Transcript Highlights:

• that mental health providers can function through workforce challenges and inadequate reimbursement rates
• And in our earlier discussion, we were hearing about the rate exceptions.
• </c><00:12:02.320><c> in</c><00:12:02.480><c> the</c> some loss in the rate in the some loss in the rate
• in the accountability<00:12:03.519><c> for</c><00:12:03.680><c> these</c><00:12:03.920><c> rate</c>
• accountability for these rate accountability for these rate exceptions.<00:12:04.640><c> And</c><00:12

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the latest MMRC biannual report, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic white women
• The maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic white women is 72.6 cases per 10,000 deliveries.
• The five-year survival rate is about 90% when diagnosed early in stage.
• For many cancers, the five-year survival rate is above 90% when diagnosed in the early stage.
• In stage four lung cancer, the survival rate is only about 9%.

Bills: HB514 , HB1652 , HB2117 , HB2298 , HB3269 , HB46 , HB46

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Transcript Highlights:

• You know we talk a lot about leadership and Galveston County is always at the no new revenue rate or
• Their efforts led to an astonishing 91% clearance rate in the U.S. their first year alone.
• Two years ago in 2022, when interest rates went from a quarter percent to 525 basis points, five and
• Senate Bill 1453 by Bettencourt relating to... ...current debt rate and tax rate of a taxing unit for
• the district's voter approval tax rate to Senate Bill 1503 by Betancourt, ruling the expansion of the

Bills: SJR34 , SB10 , SB18 , SB19 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB480 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB767 , SB790

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida currently has a SNAP payment error rate of over 15 percent.
• Florida currently has a SNAP payment error rate of over 15 percent.
• I think Senator, Significantly reducing the state's high uninsured rate.
• And instead, we now have an uninsured rate for adults 19 to 64 at 15. an uninsured rate for adults at
• I understand our error rates.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and doctor-of-the-day introduction, then moved through a long special-order calendar. Early proceedings included a resolution honoring former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also heard several member introductions and recognitions before taking up bills. The most substantial debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid/SNAP reforms. The bill would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid pharmacy purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Senators Berman, Smith, Bracy Davis, Osgood, and others argued for Medicaid expansion and added protections for vulnerable SNAP recipients, while Gates defended the bill as a compliance and cost-saving measure. Multiple amendments were offered, including Berman’s Medicaid-expansion condition and Osgood’s SNAP photo-ID safeguards; both were defeated. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading after extended questioning. The Senate then passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions before final vote. These included tax conformity legislation (7031/7048), technology and computer science education (1503/1694), Parkinson’s disease registry and related public-records measures (1443/1684), designation of the SS American Victory as the official state flagship (249/1656), electronic payments for local governments (967/1612), legal tender and related public-records exemptions for gold, silver, stablecoins, and virtual currency kiosks (1311/1588/1087/7044/1568), local government finance and spending transparency (1329/1566), digital voyeurism (1536), insurance customer representative licensing (1343/1504), and medical freedom legislation (1756) with amendments on anti-kickback rules and vaccine information materials. Most bills passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with several amendments adopted and some withdrawn; the medical freedom bill was still under consideration at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it lower interest rate loans.
• Uh, current interest rate on that loan is 4.75, which is well under what the market rate is right now
• Uh, current interest rate on that loan is 4.75, which is well under what the market rate is right now
• Uh, current interest rate on that loan is 4.75, which is well under what the market rate is right now
• Uh, current interest rate on that loan is 4.75, which is well under what the market rate is right now

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• The taxation rate, so this is on page nine.
• On page nine, he said the taxation rate is based on kilowatt-hours, which are a measurement of energy
• The taxation rate, so this is on page nine.
• The taxation rate, so this is on page nine.
• The entire system itself is not UL rated, and this is proven to be safe?

Bills: SF0095 , SF0107 , SF0112

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And so where the smoking rate in Hawaii is 10%, for Native Hawaiians it's close to 18% smoking rate.
• And so where the smoking rate in Hawaii is 10%, for Native Hawaiians it's close to 18% smoking rate.
• First, smoking rates continue to decline in the Aloha State.
• </c> between 2003 and 2023 smoking rates between 2003 and 2023 smoking rates among<00:28:37.640><c> higher
• Just a question about the 80% reimbursement rate.

