Video & Transcript : 'energy equity' :
Page 355 of 500
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Mike Hanky of People's Energy Cooperative.
- Mike Hanky of People's Energy Cooperative.
- Mike Hanky of People's Energy Cooperative.
- I'm president and CEO of People's Energy Cooperative. We're a cooperative in southeast Minnesota.
- That represented a 27% increase in tax to People's Energy Cooperative.
Committee:
Senate Taxes
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The relationship that the state has had with the Department of Energy, this Senate concurrent resolution
- The relationship that the state has had with the Department of Energy, this place...
- The relationship that the state has had with the Department of Energy places that Senate concurrent resolution
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Summary:
The Senate State Affairs Committee began by welcoming Mayor Joan Hawkins of Malad City, who filled in for Senator Anthon, and then approved the minutes from February 11, 13, and 16, 2026. The committee also recognized page Chase Janetz at the end of the meeting for his service, with members offering remarks about his experience and future plans.
The bulk of the meeting was devoted to introducing and printing a series of RS drafts. These included RS 3341 on expansion of the research and development center tied to new nuclear projects and the 1995 settlement agreement; RS 3291, a controller’s office cleanup bill; RS 3314C1, which strengthens agency contract-reporting requirements; RS 33386, which tightens voter affidavit requirements; RS 33136, requiring annual reporting on refugee resettlement programs; RS 33321, strengthening enforcement of gold and silver payment contracts; RS 33028, allowing party committees to set additional criteria for precinct committeemen; and RS 3338, changing how appointed judges may run after filling vacancies. Most of these were advanced to print with little or no opposition, though RS 3338 drew concerns that it could discourage qualified judges from serving and reduce the pool of applicants.
The committee also introduced RS 33396, creating a specialty license plate to fund Idaho State Police salaries; RS 33420, regulating billing and reimbursement practices for out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms; RS 33379, a cleanup bill related to the Department of Lands’ legal authority; and RS 33382, aimed at protecting private property owners from warrantless visits by agencies or law enforcement except where allowed by law. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 613, which would reduce liability concerns for churches and other private facilities used as polling places by extending state insurance coverage for election-related activities. After questions about how liability would apply, the committee voted to send HB 613 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Energy, Industry and Mining in Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Transcript Highlights:
- I would like to call this meeting of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee to order.
- I would like to call this meeting of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee to order.
Summary:
The Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee met, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the March 9 and March 11 meetings. The committee then took up an engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012, which as explained by counsel would limit the Public Service Commission’s ability to approve rate increases and certain utility-related approvals unless the costs to ratepayers are shown to be proportionate to the benefits, with written justification required for approved increases. The bill also addressed PSC approval of certain electric transmission lines and related service commitments.
The committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment that removed most of the House bill’s provisions and inserted the contents of engrossed committee substitute for Senate Bill 669, which had previously passed the Senate, while retaining only the portion related to certificates of public convenience and necessity for certain transmission lines. After the amendment was adopted, the committee voted to report House Bill 4012, as amended, to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass.
The committee also adopted a title amendment and then adjourned. No opposition votes were recorded on the motions described in the meeting.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Energy, Industry and Mining in Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Energy, Industry and Mining
Transcript Highlights:
- I would like to call this meeting of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee to order.
- I would like to call this meeting of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee to order.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Industry and Mining
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
ECD Info Briefing - Fri Jun 19, 2026 @ 1:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have<00:17:47.880><c> energy</c><00:17:48.360><c> trends</c> have energy trends have energy trends
- So, education, energy—energy is really led by some research fellows.
- > um</c><01:22:53.880><c> led</c><01:22:54.360><c> by</c> uh energy, energy is really um led by uh energy
- Within that, you can include housing and energy costs.
- </c> include housing and energy costs. include housing and energy costs.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 6, February 16, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, I want to turn for a minute to AI and energy.
- As I said, Wyoming exports 12 times more energy than it consumes.
- </c> for a minute to AI and energy. for a minute to AI and energy.
- And that's where Wyoming is with energy.
