Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not against solar. I'm not against solar. I'm an advocate for energy, all forms of it.
• I'm sure we want solar, but we don't have enough space for solar.
• However, if they buy solar systems for the local neighborhood, if they install residential solar systems
• , If they install residential solar systems and provide residential solar energy systems serving low-income
• In solar, wind, geothermal.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• solar PBR aray outside of the building solar PBR aray outside of the building that<01:24:55.000> will
• Solar on those roofs to net meter? Yes, we have.
• panels added to the roof to help mitigate the energy costs. ...and as part of that, there were solar
• goes into the where it's distributed goes into the storage<03:42:27.000> facility<03:42:27.359
• facility and it's distributed by storage facility and it's distributed by trucks<03:42:28.960> all

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.

Transcript Highlights:

• plate for our solar pollinator programs. plate for our solar pollinator programs.
• <00:18:26.559> pollinator So, the idea of a of a solar pollinator So, the idea of a of a solar
• around that and then use the solar around that and then use the solar panels<00:18:49.360> as
• <00:19:03.360> panels the benefit of also having solar panels the benefit of also having solar
• pollinators is that you around the solar pollinators is that you around the solar panels<00:19:08.880

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:26:37.360> energy District that have a solar energy District that have a solar energy
• The ag and solar dual use is truly just solar in most cases, from what we see.
• A and solar dual use is truly just solar A and solar dual use is truly just solar in<01:36:19.639
• <01:42:53.679> projects offering up be lands for solar projects offering up be lands for solar
• <01:54:40.880> Farms infrastructure for these solar Farms infrastructure for these solar Farms

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, let's take up tab 8, SB 1304 on solar facilities by Chair Bradley.
• Members, let's take up tab 8, SB 1304 on solar facilities by Chair Bradley.
• First, it removes the current provision in law which allows solar facilities by right on ag land, and
• it authorizes, does not mandate, counties to adopt ordinances requiring the decommissioning of solar
• Not that I'm aware of, but solar farms have an average useful life of about 25 to 30 years.

Summary: The committee began by postponing SB 1742 on condos until the following week, then took up SB 1298 on building construction. Senator Simon said the bill would require continued education for long-licensed building professionals, clarify interagency sharing of building officials, limit residential inspectors to one- and two-family homes, revive a paid internship for residential planning examiners, modernize permit signatures, and clarify contractor responsibility when work changes hands. The bill drew supportive waivers and was reported favorably. Members then considered SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms. A delete-everything amendment was adopted to target bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations, while preserving direct restaurant-platform relationships and requiring consumer contact information when reservations are made through noncontractual platforms. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the measure, and CS/SB 940 was reported favorably. SB 638 on home inspectors also passed after the sponsor explained it would raise education requirements from 120 to 200 hours, add instruction on building code, wind mitigation, four-point and insurance inspections, and require $300,000 in errors-and-omissions coverage; it was reported favorably. The committee next approved SB 960 on elevator accessibility, allowing additional shorter support rails while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was amended to address mRNA language and cosmetics safety standards, with the committee adopting amendments and then reporting the bill favorably. SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was amended to clarify the definition of heated tobacco products and exclude other forms such as hookah; it also passed favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees. Finally, SB 1262 on construction contracting was amended to add contractor continuing-education topics, strengthen penalties for unlicensed activity, create a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and require timely refunds and project completion standards; it was reported favorably with support from the Florida Home Builders Association. SB 1304 on solar facilities was then approved after extensive testimony from rural county commissioners and local officials who argued that utility-scale solar on agricultural land has grown without sufficient local oversight and that decommissioning rules are needed to protect farmland and communities. The bill would repeal the current by-right treatment of solar facilities on ag land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances; it was reported favorably after a technical amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tillable land isn't where you put solar panels.
• Representative Schultz's uh solar.
• graze the grass under the solar panels. graze the grass under the solar panels.
• land isn't where you put solar panels. land isn't where you put solar panels.
• Um, whether it be solar and committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• put solar on their properties.
• residential and commercial solar residential and commercial solar installations<00:02:24.599>
• years for the installation of a solar years for the installation of a solar energy<00:02:32.480>
• Solar has no fuel costs.
• /c><00:09:03.560> uh<00:09:03.720> education solar through solar to Ed uh education solar

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we distribute to the county. But wouldn't that also add additional administrative costs?
• local Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and LIHEAP agencies provided services that included distributing
• We're coupling energy efficiency measures with solar PV to further defray the cost of electricity. while