Committee: House Health

Summary: The House Health Committee held its first hearing of 2025, with Chair Greg Takayama and Vice Chair Representative Leoy opening the meeting and outlining housekeeping rules, including a two-minute limit for testifiers and Zoom etiquette. The committee first heard HB 303 on health care preceptors. The Department of Health, Department of Taxation, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and several health care organizations supported the bill, saying the existing preceptor tax credit program has been successful and that expanding eligibility to additional professions and students would help address workforce shortages. In response to questions, the Department of Health said the annual tax credit cap is $1.5 million, about 650 to 670 credits are currently used each year, and the bill applies only to unpaid preceptors. The committee then moved on to HB 441, which would raise cigarette taxes. The Attorney General, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and others supported the measure as a way to reduce smoking, especially among youth, and to support tobacco control and cancer-related programs. Opponents, including the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and the Cigar Association of Hawaii, argued the tax is regressive and unreliable as a revenue source. The Department of Health noted the last cigarette tax increase was in 2011, and one witness urged a larger increase than proposed. No vote was taken on either bill in the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard HB 557 on telehealth. The Department of Health supported the bill so long as it did not displace executive budget priorities, and the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and Hawaii Primary Care Association supported it. HPCA said the bill would conform state insurance law to recent Medicare changes expanding audio-only telehealth coverage beyond mental health services, and it emphasized access for rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities. HMSA opposed the bill as written, saying it strayed from the intent of Act 107 and that audio-only telehealth should remain limited because of quality-of-care concerns, though it supported continued access and asked for a different amendment approach. A telehealth provider also testified that payment disparities limit provider expansion and that audio-only access remains important for patients with serious illness. The hearing ended in the excerpt before any committee action or vote on HB 557.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our graduation rate had risen to math. Our graduation rate had risen to 92.8%. 92.8%. 92.8%.
• Uh, on your property tax rates, of course, as you identified, your property tax rates over the last few
• revenue with the rate to decrease.
• </c> revenue which would be the maximum rate revenue which would be the maximum rate allowed<01:51:58.480
• </c> with the rate to decrease. with the rate to decrease.

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, introductions, and approval of the previous meeting minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation on SB 253, focused on expanding support for teacher apprenticeship and teaching-and-learning pathways. Senator Hickman and staff from the Kentucky Department of Education and Nelson County Schools described how the program uses dual credit, work-based learning, and registered apprenticeship to help students earn an associate degree in high school and continue toward a teaching degree. They said the goal is to address the teacher shortage by creating a sustainable pipeline into the profession. Witnesses emphasized that the main barrier is cost. Mary Taylor said Kentucky’s youth apprenticeship model has been successful in other fields and that education should be added as an in-demand sector, but an associate degree alone will not solve the teacher shortage because teachers still need a bachelor’s degree and certification. Laura Arnold of Nelson County Schools described the district’s Lead Nelson program, saying the district has invested more than $800,000 since 2021, currently has 37 students in the pathway and seven committed apprentices, and spends about $85,000 per apprentice from freshman year through certification. She said district staffing, planning, and university partnerships are also significant hurdles. Members asked about job guarantees, tenure, and retirement; Arnold said employment is performance-based and retirement issues are being considered. Senator Hickman said the bill would use lottery funds to help cover tuition and dual credit costs so more districts can participate, noting that a prior version died because of a high fiscal note. Representative Payne and Representative Tipton praised the program but stressed the need for funding and noted inconsistencies between statute and budget language on Work Ready Kentucky and dual credit support. Representative Tipton also cautioned that lottery revenue may not keep pace with demand and said the General Assembly may need to make broader funding decisions. After the apprenticeship discussion, the chair moved the committee to the next agenda item on computer science and AI literacy, where Code.org began a presentation on the importance of computer science for all students.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to ask Commissioner Brown, are we at 75% at the market rate?
• It's based on the region and how the market is changing, so you can see exactly hourly rate, weekly rates
• , and whichever rates are acceptable in the child care program.
• </c> able to move to 75% of the market rate able to move to 75% of the market rate which<00:50:42.000
• uh</c> hourly rate weekly rates and uh hourly rate weekly rates and uh whichever<00:51:19.200><c> rates

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• A similar approach was successful in the nearby city of Montebello under AB 850 in 2021, where rates
• Like many small municipal water systems, Santa Fe Springs rates have simply not kept up with inflation
• and we believe this is the best option to provide a long-term reliable water source and long-term rate
• We estimate that the next increase would need to triple rates... That simply has not been enough.
• We estimate that the next increase would need to triple rates in order to include an adequate capital

