Transcript Highlights:

• tax rate is based on the per-month, per-megawatt nameplate capacity and ranges from $14 to $80, depending
• The tax is collected monthly and varies depending on whether the energy is generating and whether the
• upfront is, such as like a grant, similar to a grant program, to stand up the program, and then depending
• service to agree to the terms of an electric utility’s approved tariff or policy by a certain date depending

Bills: HB2521 , HB2249 , HB1796

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• million acres to conserved lands in California for the benefit of not only the fish and wildlife that depend
• Those are all things that are going to help reduce the dependence on the Delta, but right now I think
• And as Chad said, it kind of, while we trap year-round, it depends on seasonality, depends on weather

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy opened its first hearing with remarks from the chair and members emphasizing climate change, resiliency, clean energy, natural resources, and the need to make careful budget choices in a constrained fiscal environment. The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented an overview of the natural resources and environmental protection budget, warning that although current revenues are strong, the state faces significant out-year deficits and should apply a high bar to new ongoing spending, use special funds and fees carefully, and focus on critical health and safety needs. The LAO said the Governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan was generally reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, but urged legislative oversight and reporting, especially where bond funds interact with General Fund proposals. Secretary Wade Crowfoot then described the Natural Resources Agency’s recent accomplishments and priorities, including wildfire resilience, water reliability, coastal protection, outdoor access, biodiversity, tribal partnerships, and streamlining project delivery. He highlighted major investments in climate and resilience, the role of Proposition 4 in continuing those efforts, and the need to modernize water infrastructure, including Delta conveyance and other regional conveyance projects. Members asked about Delta conveyance, invasive species, permitting delays, and the impact of federal staffing cuts; Crowfoot said the administration is pushing projects forward, supports a beneficiary-pays approach for conveyance, and is filling gaps left by federal reductions where necessary. The committee then heard from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Director Armando Quintero reviewed the state park system, outdoor access programs, tribal agreements, wildfire and forest resilience work, and deferred maintenance funded by the climate bond. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing General Fund transfer for the California State Parks Library Pass program, saying it did not meet the high bar for new spending, while several members strongly supported the program as a low-cost, high-value access tool. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and no-show vacancies; staff said new rules and enforcement will take effect July 1 and that vacancies are being opened up sooner. The department also presented low-cost accommodation projects, which the LAO supported. Finally, the Department of Fish and Wildlife introduced its new director, Megan Hurdle, who outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 proposals for salmon tagging, hatchery improvements, and public access lands. She emphasized the department’s role in biodiversity conservation, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict outreach, and said the agency is working to close a service gap identified in its budgeting analysis. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• million acres to conserved lands in California for the benefit of not only the fish and wildlife that depend
• Those are all things that are going to help reduce the dependence on the Delta.
• And as Chad said, it kind of, while we trap year-round, it depends on seasonality, depends on weather

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That architecture is fundamentally more resilient than dependence on a handful of large centralized plants
• ><00:26:38.480><c> than</c> fundamentally more resilient than fundamentally more resilient than dependence
• 39.679><c> a</c><00:26:39.919><c> handful</c><00:26:40.240><c> of</c><00:26:40.480><c> large</c> dependence
• on a handful of large dependence on a handful of large centralized<00:26:41.760><c> plants.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Craft presented House File 2986, as amended with the DE6, and asked that it be laid over for possible inclusion. He described the bill as an affordability measure centered on virtual power plants, explaining that aggregating distributed energy resources such as solar panels, batteries, EVs, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and water heaters can help utilities reduce peak demand and avoid costly generation and distribution investments. He said the bill would require utilities to reduce system peak through a virtual power plant program by 5% by the end of 2028 and 10% by the end of 2032, using an independent third-party RFP process, with plans incorporated into integrated resource planning and a savings clause if requirements prove infeasible. Testimony in support came from the Department of Commerce, Vote Solar, Solar United Neighbors, Kite Rocket, and Mincia. Supporters said virtual power plants can function like grid-scale resources, lower spot-market and peak costs, improve reliability and resilience, and make better use of existing distribution infrastructure. Commerce said the approach fits an all-of-the-above strategy and noted consumer protections in the bill, including standards for contracts, disclosures, dispatch frequency, notice, opt-out, and compensation. Several supporters cited estimates of significant savings, including a national DOE estimate of 10% to 20% of peak load by 2030 and a Minnesota-specific estimate from Solar United Neighbors of about $63.5 million in savings if 10% of peak demand were met with VPPs in 2030. Committee members raised questions about how much cheaper VPPs are than peaker plants and whether utilities, especially Xcel Energy, are already implementing similar programs. Representative Baker expressed concern that the bill could move faster than the technology or market would naturally develop and asked about the risk of forcing utilities into a mandate before the economics are fully proven. In response, a Solar United Neighbors witness pointed to a fact sheet and Brattle Group-based analysis comparing VPP costs and benefits in Xcel territory, while an Xcel representative said the company has been discussing the bill with Representative Craft for months. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, and no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• like this, but it has become very clear, especially clear in this committee, um, that it just might depend
• that<00:48:16.480><c> it</c><00:48:16.800><c> just</c><00:48:17.040><c> might</c><00:48:17.359><c> depend
• c><00:48:17.680><c> on</c><00:48:17.839><c> the</c><00:48:17.920><c> whims</c> that it just might depend
• on the whims that it just might depend on the whims of<00:48:18.400><c> an</c><00:48:18.560><c> administration