- And that's where Wyoming is with energy.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on State Government (10-21-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- bodies called mitochondria, and those mitochondria are in our cells and they're kind of like the energy
- factories, if you of like the energy factories, if you will.<00:37:24.800><c> So</c><00:37:24.960><c
- </c><00:37:34.480><c> for</c> which is a molecule for our energy for which is a molecule for our energy
- </c><01:15:37.360><c> environment</c> partnering with the energy environment partnering with the energy
- </c><01:27:19.360><c> and</c> partners, especially the Energy and partners, especially the Energy and
Keywords:
Discussion of SB 126 (2025 RS) 00:05:13
Discussion of HB 16 (2025 RS) 00:15:40
Kentucky Department of Parks – Overview 01:05:06, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met jointly for State Government, State and Local Government, and Elections and Constitutional Amendments, approved the minutes from the September 23 meeting, and then took up discussion of Senate Bill 126, a proposed constitutional amendment to restrict the governor’s pardon power. Senator Chris McDaniel said the measure was prompted by concerns over pardons issued in 2019 and would bar pardons for 60 days before a gubernatorial election through the swearing-in of a new governor, leaving the power otherwise intact. Members who spoke generally supported the proposal as a way to increase accountability, and McDaniel said he intended to place it on the 2026 ballot. No vote was taken on the bill during the discussion.
The committee then moved to House Bill 16 on water fluoridation. Representative Hart and Senator Greg Elkins said the bill would remove Kentucky’s fluoridation mandate and give local water districts the choice to add fluoride or not. They emphasized that the revised draft also adds immunity language to protect districts from civil litigation regardless of their decision. Dr. Jack Call, a Louisville dentist, presented against fluoridation, arguing that the main dental benefit is topical rather than from drinking water and citing studies and reports he said linked fluoride exposure to reduced IQ in children and other health concerns. Cindy Batson, a nurse and parent, also supported the bill and said she had testified on the issue for years.
During questions, Senator Rollins raised concerns about fluoride being an industrial byproduct and described fluoridation as forced medication. The discussion remained focused on the bill’s local-control and immunity provisions, with sponsors saying they were not trying to relitigate the broader science but wanted to remove the mandate. The transcript ends while questions and testimony on HB 16 were still underway, and no final committee action is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Energy engaging NRI in some very cutting-edge research and delivery, which has been the
- , water and materials between energy, water and materials which<01:25:11.040><c> essentially</c><01:25
- engaging NRI in some very uh Energy engaging NRI in some very uh cutting<01:25:24.400><c> edge</c><01
- </c> you from the National Renewable Energy you from the National Renewable Energy Lab<01:25:51.600><
- </c><01:26:40.800><c> excellence</c> national security and energy excellence national security and energy
Committee:
House Higher Education Finance and Policy
Keywords:
North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session - Part 1 - 05/18/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- as a voice for every educator still in the classroom, still doing the work, still waiting for the equity
- as a voice for every educator still in the classroom, still doing the work, still waiting for the equity
- :17:02.960><c> involved</c><01:17:03.360><c> in</c><01:17:03.679><c> private</c><01:17:04.080><c> equity
- President, there are some very highly ethical private equity investors, and I want to commend them for
- </c><02:51:29.200><c> and</c> have breaks for private equity and have breaks for private equity and multinational
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2431 5/8/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Line 29 is a Senate-only item related to U of M Minnesota Education Equity Partnership.
- 43.040><c> Education</c> related to U mini Minnesota Education related to U mini Minnesota Education Equity
- </c><00:04:44.960><c> It's</c><00:04:45.199><c> a</c><00:04:45.360><c> $90,000</c> Equity Partnership
- It's a $90,000 Equity Partnership.
- institutional equity between Minnesota State<02:09:34.320><c> Universities</c><02:09:34.960><c> and<
Summary:
The Higher Education Finance and Policy Conference Committee met publicly to compare House and Senate positions on the higher education budget, with the chairs emphasizing transparency and alternating gavel control. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through a spreadsheet of differences across the Office of Higher Education and Minnesota State, including major items such as state grants, childcare grants, work study, tribal college grants, emergency assistance grants, hunger-free campus grants, student parent support, direct admissions, paramedic scholarships, and several medical residency and fellowship programs. The House and Senate also differed on administrative funding, campus sexual assault reporting, and a House FY25 cancellation that would be carried forward.
Members discussed several of the larger policy and funding choices. The Senate explained its increase for Minitex as support for operating costs and statewide access to information. The House explained its cuts to student parent support and other items as necessary to work within a zero target and to prioritize direct aid to students, while the Senate said it focused on direct appropriations and access-related programs. On hunger-free campus grants and emergency assistance grants, the Senate said it was changing the distribution method and direct appropriations rather than reducing the overall money, while the House noted differences in whether nonprofit institutions remained included.