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of local government bills, beginning without quorum and later taking up measures once quorum was established. AB 748 would expand the pre-approved housing plan model for small single-family projects and ADUs, with delayed implementation for smaller jurisdictions; it drew support from housing advocates and some local governments opposed it. AB 1786 would extend best-value contracting authority to general law cities and the San Gabriel Valley COG for larger projects, with broad local government support and no opposition. AB 1712 would let Santa Fe Springs pursue sale of its troubled water system to a larger provider through a protest process instead of a municipal election, citing major capital needs and rate pressures. AB 1679 would create a temporary commercial activation permit for pop-up businesses in vacant storefronts for up to 120 days, with support from business and downtown groups and questions about local control. AB 1738 would require jurisdictions to offer virtual inspections for certain simple residential inspections; supporters emphasized efficiency and existing use in some counties, while labor and local government opponents raised safety and implementation concerns. The committee voted 3-0 to send AB 1738 to Housing, with the bill remaining on call. The committee also heard AB 1578, which would require elected state and local officials to take anti-hate speech training as part of existing harassment training. Supporters argued it would help officials understand the impact of rhetoric on hate and violence, while opponents said it was vague and threatened free speech; the bill passed 3-1 to Governmental Organization and remained on call. AB 1693 would speed retail tenant-improvement permits by requiring review by a qualified professional certifier and shorter local review timelines; it had support from retailers and business groups and passed 4-0 to Business, Professions, and Economic Development. AB 1914 would require local governments to include child care in general planning, with supporters calling child care essential infrastructure and opponents warning about mandates; it passed 2-0 to Human Services and remained on call. AB 1997 would shorten the review period for 90% affordable housing projects after EIR certification, and AB 2605 would require counties to report data on public defense systems and caseloads; both passed their committees and were sent onward, with AB 2605 noted as conditional on appropriation. Later items included AB 2224, which would raise and restructure county recorder fees to fund electronic recording systems and modernize service delivery, with county recorder and county association support and no opposition; it passed to Appropriations and remained on call. The consent calendar included AB 2640. At the end of the meeting, Senator Seyarto presented AB 2110 on behalf of Assemblymember Johnson, proposing workforce housing enhanced infrastructure financing districts for education, health care, manufacturing, and public safety workers, using existing EIFD authority without affecting school funding or ERAF; the presentation was introduced as having bipartisan support, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do consider both tax rates and tax structure.
• the base to include more services, which may have offset some of the needed rate increase.
• We don't focus on rates; we are more focused on the administrative practices.
• With this exemption, it would increase still at a 30% rate and go up to $177.61.
• We could address that personal income tax rate.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 620, a constitutional amendment and companion legislation to centralize collection of state and local sales taxes. The author and supporters from the Tax Foundation, COST, NFIB, and LABI argued that Louisiana’s decentralized system creates high compliance costs, inconsistent administration, and lost revenue, especially for small businesses and out-of-state sellers. Several members raised concerns about the recent rollout of the hybrid e-file system, the effect on local cash flow and auditability, and whether the state could implement a fully centralized system without disrupting parish and municipal revenues. The author ultimately agreed to voluntarily defer HB 620 and its companion HB 658 so the committee could see how the current system performs and continue working with local stakeholders. The committee then heard HB 898, which would dedicate a portion of surplus revenue to reducing and eventually eliminating the state income tax. The author described it as a gradual, revenue-triggered approach to tax elimination, while another member suggested pairing it with reductions in tax exemptions and credits. The bill was voluntarily deferred for future consideration. Next, the committee considered HB 217 and HB 214, a bill and constitutional amendment creating an optional property tax exemption for rehabilitated blighted or derelict properties. Support came from local government and law enforcement groups, who said the measure would give parishes and municipalities a tool to encourage redevelopment and reduce blight. Members discussed safeguards, including local option, whether the exemption should follow the property for 20 years, and whether a step-down at the end of the exemption period should be considered. HB 217 was reported favorably as amended, and HB 214 was also reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 514 and HB 561, both by Rep. Farnum, which expand property tax relief for seniors and certain trusts. HB 514 creates an optional additional ad valorem tax exemption for homeowners age 65 and older, and HB 561 extends eligibility to certain trusts when the qualifying owner occupies the home. Both measures were described as local-option tools to help seniors remain in their homes, and both were reported favorably as amended. Finally, HB 812, by the vice chair, was heard to allow limited annual compensation increases for parish assessors. Assessor representatives said their duties have expanded and their pay has fallen behind clerks of court; members questioned the lack of direct local voter input, but the bill was presented as optional and funded locally, with discussion of transparency and a possible task force to coordinate future compensation policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if we're looking to incentivize in a higher incentive base rate, then go with, you know, what the
• , then go with higher incentive base rate, then go with um<00:11:39.360><c> you</c><00:11:39.480><c>
• </c><00:11:57.560><c> of</c><00:11:57.680><c> 27%</c> example, if we have the base rate of 27% example
• , if we have the base rate of 27% and<00:11:59.320><c> we</c><00:11:59.440><c> add</c><00:11:59.720><
• with because it you had a higher rate with because it was<00:21:07.840><c> mostly</c><00:21:08.160><