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> House Bill 107, sponsored by Appropriations, Local Government Distributions. Mr.
• your Committee Number Two, Appropriations, to whom was referred House Bill 107, Local Government Distributions
• House Bill 102 criminalizes developing or distributing AI systems designed for child pornography while
• criminalizes developing or distributing criminalizes developing or distributing AI AI AI AI<01:49
• ,<01:55:26.000> natural lowcarbon such as wind, solar, natural lowcarbon such as wind, solar

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our estimate of how the money from each of these tax expenditures is distributed by income, I think you'll
• Our estimate of how the money from each of these tax expenditures is distributed by income, I think you'll
• And then the tax change from this particular provision, according to our estimates, and the distribution
• um our data center<00:57:45.880> equipment<00:57:46.359> exemption<00:57:47.280> solar
• <00:57:47.720> energy center equipment exemption solar energy center equipment exemption solar

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:13.280> the Page will collect and distribute the Page will collect and distribute the
• Pages will collect and distribute the Senator's amendments.
• Pages will collect and distribute the Senator's amendment. wish to change their vote?
• <02:01:51.040> the Pages will collect and distribute the Pages will collect and distribute
• Pages will collect and distribute the Senator's amendment.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and then proceeded through committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and amendments without objection. Early measures included SB 530, which funds grants for multigenerational social connection programs for older adults; SB 731, clarifying the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council; SB 809, directing a feasibility study on a caregiver infrastructure program; SB 860, creating an Aging Resilience Fund with reporting and budget protections; SB 910, requiring insurance reimbursement for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns under supervision; and SB 972, making several Baltimore City alcoholic beverages licensing changes. Each of these bills was advanced to third reading after committee amendments were adopted. The Finance Committee also advanced SB 555, establishing a Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and a provider resource toolkit for dementia care; SB 757, creating a Maryland Local Sourcing Portal to connect businesses with local sources for tariff-impacted goods; SB 772, creating an employment training and opportunity database to help people qualify for or maintain Medicaid and SNAP; SB 792, requiring hospitals to adopt and train staff on immigration-enforcement policies consistent with Attorney General guidance; SB 869, establishing a workforce training pilot program through Commerce and community colleges; SB 905, creating an advanced manufacturing grant program through TEDCO; and SB 974, changing who may serve as inspector for the Caroline County Board of License Commissioners. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or narrowing amendments and then ordered printed for third reading. Budget and Taxation advanced SB 28, which would create binding arbitration for state employee collective bargaining impasses and include a proposed constitutional amendment requiring funding in the Governor’s budget; SB 466, expanding a physician preceptor tax credit and adjusting training-hour requirements; and later SB 704, concerning estate tax treatment for qualified agricultural property transferred to an LLC. SB 557, a gaming-related bill, was laid over until the end of the evening at the majority leader’s request. In the Education, Energy, and the Environment report, the committee advanced SB 35 on a state natural science museum designation, SB 166 on shellfish aquaculture permit sanctions, SB 189 on municipal drainage inlet safety requirements prompted by a child’s death, SB 242 on civil relief for service members and spouses, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees and tree-of-heaven, and SB 267 on a corporate rental-property registry and local housing application review process. SB 267 drew a brief question from the minority leader, who asked whether prior opposition remained and how the amended bill differed; the sponsor said the opposition had gone away and described the bill as now focused on a responsible-owner registry and an administrative review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are now going into the local solar access fund update and the proposed local solar access rule
• Imagine all the glass from the solar panels themselves. Where do those go?
• And then now we have this solar farm that's just sitting there vacant.
• I truly feel that solar and wind are very important to my communities.
• We have a lot of solar panels and Different wind turbines throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Pizzo: LET'S TAKE UP TO NUMBER EIGHT SOLAR FACILITIES BY CHAIR BRADLEY.
• IN 2021, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL ALLOWING SOLAR FACILITIES AS A PERMITTED USE ON ALL AGGREGATED
• BUT SOLAR FARMS HAVE AN AVERAGE USEFUL LIFE OF ABOUT 25 TO 30 YEARS.
• WE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED GREATLY WITH THIS COUNTY WIDE WITH THE SOLAR FIELDS.
• WE HAVE HAD SOME ISSUES AT NEIGHBORING FARMS AND WE HAVE THREE SOLAR FARMS IN CLAY COUNTY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we're building more wind and solar.
• I hate to building more wind and solar.
• We want to have, for example, plug-in solar, which is we're going to allow people to put solar on their
• And so, the omnibus using X% of solar.
• we're going to allow people to put solar we're going to allow people to put solar on<00:14:16.520