The committee also reviewed Senate-only additions and reductions in Minnesota State, including free course materials, Lake Superior College remediation, and changes to the Kids on Campus appropriation. A representative from Lake Superior College testified that the PAS remediation funding would help address contamination issues at an emergency training site near Lake Superior and that the money was shifted from the Kids on Campus initiative. No final conference agreement or vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee continued discussing differences and testimony.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AEN-WTL-EDT-EIG, WTL-AEN Public Hearings 03-19-2025
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- And for the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator Wakai as well as Senator Chang
- uses on that ag land so that we can fulfill and meet these statutory targets as well as meet our energy
- uses on that ag land so that we can fulfill and meet these statutory targets as well as meet our energy
- Having 100% clean<01:00:11.760><c> renewable</c><01:00:12.320><c> energy,</c><01:00:12.680><c> recycling
- </c><01:00:13.280><c> water</c> clean renewable energy, recycling water clean renewable energy, recycling
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Environment
Summary:
The joint committees met on March 19, 2025, to hear HB 966 HD2, which would create statewide standards for agricultural tourism in counties that adopt ag-tourism ordinances. The bill would require registration with county planning departments, require ag-tourism to remain tied to an active farming operation, and end the activity when the agricultural use stops except in limited circumstances. Testimony from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kualoa Ranch, and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was generally supportive of the bill’s intent, with several witnesses emphasizing that agritourism can help farm viability, food security, and public education about agriculture.
The Hawaii Farm Bureau and several other testifiers supported agritourism but urged strong guardrails, minimal statewide standards, and deference to county home rule. They said agriculture should remain the primary activity, warned against adding burdens to farmers and ranchers, and suggested better enforcement and agricultural expertise within county planning departments. Phil Weber and others argued for objective standards, such as minimum revenue or work-performed thresholds, annual reporting, and clearer compliance tools, and cautioned that the bill’s termination exemption could be too broad if not tightened.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill should apply to Department of Agriculture lands, especially ag park lands, and to DLNR lands. Department of Agriculture staff explained that ag park lands currently do not allow agritourism, while non-ag park lands under Act 90 allow limited related activity tied to farm production, with revenue limits and other conditions. Members and witnesses debated how to define and measure agritourism, how to enforce county rules, and whether to exempt ag park parcels or otherwise clarify that existing DOA rules would control. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the chair requested follow-up language from DOA to address possible exemptions and clarify the bill’s application.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- It's about valuing those who gave their time, energy, and often their health for this country.
- It's about valuing those who gave their time, energy, and often their health for this country.
- It's about valuing those who gave their time, energy, and often their health for this country.
- It's about valuing those who gave their time, energy, and often their health for this country.
- It's about valuing those who gave their time, energy, and often their health for this country.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Mar 31st, 2026
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- The other is direction of the Secretary of Energy.
- direction of the The other is uh direction of the Secretary<00:19:22.280><c> of</c><00:19:22.440><c> Energy
- </c> Secretary of Energy. Secretary of Energy.
- And Energy Alabama cannot support this bill, and I urge you to vote no. Thank you.
Bills:
HB475
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/24/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #7
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair, members, as amended by the House Energy and Water Committee, House Bill 2099 prohibits ADWR
- Madam Chair, members, as amended by the House Energy and Water Committee, House Bill 2263 allows a person
- Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2918 modifies the full cash value of taxable renewable energy and storage
- Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2918 modifies the full cash value of taxable renewable energy and storage
- members, House Bill 2264, Mining Mineral Museum State History, passed unanimously out of the House Energy
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with staff giving brief descriptions and members flagging which items were on consent, had unanimous committee votes, or should be pulled for further discussion. Topics included education, health care, public safety, labor, water, taxation, housing, and elections. Several measures were noted as party-line or mixed votes, while many others were reported as unanimous and placed on third-read or consent calendars.
Among the more discussed items were bills on school and labor policy, including a proposal to prohibit teacher strikes, a measure restricting school district bond actions, a bill requiring school safety protocols and assigning felony penalties for noncompliance, and a resolution limiting public money for labor organization activities. Members also raised concerns or requested further review on bills involving pharmacist testing authority, expired opioid antagonists, a county sheriff-related measure, a housing affordability district proposal, and a tobacco/vape regulation bill. Some measures were explicitly pulled from consent, including a Medicaid audit resolution, a budget-related pay-withholding resolution, and several education and public safety bills.