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• septic tank permit, then costs will be the responsibility of the home buyer and/or the builder, depending
• It's something that's being held up, and we want to make sure that those teachers that are depending
• And we want to make sure that those teachers that are depending on those dollars, those raises, held
• And we want to make sure that those teachers that are depending on those dollars, those raises that have

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's chocolate, too, but I guess I depend on the regular ones.
• There's chocolate, too, but I guess<00:29:48.880><c> depends</c><00:29:49.279><c> of</c><00:29:49.520
• </c> guess depends of the the regular ones. guess depends of the the regular ones.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, depending on what the agency, what the bid is, you could be applying different percentages
• </c><00:31:25.440><c> And</c><00:31:25.760><c> again,</c><00:31:26.240><c> depending</c> four six eight
• And again, depending four six eight 10%.
• And again, depending on<00:31:26.799><c> what</c><00:31:27.039><c> the</c><00:31:27.440><c> agency</c

Bills: SB2064 , SB2312 , SB2811 , SB2662 , SB2744 , SB2809 , SB2862 , SB2343 , SB2336 , SB2075 , SB2308 , SB2601 , SB2397 , SB2219 , SB2849 , SB2449 , SB2781

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: state architect, construction projects, design approvals, building codes, state agency oversight, government contracts, transparency, record retention, public oversight, Hawaii Revised Statutes, building permits, task force, state-owned lands, construction, regulatory process, government accountability, external consultants, procurement reform, cost efficiency, in-house expertise

Summary: The committee heard several government operations measures, beginning with SB 2064 on state construction projects, which would create an office of the state architect within DAGS to oversee design review and approvals for state construction. DAGS said it stood on its written testimony, DECAB supported the bill, DOT supported it, and HGA opposed it. No audience testimony or member questions were taken, and the chair moved on. The committee then took up SB 2312 on government contracts, which would make records held by private contractors performing government functions subject to UIPA. The State Procurement Office, Attorney General, OIP, ERS, DHS, and HGA offered comments or opposition, while the League of Women Voters, Public First Law Center, All Hawaii News, Grassroots, and several individuals supported the bill. Public First Law Center argued the bill closes a loophole and does not expand or reduce existing exemptions, while OIP and others raised concerns about privacy, confidential information, and the need for clearer procedures. Members discussed possible clarifying amendments, including changing “government function” to “agency,” and the bill was left for further consideration. Other measures discussed included SB 2662 on government accountability, which would require justification and caps for external consultants; ERS and DOT opposed it, while the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii and Airlines Committee of Hawaii argued consultants are often more efficient and necessary for major projects. The committee also heard SB 2744 on due process, for which no testimony was received; SB 2809 on budget-related reports, with comments from B&F and the Tax Foundation; SB 2862 on gubernatorial appointments, opposed by the Governor’s Office and the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission and supported by one individual; a bill on continuous legislative sessions, with comments from B&F, LRB, and Hope for Hawaii; SB 2336 on tree management standards, supported by an individual and the Outdoor Circle; and SB 2075 on public procurement local preferences, which drew broad support with comments from SPO and the Attorney General and discussion of simplifying the preference structure. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair repeatedly moved measures along after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's going to depend on the surrounding circumstances, which is usually how we always prove intent
• think</c><00:40:33.599><c> is</c><00:40:33.760><c> going</c><00:40:33.839><c> to</c><00:40:34.079><c> depend
• </c><00:40:34.320><c> on</c><00:40:34.560><c> the</c> &gt;&gt; I think is going to depend on the &gt;
• &gt; I think is going to depend on the surrounding<00:40:35.359><c> circumstances</c><00:40:36.160><c

Bills: HB88 , HB314 , SB46 , HB332 , HB86 , HB363 , HB88 , HB314 , SB46 , HB332 , HB86 , HB363

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: driver license, English examinations, language requirement, immigration, testing standards, motor vehicles, window tint, law enforcement, prosecutors, vehicle regulations, medical condition, communication, first responder, invisible disabilities, anaphylaxis, day care centers, training, child safety, healthcare, parole

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think it's a win for our constituents, or anybody, it would depend. And I stand for questions.
• neurotoxicity, and drug interactions that can relate to negative side effects of these medications, depending
• Some do, some depending on where they're operating out of, but yes.
• It depends on who's in power and how it's put to it.