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program focused first on Minnesota’s energy and affordability agenda, with Senator Nick Frentz discussing the state’s clean-energy leadership, rising electricity demand, and the Senate’s 100% clean energy framework. He said Minnesota’s clean energy growth supports jobs, lowers costs for ratepayers, and includes recent wins such as sustainable aviation fuel tax treatment in the supplemental budget. Frentz also said the Senate passed an energy omnibus bill that continues clean-energy permitting reforms, promotes conservation and demand response, and includes a nuclear study rather than lifting the nuclear moratorium. Frentz spent much of the interview defending data centers as both a challenge and an opportunity. He said large hyperscale projects can create major construction jobs and substantial local property-tax revenue, while a 2025 law requires data-center companies to contribute to low-income energy assistance and report water use. He pointed to the Google data center planned for Pine Island as an example, saying it is air-cooled, will pay $5 million a year, and will fund 1,600 MW of clean energy at its own expense, which he argued could save Xcel ratepayers money over time. He also said climate change is already driving higher costs through homeowners insurance and storm damage. The second segment highlighted Senator Zach Duckworth’s housing and banking bills. Duckworth said Senate File 4168 would make it easier to finance investment properties by giving buyers more flexibility to roll closing costs and lender fees into payments, while keeping strong protections in place for primary residences. He emphasized that the bill is not about predatory lending and is intended to expand options for informed investors. He also described Senate File 4652 as an anti-fraud, no-cost measure that lets bank customers name a trusted contact so banks can alert someone if suspicious activity is detected. Duckworth said both bills passed unanimously in both chambers, and he credited quick action and good working relationships across the aisle for their success. The program closed with a broader reflection on the end of session and the Senate’s political climate. It noted that 15 senators are retiring and two are leaving for higher office, and that final floor votes often split along party lines, including one bill passing 34-33. Several retiring senators used farewell speeches to urge civility, compromise, and putting people first, while the segment emphasized that despite partisan conflict, quiet bipartisan cooperation still produced much of the session’s enacted legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• 40% of homeowners now have solar.
• 40% of homeowners now have solar.
• I think it's awesome because copper produces solar. And without copper, solar will not be around.
• I think it's awesome because copper produces solar. And without copper, solar will not be around.
• solar didn't get the job done.

Bills: SB12, SB36, SB92, SB120, SB133, SB151, SB18, SB96

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• And some of the challenges is that you might have distributed locations where people might need to charge
• We have one agency that we had worked with that did kind of a mobile solar charging project, but the
• They're adding electric, and they have a solar power canopy that is adding to their infrastructure for

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee held a work session focused heavily on Climate Commitment Act transportation spending and electrification programs. Staff first reviewed roughly $2.2 billion in CCA transportation allocations over three biennia, noting that the largest shares went to public transportation, active transportation, ferry electrification, ZEV programs, rail freight/ports, and planning, with about half of the electrification and fuel-conversion spending tied to state ferries. Members asked for more detail comparing CCA dollars with the broader transportation budget and for total project costs, not just CCA contributions. The Department of Ecology presented on the zero-emission school bus program. Ecology said the legislature codified the program in 2024 and requires electric buses once diesel and electric costs are equivalent, with exemptions available when electric buses cannot meet district needs. Ecology reported $38.3 million in CCA funding for 2025-27, with $21.4 million already obligated or spent to replace 91 diesel buses in 28 districts, plus additional federal EPA funding leveraged for 13 more buses. Members asked about health impacts, parity timing, rural route exemptions, charging and training costs, and whether the program includes infrastructure; Ecology said the grants cover buses, charging, and sometimes training, and that the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is developing the cost-equivalency formula. The Department of Commerce described its clean transportation role, including EV rebates, charging infrastructure, tribal electric boats, and the EV Coordinating Council. Commerce said its rebate program was designed to lower monthly payments for low-income households, that 89% of recipients said the rebate was essential to their purchase, and that lease incentives helped draw additional federal dollars. Members asked about tribal boat details, utility interconnection and curtailment, range anxiety, and vandalism at charging stations; Commerce said battery storage and managed charging are being used in some projects, some utilities are more responsive than others, and vandalism remains a challenge. The Department of Enterprise Services reported 567 Level 2 and 46 Level 3 charging ports installed at 82 state sites, with 19 more sites in progress and over $100 million in additional candidate projects. DES said most funding is for new infrastructure, though some VW settlement money is used for replacements, and members asked about charger replacement needs, mobile charging, and EV fleet purchasing data. WSDOT then outlined its EV infrastructure and transit programs. It said the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Partnership program has funded 23 new charging sites this biennium, including overburdened communities and tribal locations, and has supported 264 DC fast-charging ports statewide. WSDOT also described the new Washington Zero Emission Incentive Program, a point-of-sale voucher program for zero-emission commercial vehicles and equipment with $112 million available this biennium; it reported strong early demand, especially for off-road equipment and heavy trucks, and said technical assistance is being provided to help businesses participate. In public transportation, WSDOT said CCA funds support bus and bus facility grants, commute trip reduction, green transportation capital projects, paratransit, tribal transit, zero-emissions access car share, and other mobility projects, with most awards benefiting overburdened communities. Finally, WSDOT’s rail freight and ports division said port electrification projects are underway but spending is still low because of long design, permitting, utility, and supply-chain timelines; it estimated the $89.8 million program could reduce more than 140,000 metric tons of emissions over 10 years. Members questioned the pace of spending, the Northwest Seaport drayage project, and how state funds can leverage additional federal or port resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• And some of the challenges is that you might have distributed locations where people might need to charge
• We have one agency that In the past, we had worked with one agency that did kind of a mobile solar charging
• They're adding electric— they have a solar power canopy that is adding to their infrastructure for charging