The caucus also heard multiple health and human services measures, such as genetic counselor licensing, nursing board and pharmacy board continuations, foster care rights, psychiatry access funding, and free school meals. In addition, there were water and energy bills on Colorado River management, groundwater, transmission-line review, and renewable energy valuation, plus election and campaign-related proposals. The meeting ended with announcements, including an upcoming Colorado River breakfast briefing and an internal award recognizing Representative Brian Garcia, followed by adjournment.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/24/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #7
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair, members, as amended by the House Energy Committee, House Bill 2099 prohibits ADWR from crediting
- Madam Chair, members, as amended by the House Energy Committee, House Bill 2263 allows a person to use
- Madam Chair, members, as amended by the House Energy Committee, House Bill 2263 allows a person to use
- Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2918 modifies the full cash value of taxable renewable energy and storage
- members, House Bill 2264, Mining Mineral Museum State History, passed unanimously out of the House Energy
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a large Minority Caucus Calendar and moved quickly through many bills, with staff often noting whether items were unanimous, party-line, or pulled from consent. Early items included HB 2130 on ADOA personnel financial systems, HB 2749 on felony sentence-completion designation, HCR 258 on Medicaid claim audits, and several agency or board continuation bills. Members also discussed HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 4027 naming Loop 202 the Charlie Kirk Highway, HB 2601 on Interstate 11 studies, and a number of education, health, labor, and public safety measures. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for later discussion, including HCR 258, HB 4027, HB 2375, HB 2601, HB 2408, HB 2444, HB 2923, HB 2182, HCR 2048, HB 2750, HB 2765, HB 2838, HB 4043, HB 2290, HB 2940, and others.
Testimony and caucus debate focused on a range of policy concerns. Members objected to bills involving school strikes, weapons detection systems, public records fees for legislators, union activity, school safety felony penalties, and restrictions on school clubs. Education bills drew extended discussion, including HB 2423 on automatic advanced math placement, HB 2478 creating a student outcomes commission, HB 2579 for free school meals, HB 2992 on child sexual abuse prevention, HB 4041 on spending authority for low-reading-performing districts, and HB 4043 requiring CPR/AED training. Health and professional regulation bills also prompted debate, including HB 2408 on nursing board investigations and expungement, HB 2444 on pharmacist testing authority, HB 2697 on expired opioid antagonists, and HB 4010 establishing a genetic counselors board. Members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, stakeholder opposition, and whether some measures were unfunded mandates or needed more amendment work.
The caucus also discussed immigration, labor, and public safety measures, including HB 2416 for DPS local border support, HB 2811 on obstructing governmental operations during lawful arrests, HB 2862 on unlawful masking penalties, HB 4070 on nonprofit incorporation restrictions tied to offenses, and HB 4117 creating a crime for disturbing religious services. Water, energy, and land-use bills were reviewed as well, such as HB 2099, HB 2263, HB 2330, HB 2341, HB 2492, HB 2757, HB 2782, HB 2912, HB 2918, and HCR 2020. The meeting ended with announcements, including an Affordability Award for Brian Garcia and a March 12 breakfast update on the Colorado River, before adjournment.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- have data that shows that these large loads do, in fact, increase costs for the other classes of energy
- have data that shows that these large loads do, in fact, increase costs for the other classes of energy
- Representative. the other classes of energy consumers. Representative Mickelson. Mr.
- Richards, or Director Miller, whether the land board currently has a duty to accept a bid from a large energy
- Right now, as it stands, does the land board have a duty to accept a bid from, say, a large energy company
Committee:
House State Affairs
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from February 17 and 18 and agreed to hold RS 33446 at the sponsor’s request. It then reconsidered RS 33144, a memorial urging the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges. The sponsor argued the issue belongs to the states under federalism and cited Idaho’s constitutional definition of marriage and traditional moral and religious views. Members questioned the need for the memorial given Idaho’s existing constitutional amendment and whether updated public-opinion data should be provided. The committee adopted a substitute amendment removing language referring to the “Anglo-American legal tradition,” and the revised RS 33144 was introduced; the chair later noted noes on the motion for the record.
The committee next introduced RS 33-421, a large-load utility bill aimed at codifying rules for new high-demand customers, such as data centers, so growth pays for growth and existing ratepayers are protected from infrastructure costs. The sponsor said the bill would help prevent rate increases and stranded assets, and members asked about impacts on nuclear development, treatment of existing large-load customers, and whether utilities had been consulted. The motion to introduce RS 33-421 passed.
The main item of the meeting was H.J.R. 10, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning Idaho endowment lands. The sponsor said the amendment would prioritize revenue-generating uses, preserve traditional uses like timber, mining, and grazing, and protect public access without making the public a beneficiary. Supporters, including recreation and outfitter representatives, said it would provide stability and better recognize recreation and other uses. Opponents from logging, mining, ranching, and the Idaho Department of Lands warned it could create legal ambiguity, invite litigation, conflict with the Admissions Act and fiduciary duties, and shift management away from the current trust framework. After extensive testimony and debate, a motion to hold H.J.R. 10 in committee failed 6-8, and the motion to send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation then failed on a 7-7 tie, so no action was taken to advance the resolution.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Dec 16th, 2025 at 09:08 am
Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 463 covered energy.