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to Hawaii’s film tax credits, timeshare registration, and a Hawaii Technology Development Corporation matching program. For HB 1939, witnesses from the Governor’s office, DBEDT, the Department of Taxation, the Attorney General’s office, film industry groups, neighborhood boards, and others discussed changes to film tax incentives, including local hire requirements, indigenous content, and possible bonus credits. Supporters said the bill would diversify the economy and strengthen local jobs, while DBEDT and others raised operational, fiscal, and legal concerns about administering the multiple bonus options, defining indigenous content, and tracking compliance. The committee noted strong support in testimony and moved the bill forward with a Senate draft, including an amended effective date and a change to apply the bill to costs incurred rather than taxable years. HB 1941, also relating to taxation and film incentives, drew mixed testimony focused on the interaction between physical production and post-production credits. DBEDT, the Honolulu Film Office, and the Hawaii Film Alliance said the bill’s structure could discourage productions, especially because many productions complete post-production elsewhere and because the measure would be difficult to administer and verify. They urged keeping physical production and post-production separate or addressing post-production through workforce development instead. After hearing the testimony, the chair deferred HB 1941 for further work rather than advancing it. The committee also heard HB 1946 on timeshare registration, which had support from industry representatives and DCCA. The bill was advanced with a Senate draft incorporating DCCA’s requested language providing that renewal applications are deemed approved after 30 days unless a deficiency letter is issued. Finally, HB 2545 on HTDC’s matching program for federal SBIR/STTR awards was advanced with a technical amendment clarifying that the federal awards are separate and should be referenced in the alternative. All three of those measures were adopted unanimously by the members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• hunters because of that change, as well as assess wounding loss between those two weapon types, success rates
• Based on the mail survey, we also found virtually no difference between success rates, wounding rates
• The presenter said they had looked at the difference in wounding rates between the two weapon types and
• in wounding rates between the two<00:28:47.080><c> weapon</c><00:28:47.400><c> types</c><00:28:47.960
• </c><00:29:01.120><c> um</c> we saw the same uh wounding rates um we saw the same uh wounding rates um

Transcript Highlights:

• This could increase pressure on customer rates.
• Chairman, you're saying there shouldn't be a rate increase for anyone? Yes. Okay. Thank you.
• What is the rationale for the 15% load, that rate? So the 15% of peak demand. Why is it 15%?
• As a result of the ETA, I don't know whether rates increase.
• I know electrical rates generally trend up.

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So opponents say no one will buy oil and gas at the rates when we tried to raise the royalty rates.
• This mandate required an EV market rate of over 43% by model year 2027 and increasing 8% each successive
• though we work really hard to get a renewable portfolio at our co-op, we continue to struggle with rates
• I don't represent anybody but 29 paying members that definitely their rates will increase with this bill
• rates or impose new costs on families.