Bills: SB1021 , SB1144 , SB1164 , SB1178 , SB1181 , SB1241 , SB1247 , SB1286 , SB1415 , SCR1011

Committee: Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: health profession, regulatory boards, criminal activity, notification, auditor general, investigations, veterinary technicians, certification, education alternative, Arizona Revised Statutes, veterinary education, ALTCS, providers, ownership change, healthcare, Arizona Long Term Care System, naturopathic physician, naturopathic medicine, naturopathic doctor, naturopathic physicians medical board

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:21:45.760><c> well</c><00:21:46.799><c> that</c><00:21:47.039><c> would</c><00:21:47.280><c> depend
• </c><00:21:47.520><c> on</c><00:21:47.760><c> how</c> &gt;&gt; Um, it well that would depend on how &
• gt;&gt; Um, it well that would depend on how much<00:21:48.159><c> of</c><00:21:48.240><c> a</c><00:21
• >> And it depends also for a single-family home.

Bills: SB2060 , SB2063 , SB2062 , SB2069 , SB2070

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: rental housing revolving fund, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, mixed-income housing, mixed-income rental project, affordable housing, low-income housing, housing finance, housing development, preservation, rehabilitation, pre-development, construction financing, equity investment, credit enhancement, collateral, gap financing, area median income, AMI, perpetual affordability

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, this would be a significant issue in a town operating under a local charter, too, depending on
• We'll hold an hour meeting or more depending<00:40:41.520><c> on</c><00:40:41.680><c> what's</c><00:40
• </c> depending on what's needed. depending on what's needed.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but it also represents equipment needed for training programs depending on where they are.
• um represents uh equipment needed for um training<00:19:17.280><c> programs</c><00:19:17.760><c> depending
• </c><00:19:18.000><c> on</c><00:19:18.160><c> where</c> training programs depending on where training
• programs depending on where they<00:19:18.559><c> are.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 14 January, 2026: 3:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it kind of just depends on which legislator has time and effort and a passion about those issues,
• it it<00:42:34.520><c> kind</c><00:42:34.680><c> of</c><00:42:34.720><c> just</c><00:42:34.840><c> depends
• </c><00:42:35.240><c> on</c><00:42:35.400><c> the</c> it kind of just depends on the it kind of just
• depends on the which<00:42:36.760><c> which</c><00:42:37.000><c> legislator</c><00:42:37.560><c> has<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met and first heard a presentation from Johnny Cole III, president and CEO of the African American Forum in Lexington. Cole described the organization’s 30-plus year history, its signature events and programs, and its mission to promote African American arts, culture, education, and community development. He said the group has reached more than 60,000 people through events and more than 90,000 students through its arts partnership work, and estimated its programs have generated about $4.5 million in local economic impact. He also outlined a proposed legacy project in Lexington’s First Council District that would include a facility, culinary kitchen, food court, mobile truck, and expanded communications and internship opportunities, and said the organization was seeking a $3 million state request to help purchase a building and expand its mission. The committee then discussed a juvenile justice funding proposal presented by Senator Catoria Herring. Herring said the bill would create a juvenile justice fund for prevention, early intervention, alternatives to detention, re-entry, and wraparound services, with money coming from state appropriations, gifts, grants, and federal funds. She said the proposal was based on her experience in juvenile justice and on concerns that the state has invested heavily in detention facilities but not enough in upstream services. She cited recent facility spending and said the bill would seek $9 million. Members asked how the fund would work, who could apply, and how it would be overseen; Herring said she envisioned a grant program open to local governments, law enforcement, nonprofits, and school districts, with reporting requirements and oversight through the juvenile justice system. No vote was taken, and the discussion ended with general support and a suggestion to adjust the request amount to a round $9 million figure.

Transcript Highlights:

• “That will depend, you’ll notice, on section Roman numeral five, where it talks about the question being
• that<00:22:00.559><c> will</c><00:22:01.520><c> depend,</c><00:22:02.080><c> you'll</c><00:22:02.320>
• <c> notice,</c><00:22:02.799><c> on</c> that will depend, you'll notice, on that will depend, you'll