- I'm full of all kinds of energy. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
- Add that this is a program that is administered by our Energy Minerals and Natural Resources program,
- And what I've labeled over here is energy G. But that's really from the state land office.
- formula here and you put everything into this, we still have the investment income, we still have the Energy
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Oct 14th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- I heard a lot of energy there, man. No, that just go around. Second, sir.
- They have a positive energy about... But then they ask, and it really starts with leadership.
- They have a positive energy about.
- They have a positive energy about veterans, I call it.
- Which one of them is going to lean in with more energy and be more places that, I mean, he's set the
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s mission, outreach efforts, state veterans nursing homes, and support programs. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the state’s existing nursing homes and the planned 10th home in Collier County, and the department’s dental assistance program, which served 245 veterans in the first quarter of the fiscal year and completed 1,631 procedures while saving more than $525,000. He also discussed veteran service officers, the benefits guide, the department newsletter, efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, and mental health outreach through the Overwatch/Firewatch program. Senators asked about future nursing home locations, adult day health care, homelessness, and the dental program; Hartzell also announced that retired Colonel D.J. Reyes will become deputy executive director on November 7.
The committee then heard from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and agency modernization. He described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office warehouse in Auburndale, and the new state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, which is ahead of schedule and designed to hold about 220 people and withstand 200-mph winds. Guthrie reviewed recovery efforts for recent storms, including debris removal, volunteer villages, sheltering, and FEMA reimbursement totals for Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, and earlier storms. He also discussed the Elevate Florida home-elevation program, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation training initiative, the DEMES platform, and WebEOC, noting that 60 counties and 22 colleges and universities are using the system.
Members asked Guthrie about flood-response resources for cities, training for local officials, and lessons from inland flooding after recent storms. He explained how local governments can request pumps and other assistance through county and state channels, described upcoming elected-official training, and emphasized mutual aid and EMAC as key future disaster-response tools. The committee took no formal votes or other legislative action and adjourned at the end of the meeting.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Jun 2nd, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And then lastly, we've just opened up in partnership with um MNERD, uh, the Energy Efficiency Revolving
- It's about $6 million that they're looking to make energy efficiency, uh, improvements in particular
- That's now a $20 million grant fund that sits in NMFA for us to make energy.
- Solar energy systems happen in public buildings, including tribal land grant, uh, school districts, municipalities
- So Madam Chair, we have to work with the Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources in establishing
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 11th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- originally it was a bill in the House, and then it got changed to a study, and then it came to the Senate Energy
- after we... ...of the pharmacy industry, and after we had initiated our changes from our committee in Energy
- Senator Patton, Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, moves that the Senate do concur
- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee concurs with the amendments from the House and asks
- The Energy and Natural Resources Committee asks for a green vote. Is there any further discussion?
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call showing 46 members present. It then took up multiple House messages and amendments, appointing conference committees on several measures, including SB 2007, SCR 4007, SB 2374, SB 233, and House bills 1029, 1218, and 1022. The chamber also considered a series of House bills on the sixth and 14th orders, often adopting committee amendments before final passage or, in some cases, rejecting the bill outright.
Among the major policy items, the Senate passed HB 1524 on regional planning council grants, HB 1143 increasing a food bank appropriation to $10 million, HB 1126 modernizing cosmetology licensing and inspections, HB 1542 making student applications for admission exempt records, HB 1613 regulating law enforcement use of robots, HB 1582 directing a study on false reports and accusations, HB 1214 revising school transportation funding, HB 1448 creating a study on advanced technologies, HB 1280 on drainage project voting rules, HB 1499 protecting records related to federal judges, and several Senate bills returned from the House, including SB 2221, SB 2117, SB 2198, SB 2120, and SB 2214. The Senate also adopted amendments to HB 1541 on septic systems before rejecting it on final passage.
Several high-profile bills failed after debate. HB 1566, dealing with kratom regulation, saw an amendment to convert it to a study fail on a 21-25 vote, after which the chamber laid the bill over for one legislative day rather than take final action. HB 1283, which would have eliminated cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams in the state employee plan, was defeated 22-24 after extensive debate over cost, precedent, and insurance impacts. HB 1527, requiring Holocaust education in statute, also failed 22-24, with supporters emphasizing the importance of the subject and opponents arguing curriculum belongs in standards rather than statute. The Senate adjourned after announcements, scheduling its next meeting for Monday, April 14, 2025.