Summary: The committee first took up the proposed 2026 tax package, Senate Bill 151, and adopted a committee substitute after discussion of the package’s funding capacity and included measures. The substitute bundled five bills: a physician tax credit, a quantum facility infrastructure tax credit, a construction materials gross receipts deduction for affordable multifamily housing, a local journalist employment tax credit, and a health equipment gross receipts deduction. Members discussed amendments that raised the physician credit from $4,000 to $10,000, narrowed the housing deduction to project-based certification, and reduced the journalist credit threshold from four stories to three. Concerns were raised about the fiscal impact on municipalities, especially Albuquerque, and about the funding mechanism, but the committee voted 6-4 to give the substitute a do pass recommendation. Senator Sanchez explained his vote, saying he wished more could have been included in the package. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, the Clear Horizons Act, which would codify statewide greenhouse gas reduction targets and direct the Environment Department and Environmental Improvement Board to develop plans and rules for emissions reductions. The sponsors said the bill builds on the governor’s 2019 executive order, includes a 10,000-metric-ton threshold for covered emitters, allows certified offsets, and is intended to protect public health, reduce climate-related costs, and provide regulatory certainty. Supporters argued the bill would help communities facing wildfire, drought, health harms, and rising insurance and utility costs, and that it would encourage clean-energy investment and long-term economic stability. Opposition testimony came from mining, oil and gas, rural electric cooperatives, construction, agriculture, auto dealers, chambers of commerce, banks, water recycling companies, and realtors. They argued the bill functions like a carbon tax or broad regulatory mandate, would raise energy and compliance costs, could reduce investment and jobs, and would disproportionately affect rural, tribal, agricultural, and low-income communities. Several witnesses warned of higher electricity and fuel bills, revenue losses for local governments, and uncertainty from delegating major policy decisions to rulemaking. Supporters included public health advocates, educators, local officials, clean-energy businesses, tribal and environmental advocates, and residents affected by wildfire and drought, who said the bill is necessary to address climate harms and protect public health and the economy. No final committee vote on SB 18 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• RDA is charged with producing the authoritative data on exits, rates of homelessness among youth exiting
• Homelessness at one year upon an exit of any system of care, foster care rates have gone way down, and
• We still have concerningly high rates in the criminal legal space. Thanks, slide.
• , which is twice the rate of improvement of the general student population.
• They have elevated rates of unemployment, homelessness, and incarceration, and under this version of

Bills: SB5911 , SB5940 , SB5942 , SB5957

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We get 20 to 30 years of affordable rates.
• And in fact, our bonding ability ties directly to our rating as an agency.
• We went from a vacancy rate of 20% when I first arrived to 14%.
• So would this bonding bill hurt our rating or would it help it?
• The estimated completion for that is March 2029 at the rate we're going.

Transcript Highlights:

• That cash flow is your market-rate rents, subtracting out all of your expenses.
• what's the affordable rent and what's the rent they could be getting otherwise, what's the market-rate
• That doesn't really reflect market rate for new construction. We use a multiplier.
• Difference between what you get with the PILOT or what you would get in market rate otherwise.
• It's just a kind of Class A market-rate developer. Yeah.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard presentations on a range of housing finance, permitting, and affordability tools. Chattanooga described its affordable housing PILOT program, which uses a per-unit property tax abatement tied to the rent loss from providing affordable units, with a 15-year term and annual compliance monitoring. Committee members asked about the program’s structure, whether it had been used elsewhere, and who was participating; the presenter said the first mixed-income project would bring 278 units with 42 affordable units and that the model was attracting private market-rate developers. Shoreline then described its MFTE and inclusionary zoning approach, emphasizing that longer tax exemption periods and station-area zoning changes had helped spur development, with most current pipeline projects concentrated near light rail stations. The committee also heard from the Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce on tax increment financing, proportional impact fees, and permit timelines. Commerce explained that TIF can fund public improvements such as roads, utilities, broadband, and some affordable housing or child care facilities, while proportional impact fee guidance is intended to help jurisdictions charge fees more closely aligned with actual project impacts. On permit timelines, Commerce presented its first annual report under recent law changes, using 2024 as a baseline year and noting that reported timelines were generally longer than statutory goals; members asked about outliers, paper versus electronic processing, and whether back-and-forth between applicants and staff was driving delays. Commerce said it would follow up with more data, including on CHIP funding and permit reform practices. Several local governments then shared permitting process improvements. Auburn reported relatively short review cycles and described its move to fully electronic permitting, internal performance standards, and a stock plan program that speeds review for repeated home designs. Bellevue described an AI permitting pilot with a local startup to help with pre-application questions, document triage, and plan review, aiming to reduce incomplete applications and revision cycles. Seattle presented a pilot for accessory dwelling unit co-development in which a mission-driven partner would help homeowners split lots, finance, build, and manage ADUs, with the homeowner eventually buying out the partner and retaining ownership; committee members asked about rent setting, management fees, and default risk, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief overviews of community land trusts and limited equity cooperatives as permanent affordability models, with presenters urging continued state and local funding support and policy recognition for these approaches.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:32.360><c> on</c> I'll go on to the graduation rate on I'll go on to the graduation rate on
• They're incurring the same thing that we're doing with dropout rates.
• They're incurring the same thing that we're doing with dropout rates.
• They're incurring the same thing that we're doing with dropout rates.
• They're incurring the same thing that we're doing with dropout rates.

