make certain they have provided me some.
• You provided us your testimony in writing. Yes, sir. We have it here.
• If that's the case, it does provide order, and I hate to say that.

Bills: SB27 , SB226 , SB326 , SB570 , SB605 , SB870 , SB991 , SB1871 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1874 , SB1924 , SB1925

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation also provides free pre-k services for the children of Texas educators ensuring that
• Members, if it's in in the course of of what they provide in academic instruction.
• services under subsection e that the company is going to provide the contract to protect the, provide
• them campaign contributions and provide political support.
• Does this bill right now provide any raise?

Bills: SB26 , SB28 , SJR36 , SB26 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB28

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• :09:54.000><c> confidential,</c> platforms provide a safe, confidential, platforms provide a safe, confidential
• Second, providing stability statutes.
• </c><00:43:18.800><c> CTE</c> education teachers already providing CTE education teachers already providing
• There's some areas where we can provide support and resources.
• </c><00:56:06.960><c> some</c><00:56:07.119><c> statutory</c> again provides some statutory again provides

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They would help inform and provide justification for our rules and our policies, so thank you.
• OHA stands ready to provide the legal expertise.
• </c> and and and mostly it was uh providing and and and mostly it was uh providing that<01:35:45.320>
• Mahalo for the opportunity to provide my testimony.
• Mahalo for the opportunity to provide my testimony.

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 13, 2025, and first announced that SB 1456 would be deferred to the end of the agenda and ultimately worked on later, with the chair indicating the bill would be deferred and revisited in a future measure. The committee then heard SB 841 on marine life conservation districts. DLNR supported the bill, saying it would fund carrying capacity studies to inform rules and policies. Testimony noted a pilot study already underway at the Puka Marine Life Conservation District and another nearing completion at the old Kona Airport MLCD. Members discussed costs, with DLNR estimating about $300,000 per year for one user-experience study, potentially more for ecological analysis, and also discussed possible funding from the Mālama Kai special fund. DLNR said it had no objection to consulting current operators and other users, and explained the program would be a new, ongoing adaptive-management tool. The committee next heard SB 411 on capital improvement projects at small boat harbors. DLNR supported the intent, saying the bill would help expedite use of special funds for CIP work, while the Department of Budget and Finance opposed it, arguing the draft could conflict with constitutional limits on appropriations. Public testimony from an industry representative supported the bill and urged more collaboration with commercial operators, while committee discussion focused on whether DLNR could already use special funds for repairs, how much engineering and bidding work is required before projects go out to bid, and whether the current process creates bottlenecks when bids exceed initial estimates. DLNR said it can do some repairs and maintenance within existing authority and funding ceilings, but that the bill as drafted could be too broad. The committee also heard SB 5 on historic preservation, where DLNR supported the measure and NAOP Hawaii opposed it, saying the bill’s broader definition could expand the scope beyond the stated goal of narrowing reviews and reducing backlog. The committee then took up SB 1462 on the state historic preservation income tax credit. The Department of Taxation said the revenue estimate assumes the cap would be reached each year the credit is available, and DLNR supported the bill. SHPD said the prior credit had sunset, outreach had previously been done in targeted communities such as Chinatown, and owners of eligible historic properties are notified during review. Finally, the committee heard SB 268 on island burial councils. DLNR supported the bill, and OHA strongly supported it, saying the councils have struggled with quorum and expertise and that the measure would restore the original intent of having lineal descendants and cultural practitioners as decision makers, while still allowing landowners and developers to testify and participate. OHA also said it would help provide technical support and urged continued involvement from SHPD and the Attorney General’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• a limitation on the use of ad valorem taxes levied by counties and municipalities, and to provide An
• During the pandemic, federal funds provided a significant boost for Miami-Dade County.
• This proposal reduces revenue, but it provides no replacement revenue, none at all.
• We do not know because those answers have not been provided today.
• But at the end of the day, I have a choice between provided. constitutional amendment.

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand homestead property tax relief, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses. Senator Avila presented the measure as a major property tax reform intended to provide relief to homeowners and restrain local government spending, while opponents argued it would shift costs to fees, services, and state appropriations and could harm local budgets, public safety, schools, and other services. Several senators also raised concerns about the ballot language and the lack of a completed fiscal analysis. The chamber considered and rejected multiple amendments. Senator Sharif’s income-based “circuit breaker” amendment failed, as did Senator Smith’s sunset clause amendment and Senator Berman’s amendment to rewrite the ballot statement for greater accuracy. During questioning, Avila said the revised language was meant to preserve flexibility for local governments and that future legislatures could set implementing procedures and, if necessary, prohibit certain local expenditures by general law. He also confirmed that the proposal would not affect refinancing or portability, and said the measure would not prevent local governments from continuing to fund many services such as libraries, parks, animal control, code enforcement, mosquito control, public housing, county health departments, and elections. Debate on final passage was extensive. Supporters described the proposal as overdue relief for homeowners and a way to force local governments to prioritize spending, while critics called it a risky tax shift that could reduce local revenue by billions and force cuts or higher fees. Some senators emphasized concerns about public safety funding, mental health and social services, and the accuracy of the ballot summary; others argued the measure would give voters a chance to decide on property tax reform. After debate, the resolution was rolled over for third reading and the Senate continued discussion, but the transcript provided does not include a final vote on the joint resolution.