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session to consider HB 314, which would prohibit the use of federal, state, or local funds for lobbying activities. Representative Turkot offered a replace-all amendment intended to be a compromise measure focused on transparency and local control. He explained that the amendment narrows the bill to registered lobbyists, clarifies that public officials and employees who are not required to register as lobbyists are not restricted from testifying, and adds a process allowing municipalities to opt in to lobbying-related spending if approved locally and disclosed in annual reports. He also said the amendment was designed to address confusion he believes has been caused by misinformation about the bill’s effect on municipalities and associations. Committee members raised repeated concerns about how the amendment would apply to school districts, cooperative districts, counties, and other associations beyond the New Hampshire Municipal Association. Turkot and others said the language in RSA 15 and the added references to RSA 318-A were intended to cover lobbying entities generally, while the NHMA section was included because it is separately addressed in statute. Several members questioned whether the amendment’s intent was clear enough without explicit references to schools and counties, and whether the committee should have held a public hearing on the substantially revised language. Supporters argued the amendment was clear, that school districts and municipalities are distinct legal entities, and that cooperative districts could handle the issue through their existing annual-report and voting processes. The discussion also covered how local approval would work, including whether the proposal would require an opt-in vote and how county budgets would reflect lobbying-related dues or expenses. Members noted that in cooperative districts and county settings, approval would likely be handled through existing budget or annual report procedures, with majority vote rules applying where relevant. No final vote on the amendment or bill is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee spent most of the session debating the scope, clarity, and transparency requirements of the proposed changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The POST Act would require FPS to either fix PTS or replace it with a modern, dependable solution.
• The POST Act would require FPS to either fix PTS or replace it with a modern, dependable solution.
• We won't support a partisan, poisonous bill that hurts the people we serve, the people that depend on
• THE PEOPLE THAT DEPEND ON US. THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ELECTED US TO WORK ON THEIR BEHALF.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, September 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• before these new policies create a disaster that forces us to cut the very services that our citizens depend
• salaries are essential to recruit and retain the qualified personnel. ...first responders our community depends
• That's pretty substantial, depending on how that plays out.
• Water will go up and down depending on, for example, if it's a hot, dry summer.

Bills: HB17 , HB23 , SB 10

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Transcript Highlights:

• Or He would speak to my mouth; it won't depend upon me.
• do get prescriptions from our doctors that mimic the box and sometimes not, you know, so it just depends
• In the manner in accordance with the statewide order, depending on the lawsuit. But probably, yes.
• Depending on where you go and how the trial was conducted, it might have a slightly different name because

Bills: HB 265 , HB25

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid, public health, child protection, camp operator, camp counselor, Health and Safety Code

Transcript Highlights:

• but some of them have some deep rooted issues from being overseas or they have alcoholism or drug dependency
• </c><00:26:35.919><c> or</c><00:26:36.159><c> or</c><00:26:37.200><c> drug</c><00:26:37.919><c> dependency
• </c> have alcoholism or or drug dependency have alcoholism or or drug dependency that<00:26:39.200><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee received an overview of Kentucky’s specialty courts from Audrey Collins of the Department of Specialty Courts and the Administrative Office of the Courts, along with testimony from Christian County District Judge Foster Cutoff. Collins described the mission and structure of drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts, emphasizing therapeutic jurisprudence, individualized treatment, judicial oversight, and multidisciplinary teams. She said Kentucky currently has about 2,991 active participants across the three court types, with drug courts in all 120 counties, mental health courts in 17 counties, and veterans treatment courts in eight counties. She also highlighted reported outcomes such as 7,658 entrants and 4,384 successful completions from 2020 to 2024, a five-year average completion rate of 57%, and lower recidivism among graduates than the statewide average. Collins also reviewed funding and costs, saying the department’s fiscal year 2025 budget was $18.6 million, with most of it from general funds, plus restricted and federal funds. She noted spending on personnel, treatment services, and drug testing, and said specialty courts allow participants to remain employed and meet obligations such as child support and restitution. She said participants paid more than $5.4 million in child support, restitution, and other court-related obligations over five years, and that a statewide evaluation by Morehead State University is underway. In response to questions, she said a dip in 2024 collections may have been affected by a case management system overhaul, and that court costs can be waived in some indigent cases while restitution is still required. Judge Cutoff described veterans treatment court and mental health court in Christian County, saying the programs are especially important because of the nearby Fort Campbell military community and because they help veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance use, and related issues. He said the courts rely heavily on staff, treatment providers, and the VA, which helps connect participants to benefits and therapy. He also said mental health court participants receive housing, benefits, and medication support, and that the programs can keep people out of jail and help them stabilize. Committee members asked about the legal basis and history of the courts, and Collins explained that Kentucky’s specialty courts began as pilot programs in the mid-1990s, shifted from federal support to state funding around 2008-2009, and are now largely state funded. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need dependable long-term investments in housing or we will never solve our housing shortage.
• We need<00:48:55.359><c> dependable</c><00:48:56.160><c> long-term</c><00:48:56.800><c> investments</
• c><00:48:57.280><c> in</c> need dependable long-term investments in need dependable long-term investments

Keywords: 1183, house