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary met to approve the February 18 minutes and then heard first from Kentucky State Police Commissioner Philip Burnett Jr. on recruitment, Trooper Academy classes, and the Kentucky Emergency Warning System (KQES) lease program. Burnett said KSP had submitted the House Bill 6 recruitment and retention reports, and he reviewed Cadet Classes 104 and 105, including application numbers, age ranges, and the mix of applicants by education, military, and law enforcement background. He said attrition is driven largely by physical fitness failures and homesickness from the resident academy model, but noted KSP has expanded recruiting and mentoring efforts, including college-credit partnerships and targeted recruiting in western Kentucky. Members asked about academy credit, the physical test, dropout reasons, whether applicants can reapply, and where recruits are coming from; Burnett said some do return successfully and that most candidates come from central and eastern Kentucky, while staffing remains hardest at posts in Mayfield, Madisonville, Henderson, Campbellsburg, and Dry Ridge. Burnett also updated the committee on KQES and the broader radio replacement effort. He described KQES as a 153-tower microwave backbone supporting state and local public safety communications, including DEMA, KET, and seismology equipment, and said KSP is renewing long-term private land leases that were set to expire in the coming years. He reported progress using master agreements and outside leasing firms, with eight leases out for bid and eleven more to follow, plus new interagency leases with the Transportation Cabinet and a site move in Wolf County to Forest Service land. He said about 997 leases still remain to be executed, though some tower sites involve multiple leases, and he expressed optimism that the new process will protect the system’s assets. In response to questions from Representative Sharp, Burnett said he could not give a firm completion date for the new radio system but estimated 18 to 36 months depending on tower construction, and said phase three equipment has already been procured for parts of Posts 8, 11, and 14, including Boyd and Lawrence counties. After KSP’s presentation and questions from Representatives Sharp, Carney, and Decker, the committee turned to the Kentucky Court of Justice. Zach Ramy, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, introduced himself and began the court system’s budget overview, but the transcript provided cuts off before that presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the ramp rate? Meaning you don't bring on a 200-megawatt load on day one.
• So what is the ramping rate on that?
• Is it through the rates? Is that the best way to do it?
• Is it through the rates? Is that the best way to do it?
• They're not funded at the same rate that we're keeping these OTCs.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard SB 1259, which would require refineries to provide advance closure and remediation planning information, and SB 1425, which would authorize the High-Speed Rail Authority to create a permit process for encroachments in its right of way. The committee also held an informational hearing on California electricity reliability and the future of the Strategic Reliability Reserve. The chair opened by noting the hearing room change, testimony limits, and that the committee would proceed without a quorum at first, then later established quorum for votes. On SB 1259, Senator Blake Spear argued the bill would give communities and state agencies needed information to plan for refinery closures, cleanup, and land reuse, comparing the requirement to estate planning. Supporters, including Benicia City Councilmember Carrie Birdseye and UC Santa Barbara professor Ranjit Schmook, said the bill would help communities facing refinery closures avoid being left without information and better prepare for redevelopment and remediation. Opponents, including the Western States Petroleum Association, the State Building and Construction Trades Council, and business groups, argued the bill could send negative market signals, create conflicts with federal reporting, and potentially accelerate refinery closures. The committee passed SB 1259 on a 7-3 vote, later reopening the roll and recording additional votes before moving it out as amended to Appropriations. On SB 1425, Senator Cortese and sponsor Robert Pearsall said the bill would help the High-Speed Rail Authority manage utility, broadband, drainage, and vegetation encroachments along the project corridor and reduce delays. Labor and construction groups supported the measure as a way to add certainty and speed project delivery. Utilities and local agencies, including LADWP, Southern California Gas, Southern California Edison, PG&E, and others, opposed unless amended, saying the bill needed clearer language on emergencies, existing agreements, and potential impacts on their own rights of way and service obligations. After discussion about emergency language and utility coordination, the committee passed SB 1425 as amended to Appropriations on a 10-3 vote. In the oversight hearing, CEC, CPUC, CAISO, and DWR officials reported that California’s summer reliability outlook is better than in prior years, with substantial new procurement, storage, and demand-response resources added since 2020. They said the state is projected to meet its summer reliability standard and has not needed a flex alert for three straight years, but cautioned that extreme heat, fire, hydro conditions, and federal policy uncertainty still pose risks. Officials emphasized that the current Strategic Reliability Reserve remains important as a backstop, while longer-term planning must address rising demand from electrification and data centers and the eventual retirement of emergency resources.