Summary: The House Transportation Committee held a work session focused on Climate Commitment Act transportation spending and electrification programs. Staff first reviewed overall CCA transportation allocations, saying about $2.2 billion has been allocated over three biennia, with major categories including public transportation, active transportation, ferry electrification, zero-emission vehicle programs, rail/ports, and planning. Members asked for additional breakdowns comparing CCA dollars with total program costs across categories. The Department of Ecology presented on the zero-emission school bus grant program. Ecology said the program was codified in 2024 and supports the transition from diesel to electric school buses, including buses, charging infrastructure, and training. For 2025-27, Ecology received $38.3 million in CCA funding; $21.4 million is already obligated or spent, replacing 91 diesel buses in 28 districts, with the rest to be awarded by the end of the biennium. Members asked about cost parity, exemptions for rural and extracurricular routes, health data, and whether the funding covers chargers as well as buses. Ecology said OSPI is developing the parity formula and exemptions are available when electric buses cannot meet district needs. The Department of Commerce described its clean transportation role, including EV rebates, tribal charging and electric boat projects, and the EV Coordinating Council. Commerce said its rebate program was designed to lower monthly costs and prioritize low-income households, with 89% of recipients saying the rebate was essential to their purchase. It also reported strong demand for charging grants, progress on tribal projects, and concerns about utility interconnection timelines, vandalism, and range anxiety. The Department of Enterprise Services reported on state agency EVSE projects, saying it has completed 82 sites with 567 Level 2 ports and 46 DC fast chargers, and that current projects will add 152 more Level 2 ports; members asked about replacing aging chargers and the state’s EV fleet purchasing mix. WSDOT closed with updates on charging, transit, and port electrification. It said its corridor charging program has awarded 23 sites this biennium, with 13 in overburdened communities and five tribal sites, and that the Washington Zero Emission Incentive Program opened with $112 million for vouchers for zero-emission commercial vehicles and equipment. WSDOT also described transit grants, including bus and bus facility funding, commute trip reduction, paratransit, tribal transit, and zero-emissions access car-share projects. The rail freight and ports division reported $89.8 million for port electrification projects, including shore power and drayage trucks, but noted only about 10% has been spent so far because projects are still in design and permitting. Members raised concerns about funding gaps, supply-chain delays, utility capacity, and whether the programs are sufficient to meet broader electrification needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as electricity, we are working with solar. We're trying to make this a greenfield.
• So it wouldn't take a solar field to power this area for our electrical need.
• possibility to seek some of those resources, particularly from reserves to further continue with the distribution

Bills: SB194, SB200, SB203, SB204, SJR3

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Transcript Highlights:

• creative is backed by a $24 million media buy, generating an estimated 1.5 billion impressions, and is distributed
• Magic Mountain this fall will open a huge solar project, and it will provide shade for its guests and
• Zaburd talked about, is a hundred percent solar. Only one in the world.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all of the above. energy strategy, if the economics of a particular geography are such that wind or solar
• is code for cutting taxes for the— wealthiest people in the country, because if you look at the distribution
• Now, this was a long. long series of things where, for instance, subsidies, monies went for solar manufacturing

Keywords: nomination, Deputy Secretary of Treasury, economic policy, inflation, tariffs, tribal nations, government relations

Summary: The meeting convened to consider the nomination of Mike Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. During the session, multiple members voiced concerns regarding current economic policies under the Trump administration, particularly around inflation, tariffs, and the impact on small businesses. Discussions frequently centered on the administration's approach to tariffs and taxation, and how these factors contribute to the rising cost of living and potential job losses. Additionally, the importance of bolstering government-to-government relationships with tribal nations was emphasized, highlighting the need for specialized offices focused on tribal affairs within the Treasury Department.